cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health effects associated with faulty application of spray polyurethane foam in residential homes.

Abstract Background Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) has become a popular form of home insulation in the United States, but there have been adverse health effects reported by home owners. Methods We summarized adverse health effects in 13 adults from 10 households (age: 33–82) whose homes were improperly retrofitted with SPF. Subjects either were not asked to leave the premise or were told to return too early. In some cases, proper ventilation was not used or the foams were sprayed using the improper mixing technique. We correlated symptoms with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air samples. Results All subjects reported fishy odors and developed acute watery and burning eyes, burning nose, sinus congestion, throat irritation, cough, dyspnea and chest tightness. Twelve subjects (92.3%) reported acute neuropsychiatric symptoms, including headache, dizziness, forgetfulness, difficulty in concentrating and insomnia. Three subjects (23.0%) had nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps and three (23.0%) developed skin rash. Subjects continued to experience symptoms long after SPF was done. These symptoms subsided after they left homes, but recurred upon returning. All subjects eventually vacated their homes. The methacholine challenge test was negative in 5 of 7 patients. Analysis of indoor air and headspace gas from the foams showed increased concentrations of VOCs derived from SPF and common indoor air pollutants. The levels of VOCs decreased after SPF was completely removed. Conclusions Faulty application of SPF was associated with acute and persistent pulmonary and extra-pulmonary symptoms. These symptoms may be associated with SPF-derived compounds as well as increased concentrations of indoor VOCs.
Bias Induced by Self-reported Smoking on Periodontitis-Systemic Disease Associations:

Non-causal associations between periodontitis and systemic diseases may be spuriously induced by smoking because of its strong relationship to both. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether adjustment for self-reported smoking removes tobacco-related confounding and eliminated such spurious confounding. Using NHANES III data, we evaluated associations between attachment loss and serum cotinine after adjustment by self-reported number of cigarettes smoked. Cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, should not be related to attachment loss, if self-reported smoking captures the effect of tobacco on attachment levels. Adjustment for self-reported cigarette smoking did not completely remove the correlation between attachment loss and serum-cotinine level (r = 0.075, n= 1507, p = 0.003). Simulation studies indicated similar results for time-to-event data. These findings demonstrate the difficulty in distinguishing the effects of periodontitis from those of smoking with respect to a smoking-related outcome. Future studies should report results of analyses on separate subcohorts of never-smokers and smokers.
High Levels of Bisphenol A in Paper Currencies from Several Countries, and Implications for Dermal Exposure

The sources of human exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) are not well characterized. Little is known about the presence of BPA in paper products, especially in paper currencies, and its implications for human exposure. In this work, paper currencies from 21 countries (N = 156) were analyzed for BPA, which was measured in 19 mm punches taken from three spots on the paper currencies. BPA was found in all paper currencies at concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 82.7 μg/g (mean 4.94; median 1.02) and the concentrations in samples taken from the middle portion of the currencies were higher than those taken from peripheral portions. We also examined the transfer of BPA from thermal receipt paper to currencies by placing currencies in contact with thermal receipt papers for 24 h in a wallet. Concentrations of BPA dramatically increased after 24 h of contact with thermal receipt papers, suggesting that thermal receipt paper is an important source of BPA in paper currencies. The estimated daily intake of BPA through der...
Import and Retail Demand for Orange Juice in Canada

A six-equation structural model of the retail and import level demand for orange juice in Canada is estimated. Relative prices of Brazilian and U.S. imports are found to he important determinants of the quantity imported to Canada, and the Canadian market share for the U. S. and Brazil. Retail demand for orange juice in Canada is estimated to he price inelastic. The import level demand for U. S. product is estimated to he price inelastic while the import level demand for Brazilian product is estimated to he highly elastic. The final form of the model is used to simulate competitive price situations in the Canadian market. On a fail un modele eslimatif en six equations de la demande d'imponation el de vente au detail pour le jus d'orange au Canada. On a trouve que les prix relatifs des importations bresiliennes et americaines jouent un role determinant dans la quantile d'importations sur le marche canadien et dans les titres floltants canadiens pour les Etats Unis et le Bresil. On estime que la demande, au niveau des detaillanls, pour le jus d'orange au Canada represente un prix fixe. On estime que la demande d'importations en produils bresiliens est des plus elastiques. On emploie la forme finale du modele pour simuler les prix concurrents sur le marche canadien.
An Inducible Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein Mouse Model Recapitulates Human Pseudoachondroplasia Phenotype

Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is a pentameric extracellular protein expressed in cartilage and other musculoskeletal tissues. Mutations in the COMP gene cause pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH), a severe dwarfing condition that has a growth plate chondrocyte pathology. PSACH is characterized by intracellular retention of COMP and other extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which form an ordered matrix within large rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae. This accumulation is cytotoxic and causes premature chondrocyte cell death, thereby depleting chondrocytes needed for normal long bone growth. Research to define the underlying molecular mechanisms of PSACH has been hampered by the lack of a suitable model system. In this study, we achieved robust expression of human mutant (MT) or wild-type (WT) COMP in mice by using a tetracycline-inducible promoter. Normal growth plate distribution of ECM proteins was observed in 1-month-old WT-COMP and C57BL\6 control mice. In contrast, the structure of the MT-COMP growth plate recapitulated the findings of human PSACH growth plate morphology, including (1) retention of ECM proteins, (2) intracellular matrix formation in the rER cisternae, and (3) increased chondrocyte apoptosis. Therefore, we have generated the first mouse model to show extensive intracellular retention of ECM proteins recapitulating the human PSACH disease process at the cellular level.
Tourism in Washington's coastal zone

Abstract Principal coastal tourism regions in Washington State include the remote Pacific outline of the Olympic Peninsula, the rural and island-packed shoreline of Puget Sound, and the urban waterfronts of the Seattle-Tacoma metropolis. The multiple amenities of these destinations are of great concern to host, guest, and management elements of the Washington tourism system. The first section of this paper introduces the setting for coastal tourism and argues that the Washington coastal zone can be attractive to recreational, educational, and instrumental travelers. The second section points out that Washington's coastal destinations are not clearly defined as tourism products. It describes private and public sector stimuli which put the coastal ecosystem at risk. The final section discusses the opportunity for cooperative coastal tourism planning.
Giant, partially thrombosed aneurysm develops after remote angiographically negative subarachnoid hemorrhage: case report.

OBJECTIVE: This is the first report of the rupture of a giant aneurysm in patient who sustained a remote angiographical ly negative subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 62-year old woman initially presented with a Fisher Grade III SAH 9 years ago. Her evaluation, which included cerebral angiography, magnetic resonance imaging scans, and magnetic resonance angiography of the head and neck, failed to reveal the cause of the hemorrhage. Nine years after her initial hemorrhage, the patient presented with a Fisher Grade IV SAH and a giant right supraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysm. INTERVENTION: Computed tomographic and catheter angiography showed a partially thrombosed giant aneurysm of the right supracli inoid internal carotid artery. She underwent clip reconstruction and obliteration of the aneurysm. Review of of her previous angiograms and magnetic resonance imaging scans did not show an aneurysm in its nascency. CONCLUSION: Initial catheter angiography and magnetic resonance imaging scans may fail to to disclose a subtle dissection or blister aneurysm as a cause for SAH. As. in our case, the dissection or blister may progress to a giant aneurysm with time.
Objective outcomes after laparoscopic giant hiatal hernia repair: Minimization of hernia recurrence

Abstract Introduction: Laparoscopic giant hiatal hernia (GHH) (> 50% of stomach above the diaphragm) repair is associated with a 12–40% early recurrence rate. We applied specialized laparoscopic maneuvers to address this potential technical compromise. Methods: 43 patients underwent GHH laparoscopic repair (34 virgin, 9 reoperative) with esophageal lengthening. Specific emphasis was placed on meticulous preservation of crural integrity, complete sac excision, routine gastroesophageal fat-pad dissection, and Collis gastroplasty. A totally intraabdominal wedge Collis gastroplasty (using simplified EndoGIA stapler techniques) combined with Nissen fundoplication was performed. A validated questionnaire assessed functional outcomes at a 7.8 month median (range, 2–42). Postoperative esophagram objectively evaluated for possible hiatal hernia recurrence at a 7.5 month median (range, 1–26). Results: Operating time averaged 299 ± 108 minutes; wedge gastroplasty added only 10 minutes (mean). Median hospital stay was 4 days (range, 1–43). Perioperative complications occurred in 9% (4/43) of patients: 1 esophageal leak, 1 respiratory failure, 1 gastric-bloat readmission, and 1 pneumothorax. Complete postoperative data were available for 74% (32/43). There was 1 (3%) miniscule, asymptomatic radiographic recurrence. Most patients reported on questionnaire, excellent results in each of 9 symptoms (e.g., heartburn resolved in 94% [30/32]). GERD-related medications were discontinued in 78% (25/32). The mean postoperative GERD Quality-of-Life score was 1.2 ± 3.2 (scale 0–45; 0=asymptomatic). Overall, 97% (31/32) were satisfied with their surgical outcome. Conclusions: Consistent application of specialized techniques in minimally-invasive GHH repair yields a very low rate of early recurrence. Functional results are excellent in most patients, translating to high levels of satisfaction with the procedure.
The relationship between exercise intensity and the sweat lactate excretion rate

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of increases in exercise intensity on the sweat lactate concentration and lactate excretion rate. Eight healthy male volunteers complete a 90-min exercise bout of treadmill walking in a 35°C and 40% relative humidity environmental chamber. During the exercise trial, the subjects performed three 30-min ordered exercise bouts at 60, 70, and 80% of their age-predicted maximum heart rate (HRmax), with 10 min of rest outside the chamber between bouts. Sweat rate was measured volumetrically during each of the three exercise bouts on the flexor surface of the proximal half of the right forearm. Sweat lactate concentration ([lactate]sweat) was measured in each sample and multiplied by the forearm sweat rate to calculate the lactate excretion rate (LER). There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the [lactate]sweat at the 70 and 80% HRmax exercise intensities compared to the 60% HRmax exercise intensity. Conversely, the LER increased significantly at the highest two exercise intensities compared to the 60% HRmax exercise intensity. Such data suggest that increases in exercise intensity require an increase in lactate production, as measured by the LER. Furthermore, the decreased [lactate]sweat at the higher exercise intensities is most likely the result of increased sweat production causing a dilution effect on the [lactate]sweat, thus limiting its ability to accurately indicate the metabolic activity of the sweat gland.
GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX (GER), APNEA (AP) AND BRADYCARDIA (BR) IN RESPONSE TO TREATMENT WITH NASAL CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE (NCPAP).1136

GER has been shown to decrease in response to positive pressure ventilation. We studied 16 premature neonates who had just been weaned from NCPAP, to assess the effect of NCPAP at +5 cms H2O on the amount of GER, AP and BR. One group of 8 (control group, CON) had 16-hr data recordings made on two successive days while the other 8 (experimental group, EXP) had a baseline 16-hr data recording on day 1 and a second data recording while on NCPAP on day 2. There were no differences between EXP and CON in birthweight(0.97 vs 0.90 kg), gestational age (27.6 vs 26.1 wks) or age at study (40 vs 36 days). Changes in GER, reflected by time with esophageal pH<4 from day 1 to 2 (day 2 - day 1 scores), were not significant and were not different for EXP and CON (-106 vs -39 min). Changes in AP, measured by chest wall impedance, were not different for EXP and CON (-9 vs +8 sec for episodes of at least 10 sec duration). However, the duration of BR did decrease for EXP compared to CON (-4.4 vs +2.8 sec/episode of at least 5 sec of heart rate<100, p<0.05). Although NCPAP does not seem to alter the occurrence of GER or AP, the decrease in duration of BR during NCPAP is consistent with published data suggesting NCPAP may reduce the incidence of obstructive AP.
Determination of Arsenic in Drinking Water by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. An Undergraduate Instrumental Analysis Laboratory

A laboratory exercise, the analysis of arsenic in drinking water by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAA), is presented for use in an undergraduate instrumental methods course. The purpose of this GFAA exercise is to expose students to a practical and commonly used application, to provide students with hands-on experience with the instrument, and to reinforce concepts taught in the classroom. Students safely analyze a real-world sample containing an analyte in the parts-per-billion concentration range.
Interaction order and anxiety disorder: A 'Batesonian' heuristic of speaking patterns during psychotherapy.

This paper describes speaking practices enacted by young female in-patients during psychotherapy sessions. The patients are in treatment for anxiety and panic disorders (social phobias). The practices involve prosodic, lexical, and pragmatic aspects of utterance construction. An effect that they share is that the speaker’s embodied presence in her talk and her epistemic commitment to it are reduced as the utterance progresses. The practices are interpreted in light of Bateson’s interactional theory of character formation: as elements of a self-sustaining system Angst (anxiety). The study has grown out of an interdisciplinary effort to explore possible relationships between types of anxiety and the communicative and linguistic patterns by which patients describe panic attacks and other highly emotional experiences.
Semi-Solid Thixoforming Simulation of ZL201 Alloy Parts via AnyCasting

The software AnyCasting was used to simulate the thixotropic die-casting process of semi-solid ZL 201 alloy slurry to form the parts of particular shape, especially how the size of the in-gate of die and injection speed affect the process. The results showed that the die cavity can be filled well with the semi-solid slurry in form of laminar flow under conditions that the temperature of the semi-solid slurry is 640±5°C and that of die 200～240°C, thickness of the in-gate is 11mm and, more important, the injection speed is changed from 0.1 m/s to 1.0m/s when 60% of die cavity has been filled.
Competition between histone H1 and HMGN proteins for chromatin binding sites

The ability of regulatory factors to access their nucleosomal targets is modulated by nuclear proteins such as histone H1 and HMGN (previously named HMG-14/-17 family) that bind to nucleosomes and either stabilize or destabilize the higher-order chromatin structure. We tested whether HMGN proteins affect the interaction of histone H1 with chromatin. Using microinjection into living cells expressing H1–GFP and photobleaching techniques, we found that wild-type HMGN, but not HMGN point mutants that do not bind to nucleosomes, inhibits the binding of H1 to nucleosomes. HMGN proteins compete with H1 for nucleosome sites but do not displace statically bound H1 from chromatin. Our results provide evidence for in vivo competition among chromosomal proteins for binding sites on chromatin and suggest that the local structure of the chromatin fiber is modulated by a dynamic interplay between nucleosomal binding proteins.
A Phosphane-Free Catalyst System for the Heck Arylation of Disubstituted Alkenes: Application to the Synthesis of Trisubstituted Olefins

Trisubstituted olefins are easily accessible under mild reaction conditions using a new catalyst system consisting of dicyclohexylamine or methyl(dicyclohexyl)amine and a phase-transfer catalyst (see equation). The choice of the base was found to be crucial for the stereoselectivity and the rate of Heck type arylation reactions.
Velocity measurements in the plume of an arcjet engine

A nonintrusive technique has been used to conduct a radial survey in the flow field of an arcjet engine plume. The technique measures the Doppler shift of an optically thin line resulting from recombination and relaxation processes in the high Mach number stream, in order to determine flow velocities. Atom temperature can also be calculated from the same Doppler-broadened line widths, when these shifts are measured with a scanning Fabry-Perot spectrometer whose design is presented in detail. 19 references.
Using a storybook prompt to uncover inservice and preservice teachers’ dispositions toward struggling students

Abstract The NCATE performance standards include “dispositions,” which validate the importance of teacher beliefs and attitudes. This project was designed to measure preservice and inservice teachers’ beliefs and potential dispositions toward struggling students. The children's story, Next Year I'll be Special, was read to preservice teachers from two teacher education programs (n = 139) and one group of inservice teachers (n = 41). Marilyn, the main character, is struggling in first grade, but she anticipates second grade will be better because she will have a new teacher. Participants were asked to write their prognoses for Marilyn's second‐grade year. Responses were coded into three categories, Overall Impression, Ownership of Academic Challenges, and Ownership of Social Challenges. Respondents (56%) indicated that second grade would be as bad as or worse than first grade for Marilyn. Further, results revealed that experienced teachers were more negative in their predictions than beginning teacher educ...
Cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus: Regulating glucose and regulating drugs

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major and increasingly prevalent independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Glycemic control is a target of therapy and a principal marker of therapeutic success in diabetes, but whether lowering glucose is accompanied by a commensurate reduction in cardiovascular risk is a matter of ongoing controversy. It has become increasingly apparent from recent large-scale clinical outcome trials that glucose lowering is a poor predictor of cardiovascular outcome, and several instances of unexpectedly increased cardiovascular risk with antihyperglycemic drugs have sounded the alarm with regulatory agencies. This article reviews the critical facts that have led to a recent shift in the regulation of glucose-lowering drugs and makes the case for why new and existing antidiabetic medications should be assessed in clinical trials of cardiovascular outcome.
Criteria for the design of high efficiency thin film solar cells: Theory and practice☆

Abstract The design and processing of thin film solar cells involves 20 – 30 material and processing related parameters, each of which can produce at least a 5% variation in the output of the cell. Hence, to achieve a high efficiency cell, virtually all of them must be controlled. Each of the four types of cell that have achieved efficiencies greater than 10% have specific problems which are not well understood. Progress in improving cell performance has been achieved by a combination of empiricism and modeling. The models for the heterojunction cells Cu 2 S/CdZnS and CuInSe 2 /CdZnS are discussed, as well as the empirical approaches that have been successful in improving cell performance.
Remission of Chronic Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura after Treatment with Cyclophosphamide and Rituximab

Intensive immunosuppressive therapy can lead to sustained clinical remission in patients with refractory autoimmune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Pyrophosphorolysis by Type II DNA polymerases: implications for pyrophosphorolysis-activated polymerization

We find that Type II DNA polymerases can catalyze pyrophosphorolysis, the reverse reaction of DNA polymerization. This property is applied utilizing pyrophosphorolysis-activated polymerization (PAP), a method of nucleic acid amplification using serial coupling of pyrophosphorolysis and polymerization. PAP can be used for ultrarare allele detection (detection of minimal residual disease and cancer risk assessment through measurement of mutation load) and for microarray-based scanning for unknown mutations. Herein, we show that Type II DNA polymerases efficiently catalyze template-dependent pyrophosphorolysis to activate oligonucleotides blocked at their 3' termini with acyclonucleotides in which a 2-hydroxyethoxymethyl group substitutes for the 2'-deoxyribofuranosyl sugar. Type II archeon DNA polymerases Vent (exo-) and Pfu (exo-) can be utilized for PAP or a bidirectional form of PAP with acyclonucleotide-blocked oligonucleotides, but not with dideoxynucleotide-blocked oligonucleotides. In contrast, a Type I DNA polymerase, TaqFS, can utilize either acyclonucleotide-blocked or dideoxynucleotide-blocked oligonucleotides. These findings expand the potential of nascent PAP technology.
Ocular and Oculodermal Melanocytosis Associated with Uveal Melanoma

Fifteen patients with ocular or oculodermal melanocytosis were found after reviewing 1210 cases of histologically proven uveal melanomas. The melanoma in each of these patients developed in the eye affected with ocular or oculodermal melanocytosis and not in the unaffected eye. In the one case of bilateral involvement with oculodermal melanocytosis, the patient developed the melanoma in the eye more affected with melanocytosis. In the only case of partial ocular melanocytosis, the melanoma developed in a sector of the eye affected with melanocytosis. A comparison of the prevalence of ocular or oculodermal melanocytosis in patients with uveal melanoma with the prevalence of ocular or oculodermal melanocytosis in the general population, implies that there is an increased incidence of uveal melanomas in patients with ocular or oculodermal melanocytosis.
Surface integrity and its effects on the fatigue life of the nickel-based superalloy GH33A

Abstract This paper presents a study of the formation of surface roughness, residual stress and surface hardening produced by cutting and grinding, and then compares the different effects of surface integrity on the high-cycle and low-cycle fatigue lives of the nickel-based superalloy GH33A at room temperature and at 550°C. For the purposes of enhancing the fatigue life and reliability of machined components and controlling the machining parameters, the experimental results offer a useful reference point. It is concluded that, under the condition of low-cycle fatigue, surface roughness becomes the main factor and surface hardening has an unfavourable influence on the fatigue life, while the residual stress can be neglected because of its relaxation under the applied loads. The influence of the integrity of the surface on the high-cycle fatigue life has a different mechanism from that on the low-cycle fatigue life.
Presbyacusis, Hearing Aids and Aging

This paper considers the factors of presbyacusis and age-related psychological changes in older adults in terms of their effects on the use or potential use of hearing aids as a means of improving aural communication. Data are presented on the prevalence of hearing impairment and the extent of hearing aid use in aging listeners. Four major classes of presbyacusis are described (sensory, neural, metabolic, and cochlear conduvtive) and a hearing aid prognosis is made for each type of disorder. It is shown that aging produces deficits in pure-tone thresholds, the speech reception threshold, and speech discrimination, but not all losses can be 'corrected' with a hearing aid. Binaural (stereophonic) devices are psychoacoustically superior to monaural devices; however, behavioral and personality changes in older patients often create problems of adaptation to the binaural aid. These changes may also affect the fitting of an aid and the patient's ability to learn to use it. Some practical suggestions are offered on the evaluation of hearing aids and it is emphasized that adequate orientation and counseling are typically required if hearing aid treatment is to be successful in presbyacusis.
The ATP-binding component of a prokaryotic traffic ATPase is exposed to the periplasmic (external) surface.

Abstract The membrane-bound complex of bacterial periplasmic permeases consists of two hydrophobic integral membrane proteins and two copies of a hydrophilic ATP-binding protein. The ATP-binding proteins from all periplasmic permeases display a high level of sequence similarity and are referred to as "conserved components." The conserved component from the histidine permease, HisP, has been postulated on the basis of genetic evidence to be accessible at the exterior membrane surface, in contrast to the commonly postulated association with the interior membrane surface as peripheral membrane proteins. We have used proteolysis and biotinylation of membrane vesicles to show that HisP is accessible to these reagents at the external surface and that this orientation depends on the presence of the two hydrophobic components, HisQ and HisM. Several binding-protein-independent hisP mutants are shown to produce HisP proteins that are more susceptible to proteases from the external membrane surface. Since the hydrophilic component is well conserved also in a group of eukaryotic transporters, which together with many prokaryotic systems form the superfamily of traffic ATPases, this insight about its membrane topology has general implications for understanding the molecular mechanism of action of this large superfamily, which includes the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and multidrug-resistance proteins.
Laboratory measurement of adaptive behavior change in humans with a history of substance dependence

Individuals vary in their ability to adapt to changes in environmental conditions. In the present study, two laboratory experiments investigated components of adaptation in subjects with and without a history of substance dependence. In each of two experiments, the subjects were exposed to conditions that required changing response patterns between experimental days. On day 1, subjects earned monetary rewards under conditions that produced high rate responding, but on day 2 were required to wait 10 s between each response. Collectively, the two experiments demonstrated that the subjects meeting criteria for past substance dependence, and having extensive histories of substance use (> 10 years), adjusted poorly to the transition. In both studies, these subjects tended to persevere on the previously established high-rate response pattern. These data suggest a deficiency in adaptive behavior change, particularly when that change requires an abrupt slowing of response rates following a brief history of high-rate responding.
Physiological and performance responses to supplementation with thiamin and pantothenic acid derivatives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological and performance responses to supplementation with allithiamin and pantethine. On two separate occasions, six highly trained cyclists [maximum O2 consumption or V˙O2max 61.8 (2.1) ml · kg−1 · min−1] performed a 50-km steady-state ride on a cycle ergometer at a workload corresponding to ∼60% of V˙O2max followed by a 2000-m time trial. For 7 days prior to each ride, subjects daily ingested either a placebo (PL) or a combination of 1 g of allithiamin and 1.8 g of a 55%/45% pantethine/pantothenic acid compound (AP). Treatments were administered using a randomized, double-blind, counter-balanced design. During the 50-km ride, measures of heart rate, respiratory gas exchange and ratings of perceived exertion were recorded at 5, 15, 25, 35 and 45 km. Blood samples were collected at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 km and analyzed for lactate, glucose and free fatty acids. Blood samples for the analysis of lactate were also collected 3 and 5 min after the completion of the 2000-m time trial. There were no significant differences in any of the measured parameters between experimental conditions. Time to complete the 2000-m time trial was also not significantly different between experimental conditions [PL 178.2 (8.4), AP 170.7 (10.2) s; P = 0.58]. These results suggest that, despite the reported enhanced absorption properties, supplementation with allithiamin and pantethine does not alter exercise metabolism or exercise performance.
Effects of the anomaly on the two-flavor QCD chiral phase transition.

We use strongly coupled lattice QED with two flavors of massless staggered fermions to model the chiral phase transition in two-flavor massless QCD. Our model allows us to vary the QCD anomaly and thus study its effects on the transition. Our study confirms the widely accepted viewpoint that the chiral phase transition is first order in the absence of the anomaly. Turning on the anomaly weakens the transition and turns it second order at a critical anomaly strength. The anomaly strength at the tricritical point is characterized using $r=({M}_{{\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}}\ensuremath{-}{M}_{\ensuremath{\pi}})/{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{{\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}}$, where ${M}_{{\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}}$, ${M}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ are the screening masses of the anomalous and regular pions and ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{{\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}}$ is the mass scale that governs the low energy fluctuations of the anomalous symmetry. We estimate that $r\ensuremath{\sim}7$ in our model. This suggests that a strong anomaly at the two-flavor QCD chiral phase transition is necessary to wash out the first order transition.
Immersion and Battlefield Visualization: Frame of Reference Effects on Navigation Tasks and Cognitive Tunneling

Abstract : We compared two types of electronic displays of battlefield information in order to determine how display frame of reference affects a military commander's situation awareness and diagnostic capabilities in a dynamic combat scenario. US Military Academy officers viewed an unfolding ground battle scenario, presented as a sequence of computer-based slides, in one of two display view conditions. The first view condition was a 3-D exocentric (tethered) frame of reference (FOR) looking down at the terrain from 3000 meters above and 1200-1500 meters behind the commander's location, such that the commander's vehicle was always visible at approximately the same location on the screen (centered in the bottom third of the screen) for every scene. The second view condition was a combination display which consisted of an 3-D immersed egocentric view of the terrain from a viewpoint just above the command vehicle s location on the ground and a small 2-D contour map of the entire battle area embedded in the top center of the screen. Within each scene the officers were asked to verbally report any new enemy units or changes to existing units as well as to respond to a series of diagnostic questions about the particular scene and give confidence ratings of their selected answers. Results showed that the tethered display produced worse performance on distance judgment tasks than the immersed display. Performance was equivalent across display conditions on questions involving direction judgments. The immersed display condition produced worse global hazard awareness than the tethered display condition, however confidence ratings for the global awareness tasks did not differ between display conditions. Additionally, immersed display condition subjects take longer to respond to, and show poorer performance on, questions requiring them to pan the environment than subjects in the tethered condition (which did not have a panning option).
Bacterio-Opsin Gene Expression in Halobacterium Halobium

The retinal binding protein, bacterio-opsin, functions as a proton pump in the purple membrane of the extremely halophilic archaebacterium Halobacterium halobium. Under growth conditions of low oxygen tension and high light intensity, purple membrane synthesis is induced and H. halobium will grow phototrophically depending on the proton pump as the sole energy source. The bacterio-opsin gene (bop) is located within a cluster of genes which affect its expression. The bacterio-opsin activator gene (bat) appears to activate expression of the bop gene and the nearby bacterio-opsin related protein gene (brp). Transcription from these three genes is inducible by conditions of high light intensity and low oxygen tension.
Information encoding in the temporal characteristics of auditory-evoked neuromagnetic fields

Imaging data, provided by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) has allowed insights into spatial organization of human cortical brain function. In the auditory system, a spatially-organized 'tonotopic' representation of frequency has been proposed. To provide an additional dimension to the description of functional organization, this study investigates the temporal signature of neuronal responses to auditory stimuli, detected using magnetoencephalography (MEG), to identify and characterize temporal encoding of stimulus attributes such as pitch and timbre. Stimuli elicited neuromagnetic fields with distinct peaks approximately 100 ms post-stimulus (M100). For sinusoidal tones frequency-dependent variation of the M100 latency was observed. This was mimicked using triangle and square waveforms, although the magnitude of the latency shift was attenuated. Amplitude-modulated tones and speech sounds demonstrated M100 latencies dominated by the carrier frequency and formats, and secondarily influenced by modulation frequency and fundamental, respectively. Information is encoded in the time domain of neuronal responses to auditory stimulation. Both the fundamental frequency and the timbre of a stimulus influence the specific latency of neuronal coherence. High temporal resolution recording of electromagnetic activity induced by stimuli allows new insights into the brain's functional encoding of presented information.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Crystal Structure of the MACPF Domain of Human Complement Protein C8α in Complex with the C8γ Subunit

Abstract Human C8 is one of five complement components (C5b, C6, C7, C8, and C9) that assemble on bacterial membranes to form a porelike structure referred to as the “membrane attack complex” (MAC). C8 contains three genetically distinct subunits (C8α, C8β, C8γ) arranged as a disulfide-linked C8α–γ dimer that is noncovalently associated with C8β. C6, C7 C8α, C8β, and C9 are homologous. All contain N- and C-terminal modules and an intervening 40-kDa segment referred to as the membrane attack complex/perforin (MACPF) domain. The C8γ subunit is unrelated and belongs to the lipocalin family of proteins that display a β-barrel fold and generally bind small, hydrophobic ligands. Several hundred proteins with MACPF domains have been identified based on sequence similarity; however, the structure and function of most are unknown. Crystal structures of the secreted bacterial protein Plu-MACPF and the human C8α MACPF domain were recently reported and both display a fold similar to those of the bacterial pore-forming cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs). In the present study, we determined the crystal structure of the human C8α MACPF domain disulfide-linked to C8γ (αMACPF-γ) at 2.15 A resolution. The αMACPF portion has the predicted CDC-like fold and shows two regions of interaction with C8γ. One is in a previously characterized 19-residue insertion (indel) in C8α and fills the entrance to the putative C8γ ligand-binding site. The second is a hydrophobic pocket that makes contact with residues on the side of the C8γ β-barrel. The latter interaction induces conformational changes in αMACPF that are likely important for C8 function. Also observed is structural conservation of the MACPF signature motif Y/W-G-T/S-H-F/Y-X6-G-G in αMACPF and Plu-MACPF, and conservation of several key glycine residues known to be important for refolding and pore formation by CDCs.
Superconducting 2D System with Lifted Spin Degeneracy: Mixed Singlet-Triplet State

Motivated by recent experimental findings, we have developed a theory of the superconducting state for 2D metals without inversion symmetry modeling the geometry of a surface superconducting layer in a field-effect transistor or near the boundary doped by adsorbed ions. In such systems the twofold spin degeneracy is lifted by spin-orbit interaction, and singlet and triplet pairings are mixed in the wave function of the Cooper pairs. As a result, spin magnetic susceptibility becomes anisotropic and Knight shift retains finite and rather high value at T = 0.
Genetically informed lung cancer medicine

Knowledge of tumour mutation status has become increasingly important for the prioritization of targeted therapies for cancer. We review here the major known 'driver' mutations with therapeutic relevance in non-small cell lung cancer. We also discuss a variety of methods now being employed in molecular diagnostic laboratories to detect genetic alterations in lung tumours. A genetically-informed approach to lung cancer medicine is rapidly becoming the standard of care worldwide and should lead to improved outcomes for patients.
A personal history: social medicine in a South African setting, 1952–5. Part 1: The shape of ideas forged in the second world war

The second part of this personal history focusing on the ups, downs, and politics of social medicine in Alexandra Township, South Africa, will be published in the August issue of the journal.
Deterrence: Testing the Effects of Perceived Sanction Certainty on Probation Violations

Deterrence theory has been repeatedly used to explain individuals' choices to commit vs. not commit crimes. Its utilitarian premise is that individuals will choose to commit or not commit crimes based on the certainty, swiftness, and severity of punishments. This study examines the perceived certainty of sanctions among offenders mandated into intensive probation and the effects of varying levels of perceived sanction certainty in deterring offenders from violating probation requirements. Data from an Intensive Supervision Probation program in New Jersey are used. Results support the salience of offenders' perceptions of sanction certainty on their intensive probation outcomes, and implications for policy are discussed
Does gender affect the relation between blood pressure and pain sensitivity

High resting blood pressure is associated with decreased pain sensitivity. This study was designed to explore this relation in young, normotensive men and women. Twenty-nine women (mean age 19.1, range 18-29) and 26 men (mean age 19.3, range 18-25) rested for 10 min while systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures were measured. They were then asked to complete a 2-min cold pressor task. Participants were asked to fill out the short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire immediately after the pain task. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed to predict pain sensitivity from resting blood pressure, gender, and the interaction of resting blood pressure and gender. Resting systolic blood pressure was a significant predictor of pain sensitivity. Gender and the interaction between resting blood pressure and gender were not related to pain sensitivity. This suggests that the relation between resting blood pressure and pain sensitivity may be similar in men and women, at least in response to a cold pressor challenge.
Robotic compression of soft tissue

This paper investigates automation of soft tissue compression for robot-assisted surgery. This is a fundamental task in surgery and includes interaction with a variety of tissues with unknown properties. In addition, due to sterilization and size constraints the use of contact force and position sensors are often avoided in surgical applications. We propose an Adaptive Model Predictive Control approach for execution of given tool trajectories in contact with unknown tissues in the absence of contact measurements. The Unscented Kalman Filter is employed in advance of system operation to identify the dynamics of a cable driven manipulator. These dynamics are then used to estimate contact force and position in free motion and in contact with tissue. An optimal control problem for automating tissue compression is formulated and is solved in real-time using Differential Dynamic Programming with Automatic Differentiation. The proposed methods are evaluated in experiments on an artificial tissue sample with unknown properties.
High-strain-rate superplasticity in bulk cryomilled ultra-fine-grained 5083 Al

The ductility and creep of bulk ultra-fine-grained (UFG) 5083 Al (grain size ∼440 nm) processed by gas atomization, cryomilling, and consolidation were studied in the temperature range 523 to 648 K. Also, the creep microstructure developed in the alloy was examined by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The ductility as a function of strain rate exhibits a maximum that shifts to higher strain rates with increasing temperature. An analysis of the experimental data indicates that the true stress exponent is about 2, and the true activation energy is close to that anticipated for boundary diffusion in 5083 Al. These creep characteristics along with the ductility behavior of 5083 Al are a reflection of its creep behavior as a superplastic alloy and not as a solid-solution alloy. In addition, the observation of elongations of more than 300 pct at strain rates higher than 0.1 s−1 is indicative of the occurrence of high-strain-rate (HSR) superplasticity. Microstructural evidence for the occurrence of HSR superplasticity includes the retention of equiaxed grains after deformation, the observation of features associated with the occurrence of grain boundary sliding, and the formation of cavity stringers. Grain size stability during the superplastic deformation of the alloy is attributed to the presence of dispersion particles that are introduced during gas spraying and cryomilling. These particles also serve as obstacles for dislocation motion, which may account for the threshold stress estimated from the creep data of the alloy.
Intracellular topology and epitope shielding of poliovirus 3A protein

The poliovirus RNA replication complex comprises multiple viral and possibly cellular proteins assembled on the cytoplasmic surface of rearranged intracellular membranes. Viral proteins 3A and 3AB perform several functions during the poliovirus replicative cycle, including significant roles in rearranging membranes, anchoring the viral polymerase to these membranes, inhibiting host protein secretion, and possibly providing the 3B protein primer for RNA synthesis. During poliovirus infection, the immunofluorescence signal of an amino-terminal epitope of 3A-containing proteins is markedly shielded compared to 3A protein expressed in the absence of other poliovirus proteins. This is not due to luminal orientation of all or a subset of the 3A-containing polypeptides, as shown by immunofluorescence following differential permeabilization and proteolysis experiments. Shielding of the 3A epitope is more pronounced in cells infected with wild-type poliovirus than in cells with temperature-sensitive mutant virus that contains a mutation in the 3D polymerase coding region adjacent to the 3AB binding site. Therefore, it is likely that direct binding of the poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase occludes the amino terminus of 3A-containing polypeptides in the RNA replication complex.
Identification of a Novel Post-ER, Pre-Golgi Compartment Where Unassembled Monomers of Oligomeric Proteins Accumulate

It has been clear for some time that newly synthesized proteins exit the ER via vesicular carriers that are derived from transitional or part rough/part smooth elements of the ER and pass through pre-Golgi elements before reaching the cis side of the Golgi stack (Farquhar, 1985; Farquhar, 1991; Pfeffer and Rothman, 1987). What is not so clear is the number and nature of the pre-Golgi compartments that are variously referred to as pre-Golgi, intermediate or salvage compartments. The existence of an intermediate compartment was originally suggested by Saraste and Kuismanen (1984) based on their observation that when cells infected with Semiliki Forest virus were incubated at 15°C, the envelope glycoproteins accumulated in smooth vacuoles located near the cis side of the Golgi. It was also shown that some viruses bud from smooth ER, pre-Golgi compartments (Tooze et al., 1984; Ulmer and Palade, 1991). Pelham (1989) proposed that one of the functions of this intermediate compartment is to act as a salvage or recycling compartment where resident ER proteins that escape from the ER are specifically and continuously retrieved and returned to the ER by a receptor that recognizes KDEL or closely related sequences. Pelham and co-workers also obtained experimental evidence indicating that this intermediate compartment may contain N-acetyl glucosamine-1 phosphotransferase which is responsible for addition of the phosphorylated glcNAc to lysosomal enzymes (Pelham, 1989). Moreover, three proteins—i.e., p53 (Schweizer et al., 1988), p58 (Hendricks et al., 1991; Saraste et al., 1987), and p63 (Schweizer et al., 1991), have been identified that represent putative markers for the intermediate compartment with the complication that they appear not to be limited to this compartment, but to cycle between the intermediate compartment and the cis Golgi (Saraste and Svensson, 1991). Using the 53 kD protein as a marker, Schweizer and co-workers (Schweizer et al., 1991) have prepared subfractions enriched in this protein. These fractions were largely separated from rough ER proteins (ribophorins, BIP, and PDI) as well as from N-acetyl glucosamine-1 phosphotransferase and phosphodiesterase. For the purposes of our discussion it is important to realize that a certain amount of confusion exists concerning the number and nature of the putative intermediate compartments and their relationship to the Golgi.