cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid fulminant liver failure after anal exposure to genital herpes: a case report

Fulminant hepatic failure from herpes simplex virus (HSV) in immunocompetent individuals has been reported but is quite rare. We present an unusual case of acute HSV infection transmitted anally causing fatal hepatitis in a young individual with no apparent immunosuppressive illness. A 44 year-old previously healthy female with a past history significant only for asthma and shingles presented with a five day history of diarrhea, anorexia, arthralgias, diffuse abdominal pain and high grade fever (105F). Three days prior to her becoming ill the patient had anal intercourse with her boyfriend who had active genital herpes. Her primary care physician started the patient on oral ciprofloxacin. Her symptoms worsened and she was admitted. Diagnostic work-up revealed WBC of 5.0 103/ul, ALT- 221 IU/L, AST-527 IU/L, total bilirubin of 2.3mg/dl, alkaline phosphatase (ALK) of 189-IU/L, Albumin of 2.5g/dl, INR of 1.7, negative serologies or titers for hepatitis A, B, C; CMV, HIV, syphilis and ANA. Microbiologic work-up was unremarkable. The patient began to deteriorate clinically and developed acute respiratory distress syndrome as well as abdominal ascites. Transjugular liver biopsy was performed which revealed subacute hepatocyte necrosis involving 15–20% of the submitted tissue with marked polymorphonuclear infection and inclusion bodies. The patient was transferred to our facility. On examination, the patient was tachypneic and was found to have a scattered discrete vesicular rash on her face/torso/extremities as well as a protuberant abdomen with percussion tenderness in the right upper quadrant. Labs revealed a total bilirubin of 8.8 (direct 8.7), AST- 296, ALT-430, ALK- 190, creatinine of 4.2mg/dl and an INR of 2.3. The liver biopsy was re-evaluated and immunostains for HSV I and II were positive. The patient was intubated and aggressive supportive care in the ICU was initiated including therapy with acyclovir. She developed multi-organ failure and expired after 2 weeks. Thus we present an unusual case of acute fulminant hepatic failure secondary to genital herpes infection after anal exposure. Hepatitis caused by HSV infection carries a very high mortality, which is unchanged with institution of acyclovir (except if it is started very early) and even worsened by liver transplantation, which is therefore contraindicated.
Wavelet analysis for characterizing human electroencephalogram signals

Wavelet analysis is a recently developed mathematical theory and computational method for decomposing a nonstationary signal into components that have good localization properties both in time and frequency domains and hierarchical structures. Wavelet transform provides local information and multiresolution decomposition on a signal that cannot be obtained using traditional methods such as Fourier transforms and distribution-based statistical methods. Hence the change in complex biological signals can be detected. We use wavelet analysis as an innovative method for identifying and characterizing multiscale electroencephalogram signals in this paper. We develop a wavelet-based stationary phase transition method to extract instantaneous frequencies of the signal that vary in time. The results under different clinical situations show that the brian triggers small bursts of either low or high frequency immediately prior to changing on the global scale to that behavior. This information could be used as a diagnostic for detecting the onset of an epileptic seizure.
When does scientist recruitment affect technological repositioning

An investigation of the conditions in which the recruitment of technologically distant scientists results in a significant technological repositioning reveals, on the basis of 2,643 biotechnology i...
Use of the sign test to supplement the percentage better statistic

Abstract The utilization of an accuracy measure such as Percentage Better can be made more meaningful if it is supplemented with a statistical test of the significance of the results. For the Percentage Better, the Sign Test can be useful. In this paper, some of the results of the Makridakis competition are re-analyzed to illustrate this point. The results make for a clearer interpretation and easier use to identify the best forecasting method in a pairwise fashion
Photo-degradation and photo-stabilization in organic coatings containing a hindered amine light stabilizer: Part VI—ESR measurements of nitroxide kinetics and mechanism of stabilization

Abstract The concentration of nitroxide has been measured in an acrylic melamine coating containing different hindered amine light stabilizers as a function of exposure harshness, time and stabilizer concentration using electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The four hindered amines are based on 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine and have the following substituents on the piperidine nitrogen: H, CH 3 , CH 2 CH 2 -polymer, and COCH 5 . Comparisons of nitroxide formation and decay kinetics with infrared spectroscopic measurements of hindered amine effectiveness reveal that a major factor in the ability of hindered amine to inhibit photo-oxidation in acrylic melamine coatings is the rate of conversion of the amine functionality to nitroxide. Conversion is fastest for the z.lbond2; group. The conversion of z.lbond2; to nitroxide is also fast and proceeds through the formation of z.lbond2; groups by at least two mechanisms. By contrast, the conversion of z.lbond2;-polymer and z.lbond2; to nitroxide is roughly an order of magnitude slower than that for z.lbond2; accounting for the decreased effectiveness of these stabilizers.
Effect of feeding rumen-protected dietary protein–oil supplements on fatty acid composition and α-tocopherol content of blood serum and muscle lipids of lambs

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of feeding a rumen-protected, protein–oil supplement (RDPS) containing α-tocopheryl acetate (TA) and sunflower oil on fatty acid composition and α-tocopherol concentrations of blood serum and muscle in lambs. The RDPS contained 32.0% CP and 32.2% fat on a DM basis, and 465 IU Vitamin E/kg. Twenty-four, cross-bred lambs were allotted into three treatment groups with two pens of four lambs per group. Each pen of four lambs was fed one of three dietary treatments for 10 weeks: (1) control diet, 5.12 kg DM of corn basal diet (BD), 1.50 kg DM of grass hay, and 40 g of molasses as-fed basis, (2) Vitamin E diet, TA (1000 IU) plus control diet, or (3) RDPS diet, 2.0 kg as-fed basis of RDPS plus control diet (3.12 kg of DM of BD). Blood samples were collected biweekly from individual lambs over the 10-week feeding trial; longissimus dorsi (LD) and psoas major (PM) muscles were obtained from each lamb carcass to analyze α-tocopherol and fatty acid composition. Compared with lambs fed the control or Vitamin E diet, lambs fed the RDPS had a higher (P 0.05) were found in concentrations of C16:0, C18:1n9 or C18:2n6 in the serum lipids from lambs fed the control and Vitamin E diets. Furthermore, the RDPS diet substantially increased (P 0.05) were found in α-tocopherol concentrations in LD muscle from lambs fed either Vitamin E or RDPS diet. Results indicated that the RDPS protected polyunsaturated fat and α-tocopheryl acetate from ruminal degradation, resulting in increased content in blood serum and deposition in muscle tissues of lambs.
When a mean-of-ratios is the best linear unbiased estimator under a model

Abstract This article sheds some revealing light on a commonly used design-based estimation strategy that nonetheless remains a mystery to many users. A simple regression model is introduced that is slightly different from the one frequently studied in the model-based literature. Starting with this model and a particular error structure, a simple mathematical trick is employed to show that a mean-of-ratios (Horvitz-Thompson) estimator based on a π-balanced sample is the best linear unbiased estimation strategy. Extensions follow.
Haptoglobin expression by shed endometrial tissue fragments found in peritoneal fluid

Objective To confirm the endometrial glandular epithelial and stromal cells in tissue fragments recovered from peritoneal fluid and to quantify haptoglobin expression. Design Prospective, randomized study. Setting University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine and Health Care System. Subject(s) Women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for diagnosis or treatment of endometriosis or for laparoscopic tubal cautery for desired sterilization. Intervention(s) Aspiration of peritoneal fluid at laparoscopic surgery. Main Outcome Measure(s) Histological confirmation of endometrial glandular epithelial and stromal cells and evaluation of haptoglobin gene expression and protein localization in shed endometrial tissue fragments recovered from peritoneal fluid. Result(s) More visible tissue fragments were found in the peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis (n = 28/65) than from that of women without endometriosis (n = 5/34). Of these tissues, endometrial glands and stroma were histologically confirmed in about half of women with endometriosis (n = 13/28) and without endometriosis (n = 3/5). Retrogradely shed endometrial tissues recovered from peritoneal fluid robustly express haptoglobin. Conclusion(s) Haptoglobin expression by retrogradely shed endometrial tissues in peritoneal fluid supports a mechanism whereby these purported precursors of endometriotic lesions escape immune destruction. Low recovery of histologically confirmed endometrial tissue fragments from peritoneal fluid reveals the potential difficulties for using these tissues for studies modeling the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
Four-dimensional solid-state NMR experiment that correlates the chemical-shift and dipolar-coupling frequencies of two heteronuclei with the exchange of dilute-spin magnetization.

We demonstrate the application of a four-dimensional solid-state NMR experiment to a single-crystal sample of a dipeptide.
Transformations of a Graph Increasing its Laplacian Polynomial and Number of Spanning Trees

LetGrmndenote the set of simple graphs withnvertices andmedges,t(G)the number of spanning trees of a graphG,andL(?,G)the Laplacian polynomial ofG.We give some operationsQon graphs such that ifG?GrmnthenQ(G)?GrmnandL(?, G)?L(?,Q(G))for??n.Because of the relationt(Ks\E(Gn)) =srs-n-2L(s,Gn) 5,these operations also increase the number of spanning trees of the corresponding complement graphs:t(Ks\E(G)) ? t(Ks\E(Q(G)).The approach developed can be used to find some other graph operations with the same property.
Gene- and evidence-based candidate gene selection for schizophrenia and gene feature analysis

Objective: Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder that affects about 1% of the population globally. A tremendous amount of effort has been expended in the past decade, including more than 2400 association studies, to identify genes influencing susceptibility to the disorder. However, few genes or markers have been reliably replicated. The wealth of this information calls for an integration of gene association data, evidence-based gene ranking, and follow-up replication in large sample. The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate evidence-based gene ranking methods and to examine the features of top-ranking candidate genes for schizophrenia. Methods: We proposed a gene-based approach for selecting and prioritizing candidate genes by combining odds ratios (ORs) of multiple markers in each association study and then combining ORs in multiple studies of a gene. We named it combination-combination OR method (CCOR). CCOR is similar to our recently published method, which first selects the largest OR of the markers in each study and then combines these ORs in multiple studies (i.e., selection-combination OR method, SCOR), but differs in selecting representative OR in each study. Features of top-ranking genes were examined by Gene Ontology terms and gene expression in tissues. Results: Our evaluation suggested that the SCOR method overall outperforms the CCOR method. Using the SCOR, a list of 75 top-ranking genes was selected for schizophrenia candidate genes (SZGenes). We found that SZGenes had strong correlation with neuro-related functional terms and were highly expressed in brain-related tissues. Conclusion: The scientific landscape for schizophrenia genetics and other complex disease studies is expected to change dramatically in the next a few years, thus, the gene-based combined OR method is useful in candidate gene selection for follow-up association studies and in further artificial intelligence in medicine. This method for prioritization of candidate genes can be applied to other complex diseases such as depression, anxiety, nicotine dependence, alcohol dependence, and cardiovascular diseases.
Binding of Fibronectin to Clq; Inhibition of Binding by Aggregated IgG

Fibronectin was shown to bind to C1q using alkaline phosphatase conjugated fibronectin and C1q coated polystyrene tubes. The binding of the alkaline phosphatase conjugated fibronectin to C1q was dose dependent and inhibited by fibronectin and by the sulfated polymers heparin and chondroitin sulfate. The fibronectin interaction was inhibited only slightly by gelatin indicating that the fibronectin-gelatin interaction was different from that with C1q. Heat aggregated IgG blocked the binding of fibronectin to C1q and fibronectin inhibited the binding of aggregated IgG to C1q. These results suggest that fibronectin may be a factor affecting the determination of immune complexes in serum specimens by C1q binding assays.
A comparative map of wild rice (Zizania palustris l. 2n=2x=30]

We present the first genetic map of wild rice (Zizania palustris L., 2n=2x=30), a native aquatic grain of northern North America. This map is composed principally of previously mapped RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) genetic markers from rice (Oryza sativa 2n=2x=24). The map is important as a foundation for genetic and crop improvement studies as well as a reference for genome organization comparisons among species of Gramineae. A comparative mapping approach with rice is especially useful because wild rice is grouped in the same subfamily, Oryzoideae, and no other mapping comparison has yet been made within the subfamily. As rice is the reference point for mapping and gene cloning in cereals, establishing a consensus map within the subfamily identifies conserved and unique regions. The genomes of wild rice and rice differ in total DNA content (wild rice has twice that of rice) and the number of chromosome pairs (wild rice=15 versus rice=12). The wild rice linkage map reported herein consists of 121 RFLP markers on 16 linkage groups spanning 1805 cM. Two linkage groups consist of only two markers. Colinear markers were found representing all rice linkage groups except #12. The majority of rice loci mapped to colinearly arranged arrays in wild rice (92 of 118). Features of the map include duplication of portions of three rice linkage groups and three possible translocations. The map gives basic information on the composition of the wild rice genome and provides tools to assist in the domestication of this important food source.
Anger in healthy men: a PET study using script-driven imagery.

Abstract Background: An understanding of the neurobiological basis of normal emotional processing is useful in formulating hypotheses regarding the pathophysiology of psychiatric illnesses. Methods: This study examined the mediating functional neuroanatomy of anger in eight healthy men. Narrative scripts were developed from autobiographical information to induce anger and neutral states. The subjects imagined the content of the narrative scripts to induce anger during positron emission tomography to measure normalized regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Psychophysiologic responses and subjective ratings of emotional state were measured for each condition. Statistical parametric maps were constructed to reflect the Anger versus Neutral state contrast. Results: Anger was associated with activation of the left orbitofrontal cortex, right anterior cingulate cortex affective division, and bilateral anterior temporal poles. Conclusions: These results suggest that the subjective experience of anger is associated with rCBF increases in anterior paralimbic regions of the brain.
Peace Corps Service as a Turning Point.

This is a longitudinal study of twenty-one U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers, first interviewed in the mid-1960s during their tour of service in the Republic of the Philippines and then twenty years later as middle-aged adults. Life events reported after their service and the high degree of response agreement in the two interviews confirm that their Peace Corps experience constituted a turning point in their life courses. The study reviews the literature on turning points, proposes an appropriate definition for the concept, identifies conditions that promote turning points, especially for youth, and indicates directions for future research.
Letter detection errors in reading, auditory, and memory tasks

Abstract Previous work with the letter detection task has revealed that subjects miss the letter t in the word the more often than in other words. This effect has been attributed to unitization of common words. To test for unitization, three experiments were conducted using three new versions of the letter detection task: detection from a memorized text, from an auditorily presented text, and from reading a text. The findings of unitization were replicated in the reading task but no evidence for unitization was found in the auditory task. A post hoc analysis of subjects' retrospective reports of how they searched for the letters in memory indicated that those who reported a visual search method had more errors on the compared to other words, whereas those who reported an auditory method did not. All of these results support the hypothesis that the unitization effect occurs only when reading, either from a visual representation in memory or from a visual display.
Non-circular Scans and Image Reconstruction for Breast CT

Current dedicated, cone-beam breast CT scanners generally use a circular scanning configuration largely because it is relatively easy to implement mechanically. It is also well-known, however, that a circular scanning configuration produces insufficient cone-beam data for reconstrucing accurate 3D breast images. Approximate algorithms, such as FDK has been widely applied to reconstruct images from circular cone-beam data. In the FDK reconstruction, it is possible to observe artifacts such as intensity decay for locations that are not within the plane containing the circular source trajectory. Such artifacts may potentially lead to false positive and/or false negative diagnosis of breast cancer. Non-circular imaging configurations may provide data sufficient for accurate image reconstruction. In this work, we implement, investigate innovative, non-circular scanning configurations such as helical and saddle configurations for data acquisition on a dedicated, cone-beam breast CT scanner, and develop novel algorithms to reconstruct accurate 3D images from these data. A dedicated, cone-beam breast CT scanner capable of performing non-circular scanning configurations was used in this research. We have investigated different scanning configurations, including helical and saddle configurations. A Defrise disk phantom and a dead mouse were scanned by use of these configurations. For each configuration, cone-beam data were acquired at 501 views over each turn. We have reconstructed images using our BPF algorithm from data acquired with the helical scanning configuration.
The Effects of Product, Signal Word, and Color on Warning Labels: Differences in Perceived Hazard

Signal words, such as DANGER, WARNING, and CAUTION are often used on consumer products to connote various levels of hazard. Each of these signal words is usually printed in a color (e.g., white on a dark background) in order to potentially increase saliency or aesthetics. Hence, there is a potentially significant interaction of signal word, color, and product type on perceived hazard. Warning labels for muriatic acid, Xtra-Clean All Purpose Cleaner, and Crayola Crayons were factorially combined with signal word (DEADLY, DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION, and NOTE) and color of signal word (orange, blue, red, black) for a total of 60 conditions. A sample of 124 undergraduates rated each product warning on understandability, likelihood of compliance, carefulness, and attention-gettingness. Results indicated that muriatic acid had significantly higher hazard ratings than either the cleaner or crayons. Black connoted the highest level of hazard followed by blue, red, and orange. Furthermore, the order of perceived haz...
The tensor properties of energy gradients within a non-orthogonal basis

Abstract The application of standard minimization techniques to electronic structure theory calculations often requires the formation of an electronic energy gradient. The tensor nature of the electronic gradient, while implicitly treated within an orthogonal basis set, manifests itself explicitly in a non-orthogonal basis set. We apply simple tensor theory to define the electronic gradient in an arbitrary reference frame using the energy minimization method of Li, Nunes and Vanderbilt in a non-orthogonal basis as a concrete example. The minimal basis HeH + energy surface is used to portray the strong effect of consistently accounting for these tensor properties versus neglecting them.
Regulation of mitochondrial cytochrome b mRNA by copper in cultured human hepatoma cells and rat liver.

Copper overload and deficiency are known to cause morphological and functional mitochondrial abnormalities. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based method of differential display of mRNA was used to identify genes with altered expression in cultured human hepatoma cells (Hep G2) exposed to increasing concentrations of copper (0–100 ΜM, 24 h). Copper regulation of a cloned PCR product, identified as the gene for the mitochondrially encoded cytochromeb, was confirmed by Northern analysis andin situ hybridization. Copper toxicity increased cytochromeb mRNA abundance up to 3.6-fold, and copper chelation reduced it by 50%. Hepatic cytochromeb mRNA was also increased in rats fed a high-copper diet. Thapsigargin treatment resulted in a significant increase in cytochromeb mRNA, suggesting that an increase in intracellular calcium may be involved in the mechanism of copper action. Furthermore, although cyclohexamide (CHX) alone did not increase cytochromeb mRNA, the addition of CHX and copper resulted in a sixfold increase. These data suggest a role for cytochromeb in the response to increases or decreases in hepatic copper.
The GCC Monetary Union: Some Considerations for the Exchange Rate Regime

We compare the dollar peg to a dollar-euro basket peg as alternative exchange rate regimes for the incipient Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) currency union. Quantitative evidence suggests basket peg does not dominate dollar peg for improving external stability. However, as GCC exports and external financial assets become more diversified, a more flexible exchange policy may be necessary for competitiveness and stability. Pegging the prospective common GCC currency to a basket, like the dollar-euro basket, may provide a conservative transitional strategy toward a more flexible exchange rate policy.
An Examination of Cross-Cultural Curriculum Development and Student Cross-Cultural Competencies in a School-Based Consultation Course

The goal of this case study was to describe the cross-cultural consultation experiences of school psychology graduate students as they progressed through a semester-long school-based consultation course. Graduate students enrolled in a consultation course completed both quantitative and qualitative assessment measures. The course instructor used these tools to adapt course components to students' expressed cross-cultural needs. Highlighted themes from the data included the importance of continual cross-cultural competency development in school psychology training programs. Other questions raised from the case study included how to extend a practitioner's cross-cultural development beyond formal training.
Corticoid formation by the monkey fetal adrenal: Evaluation of 17-, 21- and 11-hydroxylase activities

Abstract There is indirect evidence that cortisol synthesis in the fetal rhesus monkey adrenal gland is limited at Day 135 of gestation but increases thereafter. This study was conducted to ascertain whether a reduced synthetic capacity is caused by a deficiency in 17-, 21- or 11-hydroxylase activity. For the sake of comparison 11- and 21-hydroxylases were also estimated in adult adrenals. 11-, 21-Hydroxylases were measured in the entire adrenal by the oxidation of NADPH by mitochondria and microsomes, respectively. 17-Hydroxylase was evaluated in outer and inner regions of the fetal gland by the formation of [3H]17-hydroxyprogesterone, -11-deoxycortisol, -cortisol and -androstenedione from [3H]progesterone. The maximum velocity of both the 11- and 21-hydroxylase was similar in fetal and adult glands indicating that corticoid formation in the fetus is not constrained by levels of these enzymes. [3H]Progesterone was extensively metabolized to -17-hydroxyprogesterone, -androstenedione, -11-deoxycortisol and -cortisol by homogenates from both regions of the fetal adrenal. The ratio of [3H]-cortisol to [3H]11-deoxycortisol was consistently higher in incubations of the inner glandular area. Together, these findings indicate that 17-hydroxylase is also active at Day 135 and that the 11-hydroxylase may be more concentrated in the fetal cortex. These data suggest in addition that the restriction in cortisol formation occurs at a step prior to the metabolism of progesterone to cortisol.
Modulation of the rev-RRE interaction by aromatic heterocyclic compounds

Abstract The HIV-1 Rev protein regulates the nucleocytoplasmic distribution of viral precursor RNAs that encode HIV-1 structural proteins. Rev-mediated viral RNA expression requires a sequence-specific interaction between Rev and a viral RNA sequence, the Rev responsive element (RRE). Because the Rev-RRE interaction is essential for HIV-1 replication, anti-viral agents that selectively block this interaction may be effective anti-HIV-1 therapeutics. Here, we show that certain aromatic heterocyclic compounds, in particular, a tetracationic diphenylfuran, AK.A, can block binding of Rev to its high-affinity viral RNA binding site. AK.A abolishes Rev-RRE interactions at concentrations as low as 0.1 μM. Inhibition appears to be selective and results from competitive binding of the drug to a discrete region within the Rev binding site. Interestingly, the molecular basis for the AK.A-RNA interaction, as well as the mode of RNA binding differs from previously described aminoglycoside Rev inhibitors. Analysis of a variety of aromatic heterocyclic compounds and their derivatives reveals stereo-specific features required for the inhibition. Our results further demonstrate the feasibility of identifying and designing small molecules that selectively block viral RNA-protein interactions.
Rational identification of a novel peptide for targeting nanocarriers to 9L glioma

Traditional therapies for high grade gliomas are limited in part by collateral damage to normal tissues. Selective delivery of therapies to tumors is, therefore, needed. Here, we report that liposomal nanocarriers coated with a novel oligopeptide enhance uptake by 9L gliosarcoma. A targeting nine amino acid peptide sequence (RSI) was identified by differential panning of random peptide phage display libraries on 9L cells and rat blood cells and plasma. Peptides were coupled to the surface of liposomal nanocarriers which were subsequently loaded with doxorubicin. The ability of RSI coated liposomes to facilitate drug uptake and cytotoxicity was compared with conventional liposomal nanocarriers and controls. In addition, plasma clearance profiles of the RSI peptide coupled liposomal nanocarriers were evaluated in adult immuno-competent rats. RSI peptide-coupled liposomal nanocarriers enhanced drug uptake by 9L cells by 500% compared with conventional liposomal nanocarriers, and significantly increased cytotoxicity. The plasma half-lives confirmed that the presence of the RSI peptide on the liposomal nanocarriers did not compromise circulation time in the blood in comparison with Stealth liposomal nanocarriers. These data suggest that phage-identified oligopeptides could lead to the development of new tumor selective nanocarriers.
Nitro-fatty Acid Metabolome: Saturation, Desaturation, β-Oxidation, and Protein Adduction

Nitrated derivatives of fatty acids (NO2-FA) are pluripotent cell-signaling mediators that display anti-inflammatory properties. Current understanding of NO2-FA signal transduction lacks insight into how or if NO2-FA are modified or metabolized upon formation or administration in vivo. Here the disposition and metabolism of nitro-9-cis-octadecenoic (18:1-NO2) acid was investigated in plasma and liver after intravenous injection in mice. High performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis showed that no 18:1-NO2 or metabolites were detected under basal conditions, whereas administered 18:1-NO2 is rapidly adducted to plasma thiol-containing proteins and glutathione. NO2-FA are also metabolized via β-oxidation, with high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of liver lipid extracts of treated mice revealing nitro-7-cis-hexadecenoic acid, nitro-5-cis-tetradecenoic acid, and nitro-3-cis-dodecenoic acid and corresponding coenzyme A derivatives of 18:1-NO2 as metabolites. Additionally, a significant proportion of 18:1-NO2 and its metabolites are converted to nitroalkane derivatives by saturation of the double bond, and to a lesser extent are desaturated to diene derivatives. There was no evidence of the formation of nitrohydroxyl or conjugated ketone derivatives in organs of interest, metabolites expected upon 18:1-NO2 hydration or nitric oxide (•NO) release. Plasma samples from treated mice had significant extents of protein-adducted 18:1-NO2 detected by exchange to added β-mercaptoethanol. This, coupled with the observation of 18:1-NO2 release from glutathione-18:1-NO2 adducts, supports that reversible and exchangeable NO2-FA-thiol adducts occur under biological conditions. After administration of [3H]18:1-NO2, 64% of net radiolabel was recovered 90 min later in plasma (0.2%), liver (18%), kidney (2%), adipose tissue (2%), muscle (31%), urine (6%), and other tissue compartments, and may include metabolites not yet identified. In aggregate, these findings show that electrophilic FA nitroalkene derivatives (a) acquire an extended half-life by undergoing reversible and exchangeable electrophilic reactions with nucleophilic targets and (b) are metabolized predominantly via saturation of the double bond and β-oxidation reactions that terminate at the site of acyl-chain nitration.
A Component-Resampling Approach for Estimating Probability Distributions from Small Forecast Ensembles

In many meteorological and climatological modeling applications, the availability of en- sembles of predictions containing very large numbers of members would substantially ease statistical analyses and validations. This study describes and demonstrates an objective approach for generating large ensembles of "additional" realizations from smaller ensembles, where the additional ensem- ble members share important first-and second-order statistical characteristics and some dynamic relations within the original ensemble. By decomposing the original ensemble members into as- suredly independent time-series components (using a form of principal component decomposition) that can then be resampled randomly and recombined, the component-resampling procedure gener- ates additional time series that follow the large and small scale structures in the original ensemble members, without requiring any tuning by the user. The method is demonstrated by applications to operational medium-range weather forecast ensembles from a single NCEP weather model and application to a multi-model, multi-emission-scenarios ensemble of 21st Century climate-change projections. 1. Problem Ensembles of weather and climate forecasts from a single model often are used to describe prediction uncertainties associated with uncertain initial conditions. Super-ensembles of forecasts from several models or with several external climate forcings can be used to describe prediction uncertainties associated with model differences and indeterminate future forcings. In weather- and climate-prediction applications, several studies have argued that ensemble means are typically better predictors than are any individual members of the contributing ensembles (e.g., Krishnamurti et al., 2000; Richardson, 2001; Zhu et al., 2002). This finding even- tually may be found to extend also to climate-change projections. However, en- semble forecasts also presumably contain information about higher order statistics of prediction uncertainties. Typically, members of an ensemble of weather or cli- mate predictions diverge as time from the initial conditions passes. Under some dynamical conditions, the members can also converge temporarily. Both of these behaviors are much as one might expect from the actual (unknown) forecast uncer- tainties, with general increases attributable to sensitive dependencies of dynamical
Low-Temperature Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Synthesis by Thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition

Reduced-temperature synthesis of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is of interest for their growth into device architectures and their efficient bulk production. SWNTs were grown via the thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of low-pressure ethylene over iron particles supported on silicon wafers at temperatures down to 550 °C. The SWNT structure and quality were confirmed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and micro-Raman spectroscopy.
Surgical revision after percutaneous mitral valve repair with a clip: initial multicenter experience.

Purpose Almost 50,000 mitral valve operations are performed annually in the United States, with an increasing number of repairs. Recently, a percutaneous mitral valve repair option that achieves edge-to-edge approximation with a clip has been described in patients with mitral regurgitation. Description We describe 6 patients from three centers with mitral regurgitation after percutaneous repair who underwent reintervention. During open surgical revision, the clips were uneventfully removed in all patients with no limitation in surgical options. Five patients underwent repair and 1 underwent replacement. Evaluation After surgical revision, mitral regurgitation was significantly decreased, and all but 1 patient underwent uneventful recovery. One patient developed ilio-femoral deep venous thrombosis that was treated successfully with anticoagulation. Conclusions Preserving standard of care options is critical with any evolving technology in the event of initial treatment failure. Standard surgical options were preserved in all of the patients who underwent percutaneous mitral valve edge-to-edge repair. Furthermore, a thorough understanding of the clip design, in particular its unlocking mechanism, is essential and facilitates surgical clip removal.
Blood chemical and hematological effects of ultrasonic irradiation of mice

Abstract Batteries of 23 chemical and 7 hematological blood constituents and factors were determined to indicate possible damage to female albino Swiss-Webster mice of ultrasonic irradiation in vivo (2MHz continuous wave, 1 W/cm 2 , 34°C). Untreated, sham-treated, and treated mice were used. Effects observed 2 and 24 hr after ultrasonic exposure for 200 sec, and those seen 24 hr after 50 and 200 sec exposure, were compared. These comparisons showed: (1) Sham treatment alone induced significant changes in levels of certain of the blood constituents. (2) Some significant differences between the treatment and the shamtreatment groups were separately apparent 2 and 24 hr after irradiation, indicating recovery at 24 hr from certain of the 2 hr effects. Other changes, probably more significant, were still present 24 hr after treatment. (3) Changes found with 200, but not 50, sec of irradiation indicate that there is a threshold between these times for the appearance of the changes evoked under the conditions used.
A hardware efficient technique for linear convolution of finite length sequences

In this paper, a hardware efficient convolution implementation is proposed which is based on the Hirschman Optimal Transform (HOT). Previously, it has been shown theoretically that convolution based on HOT has major cost advantage over FFT based convolution, since, a K2 point HOT is based on a K-point DFT. However, due to the complexity of the HOT convolution, it was not easily realizable on hardware. This paper first modifies the HOT based convolution technique to make it more suitable for hardware realization. Then, FFT based convolution and the proposed convolution are realized by using similar architectures. To evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation, we compare the proposed convolution with the FFT convolution for a length of 256. The Mean Square Error (MSE), space requirements, and maximum throughput are used in the analysis of the implementations. Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are used to implement the algorithms. We have shown almost 45% reduction in space compared to FFT convolution while maintaining similar MSE and slightly worse throughput.
Conference marks fiftieth anniversary of global CO2 record

The fiftieth anniversary of the global CO2 record, begun by Charles David Keeling at the South Pole and in Hawaii during the International Geophysical Year (IGY; 1957–1958), will be celebrated at a symposium in Kona, Hawaii, near the Mauna Loa Observatory, on 28–30 November 2007. At the time of Keeling's initial efforts, little was known about CO2 in the atmosphere and no reliable atmospheric record existed. Indeed, many scientists were not certain that one could detect meaningful patterns such as seasonal changes, hemispheric differences, and fossil fuel emissions with measurements of such a low-concentration constituent of the atmosphere. The early measurements by Keeling began what was to become a coordinated global monitoring network involving scientists and agencies from countries around the world. Information derived from this network—which now includes many greenhouse gases, isotopes, and other tracers—has been crucial for informing national and international assessments of global climate change, not the least of which are the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment reports.
Ultrastructural differentiation of skeletal muscle fibers and their diversity.

The ultrastructural changes occurring during postnatal differentiation of the plantaris and soleus muscles were investigated in kittens. Neonatal muscle fibers vary somewhat according to maturity as well as Z-line width and relative volume of sarcoplasmic reticulum (variables most characteristic of a given fiber type). A clear-cut classification of fiber type, however, evolves during the postnatal period—intermediate fibers differentiate first while white fibers differentiate last. Functional overload, induced by ablation of the synergistic gastrocnemius, does not significantly alter the prime characteristics of fiber type (e.g., Z-line width) but rather exerts an influence on accelerating myofibril proliferation, which occurs both by splitting and by de novo formation. White fibers are modified by enhancing their mitochondrial population. These results support previous histochemical studies and affirm the contention that certain fiber characteristics (structural and enzymatic) are determined genetically and expressed through neural factors, while other characteristics are subject to modification by alterations in function.
Three-Dimensional Digital Representation of Granular Material Microstructure from X-Ray Tomography Imaging

This paper presents the use of x-ray tomography imaging to reconstruct a three-dimensional (3D) digital representation of individual particles in a granular system. The granular system is represented by the mass center coordinates and the morphology representation of each particle. An automated procedure using pattern recognition to identify related particle cross sections in adjacent serial images was developed. Procedures to calculate quantities needed for subsequent simulation of particle behavior including the volume and the momentum of inertia of each particle are also presented. The developments described in the paper enable modeling and simulation of the behavior, and experimental observations of the particle kinematics of real microstructures of granular materials in a true 3D platform.
Host cell factors and HIV-1 integration

Retroviral replication hinges on the formation of the provirus, the integrated product of the linear DNA that is made during reverse transcription. Integration is catalyzed by the viral recombinase integrase, yet a number of studies indicate that other viral or cellular proteins play important cofactor roles during HIV-1 integration. Some of these factors bind directly to integrase, whereas others gain access to the integration machinery by binding to the DNA or other viral proteins. This article reviews recent advances on the roles of cellular proteins in HIV-1 integration. As a number of studies have highlighted a particularly important role for the integrase interactor lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF), much of the focus will be on its mechanism of action and the potential to develop inhibitors of this crucial virus–host interaction.
Temporal associations between physical illnesses and mental disorders--results from the Wave 2 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).

Clinical and epidemiologic evidence has documented the significant associations between medical illnesses and psychiatric disorders. However, extensive research has focused on the comorbidity of medical conditions and depression, and most were cross sectional, focused on clinical samples, and grounded in DSM-III or DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria. The current prospective investigation examined associations among medical conditions at baseline and incident psychiatric disorders over a 3-year follow-up, using data from Waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Overall, the 3-year incidence rates of DSM-IV substance use, mood and anxiety disorders ranged from 0.65% (bipolar II) to 5.2% (alcohol abuse). Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the prospective physical–mental associations, while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, psychological stress and health-related risk factors, and comorbid physical and psychiatric disorders. The present study represents, to our knowledge the largest population-based prospective study examining the physical–mental associations. Our results showed distinctly different patterns of comorbidity of medical illnesses with substance use, mood, and anxiety disorders. Stomach ulcer/gastritis, hypertension and arthritis emerged to be significant predictors of incident psychiatric disorders.
Influence of dislocation density on I-V characteristics of InP photodiodes

The influence of dislocation density on the I-V characteristics of InP diodes under reverse bias has been investigated. It is observed that the leakage current increases with increasing dislocation density whereas the breakdown voltage is reduced. Further, precipitates are observed on dislocations in the p-regions formed by the in-diffusion of Cd into n-type InP layers. It is argued that the increase in leakage current is due to the presence of space charge cylinders around dislocations threading the p-n junction. On the other hand, precipitates may be responsible for premature avalanche breakdown. In addition, for the range in energy scanned, levels within the bandgap due to dislocations are not observed by photoluminescence measurements.
Do the psychosocial risks associated with television viewing increase mortality? Evidence from the 2008 General Social Survey–National Death Index dataset

Background Television viewing is associated with an increased risk of mortality, which could be caused by a sedentary lifestyle, the content of television programming (e.g., cigarette product placement or stress-inducing content), or both.
Denatured states of proteins and their roles in folding and stability

Abstract Far from adopting featureless random coils, denatured states of proteins frequently exhibit significant amounts of persistent residual structure. Earlier studies that characterized this structure by methods of relatively low resolution are now being extended to significantly higher resolution using NMR spectroscopy. Although no description of the structure of a protein in a denatured state has been completed, trends in much of the data published to date suggest that the amount of structure depends critically on the solution conditions and that a significant fraction is native-like. Because of the recent realization of the importance of denatured states in a number of biochemical processes and in protein folding, a growing number of proteins are being submitted to structural analysis under a variety of denaturing conditions.
New DC Chopper Circuits Using Fast-Switching Reverse-Conducting Thyristors for Low-Voltage DC Motor Control

Fast- switching reverse-conducting thyristors have been developed and used in dc chopper apparatus to control the speed of highvoltage dc traction motors. The newly developed dc chopper circuit and its application for low-voltage dc motor control are discussed. The fast-switching reverse-conducting thyristor is utilized as the main thyristor to control load current.
Regional Stress Orientations and Slip Compatibility of Earthquake Focal Planes in the New Madrid Seismic Zone

The New Madrid seismic zone (NMSZ) in the central United States is one of the most active regions of intraplate seismicity in North America and site of the devastating 1811–1812 earthquake sequence (Nuttli, 1973; Johnston and Schweig, 1996). The NMSZ lies within the NE–SW trending Reelfoot rift (Fig. 1), which represents a failed rift arm that developed during the Late Proterozoic and Early Cambrian opening of the Iapetus Ocean on the southeast margin of early North America (Ervin and McGinnis, 1975). Fault offsets inferred from seismic reflection and trench data suggest that current seismicity levels likely initiated during the Holocene (Pratt, 1994; Schweig and Ellis, 1994; Van Arsdale, 2000) when optimally-oriented Proterozoic and Cambrian faults were reactivated in the contemporary stress field (Zoback et al. , 1980; Braile et al. , 1986; Dart and Swolfs, 1998). The recurrence of large and potentially damaging earthquakes in late Holocene time (Tuttle et al. , 2005) may be a response to Pleistocene deglaciation (Grollimund and Zoback, 2001; Calais et al. , 2010). Contemporary seismicity illuminates a complex network of fault trends and deformation styles within the NMSZ (Stauder et al. , 1976; Andrews et al. , 1985; Himes et al. , 1988; Chiu et al. , 1992; Liu, 1997; Pujol et al. , 1997; Mueller and Pujol, 2001; Dunn et al. , 2010), although the seismic zone is characterized by three primary faults; the southern, NE-striking Axial fault, the central, NNW-striking Reelfoot fault, and the northern, NE-striking New Madrid North fault (Johnston and Schweig, 1996; Baldwin et al. , 2005; Csontos and Van Arsdale, 2008). The Axial and New Madrid North faults exhibit strike-slip motion on near-vertical fault planes while thrust motion characterizes the southwest-dipping Reelfoot fault …