cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aerobic exercise improves fitness and heart rate variability after an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Lethal ventricular arrhythmias responsible for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) have been attributed to multiple causes. Evidence points to the important role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in producing susceptibility to ventricular fibrillation in subsets of patients with heart disease. Findings demonstrate that patients at risk for cardiac arrest exhibit a reduction in parasympathetic nervous system activity. Protection against SCA may be achieved through mechanisms that increase parasympathetic tone,1 exercise being one of these therapies.2 Exercise interventions in cardiac arrest survivors who have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) have not been well studied. Health care providers are often reluctant to prescribe exercise for this group because of the belief that it will provoke ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. Patients are often afraid to exercise because of concern for receiving an ICD shock. It has been unclear if the amount of exercise required to improve cardiopulmonary function and parasympathetic nervous system activity can be achieved in this group. However, exercise offers the potential benefit of stabilization of autonomic function and protection against future arrhythmic occurrences, in a population of cardiac patients who could potentially benefit the most.3 Exercise training is an inexpensive, non-pharmacological intervention that is essentially available to everyone. Therefore the purpose of this study was to determine the impact of 8 weeks of aerobic exercise on: 1) cardiopulmonary fitness and activity, 2) heart rate variability (HRV), 3) health outcomes, and 4) high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in persons who have an ICD for the secondary prevention of cardiac arrest. Follow-up at 6 months after completing the exercise program was done to determine if early effects of aerobic training were sustained.
Reproductive Performance of Turkey Females as Affected by Grower and Pre-Breeder Diets

Abstract Studies were undertaken to determine the effects of the energy levels of grower and pre-breeder diets upon the reproductive performance of Large White turkey females. In one trial energy intake was limited to two-thirds of that consumed by birds receiving a practical-type growing diet ad libitum from 10 to 28 or 10 to 32 weeks of age. In another trial the birds were provided the University of Georgia grower and finisher diets until 18 weeks of age and then provided diets with three levels of dietary energy until the onset of egg production. Females grown from 10 to 28 or 32 weeks of age on restricted energy diets were less fat and weighed less at housing, 50 percent egg production and at the end of the reproductive period. Egg production was better for the birds receiving the low energy diets, but none of the other reproductive traits were affected by the two dietary treatments. There was no difference in carcass fat for dietary treatments at housing, but at 50 percent production and at the end of the reproductive period carcass fat was significantly greater for the birds receiving the high energy diet. The dietary treatments provided by the three pre-breeder diets did not affect body weights, reproductive traits or carcass fat. For all three diets, carcass fat increased to the onset of egg production and then decreased to the end of the reproduction period.
Cystathionine γ-lyase deficiency mediates neurodegeneration in Huntington’s disease

Cystathionine γ-lyase, which is responsible for the production of cysteine, is decreased in the striatum and cortex of mouse models of Huntington’s disease and in patients with Huntington’s disease, and cysteine supplementation in diet and drinking water partly rescues the phenotype and the diminished longevity of the mouse model. Huntington's disease is associated with polyglutamine expansion in the gene encoding huntingtin. Mutant huntingtin is expressed throughout the brain and rest of the body, but the striatum is the most affected brain region. Here it is shown that the enzyme cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), responsible for cysteine biosynthesis, is decreased in the striatum and cortex of both mouse models and Huntington's disease patients. Mutant huntingtin inhibits the transcriptional activator Sp1, resulting in decreased CSE transcription. Cysteine supplementation in diet and drinking water partially rescues the phenotype and the diminished longevity in the mouse model, suggesting that cysteine supplementation might be beneficial for Huntington's disease patients. Huntington’s disease is an autosomal dominant disease associated with a mutation in the gene encoding huntingtin (Htt) leading to expanded polyglutamine repeats of mutant Htt (mHtt) that elicit oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and motor and behavioural changes1. Huntington’s disease is characterized by highly selective and profound damage to the corpus striatum, which regulates motor function. Striatal selectivity of Huntington’s disease may reflect the striatally selective small G protein Rhes binding to mHtt and enhancing its neurotoxicity2. Specific molecular mechanisms by which mHtt elicits neurodegeneration have been hard to determine. Here we show a major depletion of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), the biosynthetic enzyme for cysteine, in Huntington’s disease tissues, which may mediate Huntington’s disease pathophysiology. The defect occurs at the transcriptional level and seems to reflect influences of mHtt on specificity protein 1, a transcriptional activator for CSE. Consistent with the notion of loss of CSE as a pathogenic mechanism, supplementation with cysteine reverses abnormalities in cultures of Huntington’s disease tissues and in intact mouse models of Huntington’s disease, suggesting therapeutic potential.
Saturated amines and diamines as substrates which inhibit beef liver mitochondrial monoamine oxidase.

Monoamines and diamines of 8–12 carbon atoms initially serve as substrates for purified beef liver monoamine oxidase but then lead to inhibition. The inhibition is not solely the result of aldehyde formation as addition of decylaldehyde does not inhibit benzylamine oxidation. Furthermore, neither the addition of alcohol dehydrogenase and NADH nor of semicarbazide prevent the inhibition of diaminodecane oxidation. The formation of a Schiff base on the enzyme surface resulting in aggregation or occlusion of the enzyme may be a cause of the inhibition. When concentrated enzyme solutions (≥1 mg/ml) are reduced by long-chain amines, 100% O2 causes only partial return of the flavin peak at 450 nm while enzyme activity continues to decrease. Substantial recovery of activity occurs (over a 3–4 week period) when inhibited enzyme is sedimented and resuspended in fresh buffer. These observations are discussed and compared with inhibition observed by other investigators with the substrate phenylethylamine.
High temperature radiative properties of thin polysilicon films at the λ = 0.6328 μm wavelength

Abstract To improve thin film laser processing methods and develop accurate process diagnostics for film microfabrication, it is necessary to understand and quantify light interaction with thin film structures. The radiation absorption analysis requires knowledge of the material complex refractive index. The thin film optical properties are strongly influenced by the presence of grain boundaries, disordered regions and inhomogeneities on the microstructural level. The film microstructure is in turn determined by the thin film deposition conditions and the properties of the substrate material. This work presents an experimental procedure for measuring radiative properties of thin polysilicon films deposited by Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition on oxidized crystalline silicon wafers. The complex refractive index of polysilicon films at the HeNe laser light wavelength (λ = 0.6328 μm) is determined in a temperature range from room temperature to approximately 1400 K, by combined ellipsometric and normal incidence reflectivity measurements in a reduced pressure, inert gas environment. The effects of the thickness and the deposition temperature of the polysilicon layer on the optical properties are discussed.
Intelligent fluid infrastructure for embedded networks

Computer networks have historically considered support for mobile devices as an extra overhead to be borne by the system. Recently however, researchers have proposed methods by which the network can take advantage of mobile components. We exploit mobility to develop a fluid infrastructure: mobile components are deliberately built into the system infrastructure for enabling specific functionality that is very hard to achieve using other methods. Built-in intelligence helps our system adapt to run time dynamics when pursuing pre-defined performance objectives. Our approach yields significant advantages for energy constrained systems, sparsely deployed networks, delay tolerant networks, and in security sensitive situations. We first show why our approach is advantageous in terms of network lifetime and data fidelity. Second, we present adaptive algorithms that are used to control mobility. Third, we design the communication protocol supporting a fluid infrastructure and long sleep durations on energy-constrained devices. Our algorithms are not based on abstract radio range models or idealized unobstructed environments but founded on real world behavior of wireless devices. We implement a prototype system in which infrastructure components move autonomously to carry out important networking tasks. The prototype is used to validate and evaluate our suggested mobility control methods.
Insulin resistance in the nervous system

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors including obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Insulin resistance (IR) is at the core of metabolic syndrome. In adipose tissue and muscle, IR results in decreased insulin signaling, primarily affecting downstream phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling. It was recently proposed that neurons can develop hyperinsulinemia-induced IR, which in turn results in injury to the peripheral and central nervous systems and is probably pathogenic in common neurological disorders such as diabetic neuropathy and Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review presents evidence indicating that, similarly to insulin-dependent metabolically active tissues such as fat and muscle, neurons also develop IR and thus cannot respond to the neurotrophic properties of insulin, resulting in neuronal injury, subsequent dysfunction and disease states.
Bayesian model selection and prediction with empirical applications discussion

Abstract PIC (F) criterions are related to parallel developments in the Bayesian literature. Phillips' concept of a ‘Bayes model’ is compared to the traditional definition of Bayesian models. It is argued that, while the PIC (F) criterion is an important ‘design’ criterion, it does not provide an alternative ‘model’ in itself. A related distinction is drawn between the concepts of ‘model choice’ and encompassing.
Longitudinal effects of depression on glycemic control in veterans with Type 2 diabetes.

Objectives To examine the longitudinal effects of depression on glycemic control in veterans with Type 2 diabetes. Methods Data on 11,525 veterans with Type 2 diabetes were analyzed. A person-period dataset for each subject to cover 3-month intervals (36 time intervals) from April 1997 to March 2006 was created. Subjects were classified as depressed based on ICD-9 codes for depression. General linear mixed model regression was used to examine changes over time in HbA1c levels and whether the changes from baseline were different in depressed and nondepressed diabetic veterans, sequentially adjusting for baseline age, demographic variables and comorbidities (coronary heart disease, stroke and hypertension). Pooled t-tests were used to compare unadjusted mean HbA1c at each time point across the depressed and nondepressed groups. SAS was used for statistical analysis. Results Ninety-seven percent were men, 48% were white, 27% were blacks and 25% were other. Mean age was 66 years and mean follow-up period was 4.1 years. Six percent (696/11,525) of the sample had diagnosed depression. Unadjusted mean HbA1c values were significantly higher in depressed vs. nondepressed subjects at all time points. The adjusted mean HbA1c values over time in the final mixed model were significantly higher in depressed vs. nondepressed subjects (mean difference of 0.13; 95% CI [0.03; 0.22]; P=.008). In all adjusted models, differences in mean HbA1c values were significantly higher in depressed vs. nondepressed subjects with Type 2 diabetes. Conclusion This study of veterans with Type 2 diabetes demonstrates that there is a significant longitudinal relationship between depression and glycemic control as measured by HbA1c and that depression is associated with persistently higher HbA1c levels over time.
Organoborane-mediated synthesis of functional polymers: A review†

This article reviews recent advances in the synthesis of polar functional polymers via the mediation of organoborane monomers and polymers. Both direct polymerization and post-polymerization functionalization processes are described. Organoborane-assisted Ziegler–Natta, metathesis, and hydroboration (haloboration) polymerizations are presented. Moreover, the special problems and opportunities of polymer modification of olefin containing homo and copolymers by organoboranes are discussed.
Application of electrostatic force microscopy on characterizing an electrically charged fiber

The application of Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM) was studied in analyzing the corona-charged polypropylene fiber. Electrostatic force gradient images were obtained from the phase shifts with the varied bias voltages applied to the EFM cantilever by the noncontact scans. A mathematical expression to model the EFM phase shifts as a function of the applied tip bias voltages was introduced. EFM analysis was used to test the hypothesis that the solvent-induced efficiency deterioration of electret filter media originates from charge deterioration. EFM investigation produced evidence that exposure to isopropanol in the liquid phase affected the electrostatic charges on fibers. Exposure to organic solvents in liquid phase is thought to increase chain and charge mobility in polypropylene fibers, thereby reducing the electrostatic charge and the particle capture ability.
Gene splicing and mutagenesis by PCR-driven overlap extension

Extension of overlapping gene segments by PCR is a simple, versatile technique for site-directed mutagenesis and gene splicing. Initial PCRs generate overlapping gene segments that are then used as template DNA for another PCR to create a full-length product. Internal primers generate overlapping, complementary 3' ends on the intermediate segments and introduce nucleotide substitutions, insertions or deletions for site-directed mutagenesis, or for gene splicing, encode the nucleotides found at the junction of adjoining gene segments. Overlapping strands of these intermediate products hybridize at this 3' region in a subsequent PCR and are extended to generate the full-length product amplified by flanking primers that can include restriction enzyme sites for inserting the product into an expression vector for cloning purposes. The highly efficient generation of mutant or chimeric genes by this method can easily be accomplished with standard laboratory reagents in approximately 1 week.
Indirect Effects of α-Hydroxypyridinemethanesulfonate and Cyanide on Photosynthesis and Glycolate Excretion in Chlorella

Summary The effects of two inhibitors of photosynthetic carbon metabolism (HPMS and cyanide) were studied in Chlorella pyrenoidosa . Cultures were grown either with air or high CO 2 (5% CO 2 in air). The effects of these two inhibitors on glycolate excretion and 14 CO 2 fixation were determined and compared with the effects of the carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitor, ethoxyzolamide (EZA). Air grown Chlorella had high carbonic anhydrase activities and released small quantities of glycolate when incubated with 100% O 2 with saturating light intensities. Identical cultures treated with 10 mM HPMS or 100 μM NaCN doubled the rate of glycolate excretion while reducing carbon-fixation by 31 and 40% respectively. Saturating concentrations (≥ 0.5 mM) of EZA caused a greater than five-fold increase in glycolate excretion and a 73% inhibition of carbon fixation. HPMS when used with EZA further increased glycolate excretion compared to HPMS alone. Saturating concentrations of EZA with 100 μM cyanide caused a 60% increase in glycolate excretion compared with cyanide alone. Cultures grown with high CO 2 responded to the inhibitors very differently. They had no detectable carbonic anhydrase activity and excreted glycolate at more than five times the rate of the air grown cells with no inhibitor treatment. The addition of 10 mM HPMS either with or without EZA produced only relatively small changes in both glycolate excretion and carbon-fixation. Saturating levels of EZA caused only a 34% increase in measured glycolate, and HPMS with EZA showed a 24% increase compared with the control. Cyanide inhibited glycolate synthesis in the high CO 2 -grown cells by 27% and by 19% when tested with EZA; cyanide inhibited carbon-fixation by 29% alone and by 37% when used with EZA. Consistent with the low levels of CA in these high CO 2 grown cells is the small effect that EZA has on carbon-fixation and glycolate excretion either by itself or with HPMS or with cyanide. The inhibition of glycolate dehydrogenase by HPMS or cyanide does not appear to cause significant changes in glycolate excretion or carbon- fixation. The activity of glycolate dehydrogenase is low and is not altered by the growth conditions, as is carbonic anhydrase. It is concluded that both HPMS and cyanide do significantly alter photosynthetic carbon metabolism in air-grown Chlorella pyrenoidosa by inhibition of carbonic anhydrase. Cells grown with high CO 2 do not show these effects because very little CA activity occurs in such cells.
Valdés, G. (1996). Con Respeto: Bridging the distances Between Culturally Diverse Families and Schools

(1997). Valdes, G. (1996). Con Respeto: Bridging the distances Between Culturally Diverse Families and Schools. Bilingual Research Journal: Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 85-90.
On the interaction of alliteration with rhythm and metre in popular music

A number of scholars have written on characteristics of vocal melody in popular music, but little attention has been paid at the level of phonetic detail. This study argues that the phonetic structure of a melody can contribute in important ways to a song's reception and success, given the ways that listeners react and respond to vocalised melody. This article discusses different ways in which stressed syllables in familiar pop songs alliterate, and it investigates the way these patterns interact rhythmically with metre.
Thermodynamic properties of the nonzero-temperature, quantum-mechanical, one-component plasma

The thermodynamic properties of the quantum-mechanical one-component plasma are calculated at all temperatures for four densities at the high-density end of the metallic region. The Slater sum (diagonal density matrix) is obtained by using a nonzero-temperature variational principle with the simplest credible approximations. The Slater sum is approximated as the product of the ideal Fermi-gas Slater sum and a product of pair functions. Various methods for calculating thermodynamic quantities are investigated with the main emphasis on the pressure. In calculating the thermodynamic properties, the effects of Fermi statistics are included in a nonperturbative manner using Lado's method. The hypernetted-chain approximation is used to compute the pair correlation functions. Three different approximations are used for the three-body correlation functions so that errors may be estimated. The free energy is calculated by integrating the energy over temperature, while holding the volume fixed. Differentiating the free energy with respect to volume was found to yield more accurate pressures than using the virial theorem. Tables of the excess energies, pressures, and free energy are given for four densities and 20 temperatures.
On the Condition for Thermal Rectification Using Bulk Materials

In conduction, thermal rectification occurs when a material or structure transfers heat asymmetrically. In this work, it is shown that, in the bulk, a necessary condition for thermal rectification is that the thermal conductivity of the material or structure be a function of both space and temperature, and that this function be nonseparable. Practically, this can be achieved using a composite structure consisting of many materials although it could also be achieved with a properly developed single material.
Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation: Patterns of usage and outcome in cardiac surgery patients

Between January 1, 1986, and May 6, 1991, 7,884 cardiac surgical procedures requiring cardiopulmonary bypass were performed at our institution, including 672 (9.8% of adult procedures) performed in 669 patients that were associated with preoperative (n = 240), intraoperative (n = 353), or postoperative (n = 79) use of an intraaortic balloon pump. The mean age of recipients was 65.3 years (range, 16 to 89 years). Intraaortic balloon pump usage increased during the study period from 6.4% of patients (83/1,298) in 1986 to 12.7% of patients (169/1,333) in 1990. The relative distribution between preoperative (mean, 35.7%), intraoperative (52.5%), and postoperative (11.8%) insertion remained nearly constant during the study period. The overall operative (30-day) mortality for patients with preoperative, intraoperative, or postoperative insertion of the intraaortic balloon pump was 19.6%, 32.3%, and 40.5%, respectively (X2 = 16.4; p less than 0.001). Although use of the intraaortic balloon pump in the intraoperative and postoperative settings is accompanied by a favorable outcome in most patients, the high associated mortality suggests the need for earlier use of the intraaortic balloon pump or other supportive measures such as the ventricular assist device.
Geospatial and geodemographic insights for diabetes in the United States

Abstract Diabetes is a major public health problem in the United States. Over 29 million residents are currently diagnosed with the disease. Further, with such a large percentage of the U.S. population being diabetic, an interesting spatial pattern for the disease has emerged. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the geodemographic correlates of Type 2 diabetes in the United States. Specifically, using a nationwide database of age-adjusted, county level estimates for diabetes prevalence, we provide an exploratory spatial analysis of lifestyle groups and their connection with diabetes. Results suggest that geodemographic information can be effective in pinpointing risky lifestyle environments and may provide basic guidance for identifying at-risk populations in order to target intervention efforts more effectively.
Heliospheric evolution of solar wind small-scale magnetic flux ropes

[1] We present results from the first comprehensive small-scale flux rope survey between 0.3 and 5.5 AU using the Helios 1, Helios 2, IMP 8, Wind, ACE, and Ulysses spacecrafts to examine their occurrence rate, properties, and evolution. Small-scale flux ropes are similar to magnetic clouds and can be modeled as a constant-alpha, force-free, cylindrically symmetric flux rope. They differ from magnetic clouds in that they have durations on the order of tens of minutes up to a few hours, they lack an expansion signature at 1 AU, and they do not have a depressed proton temperature compared to the surrounding solar wind plasma. The occurrence rate of small-scale flux ropes is slightly higher in the inner heliosphere than the outer heliosphere and has a weak dependence on the phase of the solar cycle. The duration of the events as a function of radial distance indicates there is a large, rapid expansion within 1 AU and it becomes constant in the outer heliosphere. This behavior implies small-scale flux ropes are created and nearly complete their evolution within 1 AU.
The absence of a catechol estrogen effect on blood pressure in the male rat.

Abstract Since catechol estrogens are potent competitive inhibitors of catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), it has been suggested that they may prolong the half-life of catecholamines which in turn can cause hypertension. Thus, experiments were carried out to study the effect of catechol estrogens on blood pressure in the male rat following chronic administration. Results demonstrate that 2-hydroxyestrone (2,3-dihydroxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-one) and 2-hydroxyestradiol (estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-2,3,17β-triol) even when administered in high doses do not alter blood pressure.
Blastomycosis of the head and neck

Abstract Background Blastomyces dermatitidis infection of head and neck structures is a rare clinical entity. However, the potential for significant morbidity warrants clinical consideration and timely diagnosis. Objective of review To describe the clinical presentations, diagnostic challenges, and outcomes of otolaryngologic blastomycosis. Search strategy A literature search of the Pubmed and Ovid databases with the terms “blastomycosis AND. . . “ followed by all terms related to anatomical regions of the head and neck. Evaluation method All publications which discussed pertinent otolaryngologic involvement from blastomycotic infections were evaluated. Results and conclusion The larynx was the most commonly reported site of infection, followed by the oral cavity, neck, ear, nasal cavity/paranasal sinuses, and skull base/orbit/calvarium. Diagnosis of blastomycosis was almost universally delayed due to the resemblance of presentation to more common clinical entities, most notably squamous cell carcinoma. A substantial portion of cases (42%) presented without clinical or radiographic evidence of pulmonary infection. The initial diagnostic confusion often resulted in disease progression and trials of invasive therapies. Most patients experienced complete resolution of symptoms and lesions within months of initiation of proper antifungal medications. Permanent sequelae were relatively uncommon and related to the structures involved in the primary infection.
Controversies in the Management of Neonatal Micrognathia: To Distract or Not to Distract, That Is the Question

AbstractSymptomatic micrognathia, as seen in syndromic and isolated presentations of the Robin sequence (RS), can pose immediate an ongoing threats to the well-being of neonates. Upper airway obstruction can manifest as acute respiratory insufficiency requiring postpartum intubation and mechanical v
Lessons From Using TQM in the Classroom

This paper describes efforts to apply Total Quality Management (TQM) concepts and the ideas of customer focus, data-based decision making, and continuous improvement to instruction in a 100-student, junior-level probability and statistics course. By adopting a customer focus and establishing a dialogue with the students in the course, it became clear that lectures, handouts, and homework assignments could be more effective. Things often went wrong because students and the instructor had different expectations about what was or should be happening. This experience suggests that establishing a dialogue with students, building a teacher-student partnership for learning, and addressing differences in expectations and objectives are crucial to the development of an effective learning environment in engineering classrooms.
Baseline event rate, the Concorde fallacy, and the topography of cardiac risk

Cardiac risk stratification is the attempt to delineate who is at risk of cardiac event and who is not. Increasingly, the medical literature is filled with novel methods and markers of baseline risk assessment. This body of literature has been criticized broadly for making claims beyond what is statistically justified. In this hypothesis, we will explore an alterative explanation for the limitations of baseline risk assessment. I will contend that current risk models commit a logical error called the Concorde fallacy. The role of risk topography will be suggested as a novel method to rescue cardiac risk models.
Influence of High Magnetic Fields on the Superconducting Transition of One-Dimensional Nb and MoGe Nanowires

The effects of a strong magnetic field on superconducting Nb and MoGe nanowires with diameter $\ensuremath{\sim}10\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{n}\mathrm{m}$ have been studied. We have found that the Langer-Ambegaokar-McCumber-Halperin (LAMH) theory of thermally activated phase slips is applicable in a wide range of magnetic fields and describes well the temperature dependence of the wire resistance, over 11 orders of magnitude. The field dependence of the critical temperature, ${T}_{c}$, extracted from the LAMH fits is in good quantitative agreement with the theory of pair-breaking perturbations that takes into account both spin and orbital contributions. The extracted spin-orbit scattering time agrees with an estimate ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{s}.\mathrm{o}.}\ensuremath{\simeq}\ensuremath{\tau}(\ensuremath{\hbar}c/Z{e}^{2}{)}^{4}$, where $\ensuremath{\tau}$ is the elastic scattering time and $Z$ is the atomic number.
Supercritical fluid chromatography–supersonic jet spectroscopy: I. Microcolumns and direct expansions

Direct supersonic expansions of the eluent from a supercritical fluid chromatograph have been investigated as a means of attaining high selectivity in laserinduced fluorescence detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The direct expansion method appears impractical for capillary SFC, but it works well for microbore, packed-column supercritical fluid chromatography. Perylene and benzo[a]pyrene were selectively detected at limits of 0.5 ng and 40 ng, respectively, in standard mixtures and coal tar samples.
The morphology and relationships of the Sphaerosepalaceae (Malvales)

The comparative vegetative and reproductive morphology and anatomy of the Malagasy endemic family Sphaerosepalaceae is examined in light of two current competing hypotheses of relationship from recent molecular studies. Sphaerosepalaceae are similar to Thymelaeaceae on the basis of leaf architecture, calyx vasculature and in having endostomal micropyles. Comparisons with Tepuianthus and Thymelaeaceae subfamily Octolepidoideae are drawn on the basis of seed structure, indument type, perianth structure and pollen. Resin-filled, sclerenchymatous idioblasts, floral (positional) monosymmetry, a single series of stamen trunk bundles and a well-developed bixoid chalaza in the seed of Dialyceras parvifolium link Sphaerosepalaceae with its other putative sister group: a clade containing Bixaceae, Cochlospermaceae and Diegodendraceae. Synapomorphies of Sphaerosepalaceae include: fused, intrapetiolar stipules, embryo structure, pollen with endoapertures encompassing the ectoapertures and a tetramerous perianth. The extremely well-developed apical septum in the eusyncarpous gynoecium of Rhopalocarpus suggests that the gynoterminal style present in this genus has been secondarily derived from an ancestor with a fully syncarpous, basistylous gynoecium, as in Dialyceras. The morphological and evolutionary nature of basistylous and apically septate gynoecia is discussed. A rosette arrangement of ovules in each carpel coccus of D. coriaceum expands the bauplan concept of Sphaerosepalaceae and is probably unique among angiosperms as a whole. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 144, 1–40.
Demethylation of a model homogalacturonan with the salt-independent pectin methylesterase from citrus Part II. Structure-function analysis

Abstract Non-calcium sensitive pectin (NCSP), with a 94% degree of methylation (DM) was demethylated at pH 4.5 and 7.5 using monocomponent citrus salt-independent pectin methylesterase (PME). In a companion publication [Cameron, R. G., Luzio, G. A., Goodner, K., & Williams, M. A. K. (2008). Demethylation of a model homogalacturonan with the salt-independent pectin methylesterase from citrus: I. Effect of pH on demethylated block size and distribution. Carbohydrate Polymers], average demethylated blocks size ( BS ¯ ), average number of demethylated blocks per molecule ( BN ¯ ) and enzyme mode of action were characterized for a series of pectins using a limited digest with endo-polygalacturonase (EPG) to release demethylated blocks (DMBs) from each demethylated pectin. Rheology and calcium sensitivity measurements, on the same series of pectins, are presented herein to relate BS ¯ and BN ¯ values to functional properties. For the pH 4.5 – 50% DM sample with an excised BS ¯ = 8.6 and BN ¯ = 3.9 , greater than 95% of the molecules appeared to be crosslinked with calcium ion and a storage modulus (G′) value of 7.31 Pa was observed. For the pH 4.5 – 70% DM. The data indicated that for the pH 7.5 series, block number could be a limiting factor. The excised block size for the pH 7.5–60% DM sample was comparatively large at 12.2 compared to the pH 4.5 series. In contrast, block number of at least 2.0 appeared to be required before a significant level of calcium sensitivity was observed in the pH 7.5 series. Mixing the pH 4.5 – 70% DM sample with narrow-range size-classes of oligogalacturonic acids (OGalA) showed that small galacturonic acid oligomers with a degree of polymerization (DP) less than 13 could lower yield point (YP) and affect gelation, suggesting that even small excised DMBs need to be considered when relating pectin block size to functional properties.
Energy Transfer From Fluorescent Proteins To Metal Nanoparticles

Energy transfer plays a significant role in numerous chemical, physical, and biological processes. While the use of fluorescent proteins in Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) studies of biomolecules is common, energy transfer between fluorescent proteins and inorganic nanoparticles has not been explored in detail. In this study, energy transfer from fluorescent phycobiliproteins to noble metal nanoparticles was analyzed. Solutions of B-phycoerythrin (B-PE) were mixed with colloidal Au and Ag nanoparticles and were characterized by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy to determine the magnitude and mechanism of the energy transfer. It was found that the protein fluorescence was quenched after the addition of metal nanoparticles. Electron microscopy and absorption spectroscopy confirmed that B-PE was adsorbed onto the nanoparticles, creating a favorable geometry for quenching. Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy showed that B-PE fluorescence lifetimes decreased from 2.2 ns to 0...
Clinical comparison of perineal wound management

From retrospective study of the case records of 102 patients who underwent rectal excision for malignant or inflammatory bowel disease, it was found that management with closed perineum and open pelvic peritoneum with closed hemovac drainage results in the best healing of the perimeum in these patients.
Medical radiation exposure in children with bleeding disorders: an institutional experience.

Patients with bleeding disorders may be exposed to ionizing radiation during medical care. We hypothesized that children with severe haemophilia may have higher radiation exposure than those with mild bleeding disorders (MBDs). To compare medical radiation exposure rates between children with severe haemophilia and MBDs. Charts of 35 pediatric patients with severe haemophilia were randomly selected from a database of active male patients followed in our bleeding disorders clinic from 2000 to 2010. Case patients were age and sex matched with two control patients with MBDs [Type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD) or mild platelet function defect (PFD)]. By retrospective review, data on radiation exposure in millisieverts (mSv) was collected from radiological studies performed within Emory/CHOA. The rates of exposure between cohorts were compared using the Mann-Whitney Test. Case patients had a mean of 11.3 (median 8, IQR = 29) radiographic studies compared with 1.8 (median 1, IQR = 11) for controls (P 20 mSv). Case patients with severe hemophilia accumulated significantly more medical radiation exposure than controls. While the use of ionizing radiation is often necessary for management of these patients, avoidance of unnecessary exposure along with exploration of alternative imaging techniques and low dose protocols should be considered whenever possible.
Comprehensive Behavioral Management of Complex Tinnitus: A Case Illustration

This paper describes a comprehensive program for behavioral management of complex tinnitus. The clinical characteristics and typical treatment of tinnitus are reviewed. Psychosocial sequelae are discussed in terms of their exacerbation of the symptom and their potential as foci of treatment. The management problems of tinnitus are considered analogous to those of chronic pain. A case illustration is provided with a description of the treatment process. The comprehensive behavioral program discussed in the present paper included biofeedback therapy, pain management training, social skills training, assertion training, in vivo exposure to being alone, cognitive treatment of depression, and marital therapy. Outcomes were monitored multidimensionally. Self-report of tinnitus severity decreased after the 6th treatment day and stabilized at a “mild” rating after the 9th day. Skin temperature readings at baseline increased and stabilized after the 8th day, and the patient was able to reliably increase skin temperature on request. Scores on the Beck Depression Inventory and the Willoughby Personality Schedule, and a self-rating of Fear of Being Alone dropped markedly by the end of treatment. Follow-up data at 3 months indicated maintenance of gains.
The Potential Use-Value of Hume's ‘True Religion’

Many hold that Hume was an atheist, that he despised the church, and that he was a devastating critic of religion. One cannot deny, however, the references to ‘true religion’ in his work, his sometimes seemingly favorable references to Deity, his call for religion in ‘every civilized community’, and his sense of (what has come to be known as) ‘natural belief’. The following essay describes a speculative Humean ‘true religion’ and discusses its potential use-value for contemporary philosophy of religion. It begins, anecdotally, with a description of Hume's happiness in France, which I attribute to the fact that Hume was not taken to be an atheist by the French reading public. The main argument is that while Hume was critical of ‘vulgar’ and ‘popular’ religion, his philosophical position did not deny our habit to accept a genuine theism that could, if informed by the calm passions, serve to ‘purify our hearts’ and bond us more closely together. Reconceiving Hume's ‘true religion’ in this way allows his insi...
Stratospheric cooling and the troposphere (reply)

The success of our method1 for reconstructing tropospheric temperature trends is reinforced by Gillett et al.2, who show that our method is robust for reconstructing the tropospheric temperature trends, and that the statistical relationships between our T4, T2 and T850–300 estimates are in agreement with those independently derived from climate-model output. But Tett and Thorne 3 use different data sets in the tropical region and suggest that our approach produces tropospheric temperature trends that are biased to warm and that it overfits the data. We argue that the differences in tropical tropospheric temperature trends between our estimate of T (Tfjws) and the T850–300 of Tett and Thorne do not invalidate our method. We also question their interpretation of the comparison between global climate model results and satellite observations.
Observed Diurnal Cycle Climatology of Planetary Boundary Layer Height

Abstract An observational climatology of the planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) diurnal cycle, specific to surface characteristics, is derived from 58 286 fine-resolution soundings collected in 14 major field campaigns around the world. An objective algorithm determining PBLH from sounding profiles is first developed and then verified by available lidar and sodar retrievals. The algorithm is robust and produces realistic PBLH as validated by visual examination of several thousand additional soundings. The resulting PBLH from all existing data is then subject to various statistical analyses. It is demonstrated that PBLH occurrence frequencies under stable, neutral, and unstable regimes follow a narrow, intermediate, and wide Gamma distribution, respectively, over both land and oceans. Over ice all exhibit a narrow distribution. The climatological PBLH diurnal cycle is strong over land and oceans, with a distinct peak at 1500 and 1200 LT, whereas the cycle is weak over ice. Relative to midlatitude land,...
Emotion and Memory Research: A Grumpy Overview

A great deal of research on emotion and memory has focused on the question of whether emotion enhances memory. Based on this research, investigators have variously claimed that emotional memories are indelible; that emotion has no special effects on memory at all; and that emotion leads to enhanced memory for either congruent or central information. In this overview, we review the current status of these claims. Although considerable progress has been made toward understanding whether and how emotion enhances memory, much of this research has been limited by its treatment of emotion as merely “arousal.” Evidence is presented that people process, encode, and retrieve information differently depending upon whether they are feeling happy, fearful, angry, or sad. We argue that a more complete understanding of the effects of emotion on memory will depend upon taking into account the differing motivations and problemsolving strategies associated with discrete emotions. How do emotions influence memory for autobiographical events? How well do we remember a joyful family gathering, a terrifying near-miss on the freeway, or an angry falling out with a friend? Just as importantly, what aspects of these emotional events do we remember? Much of the scientific research on these questions has focused on evaluating four broad claims: the claim that emotional memories are indelible; the opposing claim that emotion has no special effects on memory at all; the claim that emotion enhances memory for information similar in tone; and the claim that emotion enhances memory for central information at
Talanta, JFIA, and ICFIA/JAFIA – A history ☆

The Winter Conference on Flow Injection Analysis (WCFIA) began in 1989, and became the International Conference on Flow Injection Analysis, when merging with the Japanese Association for Flow Injection Analysis (JAFIA) in 1995. Talanta has published special issues on the conference since 1995. Beginning in 2013, accepted manuscripts are published in regular issues of Talanta, and a virtual special issue of all manuscripts is compiled for access online. Reports of the conferences have been published in the Journal of Flow Injection Analysis (JFIA) beginning in 1992, in English and in Japanese. Some reports in English have been published in TrAC, from 1993 to 2008. This report provides, for the record, all Special Issues and all reports, listing the venues, conference organizers, and guest editors for special issues, along with the titles of the reports for the cited issues.
Adherence to post-exposure prophylaxis for non-forcible sexual exposure to HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To characterize adherence to post-exposure prophylaxis after non-forcible sexual exposure to HIV, we conducted a review of the literature and meta-analysis. Articles were considered if they contained primary adherence data following non-forcible sexual exposure. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to create pooled point estimates for adherence. Of 1,257 abstracts identified through our search algorithm, 17 were eligible for inclusion in this review, representing 3,634 patients enrolled in 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 9 prospective and 5 retrospective observational studies. Pooled adherence, primarily assessed by self-report, was 77 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 68–87] in prospective observational studies, 81 % (95 % CI 65–96) in retrospective studies, 78 % (95 % CI 65–91) in RCTs, and 78 % (95 % CI 72–85) overall. Overall adherence was moderately high, with high variability between studies. Assessment of adherence could be enhanced by the use of objective measurements.
Molecular mechanisms for changes in hepatic protein synthesis induced by schistosomiasis infection in mice

Mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni and littermate controls were evaluated serially for 12 weeks. Infected mice gained weight at the same rate as controls, but starting with the sixth week their livers became enlarged with granulomas and fibrous tissue, and they developed hypoalbuminemia. To evaluate the regulation of the albumin and type I collagen gene expression, total RNA was isolated from infected and control mice and translated in an mRNA-dependent rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. Protein synthesis was decreased 1.5-3-fold with RNA from infected vs. control liver. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the cell-free products showed a reduction in albumin but an increase in type I procollagen synthesis in infected mice. Immunoprecipitation of the cell-free product confirmed that albumin synthesis was reduced in greater proportion than other liver proteins in schistosome-infected mice. Hybridization of RNA from infected liver with cloned mouse albumin cDNA (pmalb-2) demonstrated a reduction in albumin mRNA to 37% of control, while hybridization with a chick type I pro alpha 2 collagen cDNA probe (pCg-45) revealed increased procollagen mRNA in infected liver beginning at 6 weeks postinfection. These results suggest that in murine schistosomiasis a reduction in biologically active albumin mRNA results in decreased albumin synthesis and may be responsible in part for hypoalbuminemia. In addition, increased collagen mRNA is associated with increased collagen synthesis during hepatic fibrosis.
Alterations in spike amplitude distribution of the surface electromyogram post-stroke

We examined surface electromyogram (EMG) characteristics during voluntary isometric activation of the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle in stroke survivors. Five stroke subjects participated in the study. They were instructed to generate isometric contraction at different force levels. The recording was performed in both paretic and contralateral muscles using a matched force protocol. Comparisons of the spike amplitude distribution of the surface EMG signals were made between paretic and contralateral muscles. For a given contraction level, a widened or narrowed spike amplitude distribution was observed in paretic muscles of stroke subjects. Such differences may be induced by degeneration of some spinal motoneurons and/or disorganization of motor unit control properties after stroke.
Selection of Carbonic Anhydrase Variants Displayed on Phage AROMATIC RESIDUES IN ZINC BINDING SITE ENHANCE METAL AFFINITY AND EQUILIBRATION KINETICS

In all metalloenzymes, hydrophobic residues surround the metal binding site. In carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) residues Phe93, Phe95, and Trp97 flank two of the three histidines that coordinate zinc to form a hydrophobic cluster beneath the zinc binding site. A library of CAII variants differing in these hydrophobic amino acids was prepared using cassette mutagenesis, then displayed on filamentous phage, and screened for proteins retaining high zinc affinity. Wild-type CAII was enriched 20-fold by selection, and consensus residues at each position were identified from the enriched CAII variants (Ile, Phe, Leu, and Met at position 93; Ile, Leu, and Met at position 95; and Trp and Val at position 97). Highly selected variants have zinc affinity and catalytic activity nearly equal to that of wild-type CAII, indicating that the aromatic residues are not absolutely essential. However, the zinc dissociation rate constant and catalytic activity of the variants correlate with the volume of the amino acids at positions 93, 95, and 97. In summary, metalloenzyme variants displayed on phage can be selected on the basis of metal affinity; such methods will be useful for optimization of metal ion biosensors.