cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Multivariate Model of Physics Problem Solving.

Abstract A model of expertise in physics problem solving was tested on undergraduate science, physics, and engineering majors enrolled in an introductory-level physics course. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypothesized relationships among variables linked to expertise in physics problem solving including motivation, metacognitive planning, strategy use, categorization skills, and free-body diagrams. Results indicated that student motivation had a significant influence on metacognitive planning, strategy use, and categorization skills. Categorization skills influenced problem-solution scores directly, and indirectly, through strategy use. Categorization skills also had a significant influence on free-body diagrams. Free-body diagrams and metacognitive planning both had a significant influence on strategy use. Finally, strategy use had a significant influence on problem-solution scores. The implications of these findings for future research and developing students' expertise in physics problem solving are discussed.
Real-time measurement of tool misalignment on the Opticam system

This paper describes an online noncontact metrology system for tool misalignment detection on the Opticam spherical surface generator. The system detects distortion due to surface errors in the reflected image of a bar target. The amount of image distortion is determined by the relative slope changes on the test surface, and it can be calculated as a phase function of the reflected image. The phase function can be used to determine surface slope variation of the test part, and this slope information can be used to determine the cutting tool misalignment in the Opticam system.
Sensitivity of the physical database design to changes in underlying factors

Several articles have reported on the optimization of the complete physical database design or significant parts of it. However, few results are available on the sensitivity of the physical database design to change in underlying factors that influence the design decisions. Such tenths would be of significant practical value in both the design of the initial physical database and its subsequent restructuring. This paper considers underlying factors related to logical data structure, queries, computer system and physical implementation. An experimental design based on these factors is developed and experiments are conducted to determine the sensitivity effects, and these are reported and discussed.
The effect of 5-fluorouracil on the development of the adult eye in Ephestia kühniella.

The effects of the nucleic acid base analog, 5-fluorouracil (5FU), on the development of the imaginal eye of the moth, Ephestia kuhniella, were studied. Crystals of 5FU were implanted into the abdomina of pupae of known ages, and the extent of ommatidial differentiation occurring after this treatment was observed. In the study of normal development, it is observed that several early differentiation processes occur in a spreading fashion, i.e., a specific differentiation begins in the dorsoposterior region of the eye and spreads across the eye disc in a ventroanterior direction. All spreading processes are completed by 126–132 hours following pupation and all further differentiation occurs in all parts of the eye simultaneously. By 246–252 hours, all differentiation processes are essentially completed. Differentiation processes can be characterized by critical periods during which their occurrence can be completely inhibited by 5FU treatment. Those differentiations which are spreading processes can be further characterized by a period when 5FU treatment inhibits the progress of their spreading. Treatment at 78–84 hours no longer affects any spreading processes and, at 150–156 hours, it is no longer inhibitory toward complete ommatidial differntiation.
Abstract 5430: Frizzled-1 receptor, a potential therapeutic target for atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor

Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors (ATRTs) are aggressive tumor types in the field of pediatric neuro-oncology that need new therapeutic strategies since they are associated with significantly worse overall prognosis than other pediatric tumors. A characteristic feature of ATRTs is usually an aberration of SMARCB1/INI1/hSNF5 gene. One of the important developmental pathways for cellular development is the Wnt pathway. Wnt proteins are a family of 19 secreted glycoproteins and act as ligands that bind transmembrane receptors such as the Frizzled receptors. There are 10 known Frizzled receptors, and the binding of a specific Wnt ligand to a specific Frizzled receptor plays a crucial role in the regulation of diverse cellular processes. Perturbation of the activities of Wnt ligands can result in defects in embryonic development and diseased states such as cancer. In our preliminary transcriptome analyses results, Wnt5b and Frizzled-1 receptor (Fz-1) were significantly upregulated in 20 ATRT samples and 3 ATRT cell lines. The binding of Wnt5b with Fz-1 was further confirmed by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting analyses. Treatment of ATRT cells with Fz-1 specific siRNA did not indicate a significant decrease in cell viability. Similarly treatment of ATRT cells with a Fz-1 specific monoclonal antibody (Fz-1Mab) also did not indicate significant decrease in cell viability. However, in this study treatment of cells with a combination of Fz-1 specific siRNA and Fz-1Mab indicated a significant decrease in cell viability. A dose response analysis was performed over time to test various doses of Fz-1Mab with constant Fz-1 siRNA concentrations; a cell titre glo assay was then performed to assess cell viability. The physiologically relevant Fz-1Mab dose was then used to assess the effects of using this combination treatment on Fz-1 and Wnt5b protein levels. A decrease in Fz-1 and Wnt5b protein levels when Fz-1 receptor is blocked by siRNA and Mab indicates that Wnt5b bound to Fz-1 receptor plays an important role in ATRT disease etiology and could be a therapeutic target. Citation Format: Madhavi Chakravadhanula, Victor Ozols, Chris Hampton, Ratan Bhardwaj. Frizzled-1 receptor, a potential therapeutic target for atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5430. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5430
Willingness of Iowa agricultural landowners to allow fee hunting associated with in-field shelterbelts

In 2004, four focus groups consisting of agricultural landowners were organized in Northcentral Iowa to assess opportunities for hunting along in-field shelterbelts and on adjacent lands. A majority of respondents (95%) allowed/practiced some hunting on their lands. About 55% of respondents indicated that the potential existed for developing a fee hunting market associated with in-field shelterbelts. Intangible features of hunting, such as recreation/enjoyment and better land stewardship, were ranked higher than tangible ones—additional income and provision of economic opportunities for local communities. Respondents were highly concerned with negative consequences of hunting—trespassing and hunter misconduct. On average, agricultural landowners were willing to accept (WTA) US$30 per visit per party of four hunters to allow hunting of ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) on their land. About 33% would grant access to hunters free of charge. Those who lived in urban areas would require five times the monetary compensation (US$50) as those who lived in rural areas (US$10).
Screening for alcohol and drug abuse.

Alcohol and drug abuse remain serious problems in American society. Many people who abuse these substances seek health care, often for illnesses or conditions related to substance use. Individuals with these disorders are much more likely to see a primary care physician than a specialty mental health provider. 51 Unfortunately the majority of alcohol and other drug use problems are not detected when these patients see physicians. Techniques currently are available that can improve the identification of alcohol and other drug abuse among patients with these problems. This article reviews the current status of screening for substance use disorders in health care settings. First, the epidemiology of alcohol and other drug abuse is briefly reviewed, followed by a discussion of the principles underlying whether or not screening is warranted. Different screening instruments and strategies are then described. Finally, current recommendations for screening for alcohol and other drug abuse are discussed.
Perturbed angular correlation observation of vacancy-indium atom defect complexes in (Hg, Cd)Te

Abstract We present the first perturbed angular correlation observations of defect complexes in the technologically important material (Hg,Cd)Te. In particular, we report the observation and identification of In-mercury vacancy complexes in Hg0.79Cd0.21Te. These complexes were observed following a rapid quench of the material after annealing at 350–400 ° C in vacuum. Since the complexes vanished following similar quenching in a Hg atmosphere, we conclude that they involve Hg vacancies. The migration energy of vacancies was calculated to be 0.6 ± 0.2 eV from measurements of the evolution of the In-VHg complexes during annealing between 75 and 100° C.
Hamiltonian cycles in bipartite graphs

We give a sufficient condition for bipartite graphs to be Hamiltonian. The condition involves the edge-density and balanced independence number of a bipartite graph.
Myofibrillar Myopathy with Abnormal Foci of Desmin Positivity. II. Immunocytochemical Analysis Reveals Accumulation of Multiple Other Proteins

The two major types of lesions in myofibrillar myopathy consist of hyaline spheroidal structures composed of compacted myofibrillar residues, and nonhyaline lesions that comprise foci of myofibrillar destruction. We employed immunocytochemical analysis to further characterize these abnormalities. The nonhyaline lesions are depleted of actin, alpha-actinin, myosin, and, less consistently, of titin and nebulin. Thus, each major component of the myofibrils is lost or decreased. These lesions also react strongly for both NCAM and desmin. By contrast, the hyaline structures are highly enriched in actin, are immunoreactive for fast and slow myosin, and show increased expression of titin, nebulin, and alpha-actinin. They fail to react for NCAM and react variably for desmin. Both types of lesion react, but with differing intensities, for gelsolin, dystrophin, beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta APP) epitopes amino-terminal to the alpha-secretase site, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, and ubiquitin, and both can be congophilic. The increased expressions of desmin, dystrophin and gelsolin in muscle are also confirmed by immunoblot studies. The results, in harmony with the ultrastructural findings described in the companion paper, suggest that myofibrillar myopathy is conditioned by abnormal activation of a degradative process that primarily affects the myofibrils. A structural abnormality of desmin alone may not be sufficient to disrupt the myofibrillar architecture, but abnormal activation of a phosphorylating process could account for dissolution of the myofibrils. The cause and significance of the ectopic overexpression of desmin, dystrophin, NCAM, and beta APP components, and the chemical basis of the congophilia remain unknown.
Example of an intramolecular, non-classical C–H⋯π hydrogen bonding interaction in an Arylcarborane derivative

Abstract The synthesis and X-ray diffraction study of 3-(2-biphenyl)-1,2- C2B10H11, 1, provides an example of an intramolecular non-classical C–H⋯π hydrogen bonding interaction in which the same aromatic π-electron-donating group which interacts with the carborane C–H is also connected to the carborane cage.
Generation of Rab‐based transgenic lines for in vivo studies of endosome biology in zebrafish

The Rab family of small GTPases function as molecular switches regulating membrane and protein trafficking. Individual Rab isoforms define and are required for specific endosomal compartments. To facilitate in vivo investigation of specific Rab proteins, and endosome biology in general, we have generated transgenic zebrafish lines to mark and manipulate Rab proteins. We also developed software to track and quantify endosome dynamics within time-lapse movies. The established transgenic lines ubiquitously express EGFP fusions of Rab5c (early endosomes), Rab11a (recycling endosomes), and Rab7 (late endosomes) to study localization and dynamics during development. Additionally, we generated UAS-based transgenic lines expressing constitutive active (CA) and dominant-negative (DN) versions for each of these Rab proteins. Predicted localization and functional consequences for each line were verified through a variety of assays, including lipophilic dye uptake and Crumbs2a localization. In summary, we have established a toolset for in vivo analyses of endosome dynamics and functions.
Isthmic spondylolisthesis in a nonambulatory patient: a case report.

Study design Case report. Objective We present a case of a nonambulatory patient with an isthmic spondylolisthesis. Summary of background data Pars defects are thought to be due to repeated mechanical stress on the spine in individuals with bipedal posture. Epidemiologic and mechanical studies have supported the idea that repeated lumbar flexion and extension can lead to stress fractures of the pars interarticularis and subsequent spondylolisthesis. There are no documented cases of isolated pars defects in nonambulatory patients. We present a case report of an isolated isthmic spondylolisthesis in a patient who has never ambulated. Methods Discussion of the patient's clinical and radiologic history with a brief review of the relevant background literature. Results A pars interarticularis lesion was identified on plain radiographs in a 17-year-old girl with mixed spastic-athetoid cerebral palsy who never ambulated. Conclusion Although ambulatory individuals who engage in activities with repeated lumbar flexion have an increased risk of isthmic spondylolisthesis, this condition can occur in those who do not walk as well. This case illustrated that, although repetitive stress on an upright spine can increase an individual's propensity to develop a pars interarticularis defect, bipedal posture is not an absolute requirement for the development of this lesion.
RML Glove—An Exoskeleton Glove Mechanism With Haptics Feedback

This paper presents the design, implementation, and experimental validation of a haptic glove mechanism: the RML glove (Robotics and Mechatronics Lab). The designed haptic interface is a lightweight, portable, and self-contained mechatronic system that fits on a bare hand and provides haptic force feedback to each finger of the hand without constraining their movement. In order to experimentally test the new design, teleportation with this glove for mobile robot navigation is also studied. By comparing teleportation experiments with and without force feedback, the results show that this new admittance (using force as input and position as output) glove with force feedback can provide effective force feedback to the user and augment telepresence.
The impact of credit risk on the pricing and duration of floating-rate notes

Abstract This paper describes the pricing and duration of floating-rate instruments when the borrower's credit risk has changed since the note was issued. In these cases, the value of the note on repricing dates equals par plus the present value of the basis point change in credit risk. As a result, the duration of a floater for which credit risk has increased (fallen) is less than (greater than) the time to reset, and may even be negative. Positive correlation between credit risk and interest rates will, ceteris paribus, increase the duration of the floater.
Quantum thermoelectric effects in resonant tunneling real‐space transfer

We present the analysis of a new mechanism for tunneling real‐space transfer (TRST) in modulation‐doped structures. The conditions for TRST are determined by the quantum thermoelectric properties of the electron systems which results in instabilities. We predict high‐frequency oscillations limited only by the tunneling transfer time and thermalization between electron channels. Negative differential resistance and hysteresis are predicted in the I‐V characteristics of the modulation‐doped structures; recent experiments corroborate the existence of the new mechanism.
The Globalization of Furniture Industries/Markets

The globalization of industries and markets represents a key trend of the last decade. This evolutionary process, anticipated to become more prevalent in the future, requires long-term strategies whereby firms, industries and nations utilize competitive advantage to expand beyond domestic borders. In order to remain competitive, manufacturers of industrial and consumer goods must address the threats of both domestic and foreign origin and, increasingly utilize a global context for strategic planning, operations and marketing. Global communications and transportation technologies for electronic data interchange, materials resource planning, international finance, management and marketing have enhanced the ability of firms to operate internationally and offer true world brands. Furniture is an example of a product that naturally lends itself to internationalization in that if performs the same basic function across geographic areas and cultures such as seating, bedding, dining, storage and display. Moreover...
Fractionation of cellulose trinitrates by gel permeation chromatography

Samples of the four polymorphic forms of cellulose (I, II, III, and IV) have been nitrated and examined by means of gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Shifts in the differential and integral distribution curves indicate that the processes for lattice conversion affect the molecular weight distribution of the cellulose molecules in the samples. Weight-average and number-average degrees of polymerization for the four samples exhibit trends parallel to those observed in the average degrees of polymerization of the initial celluloses measured viscometrically where the celluloses were dissolved in cupriethylene diamine and in cadmium ethylene diamine hydroxide solutions. The weight- and number-average values, however, are markedly greater than the viscosity values. The order of magnitude of the GPC data, however, was similar to average degrees of polymerization of cellulose reported in the literature which were obtained by other methods.
Horizontal mergers and collusive behavior

Abstract In the Industrial Organization literature, it is generally felt that mergers hurt consumers; not only because of the increased industrial concentration they effect, but also because collusion becomes more likely. In this paper we show that, at least in one important case, this intuition is misguided. If a tacitly collusive agreement enforced by trigger strategies is not initially sustainable, mergers will tend to reduce the chance that it becomes sustainable in the future. This is so because the threat point implicit in the agreement becomes more favorable for outsiders.
Monogenoidean parasites of the gill lamellae of the sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus (Walbaum) (Perciformes: Sparidae) from the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, with descriptions of four new species of Euryhaliotrema Kritsky & Boeger, 2002 (Dactylogyridae)

Examination of the gill lamellae of three sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus (Walbaum) from the Indian River Lagoon in Florida revealed six species of Monogenoidea: Microcotyle archosargi MacCallum, 1913 (Microcotylidae); Neobenedenia sp. (Capsalidae); and four new species of Euryhaliotrema Kritsky & Boeger, 2002 (Dactylogyridae). The prevalence of all helminths was 100%, except for Neobenedenia sp., which was represented by a single immature specimen. The four new species, Euryhaliotrema carbuncularium n. sp., E. dunlapae n. sp., E. amydrum n. sp. and E. spirulum n. sp., are described and with E. carbunculus (Hargis, 1955) Kritsky & Boeger, 2002 apparently constitute a monophyletic clade of Euryhaliotrema spp. that parasitise sparid hosts in the western hemisphere. The Indian River Lagoon in Florida represents a new locality record for M. archosargi, and the sheepshead is apparently a new host record for a member (Neobenedenia sp.) of the Capsalidae.
The safety of hydroquinone: A dermatologist's response to the 2006 Federal Register

Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration proposed a ban on over-the-counter hydroquinone mainly on the basis of high absorption, reports of exogenous ochronosis in humans, and murine hepatic adenomas, renal adenomas, and leukemia with large doses over extended time periods. Systemic exposure to hydroquinone from routine topical application is no greater than that from quantities present in common foods. While murine hepatic adenomas increased, murine hepatocellular carcinomas decreased, suggesting a protective effect. Renal tumors are sex, species, and age specific and therefore do not appear relevant to humans after decades of widespread use. Murine leukemia has not been reproducible and would not be expected from small topical doses. Finally, a literature review of exogenous ochronosis and clinical studies employing hydroquinone (involving over 10,000 exposures under careful clinical supervision) reveal an incidence of exogenous ochronosis in the United States of 22 cases in more than 50 years. Therefore, the proposed ban appears to be unnecessarily extreme.
STM study of high-coverage structures of atomic oxygen on Pt(1 1 1): p(2 × 1) and Pt oxide chain structures

Abstract We used scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to investigate high-coverage structures of atomic oxygen that develop on Pt(1 1 1) under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. We find that oxygen atoms arrange into a p(2 × 1) structure that grows in three rotationally degenerate domains as the oxygen coverage increases above 0.25 ML (monolayers). STM also shows that atomic-scale protrusions and chains, with apparent heights of 1.7 A, begin to develop within the p(2 × 1) domains once the coverage reaches about 0.40 ML at 450 K. We attribute these features to a Pt oxide chain compound that forms as oxygen atoms adsorb between the close-packed oxygen rows of the surrounding p(2 × 1) structure. As the coverage increases to 0.75 ML, the chains form an interconnected network of Y-shaped structures with regions locally resembling a honeycomb. Each branch of the Y-structure consists of two to three side-by-side Pt oxide chains about 19–24 A in length. We suggest that uniaxial strain causes the chains to select specific lengths that are commensurate along the close-packed directions of the Pt(1 1 1) substrate, and that stress relief governs the chain branching and formation of the interconnected network. These results demonstrate that Pt oxide chain formation occurs during the early stages of Pt(1 1 1) oxidation, and that long-range effects determine the structural characteristics of the resulting chain network. These findings may have important implications for understanding the oxidation and reactivity of Pt surfaces under oxidizing conditions.
Formation of S-Cl phosphorothioate adduct radicals in dsDNA S-oligomers: hole transfer to guanine vs disulfide anion radical formation

In phosphorothioate-containing dsDNA oligomers (S-oligomers), one of the two nonbridging oxygen atoms in the phosphate moiety of the sugar-phosphate backbone is replaced by sulfur. In this work, electron spin resonance (ESR) studies of one-electron oxidation of several S-oligomers by Cl2(•-) at low temperatures are performed. Electrophilic addition of Cl2(•-) to phosphorothioate with elimination of Cl(-) leads to the formation of a two-center three-electron σ(2)σ*(1)-bonded adduct radical (-P-S-Cl). In AT S-oligomers with multiple phosphorothioates, i.e., d[ATATAsTsAsT]2, -P-S-Cl reacts with a neighboring phosphorothioate to form the σ(2)σ*(1)-bonded disulfide anion radical ([-P-S-S-P-](-)). With AT S-oligomers with a single phosphorothioate, i.e., d[ATTTAsAAT]2, reduced levels of conversion of -P-S-Cl to [-P-S-S-P-](-) are found. For guanine-containing S-oligomers containing one phosphorothioate, -P-S-Cl results in one-electron oxidation of guanine base but not of A, C, or T, thereby leading to selective hole transfer to G. The redox potential of -P-S-Cl is thus higher than that of G but is lower than those of A, C, and T. Spectral assignments to -P-S-Cl and [-P-S-S-P-](-) are based on reaction of Cl2(•-) with the model compound diisopropyl phosphorothioate. The results found for d[TGCGsCsGCGCA]2 suggest that [-P-S-S-P-](-) undergoes electron transfer to the one-electron-oxidized G, healing the base but producing a cyclic disulfide-bonded backbone with a substantial bond strength (50 kcal/mol). Formation of -P-S-Cl and its conversion to [-P-S-S-P-](-) are found to be unaffected by O2, and this is supported by the theoretically calculated electron affinities and reduction potentials of [-P-S-S-P-] and O2.
Changing patterns of investment decision making in world aluminum

Abstract A dynamic rational expectations model of production and investment under uncertainty reveals that conventional analysis of aluminum industry patterns of trade and investment may be based on industrial policy rather than competitive comparative advantages. When applied in a two-region model using data from 1952 to 1980, and projected forward from 1980 to 2000, new capacity investment occurs in North America, which exports the excess over domestic consumption to Europe. This result differs markedly from conventional forecasts which have predicted declines in North American investment. A five-region static model confirms that North American comparative advantages, largely Canadian, exist under free trade conditions, and capacities grow with demands in Latin America and the Pacific Basin, while Europe loses market share. This indicates that barriers to the free trade of product and subsidies may be distorting investment patterns, incorrectly implying that patterns in world aluminum investment will abandon developed areas, especially North America, for developing regions.
Effects of NMDA receptor blockade and nitric oxide synthase inhibition on the acute and chronic actions of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in mice

The present studies examined the hypothesis that the N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-nitric oxide (NO) pathway might be involved in the acute and chronic actions of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The ability of dizocilpine (MK-801), a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist and NG-monomethyl- l-arginine (l-NMMA), an inhibitor of NO synthase enzyme to modify the analgesic and hypothermic responses following the acute and chronic treatment of animals with THC was determined in male Swiss-Webster mice. Intraperitoneal administration of THC (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) produced dose-dependent analgesic and hypothermic effects. MK-801 at 0.1 gg/kg i.p. attenuated the analgesic but not the hypothermic responses to THC (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.). The effects of various doses of MK-801 (0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) on the analgesic and hypothermic responses to a 10 mg/kg, i.p. dose of THC was also determined. All the doses of MK-801 antogonized the analgesic but not the hypothermic effects of THC. The chronic treatment of animals with THC (10 mg/kg, i.p.) twice daily for 4 days produced tolerance to its analgesic and hypothermic effects. Pretreatment of animals with MK-801 (0.03–0.30 mg/kg, i.p.) did not affect the development of tolerance to the analgesic or the hypothermic action of THC. The pretreatment of animals with l-NMMA (2–8 mg/kg, i.p.), did not alter the analgesic or hypothermic effects of THC. Also, it did not modify the tolerance to its pharmacological actions. It is concluded that non-competitive antagonism of NMDA receptor by MK-801 selectively antagonized the analgesic action of THC and that the mechanisms in the analgesic response and tolerance to THC may be different. Finally, NO does not appear to be involved in the acute or chronic actions of THC.
Awareness of heart attack symptoms and lifesaving actions among New York city area residents

The American Heart Association has a national network of community-based programs designed to reduce response times to cardiac emergencies by improving access to automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) among laypersons. Success of these Operation Heartbeat programs depends in part on the public’s knowledge of the warning signs of a myocardial infarction (MI) and appropriate response to cardiac arrest victims. In May 2000, a 7-minute telephone survey was administered to a random sample of adults residing within the American Heart Association affiliate territories of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to determine the knowledge of MI symptoms, confidence in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) use, and the awareness of AEDs. Of the respondents, 60% were women (n=1,128), 83% were Caucasians (n=1,558), 15.2% were non-whites (African American, Asian, or Hispanic), and 38.5% had at least a college degree (n=724). Women were significantly more likely than men to know that sex differences exist in the warning signs for an MI (63% vs. 30.7%, respectively; P<.001). Whites had above-average confidence in MI recognition compared with non-whites (39.2% vs. 27.4%, respectively; P<.001) and were more cognizant of the public availability of AEDs (54.5% vs. 33.2%, respectively; P<.001). Our findings suggest that racial/ethnic and sex disparities exist in the awareness of AEDs and in the knowledge of atypical MI symptoms in women, respectively. Innovative CPR outreach programs might be needed in New York area communities to increase CPR training among all adults, to increase AED awareness in vulnerable populations, and to improve knowledge and confidence in the recognition of acute MI symptoms.
Maize rayado fino virus capsid proteins assemble into virus-like particles in Escherichia coli

Maize rayado fino virus (MRFV; genus Marafivirus; family Tymoviridae) is an isometric plant virus of 30 nm containing two components: empty shells and complete virus particles (encapsidating the 6.3 kb genomic RNA). Both particles are composed of two serologically related, carboxy co-terminal, coat proteins (CP) of apparent molecular mass 21-22 kDa (CP2) and 24-28 kDa (CP1) in a molar ratio of 3:1, respectively; CP1 contains a 37 amino acid amino terminal extension of CP2. In our study, expression of CP1 or CP2 in Escherichia coli resulted in assembly of each capsid protein into virus-like particles (VLPs), appearing in electron microscopy as stain-permeable (CP2) or stain-impermeable particles (CP1). CP1 VLPs encapsidated bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA, but not CP mRNA, while CP2 VLPs encapsidated neither CP mRNA nor 16S ribosomal RNA. Expression of CP1 and CP2 in E. coli using a co-expression vector resulted in the assembly of VLPs which were stain-impermeable and encapsidated CP mRNA. These results suggest that the N-terminal 37 amino acid residues of CP1, although not required for particle formation, may be involved in the assembly of complete virions and that the presence of both CP1 and CP2 in the particle is required for specific encapsidation of MRFV CP mRNA.
ANALYZING THE RADIAL PULSE WAVEFORM: NARROWING THE GAP BETWEEN BLOOD PRESSURE AND OUTCOMES

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The use of peripheral pressure wave recording devices to estimate central vessel pressure profiles has grown over the past decade. This review will briefly recount the history behind this technology and discuss where it fits into the measurement of vascular properties that may predict outcomes such as death, heart attack, stroke or kidney disease progression. RECENT FINDINGS Recent cross-sectional studies involving both children with chronic kidney disease and adult patients with cardiovascular disease are reviewed. Importantly there are now at least three prospective series that indicate pulse wave analysis technology may be useful both for endpoint prediction (complementing blood pressure and other standard vascular risk factors) and for informing mechanisms of benefit when clinical trials with similar blood pressure control have discordant outcomes depending on the drug assignment. SUMMARY Pulse wave analysis is an interesting technology with the plausible benefit of estimating central vascular pressures. Since the principal target organs we seek to protect with our treatments are all connected to the aorta, it may be that a better understanding of target organ risk from an aortic as opposed to a brachial standpoint will help move forward our interventions to reduce vascular disease.
AN EXTENSION TO THE CONVENTIONAL TOROIDAL MODEL OF THE BOSTICK PLASMOID.

Abstract Time of arrival measurements of Bostick plasmoids to an electrostatic probe suggest that the plasmond motion may be stimulated by a uniformly expanding torus with one point fixed at the button source.
Structure function for high-concentration biophantoms of polydisperse scatterer sizes

Ultrasonic backscattering coefficient (BSC) has been used extensively to characterize tissue. In most cases, sparse scatterer concentrations are assumed. However, many types of tissues have dense scattering media. This study addresses the problem of dense media scattering by taking into account the correlation among scatterers using the structure functions. The effect of scatterer polydispersity on the structure functions is investigated. Structure function models based on polydisperse scatterers are theoretically developed and experimentally evaluated against the structure functions obtained from cell pellet biophantoms. The biophantoms were constructed by placing live cells of known concentration in coagulation media to form a clot. The BSCs of the biophantoms were estimated using single-element transducers over the frequency range from 11 to 105 MHz. Experimental structure functions were obtained by comparing the BSCs of two cell concentrations. The structure functions predicted by the models agreed with the experimental structure functions. Fitting the models yielded cell radius estimates that were consistent with direct light microscope measures. The results demonstrate the role of scatterer position correlation on dense media scattering, and the significance of scatterer polydispersity on structure functions. This work may lead to more accurate modeling of ultrasonic scattering in dense medium for improved tissue characterization.
The relationship of social support to physical and psychological aspects of AIDS

Abstract This study explored the social support networks of 50 homosexual males with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Data gathered by self report questionnaires and medical records included diagnosis, number of medical symptoms, sociodemographics, extensive information about social support networks, mood state and physical health status. Variables associated with good psychological and physical adaptation included satisfaction with support, instrumental support and emotional support. Results of this study conflict with previous studies in that worse physical condition was not positively associated with satisfaction with support, was related to less instrumental support and was not associated with increased quantitative support. The measures of satisfaction with support, instrumental support and emotional support were all quite high, even though network size was small.
Myocardial effects of VDR activators in renal failure

Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Traditional causes such as diabetes, smoking, aging and hypertension do not fully explain the high rate of morbidity from cardiovascular disease seen in these patients. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) regulates extracellular volume homeostasis, which contributes to blood pressure stability. Overactivity of this system is involved in the pathophysiology of cardio-renal disease. New evidence suggests that vitamin D receptor activators (VDRAs) have a suppressive effect on the RAAS; however, VDRAs also have anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. We have demonstrated that paricalcitol, a VDRA, ameliorates left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in uremic rats by up-regulating the VDR, decreasing myocardial PCNA and also decreasing myocardial oxidative stress. Thus, paricalcitol can suppress the progression of LVH, myocardial and perivascular fibrosis and myocardial arterial vessel thickness presumably by up-regulating the VDR. Paricalcitol may prove to have a substantial beneficial effect on cardiac disease and its outcome in patients with CKD. Prospective randomized studies in CKD patients are necessary to confirm these results.
Reflections on Cultural Diversity

A dialectical interaction exists between cultural unity and diversity. These two factors can operate for good or ill. In order to strengthen the positive factor and limit the negative, it is important to have a good conceptual grasp of the basis of the unity, as well as of the diversity of cultures. Such an understanding should facilitate dialogue in intercultural relations, dialogue that is the most rational of all ways of coexistence. This article aims to explore the underlying conceptual themes.
The relationship of childhood abuse history and substance use in an Alaska sample.

This study confirms a strong link between childhood abuse history and substance misuse based upon data obtained from an ethnically diverse (largely Alaska Native) sample of 192 pregnant women in su...
Large-N and vacuum alignment in top-color models

Topcolor and topcolor-assisted technicolor provide examples of dynamical electroweak symmetry breaking which include top-condensation, thereby naturally incorporating a heavy top quark. In this note we discuss the roles of the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) and large-N approximations often used in phenomenological analyses of these models. We show that, in order to provide for top-condensation but not bottom-condensation, the top-color coupling must be adjusted to equal the critical value for chiral symmetry breaking up to O(1/N) in any theory in which the isospin-violating ``tilting'' interaction is a U(1) gauge interaction. A consequence of these considerations is that the potentially dangerous ``bottom-pions'' are naturally light. We also show that the contributions to rho-1 previously estimated are of leading-order in N, are not included in the usual NJL analysis, and are the result of ``vacuum-alignment''.
Influence of Micro- and Nanoclays on Fresh State of Concrete:

The processing of cement and concrete in its fresh state has become a crucial part of today's construction industry. Concretes such as self-consolidating concrete, shotcrete, and extruded cement-based materials have found wide application in the national infrastructure. These engineered materials rely on their rheology during the first few hours after casting to achieve superior performance. This paper discusses the use of micro- and nanoclays to tailor the balance between a concrete's ability to consolidate under minimal energy before processing and to achieve shape stability afterwards. A concrete has been developed for use in slipform paving to mitigate durability issues resulting from improper consolidation. This concrete, termed "slipform self-consolidating concrete," is one that consolidates under minimal energy yet retains shape stability after slipforming, thus eliminating internal vibration and associated durability problems. The finished product is a pavement with smooth surfaces and straight ed...
The relationship of childhood sexual abuse and depression with somatic symptoms and medical utilization

Background. Previous research suggests that childhood sexual abuse is associated with high rates of retrospectively reported medical utilization and medical problems as an adult. The goal of this study was to determine if abused females have higher rates of medical utilization using self-report and objective measures, compared with non-abused females. A further goal was to determine whether findings of prior research would be replicated when childhood physical abuse level was controlled. This study also examined the moderating impact of depressed mood on current health measures in this population. Methods. Six hundred and eight women recruited from a health maintenance organization completed self-report measures of health symptoms for the previous month and doctor visits for the previous year. Objective doctor records over a 2 year period were examined for a subset of 136 of these women. Results. Results showed significantly more self-reported health symptoms and more self-reported doctor visits in abused participants compared with those who reported no childhood history of sexual abuse. Objective doctor visits demonstrated the same pattern with abused participants exhibiting more visits related to out-patient surgery and out-patient internal medicine. In addition, persons who were both sexually abused and depressed tended to visit the emergency room more frequently and to have more in-patient internal medicine and ophthalmology visits than sexually abused participants who reported low depressed mood and non-abused controls. Conclusions. These results replicate prior studies and suggest that current depression may moderate the relationship between sexual abuse and medical problems in adulthood.
A 4000-year record of fire and forest history from Valle de Bao, Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic

We examined evidence of past vegetation, climate, and disturbance history in a sediment core from a bog on the windward slope of the Cordillera Central in the Dominican Republic. The sediments revealed a continuous 4000 cal yr history of pine (Pinus occidentalis) dominance and fire. Bog formation may have been linked with a regional shift toward wetter conditions seen at other highland sites around 4000 cal yr BP. Low pollen influx, low organic content, and poor pollen preservation suggested periodic drying of the bog surface between ~3700 and 1200 cal yr BP and the loss of sediments to either deflation or erosion. Spikes in pollen of broadleaf trees and shrubs, mainly before 2500 cal yr BP, may indicate warmer or wetter intervals. Remobilized old charcoal, along with peaks in Poaceae, Cyathea, and Lophosoria, indicate a possible large tropical storm event around 2900 cal yr BP. Transported clasts of peat and soil in the core signal other high precipitation events. We found no clear evidence of prehistoric human activity. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Components Involved in Peroxisome Import, Biogenesis, Proliferation, Turnover, and Movement

Subramani, Suresh. Components Involved in Peroxisome Import, Biogenesis, Proliferation, Turnover, and Movement. Physiol. Rev. 78: 171–188, 1998. — In the decade that has elapsed since the discovery...
ON THE MASSES AND LUMINOSITIES OF RR LYRAE STARS

Some results are given from the comparison with observations of a large number of hydrodynamic pulsa­ tion models: (1) Linear pulsation calculations are adequate for the determination of the masses of RRd stars; (2) the Fourier phase parameter 4>31 measures the luminosity-to-mass ratio L/M1.81 for RRc stars; (3) most of the w Cen RRc stars seem to be evolved, as has previously been suggested; (4) the masses of the w Cen RRc stars agree with the masses of RRd stars in other clusters; and (5) a hint emerges of a mass-helium abundance relation among the RRc stars in w Cen. New CCD observations will be needed to extend our analysis to additional globular clusters.
Papillation in Bacillus anthracis colonies: a tool for finding new mutators.

Summary Colonies of Bacillus anthracis Sterne allow the growth of papillation after 6 days of incubation at 30°C on Luria–Bertani medium. The papillae are due to mutations that allow the cells to overcome the barriers to continued growth. Cells isolated from papillae display two distinct gross phenotypes (group A and group B). We determined that group A mutants have mutations in the nprR gene including frameshifts, deletions, duplications and base substitutions. We used papillation as a tool for finding new mutators as the mutators generate elevated levels of papillation. We discovered that disruption of yycJ or recJ leads to a spontaneous mutator phenotype. We defined the nprR/papillation system as a new mutational analysis system for B. anthracis. The mutational specificity of the new mutator yycJ is similar to that of mismatch repair-deficient strains (MMR-) such as those with mutations in mutL or mutS. Deficiency in recJ results in a unique specificity, generating only tandem duplications.
z-domain synthesis of discrete-time reactance functions

Discrete-time images of lossless LC one-port ladder networks are presented. Such images are obtained by expanding discrete-time reactance functions into z-domain continued fractions to obtain the discrete-time counterparts of Cauer-1, Cauer-2, and mixed-Cauer expansions. A methodology for synthesis of discrete-time reactance functions similar to the one known for the synthesis of a continuous-time reactance function in the s-domain is presented. The type of reactance functions used is related to the continuous-time counterpart by the lossless-discrete-integrator (LDI) s-to-z transform. Simple first- and second-order discrete-time reactance networks using delay elements, multipliers, and adders are proposed and used in a step-by-step procedure to realize higher-order networks. The methodology is valid for any discrete-time reactance function using any of the three z-domain Cauer expansions, giving rise to three different ladder structures. An algorithm for the computer implementation of the synthesis procedure is developed and a BASIC listing is given. >
A planar quasi-optical mixer using a folded-slot antenna

A quasioptical mixer using only planar structures such as coplanar-waveguide and slotline is presented. The mixer, which can be scaled for millimeter-wave applications and placed on a substrate lens, uses orthogonal modes in a folded-slot antenna to achieve intrinsic RF/LO isolation without BF filtering or subharmonic pumping. The folded-slot balanced mixer was fabricated on RT/Duriod and obtained a minimum isotropic conversion loss of 1.2 dB at 11.6 GHz. Numerical integration of full two-dimensional antenna patterns yielded an antenna directivity of 7 dB, corresponding to a single side-band (SSB) mixer conversion loss of 8.2 dB. The mixer demonstrated -18 dB RF/IF isolation and -30 dB LO/IF isolation. >
Effect of Lipid-Lowering Drug Therapy on Small-Dense Low-Density Lipoprotein:

OBJECTIVE:To review the effects of lipid-lowering therapy on small-dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C).DATA SOURCES:Literature was obtained from MEDLINE (1989–September 2004) and references of selected articles. Key search terms included small-dense LDL-C and lipid-lowering drug therapy.DATA SYNTHESIS:Statins, fibrates, and niacin have demonstrated favorable effects on sdLDL-C, especially among patients with mixed dyslipidemia or hypertriglyceridemia. These effects include a reduction of sdLDL-C and/or a shift to the larger, less atherogenic LDL-C.CONCLUSIONS:Data suggest that statins, fibrates, and niacin are effective at reducing concentrations of sdLDL-C and possibly normalizing LDL-C subclasses.