cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic organization of cortical actin filaments during the ooplasmic segregation of ascidian Ciona eggs

Spatial reorganization of cytoplasm in zygotic cells is critically important for establishing the body plans of many animal species. In ascidian zygotes, maternal determinants (mRNAs) are first transported to the vegetal pole a few minutes after fertilization and then to the future posterior side of the zygotes in a later phase of cytoplasmic reorganization, before the first cell division. Here, by using a novel fluorescence polarization microscope that reports the position and the orientation of fluorescently labeled proteins in living cells, we mapped the local alignments and the time-dependent changes of cortical actin networks in Ciona eggs. The initial cytoplasmic reorganization started with the contraction of vegetal hemisphere approximately 20 s after the fertilization-induced [Ca2+] increase. Timing of the vegetal contraction was consistent with the emergence of highly aligned actin filaments at the cell cortex of the vegetal hemisphere, which ran perpendicular to the animal-vegetal axis. We propose that the cytoplasmic reorganization is initiated by the local contraction of laterally aligned cortical actomyosin in the vegetal hemisphere, which in turn generates the directional movement of cytoplasm within the whole egg.
Multi-modal endovascular management of traumatic pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula of the ascending cervical artery: A technical report and review of literature.

Abstract Objective The management of traumatic pseudoaneurysm (PA) with concomitant arteriovenous fistula (AVF) arising from the thyrocervical trunk is challenging and rarely reported. Here, the usefulness of a multi-modal endovascular strategy for management of traumatic PA and AVF arising from the thyrocervical trunk is presented. A literature review describing unique clinical features and management strategies of traumatic vascular lesions of the thyrocervical trunk is included. Methods A 58-year-old man presented with two PAs arising from the ascending cervical artery (AsCA) and a robust AVF between the AsCA and the left vertebral venous plexus which arose acutely after a stabbing incident. These lesions were managed with endovascular vessel sacrifice via coiling and controlled Onyx injection. Relevant literature was identified via a targeted search of the PubMed database. Results Post-management angiography demonstrated complete occlusion of the two traumatic PAs and successful disconnection of the concomitant AVF. Our literature review demonstrates a shift in preferred management approach from invasive surgery to endovascular treatment due to the lower risk and cosmetic preferability. Conclusion Timely treatment of enlarging PA is necessary for reducing associated morbidity and mortality. While surgical resection has been the mainstay therapy, endovascular management has gained popularity in recent years. The choice of endovascular technique is variable and should be individualized based on patient's clinical status, associated risk factors, and lesion morphology. We have shown that parent vessel sacrifice is safe and effective. Reconstruction with a combination of stents, coils, glue, or liquid embolics may be necessary when collateral flow is limited.
Global hotspots of coherent marine fishery catches.

Although different fisheries can be tightly linked to each other by human and ecosystem processes, they are often managed independently. Synchronous fluctuations among fish populations or fishery catches can destabilize ecosystems and economies, respectively, but the degree of synchrony around the world remains unclear. We analyzed 1,092 marine fisheries catch time series over 60 yr to test for the presence of coherence, a form of synchrony that allows for phase-lagged relationships. We found that nearly every fishery was coherent with at least one other fishery catch time series globally and that coherence was strongest in the northeast Atlantic, western central Pacific, and eastern Indian Ocean. Analysis of fish biomass and fishing mortality time series from these hotspots revealed that coherence in biomass or fishing mortality were both possible, though biomass coherence was more common. Most of these relationships were synchronous with no time lags, and across catches in all regions, synchrony was a better predictor of regional catch portfolio effects than catch diversity. Regions with higher synchrony had lower stability in aggregate fishery catches, which can have negative consequences for food security and economic wealth.
A review of spatially resolved techniques and applications of organic petrography in shale petroleum systems

Abstract This review examines new techniques and applications of organic petrography in source-rock reservoir petroleum systems that have occurred along with development of the global ‘shale revolution’ in energy resources. The review is limited to techniques and instrumentation that provide spatially resolved information, typically at or below microscales, for dispersed organic matter occurring in situ in samples of shale and mudrock. A brief summary of ion beam sample preparation is followed by discussion of the most common analytical techniques and applications. Advantages and limitations of each technique, including requisite sample preparation, types of information generated [e.g., molecular or elemental (isotopic) abundance], sensitivity, and resolution are discussed. In a few cases, techniques not yet applied to organic petrology of shale or mudrock are described (e.g., X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy imaging), in anticipation of near-term future application. The most common in situ techniques applied for characterization of organic matter in shale and mudrock include optical (including fluorescence) and electron microscopies, Raman, fluorescence, and infrared spectroscopies, and surficial measurements via force microscopy. Techniques that show growing application to organic petrography of shale include tip-enhanced photothermal infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry imaging, and synchrotron-based spectroscopies, among others. It is anticipated that the future of dispersed organic matter petrography will hold continued development of integrated instrument techniques (e.g., simultaneous or sequential correlative microscopies and/or spectroscopies of the same location), increased instrumental resolution, increased use of multiscale and multimodal organic petrography investigations, and three-dimensional imaging and chemical speciation mapping applications via multiple analytical approaches.
WIFF1.0: A hybrid machine-learning-based parameterization of Wave-Induced sea-ice Floe Fracture

Abstract. Ocean surface waves play an important role in maintaining the marginal ice zone, a heterogenous region occupied by sea ice floes with variable horizontal sizes. The location, width, and evolution of the marginal ice zone is determined by the mutual interaction of ocean waves and floes, as waves propagate into the ice, bend it, and fracture it. In previous work, we developed a one-dimensional “superparameterized” scheme to simulate the interaction between the stochastic ocean surface wave field and sea ice. As this method is computationally expensive and not bitwise reproducible, here we use a pair of neural networks to accelerate this parameterization, delivering an adaptable, computationally-inexpensive, reproducible approach for simulating stochastic wave-ice interactions. Implemented in the sea ice model CICE, this accelerated code reproduces global statistics resulting from the full wave fracture code without increasing computational overheads. The combined model, Wave-Induced Floe Fracture (WIFF v1.0) is publicly available and may be incorporated into climate models that seek to represent the effect of waves fracturing sea ice.
Unilateral alpha coma

ABSTRACT.We report an 85-year-old patient with a history of an old right hemispheric cerebral infarction who was admitted in a coma state. The brain MRI showed an old large right basal ganglia infarction and multiple acute occipital, brainstem, and cerebellar infarctions. The EEG showed nonreactive diffuse rhythmic 9 Hz activity over the left hemisphere and low voltage arrhythmic slowing over the right hemisphere.We postulate that the acute brainstem infarctions are likely the cause of the alpha-coma pattern over the unaffected left hemisphere and the large right basal ganglia infarctions prevented the generation of the alpha activity over the right hemisphere.
Interaction of DNA polymerase delta, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and synthetic oligonucleotide template-primers. Analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-band mobility shift assay.

A polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis band-mobility shift assay was developed to study the binding of synthetic oligonucleotides by DNA polymerase delta (pol delta) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). As measured by this assay, neither calf thymus pol delta core enzyme nor PCNA alone bind DNA stably. However, mammalian PCNA but not Drosophila PCNA promotes the formation of a distinct pol delta.PCNA.template-primer complex. Appearance of this complex is primer-dependent but does not require Mg2+. Complex stability is also influenced by the presence or absence of individual dNTPs. A model for the ordered sequential interaction of pol delta, PCNA, and DNA template-primers is proposed.
Carriers for drugs and enzymes based on copolymers of allyl glycidyl ether with acrylamide

Copolymerization of acrylamide with allyl glycidyl ether yielded water soluble polymers containing an epoxy group; addition of a crosslinking agent, N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide), to the copolymerization mixtures resulted in the formation of similar though water insoluble polymers. Condensation of a potent beta-adrenergic antagonist AlmH, which contains a reactive amino group, with a polymer containing an epoxy group yeilded a pharmacologically active polymer. The polymer containing the epoxy group was also converted, by reaction with sodium thiosulfate and subsequent reduction, into a mecapto groups containing polymer which was also water soluble. The latter polymer was converted by condensation with a beta-adrenergic antagonist AlmCOCH2Br, which contains a reactive bromoacetamido group, into a pharmacologically active polymer.
Culturally-Based After-School Arts Programming for Low-Income Urban Children: Adaptive and Preventive Effects

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the preventive effect of an after-school culturally-based arts program with low-income urban children. The specific objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in adaptive functioning and in problem behaviors for program participants as compared to a comparison group through self-reported, parental-reported, and teacher-reported measures. The main findings indicated that the participating children experienced an increase in self-esteem, social skills, and in leadership competencies as compared to the comparison group.
Expression of Ca antigen in relation to cell cycle in cultured human tumor cells.

In order to explain the heterogeneity of Ca antigen (Ca) expression observed previously on human malignant cells, a relationship of antigen content with events in the cell cycle was studied by multiparameter flow cytometry on four continuous human cell lines, HeLaS3, C4I, HT29, and T24, grown exponentially in culture. In the four cell lines studied, there was an increase in Ca expression during the G1 and G2 + M phases whereas, during the S phase, the Ca expression was relatively constant. Although the level of Ca varied among the four cell lines, the mean amount of Ca expressed during the G2 + M phase was from 58 to 94% higher than the mean for the G1 phase. The G1 and G2 + M cell populations also displayed considerably greater variability of Ca content when compared with cells in the S phase. The level of Ca among cell lines appeared to have an inverse relationship to DNA content expressed as DNA index. Ca expression appeared to be related to RNA content and hence, presumably, ribosomal content, across the cell cycle. This study suggests that some of the heterogeneity of Ca expression in human cancer cells may be related to cell cycle events.
Study of Performance of Attic Air Source Heat Pump in Maine

Heat pumps are a popular heating source in many parts of the United States. They are not widely used in State of Maine due to an assumption that they are marginally useful in cold climates. An attic source heat pump is a variation on a conventional heat pump. In summer, the temperature in the attic is much higher than outside as it absorbs the heat from sunlight. In winter or evening, the attic captures the heat released from the house. Therefore, the attic makes a good candidate for the heat source of a heat pump. For this ongoing study, a laboratory scale heat pump was constructed and experimental tests were performed to establish its operating performance. A temperature controlled testing chamber was built to simulate the attic environment. Attic heat was used to heat up a water tank. COP value was measured for different attic temperatures. Experimental data were favorable to the use of an attic air source heat pump in Maine.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Loss of cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase (CARS) induces the transsulfuration pathway and inhibits ferroptosis induced by cystine deprivation

Ferroptosis is a form of regulated non-apoptotic cell death that has been implicated in several disease contexts. A better understanding of the ferroptotic death mechanism could lead to the development of new therapeutics for degenerative diseases, and a better understanding of how to induce ferroptosis in specific tumor contexts. We performed an unbiased genome-wide siRNA screen to find genetic suppressors of ferroptosis. We determined that loss of CARS, the cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase, suppresses ferroptosis induced by erastin, which inhibits the cystine–glutamate antiporter known as system xc−. Knockdown of CARS inhibited erastin-induced death by preventing the induction of lipid reactive oxygen species, without altering iron homeostasis. Knockdown of CARS led to the accumulation of cystathionine, a metabolite on the transsulfuration pathway, and upregulated genes associated with serine biosynthesis and transsulfuration. In addition, inhibition of the transsulfuration pathway resensitized cells to erastin, even after CARS knockdown. These studies demonstrate a new mechanism of resistance to ferroptosis and may lead to strategies for inducing and suppressing ferroptosis in diverse contexts.
Multigram Synthesis of 1-O-Acetyl-3-O-(4-methoxybenzyl)-4-N-(9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-4-N-methyl-L-pyrrolosamine.

The synthesis of 1-O-acetyl-3-O-(4-methoxybenzyl)-4-N-(9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-4-N-methyl-l-pyrrolosamine (7), which constitutes a protected form of the N,N-dimethyl-l-pyrrolosamine residues found within the antiproliferative bacterial metabolites (−)-lomaiviticins A and B (1 and 2, respectively), is reported. The synthetic route to 7 proceeds in eight steps and 13% overall yield from (E)-crotyl alcohol. The protected carbohydrate 7 is envisioned to be a useful derivative for syntheses of 1 and 2.
BCL-2 expression and inhibin-A in adrenal neoplasms: a comparative study.

Abstract Differential diagnosis between adrenal cortical and adrenal medullary lesions may be difficult in many cases. Different immunohistochemical, histochemical tools as well as ultrastructural diagnostic techniques have been employed to aid in differentiating between these lesions. Recently, both inhibin-A and BCL-2 have been shown to stain selectively adrenal cortical tissue and its derived neoplasms but not adrenal medulla or pheochromocytomas. In this study we compared the staining reactions of inhibin-A and BCL-2 in cases of adrenal cortical adenomas and carcinomas as well as pheochromocytomas. We found that both inhibin-A and BCL-2 stained cortical derived tissues, but not medullary derived tissues. Staining intensity for inhibin-A was significantly weaker than for BCL-2. We found that fixation techniques may influence the staining reactivity, as some cases did not immunoreact with any of the antibodies. We conclude that both inhibin-A, and, preferentially, BCL-2 are useful additions to a staining protocol to help in the differential diagnosis of cortical and medullary neoplasms.
Effects of vinblastine on catecholamine‐biosynthetic enzymes in heart, sympathetic ganglion and adrenal glands of rats

1. The effect of vinblastine on the activities of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) in heart, superior cervical ganglion and adrenal glands of rats and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase (PNMT) in adrenal glands was examined.2. In the superior cervical ganglion and heart, DBH activity decreased within hours, reached a minimum in 3 to 5 days and slowly returned towards normal over the next 2 weeks.3. There was an increase in the activities of TH, DBH and PNMT in adrenal glands which was prevented by adrenal denervation.4. When the same total dose of vinblastine was administered subdivided over a period of 5 days, enzyme activities in heart, superior cervical ganglion or adrenal glands remained unchanged.
Recent advances in coatings characterization by photoacoustic FT-IR spectroscopy

Historique de la detection photoacoustique. Theorie de l'effet photoacoustique. Applications aux processus de durcissement des revetements thermodurcissables, a la reticulation, au durcissement UV, au vieillissement et a la degradation. Details experimentaux de la spectroscopie PAFT-IR
An investigation of the ethical decision-making process across varying cultures

Abstract This study examines the influence of dimensions of culture on the ethical decision process. Do various cultures perceive the ethical dilemma differently? Do these cultures prefer different types of actions? Do these cultures perceive the role of the accountant differently in response to the consequences? This study has a broad scope of countries (nine), which allows richer contrasts of cultural dimensions. The three aspects of the ethical decision-making process (perceived dilemma, perceived actions, and perceived consequences) are analyzed rather than asking the respondent to make an ethical judgement. Accounting systems adopted by countries reflect culture, profession, and industry. The responses from countries with different accounting systems is analyzed. The findings of this study will provide practitioners as well as academics insight into the harmonization of accounting standards. Research about ethical problems may help accountants anticipate and predict problems that might occur and identify referent countries for solutions to these problems. These findings will also be useful to auditors and accountants designing training programs for multicountry practices.
Population use, sales, and design: a multidimensional assessment of "light" cigarettes in the United States, 2009.

Objectives. We compared multiple measures of surveillance of “light” cigarette use, including population use, sales, and design features. Measures were obtained before the 2010 descriptors ban to establish a baseline for future evaluation of the effect of the ban.Methods. We examined light cigarette use, sales, and design using 3 data sets from 2009. We assessed population use using National Survey on Drug Use and Health data. Sales data were drawn from AC Nielsen. We gathered design features, including nicotine concentration, filter ventilation, and weight, from tobacco industry disclosures mandated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.Results. In 2009, 52.7% of smokers self-reported light cigarette use, which accounted for 56.0% of cigarettes sold in the United States. Self-reported light smokers were more likely to be female, White, older, and nondaily smokers. Of design features analyzed, only average filter ventilation differed significantly between light and “full-flavored” cigarettes.Co...
Type-II superlattice photodiodes: An alternative for VLWIR detection

In the very long wavelength infrared (VLWIR) band, λ>14 microns, the detector materials are currently limited to extrinsic semiconductors. These extrinsic materials can be either heavily doped bulk semiconductor, like silicon or germanium, or a doped quantum well heterostructure. An alternative choice that provides the opportunity for higher temperature operation for VLWIR sensing is an intrinsic material based on a type-II InAs/Ga(In)Sb superlattice. There are many possible designs for these superlattices which will produce the same narrow band gap by adjusting individual layer thicknesses, indium content or substrate orientation. The infrared properties of various compositions and designs of these type-II superlattices have been studied. In the past few years, excellent results have been obtained on photoconductive and photodiode samples designed for infrared detection beyond 15 microns. An overview of the status of this material system will be presented. In addition, the latest experimental results for superlattice photodiodes with cut-off wavelengths as long as 30 microns will be covered.
Dental treatment during pregnancy: a preventive approach.

Is the "second trimester, emergency only" philosophyfor treating the pregnant patient a proper one?
Data-Dependent Neutral Gain MS3: Toward Automated Identification of the N-Oxide Functional Group in Drug Metabolites

We report here an automated method for the identification of N-oxide functional groups in drug metabolites by using the combination of liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MSn) based on ion-molecule reactions and collision-activated dissociation (CAD). Data-dependent acquisition, which has been readily utilized for metabolite characterization using CAD-based methods, is adapted for use with ion-molecule reaction-based tandem mass spectrometry by careful choice of select experimental parameters. Two different experiments utilizing ion-molecule reactions are demonstrated, data-dependent neutral gain MS3 and data-dependent neutral gain pseudo-MS3, both of which generate functional group selective mass spectral data in a single experiment and facilitate increased throughput in structural elucidation of unknown mixture components. Initial results have been generated by using an LC/MSn method based on ion-molecule reactions developed earlier for the identification of the N-oxide functional group in pharmaceutical samples, a notoriously difficult functional group to identify via CAD alone. Since commercial software and straightforward, external instrument modification are used, these experiments are readily adaptable to the industrial pharmaceutical laboratory.
Efficacy of various surface disinfectants on an irregular surface

Representative samples of hard surface disinfectants were tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) on frosted glass rods. The same protocol was followed by two investigators on 100 rods for each product tested. Results showed Sporicidin surface disinfectant (Ash Dentsply, York, Pa.) and household bleach 1:10 to be most effective against P. aeruginosa. Lysol disinfectant spray (Lehn & Fink Products, Montvale, N.J.), performed similarly whereas Biocide (Biotrol International, Woods Cross, Utah) failed to inhibit growth on more than half of the rods treated. Failure of the iodophor may be attributed to the use of cotton-filled gauze, because cellulose is believed to react with nascent iodine.
Can We Afford Better Health? A Study of the Health Differentials in China

Using survey data collected in eight provinces of China, this study examines the relationship between income disparities and adult physical health outcomes. It also explores the mechanisms underlying these income differentials in health. Our results show that the association between income and health can be explained largely by income differences in other areas. In the Chinese social context, we find that living conditions, access to health care services and community development are important mediating factors. These findings generally agree with earlier explanations on socioeconomic differentials in health. We also find that the factors that are most important in explaining income differentials in health vary by rural/urban residence. However, the results show that these factors are unable to fully explain income differentials in reported illness and disability. Moreover, we do not find consistent effects of lifestyle and health-related behaviors, such as drinking and smoking, on the link between income...
Characterization and activated carbon adsorption of several humic substances

Abstract A commercially supplied humic acid, extracts of a Michigan Finch soil, and extracts of leaves from a hardwood forest were characterized by molecular size fractionation, functional group analysis, and haloform formation potential. The haloform formation potential was dependent on the source of the material; differences could not be correlated with the amounts of oxygen-containing functional groups in each substance. A bituminous-base activated carbon adsorbed each humic substance with the adsorption capacity at seven days being source-dependent. The extent of adsorption of humic material from various sources was inversely related to the number of carboxyl groups per unit weight of the substance. The lower molecular weight species of a given humic or fulvic acid was more adsorbable, presumably because more surface area was accessible to these species. Soil fulvic acid adsorption increased with decreasing solution pH and increasing phosphate buffer concentration. Due to the variability of haloform formation potential and adsorbability of humic substances from different sources, treatment performance to remove these materials should be evaluated using the specific water to be treated.
INTRODUCTION: GLOBAL SPACES/LOCAL PLACES: TRANSNATIONALISM, DIASPORA, AND THE MEANING OF HOME

Irma, a Mexican woman living in Detroit, is worried about her elderly mother who is hospitalized in Mexico. She telephones frequently and sends money when she can. Grace and Lily, two teenagers bor...
Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in mitral stenosis

Abstract A case of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy complicating mitral stenosis is described; the nerve lesions was associated with marked pulmonary hypertension, which gave rise to considerable dilatation of the pulmonary artery and its major branches. The left auricle was not appreciably enlarged, and the suggestion is offered that the marked enlargement of the pulmonary vessels compensated for the failure of the auricle to dilate. Although there was no gross evidence of compression of the nerve, microscopic study revealed degenerative changes.
Learning to argue like an expert: The role of topoi in internal medicine residency

Many scholars have argued that practicing medicine requires sophisticated rhetorical prowess (Loftus 2012; Pender 2005; Segal 2005, 2007). Although rhetorical theory can explain how novices learn to argue like experts, much work in the subfield of medical learning only implicitly draws on rhetorical notions (e.g., Barton & Eggly 2009; Heritage & Maynard 2006). This study examines conversations between faculty physician preceptors and resident physician trainees in an internal medicine clinic to consider the role of persuasion in teaching novices to argue like experts. Using Aristotelian topoi, I reveal how the common lines of argument underlying medical teaching and learning help novice and expert physicians explain concepts, elicit interpretations, and initiate deliberation. As they synthesize and rationalize medical information, they use antecedent-and-consequence, possible-and-impossible, authority, and testimonial topoi. This study of professional enculturation elucidates a rarely examined area of medical communication, potentially enabling preceptors to teach their tacit reasoning more explicitly to residents.
Effect of Reverie on Recall of Word Associates

Summary.-It has becn considered that amnesia for childhood events may in part be due to differences between the child's and the adult's states of consciousness rather than repression alone. 12 male undergraduates underwent each of 2 experimental conditions, one designed to foster alertness, the other a reverie state. Prior to each experimental condition Ss studied stimulus words, each paired with one of two associates. Half had one associate more typically a child's response and one associate more typically a young adult's response. After each experimental condition S named the first associate he recalled for each stimulus word. As predicted, more child-associates were recalled after the reverie condition than after the alert condition. While the adult's difficulty recalling experiences which occurred in childhood is usually thought of as being due primarily to repression, an additional factor has been suggested by Schachtel (1949) who considered that such amnesia might result from the way events were experienced in the past rather than from the nature of the experiences themselves. Perhaps, then, our difficulty remembering is due partly to differences between the adult's and the child's mode of experiencing. The primary process characterizes much of the child's thought, less of the adult's. Yet adults do seem to experience a shift to such earlier modes of thought organization, as often happens, for example, just prior to falling asleep. Perhaps such shifts in state of consciousness bring the adult closer to the child's mode of experiencing. The recollection of early memories during intensive psychotherapy, usually considered to result from a lifting of repression, may in part be due to a shift in the patient's state of conscio~~sness to one which more closely approximates that state which existed when the event recalled was first experienced. The comfort of the couch, the darkened and quiet room are not unlike the situation we are in before we fall asleep. In this regard, Linton, Lange and Paul (1964) described "a growing body of opinion and evidence that state of consciousness, since it is associated with a particular mode of cognitive functioning, is a crucial variable in recall. An experience under an altered state can best be remembered if that altered state is re-entered" (p. 410). The altered state of cornsciousness achieved by hypnotic induction fosters a regression which is associated with a shift from a conceptual- to a dzive-organization of thinking (Gill & Brenman, 1961). Age-regression tinder hypnosis leads, by virtue of the hypnotist's sliggestions, to recall of normally unavailable memo'The Psychological Center. The author appreciates helpful comments received from I. H. Paul, Ph.D.
Efficacy of A SIDS Risk Factor Education Methodology at a Native American and Caucasian Site

Objective: To complete a community based efficacy study of a SIDS risk reduction methodology. Methods: We utilized two community sites for this study: 1) a Native American home visiting program for pregnant and young mothers; and 2) an obstetrics department in a community hospital. Pre and posttests were used to measure learning. The risk reduction intervention was delivered by hospital nurses or the home visiting staff and required about 20 minutes. Each of the nine risk factors was discussed. Results: We completed paired pre and post testing with 341 women. The pre tests found substantial knowledge deficits about SIDS risk factors in both groups. The pre and posttest changes for the nine risk factors ranged from 5% to 74%. Participants from both groups demonstrated nearly equivalent rates of learning for all nine of the risk concepts. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the efficacy of this brief intervention program. The program was effective in increasing parental knowledge of the risk factors targeted by this study in both settings. The magnitude of change supports additional research with this program in other settings and with additional populations.
WEATHER NOTE: AIRCRAFT OBSERVATIONS IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF TWO WATERSPOUTS

Abstract Two waterspouts were observed aloft from a private aircraft recently near Lower Matecumbe Key, Florida. Color slides and zoom movies of both waterspout vortices on the sea surface and aloft were obtained. A detailed description of the equipment used and a discussion of the synoptic pattern of that day are presented. The data show some interesting details regarding the dynamics of the observed waterspout circulations. Both waterspouts traversed a similar path. A subsequent ground survey of the paths taken over the Key, together with damage reports and eyewitness accounts, indicate that the second waterspout was much more intense than the first. The authors plan to make detailed calculations, using the zoom movies, of a radial profile of the tangential and vertical wind speeds about the second waterspout vortex. Rates of forward motion and funnel diameter at various levels below the cloud base will also be obtained. An additional, more quantitative report of this interesting encounter will be forth...
Finding cycles in synchronous Boolean networks with applications to biochemical systems

This paper is an analytical study of Boolean networks. The motivation is our desire to understand the large, complicated and interconnected pathways which comprise intracellular biochemical signal transduction networks. The simplest possible conceptual model that mimics signal transduction with sigmoidal kinetics is the n-node Boolean network each of whose elements or nodes has the value 0 (off) or 1 (on) at any given time T = 0, 1, 2, …. A Boolean network has 2n states all of which are either on periodic cycles (including fixed points) or transients leading to cycles. Thus one understands a Boolean network by determining the number and length of its cycles. The problem one must circumvent is the large number of states (2n) since the networks we are interested in have 100 or more elements. Thus we concentrate on developing size n methods rather than the impossible task of enumerating all 2n states. This is done as follows: the dynamics of the network can be described by n polynomial equations which describe the logical function which determines the interaction at each node. Iterating the equations one step at a time finds all fixed points, period two cycles, period three cycles, etc. This is a general method that can be used to determine the fixed points and moderately large periodic cycles of any size network, but it is not useful in finding the largest cycles in a large network. However, we also show that the network equations can often be reduced to scalar form, which makes the cycle structure much more transparent. The scalar equations method is a true "size n" method and several examples (including nontrivial biochemical systems) are examined.
Automated Echocardiographic Measures of Right Ventricular Area as an Index of Volume and End-Systolic Pressure-Area Relations to Assess Right Ventricular Function

Background On-line determination of right ventricular (RV) volume to assess its function is clinically difficult. Echocardiographic automated border detection measures of left ventricular (LV) cavity area have been shown to reflect changes in volume, and pressure-area relations have been used to estimate LV contractility. The potential for RV cavity area to estimate changes in volume and to assess RV function, however, has not been evaluated. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to determine the relation between echocardiographic automated border-detected RV cross-sectional area and true volume and to assess the potential for end-systolic pressure-area relations to estimate RV function in an isovolumically contracting isolated canine heart preparation. Methods and Results Eight excised dog hearts with both right and left intraventricular balloons were perfused in an ex vivo apparatus in which both ventricular volumes were controlled independently. RV area data from the level of the left midventricular short-axis plane and pressure data were recorded on a computer through a customized hardware and software interface with the ultrasound system. RV volumes were varied from 9.4±3.9 to 43.8±6.9 mL at each of three different LV volume ranges (low range, 12.5±3.8 mL; medium range, 23.9±5.6 mL; and high range, 37.5±5.4 mL). The variation of RV area during isovolumic contraction, which we called deformational area change, was considerable (1.49±0.68 cm2 mean±SD) but did not change significantly with changing RV and LV volumes. Linear regression analysis correlated the maximum, minimum, and mean automated border-detected RV area during isovolumic contraction with absolute volume. A predominantly linear relation was observed, with the group mean r =.98 ( y =0.16 x +0.97; SEE=0.21 cm2). The effect of LV volume on RV area-volume relation was a significant parallel downward shift ( P <.05) by increases in LV volume. End-systolic pressure-area and pressure-volume relations using simultaneously RV pressure were both highly linear and covaried with changing LV volume. Conclusions Echocardiographic automated border-detected RV area reflects changes in RV volume under a constant LV volume, and the derived end-systolic pressure-area relation has potential for on-line assessment of RV function.
Map location, genomic organization and expression patterns of the human RED1 RNA editase.

A cDNA fragment containing sequences homologous to the rat RED1 RNA editase gene was recently identified on human chromosome 21. Here we report the location of this cDNA in distal 21q22.3 near the CD18 gene. We also report isolation of cDNA clones containing the complete coding region of the human RED1 gene, and use of this sequence to determine the genomic structure from overlapping cosmids. Human RED1 spans approximately 25 kb and is composed of 10 exons containing coding sequences. The two RNA binding domains are located within a single large, 935 nucleotide, exon 2. An alternatively processed exon 6 potentially interrupts the catalytic domain. Exon 10 is largely composed of the 3′ untranslated region, which is unusually high in GC content and contains a segment that is >90% identical with the 3′ UT of the homologous rat gene. A survey of expression patterns reveals differential processing of the 5 and 8.5 kb transcripts in all sources examined. The difference in transcript size likely results from alternative processing in the 3′ UT. Potential relevance of overexpression of RED1 to the development of the Down Syndrome phenotype is discussed.
Detection error exponent for spatially dependent samples in random networks

The problem of binary hypothesis testing is considered when the measurements are drawn from a Markov random field (MRF) under each hypothesis. Spatial dependence of the measurements is incorporated by explicitly modeling the influence of sensor node locations on the clique potential functions of each MRF hypothesis. The nodes are placed i.i.d. in expanding areas with increasing sample size. Asymptotic performance of hypothesis testing is analyzed through the Neyman-Pearson type-II error exponent. The error exponent is expressed as the limit of a functional over dependency edges of the MRF hypotheses for acyclic graphs. Using the law of large numbers for graph functionals, the error exponent is derived.
Ovarian epithelium regeneration by Lgr5 + cells

Lgr5, a marker of stem cells in many organs, is found expressed in cells scattered through the ovarian epithelium that expand to repair and regenerate the damaged ovarian surface after each ovulation. Lgr5-positive stem cells in the ovary and the fimbria of the oviduct may be critical cells of origin for ovarian cancer.
Preferential coverage based efficient sensor placement in distributed sensor networks

Effective sensor placement methodologies are desired for distributed sensor networks frequently encountered in military, environmental, and nano-biotechnology applications. The goal is to provide a (sub-)optimal framework for sensor resource management, while placing those sensors such that they provide accurate coverage within the required location and range probability. The problem is not trivial as the sensors might not be of equal capacity, the terrain upon which the sensors are deployed might have many obstacles and some sensors might fail. In some applications, areas over the sensor field are marked preferential, with high desired probability of detection and coverage. In this paper, we propose a unique sensor placement computing framework for preferential coverage in the sensor-field, while trying to deploy minimum number of sensors. The proposed approach treats the sensor field as an image, which provides an advantage of attaining pixel-level accuracy in sensor placement. A unique algorithm is presented that initially concentrates on the preferential regions and then proceeds towards the calibration of other uncovered regions of the sensor field. Our approach has shown significant improvement in time-performance in contrast to the greedy-approach, and has a strong potential for applications in several mission-critical applications.
Freon plasma surface treatment for multipactoring

Persistent multipactoring in lead-plated copper quarter-wave resonators (QWRs) can be eliminated by a few minutes exposure to ionized Freon-11 (CCl3F) at a pressure of 1 mTorr.
Large-area omnidirectional antireflection coating on low-index materials

Large-area subwavelength dielectric hexagonal lattices of cylindrical pillars on quartz substrates that provide high optical transmittance at all angles of incidence under different polarizations of light, and are fabricated using low-cost patterning techniques, are demonstrated and analyzed. Transmittance >85% for angles of incidence in excess of 70° is demonstrated at visible and near-infrared wavelengths, and the structures employed are shown to be superior at visible wavelengths to tapered “moth eye” surfaces for practically achievable dimensions. Detailed analytical calculations and numerical simulations elucidating the impact of feature size, height, periodicity, and refractive index are presented.
Structure-function relationship among T-cell receptors specific for lysozyme peptides bound to Ab or Abm-12 molecules.

Abstract The alpha beta T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizes antigenic peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. In contrast to the antibody combining site, for which the antigen contact or complementarity-determining residues (CDRs) have been precisely defined, the location and function of the corresponding CDR regions of the alpha and beta TCR chains are not known. To develop a model system for systematic analysis of the CDRs of the alpha beta TCR, we isolated a panel of murine T-cell clones that recognize a lysozyme peptide containing residues 74-88 bound to either Ab or Abm-12 MHC class II molecules. Although these two MHC molecules differ by only three amino acid residues within the A beta chain, each of the T-cell clones was specific for peptide bound to the self-MHC molecule and did not recognize the same peptide bound to the other MHC molecule. The structural basis for this exquisite ligand specificity of the TCRs was analyzed by isolation and characterization of alpha and beta chain genes from five closely related T-cell clones. Comparison of predicted amino acid sequences mapped the ligand specificity differences to residues present within the alpha chain variable region segment and the alpha and beta chain variable-joining region junction regions. Thus with current models of TCR-ligand interactions, the results suggest that residues 26-30 of the alpha chain variable region may constitute one of the CDR regions of the TCR.
Induced Opening of the Gastroesophageal Junction Occurs at a Lower Gastric Pressure in Gerd Patients and in Hiatal Hernia Subjects than in Normal Control Subjects

Purpose. To determine intragastric pressure threshold for inducing gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) opening in normal control subjects with and without hiatal hernia, and in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Methods. This study was performed in 13 normal volunteers, 5 volunteers with hiatal hernia, and 3 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. During endoscopy a pressure transducer was used to measure baseline gastric pressures. The pressure in the stomach was measured while air was insufflated into the stomach until the gastroesophageal junction opened on endoscopic view. Results. There were two patterns of GEJ opening in normal volunteers. The mean opening pressure for Gastroesophageal junction in normal pattern-I, normal pattern-II, hiatal hernia, and Gastroesophageal reflux patients was 11.5, 12.6, 3.4, and 1.3 mmHg, respectively. Conclusions. GEJ opening is induced at a significantly lower pressure in subjects with hiatal hernia and in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease than in normal volunteers.
Significance of isolated H-V interval prolongation in symptomatic patients without documented heart block☆

Abstract Paced and unpaced control groups were followed to establish the roles of pacers and infranodal (H-V) conduction in 59 patients with symptoms consistent with intermittent heart block (HB). To reduce the number of variables compared with previous studies, patients were included only when (1) prior ECG monitoring and medical-neurologic evaluation failed to document HB or other cause for symptoms; (2) His bundle studies were normal or showed only H-V prolongation, and (3) there was no history of a recent myocardial infarction. Of 35 patients with prolonged H-V interval, 18 received permanent pacers, while 17 remained unpaced. Eighteen unpaced patients constituted the normal H-V Group (after two were lost to follow-up and four received pacers). All groups were similar in types of heart diseases, NYHA classification, general medical condition, age and sex, thus providing adequate controls. All patients with normal H-V intervals remained stable (no deaths or progression to HB) for a mean follow-up period of 22 months. Among 18 patients with prolonged H-V intervals who received pacers, there were three deaths, none sudden, during a mean of 23 months; four patients developed HB unaccompanied by symptoms. Among 17 patients with prolonged H-V intervals who were not paced, eight died (three suddenly) and three progressed to HB with symptoms, leaving only six stable after six months follow-up. All these parameters were significantly worse in the unpaced patients with prolonged H-V intervals. These results suggest that patients with intermittent symptoms consistent with heart block, whose H-V interval is ≥ 60 msec. should receive a permanent pacer even if intermittent HB cannot be documented before implant.
Generation of uniform illumination using faceted reflectors

Faceted reflectors are widely used for providing uniform illumination in many commercial lighting products. In this paper, some approaches of constructing faceted reflectors in commercial software are discussed. Two new methods for generating non-rotationally symmetric patterns such as square/rectangular illumination patterns using curved-faceted reflectors are proposed and also explored in commercial software. The performances of various reflectors are compared using Monte Carlo ray-tracing.