cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Environmental controls on microbial community cycling in modern marine stromatolites

Abstract Living stromatolites on the margins of Exuma Sound, Bahamas, are the only examples of modern stromatolites forming in open marine conditions similar to those that may have existed on Precambrian platforms. Six microbial mat types have previously been documented on the surfaces of stromatolites along the eastern side of Highborne Cay (Schizothrix, Solentia, heterotrophic biofilm, stalked diatom, tube diatom and Phormidium mats). Cycling of these communities create laminae with distinct microstructures. Subsurface laminae thus represent a chronology of former surface mats. The present study documents the effects of environmental factors on surface microbial communities of modern marine stromatolites and identifies potential causes of microbial mat cycling. Mat type and burial state at 43 markers along a stromatolitic reef on the margin of Highborne Cay were monitored over a two-year period (2005–2006). Key environmental parameters (i.e., temperature, light, wind, water chemistry) were also monitored. Results indicated that the composition of stromatolite surface mats and transitions from one mat type to another are controlled by both seasonal and stochastic events. All six stromatolite mat communities at Highborne Cay showed significant correlations with water temperature. Heterotrophic biofilms, Solentia, stalked diatom and Phormidium mats showed positive correlations with temperature, whereas Schizothrix and tube diatom communities showed negative correlations. A significant correlation with light (photosynthetically active radiation, PAR) was detected only for the heterotrophic biofilm community. No significant correlations were found between mat type and the monitored wind intensity data, but field observations indicated that wind-related events such as storms and sand abrasion play important roles in the transitions from one mat type to another. An integrated model of stromatolite mat community cycling is developed that includes both predictable seasonal environmental variation and stochastic events. The long-term monitoring of mat communities on Highborne Cay stromatolites and the resulting model are an important step in understanding morphogenesis of modern marine stromatolites, with implications for interpreting patterns of stromatolite lamination in the geologic record.
Microseismic measurement of wave-energy delivery to a rocky coast

Rocky coasts are attacked by waves that drive sea-cliff retreat and etch promontories and embayments into the coastline. Understanding the evolution of such coastlines requires knowledge of the energy supplied by waves, which should depend upon both the deep-water waves and the coastal bathymetry they cross. We employ microseismic measurements of the wave-induced shaking of sea cliffs near Santa Cruz, California, as a proxy for the temporal pattern of wave-energy delivery to the coast during much of the winter 2001 storm season. Visual inspection of the time series suggests that both deep-water wave heights and tide levels exert considerable control on the energy delivered. We test this concept quantitatively with two models in which synthetic time series of wave power at the coast are compared with the shaking data. In the first model, deep-water wave power is linearly scaled by a fitting parameter; because this model fails to account for the strong tidal signal, it fits poorly. In the second model, the wave transformation associated with shoaling and refraction diminishes the nearshore wave power, and dissipation associated with bottom drag and wave breaking is parameterized by exponential dependencies on two length scales; this model reduces the variance by 32%-45% and captures the essence of the full signal. Shoaling and refraction greatly modulate the wave power delivered to the coast. Energy dissipated by bottom drag across the shelf is relatively small; the dissipation length scale is many times the path length across the shelf. In contrast, much energy is dissipated in the surf zone; the tidal-dissipation depth scale is of the same order as the tidal range (1-2 m), which accounts for the strong dependence of the cliff shaking on the tide.
Characterization of serum and urinary chromogranin A by size exclusion chromatography: impact on calibrator selection and urinary assay.

Serum chromogranin A (CgA) is a useful marker for neuroendocrine tumors and is detectable in carcinomas at advanced stages. Elevated serum CgA is also an indicator of poor prognosis in prostate cancer and is useful for predicting the failure of hormonal therapy for prostate cancer patients. We found that CgA molecules with three different sizes could be detected in normal human serum. However, only the largest CgA molecule appears in patients with liver disease. Serum taken from cancer patients is composed predominantly of the middle-sized molecule, whereas the smallest CgA molecule was elevated in serum drawn from renal patients. Moreover, only the smallest CgA molecule was found in urine. We believe that the largest CgA molecule is metabolized by the liver, whereas the smallest CgA molecule is removed from the blood circulation via the kidney. Because the medium-sized CgA is the dominant molecule in both the cell medium of the tumor cell line SK-N-AS and sera from patients with malignant diseases, CgA from the cell medium was selected as the calibrator for the CgA ELISA assay. Our findings also suggest that it would not be possible to measure the urinary CgA to reflect the serum CgA concentration in order to detect pheochromocytoma among patients with hypertension.
Characterizing the variability of system kernel and input estimates.

The identification of the input to, or kernels of, a system using nonparametric representations and least-squares estimation is becoming increasingly popular. Nonparametric representations avoid making a priori assumptions about the input or having detailed knowledge about the system, and only need to guarantee known general characteristics (for example, positivity), which are obtained through the imposition of constraints on the estimates. An often overlooked problem is how to characterize the variability of the estimates so obtained. This problem is caused by the presence of constraints—and/or the nonlinearities of the estimates, or the complexity of the (regression based) estimation algorithms used—which make standard methods of estimating variability incorrect. In this article we investigate the use of a resampling technique called the “bootstrap” to obtain the desired estimates of variability. We present real data analysis demonstrating the approach, and through simulations we test the performance of a novel bootstrap technique obtaining confidence bands for the estimated functions. © 1998 Biomedical Engineering Society.
Naphthalene-Tagged Copolymer Micelles Based on Polystyrene-alt-maleic anhydride-graft-poly(ethylene oxide)

Monoamine-terminated poly(ethylene oxide), PEO-NH2 (MW ∼ 5000) has been grafted onto a hydrophobic backbone of polystyrene-alt-maleic anhydride. The backbone has been tagged with a constant fraction of naphthalene and with varying amounts of PEO-NH2. Dialysis from dioxane to 100% water produces micelles that have been characterized by light scattering techniques and TEM. The environment of the polymer backbone as a function of the dioxane/water ratio has been characterized by steady state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. Backbone collapse seems to occur at ∼50% water based on the growth of naphthalene excimer fluorescence. Micelle aggregation numbers appear to vary inversely with the grafting density according to the relation Nagg ∼ NPEO-3, where NPEO is the number of PEO grafts per chain. This relationship can be rationalized by assuming a constant area per PEO coil on the micelle surface.
Disparities in Geographic Access to Pediatric Subspecialty Care

Purpose: To identify correlates of geographic access to pediatric medical subspecialists in the United States and identify characteristics of populations at risk for poor geographic access. Methods: Geographic access was operationalized as distance to care. Using data from the American Board of Pediatrics and the Claritas’ Pop-Facts Database, the straight-line distance between each zip code in the United States and the nearest subspecialist was calculated for each pediatric subspecialty using zip code centroids. Using 16 specialty-specific, random-effects multiple regression models, zip code characteristics associated with being farther from a subspecialty provider were identified. Results: Under-18 population, metropolitan status, and presence of a nearby teaching facility were associated with shorter distances to care across pediatric subspecialties. The proportion of the population below the federal poverty level was positively associated with greater distances to care. Zip codes in the Mountain and West North Central regions, likewise, were significantly farther from pediatric subspecialists, even when statistically controlling for other factors. Conclusions: Pediatric populations at risk for poor geographic access to pediatric subspecialty care include those who reside in zip codes with high concentrations of poverty, in rural and small metropolitan areas, and in the Mountain and West North Central regions. The extent to which these distances create barriers to receipt of care is not established.
Race, Place, and Veteran Status: Migration among Black and White Men, 1940–2000

In this paper, I gauge the impact of veteran status on migration probabilities for black and white men in the late 20th century United States, comparing cohorts that were subject to various military staffing policies. I find that white veterans are more likely than are white non-veterans to live outside the state of their birth and to have recently migrated. These effects persist regardless of whether veterans were subject to the draft or the All Volunteer Force staffing policy, and are durable across the life course. Among blacks, elevated rates of veterans’ migration are first observed in 1980. These results illuminate a previously unidentified consequence of veteran status, and may point to a policy-linked mechanism through which prior military employment influences social mobility, the American labor force is redistributed, and the racial composition of states and localities is altered.
The influence of natural organic matter rigidity on the sorption, desorption, and competitive displacement rates of 1,2-dichlorobenzene.

The influence of natural organic matter (NOM) rigidity on the sorption, desorption, and competitive displacement rates of 1,2-Dichlorobenzene (1,2-DCB) was evaluated using batch reactor experiments with two surface soils (Yolo and Forbes) and a shale (Ohio). Previous characterization suggests that the shale NOM is the most reduced and condensed, the Yolo soil is the most oxidized and amorphous, and Forbes soil has an intermediate NOM structure. The rate study for each sorbent was conducted under the same reactor parameters, and 1,2-DCB mass-transfer rates were determined using the distributed first-order mass-transfer rate model based on the γ probability density function. To measure competitive displacement rates, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (1,2,4-TCB) was delivered as a competitor after 34 days pre-equilibration. Higher fractions of contaminant subject to instantaneous mass transfer and much faster rates of approach to apparent sorption equilibrium are found in Yolo soil when compared with Forbes soil and t...
Dual Regulation of T Cell Receptor-mediated Signaling by Oncogenic Cbl Mutant 70Z

We previously showed that an oncogenic Cbl mutant (70Z) is constitutively active in transcriptional activation of nuclear factor at activated T cells (NFAT). However, the mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear. Here we analyzed the effects of 70Z mutations at an amino-terminal loss of function site (Gly-306) and at carboxyl-terminal potential tyrosine or serine phosphorylation sites on association with signaling proteins and on NFAT activation. Mutation at Gly-306 of 70Z disrupted its association with Zap-70 and almost completely abolished its ability to induce NFAT activation under basal and ionomycin-stimulated conditions. However, mutations at potential tyrosine or serine phosphorylation sites had little effect. In fact, expression of 70Z with Tyr-700, Tyr-731, or Tyr-774 mutated to Phe increased NFAT activity in comparison with unmutated 70Z. These findings suggest that an amino terminus-mediated interaction of 70Z with Zap-70 plays a positive role and that a carboxyl terminus-mediated, phosphotyrosine-dependent interaction with their binding proteins plays a negative role in 70Z-mediated NFAT activation. In support of this notion are the observations that 70Z reduced T cell receptor-induced NFAT activation and that wild-type Cbl further inhibited this event, suggesting that both 70Z and wild-type Cbl employ a similar mechanism by which Cbl proteins dually regulate T cell receptor-mediated signaling.
Management of Venous Thromboembolism: A Systematic Review for a Practice Guideline

New treatments are available for venous thromboembolism. This background paper to the guidelines on treatment of venous thromboembolism from the American College of Physicians and the American Acad...
Time-Dependent Hematological Changes in Workers Exposed to Electromagnetic Fields

A World War II-era study, involving the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emanating from radars and high-frequency radios on the blood of exposed workers, was analyzed for evidence of the effect of time in the manifestation of changes in the hematological system. Statistically significant correlations between increasing white blood cell count and average daily exposure, months of exposure, and total duration of exposure to EMFs were found. Changes in cell count were within the normal range, and thus their relation to epidemiological studies linking EMFs and leukemia, if any, is unclear. Results suggest that the time of exposure may be an additional factor (along with field strength, and perhaps frequency) in ascertaining the safety of EMF exposure.
The rise and fall of Christian science

Abstract This paper applies a general theory of why religious movements succeed or fail to explain the meteoric rise of Christian Science, and to explain why the movement began an equally precipitous decline and may soon simply disappear. The analysis is based on quantitative data, on field work and on a variety of historical documents. The fall of Christian Science has many aspects, but particular emphasis is given to inadequate fertility, ineffective socialization, compromises in distinctiveness, a decline in the relative effectiveness of its placebo effects and to the greatly increased occupational opportunities for women.
LIMITS ON BENTHIC FORAMINIFERAL CHEMICAL ANALYSES AS PRECISE MEASURES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROPERTIES

The “practical precision” of benthic foraminiferal Cd/Ca analysis (defined as the reproducibility on replicate picks of foraminifera from the same sample) is poorer than the analytical precision (defined as the reproducibility of replicate solutions analyzed during a 6-year period). Conversely, the reproducibility on splits of homogenized fragments (obtained by gently crushing foraminifera into -50 fragments each and mixing the fragments) is close to the analytical precision. This experiment rules out variability in sample-to-sample handling as a cause of imprecision, and it strongly implicates individual-to-individual specimen variability as the major factor limiting reproducibility in foraminiferal Cd/ Ca analysis. This inference is confirmed by a pilot study using a new method for the analysis of single specimens of benthic foraminifera: individual benthic foraminifera from a sample show large variability from one individual to the next. Hence, the fundamental factor limiting the effective precision of foraminifera Cd/Ca analysis is not analytical precision or laboratory sampling procedures, but rather the number of individuals available for analysis.
Insulin does not play the major role in the refeeding stimulation of hepatic ornithine decarboxylase activity

Pharmacologic doses of insulin stimulate hepatic ornithine decarboxylase activity. In an effort to see if changes of insulin levels in a physiologic range are also stimulatory, we tube fed 3-day fasted rats with pure carbohydrate, protein and fat meals. Only the protein meal was stimulatory in spite of the carbohydrate meal causing the largest increase in plasma insulin.
Special section on product development: Introduction

Early in 1980 a general call for research papers on the subject of product development was widely dlstnbuted m the appropnate academic dlsclplmes and m selected busmess firms Over the followmg year we received a flow of manuscripts from which were selected the ones appearmg m this issue Customary blind reviewing procedures were used These papers represent research on important topics related to new product development and marketmg Geese and Welsenberger address the career paths of product managers-how they enter the marketing profession and advance through the orgamzatlon They develop profiles of product managers’ educational background, training, and personal skills Moore’s article classifies what IS typically covered m concept tests and notes dlssatlsfactlons with concept testing He suggests different research approaches for concept generatlon, screening, and concept evaluation Rabmo and Moskowltz on a more detailed level address the issue of optlmlzmg the product development process by usmg systematic vanatlons of product ingredients through fractional factonal designs and nonlinear quadratic equations What these papers do not reveal, however, 1s a potentially dangerous and costly mlsdlrectlon of new product research While new product development and management has been practiced as an active busmess dlsclplme smce late m the eighteenth century, it has been taught m umversmes only m the very recent past Engmeenng courses have existed for many years Speclahzed centers m such subspecialties as mdustnal design exist of various schools, but the management of the task first evolved m the 195Os, and even today we find courses on new product marketing management at fewer than one hundred schools
Do the Joneses Help You Keep Up? A Natural Experiment in Exposure to Nonpoor Neighbors

This study capitalizes on a natural experiment in Montgomery County, Maryland, where low-income applicant families are randomly assigned to public housing that is either (a) clustered within seven public housing developments or (b) scattered into market-rate subdivisions via the county's inclusionary zoning policy. Through a survey of 453 public housing residents, we find that adults who lived in scattered public housing reported a lower proportion of low-socioeconomic status (SES) social ties generally and a lower proportion of low-SES neighbors specifically in their social networks. They also counted more high-SES individuals in their social networks, and this effect was related to the amount of time they lived in the neighborhood. Living in scattered public housing had no adverse effect on feelings of neighborhood belonging or satisfaction. The socioeconomic composition of respondents' social networks was associated with two health outcomes for respondents (smoking and depression) and modestly associat...
Modification of aspartic acid residues to induce trypsin cleavage

1,2-Diaminoethane and diaminomethane were coupled to aspartic acid residues in small peptides by means of a water-soluble carbodiimide. The resulting modified side chains sufficiently resembled lysine for trypsin to cleave the peptides. Similar modification of glutamic acid residues in peptides gave little or no susceptibility to trypsin.
What predicts patients' expressed likelihood of choosing electroconvulsive therapy as a future treatment option?

Objective: To examine the relationship between stated intention to choose electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as a future treatment option and measures of function and quality of life, mood, and cognition in the month after this therapy. Understanding the factors influencing patient choice of ECT is a source of insight into the interplay between measures of response and perceived value of this treatment to patients, lending perspective to patient-centered quality improvement efforts. Method: In a prospective sample of 77 depressed patients given ECT, we surveyed recipients at 1 month about their expressed likelihood of choosing ECT given a future episode and examined predictors of their responses. Results: Thirty-four subjects were classified as "likely" to choose a course of ECT, whereas 33 patients were "unlikely." A model including Hamilton baseline and change scores as well as baseline scores in instrumental activities of daily living significantly predicted likeliness after controlling for age and sex (R 2 = 0.34, P < 0.0001). Other quality-of-life variables and measures of change in cognition were not significant in the model. Conclusions: In our sample, choosing ECT as a future treatment option was more likely for those who were more depressed before treatment, had more impaired instrumental activities at the outset of treatment, and experienced a more robust improvement in depressive symptoms. This variance was not explained by treatment-associated improvements in quality of life, function, or deficits in cognitive status.
Just in time indexing for up to the second search

E-commerce and intranet search systems require newly arriving content to be indexed and made available for search within minutes or hours of arrival. Applications such as file system and email search demand even faster turnaround from search systems, requiring new content to become available for search almost instantaneously. However, incrementally updating inverted indices, which are the predominant datastructure used in search engines, is an expensive operation that most systems avoid performing at high rates.We present JiTI, a Just-in-Time Indexing component that allows searching over incoming content (nearly) as soon as that content reaches the system. JiTI's main idea is to invest less in the preprocessing of arriving data, at the expense of a tolerable latency in query response time. It is designed for deployment in search systems that maintain a large main index and that rebuild smaller stop-press indices once or twice an hour. JiTI augments such systems with instant retrieval capabilities over content arriving in between the stop-press builds. A main design point is for JiTI to demand few computational resources, in particular RAM and I/O.Our experiments consisted of injecting several documents and queries per second concurrently into the system over half-hour long periods. We believe that there are search applications for which the combination of the workloads we experimented with and the response times we measured present a viable solution to a pressing problem.
Heats of transport of some chlorides in H2O and D2O

Heats of transport of 0.01 m HCl, Me4NCl, and Et4NCl in H2O and 0.01 m KCl, NaCl, and CsCl in D2O were determined from the measurement of initial (homogeneous) and final (Soret steady state) thermoelectric powers of the thermocell (T)Ag−AgCl/Solution/AgCl−Ag(T+ΔT) at a mean temperature of 25°C. The results are discussed in terms of ion-solvent interaction and properties of H2O and D2O.
Myc Target in Myeloid Cells-1, a Novel c-Myc Target, Recapitulates Multiple c-Myc Phenotypes *

Abstract Using cDNA microarrays, we recently identified a large number of transcripts that are regulated differentially by the c-Myc oncoprotein in myeloid cells. Here, we characterize one of these, termed MT-MC1 (MycTarget in Myeloid Cells-1). MT-MC1 is a widely expressed nuclear protein whose overexpression, unlike that of c-Myc targets reported previously, recapitulates multiple c-Myc phenotypes. These include promotion of apoptosis, alteration of morphology, enhancement of anchorage-independent growth, tumorigenic conversion, promotion of genomic instability, and inhibition of hematopoietic differentiation. The MT-MC1 promoter is a direct c-Myc target; it contains two consensus E-box elements, both of which bind c-Myc·Max heterodimers. Mutation of either site abrogates DNA binding by c-Myc·Max and renders the promoter c-Myc unresponsive. Finally, MT-MC1 regulates the expression of several other c-Myc target genes. MT-MC1 represents a proximal and direct c-Myc target that recapitulates many of the properties typically associated with Myc oncoprotein overexpression.
Sex and Prisoners: Criminal Justice Contributions to a Public Health Issue:

Research into sexual behaviors in correctional institutions has existed in the criminological/criminal justice literature for more than 60 years, yet little of that literature appears to be known i...
Pharmacological characterization of β-adrenoceptor subtype involvement in the ocular hypotensive response to β-adrenergic stimulation

The decrease in intraocular pressure elicited by isoproterenol in ocular normotensive animals is widely recognized. The participation of the β-adrenoceptor subtypes in mediating this ocular hypotensive response has, however, remained unclear, because previous studies have been limited to monitoring the activity of single, supramaximal doses of relatively selective β2-adrenoceptor agonists. The studies herein report a relatively extensive pharmacological characterization of β1-and β2-adrenoceptor involvement in ocular hypotension associated with β-adrenergic stimulation in the pigmented rabbit. A β2-adrenoceptor mechanism was indicated by the following evidence: (1) isoproterenol and relatively selective β2-adrenoceptor agonists produced ocular hypotension over a similar dose range (0·001–0·1%; (2) β1-adrenoceptor agonists, at doses likely to confer β1-adrenoceptor specificity, did not cause a similar decrease in intraocular pressure; (3) the ocular hypotensive response to isoproterenol was abolished by topical timolol and pindolol and the relatively selective β2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118551, whereas the relatively selective β1-adrenoceptor antagonists metoprolol and betaxolol were topically inactive; (4) intravenous injection of β1-adrenoceptor-specific doses of metoprolol and betaxolol had little effect on isoproterenol-induced ocular hypotension, whereas the response was antagonized by a β2-adrenoceptor-specific i.v. dose of ICI 118551. These pharmacological results are consistent with radioligand binding and β-adrenoceptor-linked adenylate cyclase studies which indicate a predominantly β2-adrenoceptor population associated with the ocular ciliary processes. None of the β-blockers themselves altered normal intraocular pressure in the pigmented rabbit.
Selective atrial sensing in dual chamber pacemakers eliminates endless loop tachycardia

With the introduction of dual chamber pacemakers that have multiple atrial amplitude sensing values, selective P wave sensing is possible. Five consecutive patients were studied who had 1) retrograde atrioventricular conduction, 2) anterograde atrial signals that were at least 1.4 times larger than their corresponding retrograde, atrial signals, and 3) dual chamber pulse generators that are capable of discriminating this difference in atrial amplitude. In each patient the pacemaker was programmed in the DDD mode and the posiventricular atrial refractory interval was at least 100- ms shorter than the individual9s minimal retrograde conduction time. Two atria! sensitivity settings were evaluated in each patient: a high setting to ensure sensing of both anterograde and retrograde P waves, and a lower setting to allow sensing of anterograde P waves only. Ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring demonstrated that with a high sensitivity setting, each patient sustained endless loop tachycardia (mean number of episodes 41, range 6 to 143) and that a logy atria! sensitivity setting eliminated the tachycardia. With the lower atrial sensitivity setting, there was only sporadic atrial undersensing (1.5 episodes for each 1,000 P waves). This study demonstrates that atrial signals having different amplitudes can be selectively sensed. Additionally, dual chamber pulse generators with multiple atrial amplitude sensitivity values can discriminate anterograde from retrograde P waves, ensure anterograde sensing, reject retrograde P waves and eliminate endless loop tachycardia.
Radial mass transfer effects in a porous wall tubular reactor

Abstract A porous wall tubular reactor with selective suction or injection of the reactant and/or the product and/or the inert offers many advantages over a conventional solid wall tubular reactor. However, the usage of this type of reactor requires a thorough knowledge of the effects of radial mass transfer on the performance of the reactor. The present paper analyzes these effects under plug as well as laminar flow conditions and for an isothermal, first order irreversible reaction process. Both bulk phase and surface catalyzed reaction processes are considered. The results of the analysis are presented and interpreted in terms of the quantity of feed reactant depleted by the reaction within the reactor, under a variety of reaction, flow and radial mass transfer conditions.
Effects of β-mercaptoethanol and chelating agents on the stability and activation of creatine kinase in serum☆

Abstract We investigated the effects of sulfhydryl compounds on the stability of creatine kinase (CK) in unfrozen human serum and found that both β-mercaptoethanol and N -acetylcysteine led to accelerated loss of the endogenous serum enzyme activity. This is in contrast to the results of others who have either studied the stability of exogenous enzyme added to human serum or studied endogenous enzyme in frozen serum. The addition of cation chelators to serum markedly improved the stability of the endogenous CK activity. The enhanced stability was independent of chelation of calcium, iron, manganese, copper, or zinc. In addition, cation chelators caused a 16% increase in the CK activity of fresh samples. This latter effect was independent of the activation of CK by BME and could be accounted for by chelation of calcium ions during the assay. The data suggest that addition of cation chelators prior to storage may be useful in enhancing the stability of CK in serum whereas sulfhydryl compounds should be added prior to assay rather than prior to storage.
A gravity model analysis of meat trade policies

Abstract The conventional gravity model is revised for a single commodity and applied to meat markets to determine factors affecting trade flows of meat. This study demonstrates that the gravity model for a single agricultural commodity can be parameterized more effectively by using time series and cross-section data rather than cross-section data alone. This study reveals that trade policies and subsidies used by exporting and importing countries, livestock production capacity in countries, and distances play an important role in determining trade flows of meat. Long-term agreements achieve the highest performance toward enhancing international meat trade. Import quotas and the hoof-and-mouth disease on beef greatly impair meat trade.
Clinical Management of Behavioral Insomnia of Childhood: Treatment of Bedtime Problems and Night Wakings in Young Children

Behavioral insomnia of childhood (BIC; more commonly known as bedtime problems and night wakings) commonly occurs in young children (<or=5 years). If left untreated, bedtime problems and night wakings can result in impairments in behavior, emotion regulation, and academic performance. Yet, treatments for bedtime problems and night wakings have been found to be efficacious and durable. This article begins with a review of the diagnostic criteria and clinical presentation of BIC. This is followed by a brief review of how operant theory is applied to behavioral interventions for BIC and a detailed discussion of how to apply these treatments for bedtime problems and night wakings in young children.
Identification of Residues in the 558-Loop of Factor VIIIa A2 Subunit That Interact with Factor IXa

Factor VIIIa is comprised of A1, A2, and A3C1C2 subunits. Several lines of evidence have identified the A2 558-loop as interacting with factor IXa. The contributions of individual residues within this region to inter-protein affinity and cofactor activity were assessed following alanine scanning mutagenesis of residues 555–571 that border or are contained within the loop. Variants were expressed as isolated A2 domains in Sf9 cells using a baculovirus construct and purified to >90%. Two reconstitution assays were employed to determine affinity and activity parameters. The first assay reconstituted factor Xase using varying concentrations of A2 mutant and fixed levels of A1/A3C1C2 dimer purified from wild type (WT), baby hamster kidney cell-expressed factor VIII, factor IXa, and phospholipid vesicles to determine the inter-molecular Kd for A2. The second assay determined the Kd for A2 in factor VIIIa by reconstituting various A2 and fixed levels of A1/A3C1C2. Parameter values were determined by factor Xa generation assays. WT A2 expressed in insect cells yielded similar Kd and kcat values following reconstitution as WT A2 purified from baby hamster kidney cell-expressed factor VIII. All A2 variants exhibited modest if any increases in Kd values for factor VIIIa assembly. However, variants S558A, V559A, D560A, G563A, and I566A showed >9-fold increases in Kd for factor Xase assembly, implicating these residues in stabilizing A2 association with factor IXa. Furthermore, variants Y555A, V559A, D560A, G563A, I566A, and D569A showed >80% reduction in kcat for factor Xa generation. These results identify residues in the 558-loop critical to interaction with factor IXa in Xase.
Nondestructive evaluation of incipient corrosion in a metal beneath paint by second-harmonic tomography

A second-harmonic optical scanning imaging method for nondestructive evaluation of corrosion of painted metals is demonstrated. Two-dimensional images of the sectional structure from a sample of painted metal with corrosion were obtained by detection of second-harmonic generation (SHG). The second-harmonic signals generated from paint, corrosion, and metal can be spatially imaged in ∼10‐µm sliced subsurface layers. Corroded metal layers covered with paint are found to have more intensity variation than normal polished metal. The spatial mapping of the second-harmonic signals shows depth differentiation of paint, corrosion, and metal surfaces. The depth of corrosion beneath the paint can be measured from the SHG images.
Carbon dioxide-induced crystallization in poly(L-lactic acid) and its effect on foam morphologies

The effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) on the physical properties of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and on the formation of crystalline domains was investigated. The presence of CO2 in the matrix was found to induce crystallization in PLLA, with the crystallinity increasing with increasing CO2 pressure. The combination of saturation conditions and formation of crystalline domains was studied for its effect on the formation of porous morphologies in PLLA. Moreover, the effect of CO2 on PLLA properties and formation of porous structures was further exploited by first creating crystalline domains in samples using CO2 at various pressures at 25 °C and then re-saturating the same samples with CO2 at a constant pressure of 2.8 MPa and 0 °C. This paper reports on the solubility of CO2 at 25 and 0 °C in PLLA, crystallization and subsequent effect on foam morphologies when processed using different saturation cycles. Unique and intriguing morphologies were obtained by specifically controlling the properties of PLLA. Copyright © 2010 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Polymorphisms of chitinases are not associated with asthma.

Despite the potential role of chitinases and chitinase-like proteins in the pathogenesis of asthma, variants in their respective genes are not associated with asthma, changes in lung physiology or allergy-related phenotypes in Caucasian children.
Multiterm polyhedral relaxations for nonconvex, quadratically constrained quadratic programs

This article addresses the generation of strong polyhedral relaxations for nonconvex, quadratically constrained quadratic programs (QCQPs). Using the convex envelope of multilinear functions as our starting point, we develop a polyhedral relaxation for QCQP, along with a cutting plane algorithm for its implementation. Our relaxations are multiterm, i.e. they are derived from the convex envelope of the sum of multiple bilinear terms of quadratic constraints, thereby providing tighter bounds than the standard termwise relaxation of the bilinear functions. Computational results demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed cutting planes.
Microstructural aspects of he embrittlement in type 316 stainless steel

Abstract The major microstructural parameters in the theoretical treatment of fracture behavior in steels as set out by proponents of the helium bubble model were correlated with sample ductility and test temperature, T t - For RT ⩽ T t ⩽ ∼ 550° C, critical upper limits for edge-to-edge bubble spacing, L, and bubble diameter, d, were found, below which brittle fracture occurs. In this test temperature regime, those bubbles may be slightly overpressurized. In contrast, at T t > 550° C, no critical values of L, d or bubble pressure could be found. Finally no critical value for areal coverage of grain boundaries by bubbles could be seen at any test temperature investigated.
DE NOVO MARKER CHROMOSOME IDENTIFICATION BY CHROMOSOME MICRODISSECTION, PCR, AND FISH (MICRO-FISH). |[bull]| 877

De novo marker chromosomes and/or subtle structural aberrations may be recognized but not defined by routine banding or FISH analysis, and this creates difficulties in specific diagnosis and in pediatric genetic counseling. In this study, we applied a direct and efficient approach, micro-FISH, in identifying the origin and composition of three de novo chromosomal aberrations. Five to 10 copies of the aberrant chromosome were collected by microdissection with the DNA amplified by PCR and labeled with biotin/digoxiginin, and then hybridized to normal metaphase spreads. A de novo marker chromosome was identified as inv dup (15) (pter q11::q11pter) in a 2 year old child with seizure disorders, agenesis of corpus collosum and developmental delay. A der (9)t(9;9)(pterq21.2::p13pter) was found in a 13 year old child with shunted hydrocephalus, deep palmer creases, marbled pigmentation, and developmental delay. Additionally, an interstitial deletion of 6q16.2q21 was found in the blood specimen of a 2 year old with mental and psychomotor delay and obesity. Our study reveals that micro-FISH can be practically applied in pediatric genetic diagnosis by identifying the de novo aberrations that could not be defined by routine cytogenetic analysis.
Polymer chain dynamics and glass transition in athermal polymer/nanoparticle mixtures.

Tailoring the properties of polymer nanocomposites—polymers incorporating nanoparticles—is essential to develop biomedical, or even electronic, applications. It is now shown that accurate control of the nanoparticle concentration in nanocomposites prepared from athermal mixtures considerably varies the physical properties with respect to the host polymer.
Postnatal Maturation of Small Intestinal Motility in Preterm and Term Infants

Perfusion manometry was used to study the maturation of small intestinal motility in 15 preterm and term infants before the initiation of enteral feeding (study 1); seven of the 11 preterm infants were restudied after 3 weeks or more of enteral feeding (study 2). During study 1, the interdigestive motility of the four term infants exhibited cycles of quiescence and rhythmic activity, compatible with migrating motor complexes observed regularly in adults; in response to feeding, motility changed to irregular, phasic activity. Preterm infants, however, showed only unorganized clusters of phasic activity during fasting, and there was no consistent pattern of motor response to feeding. After 3 or more weeks of enteral feeding, interdigestive cycles with migratory motor complexes and a consistent, obvious motor response to feeding were present. Preterm infants as young as 32 weeks' gestation showed “mature” motor patterns in study 2, results suggesting that intestinal motility matures with postconceptual age.
Uncovering glycocalyx mechanosignaling and mechanoremodeling mechanisms

The endothelial glycocalyx (GCX) mediates flow-induced nitric oxide signaling and cellular remodeling via its abundant heparan sulfate (HS) component. Until recently, little was known about the ultrastructural details and the activity of the HS core proteins involved in these GCX mediated mechanotransduction events. Here, we study flow regulation of GCX morphology and HS glypican-1 (GPC1) and syndecan-1 (SDC1) core protein participation in flow-induced activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), cytoskeleton reorganization, and remodeling of cell shape. Monolayers of endothelial cells with intact GCX, enzymatically degraded HS, RNA-silenced GPC1, or RNA-silenced SDC1 were exposed to physiological shear stress. Confocal immunocytochemistry and rapid freezing/freeze substitution transmission electron microscopy (RF/FS TEM) revealed an abundant GCX and showed that sheared GCX is well organized and aligned perpendicular to the cell surface while unsheared GCX is disorganized. Western blot and confocal microscopy demonstrated that when the GCX is intact, shear stress increases eNOS activation (ser1177 phosphorylation) and membrane localization. Activation of eNOS is blocked by HS degradation and GPC1 reduction but not by SDC1 silencing. By phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy, in the presence of intact GCX, we observed flow-induced EC cytoskeleton reorganization as well as EC elongation and alignment in the direction of flow. Endothelial cell remodeling in response to flow was attenuated by HS degradation and in the absence of SDC1, but preserved with GPC1 knockdown. This work elucidates flow-defined details about GCX ultrastructure and uncovers intricate mechanisms by which specific GCX core proteins mediate endothelial cell mechanotransduction.
Phylogenetic and individual variation in gastropod central pattern generators

Gastropod molluscs provide a unique opportunity to explore the neural basis of rhythmic behaviors because of the accessibility of their nervous systems and the number of species that have been examined. Detailed comparisons of the central pattern generators (CPGs) underlying rhythmic feeding and swimming behaviors highlight the presence and effects of variation in neural circuits both across and within species. The feeding motor pattern of the snail, Lymnaea, is stereotyped, whereas the feeding motor pattern in the sea hare, Aplysia, is variable. However, the Aplysia motor pattern is regularized with operant conditioning or by mimicking learning using the dynamic clamp to change properties of CPG neurons. Swimming evolved repeatedly in marine gastropods. Distinct neural mechanisms underlie dissimilar forms of swimming, with homologous neurons playing different roles. However, even similar swimming behaviors in different species can be produced by distinct neural mechanisms, resulting from different synaptic connectivity of homologous neurons. Within a species, there can be variation in the strength and even valence of synapses, which does not have functional relevance under normal conditions, but can cause some individuals to be more susceptible to lesion of the circuit. This inter- and intra-species variation provides novel insights into CPG function and plasticity.
Controlled Low-Flow Oxygen in the Management of Acute Respiratory Failure

Successful management of patients with acute respiratory failure superimposed on chronic pulmonary disease frequently depends on the proper administration of oxygen. Nasal catheters or cannulae provide a most convenient route of therapy, but careful adjustment of the inspired oxygen concentration is essential to achieve a desirable arterial oxygen tension which does not produce serious ventilatory depression by removal of the hypoxic respiratory drive. Data from five patients demonstrate that oxygen flowrates of less than one liter per minute (LPM) are sometimes desirable and necessary when nasal catheters and cannulae are used in the management of acute respiratory failure. An oxygen flowmeter that allows more accurate delivery of low-flow oxygen is described.
Evidence against direct transfer of the adenine nucleotides by the heart mitochondrial creatine kinaseadenine nucleotide translocase complex

Abstract Adenine nucleotide translocase inhibitors, atractyloside and carboxyatractyloside, added to respiration inhibited rat heart mitochondria had no significant effects on the apparent Km's for ATP and ADP and Vmax's of the creatine kinase reaction. The results suggest that there is no sequential, mandatory, direct transfer of the nucleotides between the translocase and the creatine kinase active site. The reaction was run in both the forward and reverse directions in media containing either 0.25 M sucrose or 0.13 M KCl. The apparent Km's, however, were found to be 2–3 times higher in the KCl medium than in sucrose, suggesting the use of the more physiological medium for meaningful kinetic studies.
Alkylation on solid acids. Part 1. Experimental investigation of catalyst deactivation

The alkylation of i-butane with 1-butene on a proton-exchanged Y-zeolite was investigated in the liquid phase at 35 bar and within a temperature range of 353−393 K in a fixed-bed reactor to provide an experimental database for the kinetic modeling of the process. Particular attention was given to the evolution of the product composition with increasing deactivation. A reaction network based on elementary steps of carbenium-ion chemistry was generated by computer. The occurrence, absence, or evolution of components is connected to the amount of butane processed to provide clues for a better understanding of the nature of the phenomena leading to the deactivation of the catalyst.
C.O.4 Dominant mutation in CCDC78 in a unique congenital myopathy with central nuclei and atypical cores

Abstract Congenital myopathies are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of diseases that typically present in childhood with hypotonia and weakness. They are most commonly defined by histopathological findings observed on muscle biopsy, though it is now recognized that there is considerable overlap between clinical presentation, biopsy findings, and underlying genetic causes. Approximately 40% of congenital myopathies are currently genetically unresolved. We identified a family with congenital myopathy characterized by distal predominant weakness and biopsy changes that include core-like areas and increased internalized nuclei. To identify the causative genetic abnormality in this family, we performed linkage analysis followed by whole exome capture and next generation sequencing. A novel missense variant in the previously uncharacterized CCDC78 gene was detected in affected individuals and absent in unaffected family members or >300 controls. This variant alters RNA transcript processing and results in a 222 bp in-frame insertion. The endogenous CCDC78 gene product is expressed in skeletal muscle and enriched in the perinuclear region and the triad. In skeletal muscle from affected individuals, conversely, CCDC78 accumulates in intracellular aggregates that also include RyR1. Modeling of the CCDC78 mutation in zebrafish resulted in changes mirroring the human disease. Specifically, morphant zebrafish have altered motor function and abnormal muscle ultrastructure. In all, using a combination of linkage analysis with next generation sequencing and modeling in the zebrafish, we have identified a new gene mutation associated with a novel centronuclear myopathy with cores.