cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene-environment processes linking temperament and parenting

Understanding the development of individual differences in temperament is crucial because temperament represents fundamental attributes that underlie various normal behaviors as well as psychopathology. In this chapter, we reviewed contemporary theories and empirical findings concerning the gene-environment processes in temperament development throughout infancy, childhood, and early adolescence with an emphasis on parenting environments. We started by reviewing theories of temperament. We then reviewed literature from the two traditionally segregated fields that respectively examined the genetic vs. environmental (in particular parental) influences on temperament. Most of the chapter focused on the cutting-edge research examining the complex interplay between genes and early rearing environment in temperament development. Three types of gene-environment interplay processes were discussed: gene-environment correlation, gene-environment interaction, and epigenetic processes. This growing body of literature suggests complex transactional processes between genes and rearing environment in shaping the vast diversity of individual differences that we observe in temperament and personality. Finally, we discussed existing gaps in the current literature and suggested potential future directions for the field.
Human-Centered Automated Proof Search

Human-centered automated proof search aims to capture structures of ordinary mathematical proofs and discover human strategies that are used (implicitly) in their construction. We analyze the ways of two theorem provers for approaching that goal. One, the GG the other, Sieg’s AProS system, is described in Sieg and Walsh (Rev Symb Logic 1-35, 2019). Both systems make explicit, via their underlying logical calculi, the goal-directedness and bi-directionality of proof construction. However, the calculus for the GG AProS is to yield humanly intelligible formal proofs by logically and mathematically motivated strategies. In our final Programmatic remarks, we sketch a plausible, but difficult project for achieving more fully G&G’s broad goals by radically separating proof search from proof translation: one could use AProS for the proof search and then exploit the strategic structure of the completed proof as the deterministic underpinning for its translation into a natural language.
Warm and Cold Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in the Setting of COVID-19 Disease

Known associations with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) include lymphoproliferative neoplasms, autoimmune conditions, and viral infections. There are a few case reports that implicate a potential relationship between COVID-19 and either warm or cold AIHA. We present the case of combined warm and cold AIHA in the setting of COVID-19. A 51-year-old male with no known past medical history presented with weakness and jaundice. Initial workup revealed white blood cells 41.4, hemoglobin 3.1, platelets 343, total bilirubin 5.3, direct bilirubin 1.6, and COVID-19 positive. Direct antiglobulin test (DAT) found IgG and C3 antibodies and pathology revealed cold agglutinins, consistent with both warm and cold AIHA. He received a total of five blood transfusions and was started on prednisone 1 mg/kg daily with a gradual taper over months. Hemolysis labs normalized within two weeks after discharge although antibodies remained positive 70 days after admission. Our patient presented with IgG and C3 antibodies as well as cold agglutinins, consistent with both warm and cold AIHA. To our knowledge, this is the first case of both warm and cold AIHA presenting simultaneously in COVID-19 infection. Unlike most cases in the existing literature, this patient had no history of underlying hematologic malignancy and both warm and cold AIHA.
Impact of Cannabis Use on Least Pain Scores Among African American and White Patients with Cancer Pain: A Moderation Analysis.

Introduction Based on many published reports, African American patients with cancer experience higher pain severity scores and lower pain relief than White patients. This disparity results from undertreatment of pain and is compounded by low adherence to prescribed non-opioid and opioid analgesics among African American patients with cancer. While nearly one in four patients use cannabis to manage cancer-related symptoms, less is known about how cannabis use influences pain relief in this patient population. Methods This study is based on preliminary data from an ongoing study of longitudinal outcomes of opioid therapy among African American and White patients with cancer. Linear mixed-effects models were utilized to assess the interaction of race and cannabis use on pain relief using "least pain" item scores from the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) averaged across three time points. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical variables. Results This analysis included 136 patients (49 African American, 87 White). Overall, 30.1% of the sample reported cannabis use for cancer pain. The mean "least pain" score on BPI was 3.3 (SD=2.42) on a scale of 0-10. African American patients had a mean "least pain" score 1.32±0.48 units higher (indicating lower pain relief) than White patients (p=0.006). Cannabis use did not have a significant main effect (p=0.28). However, cannabis use was a significant moderator of the relationship between race and "least pain" (p=0.03). In the absence of cannabis use, African Americans reported higher "least pain" scores compared to Whites (mean difference=1.631±0.5, p=0.001). However, this disparity was no longer observed in African American patients reporting cannabis use (mean "least pain" difference=0.587±0.59, p=0.32). Conclusion These findings point to the possible role of cannabis in cancer pain management and its potential to reduce racial disparities. These findings are preliminary and further research into the role of cannabis in cancer pain outcomes is needed.
Inviting the Alternative Health Care Practitioner to the Classroom: Some Suggestions

(1982). Inviting the Alternative Health Care Practitioner to the Classroom: Some Suggestions. Health Education: Vol. 13, Controversial Issues, pp. 34-34.
CHAPTER 16 – Composite Foods and Formulas, Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition

Oral consumption of a standard diet is the best way to meet nutrition needs. But when oral feeding with regular food is not possible, nutrients may be delivered as a supplement or as total nourishment through non volitional feedings. This chapter describes composite foods and formulas and presents general principles of enteral and parenteral nutrition. General indications for enteral nutrition include insufficient oral intake, nutrient repletion, and support during the transition phase of parenteral nutrition. Contraindications include intractable vomiting, intestinal obstruction, upper GI tract hemorrhaging, high risk for aspiration, and severe intractable diarrhea. The decision to initiate enteral feedings begins with an assessment of GI tract function. The composition and nutritional value of commercially prepared formulas vary considerably. The composition of the formula determines the use and has a tremendous bearing on patient tolerance. Enteral and parenteral nutrition are effective methods of providing nutrients to patients who cannot eat. But both of these therapies have unique potential complications, some of which can be life threatening. When knowledgeable health care professionals provide these therapies, the complications can be minimized. Nutrition supports, both enteral and parenteral therapies, have become standard, life-saving therapies across the continuum of care.
Umbral oscillations and penumbral waves in H alpha

Examples are presented of umbral oscillations observed on Big Bear H-alpha filtergram movies, and the relation between umbral oscillations and running penumbral waves occurring in the same sunspot is investigated. Umbral oscillations near the center of the umbra are probably physically independent of the penumbral waves because the period of these umbral oscillations (150 sec) is shorter than the penumbral wave period (270 sec), but not a harmonic. Dark puffs emerge from the edge of the umbra and move outward across the penumbra, and have the same period as the running penumbral waves. These dark puffs are interpreted to be the extension of chromospheric umbral oscillations at the edge of the umbra. It is suggested that the dark puffs and the running penumbral waves have a common source: photospheric oscillations just inside the umbra.
Substrate-Induced Protein Stabilization Reveals a Predominant Contribution from Mature Proteins to Peptides Presented on MHC Class I

The origin of the MHC class I-presented peptides are thought to be primarily from newly synthesized but defective proteins, termed defective ribosomal products. Most of the data supporting this concept come from studies in which inhibitors of protein synthesis were found to rapidly block Ag presentation even when cells contained a pool of mature proteins. However, these data only indirectly address the origin of presented peptides, and in most studies, the contribution of mature functional proteins to the class I peptide pool has not been directly quantified. In this report, we address the efficiency and contribution of mature proteins using a tetracycline-inducible system to express Ags that are conditionally stabilized upon ligand binding. This system circumvents the use of general inhibitors of protein synthesis to control Ag expression. Moreover, by controlling Ag stabilization, we could investigate whether the degradation of mature Ags contributed to Ag presentation at early and/or late time points. We show that mature proteins are the major contributor of peptides presented on class I for two distinct antigenic constructs. Furthermore, our data show that the protein synthesis inhibitors used previously to test the contribution of defective proteins actually block Ag presentation in ways that are independent from blocking Ag synthesis. These data suggest that for the constructs we have analyzed, mature functional proteins, rather than defective ribosomal products, are the predominant source of MHC class I-presented peptides.
A positivstellensatz for non-commutative polynomials

A non-commutative polynomial which is positive on a bounded semi-algebraic set of operators has a weighted sum of squares representation. This Positivstellensatz parallels similar results in the commutative case. A broader issue is, to what extent does real semi-algebraic geometry extend to non-commutative polynomials? Our strict Positivstellensatz is positive news, on the opposite extreme from strict positivity would be a Real Nullstellensatz. We give an example which shows that there is no non-commutative Real Nullstellensatz along certain lines. However, we include a successful type of non-commutative Nullstellensatz proved by George Bergman.
End-to-end data integrity for file systems: a ZFS case study

We present a study of the effects of disk and memory corruption on file system data integrity. Our analysis focuses on Sun's ZFS, a modern commercial offering with numerous reliability mechanisms. Through careful and thorough fault injection, we show that ZFS is robust to a wide range of disk faults. We further demonstrate that ZFS is less resilient to memory corruption, which can lead to corrupt data being returned to applications or system crashes. Our analysis reveals the importance of considering both memory and disk in the construction of truly robust file and storage systems.
Chapter 8 Circadian Rhythms in Aqueous Humor Formation

Publisher Summary In a study discussed in this chapter, a molecular source for the circadian rhythm of aqueous flow is shown to be the β-adrenergic receptor in the ciliary epithelium interfacing with other signal transduction pathways. The circadian rhythm of aqueous flow was used to uncover molecular controls for aqueous humor formation. No evidence was found for the participation of the Cx43 gap junctions between pigmented epithelial (PE) and nonpigmented epithelial (NPE) cells in this physiologic process. At the turn of the 19th century, several observations of the human eye indicated that a drop in ipsilateral pressure occurred after cervical sympathectomy. In particular, stellate ganglion block of the sympathetic input to the eye was effective in reducing intraocular pressure. Studies of the adrenergic system demonstrated and reported signal transduction for the ciliary epithelium. The importance of intercellular communication via gap junctions for the metabolic cooperativity of adjacent cells has been well established for cells of a wide variety of tissues, many of which exhibit secretory functions.
Effective and Emerging Treatments in Pediatric Psychology

Introduction and Overview PART 1: TREATMENT RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 1. Effective treatments in pediatric psychology 2. Treatment manuals and clinical practice PART 2: INTERVENTION APPROACHES 3. Individual therapies 4. Multi-person and systemic interventions COMMON TOPICS IN PEDIATRIC PSYCHOLOGY INTERVENTION 5. Pain 6. Adherence PART 4: INTERVENTIONS FOR SPECIFIC DISORDERS 7. Enuresis 8. Encopresis 9. Sleep problems in young children PART 5: PROMISING INTERVENTIONS FOR SPECIFIC DISORDERS 10. Cystic Fibrosis
DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY OF STARCH12

At high water-to-starch (2:1) ratios a single endotherm was obtained for starch gelatinization. As the water-to-starch ratio was decreased the endotherm area decreased and the peak developed a trailing shoulder. At high water-to-starch ratios birefringence is lost over a temperature range of about 7°C. That narrow range increases to about 30°C at a low water-to-starch ratio. Starch and flour gave essentially the same endotherm initiation temperatures. In low-water systems the second DSC peak is much smaller with starch than with flour. It appears that in a starch system, water migrates during gelatinization. In dough, gluten limits that migration. As the level of sucrose was increased in a dough, the transition temperature increased and the gelatinization temperature range decreased. At the levels found in bread doughs both sugar and salt increase starch gelatinization temperatures.
Novel Small Molecule Agonist of TGR5 Possesses Anti-Diabetic Effects but Causes Gallbladder Filling in Mice

Activation of TGR5 via bile acids or bile acid analogs leads to the release of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) from intestine, increases energy expenditure in brown adipose tissue, and increases gallbladder filling with bile. Here, we present compound 18, a non-bile acid agonist of TGR5 that demonstrates robust GLP-1 secretion in a mouse enteroendocrine cell line yet weak GLP-1 secretion in a human enteroendocrine cell line. Acute administration of compound 18 to mice increased GLP-1 and peptide YY (PYY) secretion, leading to a lowering of the glucose excursion in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), while chronic administration led to weight loss. In addition, compound 18 showed a dose-dependent increase in gallbladder filling. Lastly, compound 18 failed to show similar pharmacological effects on GLP-1, PYY, and gallbladder filling in Tgr5 knockout mice. Together, these results demonstrate that compound 18 is a mouse-selective TGR5 agonist that induces GLP-1 and PYY secretion, and lowers the glucose excursion in an OGTT, but only at doses that simultaneously induce gallbladder filling. Overall, these data highlight the benefits and potential risks of using TGR5 agonists to treat diabetes and metabolic diseases.
Tracking the Fate of Genetically Distinct Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Matrix Proteins Highlights the Role for Late Domains in Assembly.

UNLABELLED Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) assembly requires condensation of the viral ribonucleoprotein (RNP) core with the matrix protein (M) during budding from the plasma membrane. The RNP core comprises the negative-sense genomic RNA completely coated by the nucleocapsid protein (N) and associated by a phosphoprotein (P) with the large polymerase protein (L). To study the assembly of single viral particles, we tagged M and P with fluorescent proteins. We selected from a library of viruses with insertions in the M gene a replication-competent virus containing a fluorescent M and combined that with our previously described virus containing fluorescent P. Virus particles containing those fusions maintained the same bullet shape appearance as wild-type VSV but had a modest increase in particle length, reflecting the increased genome size. Imaging of the released particles revealed a variation in the amount of M and P assembled into the virions, consistent with a flexible packaging mechanism. We used the recombinants to further study the importance of the late domains in M, which serve to recruit the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery during budding. Mutations in late domains resulted in the accumulation of virions that failed to pinch off from the plasma membrane. Imaging of single virions released from cells that were coinfected with M tagged with enhanced green fluorescent protein and M tagged with mCherry variants in which the late domains of one virus were inactivated by mutation showed a strong bias against the incorporation of the late-domain mutant into the released virions. In contrast, the intracellular expression and membrane association of the two variants were unaltered. These studies provide new tools for imaging particle assembly and enhance our resolution of existing models for assembly of VSV. IMPORTANCE Assembly of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) particles requires the separate trafficking of the viral replication machinery, a matrix protein (M) and a glycoprotein, to the plasma membrane. The matrix protein contains a motif termed a "late domain" that engages the host endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery to facilitate the release of viral particles. Inactivation of the late domains through mutation results in the accumulation of virions arrested at the point of release. In the study described here, we developed new tools to study VSV assembly by fusing fluorescent proteins to M and to a constituent of the replication machinery, the phosphoprotein (P). We used those tools to show that the late domains of M are required for efficient incorporation into viral particles and that the particles contain a variable quantity of M and P.
Terminal diversification of the myocyte lineage generates Purkinje fibers of the cardiac conduction system.

The rhythmic contraction of the vertebrate heart is dependent on organized propagation of electrical excitation through the cardiac conduction system. Because both muscle- and neuron-specific genes are co-expressed in cells forming myocardial conduction tissues, two origins, myogenic and neural, have been suggested for this specialized tissue. Using replication-defective retroviruses, encoding recombinant beta-galactosidase (beta-gal), we have analyzed cell lineage for Purkinje fibers (i.e., the peripheral elements of the conduction system) in the chick heart. Functioning myocyte progenitors were virally tagged at embryonic day 3 of incubation (E3). Clonal beta-gal+ populations of cells, derived from myocytes infected at E3 were examined at 14 (E14) and 18 (E18) days of embryonic incubation. Here, we report that a subset of clonally related myocytes differentiates into conductile Purkinje fibers, invariably in close spatial association with forming coronary arterial blood vessels. These beta-gal+ myogenic clones, containing both working myocytes and Purkinje fibers, did not incorporate cells contributing to tissues of the central conduction system (e.g. atrioventricular ring and bundles). In quantitative analyses, we found that whereas the number of beta-gal+ myocyte nuclei per clone more than doubled between E14 and E18, the number of beta-gal+ Purkinje fiber nuclei remained constant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Insect metamorphosis: Out with the old, in with the new

During insect metamorphosis, the steroid hormone ecdysone activates programmed cell death of larval tissues and the further development of adult tissues. Recent studies suggest that the E93 gene is both necessary and sufficient to target tissues for ecdysone-induced apoptosis.
Financial Strategies and Outcomes Management in Trauma Care: Current Status and Predictions for the Future

In the competitive health care market of the 1990s, trauma centers face a multitude of fiscal challenges that threaten their survival. Trauma centers are confronted with the tremendous task of balancing the cost of caring for the patient with multiple trauma who requires resource-intensive care with the most fiscally responsible outcomes. Academic medical centers and residency training programs are faced with an even greater burden associated with controlling cost while providing learning experiences for physicians and nurses. Outcomes management represents the future strategy that trauma centers nationwide must embrace. Outcomes management gives trauma centers the opportunity to demonstrate their contribution to the community and society through improved patient and systems outcomes.
GELLAB: a computer system for 2D gel electrophoresis analysis I. Segmentation of spots and system preliminaries..

Abstract GELLAB is a computerized analysis system for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis images. It is particularly concerned with tools for the automation of comparisons among multiple gels rather than simple gel-pair analyses. Interrogation of and experimentation with the spot data base may then be performed in order to extract measurements on particular spots within the set of gels. In the case of gels partitioned into multiple classes, it is possible to search for spots in the spot data base having statistically significant differences between classes. This first paper deals with: (1) some gel properties which bear on image acquisition and image analysis, (2) the broad image acquisition environment, beyond mere scanning, such as auxiliary data, standarization and calibration, and (3) segmentation as a means of spot extraction and characterization. Our segmentation algorithm is based on problem domain heuristics and particularly on properties of the second derivative. It is therefore largely shape and density independent. The segmenter, as the other GELLAB programs, is written in SAIL and runs on either a DECSYSTEM-10 or -20.
Spectroscopy of Jupiter: 3200 to 11,200 Å

Abstract We have measured the absolute reflectivities of four areas on Jupiter between 3200 and 11,200 A with spectral resolution of 5 A (λ 6000 A). The values of the isotropic single-scattering albedos derived are considerably higher than those derived from photometric data of other investigators. These higher values allow a fit to be obtained, using existing atmospheric models, to the observed equivalent widths of the H2 3–0 quadrupole lines. The equivalent widths of several Jovian methane and ammonia absorptions are presented and discussed. The values of Chamberlain's w and q parameters for the CH4 6190 A band are found to be 1.2±0.5 and 240±100, respectively.
Pediatric Recipient Survival Beyond 15 Post-Heart Transplant Years: A Single-Center Experience

Background We evaluated late survival among pediatric heart transplant patients who have lived more than 15 years. Methods This is a retrospective chart review of the pediatric patients who underwent heart transplantation (HTx) between 1985 and 1998. Multivariate and univariate analyses were examined. Results There were 183 recipients, of whom 151 are currently alive. Age at HTx ranged from 0 days to 17.48 years (median 56 days). Pretransplant diagnoses included congenital heart disease 142 (77.6%), cardiomyopathy 38 (20.8%), and tumor 3 (1.6%). Pretransplant renal dysfunction was present in 58 patients (31.7%). Perioperative peritoneal dialysis was instituted in 15 patients, all recovered. During the follow-up period (median 20.2 years), 17 (9.3%) have had renal transplants, and 2 require hemodialysis. There were 32 deaths from the following: cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV); 11 (34.3%); posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease 6 (18.8%); acute rejection 4 (12.5%); sepsis 2 (6.3%); multiorgan failure 1 (3.1%); and unknown 8 (25%). Immunosuppressive therapy for the living patients consists of monotherapy 25 (17.7%), dual therapy 87 (61.7%), triple therapy 24 (17%), quadruple therapy 5 (3.5%), and 10 unknown. Cardiac re-Tx was required for CAV in 30 patients and for graft failure in 6 patients. Four patients required a third transplant for CAV. For those who survived more than 15 years after HTx, actuarial survival to 20 years and 25 years is 82% and 78%, respectively. Conclusions Pediatric HTx provides acceptable long-term survival. Cardiac re-Tx and renal transplantation offer reasonable palliation for recipients who develop CAV and renal dysfunction.
Control of the Michigan State University Cyclotron

To operate the MSU cyclotron, controls are set to pre-computed values prepared by a computer program known as SETOP; to obtain a complete set of operating instructions the experimenter need only specify the particle of interest and a field identification number roughly proportional to energy. The program uses this information along with measured field data and a pre-computed set of ideal fields to determine the desired "operating point" in a straightforward series of calculations: (1) the fields at the desired excitation are synthesized by interpolation in the measured field data, (2) an average field is obtained using a modified least squares fit of the desired average field by the trim coils, and (3) the rf frequency is determined so as to minimize the energy spread of the beam in a single turn at the extraction energy. This paper describes the procedure used in SETOP to determine such operating points, and discusses the principle features of these computations. A typical SETOP sheet is presented along with instructions for its use. Results of beam measurements are in excellent agreement with computed beam behavior.
Endotracheal Castleman Disease: A Case Report

Castleman disease (CD) is an uncommon benign lymphoid hyperplasia with several clinical and morphologic variants associated with distinct outcomes. Pulmonary CD has been reported as a rare extranodal manifestation in the literature. However, CD presenting as an obstructive mass in the airway has not been documented. We report a case of localized hyaline-vascular CD presenting as an endotracheal lesion. The patient was a 50-year-old woman with Marfan syndrome. The lesion caused near-complete airway obstruction with respiratory insufficiency. The patient underwent laser resection, and the diagnosis of CD was supported by comprehensive studies including histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular methods.
A speculative hybrid reverse osmosis/electrodialysis unit operation

Abstract We have considered a speculative water desalination concept that combines high-pressure reverse osmosis (RO) and electrodialysis (ED) in intimate proximity to each other. In the concept model’s configuration, the RO membranes are hollow-fibers that form the spacer channels between the alternating anion and cation exchange membranes. The entire system is under high-pressure (as needed for the pressure-driven RO process) and produces two main streams, an RO-quality permeate and a concentrated brine. The schematic utilizes an internal recycle between the alternate ED flow channels. The anticipated process advantages are that some salt is removed from the RO concentrate—by ED—during the pressure-driven filtration and that electrophoretic flow also helps reduce concentration polarization. Both of these serve the purpose of lowering the osmotic pressure at the RO membrane interface and saving energy (and/or increasing the recovery of pure water per unit energy input). Our hybrid approach is conceptually superior to operating an ED step followed by RO because the energy expenditure for the ED (in the hybrid case) is lower—there are higher salt concentrations in all the channels, which lowers the overall cell pair resistance. The figure-of-merit is the W·h·L−1 expended to produce RO-quality permeate. This initial process analysis focuses on a single electrolyte salt, NaCl, and calculated the energy savings for several operating conditions. The process parameters include the overall transport properties of the ion-exchange (IEX) and RO membranes; the recovery of feed as permeate; the concentration of various streams; and the RO membrane area per unit area of IEX membrane. Many conditions have been identified for which energy savings from 10 to 20+% can be realized. We also include initial measurements of NaCl and water transport figures-of-merit through a number of IEX membranes and a polyaramid-based RO hollow fiber, in order to consider the viability of current membrane materials for enabling the proposed, novel process concept. Our overall analysis indicates that the conductivity of the ion exchange membranes becomes the limiting factor on the possible energy savings.
Eye fixation and spatial organization in imagery

The relationship between eye fixation and spatial organization in imagery was investigated. A spatially organized stimulus consisting of 12 geometric shapes was presented. During recall, eye fixations were allowed to be appropriate to an image of the stimulus, or, alternatively, Ss had to fixate one spatial position. The number of stimulus elements recalled and the latency of the recall were measured. Results indicated that fixating one spatial position tended to disrupt the process of imaging spatial organization, compared to allowing appropriate scanning during recall.
Fish, fish-derived n-3 fatty acids, and risk of incident atrial fibrillation in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Background Results of observational and experimental studies investigating the association between intake of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) have been inconsistent. Methods We studied the association of fish and the fish-derived n-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with the risk of incident AF in individuals aged 45–64 from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort (n = 14,222, 27% African Americans). Intake of fish and of DHA and EPA were measured via food frequency questionnaire. Plasma levels of DHA and EPA were measured in phospholipids in a subset of participants (n = 3,757). Incident AF was identified through the end of 2008 using ECGs, hospital discharge codes and death certificates. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios of AF by quartiles of n-3 PUFAs or by fish intake. Results During the average follow-up of 17.6 years, 1,604 AF events were identified. In multivariable analyses, total fish intake and dietary DHA and EPA were not associated with AF risk. Higher intake of oily fish and canned tuna was associated with a nonsignificant lower risk of AF (p for trend = 0.09). Phospholipid levels of DHA+EPA were not related to incident AF. However, DHA and EPA showed differential associations with AF risk when analyzed separately, with lower risk of AF in those with higher levels of DHA but no association between EPA levels and AF risk. Conclusions In this racially diverse sample, dietary intake of fish and fish-derived n-3 fatty acids, as well as plasma biomarkers of fish intake, were not associated with AF risk.
Stochastic approximation algorithm with application to event-triggered filtering

This paper is focused on the problem of event-triggered filtering which has various applications such as sensor networks and data sampling/acquisition. An estimator may get a “sparse” sequence of observations: the observations may arrive only when some events trigger the sensor. In this paper, a series of stopping times is used to model the times when the sensors are triggered. Based on this model, a filtering problem is formulated as to estimate the true state of the dynamic system using the information from both the new observations and their corresponding stopping times. This filtering problem is numerically solved by a stochastic approximation algorithm which uses a Markov chain to approximate the evolution of the system.
Tamoxifen decreases ovarian follicular loss from experimental toxicant DMBA and chemotherapy agents cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin in the rat

We serendipitously observed a protective effect of tamoxifen against depletion of ovarian follicles by 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA), a chemical carcinogen, during a cancer prevention study. Such ovarian protection is being sought as an alternative approach to fertility preservation in human cancer patients. Rats received tamoxifen (0, 1 mg or 2.5 mg/kg/d) and DMBA (0, 1, 2 mg/kg/wk) or cyclophosphamide (0, 35, 50 mg/kg/wk). Ovarian follicles were quantified and effects on fertility and litter size were tested. Cultured oocytes were exposed to chemotherapy drug doxorubicin, with or without 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4HT). DMBA and cyclophosphamide decreased the number of primordial and total follicles, and this reduction was prevented by tamoxifen. Cyclophosphamide tended to reduce fertility and lessened neonatal survival. Tamoxifen reversed these defects. Doxorubicin caused oocyte fragmentation which was prevented by 4HT. Tamoxifen decreases follicle loss and improves reproductive function following exposure to ovarian toxicants including chemotherapy drugs in the female rat.
Sustained attention, inattention, receptive language, and story interruptions in preschool Head Start story time

This study investigated the influence of story interruptions, age, and receptive vocabulary knowledge on sustained attention during multiple sessions of Head Start story time for 32 children, ages 45 to 67 months. Teacher interruptions of the story with relevant remarks increased class attention while nonrelevant remarks did not. Children with less receptive vocabulary knowledge were slow to focus their attention at the beginning of stories and were more likely to be inattentive after teachers had interrupted story reading for nonrelevant remarks. Sustained attention for stories increased with age. This relation was the result of the average length of distraction time decreasing with age, while the number of distractions was not related to age. Results suggest that improving receptive vocabulary knowledge and having an appropriate match between receptive vocabulary knowledge and environmental demands are important for sustained attention during stories. Also, teachers may positively influence attention through the use of relevant interruptions during story reading.
Polymers containing polyhedral borane rings I. Condensation polymers

The preparation and properties of a unique new class of polymers containing polyhedral borane cages as part of the backbone polymer chain are described. The synthesis of polyamides, polyesters, polyureas, and polyurethanes proceeds from suitably chosen B10 and B12 polyhedral borane dicarbonyls, diols, and diisocyanates by typical condensation polymer techniques. Each complementary monomer may be a borane compound, but more often higher molecular weight products are provided when one monomer is a conventional organic reagent such as an aromatic diisocyanate. The polyamides prepared from 1, 12-B12H10(CO)2 and organic diamines were crystalline and soluble, but molecular weight were limited because the amidation reaction was reversible and/or the amide linkage could be split by nucleophilic attack by some solvents. The polyurethanes prepared from Na2B12H10(OH)2 and aromatic diisocyanates were high molecular weight and relatively more stable. Clear, colorless, tough films were prepared. These polymers were soluble in many polar solvents and exhibited typical polyelectrolyte behavior.
Modeling the transmural stress distribution during healing of bioresorbable vascular prostheses

Little attention has been given to the stresses within the wall of bioresorbable vascular prostheses and how they might affect the resorption process. We modeled the graft "complex" (inner tissue capsule, residual graft, and outer tissue capsule) as a three-layered compound tube under internal pressure. Using this biomechanical model, we studied the effects of alterations in the geometry (i.e., radius and thickness) and mechanical properties of each stratum on the overall transmural stress distribution. Hypothetical simulations were performed to investigate the possible sequence of and alterations in the radial and circumferential stresses during the resorption process. Our results suggest that early in the resorption phase, the inner tissue capsule is subjected to compressive hoop stresses and concentrated, large-magnitude compressive radial stresses. This distribution gives way to the more typical distribution for a thick-walled tube when equilibration (i.e., complete resorption) is approached. The prediction of the compressive stresses in the pseudo-intima during early resorption parallels findings of an elevated mitotic index in that region at that time. This leads to a new hypothesis, namely, that compressive stresses, both in-plane and out-of-plane with respect to the regenerated vascular cells, participate in the resorption process of bioresorbable vascular grafts by modulating elevated cellular proliferative activity and may play an important role in other aspects of vascular cell biology. Results of recent experimentation support this hypothesis.
Biochemical studies of the maturation of the small sindbis virus glycoprotein E3

A small glycoprotein (E3) was purified from the culture fluid of Sindbis virus-infected primary chick embryo fibroblasts. Tryptic peptide mapping and pulse-chase studies verified that this protein was produced as a by-product of the cleavage of the precursor protein PE2 to produce the envelope glycoprotein E2. A 2600-fold purification was achieved via a procedure which used differential ethanol precipitation, gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, and affinity chromatography on a lentil lectin column. Amino acid composition analysis, N-terminal microsequencing, and labeling studies yielded information about the fine structure of E3 and its relationship to E2 and virion maturation. The N-terminal sequence of E3 is identical to that of PE2, including the result that 90% of the molecules appear to be blocked. The first 19 amino acids are uncharged and presumably serve as the signal sequence for the insertion of PE2 into the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum, but this sequence is unusual in that it is not immediately cleaved from PE2 and is glycosylated at the asparagine at position 14. The two residues at the C-terminus of E3, Lys-Arg, are removed during or shortly after cleavage from PE2. Labeling studies imply that, although the PE2 -> E2 + E3 cleavage is necessary for virion budding, these two events are not closely coupled. E3 is cleaved and released into the culture fluid under conditions where virions do not bud, and the kinetics of the appearance of ES in the culture fluid and E2 in virions are quite dissimilar. The maturation of E3 is discussed as it relates to the processing of cellular membrane and secretory glycoproteins.
Soil Fungal Cellobiohydrolase I Gene (cbhI) Composition and Expression in a Loblolly Pine Plantation under Conditions of Elevated Atmospheric CO2 and Nitrogen Fertilization

The simultaneous increase of atmospheric CO(2) and nitrogen (N) deposition to terrestrial ecosystems is predicted to alter plant productivity and, consequently, to change the amount and quality of above- and belowground carbon entering forest soils. It is not known how such changes will impact the composition and function of soil fungal communities that play a key role in degrading complex carbon. We sequenced the fungal cellobiohydrolase I gene (cbhI) from soil DNA and cDNA to compare the richness and composition of resident and expressed cbhI genes at a U.S. Department of Energy free air-carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) site (NC), which had been exposed to elevated atmospheric CO(2) and/or N fertilization treatment for several years. Our results provide evidence that the richness and composition of the cellulolytic fungi surveyed in this study were distinct in the DNA- and cDNA-based gene surveys and were dominated by Basidiomycota that have low or no representation in public databases. The surveys did not detect differences in richness or phylum-level composition of cbhI-containing, cellulolytic fungi that correlated with elevated CO(2) or N fertilization at the time of sampling.
Amazonian conservation in a changing world

Prioritization of areas for conservation in Amazonia is based on estimates of modern biodiversity and the distribution of endemic species. The refugial hypothesis provided an important conceptual basis for understanding the effects of climatic change on these reserve areas. The hypothesis predicted that ice-age aridity in Amazonia would have been the dominant force that resulted in modern patterns of endemism. However, recent paleoecological data indicate that cooling, rather than drying, was the predominant climatic influence on the ice-age Amazon forests, and this leads to a re-evaluation of forces structuring Amazonian diversity patterns. Modern forest clearance may result in a warmer and drier Amazon basin; conditions now seen to be without past analog. In the light of these data, assumptions regarding the survival of forest isolates in a drying landscape must be revised. Habitat functions in the sense of hydrogeomorphic processes and climate are recommended as conservation goals rather than explicitly attempting to save biodiversity. Reserve areas should be established in the expectation of future climatic change and be large enough to allow the ensuing migration of species.
High-temperature triaxial torsional creep tests of concrete at various hygral conditions

Results of an initial series of six-day creep tests under a program aimed at establishing fundamental deformation properties of concrete at high temperatures under triaxial loading with shear and various hygral conditions, both constant and transient, are reported. The tests are conducted in a novel large triaxial torsional testing machine with hygrothermal control. Tested are cylinders of six inch diameter, sealed or unsealed, loaded by compressive axial force, chamber pressure and torque. Some specimens are sealed wet, some are sealed after drying in an oven, and some are let to dry during the test. Significant differences in creep at various hygro-thermal conditions are observed. Particularly interesting is the fact that hygro-thermal changes affect not only normal creep strains but also shear creep strains. The results are of interest for the formulation of constitutive relations needed for the analysis of nuclear reactor accidents, radioactive waste disposal, and fire resistance.
Immunophenotypic analysis of infiltrating leukocytes and microglia in an experimental rat glioma

The appearance and cellular distribution of major histocompatibility complex (MHC), as well as lymphocytic and macrophage antigens has been studied in a fully developed experimental rat forebrain glioma. Activated microglial cells and microglia-derived macrophages expressing CR3 complement receptor molecules and MHC class II (Ia) antigen were found throughout the tumor, and with increased density along the tumor's periphery. MHC class I antigen expression was entirely absent from tumor cells, and found only occasionally on microglia. The expression of leukocyte common antigen, and CD4 and CD8 antigens was conspicuous throughout the tumor, and associated with lymphocytes, perivascular cells, and microglia. Cells expressing the ED2 macrophage epitope were almost exclusively of the perivascular type and revealed a distribution dissimilar to that of cells positive for Ia antigen. The ED2 epitope was found sporadically on ramified microglial cells. The results show that despite heavy infiltration with blood mononuclear and CNS microglial cells, the tumor showed no evidence of destruction caused by inflammatory cells. Possible mechanisms of tumor immunosuppressive activity preventing the full immunological activation of microglia and blood mononuclear cells are discussed.
Long-range optical character recognition for product ID

An automated product tag reading system based on CCD cameras and computer image processing has been developed by West Virginia University and demonstrated at the Weirton Steel Corporation. The system reads both a 50-mil barcode and a string of six numbers on a four-inch by six-inch tag fastened to the end of a steel slab. Feedback from the image is used to point and zoom the camera, making the system effective at ranges up to thirty feet, and in bright sunlight-situations where handheld barcode scanners are ineffective. A video camera is mounted on a pan/tilt head and connected to a personal computer through a frame grabber board. The whole system is mounted on a slab hauler--a huge wheeled machine for carrying 100 tons of steel slabs at a time. The slab hauler backs into position and presses `start' on a touchscreen operator interface. A wide-angle image is grabbed, and the computer analyzes the images to find product ID tags in scene. The camera is then zoomed and pointed one-by-one at the tags for closeup images. Geometric warping is done on the closeup images to correct for viewing angle distortion, and both the barcode and the alphanumeric code are read by the software and reported to the inventory management system via radio modern. This paper discusses the neural network-based system for reading the characters on the tag. The camera pointing system and barcode reader are discussed in a companion paper.
Determination of Resistivity of Lossy Materials from Dielectric Measurements, Making Use of Interfacial Polarization

It is a well-known fact that the phenomenon of interfacial polarization complicates dielectric measurements at low frequencies. This effect leads to a pseudo-Debye relaxation process in a frequency or temperature spectrum of dielectric constant and loss, with the relaxation time determined by the physical dimensions of the barrier layer and by the resistivity of the bulk material. Use of this effect has been made to determine the resistivity of glass by purposely introducing a barrier of known dimensions, in the form of a thin sheet of mica. Values of resistivity and activation energy obtained by this method agree with values obtained by direct-current measurements.
A kidney deformation model for use in non-rigid registration during image-guided surgery

In order to facilitate the removal of tumors during partial nephrectomies, an image-guided surgery system may be useful. This system would require a registration of the physical kidney to a pre-operative image volume; however, it is unclear whether a rigid registration would be sufficient. One possible source of non-rigid deformation is the clamping of the renal artery during surgery and the subsequent loss of pressure as the kidney is punctured and blood loss occurs. To explore this issue, a model of kidney deformation due to loss of perfusion and pressure was developed based on Biot's consolidation model. The model was tested on two resected porcine kidneys in which the renal artery and vein were clamped. CT image volumes of the kidney were obtained before and after the deformation caused unclamping, and fiducial markers embedded on the kidney surface allowed the deformation to be tracked. The accuracy of the kidney model was accessed by calculating the model error at the fiducial locations and using image similarity measures. Preliminary results indicate that the model may be useful in a non-rigid registration scheme; however, further refinements to the model may be necessary to better simulate the deformation due to loss of perfusion and pressure.
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ANTECEDENTS OF ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIORS IN A PERSONAL SELLING CONTEXT

The authors report the results of two studies that attempt to model antecedents of organizational citizenship behaviors in a personal selling context. They draw the antecedents from extant research...