cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Restoring de novo coenzyme Q biosynthesis in Caenorhabditis elegans coq-3 mutants yields profound rescue compared to exogenous coenzyme Q supplementation.

Abstract Coenzyme Q (ubiquinone or Q) is an essential lipid component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. In Caenorhabditis elegans Q biosynthesis involves at least nine steps, including the hydroxylation of the hydroquinone ring by CLK-1 and two O-methylation steps mediated by COQ-3. We characterize two C. elegans coq-3 deletion mutants, and show that while each has defects in Q synthesis, their phenotypes are distinct. First generation homozygous coq-3(ok506) mutants are fertile when fed the standard lab diet of Q-replete OP50 Escherichia coli, but their second generation homozygous progeny does not reproduce. In contrast, the coq-3(qm188) deletion mutant remains sterile when fed Q-replete OP50. Quantitative PCR analyses suggest that the longer qm188 deletion may alter expression of the flanking nuo-3 and gdi-1 genes, located 5′ and 3′, respectively of coq-3 within an operon. We surmise that variable expression of nuo-3, a subunit of complex I, or of gdi-1, a guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor, may act in combination with defects in Q biosynthesis to produce a more severe phenotype. The phenotypes of both coq-3 mutants are more drastic as compared to the C. elegans clk-1 mutants. When fed OP50, clk-1 mutants reproduce for many generations, but show reduced fertility, slow behaviors, and enhanced life span. The coq-3 and clk-1 mutants all show arrested development and are sterile when fed the Q-deficient E. coli strain GD1 (harboring a mutation in the ubiG gene). However, unlike clk-1 mutant worms, neither coq-3 mutant strain responded to dietary supplementation with purified exogenous Q10. Here we show that the Q9 content can be determined in lipid extracts from just 200 individual worms, enabling the determination of Q content in the coq-3 mutants unable to reproduce. An extra-chromosomal array expressing wild-type C. elegans coq-3 rescued fertility of both coq-3 mutants and partially restored steady-state levels of COQ-3 polypeptide and Q9 content, indicating that primary defect in both is limited to coq-3. The limited response of the coq-3 mutants to dietary supplementation with Q provides a powerful model to probe the effectiveness of exogenous Q supplementation as compared to restoration of de novo Q biosynthesis.
Management of pediatric intracranial arteriovenous malformations: experience with multimodality therapy.

BACKGROUND Successful management of pediatric arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) often requires a balanced application of embolization, surgery, and radiosurgery. OBJECTIVE To describe our experience treating pediatric AVMs. METHODS We analyzed 120 pediatric patients (< 18 years of age) with AVMs treated with various combinations of radiosurgery, surgery, and endovascular techniques. RESULTS Between 1985 and 2009, 76 children with low Spetzler-Martin grade (1-3) and 44 with high-grade (4-5) AVMs were treated. Annual risk of hemorrhage from presentation to initial treatment was 4.0%, decreasing to 3.2% after treatment initiation until confirmed obliteration. Results for AVM obliteration were available in 101 patients. Initial single-modality therapy led to AVM obliteration in 51 of 67 low-grade (76%) and 3 of 34 high-grade (9%) AVMs, improving to 58 of 67 (87%) and 9 of 34 (26%), respectively, with further treatment. Mean time to obliteration was 1.8 years for low-grade and 6.4 years for high-grade AVMs. Disabling neurological complications occurred in 4 of 77 low-grade (5%) and 12 of 43 high-grade (28%) AVMs. At the final clinical follow-up (mean, 9.2 years), 48 of 67 patients (72%) with low-grade lesions had a modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) of 0 to 1 compared with 12 of 34 patients (35%) with high-grade AVMs. On multivariate analysis, significant risk factors for poor final clinical outcome (mRS ≥ 2) included baseline mRS ≥ 2 (odds ratio, 9.51; 95% confidence interval, 3.31-27.37; P < .01), left-sided location (odds ratio, 3.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-8.33; P = .03), and high AVM grade (odds ratio, 4.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-14.28; P = .02). CONCLUSION Treatment of pediatric AVMs with multimodality therapy can substantially improve obliteration rates and may decrease AVM hemorrhage rates. The poor natural history and risks of intervention must be carefully considered when deciding to treat high-grade pediatric AVMs.
The Federal Air Marshal Service Using Value Focused Thinking to optimize field office allocations

The Federal Air Marshal Service's (FAMS) mission is to promote confidence in the nation's civil aviation system through effective deployment of Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) to detect, deter, and defeat hostile acts targeting United States air carriers, airports, passengers, and crews. To accomplish this mission, the FAMS has established field offices across the United States and assigned marshals to these offices. As with all of government, the FAMS continues to work to operate efficiently as well as effectively. To this end, they seek to determine the best field office and marshal assignment set to maximize risk coverage at the minimum cost.
Late glacial and postglacial environments in southeastern Wyoming

Abstract Twenty-one species of mammals were excavated from the Hell Gap archeological site in southeastern Wyoming (altitud 1,525 m), containing strata from the Late Glacial (Hell Gap to Folsom occupation levels) and Postglacial periods (cultures above the Hell Gap occupation level). Three rodent species ( Marmota flaviventris, Citellus richardsonii , and Microtus montanus ) from the Late Glacial deposits do not presently exist in the Hell Gap region, but are found in the montane areas of Wyoming above 1,800 m ( Long , 1965). Their presence at the site during the Late Glacial is evidence supporting pollen-analytical studies which suggest that montane life zones may have existed 600 m below the present levels and that mean annual air temperatures averaged more than 3.5°C cooler than today. Suggestions are made in this paper for future mammalian ecological and paleoclimatic studies, in order that the short-term and small-scale climatic functuations which characterized the Postglacial Period can be distinguished, and that further corroboration of pollen studies can be made.
Inequalities, instabilities, and renormalization in metals and other fermi liquids☆

This paper discusses various aspects of microscopic Fermi-liquid theory, with particular emphasis on its application to metals. It is shown that under certain conditions we have the inequalities m∗1+13F1⩾m, m∗1+112Z1⩾m The appropriate formulation of the theory is presented for the case that the fermions interact with an arbitrary background (e.g. 3He4He mixtures). A microscopic proof of the stability conditions is given. The effects of the Coulomb and electron-phonon interaction in metals are treated by completely parallel techniques, and explicit expressions are given for the electronic correlation functions in the limits ω 2> ωD and ω ⪡ ωD. Results for the static properties, etc., are in agreement with the recent work of Prange and Sachs. It is shown that the electron-phonon interaction can only enhance the “dynamic effective mass” m∗(1 + 13F1), and that the enhancement tends to zero for forward electron-phonon scattering. It is also shown explicitly that phonon effects on the Landau parameters can affect the static properties in the superconducting state even though they cannot in the normal state. The inequalities obtained are compared as far as possible with experiment, and it is shown that the rough value of Z112(≡B1) recently obtained for Na from CESR experiments is almost certainly not compatible with the optical data. Tentative application is also made to the recently observed Knight shift in superconducting Al.
NASA Mars rover: a testbed for evaluating applications of covariance intersection

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has spearheaded the development and application of Covariance Intersection (CI) for a variety of decentralized data fusion problems. Such problems include distributed control, onboard sensor fusion, and dynamic map building and localization. In this paper we describe NRL's development of a CI-based navigation system for the NASA Mars rover that stresses almost all aspects of decentralized data fusion. We also describe how this project relates to NRL's augmented reality, advanced visualization, and REBOT projects.
Influence of hydroperiod on litter conversion to soil organic matter in a floodplain forest

Lignin and cellulose dynamics were followed for 23 mo during degradation of foliar litter in an oligotrophic floodplain forest located in south Georgia. Litter was placed in microcosms, which were subjected to hydroperiod variation in terms of duration and nutrient inflow. Treatments were compared in terms of rates of lignin and cellulose loss and the degree to which a theoretical asymptotic value of the ratio of lignin to lignin plus cellulose (LCI) was approached. Flooding strongly stimulated loss rates of lignin and cellulose, and results suggest that a single, relatively brief flooding event promoted loss rates to the greatest extent. The elevation of N inflow reduced lignin degradation rates compared with other flooding treatments. Observed temporal patterns of LCI ratios did not follow theorized patterns and may suggest that, in warm dimates such as south Georgia, lignin loss is greater than in boreal forest systems where theoretical LCI relationships were developed.
Thin Films for Coating Nanomaterials

Abstract For nano-structured solids (those with one or more dimensions in the 1-100 nm range), attempts of surface modification can pose significant and new challenges. In traditional materials, the surface coating could be several hundreds nanometers in thickness, or even microns and millimeters. In a nano-structured material, such as particle or nanofibers, the coating thickness has to be substantially smaller than the bulk dimensions (100 nm or less), yet be durable and effective. In this paper, some aspects of effective nanometer scale coatings have been discussed. These films have been deposited by a non-line of sight (plasma) techniques; and therefore, they are capable of modifying nanofibers, near net shape cellular foams, and other high porosity materials. Two types of coatings will be focused upon: (a) those that make the surface inert and (b) those designed to enhance surface reactivity and bonding. The former has been achieved by forming 1-2 nm layer of —C—CF 2 — (and/or CF 3 ) groups on the surface, and the latter by creating a nano-layer of SiO 2 -type compound. Nucleation and growth studies of the plasma-generated film indicate that they start forming as 2-3 nm high islands that grow laterally, and eventually completely cover the surface with 2-3 nm film. Contact angle measurements indicate that these nano-coatings are fully functional even before they have achieved complete coverage of 2-3 nm. They should therefore be applicable to nano-structural solids. This is corroborated by application of these films on vapor grown nanofibers of carbon, and on graphitic foams. Coated and uncoated materials are infiltrated with epoxy matrix to form composites and their microstructure, as well as mechanical behaviors are compared. The results show that the nano-oxide coating can significantly enhance bond formation between carbon and organic phases, thereby enhancing wettability, dispersion, and composite behavior. The fluorocarbon coating, as expected, reduces bond formation, and therefore, effective as an inert layer to passivate nanomaterials.
A Multi-Limit Mixed-Layer Entrainment Formulation

Abstract The second-moment equations for buoyancy flux and density-fluctuation variance in the entrainment zone of a mixed layer are combined to yield an entrainment rate (we dependence having the nature of Turner's relation. That is, weq−1 is seen as a function solely of an interfacial Richardson number (Rie) involving q where q2 is twice the interfacial turbulence kinetic energy (TKE). The mean thickness of the entrainment layer is found to be a satisfactory representation of the integral length scale near the mixed-layer interface which was used by Turner. The TKE equation in the entrainment layer is then utilized to evaluate Rie so that we can be obtained. This procedure allows the TKE equation to be solved past the point at which the interfacial-shear bulk Richardson number, Riv, becomes critical, and into the more unstable regime beyond where the experiment of Ellison and Turner can give guidance. Previous entrainment parameterizations which retain the critical-Riv concept predict infinite entrainme...
A method for the enzymic determination of corticosteroids in extracts from whole blood, plasma and urine

An enzymic procedure based on the reduction of the 20-oxo group of corticosteroids by 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20β-SD) and the simultaneous oxidation of stoichiometric amounts of DPNH to DPN has been modified and applied to the quantitative measurement of corticosteroids in extracts from biological fluids. Experimental data are presented concerning the specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of this procedure. Selective solvent partition techniques allow to differentiate between 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and 17-deoxycorticosteroids, possessing the C-20-oxo group. Esterification at carbon 21 prevents the enzymic reaction. Certain applications and advantages over other methods of corticosteroid analysis are discussed.
The effect of accuracy constraints on three-dimensional movement kinematics

Abstract The kinematics of three-dimensional arm movements were recorded during a task in which subjects were required to place a peg in a hole. The accuracy constraint was varied by using holes of different diameters. If the diameter of the hole was large relative to the diameter of the peg, the tangential velocity profile of hand trajectories was relatively symmetric and bell-shaped, but it became increasingly asymmetric as the diameter of the hole was reduced. Peak tangential velocity decreased, overall movement duration increased and the proportion of the movement spent in deceleration increased systematically. The shape of the accelerative phase of the velocity profile showed little dependence on hole diameter, but the decelerative phase became increasingly irregular as the hole diameter was reduced. This irregularity was attributed to submovements corresponding to small changes in the direction of the hand path. On the other hand, deliberately slowing the movement in the absence of a strict accuracy constraint induced a change in the velocity profile which produced irregularity in both the accelerative and decelerative phases of the movement. The results of our experiments are consistent with the idea that movements requiring extreme accuracy and other slow movements are composed of a series of submovements. In the case of movements requiring accuracy these submovements may represent corrective actions that are taken throughout the course of the movement.
Meningitis due to Salmonella Oranienburg

Summary A fatal case of meningitis in an infant due to S. Oranienburg is reported, together with the important autopsy findings. The literature on Salmonella meningitis is reviewed briefly. The results suggest that sulfonamide therapy is effective in certain types of Salmonella meningitis. The best results have been obtained with sulfapyridine (three cures) and sulfanilamide (one cure).
Brain gamma-aminobutyric acid and acoustic priming in C57BL/6Bg mice.

An initial auditory stimulus (IAS) to 19-day-old C57BL/6Bg mice is known to induce susceptibility to audiogenic seizures as tested at 28 days of age. Immediately following exposure to the IAS, whole brain levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were transiently reduced, whereas the levels of aspartate, glutamate, norepinephrine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine remained unchanged. Pretreatment prior to the IAS with aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA) and hydrazine, two inhibitors of GABA transaminase activity that increase the levels of GABA in the brain, attenuated the acoustic priming of audiogenic seizure susceptibility. Hydroxylamine, a similar pyridoxal antagonist that does not increase GABA levels, had no effect on the acoustic priming by the IAS. Several substances acting on brain GABA system, including β-alanine, diaminobutyric acid, glutamate, and GABA itself, were also found to attenuate the acoustic priming effect of the IAS. These results indicate that GABA may be a neurochemical factor in the sequence of events following the IAS that lead to an increase in audiogenic seizure risk. Since bicuculline had no effect on acoustic priming and did not reverse the effect of AOAA, it is possible that GABA may be involved in a metabolic or regulatory role rather than in its function in postsynaptic inhibition.
Eye Tracking of Evaluators Viewing Usability Videos: Opacity and Experience Differences

Usability evaluation recording technology provides the usability practitioner with the capability to record audio, video of the user, and desktop screen activity in a “picture-in-picture” (PIP) format, allowing the evaluator to observe the interface screen and the human user simultaneously. This study is the second in a series of studies to examine how best to present usability evaluation video so that evaluators reliably find usability problems. The research objective of this study focused on the opacity of the PIP video that is often displayed along with the desktop screen capture. A total of 16 undergraduate evaluators were used, with 8 having no experience and 8 having 20 hours of experience from an advanced human-computer interaction course. In addition, 6 usability practitioners were used to compare to undergraduate experiences. Eye tracking was used to determine the attentional focus of evaluators. Results showed that opacity levels of the PIP video did not influence the number of usability problem...
Monte Carlo study of the low-temperature mobility of electrons in a strained Si layer grown on a Si1-xGex substrate.

A Monte Carlo approach is used to study the electron mobility in the Si/${\mathrm{Si}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ge}}_{\mathit{x}}$ system at low temperatures. The diffusion constant is evaluated in near thermal equilibrium simulations and is converted to the mobility by use of the Einstein relation for a degenerate two-dimensional electron gas. A modulation-doped structure is considered, where the doped ${\mathrm{Si}}_{0.7}$${\mathrm{Ge}}_{0.3}$ layer provides channel electrons and is separated from the channel by an undoped ${\mathrm{Si}}_{0.7}$${\mathrm{Ge}}_{0.3}$ spacer layer. The electron density is evaluated as a function of spacer width and doping concentration. Electrons are assumed to be only in the lowest subband. Acoustic-phonon scattering and remote impurity scattering determine the possible mobility that can be reached. We find mobility values of 2.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/V s at 4.2 K and 3.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/s at 1.5 K for an electron density of 7.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{11}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ (for typical choices of parameters: 10-nm spacer and 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$ doping). Peak mobility values of 5.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/V s at 4.2 K and 7.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/s at 1.5 K are possible for wider spacer layer widths, with subsequently lower channel electron densities. The effects of surface roughness scattering, as well as other scatterers are discussed. These processes can be a mechanism to explain the difference between the above ideal mobility and the reported experimental data.
The Energy Distribution in Cosmic-Ray Showers

The track length distribution $f(E)\mathrm{dE}$ in a shower is defined as the total distance traveled by all electrons while in the energy interval $\mathrm{dE}$. It is representative for the average energy distribution in a shower. The present paper obtains by numerical methods the complete functions for both electrons as well as for photons in showers of high primary energy. Calculations have been made for air and for lead, down to energies of about 4 Mev. Close approximations to the actual cross sections have been used for all energies and all physically significant processes have been included---radiation, pair production, energy loss through collision, Compton effect, and knock-on electrons. As a special result of importance we mention the high number of low-energy photons that accompany a shower, a quantity that has here been evaluated for the first time.
Influence of killer assisting factor (KAF) on generation of cytotoxic T cells.

Abstract Generation of killer T cells in murine mixed lymphocyte culture required that prekiller cells be presented with both a killer assisting factor(s) (KAF) and certain cellular alloantigens (presumably H-2K or H-2D) early in the sensitization process. Late addition of either KAF or alloantigen-bearing cells to pre-killer cell cultures decreased the levels of cytotoxicity seen by the fifth day of incubation. In both cases this decrease reflected a delay in the development of cytotoxicity. Periodic removal of KAF from mixed lymphocyte cultures showed that maximum cytotoxicity was obtained when KAF was present along with the alloantigen for the full 5-day sensitization period. However, a significant cytotoxicity could be detected when contact with KAF, in the presence of alloantigen, was allowed for as few as 48 hr of culture. These observations suggest that both alloantigen and KAF must be experienced together to initiate cell mediated lympholysis (CML) development and that full CML development requires the continuous presence of KAF thereafter.
Comments on ``design optimization of a small-angle neutron scattering spectrometer''

Abstract Margaca, Falcao, Salgado and Carvahlo [Nucl. Instr. and Meth. A274 (1989) 606, and Proc. Int. Conf. on Neutron Scattering, Grenoble, Physica B156/157 (1989) 608] have recently discussed the design parameters of a small-angle scattering spectrometer. They claim to have shown that the instrument can be optimized for constant angular resolution and a fixed neutron source area, such that the detector count rate is higher than that obtained with a spectrometer optimized for a fixed total length and having the same angular resolution. They also claim that the relative gain in intensity depends upon the size of the neutron emitting surface available to the spectrometer. The initial assumptions made by the authors are too constrained to be generally applicable and therefore misleading conclusions could be drawn, and in fact the equal path length arrangement is optimum.
Genomic characterization and expression of mouse prestin, the motor protein of outer hair cells.

Abstract We previously identified the gerbil gene (gPres) that encodes prestin, the putative motor protein responsible for outer hair cell (OHC) electromotility. Here we report the cloning and characterization of the complete genomic structure of the mouse Prestin (mPres) gene. We performed 5′- and 3′-RACE to determine the size and identity of the full-length mRNA transcript. The mPres gene encodes a protein 96% identical to the gPres gene product. The prestin open reading frames are 91% identical at the nucleotide level. Using an antibody raised against the N-terminus of gerbil Prestin, we observed mPrestin expression by immunofluorescence in the lateral membrane of mouse OHCs and found no detectable expression elsewhere in the organ of Corti. On the basis of the available genomic sequence from mouse Chromosome (Chr) 5, we concluded that the mPres gene is centromerically related to and resides within 19 kb of, the Reln gene. We were also able to characterize the exon/intron junctions of mPres by using cDNA/genomic sequence comparisons, as well as exon-exon PCR and sequencing. The mPres gene has 18 exons that encode protein and two exons in the 5′ UTR. A CpG island, located at the start of exon 1, is a potential transcription start site. Sequence analysis of the ~500 bp upstream from exon 1 revealed multiple potential transcription factor binding sites, including both TATA and GC boxes, as well as other regulatory-element binding sites.
Carotid intima media thickness, inflammatory markers, and endothelial activation markers in HIV Patients with lipoatrophy increased at 48 weeks regardless of use of rosiglitazone or placebo.

Abstract Rosiglitazone may be useful for the treatment of antiretroviral therapy-associated lipoatrophy, but an association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been questioned in diabetics. We evaluated rosiglitazone's effect on surrogate markers of CVD in HIV-infected individuals with lipoatrophy. HIV+ patients with lipoatrophy on thymidine-sparing regimens were randomized to rosiglitazone vs. placebo for 48 weeks. We serially assessed carotid IMT, fasting metabolic profiles, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, soluble receptors (sTNFRI and II), interleukin (IL)-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and endothelial activation markers [von Willebrand factor (vWF), soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecules-1 (sICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecules-1 (sVCAM-1)]. Seventy-one subjects enrolled: 17% were female and 51%were white. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups except for higher total cholesterol in the placebo group (p = 0.04). At 48 weeks, common...
The AGS Conversion Radio Frequency Power Amplifier

To double the rate of particle energy gain per unit time, to offset heavier beam loading and to remove the electronic components to a radiation-free area, the AGS radio frequency acceleration system must be redesigned and rebuilt. The new system will be capable of delivering a total of 1440 kW RF power into 12 pairs of 50-ohm coaxial transmission lines 1100 feet long, terminating at 12 accelerating stations. Voltage amplitude and phase responses are closely controlled over a working frequency range of 1.4 - 4.5 MHz. The AGS conversion radio frequency power amplifier is composed of twelve final power amplifier stages, driven in groups of six by two paralleled drivers. These latter units are in turn driven by a cascade of lower level predriver stages. The final and driver stages are identical push-pull wideband ferrite transformer coupled grounded grid triode circuits housed in separate enclosures, each with its necessary control and safety system. The predriver is a four stage push-pull amplifier cascade with grounded grid triodes and grounded cathode tetrodes and pentodes, initially excited by a fractional voltage input signal of the proper frequency and phase. The anticipated successful performance of the system is attributable to the stable push-pull grounded grid amplifier configuration, to the carefully selected power tube complement and to the specially designed ferrite core interstage and output transformers and their associated networks.
Baseline characteristics influencing quality of life in women undergoing gynecologic oncology surgery

Quality of life (QoL) measurements are important in evaluating cancer treatment outcomes. Factors other than cancer and its treatment may have significant effects on QoL and affect assessment of treatments. Baseline data from longitudinal studies of women with endometrial or ovarian cancer or adnexal mass determined at surgery to be benign were analyzed to determine the degree to which QoL is affected by baseline differences in demographic variables and health. This study examined the effect of independent variables on domains of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-G) pre-operatively in gynecologic oncology patients undergoing surgery for pelvic mass suspected to be malignant or endometrial cancer. Patients also completed the Short Form Medical Outcomes Survey (SF-36) questionnaire (a generic health questionnaire that measures physical and mental health). Independent variables were surgical diagnosis (ovarian or endometrial cancer, benign mass), age, body mass index (BMI), educational level, marital status, smoking status, physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) summary scores of the SF-36. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the influence of these variables on FACT-G domain scores (physical, functional, social and emotional well-being). Data were collected on 157 women at their pre-operative visit (33 ovarian cancer, 45 endometrial cancer, 79 determined at surgery to be benign). Mean scores on the FACT-G subscales and SF-36 summary scores did not differ as a function of surgical diagnosis. PCS, MCS, age, and educational level were positively correlated with physical well-being, while increasing BMI was negatively correlated. Functional well-being was positively correlated with PCS and MCS and negatively correlated with BMI. Social well-being was positively correlated with MCS and negatively correlated with BMI and educational level. PCS, MCS and age were positively correlated with emotional well-being. Models that included PCS and MCS accounted for 30 to 44% of the variability in baseline physical, emotional, and functional well-being on the FACT-G. At the time of diagnosis and treatment, patients' QoL is affected by inherent characteristics. Assessment of treatment outcome should take into account the effect of these independent variables. As treatment options become more complex, these variables are likely to be of increasing importance in evaluating treatment effects on QoL.
Blood loss and transfusion requirements in patients implanted with a mechanical circulatory support device undergoing cardiac transplantation

Patients implanted with mechanical circulatory support devices (MCSD's) are at high risk for post-operative bleeding at cardiac transplantation. However, the magnitude of the risk and transfusion requirements for MCSD patients at the time of transplantation have not been previously reported. The purpose of this study was to characterize and compare the bleeding characteristics and transfusion requirements of 3 sub-groups of cardiac transplant patients: primary (n = 45), redo (n = 26), and MCSD (n = 23) patients.
Experimental study on close-in to microwave carrier phase noise of laser diode with external feedback

The residual phase noise at close-in to carrier offset frequency is studied for optical links using a laser diode with an external optical feedback. Since the measured FM noise degradation of the modulating signal was found to be insignificantly higher than the expected 20log (n) in dB, the residual phase noise of the laser diode was measured to quantify the expected carrier signal FM noise floor level. The measured residual phase noise of a InGaAsP laser diode at 1 KHz offset carrier signal of 5.08 GHz is measured to be -100 and -90 dBc/Hz with and without a 3-cm-long free-space external cavity, respectively. The close-in to carrier phase noise results of this laser at the external cavity resonance frequency of /spl ap/5 GHz is explained for the first time in terms of laser diode nonlinearity and FM noise theory of injection locked microwave oscillators. A good match between the predicted and measured results was observed. >
Slow Oscillatory Firing: A Major Firing Pattern of Dopamine Neurons in the Ventral Tegmental Area

Using spectral analysis and in vivo single-unit recording in rats, the present study revealed a pronounced slow oscillation (SO) in the firing activity of about half the dopamine (DA) neurons recor...
School Tracking and Student Violence

From the literature on symbolic interaction, we know that interaction between peers is important for self-development. We also know that strong bonding to schools and teachers protects against delinquency and violence. This peer interaction and social bonding must be placed in the context of societal change toward increased workplace participation by parents and the consequent increased parental role expected of schools. The result has been sharing the moral development of children with teachers; this highlights the importance of the parent-teacher relationship and its effect on the teacher as leader and guide. Moral development is also affected by school practices, not least tracking and mainstreaming. This article will explore how these changes affect peer group interaction and how schools can positively influence and channel such group formation.
Martin Luther: Confessor of the Faith

1. 'Angel of the Lord' or 'Damned Heretic': Martin Luther in the Trends of the Times 2. on His Way: Luther's Life to 1519 3. The Formation of the Theologian: The Medieval Roots of Luther's Thought 4. In Via Wittenbergensis: Luther Develops His Hermeneutic 5. The Emergence of the Reformer: Luther's Decisive Turn to Reform 6. Fast Bound in Satan's Chains I Lay: Luther's View of the Fallen Human Creature 7. Christ Jesus Holds the Field Victorious: Luther's Understanding of the Person of Christ, the Atonement, and Justification 8. One Little Word Can Slay Him: God's Power and Presence in the Oral, Written, and Sacramental Forms of His Word 9. Lambs Listening to their Shepherd: Christ's Church and its Struggles 10. Faith Active in Love: Christian Living on the Foundation of Virtue and Vocation Conclusion
Engineering transcription factors with novel DNA-binding specificity using comparative genomics

The transcriptional program for a gene consists of the promoter necessary for recruiting RNA polymerase along with neighboring operator sites that bind different activators and repressors. From a synthetic biology perspective, if the DNA-binding specificity of these proteins can be changed, then they can be used to reprogram gene expression in cells. While many experimental methods exist for generating such specificity-altering mutations, few computational approaches are available, particularly in the case of bacterial transcription factors. In a previously published computational study of nitrogen oxide metabolism in bacteria, a small number of amino-acid residues were found to determine the specificity within the CRP (cAMP receptor protein)/FNR (fumarate and nitrate reductase regulatory protein) family of transcription factors. By analyzing how these amino acids vary in different regulators, a simple relationship between the identity of these residues and their target DNA-binding sequence was constructed. In this article, we experimentally tested whether this relationship could be used to engineer novel DNA–protein interactions. Using Escherichia coli CRP as a template, we tested eight designs based on this relationship and found that four worked as predicted. Collectively, these results in this work demonstrate that comparative genomics can inform the design of bacterial transcription factors.
Functional templates and their application to 3-D object recognition

A new approach to shape matching and knowledge-based signal processing, called functional template correlation (FTC), is presented in the context of 3D object recognition. Incorporating aspects of fuzzy set theory, functional templates (FTs) define, for each template point, arbitrarily complex tolerances of input image values. With this approach, object- and sensor-dependent knowledge is easily encoded in FTs, making it possible to effectively deal with uncertain or variable object appearance noise occlusion, and articulation. The output of FTC is a map of match scores, reflecting pixel-by-pixel belief of whether or not an encoded shape is present. Such maps can be combined using simple rules of arithmetic and are used to guide selective attention. The use of FTC is illustrated with examples from work in automatic recognition. >
Spatial learning deficits in preschool children of alcoholics.

When compared with nonalcoholics, chronic alcoholics and their children show significant deficits in the processing of visuospatial Information. The literature supports two possible explanations of a visuospatial processing deficit in the child of an alcoholic (COA) when compared with the child of a nonalcoholic (NCOA). Either the COA may suffer cognitive disruptions produced by personal and social development within an alcoholic family, or the COA may inherit or very early develop alterations in central nervous system substrates of neurocognitive operations. The present study was designed to continue our examinations of visuospatial information processing differences and the source of these differences in COAs. An evaluation of very young subjects not only assisted in providing a more complete view of visuospatial processing across the COA'S life span, but also helped explain why the deficit occurs. Thirty matched male and female preschool children, aged 35.8-51.6 months, served as participants. Fifteen children were COAs from families in which the biological father and two other relatives had an alcoholism history. The other group of 15 children were NCOAs. Each child performed a visuospatial learning task similar to the task used in previous studies of older COAs. The visuospatial learning performance of the preschool COAs was inferior to that displayed by preschool NCOAs. The patterns of correct, error, and nonresponses emitted by the preschool COAs and the interrelationships of these data closely resembled the data from our previous studies of older children, adolescent, and adult COAs. The consistency of the deficit and its underlying processes in COAs sampled across the life span from different family environments support a model of visuospatial deficit that is more neurocognitive inheritance than personal/developmental.
GUEPARD treat-to-target strategy is significantly more efficacious than ESPOIR routine care in early rheumatoid arthritis according to patient-reported outcomes and physician global estimate

Objective. To analyse seven RA Core Data Set measures and three indices for their capacity to distinguish treatment results in early RA in the GUEPARD treat-to-target clinical trial vs ESPOIR routine care. Methods. Post hoc analyses compared 65 GUEPARD and 130 matched control ESPOIR patients over 6 and 12 months for mean changes in measures, relative efficiencies and standardized response means (SRM). Three indices—28-joint disease activity score (DAS28), clinical disease activity index (CDAI) and routine assessment of patient index data (RAPID3)—were compared for mean changes and numbers of patients with high, moderate or low activity or remission using κ values. Results. Greater improvement was seen for GUEPARD vs ESPOIR, statistically significant for physician and patient global estimates and pain and health assessment questionnaire physical function (HAQ-FN), but not joint counts and laboratory tests. Relative efficiencies with tender joint count as the referent measure indicated that pain (2.57) and global estimates by patient (3.13) and physician (2.31) were most efficient in distinguishing GUEPARD from ESPOIR. Mean improvements in GUEPARD vs ESPOIR were −3.4 vs −2.6 for DAS28 (0–10) (24%), −29.8 vs −23.1 for CDAI (0–76) (23%) and −13.0 vs −7.8 for RAPID3 (0–30) (40%) (all P < 0.01); agreement was moderate between CDAI vs DAS28 (κ = 0.56) and vs RAPID3 (κ = 0.48), and fair between DAS28 vs RAPID3 (κ = 0.26). Conclusion. Patient and global measures indicate greater efficacy than joint counts or laboratory measures in detecting difference between GUEPARD treat-to-target and ESPOIR routine care. A RAPID3 of only patient measures may help guide treat-to-target in busy clinical settings.
Huntington's disease: progress toward effective disease-modifying treatments and a cure

Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a dominant mutation in HTT, the HD gene. This discovery opens possibilities for treatment based on silencing of the disease-causing allele or with compounds that reduce the production of disease-causing mRNA and/or protein. Although additional developments are needed related to the delivery of gene silencing and discovery and development of drugs that reduce disease-causing gene products, these treatments are predicted to be effective since they act by reducing the source of toxicity. The identification of therapies that act by blocking toxicity is conceptually more complicated, as this requires an accurate understanding of the cellular location and the specific molecular dysfunctions that cause the phenotypes of HD, which is not yet available. Though challenges remain, significant progress has been made. Effective disease-modifying treatments will soon be tested and may lead to disease-altering therapies.
Reranking candidate gene models with cross-species comparison for improved gene prediction

Most gene finders score candidate gene models with state-based methods, typically HMMs, by combining local properties (coding potential, splice donor and acceptor patterns, etc). Competing models with similar state-based scores may be distinguishable with additional information. In particular, functional and comparative genomics datasets may help to select among competing models of comparable probability by exploiting features likely to be associated with the correct gene models, such as conserved exon/intron structure or protein sequence features. We have investigated the utility of a simple post-processing step for selecting among a set of alternative gene models, using global scoring rules to rerank competing models for more accurate prediction. For each gene locus, we first generate the K best candidate gene models using the gene finder Evigan, and then rerank these models using comparisons with putative orthologous genes from closely-related species. Candidate gene models with lower scores in the original gene finder may be selected if they exhibit strong similarity to probable orthologs in coding sequence, splice site location, or signal peptide occurrence. Experiments on Drosophila melanogaster demonstrate that reranking based on cross-species comparison outperforms the best gene models identified by Evigan alone, and also outperforms the comparative gene finders GeneWise and Augustus+. Reranking gene models with cross-species comparison improves gene prediction accuracy. This straightforward method can be readily adapted to incorporate additional lines of evidence, as it requires only a ranked source of candidate gene models.
A rapid-response, high-sensitivity nanophase humidity sensor for respiratory monitoring

An ionic-type humidity sensor based on a plasma-deposited nanophase Si thin film was developed. Detection of relative humidity cycles between 20% and 90% was possible in /spl les/0.2 s with /spl sim/5 orders of magnitude variation in conductance. Such superior performance is attributable to the unique arrayed column-void network structure and ultrafine thickness (e.g., 50 nm) of the Si film as well as to the lateral electrode configuration. Our sensor can be miniaturized, integrated with signal processing circuits, and fabricated on plastics. A crucial implementation, where our sensor would be very suitable and beneficial, is respiratory monitoring.
The effects of thiol reduction and oxidation on the inhibition of NMDA-stimulated neurotransmitter release by ethanol.

Abstract The N- methyl - D - aspartate (NMDA) receptor is sensitive to inhibition by pharmacologically relevant concentrations of ethanol and may be an important target for the actions of ethanol in the brain. The mechanisms responsible for ethanol's action are unknown but may involve perturbation of one of the multiple regulatory sites that have been identified on the receptor. Previous studies have shown that thiol reducing and oxidizing agents selectively alter the activity of the NMDA receptor via a redox modulatory site. In this study, these agents were tested for their ability to modify the inhibitory actions of ethanol on NMDA-stimulated neurotransmitter release from rat brain slices and the potentiation of NMDA-stimulated release by the glycine agonist d -serine. Treatment of hippocampal slices with the thiol reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) significantly potentiated (> 2-fold) the NMDA-stimulated release of tritiated norepinephrine ([3H]NE) from rat hippocampal slices. Slices treated with the thiol oxidizing agent dithionitrobenzoic acid (DTNB) had slightly lower (10–15%) levels of NMDA-stimulated neurotransmitter release. Ethanol (25–200 mM) dose-dependently inhibited the NMDA-stimulated release of [3H]NE from control slices with a calculated IC50 value of 73.1 mM. The inhibitory potency for ethanol was increased following DTNB treatment (IC50 of 40.9 mM) while DTT treatment slightly reduced ethanol's potency (IC50 of 85.6 mM). The ability of d -serine to augment NMDA-stimulated neurotransmitter release was tested in the presence and absence of ethanol following treatment of slices with either DTT or DTNB to examine any potential interaction between these modulatory sites. d -serine (1–30 μM) potentiated the NMDA-stimulated release of neurotransmitter from both control and DTNB treated slices but did not appear to alter the inhibition produced by 50 mM ethanol in either case. In contrast, d- serine did not potentiate NMDA-stimulated release in DTT treated slices under control conditions nor did it significantly alter the inhibition of neurotransmitter release produced by 50 mM ethanol. These results suggest that changes in the redox state of the NMDA receptor may alter the sensitivity of the receptor to the inhibitory actions of ethanol. These results also suggest that the inhibitory effects of ethanol are not mediated via a selective interaction with the glycine site on the receptor.
Colonic Stenting: Technique, Technology, and Outcomes for Malignant and Benign Disease

Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) have gained acceptance for use in the gastrointestinal tract to relieve malignant lumenal obstruction. In the colon, SEMS are used to avoid permanent or temporary colostomy during palliation and as a bridge to surgery for left-sided colonic obstruction. Limited data exist on their use for benign disease. This article reviews the latest in stent technology and the outcomes after their placement for benign and malignant disease.
Wafer-Scale 3D Integration of Silicon-on-Insulator RF Amplifiers

United States. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Air Force Contract FA8721-05-C-0002)
Factors that influence the timing of spontaneous labor at term

Objective. Whether pre-term birth culminates as a result of a de novo pathologic process or is more simply early activation of physiologic mechanisms is unknown. Exploration of the onset of labor in term women with classical risk factors for early delivery might provide insights into the mechanisms leading to pre-term birth. This study examines whether sociodemographic factors known to increase the risk of pre-term birth also affect the length of term gestations.Methods. From a large prospective cohort composed of women delivering from 1995–2000, a sample was selected of 441 women from Central North Carolina, US, who delivered singletons after 37 weeks gestation. An algorithm was designed to identify induced labors and gestational age was censored at the time of induction. Gestational age was assigned by sonography and menstrual dating. Data were analysed using the Cox proportional hazards model. The main outcome measure was time to spontaneous labor.Results. Women with ≥12 years of education had longer p...