cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril on the long-term progression of left ventricular dysfunction in patients with heart failure. SOLVD Investigators.

BACKGROUND In patients with heart failure, activation of the renin-angiotensin system is common and has been postulated to provide a stimulus for further left ventricular (LV) structural and functional derangement. We tested the hypothesis that chronic administration of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor enalapril prevents or reverses LV dilatation and systolic dysfunction among patients with depressed ejection fraction (EF) and symptomatic heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS We examined subsets of patients enrolled in the Treatment Trial of Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD). Fifty-six patients with mild to moderate heart failure underwent serial radionuclide ventriculograms, and 16 underwent serial left heart catheterizations, before and after randomization to enalapril (2.5-20 mg/day) or placebo. At 1 year, there were significant treatment differences in LV end-diastolic volume (EDV; p less than 0.01), end-systolic volume (ESV; p less than 0.005), and EF (p less than 0.05). These effects resulted from increases in EDV (mean +/- SD, 136 +/- 27 to 151 +/- 38 ml/m2) and ESV (103 +/- 24 to 116 +/- 24 ml/m2) in the placebo group and decreases in EDV (140 +/- 44 to 127 +/- 37 ml/m2) and ESV (106 +/- 42 to 93 +/- 37 ml/m2) in the enalapril group. Mean LVEF increased in enalapril patients from 0.25 +/- 0.07 to 0.29 +/- 0.08 (p less than 0.01). There was a significant treatment difference in LV end-diastolic pressure at 1 year (p less than 0.05), with changes paralleling those of EDV. The time constant of LV relaxation changed only in the placebo group (p less than 0.01 versus enalapril), increasing from 59.2 +/- 8.0 to 67.8 +/- 7.2 msec. Serial radionuclide studies over a period of 33 months showed increases in LV volumes only in the placebo group. Two weeks after withdrawal of enalapril, EDV and ESV increased to baseline levels but not to the higher levels observed with placebo. CONCLUSIONS In patients with heart failure and reduced LVEF, chronic ACE inhibition with enalapril prevents progressive LV dilatation and systolic dysfunction (increased ESV). These effects probably result from a combination of altered remodeling and sustained reduction in preload and afterload.
Translocation breakpoints in soybean Classical genetic Linkage groups 6 and 8

Reciprocal chromosome translocations are important for locating genes to linkage groups (LGs). Identifying the chromosomes involved in translocations is necessary for the isolation of tester sets. Our objectives were (i) to determine the location of translocation breakpoints by testing linkage with loci of Classical Linkage Group (CLG) 6 (Df 2 and Y 11 ), CLG 8 (Adh 1 , Ms 1 , Wm, Ms 6 , St 5 , W 1 , and Y 23 ), and other CLGs, and (ii) to confirm the orientation of these nine marker loci. The 'KS172-11-3', 'KS175-7-3', 'Clark T/T', 'KS171-31-2', PI 189866, and 'L75-0283-4' soybean lines with homozygous chromosome translocations were crossed to the same genetic marker types. F 2 seed was increased at the University of Puerto Rico/Iowa State University soybean nursery near Isabela, PR. Data for the different characters used as marker traits were collected from F 2 populations and F 2β families. Recombination values revealed linkage between the breakpoints in KS172-11-3, KS175-7-3, and Clark T/T, with Df 2 , Y 11 , and several loci of CLG 8. Interestingly, these three translocations had a common breakpoint between Y 11 and Ms 1 , but no linkage was identified between these loci and the breakpoints in KS171-31-2, PI 189866, and L75-0283-4. Our data further showed that CLGs 6 and 8 are the same LG, with Df 2 and Adh 1 at the ends of the chromosome segment. KS172-11-3, KS175-7-3, and Clark T/T share a common translocated chromosome which is different from that in KS171-31-2, PI 189866, and L75-0283-4. This information will facilitate the assignment of CLGs and the isolation of a tester set of translocations, and enhance genetic linkage mapping.
Aggregation and the Demand for New and Used Automobiles

This study is an empirical investigation of the aggregate demand for the services of new and used automobiles in the United States from 1954 to 1972. In almost all previous studies of the automobile market, the heterogeneity of automobiles is ignored, and the studies proceed on the basis of a single aggregate measure of the automobile stock. The only two exceptions are Farrell [2] and Wykoff [14]. The models they used to incorporate differences in the services provided by various cars, however, did not yield satisfactory empirical results. The motivation for our study lies in their unsuccessful attempts to explain used car prices. Farrell considers the market for automobiles to be a set of interrelated markets for a series of close substitutes rather than a single market for a homogeneous commodity. He assumes cars of a particular age to be homogeneous and constructs demand functions for ages one through six. Although his model is interesting, his empirical results are disappointing in that no systematic relations emerge over age. A more recent study by Wykoff separates the automobile market into new and used cars but treats used cars as homogeneous. He finds that new and used car services have distinct price and income elasticities; the income elasticity for new car services appears much larger indicating new car services are superior goods relative to used car services. His estimate of the used car income elasticity, however, is extremely imprecise; in fact, not one of the coefficients in the equation determining the rental price of used cars is statistically significant. Without reliable evidence the superior goods hypothesis remains suspect. In addition to examining the demand for automobile services, it is the purpose of this study to explain the determination of used car rental prices, and test the superior goods hypothesis. In Section 2, two alternative definitions of the implicit rental price are constructed following different assumptions regarding the value of next period's expected price. Relative rental price ratios are interpreted as weights that translate the services of automobiles of different makes and ages into a common numeraire unit in order to obtain various aggregate measures of automobile services. Evidence on whether these weights satisfy the Hicks aggregation criteria is presented. In Section 3, we describe the aggregate demand equations that are to be estimated with each make alternatively as the numeraire. These equations are estimated with different makes as the numeraire in order to provide additional evidence on the question of aggregation. It is shown that the price and income elasticities are unaffected by varying the numeraire if the Hicks aggregation criteria are satisfied.
Implementation of Locally Weighted Regression to Maintain Calibrations on FT-NIR Analyzers for Industrial Processes

The maintenance of multivariate models used with on-line near-infrared analyzers often consumes significant resources after installation. This paper presents a proposed calibration strategy based on a locally weighted regression (LWR) model with an extended library and its test results on two industrial data sets. The LWR method uses combined spectral and chemical space for distance, which was modified from Wang et al.'s proposed distance measurements, and linear weightings as well as principal component regression (PCR) analysis. The addition of new sample spectra to adapt process changes or to correct for prediction variations is also proposed. Although the maintenance of predictions within performance specifications was the original goal for the proposed strategy, the LWR approach with extended libraries also provides significant accuracy improvement. The root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) for the first concentration property in data set 1 from the LWR model on an extended library is 47% better than the one from a global PCR model. The RMSEP for the second concentration in set 1 is 14% better. On the other hand, global models based on the corresponding extended libraries, which were used by the LWR model, do not show any significant performance improvement. The improvement for the physical property of set 2 is 61%, which may be due to the more clustered sample distribution and the nonlinear relationship between the property and spectral response. Current implementations also show that the LWR model provides a convenient platform to include new samples that were collected after installation to adapt process or sample changes.
Lactation Studies. V. Effect of Litter Size and Number of Lactation upon Milk Yields in Sprague-Dawley Rats with Observations on Rates of Gains of Young in Litters of Various Sizes

Summary The relative milk yields of 32 rats were estimated between the 8th and 18th days of their lactations by daily weighings of their litters. There were 32 first, 27 second, and 22 third lactations involved. The young born to each rat remained with her until the eighth day, at which time the numbers of young in the litters were reduced to 3, 6, 8, or 10 for 1st, and 8, 10, and 12 for 2nd and 3rd lactations. As the number of young in litters (size) increased, the weight gain of the litter increased, indicating that milk yields increased also. Milk yields in the second lactations were similar to those in third lactations and these were, in turn, higher than yields in first lactations. In first lactations the average growth rates of young in litters were not statistically different until the litter size exceeded ten; with a litter size of ten they grew significantly slower (P
Can I sit here? A review of the literature supporting the use of single-user virtual environments to help adolescents with autism learn appropriate social communication skills

Abstract People with autism frequently have difficulty in behaving in a socially acceptable manner, for example, they may stand too close to other people in a social situation or do not observe accepted social niceties. This can lead to peer rejection and a sense of isolation. Research has been carried out to investigate whether single-user virtual environments (SVEs) could provide a suitable intervention to help those with autism learn how to communicate with others in a socially acceptable manner. This paper reviews the research studies to date and considers whether SVEs could provide a viable intervention to teach social communication skills to autistic people.
Predictive value of precore hepatitis B virus mutations in spontaneous and interferon-induced hepatitis B e antigen clearance

We previously reported two mutually exclusive mutations in the precore region of hepatitis B virus: Ml (T-1856, proline-serine substitution at codon 15) and M2 (A1896, stop codon at codon 28). This study was conducted to determine if the presence of precore mutants affect spontaneous or interferon (IFN)-induced hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) clearance. Sera from 201 hepatitis B e antigen positive Chinese patients (including 106 who participated in a controlled trial of IFN therapy) with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were analyzed by direct sequencing of HBV DNA after amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Forty-three (21%) patients had Ml (T-1856), and 20 patients (10%) had M2 (A-1896). During a follow-up period of 1 to 7 years, 75%, 28%, and 26% of those with M2 (A-1896), Ml (T-1856), and wild type sequence respectively, cleared HBeAg (P < .0001). Eighteen (67%) of 27 patients with wild-type sequence but none of 10 patients who had Ml (T-1856) in their initial samples developed M2 (A-1896) after loss of HBeAg (P < .0001). Sustained antiviral response was achieved in 55%, 0%, and 17% of interferontreated patients who had M2 (A-1896), Ml (T-1856), and wild-type sequence, respectively, initially (P = .04). However, patients with M2 (A-1896) were also more likely to have elevated pretreatment aminotransferase levels (P = .02). In summary, HBeAg-positive Chinese patients with M2 (A-1896) were more likely to clear HBeAg, and to do so earlier. Nevertheless, development or selection of M2 (A-1896) was not a prerequisite for HBeAg clearance. Interferon therapy did not increase the rate of HBeAg clearance in patients with M2 (A-1896) when stratified for aminotransferase levels.
Maintenance of X inactivation of the Rps4, Zfx, and Ube1 genes in a mouse in vitro system.

Several genes, includingRPS4X (ribosomal protein subunit 4),ZFX (zinc finger on the X chromosome), andUBE1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), have been shown to be expressed from the inactive X chromosome of cultured human cells. By contrast, these genes are subject to X-chromosome inactivation in tissues from adult mice. We have now examined the inactivation status of these genes in cultured mouse cells to determine whether the differences in X-chromosome inactivation between species is due to an intrinsic difference between human and mouse X-chromosome genes or whether it is a function of gene reactivation in cell culture per se. The expression of three mouse X-chromosome genes,Rps4, Zfx, andUbe1 was examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in heterozygous cultured cells from a cross of a laboratory mouse byMus spretus, which were selected to uniformly express the X chromosome from the laboratory mouse parent. No expression of theM. spretus alleles of these genes was observed in the cell line (Hobmski), which is consistent with the patterns of expression previously observed in mouse in vivo and indicates that these genes remain stably inactivated in an immortalized mouse cell line. By cytogenetic and RT-PCR analyses the Hobmski cell line was shown to retain a late-replicating X chromosome fromM. spretus, which expressed theM. spretus allele of the X (inactive) specific transcript (Xist). The Hobmski cell line will be a useful resource for studying the features that maintain X-chromosome genes inactive.
On the onset of necking in the tensile test

Abstract A very small inhomogeneity in macroscopic material properties is considered for the investigation of necking of a (polycrystalline) bar in the tensile test. A simple, one-dimensional model is adopted (i.e. spatial variation only along the bar's length), corresponding to which the evolving nonuniformity of cross-sectional area with increasing load, up to the maximum, also is small. The inhomogeneity is represented by a single modulus varying slightly with position, but with the same dimensionless form of the stress–strain curve throughout. A transcendental equation is derived that relates the strains at the weakest and strongest sections to their respective material strengths. It is shown that, at the well known Considere strain (corresponding to the maximum load), the decrease in area at the minimum section is only a little greater than at the strongest, but its rate of change with the latter strain is infinite. The analysis thus gives an idealized representation of the rapid increase in necking that typically ensues from the maximum load in experiments. In an extended Appendix the traditional case of a bar of theoretically homogeneous material is reviewed and reanalyzed, including consideration of rate-dependence.
In silico study of Aquaporin V: Effects and affinity of the central pore-occluding lipid

Because of its roles in human physiology, Aquaporin V (AQP5), a major intrinsic protein, has been a subject of many in vitro studies. In particular, a 2008 experiment produced its crystal structure at 2.0A resolution, which is in a tetrameric conformation consisting of four protomers. Each protomer forms an amphipathic pore that is fit for water permeation. The tetramer has a pore along its quasi-symmetry axis formed by quadruplets of hydrophobic residues (every protomer contributes equally to the quadruplets). A lipid, phosphatidylserine (PS6), is bound to AQP5 in the central pore, totally occluding it. A 2009 experiment showed that AQP5 facilitates not only permeation of water but also permeation of hydrophobic gas molecules across the cell membrane. In this article, we present an in silico study of AQP5 to elucidate the effects of PS6's binding to and dissociating from AQP5's central pore. Computing the lipid's chemical-potential along its dissociation path, we find that PS6 inhibits the function of the central pore with an IC(50) in the micromolar range. Examining the central pore and the interstices between two adjacent protomers, we propose that nonpolar gas molecules (O(2)) permeate through AQP5's hydrophobic central pore when un-occluded.
Lunar Phases and Crisis Center Telephone Calls

The lunar hypothesis, that is, the notion that lunar phases can directly affect human behavior, was tested by time-series analysis of 4,575 crisis center telephone calls (all calls recorded for a 6-month interval). As expected, the lunar hypothesis was not supported. The 28-day lunar cycle accounted for less than 1% of the variance of the frequency of crisis center calls. Also, as hypothesized from an attribution theory framework, crisis center workers reported significantly greater belief in lunar effects than a non-crisis-center-worker comparison group.
Voltammetry of dehaloperoxidase on self-assembled monolayers: Reversible adsorptive immobilization of a globin

Abstract Dehaloperoxidase (DHP), a monomeric hemoglobin, was adsorptively immobilized under low ionic strength conditions on binary self-assembled monolayers composed of OH- and COOH-terminated alkylthiols. Voltammetry of its Fe(III)/Fe(II) reactions revealed adsorbed DHP to be electroactive and native under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. The chemically reversible nature of the adsorptive immobilization was established from voltammetric desorption/re-adsorption experiments. Cyclic voltammetric determination of electroactive surface concentration uncovered an unusual inverse scan rate dependence that was rationalized by means of Hoffman's dynamic docking electron transfer model [Z.-X. Liang et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126 (2004) 2785]. This result represents the first evidence for dynamic docking control of protein electron transfer in an electrochemical setting.
Human cutaneous vulvar reactivity to irritants

To better understand the cutaneous react reactivity of vulvar skin, two chemical irritants were applied topically to 21 subjects. The forearm of each subject served as a comparative control. Test sites remained upon and were read at 24 hours. A significantly increased response to the irritants was noted on the vulvar skin.
Semi-analytical solution for hydrodynamic pressures on dams with arbitrary upstream face considering water compressibility

Abstract A semi-analytical solution for hydrodynamic pressure distribution on dams with arbitrary upstream face is presented. The compressibility of water is included in the formulation. The pressure distributions in the fluid domain are expressed as the sum of functions with amplitude coefficients that satisfy all boundary conditions except at the upstream face of the dam. These coefficients are determined by using the least square method or Galerkin's method so that the residual error is minimized. Numerical results obtained compare well with available exact solutions when the compressibility of water is neglected. Hydrodynamic pressure on dams with irregular geometrical shape is also studied.
The effect of common antibiotics on lymphocyte transformation.

Therapeutische Konzentrationen von Penicillin, Erythromycin und Tetracycline wurden Lymphozytenkulturen zugefugt um mogliche Ahnlichkeiten zu der immunsuppressiven Wirkung antineoplastischer Antibiotika zu bestimmen. Eine Hemmung der PHA-induzierten Blastogenese konnte nicht beobachtet werden.
Young adult offspring and their families of origin: Cohesion, adaptability, and addiction

This study examined relationships among measures of family functioning (FACES-II), number of family addictions, and risk of alcoholism (Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, SMAST) in a college sample. Multiple regression analyses indicated that the number of family addictions and the additively combined FACES-II scales each predicted scores on the SMAST. Thus, addictions in the family contribute to offspring alcoholism both directly, through their presence, and indirectly, through family functioning. Information on the history of a wide range of family addictions and on the functioning style of the family of origin can be valuable in assessing and addressing addiction risk.
Relationships between sliding behavior and internal geometry of laboratory fault zones and some creeping and locked strike-slip faults of California

Abstract Moore, D.E. and Byerlee, J., 1992. Relationships between sliding behavior and internal geometry of laboratory fault zones and some creeping and locked strike-slip faults of California. In: T. Mikumo, K. Aki, M. Ohnaka, L.J. Ruff and P.K.P. Spudich (Editors), Earthquake Source Physics and Earthquake Precursors. Tectonophysics , 211: 305–316. In order to relate fault geometries to sliding behavior, maps of recently active breaks within the Hayward fault of central California, which is characterized by fault creep, have been examined and compared to maps of the San Andreas fault. The patterns of recent breaks of the Hayward fault are consistent with those found within the creeping section of the San Andreas, and they appear to have plausible physical explanations in the findings of laboratory experiments. The distinguishing geometric features of the examined locked and creeping faults are: (1) P-type second-order traces predominate over R(Riedel)-type traces in creeping sections; and (2) R-type second-order traces make smaller angles to the local fault strike in creeping sections than they do in locked sections. Two different maps of the Hayward fault gave similar results, supporting the inference that the patterns identified are basic characteristics of the fault rather than artifacts of a particular mapping procedure. P shears predominate over R shears under laboratory conditions that allow dilation within the fault zone. In our own experiments, P-shear development was favored by the generation of excess pore-fluid pressures. We propose that creep in California faults also is the result of fluid overpressures that are maintained in a low-permeability gouge zone and that significantly lower effective stresses, thus helping to stabilize slip and producing high values of the ratio P/R. Small R-trace angles may also be an indicator of low effective stresses, but the evidence for this is not conclusive because other factors can also affect the size of the angles.
Energy Efficiency in Thermally Assisted Machining of Titanium Alloy: A Numerical Study

This study investigates the energy utilization and efficiency in thermally assisted machining (TAM) of a titanium alloy using numerical simulation. AdvantEdge finite element method (FEM) is used to conduct the simulation of orthogonal machining of the workpiece. Thermal boundary conditions are specified to approximate laser preheating of the workpiece material. The effects of operating conditions (preheat temperature, cutting speed, depth of cut, and rake angle) on mechanical cutting energy, preheat energy, and energy efficiency are investigated. The results show that preheating the workpiece reduces the cutting energy but increases the total energy in TAM. There is significant potential to maximize total energy efficiency in TAM by optimal design of heating strategies and machining conditions.
The subunit structure of rat liver pyruvate kinase.

Abstract The amino acid composition for rat liver pyruvate kinase is reported. Thin layer peptide mapping of the tryptic digests yields 44 ninhydrin-reactive peptides, which is one-quarter the total number of lysyl and arginyl residues. No amino-terminal residue has been detected using the dansyl chloride procedure. Acid urea disc gel electrophoresis of the protein subunits yields only one protein band; yet, isoelectric focusing of the subunits in urea yields two protein bands. These results suggest that pyruvate kinase (L-type isozyme) consists of four subunits of similar primary structure, but with sufficient microheterogeniety to be able to resolve two types of subunits upon isoelectric focusing.
Children on long-term dialysis in the United States: findings from the 2005 ESRD clinical performance measures project.

Background The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services End-Stage Renal Disease Clinical Performance Measures (CPM) Project contains one of the largest databases of prevalent pediatric dialysis patients in the United States. Since 2005, the CPM Project has included not only children on long-term hemodialysis (HD) therapy, but also those on long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy. This study describes demographic and clinical characteristics and compares them between patients on HD and PD therapy. Study Design Cross-sectional. Setting & Participants Children aged 0 to younger than 18 years included within the 2005 End-Stage Renal Disease CPM Project. Predictor Demographic and clinical characteristics, with emphasis on dialysis modality. Outcomes & Measurements Achievement of values for hemoglobin, dialysis adequacy, and serum albumin as recommended by recent National Kidney Foundation-Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative Clinical Practice Guidelines and Recommendations. Results Of 1,453 patients examined, 692 received HD and 761 received PD. There was no significant difference by dialysis modality in the likelihood of having a mean hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL or greater; however, HD patients were significantly more likely to have a mean hemoglobin level less than 10 g/dL (19% versus 14% of PD patients; P = 0.02). Although statistically significant, the absolute difference in mean hemoglobin levels between patients receiving HD versus PD was small (11.4 versus 11.6 g/dL). Eighty-nine percent of patients receiving HD and 87% of patients receiving PD achieved the recommended modality-specific Kt/V ( P = 0.4). Children receiving HD were more likely than those receiving PD to have a mean serum albumin level of 4.0/3.7 g/dL or greater (bromcresol green/bromcresol purple laboratory method): 46% versus 33% ( P Limitations Because of study design, only associations can be described. Conclusions A significant number of children had hemoglobin, serum albumin, and/or Kt/V values outside the recommended targets. Future research is needed to better define the risk relationships of these predictors with morbidity and mortality in children on dialysis therapy, evaluate the benefit of treating to certain treatment targets, and understand reasons for failing to reach treatment targets in individual patients or patient groups.
Temperature distributions in semitransparent coatings - A special two-flux solution

Radiative transfer is analyzed in a semitransparent coating on an opaque substrate and in a semitransparent layer for evaluating thermal protection behavior and ceramic component performance in high temperature applications. Some ceramics are partially transparent for radiative transfer, and at high temperatures internal emission and reflections affect their thermal performance. The behavior is examined for a ceramic component for which interior cooling is not provided. Two conditions are considered: (1) the layer is heated by penetration of radiation from hot surroundings while its external surface is simultaneously film cooled by convection, and (2) the surface is heated by convection while the semitransparent material cools from within by radiant emission leaving through the surface. By using the two-flux method, which has been found to yield good accuracy in previous studies, a special solution is obtained for these conditions. The analytical result includes isotropic scattering and requires only an integration to obtain the temperature distribution within the semitransparent material. Illustrative results are given to demonstrate the nature of the thermal behavior.
Synthesis and Characterization of Zr2SC Ceramics

Abstract MAX-phase Zr2SC ceramics were synthesized by hot pressing mixtures containing ZrH2, carbon or ZrC, and ZrS2, WS2, or FeS2 as sulfur sources. The Zr2SC synthesized with FeS2 had a typical MAX-phase laminated structure, good thermal shock resistance, thermal stability to 2100 °C, and were readily machineable. The flexural strength was about 250 MPa up to 800 °C. The thermal expansion coefficient was 8.8 × 10−6/°C in the 25–2000 °C-temperature range, thermal conductivity was 38 W/m-K at 100 °C and about 30 W/m-K at 1100 °C, and specific heat at temperatures from 100 to 1100 °C ranged from 0.4 to 0.5 kJ/kg °C. Load–deflection curves exhibited plastic deformation from RT to 2066 °C. The sample deflection at fracture demonstrated significant dependence on temperature with a minimum at 1510 °C. In arc heater testing at 2150 °C for 23 s, the material developed an adherent, protective scale.
Second-Sphere Amino Acids Contribute to Transition-State Structure in Bovine Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase †

Transition-state structures of human and bovine of purine nucleoside phosphorylases differ, despite 87% homologous amino acid sequences. Human PNP (HsPNP) has a fully dissociated transition state, while that for bovine PNP (BtPNP) has early SN1 character. Crystal structures and sequence alignment indicate that the active sites of these enzymes are the same within crystallographic analysis, but residues in the second-sphere from the active sites differ significantly. Residues in BtPNP have been mutated toward HsPNP, resulting in double (Asn123Lys; Arg210Gln) and triple mutant PNPs (Val39Thr; Asn123Lys; Arg210Gln). Steady-state kinetic studies indicated unchanged catalytic activity, while pre-steady-state studies indicate that the chemical step is slower in the triple mutant. The mutant enzymes have higher affinity for inhibitors that are mimics of a late dissociative transition state. Kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) and computational chemistry were used to identify the transition-state structure of the triple mutant. Intrinsic KIEs from [1'-3H], [1'-14C], [2'-3H], [5'-3H], and [9-15N] inosines were 1.221, 1.035, 1.073, 1.062 and 1.025, respectively. The primary intrinsic [1'-14C] and [9-15N] KIEs indicate a highly dissociative SN1 transition state with low bond order to the leaving group, a transition state different from the native enzyme. The [1'-14C] KIE suggests significant nucleophilic participation at the transition state. The transition-state structure of triple mutant PNP is altered as a consequence of the amino acids in the second sphere from the catalytic site. These residues are implicated in linking the dynamic motion of the protein to formation of the transition state.
Characteristics of a thermal neutron beam for neutron radiography

Abstract A facility used for thermal neutron radiography is described. Neutron intensity, cadmium ratio, ψ-intensity and beam angular divergence are discussed, and the influence of these beam properties on neutron radiographic results is indicated. The beam configuration most employed for radiographic applications provided a total beam intensity of 1.5 × 107 n/cm2/sec, a cadmium ratio of 3.6 and a ψ-intensity of 42r hr over a useful beam coverage area of 2 1 2 × 4 in . Several areas in which this Juggernaut reactor beam facility has been applied to radiographic problems are indicated.
The Spatial Isolation of Elderly Single-Room-Occupancy Hotel Tenants*

This paper documents the spatial activity of elderly SRO hotel tenants in the service-dependent ghetto. Exploratory fieldwork was conducted in a neighborhood of Chicago during 1985 and 1986. At four of the identified hotels, 53 activity spaces were recorded by first-hand involvement in the geographical activity of the participants. The fear of both street crime and social-service agencies imposes isolation upon this population.
Personality, Psychopathology, and Developmental Issues in Male Adolescent Video Game Use

This paper presents an empirical study of the relationship of heavy video game use in adolescent male subjects to personality and psychopathological factors. Based on the nature of the games and on developmental theory, it was hypothesized that heavy video game use plays a role in managing developmental conflicts, particularly with regard to the discharge of aggression and the open expression of competition, and does not result in increased neuroticism, social withdrawal, or escape into fantasy. Heavy video game users were also hypothesized to have lower frustration tolerance. A study of 208 adolescent male subjects supported these hypotheses. The results were discussed in terms of the need for mastery of experiences, and in terms of the reawakening of Oedipal conflicts in adolescence as described by Blos. It was stressed that much of the anxiety about video games represents a parental issue, akin to parental overreactions to other adolescent outlets.
Acoustical environments in incubators and infant oxygen tents.

Abstract The present article reports the detailed findings of our study of the acoustical conditions in incubators and infant oxygen tents. This elaboration of our original brief report (published in Lancet , in Great Britain) is presented in order to further alert the medical and health-related professional community against the potential dangers to physical, cognitive, linguistic, and emotional development that may result from the noise levels in these environments. We strongly urge that these phenomena relating to the environment of the hospitalized infant be investigated more widely and with little delay. Initiative should be taken, not only by clinicians and research workers in the treatment centers, but also by engineers and manufacturers involved in the design and production of hospital equipment.
Some properties of κ-complete ideals defined in terms of infinite games

Abstract We consider several infinite games involving a given κ-complete ideal over a regular uncountable cardinal κ. We give a new characterization of precipitous ideals and introduce the class of weakly precipitous and pseudo-precipitous ideals. We also define the notion of degree of functions and functionals and compare it with the Galvin-Hajnal norm.
Production Mechanisms and Relations between Spin Density Matrix Elements

The spin structure of amplitudes for the production of a single baryon or meson resonance of arbitrary spin in a quasi-two-body final state has been investigated. If the dominant mechanism is the exchange of a single set of quantum numbers in the crossed channel, the spin density matrix elements are shown to satisfy bilinear relations. Typical relations are ${(\mathrm{Re}{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{m,n})}^{2}+{(\mathrm{Re}{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{m,\ensuremath{-}n})}^{2}={\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{mm}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{nn}}$ for baryon production, and ${(\mathrm{Re}{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{m,n}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}\mathrm{Re}{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{m,\ensuremath{-}n})}^{2}=({\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{mm}}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{m,\ensuremath{-}m})({\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{nn}}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{n,\ensuremath{-}n})$ for meson production. It is suggested that the use of these relations in the analysis of data is a good test for the presence of two or more exchange contributions. The relations are used to analyze vector- and tensor-meson production from $\ensuremath{\pi}N$ and $\mathrm{KN}$ initial states, and $\ensuremath{\Delta}(1236)$ production from $\ensuremath{\pi}N$ and $\mathrm{NN}$ initial states. Two of the most interesting results concern $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ production. We find that the small-angle data on $\mathrm{NN}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}N\ensuremath{\Delta}$ cannot be dominated by $\ensuremath{\pi}$ exchange alone, and analysis of the data on $\ensuremath{\pi}N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\Delta}$ at $8 \frac{\mathrm{GeV}}{c}$ indicates the existence of contributions in addition to $\ensuremath{\rho}$ exchange.
Immunosuppressive therapy for lung transplantation

Appropriate management of immunosuppressive therapy remains one of the major challenges after lung transplantation. Preoperative therapy consists of intravenous azathioprine and oral cyclosporin. Early postoperative therapy consists of standard triple immunosuppression with corticosteroids, azathioprine and either cyclosporin or tacrolimus. Previously, corticosteroids were withheld in the first postoperative week to allow for healing of the bronchial anastomosis. However, it has been demonstrated that corticosteroids can be safely begun immediately postoperatively and this is done in most centres.
Sodium demonstration in rat cerebrum following perfusion with hydroxyadipaldehyde-antimonate.

A modification of the technique for the ultrastructural demonstration of sodium is described which involves a perfusion with a slightly alkaline mixture of hydroxyadipaldehyde, phosphate buffer and potassium pyroantimonate. No sodium deposits are found in normal brain indicating that no intra or extracellular concentration exceeding 150 mM is present in the brain. In the presence of high concentration of NaCl, a large dense precipitate can be seen which after a direct injection can be localized to extracellular spaces, neurons and astrocytes. In the white matter of tin poisoned rats, as well as after the direct injection of sodium, a discrete precipitate, also believed to represent sodium, is noted at the surface of oligodendrocytes but not within these cells. An electron dense deposit of dubious origin is present in the myelin clefts which occur as a result of acute triethyltin intoxication. The variations in the character and localization of these electron dense particles emphasize the caution which is required in their interpretation following histochemical procedures.
Stress-driven interfacial instability of a bilayer structure: The interaction between free surface and interface

The morphological evolution of strained films is of technological importance to microelectronics and nanotechnology. The morphological instability of a bilayer system is analyzed, consisting of an elastic film and an elastic substrate with a misfit strain on the coherent interface. A kinetic model is derived by considering the morphological fluctuations of different perturbation amplitudes along both the free surface and the interface and the coupling effect between the film and the substrate. The couplings include the misfit strain, surface/interface energy, and surface/interface diffusion, which determine the morphological instability of the system. A quadratic dispersion relationship is established for the growth rate of the longitudinal surface and interfacial perturbations along the free surface and the interface, respectively. The propagation of the surface perturbations is revealed from the free surface to the interface, and the characteristic frequencies are identified for the initiation of the morphological instability.
On the behavioral effects of bilateral glossopharyngealectomy in mice

Bilateral glossopharyngealectomy was performed on male Mus musculus SC-I mice; the operated, sham operated, and control animals were subsequently tested for avoidance conditioning rates and numerous other types of behavior (aggression, exploration, sexual activity, digging, stereotypy, grooming, etc.). There was a significant behavioral change only in reference to exploratory activity which was decreased in the glossopharyngealectomized animals. This phenomenon is discussed in relation to theories of autonomic imbalance and neural drive.
Effect of moderate inspiratory hypoxia on exercise performance in sickle cell trait.

Abstract In previous work (Weisman IM, Zeballos RJ, Johnson BD: Cardiopulmonary and gas exchange responses to acute strenuous exercise at 1,270 meters in sickle cell trait. Am J Med 1988; 84: 377–383), no significant differences in cardiopulmonary and gas exchange responses to acute, strenuous exercise were observed between volunteers with sickle cell trait (SCT) and control subjects at an altitude of 1,270 meters. The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of a greater hypoxic stimulus on the response of healthy, black male basic recruits, 11 with SCT (HbAS) and 11 control subjects, to acute strenuous exercise. Simulated 2,300-meter and simulated sea-level conditions were achieved by adjustment of the fraction of inspired oxygen (simulated condition of 2,300 meters equal to 18 percent; simulated sea-level condition equal to 24 percent) at the same barometric pressure (656 mm Hg). For each simulated condition, the subjects performed an incremental exercise test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. One steady-state exercise test with radial arterial access for arterial blood gases was performed under each condition on Day 2. Peak incremental exercise values for oxygen consumption (2.9 versus 2.81 liters/minute), heart rate (189 versus 187 beats/minute), oxygen pulse (15.4 versus 15.1 ml/beat), and anaerobic threshold (1.59 versus 1.62 liters/minute), at the simulated 2,300-meter height revealed no significant differences between men with SCT and control subjects, respectively. A 5 to 9 percent decrement in exercise performance at the simulated 2,300-meter level compared with exercise performance at the simulated sea-level condition was noted for both groups. Steady-state exercise values for arterial oxygen tension (64 versus 65 mm Hg), arterial oxygen saturation (90 versus 90 percent), alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference (22 versus 21 mm Hg), and physiologic dead space to tidal volume ratio (12 versus 11) at the simulated condition of 2,300 meters were similar for the SCT and control groups, respectively. It is concluded that in a moderate hypoxic environment, the cardiopulmonary and gas exchange responses of persons with SCT during brief episodes of exhaustive exercise were comparable to those of control subjects.
Reducing the Biasing Effect of Perpetrator Attractiveness in Jury Simulation

Two studies showed that bias of jurors in favor of an attractive defendant was significantly reduced by increasing the factual material in the case. Our findings suggest that increasing the quantity and precision of relevant facts transfers the emphasis from judging the perpetrator to judging the crime.
A wide-range volt-ampere converter for current and voltage measurements

Technological developments have brought increasing needs for convenient, portable instruments for measuring current and voltage with high accuracy over a wide range of frequencies. A ?universal? volt-ampere (VA) converter has been developed for making such measurements to 0.05% with alternating current at frequencies from 5 cps (cycles per second) to 50 kc and with direct current. The new model is based on an earlier, much more limited prototype converter,1 and, like it, is used with a null-type d-c potentiometer. With this single, self-contained, portable, 44-range instrument, the 1.5-volt range of a suitable potentiometer can be used to make a-c (rms) and d-c measurements from 7.5 milliamperes (ma) to 20 amperes and from 0.5 volt to 600 volts. With a more sensitive external galvanometer, the instrument can also be used as an a-c-d-c transfer standard for a-c-d-c difference measurements to 0.02% over the same frequency range.
Harvesting under transient conditions: harvested energy as a proxy for optimal resonance frequency detuning

Piezoelectric-based vibration energy harvesting is of interest in a wide range of applications, and a number of harvesting schemes have been proposed and studied { primarily when operating under steady state conditions. However, energy harvesting behavior is rarely studied in systems with transient excitations. This paper will work to develop an understanding of this behavior within the context of a particular vibration reduction technique, resonance frequency detuning. Resonance frequency detuning provides a method of reducing mechanical response at structural resonances as the excitation frequency sweeps through a given range. This technique relies on switching the stiffness state of a structure at optimal times to detune its resonance frequency from that of the excitation. This paper examines how this optimal switch may be triggered in terms of the energy harvested, developing a normalized optimal switch energy that is independent of the open- and short-circuit resistances. Here the open- and short-circuit shunt resistances refer to imposed conditions that approximate the open- and short-circuit conditions, via high and low resistance shunts. These conditions are practically necessary to harvest the small amounts of power needed to switch stiffness states, as open-circuit and closed-circuit refer to infinite resistance and zero resistance, respectively, and therefore no energy passes through the harvesting circuit. The limiting stiffness states are then defined by these open- and short-circuit resistances. The optimal switch energy is studied over a range of sweep rates, damping ratios, and coupling coefficients; it is found to increase with the coupling coefficient and decrease as the sweep rate and damping ratio increase, behavior which is intuitive. Higher coupling means more energy is converted by the piezoelectric material, and therefore more energy is harvested in a given time; an increased sweep rate means resonance is reached sooner, and there will less time to harvest before the switch occurs; finally, increased damping nominally reduces the response of the system, therefore less mechanical energy is present and less energy will be harvested.
THE IMPACT OF CONTINUING EDUCATION ON THE HEALTH OF OLDER ADULTS

Research suggests that activity is important for predicting an individual's sense of well‐being in later years. Since continuing education can be viewed as an interpersonal activity, it was hypothesized that continuing education would have a positive impact on the health of older adults. One hundred and fourteen subjects who were registered in four different programs offered for older adults at a community college participated in the study. A 41 ‐item multidimensional self‐report Self‐Evaluation of Life Function (SELF) scale was administered as a pretest, posttest and delayed posttest. The scale measured the following health factors: depression, self‐esteem, social satisfaction, personal control, and symptoms of aging. A series of 4 X 3 repeated measures‐design analyses of variance showed that participation of older adults in continuing education had varying effects on their health. At the end of instruction, three health factors (depression, social satisfaction, and symptoms of aging) showed significant ...
Model for temperature dependence of field-induced strain in ferromagnetic shape memory alloys

Abstract Magnetic field-induced twin-boundary motion in Ni–Mn–Ga and other magnetic shape memory alloys is typically observed over a limited range of temperature, 10–120 K below the martensite transformation. Twin-boundary motion requires shuffling of atoms between two stable minima in {1 0 1} planes, a process that occurs only above a threshold yield stress. A model is proposed to account for this phenomenon. It is based on the magnetic torque and thermal activation acting on the atoms about a twin dislocation that separates the two stable twin variants. Field-induced twin-boundary motion is predicted to occur when the thermally activated, temperature-dependent torque exceeds the twin-boundary yield stress (itself, temperature dependent). Activation energies of order (2.4 to 5) × 10 −21 J/atom (0.15–0.3 eV) give a good agreement with observations.