cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards a FAST-CARS anthrax detector: CARS signal from dipicolinic acid

This study presents experimental results towards the realization of an alternative optical technique, the FAST CARS (femtosecond adaptive spectroscopic technique for coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy) approach, and promises to simultaneously satisfy the critical requirements of speed, specificity and sensitivity in the detection and identification of bacterial spores.
THE MOTIVES AND CONSEQUENCES OF DEBT-EQUITY SWAPS AND DEFEASANCES: MORE EVIDENCE THAT IT DOES NOT PAY TO MANIPULATE EARNINGS

On February 9,1982, Hammermill Paper registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission to swap as many as 400,000 common shares for $13.4 million of the company's 8.07% promissory notes due February 1, 1997. The resulting swap increased Hammermill's 1st quarter earnings by $3.7 million, accounting for more than a third of its earnings for that period. Between February 9 and 10, the market value of Hammermill's equity fell by 4.5%. On January 28, 1985, United Airlines announced that its preceding 4th quarter earnings included a $3 million extraordinary gain from the defeasance of $38 million of outstanding notes, and that earnings for all of 1984 included a defeasance gain of $21.5 million, representing 7.6% of UAL's 1984 net income. Between January 28 and 29, the market value of UAL's equity declined by 4.6%.
Cytochrome P450-dependent desaturation of lauric acid: Isoform selectivity and mechanism of formation of 11-dodecenoic acid

Abstract Cytochrome P450-catalyzed desaturation reactions have been reported infrequently in the literature. Previously, we documented the formation of the terminal olefinic metabolite of valproic acid by various members of the CYP2B and CYP4B sub-families. However, despite the extensive use of fatty acid substrates in drug metabolism studies, other examples of terminal desaturation at non-activated carbon centers are lacking. The goals of the present studies were to determine whether the archetypal P450 substrate, lauric acid (dodecanoic acid; DDA), also undergoes desaturation reactions, identify specific rabbit P450 isoforms which catalyze this reaction and examine its mechanism. A highly sensitive, capillary GC/MS assay was developed to separate and quantitate the trimethylsilyl derivatives of 11-ene-DDA, cis- and trans-10-ene-DDA and cis- and trans-9-ene-DDA. Among all of these potential olefinic metabolites, only 11-ene-DDA was formed at a significant rate by rabbit liver microsomes. The formation of 11-ene-DDA was NADPH-dependent, and was induced markedly by acetone pre-treatment, but not by phenobarbital, rifampin or Arochlor 1254. Studies with seven purified, reconstituted rabbit P450 isoforms showed that the most rapid rates of desaturation were obtained with CYP2E1, CYP4A5/7 and CYP4B1. Non-competitive, intermolecular isotope effect experiments, conducted with [12,12,12-2H3]DDA and [11,11-2H2]DDA, demonstrated further that CYP4B1-mediated terminal desaturation of DDA is initiated by removal of a hydrogen atom from the ω-1 rather than the ω position.
Anomalies of the extensor pollicis longus and extensor indicis muscles in two cadaveric cases.

A great variety of anomalies of hand extensor musculature have been described over the last century and a half, beginning with Wood (1864) [15–19]. Hand extensor anomalies have been observed in cadaveric cases, during hand surgeries, and through imaging. The continued identification of these anomalies is important in academic studies to examine limb function and characteristics of human development. In addition, reporting limb anomalies is important not only in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of limb dysfunction and injury, but also for awareness in human anatomical and functional variation. In this case study, we present cadaveric cases of muscular anomalies in the third and fourth extensor compartments of the wrist and anomalous tendons that were observed and identified by students during dissection in a graduate human gross anatomy course. Bilateral anomalies were observed in the extensors of the thumb and index finger in the hands of a 103-year-old female cadaver, and a unilateral anomaly was observed in an 85-year-old female cadaver. Dissection and isolation of the anomalies showed some similarity of the anomalies between the two cadavers, in that the anomalies presented associations between the individual extensors in the third and fourth extensor compartments. Further, the cadavers were received in sequential order through the Body Donation Program at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and were investigated for a familial link.
Hydrothermal synthesis of BaTiO3 thin films on nanoporous TiO2 covered Ti substrates

It is well known that there is an upper limit (<0.25 μm) for the thickness of hydrothermal thin films grown on Ti substrate in the 100–200 °C temperature range, even the reaction time is extended to several weeks. In this paper, BaTiO3 thin films have been firstly hydrothermally synthesized on titanium substrates covered with a nanoporous TiO2 layer. By using TiO2 covered substrates, the thickness of BaTiO3 films can easily reach ∼1.0 μm at 110 °C after only 2 h hydrothermal treatment. It is found that the large quantity of pores with size at the tens of nanometer range in the oxide layer served as easy paths for the diffusion of Ba2+ and OH− and enabled the film grow thicker. SEM and XRD results show that the films are crack-free and in polycrystalline phase.
Selective anion encapsulation in solid-state Ln(III)[15-metallacrown-5]3+ compartments through secondary sphere interactions

Secondary sphere interactions from proximal phenyl side chains control the anion selectivity of dimeric Ln(III)[15-MCCu(II),α-aminoHA-5]3+ metallocavitands. CH–O interactions, which are only possible with certain side chains, are sufficient for overcoming an intrinsic energy barrier to binding saturated dicarboxylates in hydrophobic compartments.
Nurses' attitudes and behavioral intentions concerning AIDS care.

The problem of the rapidly growing AIDS epidemic is compounded by negative attitudes and unwillingness to care for such patients by reportedly high percentages of nurses. On the basis of the literature, an exploratory interactive model predicting willingness to provide care is derived and tested. Results suggest that attitude is positively related to the behavioral intention to provide AIDS care. This relationship is more pronounced for nurses who score low on the variable of conservative views.
17β-Estradiol-mediated increase in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase expression in the brain: A mechanism to protect neurons from ischemia

Abstract A number of studies have demonstrated that 17β-estradiol (E2) protects the brain from ischemia and yet the mechanism by which this hormone brings about its protective effect is unclear. Interestingly, like E2, overexpression of the oxidative stress response protein Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), which plays a critical role in regulating reactive oxygen species, also protects the brain from ischemia. Because we previously showed that E2 treatment of cultured mammary cells increases SOD1 expression, we hypothesized that E2 might increase SOD1 expression in the brain and that this E2-mediated increase in SOD1 expression might help to protect the brain from ischemia. We now show that SOD1 is expressed in cortical neurons, that SOD1 expression is increased by exposure of brain slice cultures to E2, and that the E2-mediated increase in SOD1 expression is further augmented by exposure of brain slice cultures to increased superoxide levels or oxygen and glucose deprivation. Importantly, when cortical neurons are exposed to increased superoxide levels and markers of protein and DNA damage, nitrotyrosine and 8-oxoguanine, respectively, are measured, both protein and DNA damage are reduced. In fact, E2 reduces nitrotyrosine and 8-oxoguanine levels in brain slice cultures regardless of whether they have or have not been exposed to increased superoxide levels. Likewise, when brain slice cultures are treated with E2 and deprived of oxygen and glucose, 8-oxoguanine levels are reduced. Taken together, these studies provide a critical link between E2 treatment, SOD1 expression, and neuroprotection and help to define a mechanism through which E2-mediated neuroprotection may be conferred.
Suicide prevention in fire service: the Houston Fire Department (HFD) model

Abstract Suicides among public safety personnel (law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical services) are a growing concern across departments with occupational, mental health, and fitness for duty implications. Research on this topic has mostly focused on the law enforcement community. With an alarming rate of suicides among firefighters, the Houston Fire Department (HFD) endeavored to develop a suicide prevention program to address this issue. This article captures the history of suicide within the Houston Fire Department and summarizes each phase of the HFD Suicide Prevention Program in its development, purpose, methodology, and implementation. Results of this program and implications for this community are discussed.
Digital naturalism: designing holistic ethological interaction

Digital Media can empower the traditionally technologically neglected exploration and outreach components of an ethologist's process. A digitally holistic scientific process holds implications for empowering both fields of ethology and digital media.
Mössbauer recoilless fraction of solid krypton

Abstract The Mossbauer recoilless fraction is measured by using solid Kr sources and absorbers over a temperature range 5–85°K. Experimental recoilless fractions are compared with theoretical values.
Walking deficits and centrophobism in an α-synuclein fly model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a movement neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by bradykinesia, rigidity and tremor, constituting difficulties in walking and abnormal gait. Previous research shows that Drosophila expressing human α-synuclein A30P (A30P) develop deficits in geotaxis climbing; however, geotaxis climbing is a different movement modality from walking. Whether A30P flies would exhibit abnormal walking in a horizontal plane, a measure more relevant to PD, is not known. In this study, we characterized A30P fly walking using a high-speed camera and an automatic behavior tracking system. We found that old but not young A30P flies exhibited walking abnormalities, specifically decreased total moving distance, distance per movement, velocity, angular velocity and others, compared with old control flies. Those features match the definition of bradykinesia. Multivariate analysis further suggested a synergistic effect of aging and A30P, resulting in a distinct pattern of walking deficits, as seen in aged A30P flies. Psychiatric problems are common in PD patients with anxiety affecting 40–69% of patients. Central avoidance is one assessment of anxiety in various animal models. We found old but not young A30P flies exhibited increased centrophobism, suggesting possible elevated anxiety. Here, we report the first quantitative measures of walking qualities in a PD fly model and propose an alternative behavior paradigm for evaluating motor functions apart from climbing assay.
2.2.4 Operational Concepts and the Case for Use Cases: Unifying UML with Systems Engineering

Operational Concepts have been used in varying degrees for many years by government acquisition agencies and contractors to help understand the operational nature of systems. Seldom, however, have the concepts been used at subcontractor levels or been encouraged by subsystem developers. Nor has there been much formality in the use and structure of the operational concept document (OCD). The typical content of the OCD remains highly textual with verbose description and little discipline in the thought process. The Unified Modelling Language (UML) has, however, introduced the notion of the Use Case, which, when examined as to purpose and focus, may provide an excellent basis for formalising the OCD content and providing a tool to help capture more effective operational scenarios at all levels of system composition. This paper explores the use of the UML Use Case as an essential part of the system Operational Concept.
PHOTODEGRADATION OF CHLORPROMAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE.

The quantum efficiency of chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CLP HCI) at 253.5 m μ in aqueous media (pH 1.5) was 0.18 and 0.14 under normal and oxygen-free atmospheres, respectively. The quantum efficiency remained constant within the concentration range and periods of irradiation studied, but increased at pH values above 4.5. The photoreaction appears to follow zero-order kinetics. Reactivity toward acetic anhydride, partition studies, and infrared spectra of light degraded solutions of CLP HCI suggest ring hydroxylation occurs during irradiation. Spectral evidence indicated the formation of a semiquinone free radical intermediate on irradiation of aqueous solutions of CLP HCI at 253.5 m μ . Chlorpromazine-5-oxide hydrochloride (CLP-O HCI) forms by disproportionation of this free radical in aqueous media, both in the presence and absence of dissolved oxygen. The phenolic and other unidentified compounds formed on irradiation of CLP HCI apparently result from degradation of the photolabile CLP-O formed.
SENSORY EVALUATION OF GEOSMIN IN JUICE MADE FROM COOKED BEETS

A selected panel was used to determine the odor threshold of geosmin [trans-1, 10-dimethyl-trans-(9)decalol], an important aroma constituent of table beets, in juice made from cooked and peeled beets. The estimated threshold of 5.8 parts geosmin in 109 parts beet juice was 35 times higher than the odor threshold of geosmin in water determined by the same panel. Four samples of cooked beet juice containing different levels of geosmin were subsequently ranked according to their characteristic beet-like aroma. An increase in geosmin content was perceived as an increase in beet-like aroma up to a 5.8 ng/g concentration of geosmin. Juice made from cooked and peeled beets showed a 56–60% reduction in geosmin content in comparison with juice prepared from raw beets (with geosmin concentration below 5.8 ng/g). Therefore processing may reduce the characteristic aroma of beets.
Activation of TRPML Channels in the Lysosome

The mucolipin family of Transient Receptor Potential (TRPML) proteins is predicted to encode ion channels of intracellular endosomes and lysosomes. The physiological importance of TRPMLs has been established genetically. Mutations of human TRPML1 cause type IV mucolipidosis (ML4), a devastating neurodegenerative disease; mutations in the mouse TRPML3 result in the varitint-waddler (Va) phenotype with hearing and pigmentation defects. The broad-spectrum phenotypes of both ML4 and Va appear to result from certain aspects of endosomal/lysosomal dysfunction. Lysosomes, traditionally believed to be the terminal “recycle center” for biological “garbage”, are now known to play indispensable roles in membrane traffic and multiple intracellular signaling pathways. The putative lysosomal function(s) of TRPML proteins, however, has been unclear until recently. Studies on animal models and cell lines in which TRPML genes have been disrupted or genetically depleted have discovered roles of TRPMLs in a variety of cellular functions including membrane traffic, signal transduction, and organellar homeostasis. Physiological assays on cells in which TRPMLs are heterologously over-expressed revealed the channel properties of TRPMLs, suggesting that TRPMLs mediate cation (Ca2+/Fe2+) efflux from endosomes and lysosomes in response to unidentified cellular cues. Using our recently developed lysosome patch-clamp technique, we screened a variety of cytosolic and luminal factors that are known to affect endolysosomal functions and have identified an endogenous agonist for TRPML channels. We are currently investigating the activation mechanism in detail.
Clinical effects of amphetamine and L-DOPA on sexuality and aggression.

Abstract The effects on sexuality and aggresion noted in a group of hospitalized amphetamine-abusers are presented. Intensified sexual feelings were most frequently noted, but were not a consistent finding in all cases. The same inconsistently increased sexual tension was directly observed in a subgroup of these individuals to whom amphetamine was administered on a research ward. Instances of assaultive behavior are described. Cases of hypersexuality and irritability noted in psychiatric patients to whom l -DOPA was administered are also presented. These observations suggest that baseline status is an important determinant of these effects in the cases in which they are noted.
The metamorphosis of hemoglobin in the bullfrog.

1. Tadpole and adult hemoglobin do not differ significantly in molecular weight. The molecular weight of both is in the neighborhood of 68,000. 2. Heme-heme interaction as measured by the value of n in Hill9s equation is virtually the same—about 2.8—in both tadpole and adult. 3. There appears to be no significant effect of pH upon the oxygen equilibrium of tadpole hemoglobin, in contrast to large Bohr and reverse Bohr effects in the adult. This is taken to mean that during metamorphosis acid groups of globin become sensitive to the oxygenation of heme by some change in the mode of linkage between heme and globin. 4. The oxygen affinity of tadpole hemoglobin is about seven times as great as that of the adult at pH 6 and twice as great at pH 9.
Deoiling of Crude Lecithin Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide in the Presence of Co‐solvents

Deoiling of crude soybean lecithin using supercritical fluid mixtures of carbon dioxide and 2 different co-solvents, ethanol and acetone, was studied at 62 °C and at pressures of 170 and 200 bars. Both ethanol and acetone increased the solubility of oil considerably without any significant coextraction of phospholipids. It was shown that deoiling could be achieved at lower pressures when a co-solvent is used leaving behind a valuable product of high content phospholipids, whereas negligible oil extraction was observed with pure CO 2 at the same conditions. La lecithine est un melange complexe de phospholipides, de triglycerides et quelques autres composes. Pour en extraire les phospholipides, la lecithine brute doit subir un deshuilage dans lequel les lipides polaires et neutres sont separes. Aujourd'hui, le deshuilage est realise par extraction a l'acetone. Une methode alternative a l'extraction a l'acetone est le traitement de melanges de lipides par des gaz ou des melanges de gaz supercritiques. L'objectif de cette etude est de proceder au deshuilage de lecithine brute (retentat membranaire) avec du CO 2 supercritique a des pressions moderees. Pour cela, 2 differents co-solvants sont utilises avec le CO 2 supercritique et leur performance sont comparees. Cette technique permet le deshuilage de lecithine a des pressions basses conduisant a un produit riche en phospholipides.
Chloroplast Movement Can Be Impeded by Crowding

A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique was used to detect chloroplast reorientational movement in Acer platanoides shade leaves. Sporadic movement was observed during incubation in darkness as well as during exposure to high-intensity light, but never during exposure to light within the range of moderate intensities to which the leaves were adapted. Movement occurred significantly more often at high water potentials. Results suggest that severe crowding among the chloroplasts inhibited reorientational movement.
ASSESSMENT ANDMANAGEMENT OF PELVICFRACTURE IN THEHEMODYNAMICALLYUNSTABLE PATIENT

Hypotensive patients with pelvic ring injuries present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. This article reviews pelvic anatomy, the classification of pelvic injuries, and how to rapidly identify patients' unstable pelvic injuries. Current recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of these patients are reviewed.
Detection and Identification of Yeasts from Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissue by Use of PCR-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Diagnosis of yeast infection is typically accomplished by fungal smear and culture, histopathologic examination, and/or serologic studies. Newer assays based on mass spectrometry may be useful for yeast identification when histologic examination is inconclusive, fungal cultures are not ordered, or cultures fail to yield a causative agent. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of the PLEX-ID broad fungal assay to accurately detect and identify yeasts in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Tissue samples from 78 FFPE specimens with both histopathology and corresponding culture results for a variety of yeasts were tested using the PLEX-ID broad fungal assay. A 40-μm FFPE tissue section from each specimen was digested with proteinase K followed by nucleic acid extraction and PCR using broad-range fungal primers. Yeast DNA in amplified products was identified using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Discordant results were resolved by D2 rRNA gene sequencing. PLEX-ID analysis detected yeast DNA in 78.2% (61/78) of the cases, of which 91.8% (56/61) were concordant with culture results. Of the 5 discordant positive results, 4 PLEX-ID results were considered to result from environmental contaminants, while 1 clinically important discrepancy was observed (Blastomyces dermatitidis by culture and Cryptococcus neoformans by PLEX-ID). Sequencing of the discordant sample was unsuccessful. The majority of histopathology results (89.7% [70/78]) correlated with culture results. The PLEX-ID broad fungal assay identifies fungi directly from FFPE tissues and can be a useful adjunct to traditional culture and histopathology tests.
Loop corrected tachyon condensation

We study loop corrections in boundary string field theory (BSFT). After commenting on problems with quantizing the tree level BSFT as an ordinary field theory, we discuss the tree level coupling to closed strings and define the loop corrections via factorization in the closed string channel. This description is weakly coupled in the vicinity of the closed string vacuum. Our proposal for the one-loop effective action differs in general from computing the annulus or cylinder partition functions. We also compute the decay rates and the loop corrections to the tensions of unstable branes in perturbative string theory.
Sensation seeking, drug use and reported paranormal beliefs and experiences

Abstract Subjects ( N = 574) filled out Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale and a questionnaire measuring beliefs and experiences in paranormal phonomena that included a question on drug use. Results (α = 0.01) from multi- and univariate analyses of variance showed that high, relative to low, sensation seekers (General SS Scale, Thrill and Adventure Seeking, and Experience Seeking), reported stronger paranormal beliefs and more frequent paranormal experiences; high sensation seekers also scored higher on the Introspection subscale. Results were similar when drug users were compared to nonusers. Drug use and gender did not moderate the relationship between sensation seeking and paranormal beliefs and experiences as the two- and three-way interactions were not significant in any of the analyses.
Effects of Aloe vera ingestion in the rat. I. growth, food and fluid intake and serum chemistry

This study was designed to examine the effects of long-term (1.5 and 5.5 months) Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) ingestion on the growth, food intake and serum chemistry of Fischer 344 male rats. Aloe vera powders, produced by two different methods, were mixed with rat chow at selected concentrations. Process A aloe was prepared from skinned aloe filets by homogenization followed by lyophilization and grinding to a fine powder; Process B aloe was prepared similarly except that the homogenate was charcoal filtered prior to lyophilization. Ingestion of Process A aloe at concentrations greater than 1% was associated with diarrhoea and a decrease in weight gain. Ingestion of 1% Process A and both 1% and 10% Process B aloe had no adverse effect on body weight gain, food intake, gastrointestinal transit time and gross pathology. Serum chemistry was minimally affected. The rats ingesting 10% Process B aloe exhibited a slight, but significant increase in fluid intake. The results indicate that, although high concentrations of aloe should be avoided, ingestion of moderate levels (1%) of aloe from either process causes no apparent adverse effects in the rat. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Joint Versus Independent Phonological Feature Models within CRF Phone Recognition

We compare the effect of joint modeling of phonological features to independent feature detectors in a Conditional Random Fields framework. Joint modeling of features is achieved by deriving phonological feature posteriors from the posterior probabilities of the phonemes. We find that joint modeling provides superior performance to the independent models on the TIMIT phone recognition task. We explore the effects of varying relationships between phonological features, and suggest that in an ASR system, phonological features should be handled as correlated, rather than independent.
Simultaneous correlation of saturated viscosities of pure gases and liquids using the significant structure theory

The significant structure theory (SST) for liquid viscosities, originally proposed by Eyring, coupled with a cubic equation of state was used for the simultaneous correlation of gas and liquid viscosities of pure fluids (polar and nonpolar) at saturated conditions. The SST visualizes a liquid as having both solidlike and gaslike degrees of freedom with fluidized vacancies of molecular size randomly distributed throughout a quasi-lattice structure. In this context, the viscosity of a liquid is calculated from two main components: a gaslike η g and a solidlike η s contribution. The first viscosity contribution η g represents the viscosity of a pure fluid at dilute gas conditions (low-pressure viscosity). The method of Chung et al. based on the Chapman-Enskog kinetic theory of gases was used to calculate η g . The second contribution η s captures the solidlike effects on viscosity. This quantity was calculated by means of Eyring's absolute rate theory. All the thermodynamic properties required in the viscosity model were computed via the use of a well-known cubic equation of state (Soave-Redlich-Kwong or Peng-Robinson) thus allowing the simultaneous correlation of gas-liquid viscosities along their coexistence curve. The resulting model was satisfactorily validated in the representation of experimental saturated gas and liquid viscosities of a highly polar compound (water) and a nonpolar fluid (propane) over a wide range of temperatures (from near the triple point up to the critical region of the fluid of interest).
Impact of methionine on net ketoacid production in humans

An exogenous acid load (NH4Cl) inhibits net ketoacid production in the first week of starvation and the fourth to eighth weeks of ketogenic dieting. To determine whether an acid load produced by amino acid metabolism can similarly modify ketosis, five overweight volunteers ingested methionine (H2SO4), NH4Cl, and NaCl (control), in varying order, each day for seven days during weeks 5 to 8 of hypocaloric ketogenic dieting. During days 5 to 7 of each phase, blood pH, bicarbonate, and pCO2 were stable but lower in the NH4Cl phase (7.32 +/- 0.02, 18.1 +/- 1.2 mmol/L, 35.8 +/- 1.4 mmHg) and the methionine phase (7.33 +/- 0.01, 17.1 +/- 0.9 mmol/L, 34.0 +/- 2.0 mmHg) than in the NaCl phase (7.38 +/- 0.01, 22.3 +/- 0.2 mmol/L, 37.6 +/- 1.6 mmHg), P less than .05. Over this period, blood acetoacetate concentration was lower during the methionine and NH4Cl phases than during NaCl, P less than .05. In addition blood beta-hydroxybutyrate and total ketone-body concentrations were lower in the methionine than NaCl phases, P less than .05. Urinary acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate excretion fell with both acid loads, P less than .05. Compared with control values, urinary total ketone excretion was suppressed by 67 +/- 10% in the NH4Cl and 89 +/- 3% in the methionine periods. When NaCl was ingested after either of the acid loads, urinary ketone excretion increased by 300% to 700%. Thus, methionine ingestion, which results in an acid challenge equivalent to that of a large protein load, has an impact on net ketoacid production similar to that of NH4Cl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Psychometric Properties of the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination:

Criterion-referenced (Livingston) and norm-referenced (Gilmer-Feldt) techniques were used to measure the internal consistency reliability of Folstein's Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) on a large sample (N = 418) of elderly medical patients. Two administration and scoring variants of the MMSE Attention and Calculation section (Serial 7s only and WORLD only) were investigated. Livingston reliability coefficients (rs) were calculated for a wide range of cutoff scores. As necessary for the calculation of the Gilmer-Feldt r, a factor analysis showed that the MMSE measures three cognitive domains. Livingston's r for the most widely used MMSE cutoff score of 24 was .803 for Serial 7s and .795 for WORLD. The Gilmer-Feldt internal consistency reliability coefficient was .764 for Serial 7s and .747 for WORLD. Item analysis showed that nearly all of the MMSE items were good discriminators, but 12 were too easy. True score confidence intervals should be applied when interpreting MMSE test scores.
Sampling Methods for Myllocerus undecimpustulatus undatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Adults

Emergence traps placed under mango, lychee, longan and mamey sapote trees captured adults of Myllocerus undecimpustulatus undatus, confirming reproduction of this weevil in the drip zone of these host trees for adults. Numbers of adults captured in emergence traps were correlated with numbers captured in Tedders (pyramid) traps, while numbers captured in beat samples were correlated with numbers captured in Lindgren (4-funnel) traps. Thus, capture in Tedders traps may be biased toward adults newly emerged from underground pupal cells, whereas capture in Lindgren traps may be biased towards adults that are moving within the tree canopy.
Membrane potential modulates divalent cation entry in rat parotid acini.

This study examines the effect of membrane potential on divalent cation entry in dispersed parotid acini following stimulation by the muscarinic agonist, carbachol, and during refill of the agonist-sensitive internal Ca2+ pool. Depolarizing conditions (addition of gramicidin to cells in Na+-containing medium or incubation of cells in medium with elevated [K+]) prevent carbachol-stimulated hyperpolarization of acini and also inhibit carbachol activation of Ca2+ and Mn2+ entry into these cells. Conditions promoting hyperpolarization (cells in medium with Na+ or with N-methyl-d-glucamine instead of Na+) enhance carbachol stimulation of divalent cation entry. Intracellular Ca2+ release (initial increase in [Ca2+] i ) does not appear to be affected by these manipulations. Mn2+ entry into resting and internal Ca2+ pooldepleted cells (10-min carbachol stimulation in a Ca2+-free medium) is similarly affected by membrane potential modulations, and refill of the internal pool by Ca2+ is inhibited by depolarization. The inhibitory effects of depolarization on divalent cation entry can be overcome by increasing extracellular [Ca2+] or [Mn2+]. These data demonstrate that the modulation of Ca2+ entry into parotid acini by membrane potential is most likely due to effects on the electrochemical gradient (E m — E Ca) for Ca2+ entry.
Effect on scattering of complex morphology of DKDP bulk damage sites

Bulk damage sites in frequency conversion crystals scatter and/or absorb laser light leading to interference and downstream intensification .We find that laser induced bulk damage sites in DKDP exhibit a "shell" of structurally and/or chemically modified material surrounding a central core as indicated by SEM and optical micrographs and micro Raman spectral maps. We hypothesize that the modified material has been shock wave densified and estimate the amount of densification and its effect on scattering. A simple model indicates that densification of several percent is likely and that the scattering cross section may be larger than the geometric area of the inner core by an order of magnitude.
Mild cold exposure modulates fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) diurnal rhythm in humans: relationship between FGF21 levels, lipolysis, and cold-induced thermogenesis.

Context: Cold exposure stimulates fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) secretion in animals, enhancing the cold-induced thermogenesis (CIT) response through browning of white adipose tissue. In humans, the effects of cold exposure on circulating FGF21 levels are unknown. Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the effects of mild cold exposure on circulating FGF21 and its relationship with CIT and lipolysis in humans. Design and Setting: We conducted a randomized, single-blind, crossover intervention study at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. Participants: Participants were healthy adults. Intervention: Subjects were exposed to a 12-h exposure to 24 or 19 C in a whole-room indirect calorimeter. Outcome Measures: Energy expenditure, plasma FGF 21, nonesterified fatty acid, and adipose tissue microdialysis glycerol concentrations were evaluated. Results: At 24 C, plasma FGF21 exhibited a diurnal rhythm, peaking at 0800 h [110 (59–178) pg/ml], and progressively dropped to a nadir at 1700 h [...
Dihydrotestosterone-induced inhibition of lordosis in estrogen-primed ovariectomized rats following 6-hydroxydopamine or electrolytic septal lesions

The dose-dependent inhibition of lordosis by 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone propionate in ovariectomized female rats treated concurrently with estradiol benzoate was attenuated neither by intracranial 6-hydroxydopamine injections which reduced dopamine concentrations by approximately 70% in septum or 75% in both septum and n. accumbens septi nor by electrolytic destruction of the lateral or medial septal nuclei or of both septal nuclei. These results suggest that inhibitory effect of dihydrotestosterone on estrogen-induced lordosis does not critically depend on the mesolimbic dopaminergic innervation of the forebrain or on the septal nuclei.
Prequential Bayes mixture approach for Gaussian mixture order selection

This paper presents a modified prequential Bayes (MPB) method for model order estimation of Gaussian mixture models (GMM). The proposed MPB order estimators recursively update the weighting for each order in a class of model orders from the mixture of a time-invariant prior and the likelihood of the observed data for each model. This paper investigates both a maximum a posteriori (MAP) switching version and an affine version of the MPB order estimator. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed MPB estimators are more accurate for small sample sizes than the minimum description length (MDL) criterion and the Akaike information criterion (AIC).
Editorial Comment—Elevated Uric Acid and Ischemic Stroke: Accumulating Evidence That It Is Injurious and Not Neuroprotective

Hyperuricemia was first associated with hypertension and cardiovascular disease in 1879.1 Since that time, many have attributed this association to a simple clustering of hyperuricemia with well-established cardiovascular risk factors, and an elevated serum uric acid level by itself has generally been regarded as insignificant or incidental. A recent reanalysis of the Framingham study concluded that hyperuricemia was not an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events after controlling for these other associated factors.2 Nevertheless, other studies have found an elevated serum uric acid level to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and renal disease (reviewed elsewhere3). In particular, several studies have reported that hyperuricemia is an independent predictor of stroke in diabetic subjects,4 individuals with isolated systolic hypertension,5,6 and the general population.7 A new study reported in this issue of Stroke 8 examining 2498 subjects admitted with acute stroke found that the admission serum uric acid also independently predicted worse outcome and a higher rate of repeated stroke or other cardiovascular event. Others have also reported that a higher uric acid level in patients with acute stroke is associated with poorer outcome.9 …
Predictors of in-person follow-up among subjects in an ED-based smoking cessation trial.

Adequate subject follow-up is integral to the success of clinical trials. Losses to follow-up pose threats to internal and external validity.1 Emergency department (ED) populations are often highly mobile, with unstable housing and numerous unmet social needs.2 ED-based clinical trials that focus on risky health behaviors are at particular risk for loss to follow-up. Often follow-up is completed by telephone, but some studies require in-person assessment, often to collect biological samples for confirmatory testing. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of in-person follow-up (IPFU) at three months in a clinical trial of a tobacco dependence treatment intervention in the ED.
An electrifying future

Five ways to advance the electrical engineering profession are suggested: recognizing that the greatest security is in opportunity; building an economically sound engineering technology; broadening the engineers' scope of activities; helping establish the true role of the sales engineer; and building public relations consistent with the dignity of the profession.
Closure to “Measured and Computed Lateral Response of a Pile Group in Sand” by Kyle M. Rollins, J. Dusty Lane, and Travis M. Gerber

The authors agree with the discussers, regarding the p-multipliers and their tendency to decrease as pile head deflection increases. However, the authors note that the deflection curves generated by the Strain Wedge Model (SWM) appear to be somewhat lower than the p-multipliers shown in Brown et al. (1988) for the same load test. Because of this apparent inconsistency with p-multiplier applications used in other models, the authors recommend caution in using SWM-produced p-multipliers until additional comparison testing can be conducted.
Neurogenetic mechanisms of learning: A phylogenetic perspective

Common psychiatric disorders often involve abnormal patterns of adaptive response to environmental stimuli. Thus, an understanding of the pathophysiology and inheritance of such maladaptation requires specification of the underlying neural mechanisms involved in learning, which is broadly defined as the modification of behavior as a result of individual experience. The phylogenetic development of learning ability in animals is shown to proceed by a sequence of discrete steps in which non-associative learning is augmented successively by classical conditioning to aversive stimuli, followed by classical conditioning to food and other rewarding stimuli, then exploratory learning about novel habitats and operant conditioning of behavioral responses, and finally conceptual learning ability. As a result of this complex phylogenetic history, adaptive responses to the environment in mammals including human beings is multidimensional. A model of the structure of stimulus-response and cognitive-processing characteristics in human beings is described. The model is discussed in terms of its evolutionary advantages for survival and reproductive fitness as well as its importance in understanding susceptibility to psychiatric disorders, including personality and anxiety disorders.
In vitro evaluation of an ultrasonic three-dimensional imaging and volume system.

Abstract A method is described for developing three dimensional organ reconstructions and volumes from a series of arbitrarily oriented real time ultrasonic scans. In vitro evaluations of this method assessed the accuracy of three dimensional point determination and the accuracy of volume determination. The overall repeatability error of three dimensional point determination was found to be 0.6 cm in the horizontal direction and 0.3 cm in the vertical direction; most of this error was caused by the ultrasound resolution and errors in the 3D position locator. The accuracy of volume determination was assessed on balloons, kidneys and left ventricular molds. Thirty volume trials on 10 balloons gave 27 out of 30 calculations within 1.8 percent of true volume. Eighteen trials on 6 kidneys gave 17 out of 18 calculations within 5.1 percent of true volume. Fifteen trials on 5 human left ventricular molds gave 13 out of 15 calculations within −5.9 percent of the true volume. It is concluded that this technique provides the potential for accurate non-invasive volumes, for organs such as the heart, kidney or fetus.
Microcomputer-based real-time control of a pantograph mechanism robot

This paper presents a technique for microcomputerbased real-time control of a three-axis pantograph robot. The dynamic model of a pantograph type manipulator, which includes both the kinematic and kinetic equations of motion. is first established by applying Lagrange's method. In order to improve the computational efficiency, the nonlinear and coupled coefficients of the equations of motion are then simplified by using a piecewise planar surface fitting scheme. The pantograph manipulator possesses three independently powered joints. Each joint provides position and rate feedback to a proportional and derivative (PD) type servo controller. Simulation results show that the proposed simplification and control algorithms are very suitable for microcomputer-based real-time control of a simple pantograph type manipulator.
Analysis of tanks‐in‐series model with backflow for free‐radical polymerization

Free-radical polymerization in a flow reactor represented by the tanks-in-series model with backflow was considered. Conversions and molecular weight distributions were computed as functions of the backflow parameter, and the results were compared with the conversion and molecular weight distribution from a CSTR and those from a plug-flow reactor. Backflow was found to be undesirable for the polymerization mechanism under investigation. Values of the degree of segregation for the tanks-in-series model were calculated by using Zwietering's approach as a function of backflow.
A Surface of the Kinase Domain Critical for the Allosteric Activation of G Protein-coupled Receptor Kinases

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases (GRKs) phosphorylate activated GPCRs and initiate their desensitization. Many prior studies suggest that activated GPCRs dock to an allosteric site on the GRKs and thereby stimulate kinase activity. The extreme N-terminal region of GRKs is clearly involved in this process, but its role is not understood. Using our recent structure of bovine GRK1 as a guide, we generated mutants of solvent-exposed residues in the GRK1 kinase domain that are conserved among GRKs but not in the extended protein kinase A, G, and C family and evaluated their catalytic activity. Mutation of select residues in strands β1 and β3 of the kinase small lobe, αD of the kinase large lobe, and the protein kinase A, G, and C kinase C-tail greatly impaired receptor phosphorylation. The most dramatic effect was observed for mutation of an invariant arginine on the β1-strand (∼1000-fold decrease in kcat/Km). These residues form a continuous surface that is uniquely available in GRKs for protein-protein interactions. Surprisingly, these mutants, as well as a 19-amino acid N-terminal truncation of GRK1, also show decreased catalytic efficiency for peptide substrates, although to a lesser extent than for receptor phosphorylation. Our data suggest that the N-terminal region and the newly identified surface interact and stabilize the closed, active conformation of the kinase domain. Receptor binding is proposed to promote this interaction, thereby enhancing GRK activity.
Hematology in 2010: New therapies and standard of care in oncology

2010 was not a year of survival breakthroughs in hematologic malignancies. However, in Hodgkin's disease and multiple myeloma new therapies emerged as the standard of care and nilotinib may be considered the treatment choice for newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia.
Layoffs, wages and unemployment insurance

Abstract The influence of unemployment insurance on wage and layoff behavior is analyzed in the context of optimal labor contracts. Responses of contract terms to changes in economic parameters are shown to depend in general on the nature of the initial contract, the degree of workers' risk aversion, and the resolution of bargaining conflict. Layoffs are not necessarily reduced by an increase in experience rating or a reduction in the UI benefit. Product demand fluctuations tend to induce procyclical employment fluctuations but not wage fluctuation. An implication of optimal contracts with private insurance suggests a reason for government intervention in UI provision.
Separable and unitary stimuli in nonmetric multiple-cue probability learning

Abstract Two experiments were run to study the effects of separable and unitary stimuli dimensions in a probabilistic, decision-making-like environment. Using a nonmetric multiple-cue probability learning task with two relevant dimensions and additional relevant configural information, no differences in utilization were found for these two types of stimuli. However, in an environment that subjects find more difficult, one in which one dimension is relevant along with the pattern of two additional dimensions, an effect was found. Unitary stimuli were found to facilitate utilization of configural information, but no difference was found for utilization of dimensional information.
Selfed embryo death in Pinus taeda: a phenotypic profile.

Summary • Selective elimination of selfed embryos, or inbreeding depression, is shared among many members of the Pinaceae but it has not been fully characterized at the phenotypic level. • Here, two death pattern model hypotheses are tested using 10 621 Pinus taeda embryos sampled in two cohorts. Cones from a single pedigree based on selfed, outbred, parent–offspring and offspring–parent matings were destructively sampled weekly before, during and after fertilization. • Selfed embryo deaths adhered to two patterns over the course of development: death was linear with respect to days from fertilization; and a stage-specific death peak occurred during the early embryogeny stage. This death peak occurred from 23 to 36 d after fertilization in the 2004 cohort and from 27 to 34 d after fertilization in the 2006 cohort. Of those selfed embryos that died, 64–83% died at stages where a single dominant embryo was elongating inside the female gametophyte. • Additional genetic models are needed to account for the stage-specific death component of selfed P. taeda embryos.
Quadratic Stability Bound of Discrete-Time Uncertain Systems

The stability of linear discrete-time systems subject to possibly time varying uncertainties is analyzed. Based on the earlier results, this paper provides a method of directly computing the uncertainty bound allowed for retaining quadratic stability. The algorithm is formulated in a two level optimization problem. The inner level of the algorithm consists of choosing an extremum among finite number of values. It is proved that although the outer level of the algorithm is a nonconvex optimization problem, no local minimum distinct from the global minimum can exist.