cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagnosing Cognitive Disorders in Older Adults with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Objective: To characterize the nature and prevalence of cognitive disorders in older adults with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and compare their cognitive profiles to non-epileptic patients with mild cognitive impairment (i.e., classic MCI; cMCI). Methods: Seventy-eight older patients with TLE, 77 cMCI, and 69 normal aging controls (NAC), all 55-80 years, completed neuropsychological measures of memory, language, executive function and processing speed. An actuarial neuropsychological method designed to diagnose MCI was applied to individual patients to identify older adults with TLE who met diagnostic criteria for MCI (TLE-MCI). A linear classifier was performed to evaluate how well the diagnostic criteria differentiated patients with TLE-MCI from cMCI. In TLE, the contribution of epilepsy-related and vascular risk factors to cognitive impairment was evaluated using multiple regression. Results: Forty-three TLE patients (60%) met criteria for TLE-MCI, demonstrating marked deficits in both memory and language. A classification model between TLE-MCI and cMCI correctly classified 81.1% (90.6% specificity, 61.3% sensitivity) of the cohort based on neuropsychological scores. Whereas TLE-MCI showed greater deficits in language relative to cMCI, patients with cMCI showed greater rapid forgetting on memory measures. Both epilepsy-related risk factors and the presence of leukoaraiosis on MRI contributed to impairment profiles in TLE-MCI. Interpretation: Approximately 60% of older adults with TLE meet diagnostic criteria for a cognitive disorder associated with aging (i.e., MCI). The TLE-MCI phenotype may be secondary to an accumulation of epilepsy and vascular risk factors, signal the onset of a neurodegenerative disease, or represent a combination of both factors.
Validating the eHealth Literacy Scale in Rural Adolescents

Purpose Given that the recent eHealth literacy literature supports the properties of the 3-factor eHealth literacy scale (eHEALS) model in samples with millennials, adults, and older adults, the appropriate next step is to establish whether the model can be reproduced in a rural adolescent sample. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the recent 3-factor model by Paige and associates with a sample of seventh-grade students. Methods This cross-sectional study included a subsample of students (n = 146) from 3 school districts in Appalachian Kentucky. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) procedures and small sample model fit guidelines to evaluate our model, and the 1-sample bootstrap algorithm with bias-corrected and accelerated 95% confidence intervals to estimate associations among eHEALS and health and technology variables. Findings A total of 137 students, or 61% of enrolled seventh-grade students, completed the study. CFA results showed eHEALS 3-factor loadings-information awareness, information seeking, and information engagement-were high (≥0.63) and statistically significant. We observed evidence of a good model fit (root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.07, standardized root mean square residual [SRMR] = 0.03, comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.99) and results are comparable with Paige and associates' model fit (RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.08, CFI = 0.98). Correlations showed that students with more access to technology were associated with higher information seeking (r = 0.31) and higher information engagement (r = 0.23). eHealth literacy scores did not differ by level of rurality or gender. Conclusions The 3-factor eHEALS is a reliable and valid instrument in assessing eHealth literacy in a group of rural seventh graders from Appalachian Kentucky.
Review of air-based PV/T and BIPV/T systems - Performance and modelling

Abstract This article presents a review of the monitored performance of air-based photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) and building integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPV/T) systems, as well as the relevant system modelling with focus on the convective phenomena. The review showed that the majority of experimental studies involve small-scale PV/T prototypes of the stand-alone format, usually tested under conditions that are not representative of full-scale BIPV/T systems, while the cases of instrumented full-scale BIPV/T systems are very few. The varying testing conditions render a direct performance comparison of the various systems difficult, while the convective phenomena may exhibit significantly different behavior depending on the system type and size. Additionally, different expressions used to model wind-driven and channel convection may introduce significant uncertainty in the predicted performance of such systems. These inconsistencies in both the monitored and modelled performance contribute to a reduced confidence in such systems and a resulting small number of realized applications. The purpose of this review is to identify the relevant research needs pertinent to PV/T and BIPV/T testing and modelling, and in doing so provide a framework that can set the foundation for standardized testing, as well as modelling at different design stages.
Workplace mold odor and renovations and the exacerbation of asthma in healthcare workers

Background: Prior studies indicate that asthma-related symptoms in healthcare workers are associated with workplace mold odor (MO) and the combination of painting with floor and wall renovations (P/FR/WR). We used data from a questionnaire survey of healthcare workers to study whether self-reports of MO and P/FR/WR in the past year were risk factors for current asthma with and without exacerbation. Methods: The 2,030 survey participants were cleaners, nurses, and technicians in over 250 hospitals and nursing homes in New York City. We divided the 173 participants with physician-diagnosed current asthma into three categories based on self-reported asthma-related symptoms and care in the past year: 33 severe exacerbation (hospitalized overnight or increased oral steroids); 41 moderate exacerbation (no severe exacerbation, but urgent care or short-term increase in inhaled steroids or rescue bronchodilators); and 99 current asthma/no exacerbation (but symptoms or care). Multinomial logistic regression models of the asthma categories yielded adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for MO and P/FR/WR. Results: More participants reported all three renovation activities P/FR/WR (n=542, 27%) than MO (n=147, 7.2%) at work. Current asthma outcomes were not associated with MO. Moderate exacerbation (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.11, 8.56, p=0.03) and current asthma/no exacerbation (OR 1.90, 95% CI 0.98, 3.70, p=0.06) were associated with P/FR/WR. Conclusion: The renovation combination P/FR/WR in healthcare was a risk factor for moderate, but not severe, exacerbation of asthma. Minimizing exposure to dusts and gases during renovations might reduce exacerbation of asthma among workers and other occupants of healthcare facilities.
Optical coherence tomography for use in infrared laser sealing of blood vessels

Infrared lasers may provide faster sealing of vascular tissues with less collateral thermal damage and lower device temperatures than radiofrequency and ultrasonic devices currently used for surgery. Optical coherence tomography is tested to image native and thermally coagulated blood vessels, as a potential feedback system.
Network analyses identify a transcriptomic proximodistal prepattern in the maize leaf primordium

The formation of developmental boundaries is a common feature of multicellular plants and animals, and impacts the initiation, structure and function of all organs. Maize leaves comprise a proximal sheath that encloses the stem, and a distal photosynthetic blade that projects away from the plant axis. An epidermally derived ligule and a joint-like auricle develop at the blade/sheath boundary of maize leaves. Mutations disturbing the ligule/auricle region disrupt leaf patterning and impact plant architecture, yet it is unclear how this developmental boundary is established. Targeted microdissection followed by transcriptomic analyses of young leaf primordia were utilized to construct a co-expression network associated with development of the blade/sheath boundary. Evidence is presented for proximodistal gradients of gene expression that establish a prepatterned transcriptomic boundary in young leaf primordia, before the morphological initiation of the blade/sheath boundary in older leaves. This work presents a conceptual model for spatiotemporal patterning of proximodistal leaf domains, and provides a rich resource of candidate gene interactions for future investigations of the mechanisms of blade/sheath boundary formation in maize.
Employee Stock Option Fair-Value Estimates: Do Managerial Discretion and Incentives Explain Accuracy?*

We examine the determinants of managers' use of discretion over employee stock option (ESO) valuation-model inputs that determine ESO fair values. We also explore the consequences of such discretion. Firms exercise considerable discretion over all model inputs, and this discretion results in material differences in ESO fair-value estimates. Contrary to conventional wisdom, we find that a large proportion of firms exercise value-increasing discretion. Importantly, we find that using discretion improves predictive accuracy for about half of our sample firms. Moreover, we find that both opportunistic and informational managerial incentives together explain the accuracy of firms' ESO fair-value estimates. Partitioning on the direction of discretion improves our understanding of managerial incentives. Our analysis confirms that financial statement readers can use mandated contextual disclosures to construct powerful ex ante predictions of ex post accuracy.
Tracing a modern biosphere on Mars

Exploring the hypothesis that life is present on Mars today is key to informing planetary protection issues at a pivotal time, with the clock ticking to return pristine samples before humans irrevocably alter the environment.
Now You See Them, Now You Don’t - Women and Civil Service in Pakistan

Organizations are gendered with complex patterns of visibility and invisibility embedded in their structure and norms. This paper analyzes the patterns of gender inequality within organizations, which are reinforced by gender-blind policies. My argument is that gender-blind policies promising equality do not always translate into gender equity. I will focus on careers of women in District Management Group (DMG), a prestigious administrative civil service group in the Federal Government of Pakistan, to trace the hidden patterns of persisting gender inequalities in DMG. I use qualitative data from in-depth interviews with middle and upper management DMG officers, to tease out the invisible pattern of inequalities experienced by these women. To identify the differential effects of gender-blind policies I will use the concepts of visibility and invisibility in workplaces. Visible equal opportunity policies fail to provide a level playing field when the model of ideal manager is based on masculine assumptions. Women face systematic disadvantage and struggle to compete in a system that does not take into account their invisible constraints of work and family responsibilities, gender stereotypes, different life experiences and social roles. A model of integrated manager needs to be constructed and acknowledged, where public professional life is integrated with the private life of family, community and personal commitments.
Retrieval of Bard Simon Nitinol inferior vena cava filters: Approaches, technical successes, complications, and clinical outcomes.

ObjectiveThe Simon Nitinol filter is a bi-level filtration device designed for permanent implantation that is no longer commercially available, but may result in similar complications to current co...
Cells with High Cyclophilin A Content Support Replication of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Gag Mutants with Decreased Ability To Incorporate Cyclophilin A

Gag polyprotein-mediated incorporation of cellular cyclophilin A (CyPA) into virions is essential for the formation of infectious human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virions. Either a point mutation in Gag (P222A) or drugs which bind CyPA decrease virion incorporation of CyPA and interfere with HIV-1 replication. We have found that lymphoid cells varied greatly in their CyPA content and that cells with high CyPA content supported the replication of P222A HIV-1 Gag mutants. These experiments demonstrated that a higher cellular CyPA content of some cells was able to compensate for the decreased binding affinity of P222A mutant Gag for CyPA, allowing virus replication to occur.
Music in Egypt

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Scott L. Marcus Year: 2006 Pages: 208 Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780195146448 (hard cover). Prices: $41.95 USD(hard cover).
Kinetics of malic-lactic transhydrogenase. Abortive complex formation with substrates and products.

Malic-lactic transhydrogenase forms abortive complexes with all substrates and products of the reaction. Kinetic data for the reversible transhydrogenation suggest that reduced enzyme forms nonreactive complexes with either lactate or malate, and that oxidized enzyme forms nonreactive complexes with either pyruvate or oxalacetate. The kinetic parameters of the enzyme have been evaluated from kinetic data obtained in the inhibitory substrate region. Consistency of parameters is shown by the fact that (a) theoretical and experimental reciprocal plots are in agreement over a wide range of substrate concentration, and (b) parameters combine to give the correct equilibrium constant. In support of kinetic data, spectrophotometric evidence has been obtained for the existence of complexes between oxidized enzyme and either of the keto acid substrates. The spectra of these complexes, as well as estimates of their dissociation constants, suggest that these intermediates are abortive enzyme·DPN+·keto acid complexes, similar to the enzyme·DPN+·pyruvate complex demonstrated for lactic dehydrogenase (Fromm, H. J., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 52, 199 (1961)). Supporting evidence for the existence of complexes between reduced enzyme and hydroxy acids comes from experiments which show that lactate and malate strongly inhibit the rate at which the fluorescence of enzymebound DPNH decays when reduced transhydrogenase is added to urea. Kinetic data also suggest that chloride and acetate form nonreactive complexes with both reduced and oxidized enzyme. The existence of an enzyme·DPN+·chloride complex is further supported by spectrophotometric experiments, which show that chloride causes dissociation of the complex formed between pyruvate and oxidized enzyme. Chloride and acetate also inhibit the fluorescence decay of bound DPNH in urea solution, providing auxiliary evidence for complex formation between reduced enzyme and anions. The stabilization of reduced enzyme by malate, lactate, acetate, and chloride makes it possible to estimate the true dissociation constants of complexes formed between reduced enzyme and these anions. At substrate concentrations below the inhibitory level, present kinetic data are consistent with a mechanism for transhydrogenation in which the first product is liberated before the second substrate binds to the enzyme.
Validator, A Tool for Verifying and Validating Personal Computer Based Expert Systems

The most difficult tasks in expert system design are verification, validation and testing. Traditional techniques for these tasks require the knowledge engineer to work through the knowledge base and the human expert to run many test cases on the expert system. This consumes a great deal of time and does not guarantee finding all mistakes. On the other hand, brute force enumeration of all inputs is an impossible technique for most systems. Therefore, we have developed a general purpose tool to help verify and validate knowledge bases with little human intervention. Our tool, named Validator, has four main components: (1) a Syntactic Error Checker, (2) a Debugger, (3) a Rules and Facts Validation Module, and (4) a Chaining Thread Tracer. It was designed for knowledge bases that use the M.11 expert system shell; however, the principles should generalize to any rule-based, backchaining shells, i.e. MYCIN derived shells.
Multilevel flash memory on-chip error correction based on trellis coded modulation

This paper presents a multilevel (ML) flash memory on-chip error correction system design based on the concept of trellis coded modulation (TCM). This is motivated by the non-trivial modulation process in ML memory storage and the effectiveness of TCM on integrating coding with modulation to provide better performance. Using code storage 2bits/cell flash memory as a test vehicle, the effectiveness of TCM-based systems, in terms of error-correcting performance, coding redundancy, silicon cost, and operation latency, has been successfully demonstrated.
Identification and structure of the nasR gene encoding a nitrate- and nitrite-responsive positive regulator of nasFEDCBA (nitrate assimilation) operon expression in Klebsiella pneumoniae M5al.

Abstract Klebsiella pneumoniae can use nitrate and nitrite as sole nitrogen sources through the nitrate assimilatory pathway. The structural genes for assimilatory nitrate and nitrite reductases together with genes necessary for nitrate transport form an operon, nasFEDCBA. Expression of the nasF operon is regulated both by general nitrogen control and also by nitrate or nitrite induction. We have identified a gene, nasR, that is necessary for nitrate and nitrite induction. The nasR gene, located immediately upstream of the nasFEDCBA operon, encodes a 44-kDa protein. The NasR protein shares carboxyl-terminal sequence similarity with the AmiR protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the positive regulator of amiE (aliphatic amidase) gene expression. In addition, we present evidence that the nasF operon is not autogenously regulated.
Leptin modulates nutrient reward via inhibitory galanin action on orexin neurons

Abstract Objective Leptin modulates food reward via central leptin receptor (LepRb) expressing neurons. Food reward requires stimulation of midbrain dopamine neurons and is modulated by central leptin action, but the exact central mechanisms remain unclear. Stimulatory and inhibitory leptin actions on dopamine neurons have been reported, e.g. by indirect actions on orexin neurons or via direct innervation of dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area. Methods We showed earlier that LepRb neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LHA) co-express the inhibitory acting neuropeptide galanin (GAL-LepRb neurons). We studied the involvement of GAL-LepRb neurons to regulate nutrient reward in mice with selective LepRb deletion from galanin neurons (GAL-LepRb KO mice). Results We found that the rewarding value and preference for sucrose over fat was increased in GAL-LepRb KO mice compared to controls. LHA GAL-LepRb neurons innervate orexin neurons, but not the VTA. Further, expression of galanin and its receptor GalR1 are decreased in the LHA of GAL-LepRb KO mice, resulting in increased activation of orexin neurons. Conclusion We suggest galanin as an important mediator of leptin action to modulate nutrient reward by inhibiting orexin neurons.
Cutaneous administration of nitroglycerin: a review.

Chronic administration of nitroglycerin may have important therapeutic effects in patients with angina, acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure and peripheral vascular disease. Because of unpredictable oral absorption and short duration of action, topical preparations provide an alternative mode of administration. New controlled release transdermal preparations appear to produce constant plasma nitroglycerin concentrations of 0.2–0.3 ng/ml that persist for up to 24 hours. Additional clinical trials of the therapeutic response to this drug form are necessary, particularly in regard to the relative hemodynamic efficacy and side-effect profile of sustained vs. fluctuating plasma nitroglycerin concentrations.
Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccine series completion in a randomized trial for injection drug users reached through syringe exchange programs in three US cities

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a vaccine preventable infection yet vaccination rates are low among injection drug users (IDUs) despite the high risk of infection and longstanding recommendations to promote vaccination. We sought to improve vaccination rates by reaching IDUs through syringe exchange programs (SEPs) in three U.S. cities. IDUs were randomized in a trial comparing the standard HBV vaccination schedule (0, 1, and 6 months) to an accelerated schedule (0, 1, and 2 months) and participation data were analyzed to identify determinants of completion of the three-dose vaccine series. Independent variables explored included sociodemographics, injection and syringe access behaviors, assessment of health beliefs, HBV-associated knowledge, and personal health status. Covariates associated with completion of the three-dose vaccine series were accelerated vaccine schedule (aOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.34, 2.58, p = <0.001), older age (aOR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03, 1.07, p = <0.001), and poorer self-rated health score (aOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.05, 1.5, p = 0.02). Completion was less likely for those getting syringes from SEP customers than for SEP customers (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.19, 0.58, p = <0.001). SEPs should offer hepatitis vaccination in a manner that minimizes time between first and last visits by accelerating the dosing schedule. Public health interventions should target younger, less healthy, and non-SEP customer participants. Other health interventions at SEPs may benefit from similar approaches that reach out beyond regular SEP customers.
Multiple tense computer programming

A programming language concept which uses natural language operand qualifiers is proposed as an addition to current high level programming languages. This language concept allows the programmer to access both past and future values of operands and operators by using natural language tense qualifiers. Current computer languages require explicit array manipulation by the program to maintain and access previous operand values; not the one-to-one mapping of problem quantities to program operands that is desirable. Instead they represent a one-to-many mapping. The control and use of this forced multiple mapping seriously increases the complexity of our algorithms.A BNF for qualifying phrases which may be used to modify operands is presented. Examples of some permissible qualifiers for an operand A are PREVIOUS A, NEXT A, FIRST A, TENTH A, ANY A, ALL A'S, 1ST THROUGH 7TH A'S. These qualifiers provide the computer programmer with the ability to specify algorithms in a computer language which more closely resembles a natural language.Since the concept implies a distinctly non-Von Neuman computer, several possible implementations using current software and hardware techniques are suggested.
Surface entropy of liquids via a direct Monte Carlo approach - Application to liquid Si

Two methods are presented for a direct Monte Carlo evaluation of the surface entropy S(s) of a liquid interacting by specified, volume-independent potentials. The first method is based on an application of the approach of Ferrenberg and Swendsen (1988, 1989) to Monte Carlo simulations at two different temperatures; it gives much more reliable results for S(s) in liquid Si than previous calculations based on numerical differentiation. The second method expresses the surface entropy directly as a canonical average at fixed temperature.
Video browsing using clustering and scene transitions on compressed sequences

This paper describes a new technique for extracting a hierarchical decomposition of a complex video selection for browsing purposes. The technique combines visual and temporal information to capture the important relations within a scene and between scenes in a video, thus allowing the analysis of the underlying story structure with no a priori knowledge of the content. We define a general model of hierarchical scene transition graph, and apply this model in an implementation for browsing. Video shots are first identified and a collection of key frames is used to represent each video segment. These collections are then classified according to gross visual information. A platform is built on which the video is presented as directed graphs to the user, with each category of video shots represented by a node and each edge denotes a temporal relationship between categories. The analysis and processing of video is carried out directly on the compressed videos. Preliminary tests show that the narrative structure of a video selection can be effectively captured using this technique.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Aneurysmal bone cysts. A clinicopathologic study of 66 cases

Sixty-six cases of aneurysmal bone cyst were reviewed clinically, pathologically and radiologically. Different therapies, including curettage, block excision, amputation and radiation therapy, and a new treatment, cryosurgery, were employed. Cryosurgery, which avoids the growth and neoplastic complications of radiation therapy and the loss of bone with block excision, had an extremely low rate of recurrence when compared to simple curettage. In manometric studies of 6 cysts, 3 had elevated vascular pressures as high as arteriolar levels. Thirty-two percent of the aneurysmal bone cysts had an accompanying benign primary lesion of bone. Based on these findings, a new hypothesis for the etiology and pathogenesis of aneurysmal bone cysts was proposed: a primary lesion of bone initiates an osseous, arteriovenous fistula and thereby creates, via its hemodynamic forces, the secondary reactive lesion of bone, which we term aneurysmal bone cyst.
Herbivore response to vegetational diversity: spatial interaction of resources and natural enemies

Vegetational diversity in agricultural systems is predicted to reduce herbivore populations, but we observed the opposite effect: higher nymph population densities of a functionally monophagous herbivore, the squash bug, Anasa tristis (Hemiptera: Coreidae) in a vegetationally diverse squash-bean-corn polyculture than in a squash monoculture. We examined spatial and temporal aspects of squash bug and predator populations in relation to vegetational diversity. Average colonization, oviposition, and mortality rates for the herbivore were similar in monocultures and polycultures. In the polyculture, however, we found that squash bugs eggs were highly aggregated on plants on the outer edges of plots. Predation was also lower on plants near the edges, allowing the large aggregations of eggs found in the polyculture to escape predation and ultimately produce more squash bugs. Spatial interactions between herbivores and natural enemies may underlie some of the general effects of vegetational diversity on herbivores.
Dating and tracing of fluids using 129I and 36Cl: results from geothermal fluids, oil field brines and formation waters

Abstract Preliminary results are presented for 129 I/I and 36 Cl/Cl ratios in formation waters from the KTB project in Germany, geothermal waters from the Salton Sea Geothermal System in California and oilfield brines from the Anadarko Basin in Oklahoma. The results demonstrate the use of these isotopic systems to determine residence times, source formations and pathways of fluids in different geologic situations.
Gender differences in oral health in South Asia: Metadata imply multifactorial biological and cultural causes

Objects: This study was designed to examine the magnitude and etiology of gender differences in oral health. South Asia was selected for study because sex differences in caries rates exist in prehistory here, great cultural diversity provides context, and clinical reports document caries by gender. Methods: A literature survey yielded extensive data on caries rates in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The percentage of individuals with caries (prevalence) and the mean number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (experience) comprise the data. Statistical tests for gender differences come from published sources or were independently computed. Results: Higher caries rates were found more often among females than males. The data show that: (a) in male children caries rates are greater than, or equal to, female rates, (b) the gender bias reverses (F > M caries rates) from adolescence through the reproductive years, (c) mature adults typically exhibit significant differences, with higher caries rates in females, (d) a male gender bias in adults is rare, and (e) though some studies find no significant gender difference in caries, a female bias dominates. Tooth loss is also greater in women than men and often results from caries (vs. periodontal disease). Conclusions: The gender gap in oral health exists in South Asia and results from genetic, hormonal, and cultural influences. Three cultural factors contribute to this gender gap South Asia: (a) the relative value of sons and daughters, (b) frequent fasting among Hindu women, and (c) the belief that dietary restrictions result in easier childbirth. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
RGS4 causes increased mortality and reduced cardiac hypertrophy in response to pressure overload

RGS family members are GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) for heterotrimeric G proteins. There is evidence that altered RGS gene expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and failure. We investigated the ability of RGS4 to modulate cardiac physiology using a transgenic mouse model. Overexpression of RGS4 in postnatal ventricular tissue did not affect cardiac morphology or basal cardiac function, but markedly compromised the ability of the heart to adapt to transverse aortic constriction (TAC). In contrast to wild-type mice, the transgenic animals developed significantly reduced ventricular hypertrophy in response to pressure overload and also did not exhibit induction of the cardiac “fetal” gene program. TAC of the transgenic mice caused a rapid decompensation in most animals characterized by left ventricular dilatation, depressed systolic function, and increased postoperative mortality when compared with nontransgenic littermates. These results implicate RGS proteins as a crucial component of the signaling pathway involved in both the cardiac response to acute ventricular pressure overload and the cardiac hypertrophic program. J. Clin. Invest. 104:567‐576 (1999).
The elusive singularity

In 1934 J. Leray (1) proved that Navier–Stokes equations—the partial differential equations used to describe viscous incompressible fluids—admit global weak solutions. The term global refers to the fact that there are no restrictions, neither in the size of the initial data nor in the length of time these solutions persist. The term weak is technical and refers to the smoothness of these solutions: they are not very smooth. Leray’s work did not preclude the possibility that, starting from smooth data, a singularity might form in finite time. Sixty-three years later we still don’t know. The spontaneous generation and subsequent evolution of singularities in smooth …
Patterns of rural hospital closure in the United States

This is a case-control study of rural hospitals which closed between 1970 and 1980. Nonmetropolitan hospitals which closed were matched with a comparable set of hospitals which remained open, yielding 148 closures (cases) and 310 controls. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicate that closed hospitals differ from open hospitals in their internal characteristics, and that their geographical service areas also are significantly different. At the multivariate level, the most significant variables, as determined by stepwise discriminant analysis, are the ownership (profit) status of the hospital, occupancy rate, competitive beds within the county, scope of service, and county population change during the preceding decade. The nature of the discriminant functions differed between counties which were adjacent to metropolitan areas, and those which were not adjacent to metropolitan areas. Closed hospitals differ from open hospitals, as ascertained by standard data sources. Hospital closure reflects the interaction of internal hospital characteristics, and the characteristics of the hospital's service area.
Theoretical twin meteor showers

Attention is drawn to, and theoretical radiants calculated for, 27 hypothetical twin showers to Cook's (1973, in Evolutionary and Physical Properties of Meteoroids, NASA SP-319, U.S. Govt. Printing Office, Washington, D.C.) working list of meteor streams. Of these twin showers, 7 are previously known, 1 is a night-time twin to the ϵ Geminids, 9 are found to be contained among Sekanina's (1976, Icarus 27, 265–321) radar streams, and the remaining 10 are undetected daytime showers. Minimum radii are computed for all of Cook's streams and are used to assess the possibility of detecting the twin showers.
Equine fetal kinetics: Entry and retention of fetal hind limbs in a uterine horn

Transrectal ultrasonic examinations were made in 31 pregnant pony mares once a week during Months 6 to 11. Each uterine horn was divided into 3 approximately equal segments (caudal, middle, cranial). The percentage of examinations with cranial fetal presentation increased (P 5 mm in height) between the hind limbs and the cornual wall was detected in 0, 10, 25, and 63% (P<0.01) of examinations for Months 8 to 11, respectively. Results indicated that entry of the fetal hind limbs into a uterine horn was initially tentative and became final during a mean of Month 8. The apposition between the cornual wall and limbs was close during Months 7 to 11. By Month 11, the fetal-limb horn became flatter and thin-walled and usually contained placental fluid.
Rat cardiac mast cell maturation and differentiation following acute ventricular volume overload

Cardiac mast cell numbers increase significantly within 12 h following the creation of an aortocaval (AV) fistula in rats and play a central role in mediating adverse left ventricular remodeling. We studied whether this increase was related to maturation of resident immature mast cells. We measured percentages of immature and mature cardiac mast cells at 1, 2 and 7 days following AV-fistula or sham surgery and in non-surgical control rats using the alcian-blue safranin reaction. Relative to sham-operated and control rats, there was a significant shift from immature to a greater percentage of mature cardiac mast cells at 1 day and 2 days post-fistula that returned to a normal distribution by 7 days. We conclude that the acute increase in mast cell density following volume overload is due to a paracrine response in the heart that stimulates the maturation and differentiation of resident immature cardiac mast cells.
cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation produces interdomain movement in SUR2B leading to activation of the vascular KATP channel.

Vascular ATP-sensitive K+ channels are activated by multiple vasodilating hormones and neurotransmitters via PKA. A critical PKA phosphorylation site (Ser-1387) is found in the second nucleotide-binding domain (NBD2) of the SUR2B subunit. To understand how phosphorylation at Ser-1387 leads to changes in channel activity, we modeled the SUR2B using a newly crystallized ABC protein SAV1866. The model showed that Ser-1387 was located on the interface of NBD2 with TMD1 and physically interacted with Tyr-506 in TMD1. A positively charged residue (Arg-1462) in NBD2 was revealed in the close vicinity of Ser-1387. Mutation of either of these three residues abolished PKA-dependent channel activation. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that Ser-1387, Tyr-506, and Arg-1462 formed a compact triad upon Ser-1387 phosphorylation, leading to reshaping of the NBD2 interface and movements of NBD2 and TMD1. Restriction of the interdomain movements by engineering a disulfide bond between TMD1 and NBD2 prevented the channel activation in a redox-dependent manner. Thus, a channel-gating mechanism is suggested through enhancing the NBD-TMD coupling efficiency following Ser-1387 phosphorylation, which is shared by multiple vasodilators.
Treatment of prementstrual symptoms

The etiology of premenstrual syndrome is unknown. A wide variety of etiological explanations has been suggested, but controlled studies based on these theories have generally failed to provide confirmation. This article reviews the literature on treatment of premenstrual symptoms and provides some practical suggestions for clinical management.
Inflammation and weight gain in reproductive-aged women

AbstractAim: To investigate whether mid-pregnancy inflammation predicts the rate of subsequent gestational weight gain (GWG) and whether inflammation at 3 years post-partum is associated with weight and waist circumference (WC) gain during a median of 4.4 years follow-up.Subjects and methods: This study quantified CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α in plasma of 886 women at ∼28 weeks gestation and calculated GWG rate (kg/week) from blood draw to delivery. At ∼3 years post-partum, CRP and IL-6 were assessed from 351 women and weight and WC were measured at 3 and 7 years post-partum. This study used linear regression to investigate the relationship between mid-pregnancy inflammation and subsequent GWG rate and the association of inflammation at 3 years post-partum with weight and WC change during follow-up.Results: After accounting for confounders, a small dose–response association of mid-gestation CRP with subsequent GWG was observed; women in the 4th CRP quartile gained weight at 0.05 (95% CI = 0.01, 0.10) kg/week faste...
A tantalum-on-sapphire microelectrode array

The design and fabrication are described of a new microelectrode array for the production of localized electrical excitation in nerve fibers, in particular in the auditory nerve. The sapphire substrate was chosen for its electrical (insulating) and mechanical properties, tantalum was chosen as the conductor metal because of its self-passivating characteristics, and platinum as the stimulation electrode material because of its resistance to electrolysis. Experimental measurements are presented to show the effectiveness of Ta 2 O 5 as an insulator in biphasic charge delivery systems, and the effectiveness of conformal dielectric overcoating of the Ta 2 O 5 in reducing capacitive signal leakage is demonstrated. The electrochemical properties of the platinum-electrolyte interface are shown to provide a satisfactory model on which to estimate the charge delivery capabilities of the electrodes. Finally, the sequence of process-compatible steps for fabricating the microelectrode array, from the first tantalum deposition to the final overcoating are detailed.
Phase stability under irradiation in alloys with a positive heat of mixing: Effective thermodynamics description

The alteration of phase stability due to the continuous production of forced atomic displacements, as is the case under irradiation, is studied. A simple kinetic model of a binary alloy exhibiting phase separation is investigated, and two limiting cases are considered: nearest-neighbor ballistic exchanges and arbitrary-length ballistic exchanges. The model is simultaneously studied by direct kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, and by theoretical approaches based in the description of the steady state by effective thermodynamics. Two theoretical frameworks are considered: a microscopic description based in effective interactions, and a macroscopic description based in effective free energies constructed over a modified Cahn-Hilliard equation. Developments of these models are proposed to allow for quantitative predictions. For nearest-neighbor ballistic exchanges, the steady-state phase diagram is evaluated for each of the approaches and the results are directly compared. In the case of arbitrary-length ballistic exchanges, the appearance of labyrinthine mesoscopic structures at steady state is rationalized in terms of the competition between short-range attractive and long-range repulsive effective interactions. The favorable comparison between the theoretical results and the direct Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations shows that the long-term behavior of this inherently far-from-equilibrium system can be described in terms of effective thermodynamic potentials. (c) 1999 The more » American Physical Society. « less
Reactive Uptake of Ozone on Solid Potassium Iodide

Heterogeneous processes impact the rate of both trace gas uptake and chemical conversion within the atmosphere. Sea-salt particles are among the most abundant aerosols globally and provide reactive surface sites for heterogeneous reactions. Ozone, a powerful trace gas oxidant found in both the troposphere and stratosphere, is believed to oxidize alkali halides in the form of sea-salt aerosols. This chemistry is considered to be a significant candidate for the formation of reactive gas-phase molecular halogens. Recent studies suggest that although iodide is a minor component of sea-salt spray its concentration at the interface of aqueous solutions and at the interface of dried solid crystalline sea-salt particles is greatly enhanced relative to the bulk concentration. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies described here show, under conditions in which a low defect density KI surface is completely devoid of adsorbed water molecules, that surface oxidation by ozone results in a thin layer of KIO3 that is ...
Shock-wave compression and x-ray studies of titanium dioxide.

The Hugoniot of the rutile phase of titanium dioxide has been determined to 1.25 megabars, and data show the existence of a phase change at about 0.33 megabar. The volume decrease associated with this transformation appears to be quite large (approximately 21 percent). Rutile, when recovered from shockloading in excess of the transformation pressure, is found to be irreversibly transformed to the orthorhombic lead dioxide structure (a distortion of the fluorite structure) with parameters a, 4.529; b, 5.464; and c, 4.905 angstroms and a calculated density of 4.374 grams per cubic centimeter. The new phase reverts to rutile at temperatures above 450°C. It is suggested that the new phase may be another diagnostic indicator of meteorite impact on the earth9s surface.
Crystal-induced acute renal failure

Several medications--notably acyclovir, sulfonamides, methotrexate, indinavir, and triamterene--are associated with the production of crystals that are insoluble in human urine. Intratubular precipitation of these crystals can lead to acute renal insufficiency. Many patients who require treatment with these medications have additional risk factors, such as true or effective intravascular volume depletion and underlying renal insufficiency, that increase the likelihood of drug-induced intrarenal crystal deposition. Acute renal failure in this setting may be preventable if it is anticipated by appropriate drug dosing, volume expansion with high urinary flow, and alkalinization of the urine when appropriate. Renal failure may be reversible if the drug is discontinued, and by volume repletion and alkalinization of the urine when appropriate. Management of established renal insufficiency includes volume repletion, dialytic support if necessary, adjustment of drug doses, and avoidance of further exposure to nephrotoxins.
Platinum-DNA crosslinking: platinum antitumor drug interactions with native lambda bacteriophage DNA studied using a restriction endonuclease

Summary These studies demonstrate the novel principle that the restriction endonuclease Bam HI appears to maintain specific phosphodiester bond cutting even in the presence of platinum bound to the DNA substrate recognition sequence. Separation of the cleaved DNA into classical restriction endonuclease fragments is blocked by platinum intrastrand or interstrand crosslinks. Recovery of separate fragments is achieved by dialysis against KCN after the enzyme is inactivated. The present study is consistent with the occurrence of GpG intrastrand crosslinking by platinum bound to N(7) sites of the guanines on either side of the cleavage site, and our previous work indicating a preference for binding to GpG sequences. This study also directs attention toward additional crosslink sites in the Bam HI recognition sequence 5′-GGATCC-3′.
War, Death, and Bereavement: How We Can Help

War imposes many hardships on both service people and those they leave behind. One of the greatest fears during wartime is the potential for loss of life. Death in wartime creates a bereavement situation that has been relatively ignored in bereavement literature. During this wartime period, grief counselors and pastoral counselors will surely find themselves faced with mourners suffering from losses during the war. This article explores the literature on this topic, explains why this form of grief is particularly complicated, and suggests a strategy for intervention.
The effect of low pressure and mixing on biological hydrogen production via anaerobic fermentation

Abstract Two-stage anaerobic digesters are ideally suited for hydrogen production because primary fermentation is separated from methanogenesis, allowing for optimization of both processes. At low hydrogen partial pressures, hydrogen forming reactions become thermodynamically favorable and there is a shift in fermentation toward the production of acetate and away from butyrate, alcohols, and solvents. Increased acetate yields in first stage reactors enhance acetoclastic methanogenesis in second stage reactors. We evaluated the effects of headspace pressure and reactor mixing, two parameters that can be controlled at the industrial scale, on hydrogen production and fermentation products using anaerobic batch reactors. Control of methanogenesis was achieved with low pH caused by high loading of non-fat powered milk (4 gVS L − 1 ). In mixed reactors, hydrogen yields increased significantly from 87.5 to 121.4 ml g VS − 1 (p = 0.056) and the acetate to butyrate ratio increased from 0.44 to 0.68 (p = 0.11). Control of headspace pressure below atmospheric levels did not have a significant effect on gas production. These results demonstrate the rapid production of hydrogen and inhibition of methanogenesis via substrate loading and mixing, and provide a practical method for enhancing energy recovery in two-stage anaerobic digesters.
Multi-spectral face recognition: Identification of people in difficult environments

In this paper we study the problems of intra-spectral and cross-spectral face recognition (FR) in homogeneous and heterogeneous environments. Specifically we investigate the advantages and limitations of matching (i) short wave infrared (SWIR) face images to visible images under controlled or uncontrolled conditions, (ii) mid-wave infrared (MWIR) to MWIR or visible images under controlled conditions, and (iii) intra-distance near infrared (NIR) to NIR images and cross-distance, cross-spectral NIR to visible images. All NIR images were captured night-time, outdoors and at mid-ranges (from 30 up to 120 meters). We utilized both commercial and academic face matchers and performed a set of experiments indicating that our cross-photometric score level fusion rule can be utilized to improve SWIR cross-spectral matching performance across all FR scenarios investigated. We also show that intra-spectral matching results, using either MWIR or NIR images, are comparable to the baseline results, i.e., when comparing visible to visible face images. Our experiments also indicate that the level of improvement in recognition performance is scenario dependent. Experiments also show that cross-spectral matching (the heterogeneous problem, where gallery and probe sets have face images acquired in different spectral bands) is a very challenging problem and it requires further investigation to address real-world law enforcement or military situations.