cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Importance of quark interchange in pion production via nucleon-nucleon scattering

We investigate pion production via nucleon-nucleon scattering, i.e., N+N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}N+N+\ensuremath{\pi}, assuming that pion emission takes place effectively at the quark level and that quark-quark interactions are described to a reasonable approximation by one-gluon exchange plus effective one-pion exchange. The six-quark wave function is totally antisymmetrized. Consequently, reaction mechanisms may be grouped into several categories: (1) one-nucleon mechanism or the nucleon-only impulse approximation, (2) two-nucleon mechanisms or meson-exchange currents, and (3) reaction mechanisms involving quark interchange. Applying the formalism to the reactions p+p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}d+${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ and n+p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p+p+${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$, we find that, for a nucleon radius of greater than 0.8 fm (as measured in the MIT bag model), reaction mechanisms involving quark interchange may be as important as the conventional one-nucleon or two-nucleon reaction mechanisms even near the pion production threshold. This specific result provides a quantitative support of the conclusion reached by Miller and Kisslinger in the hybrid quark-baryon model concerning the necessity of incorporating quark effects in describing pion production or absorption reactions.
Store-operated CRAC channels regulate gene expression and proliferation in neural progenitor cells.

Calcium signals regulate many critical processes during vertebrate brain development including neurogenesis, neurotransmitter specification, and axonal outgrowth. However, the identity of the ion channels mediating Ca2+ signaling in the developing nervous system is not well defined. Here, we report that embryonic and adult mouse neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs/NPCs) exhibit store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) mediated by Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels. SOCE in NPCs was blocked by the CRAC channel inhibitors La3+, BTP2, and 2-APB and Western blots revealed the presence of the canonical CRAC channel proteins STIM1 and Orai1. Knock down of STIM1 or Orai1 significantly diminished SOCE in NPCs, and SOCE was lost in NPCs from transgenic mice lacking Orai1 or STIM1 and in knock-in mice expressing the loss-of-function Orai1 mutant, R93W. Therefore, STIM1 and Orai1 make essential contributions to SOCE in NPCs. SOCE in NPCs was activated by epidermal growth factor and acetylcholine, the latter occurring through muscarinic receptors. Activation of SOCE stimulated gene transcription through calcineurin/NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) signaling through a mechanism consistent with local Ca2+ signaling by Ca2+ microdomains near CRAC channels. Importantly, suppression or deletion of STIM1 and Orai1 expression significantly attenuated proliferation of embryonic and adult NPCs cultured as neurospheres and, in vivo, in the subventricular zone of adult mice. These findings show that CRAC channels serve as a major route of Ca2+ entry in NPCs and regulate key effector functions including gene expression and proliferation, indicating that CRAC channels are important regulators of mammalian neurogenesis.
Prediction of students' academic performance: Adapt a methodology of predictive modeling for a small sample size

The present study adapted the methodology illustrated in a published study for a small sample size [1]. A total of 48 students who were enrolled in an engineering dynamics course were involved in the present study. Multiple linear regression (MLR) and support vector machine (SVM) models were developed and tested. Three criteria were defined to assess the accuracy of the predictive models. The criteria were the number of accurate predicted grade ranges, missing alarm, and maialami. Results indicated that 1) the methodology for developing the predictive models could be employed to different institutions of higher education; and 2) the SVM model may have higher prediction accuracy than the MLR model when the sample size is small.
AUTOMATIC BIOMONITORING OF AQUEOUS MEDIA BASED ON THE RESPONSE OF BIVALVES

We present the results of experimental studies in the field of development and test operation of an automated system for biomonitoring of aqueous media with purpose to control the content of toxic substances on the basis of response of bivalves.
The role of the ophidian vomeronasal system in species-typical behavior

The garter snake vomeronasal system is critically involved in several species-typical behaviors including response to female sex pheromones, aggregation, shelter selection, prey selection, prey trailing and prey attack. There is also some evidence that vomeronasal stimulation may be inherently reinforcing.
Evidence for vertical C2 on Ni as a precursor for graphite nucleation

Abstract We interpret previously published C K-edge CEELS and NEXAFS data for carbon/Ni between 500 and 700 K. The C K CEELS data for CO/Ni at 500 K reveal the presence of C-C bonding on the surface, i.e. horizontalC n (n = 2, 3, ...). The CEELS data for carbon at 620 K reveal that some of the C 2 species flip up at this temperature, while the others dissociate. Evidence for vertical C 2 is seen only at higher carbon coverages, suggesting that some of the C 2 are forced to flip up to make room for the neighboring horizontal C 2 's to dissociate. These vertical C 2 's then apparently serve as the precursor for the nucleation of graphite, as it explains the lack of graphite formation at lower coverages when total dissolution into the bulk occurs. These results confirm recent effective medium theory calculations, which indicate that a necleation step must be involved in the carbide to graphite transformation, and suggest that vertical C 2 may be a precursor to this nucleation step on Ni.
Observation of phase separation in (Ge2)x(GaAs)1−x alloys grown by molecular beam epitaxy

(Ge2)x(GaAs)1−x alloys with 0 < x < 1 have been grown by molecular beam epitaxy on various Ge and GaAs substrates. The structure of these alloys has been studied using transmission electron microscopy. We observe that in all cases studied, Ge tends to phase-separate from GaAs, with the Ge domain size ranging from 100 to 300 A.
Radiative decay engineering of direct bandgap emission in silver ion-implanted polarized Silicon quantum dots

Si nanocrystal (NC) in SiO 2 matrix normally exhibit quasi-direct interband transitions due to band mixing of direct and indirect gaps in a nanoscale environment. Compared to direct bandgap III–V or II–VI semiconductor nano-particles, the radiative recombination coefficient of Si is rather low at room temperature B ≈ 1e–14 cc/s. Therefore, even considering the defect mediated recombination and Auger assisted non-radiative transitions to be suppressed due to spatial localization of carriers in Si nanoparticles, the electron-hole recombination lifetime is observed to be in the range of ms to microsecond. Ion implantation provides a route for synthesis of Silicon based nanocrystals for VLSI compatible nanophotonic emitters.
Posterior calcaneal osteotomy with wedge: cadaver testing of a new procedure for insufficiency of the posterior tibial tendon.

Insufficiency of the posterior tibial tendon is challenging to treat. When the deformity is flexible, treatment options have included tendon transfer, often combined with a medial slide calcaneal o...
Secondary myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia are significant complications following autologous stem cell transplantation for lymphoma

Secondary myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia are significant complications following autologous stem cell transplantation for lymphoma
Myocardial ischemia and its effect on the standard limb leads of the ECG

Abstract This experimental study was based on a series of 25 dogs. Our results indicate the amplitude of the QRS complex in the standard limb leads could be lowered by decreasing coronary blood flow. Ten revascularized dogs showed diminished voltage changes after complete occlusion of the anterior descending coronary artery. Ten normal dogs showed rapid changes that were reversible: first, a lowering of the QRS complex during constriction and, then, a change back to normal after release of the coronary arteries. Pericardial effusion was produced in 5 dogs, with a subsequent decrease of the QRS voltage. Releasing the fluid into the thorax did not keep the voltage lowered. Two of the revascularized animals with anterior descending artery occlusion were later studied during constriction and release of the circumflex coronary artery. These animals also demonstrated reversible voltage changes. Finally, one clinical case was presented to show the practical application of the concepts presented in this paper. It is our belief that the experimental results reported above can shed considerable light on many an obscure clinical cardiac picture.
Acute Myocardial Infarction: Clinical Characteristics, Management and Outcome in a Metropolitan Veterans Affairs Medical Center Teaching Hospital

Abstract Objectives. The influence of race and age on thrombolytic therapy, invasive cardiac procedures and outcomes was assessed in a Veterans Affairs teaching hospital. The influence of Q wave evolution on the use of invasive cardiac procedures and outcome was also assessed. Background. It is not well known how early revascularization procedures for acute myocardial infarction are delivered or influence survival in a Veterans Affairs patient population. Methods. From October 1993 to October 1995, all patients with myocardial infarction were identified by elevated creatine kinase, MB fraction (CK-MB) and one of the following: chest pain or shortness of breath during the preceding 24 h or electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities. Results. Racial groups were similar in terms of age, time to ECG, peak CK and length of hospital stay. Mortality increased with age (odds ratio [OR] 1.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33 to 2.81). A trend toward increased mortality occurred for race other than Caucasian. Patients meeting ECG criteria were given thrombolytic agents in 49% of cases, but age, comorbidity count and Hispanic race decreased the probability of thrombolytic use. Cardiac catheterization was performed more often after thrombolytic agents (OR 1.85, 95% CI 0.97 to 3.54), but less often in African-Americans (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.02), older patients (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.64) or patients with heart failure (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.52). Patients evolving non–Q wave infarctions were older and had increased comorbidity counts and trends toward increased mortality. Angioplasty was chosen less for patients ≥65 years old (p = 0.02); angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft surgery were performed less in patients ≥70 years old (p = 0.02). Patients treated invasively had lower mortality rates than those treated medically (p Conclusions. The use of thrombolytic agents and invasive treatment plans declined with age, and mortality increased with age. Trends toward increased mortality occurred with non–Q wave infarctions and race other than Caucasian. (J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:915–25) © 1997 by the American College of Cardiology
Optimal compression and binarization of signature profiles for automated bullet identification systems

In some automated bullet identification systems, the similarity of striation marks between different bullets is measured using the cross correlation function of the compressed signature profile extracted from a land impression. Inclusion of invalid areas weakly striated by barrel features may lead to sub-optimal extraction of the signature profile and subsequent deterioration of correlation results. In this paper, a method for locating striation marks and selecting valid correlation areas based on an edge detection technique is proposed for the optimal extraction of the compressed signature profiles. Experimental results from correlating 48 bullets fired from 12 gun barrels of 6 manufacturers have demonstrated a higher correct matching rate than the previous study results without correlation area selection processing. Furthermore, an attempt to convert a traditional profile with multiple z-quantization (or gray scale) levels into a binary profile is made for the purpose of reducing storage space and increasing correlation speed.
Partitioning of individual flexible polymers into a nanoscopic protein pore.

Polymer dynamics are of fundamental importance in materials science, biotechnology, and medicine. However, very little is known about the kinetics of partitioning of flexible polymer molecules into pores of nanometer dimensions. We employed electrical recording to probe the partitioning of single poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecules, at concentrations near the dilute regime, into the transmembrane β-barrel of individual protein pores formed from staphylococcal α-hemolysin (αHL). The interactions of the α-hemolysin pore with the PEGs (Mw 940–6000 Da) fell into two classes: short-duration events (τ ∼ 20 μs), ∼85% of the total, and long-duration events (τ ∼ 100 μs), ∼15% of the total. The association rate constants (kon) for both classes of events were strongly dependent on polymer mass, and values of kon ranged over two orders of magnitude. By contrast, the dissociation rate constants (koff) exhibited a weak dependence on mass, suggesting that the polymer chains are largely compacted before they enter the pore, and do not decompact to a significant extent before they exit. The values of kon and koff were used to determine partition coefficients (Π) for the PEGs between the bulk aqueous phase and the pore lumen. The low values of Π are in keeping with a negligible interaction between the PEG chains and the interior surface of the pore, which is independent of ionic strength. For the long events, values of Π decrease exponentially with polymer mass, according to the scaling law of Daoud and de Gennes. For PEG molecules larger than ∼5 kDa, Π reached a limiting value suggesting that these PEG chains cannot fit entirely into the β-barrel.
The Selection of Low Envelope Glycoprotein Reactivity to Soluble CD4 and Cold during Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection of Rhesus Macaques

Envelope glycoprotein (Env) reactivity (ER) describes the propensity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Env to change conformation from the metastable unliganded state in response to the binding of ligands (antibodies and soluble CD4 [sCD4]) or incubation in the cold. To investigate Env properties that favor in vivo persistence, we inoculated rhesus macaques with three closely related CCR5-tropic simian-human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs) that differ in ER to cold (ERcold) and ER to sCD4 (ERsCD4); these SHIVs were neutralized by antibodies equivalently and thus were similar in ERantibody. All three SHIVs achieved high levels of acute viremia in the monkeys without alteration of their Env sequences, indicating that neither ERcold nor ERsCD4 significantly influences the establishment of infection. Between 14 and 100 days following infection, viruses with high ERcold and ERsCD4 were counterselected. Remarkably, the virus variant with low ERcold and low ERsCD4 did not elicit a neutralizing antibody response against the infecting virus, despite the generation of high levels of anti-Env antibodies in the infected monkeys. All viruses that achieved persistent viremia escaped from any autologous neutralizing antibodies and exhibited low ERcold and low ERsCD4. One set of gp120 changes determined the decrease in ERcold and ERsCD4, and a different set of gp120 changes determined resistance to autologous neutralizing antibodies. Each set of changes contributed to a reduction in Env-mediated entry. During infection of monkeys, any Env replication fitness costs associated with decreases in ERcold and ERsCD4 may be offset by minimizing the elicitation of autologous neutralizing antibodies.
Intergenerational transfers, emigration, and the rural Irish household system

Abstract Rural Irish household structure plays a central role in received explanations for Ireland's anomalous post-Famine demographic behavior. New sources show that Irish households at the turn of the twentieth century do not fit the model of nuclear-family households elaborated by Peter Laslett and others. Yet the Irish household system does not conform to the favored alternative, the stem-family model. The debate over household structure as conducted by historians of western Europe conflates two distinct issues, coresidence and household succession. Each are differentially related to the household's functions as an economic unit. Empirical tests demonstrate the relationship between inheritance practices and household economic circumstances in Ireland at the turn of the twentieth century. These results demonstrate the reflection of household strategies in household morphology and illustrate the relationship between economic circumstances, life-cycle strategies, and household dynamics.
Gravity investigation of the Elk Hills (U. S. Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1), California

As part of a study by the U.S. Geological Survey of the geology and geophysics of the Elk Hills oil field (U.S. Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1), a detailed gravity survey is being conducted over the area of the known hydrocarbon reservoirs and the surrounding region. An extremely accurate survey is being conducted to use the results for isolation of small anomalies that are possibly attributable to accumulations of petroleum and natural gas [McCulloh, 1967]. An initial survey of 615 stations is completed over 250 km2 centered on the west half of the Reserve (Figure 1). A similar survey, with an additional 600 stations planned, is in progress for an area of about 260 km2 over the eastern portion of the reserve. Elevations are known to the closest ±3 cm and horizontal positions to ±15 meters. Measurements of gravity at the surface appear to be reliable to ±0.01 mgal. The entire network of gravity stations is tied to stations 268 of Chapman [1966] in the town of McKittrick.
Gell-Mann-Low equation: Determination of the fifth-order vacuum-polarization coefficient b5.

Gorishny, Kataev, Larin, and Surguladze have calculated the four-loop corrections to the QED Gell-Mann\char22{}Low function $\ensuremath{\psi}$ and also to the on-shell Callan-Symanzik $\ensuremath{\beta}$ function, which then enables a determination of the vacuum-polarization coefficient ${a}_{3}$. We have verified their results by explicitly checking that $\ensuremath{\psi}$ satisfies the Gell-Mann\char22{}Low equation to order ${(\frac{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{\ensuremath{\pi}})}^{4}$. The ${(\frac{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{\ensuremath{\pi}})}^{4}$-order term requires the asymptotic photon propagator to order ${(\frac{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{\ensuremath{\pi}})}^{5}$, and the vanishing of ${(\frac{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{\ensuremath{\pi}})}^{4}$-order terms enables a determination of the fifth-order vacuum-polarization coefficient ${b}_{5}=\ensuremath{-}1.8648$.
Who is providing ambulatory care to Medicaid beneficiaries with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in New York State

This study examined the number of ambulatory care providers treating individuals with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who were Medicaid beneficiaries in New York State in 1988 and examined the distribution of this care across various practice settings. The study population was identified retrospectively in the New York State Medical HIV/AIDS Research Data Base and included a cohort of 5535 individuals with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who were enrolled in Medicaid in 1988 for at least 6 months after being diagnosed as having the disease and who had at least one ambulatory care encounter during the year. Ambulatory care for the study group was provided by more than 700 hospital or freestanding clinics and more than 3000 private physicians in 1988. Many sites had low caseloads; 47% of the clinics and 68% of the physicians treating this population saw only one or two patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who were enrolled in Medicaid. More than half the patients in the study group were seen most frequently in clinics for their ambulatory care during 1988. These data provide reassurance that a wide network of providers is involved in the care of patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who are Medicaid beneficiaries in New York.
Early enteral feeding of a severely burned pediatric patient.

Early postburn duodenal feeding can provide adequate nutritional support despite increased risk of intolerance in a severely injured pediatric patient. A 3-year-old girl was admitted with 30% total body surface area thermal burns and severe inhalation injury. During admission, a pediatric feeding tube was placed into the duodenum, and enteral feeding was initiated within 12 hours after injury. Total enteral feeding provided full nutritional needs by postburn day 5 and continued to provide stable and adequate nutrition throughout administration. A full-strength isotonic formula with high concentration of dipeptides and tripeptides was used. Complications of enteral feeding did not prevent achievement of positive caloric and protein balance or repletion of nutritional stores with conscientious nutritional management. Maintenance of admission weight was achieved. This case report describes techniques in nutritional monitoring to assist in optimizing enteral nutrition management.
A new urban boundary layer and dispersion parameterization for an emergency response modeling system: Tests with the Joint Urban 2003 data set

A new urban parameterization for a fast-running dispersion prediction modeling system suitable for emergency response situations is introduced. The parameterization represents the urban convective boundary layer in the dispersion prediction system developed by the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The performance of the modeling system is tested with data collected during the field campaign Joint Urban 2003 (JU03), held in July 2003 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Tests were performed using data from three intense operating periods held during daytime slightly unstable to unstable conditions. The system was run in operational mode using the meteorological data that would be available operationally at NARAC to test its effectiveness in emergency response conditions. The new parameterization considerably improves the performance of the original modeling system, by producing a better degree of pattern of correspondence between predictions and observations (as measured by Taylor diagrams), considerably reducing bias, and better capturing directional effects resulting in plume predictions whose shape and size better resemble the observations (via the measure of effectiveness). Furthermore, the new parameterization shows similar skills to urban modeling systems of similar or greater complexity. The parameterization performs the best at the three JU03 sensor arcs (1, 2, and 4 km downwind the release points), with fractional bias values ranging from 0.13 to 0.4, correlation values from 0.45 to 0.71, and centered root-mean-square error being reduced more than 50% in most cases. The urban parameterization has been tested with grid increments of 125, 250, 500 and 1000 m, performing best at 250 and 500 m. Finally, it has been found that representing the point source by a Gaussian distribution with an initial spread of particles leads to a better representation of the initial spread induced by near-source buildings, resulting in lower bias and improved correlation in downtown Oklahoma City.
Geometrical effects in the inhomogeneous deformation of ductile single crystals

Abstract Non-uniform deformation in ductile single crystals is studied using a simple model for a crystal undergoing symmetric double slip in tension. The model, when interpreted in terms of the crystallography of face-centred or body-centred cubic crystals, demonstrates, in particular, that shear bands may form when the slip plane workhardening rates are positive and, thus, without either ideal plasticity or strain softening. Localized plastic flow is viewed as a shearing bifurcation in the uniform tensile deformation of the crystal model and the critical stresses and workhardening rates for localized shear are worked out. The importance of yield vertexes and geometrical softening phenomena related to lattice rotations during deformation are given special attention in the development of the constitutive laws and in the results for the critical conditions for localized shear.
Robotics in gastrointestinal endoscopy

The application of robotics in gastrointestinal endoscopy is a much anticipated technological advancement that is attracting an enormous amount of interest from innovators and end-users alike. Emerging robotics-enhanced endoscopy platforms for performance of various endoscopic interventional procedures are already in development and some are expected to be in the pipeline for commercialization in another few years' time. In particular, the Master And Slave Transluminal Endoscopic Robot (MASTER) developed by a collaboration between the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore is already in human trials for an endoluminal procedure, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The results on trials performed on five patients with early gastric neoplasia have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of using the system for such procedure, while also shortening the procedure time. This article will highlight the advantages of robotics innovations in gastrointestinal endoscopy, with the MASTER as an example, and explore some of the many possibilities for future applications of robotics-enhanced endoscopy.
Action and Timing of BacC and BacD in the Late Stages of Biosynthesis of the Dipeptide Antibiotic Bacilysin

Biosynthesis of the dipeptide antibiotic bacilysin, encoded by the seven Bacillus subtilis genes bacA-G, involves diversion of flux from prephenate to the noncognate amino acid anticapsin. The anticapsin warhead is then ligated to the C-terminus of l-alanine to produce mature bacilysin. We have previously noted the formation of two diastereomers of tetrahydrotyrosine (4S- and 4R-H(4)Tyr) by tandem action of the four purified enzymes BacABGF. BacC (oxidase) and BacD (ligase) have been hypothesized to be remaining late stage enzymes in bacilysin biosynthesis. Using a combination of BacCD in vitro studies, B. subtilis deletion mutants, and isotopic feeding studies, we were able to determine that the H(4)Tyr diastereomers are actually shunt products that are not on-pathway to bacilysin biosynthesis. Dihydroanticapsin and dihydrobacilysin accumulate in extracts of a ΔbacC strain and are processed to anticapsin and then bacilysin upon addition of BacC and BacD, respectively. These results suggest the epoxide group in bacilysin is installed in an earlier step of bacilysin biosynthesis, while BacC oxidation of the C(7)-hydroxyl and the subsequent BacD ligation of anticapsin to l-Ala are the penultimate and ultimate steps of bacilysin biosynthesis, respectively.
Autoradiographic demonstration of the pattern of 3H-estradiol concentrating cells in the brain of a carnivore, the mink, Mustela vison.

The purpose of this study was to examine the neuroanatomical pattern of cells which concentrate 3H-estradiol in the brain and pituitary of a carnivore, the mink, Mustela vison. In addition, since the mink has one breeding season a year it was possible to compare the pattern and number of estradiol concentrating cells in the brains of estrous versus anestrous animals. Five female mink (three estrous; two anestrous) were ovariectomized, and one week later administered 3H-estradiol. The animals were sacrificed, and autoradiograms were prepared with the method for steroid autoradiography used routinely in this laboratory (Pfaff and Keiner, '73). The entire brain was sampled and subsequently analyzed with the aid of a light microscope. The majority of estradiol concentrating cells were found in the hypothalamus and limbic system, although a small number were seen in other structures. Specifically, structures containing a large number of estradiol concentrating cells were: the ventral lateral septum, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the medial preoptic area, medial anterior hypothalamus, the ventromedial and arcuate nuclei of the hypothalamus, the medial and cortical nuclei of the amygdala, and the anterior pituitary. Structures containing a small number of estradiol concentrating cells were also seen in the telencephalon and diencephalon. The most posterior population of estradiol concentrating cells was in the central grey of the mesencephalon. No difference in the neuroanatomical pattern or number of estradiol concentrating cells was seen when the autoradiograms from estrous animals were compared to those from anestrous animals.
Improved echocardiographic detection and characterization of left ventricular apical thrombi with a 5.0 MHz short-focus transducer.

Transthoracic echocardiography is a frequently used technique for detecting ventricular thrombi. This study compares the usefulness of a 5.0 MHz short focal length transducer (5-short) with standard frequency (2.5 or 3.5 MHz) transducers for the detection of left ventricular thrombi. In addition, the effect of body habitus on study quality was evaluated. A consecutive series of 101 patients sent for echocardiographic imaging with the diagnosis of myocardial infarction, dilated cardiomyopathy, or recent suspected embolic event were imaged in the apical four-chamber, apical long-axis, and apical two-chamber views with a standard transducer and also with the 5-short. Out of this group, 16 apical thrombi were identified, six with the 5-short only, three with standard transducers only, and seven by both techniques. The areas of the seven thrombi detected by both transducers were consistently larger when measured on 5-short images compared with standard transducer images (4.6 ± 2.3 vs 3.7 ± 2.3 cm 2 , p = 0.02). In the three studies positive only with the standard transducers, the 5-short demonstrated only prominent trabeculae but no thrombus. The studies positive only with the 5-short had significantly smaller calculated thrombi areas than those visualized by the standard transducers (1.6 ± 1.2 vs 4.2 ± 2.1 cm 2 , p = 0.02). No thrombus was detected by either technique in a normally contracting left ventricular apex. There were significantly fewer studies having near-field artifact when performed by the 5-short compared with those performed with standard transducers (14/101 vs 40/101, p = 0.00004). Body habitus predicted whether a study would be of excellent quality but was not predictive of any other grades of image quality. This was true for both the 5-short and standard transducers. In conclusion, we believe use of a 5-short transducer enhances detection of thrombi in the left ventricular apex by increasing resolution of the apex and reducing near-field artifact.
Knuckle Pads in Children

• Knuckle pads occur from benign thickening of the skin, principally the epidermis, and are occasionally seen in children. Despite the name, knuckle pads most commonly overlie the proximal interphalangeal joints. They must be differentiated from a variety of other cutaneous abnormalities. There is no consistently effective treatment, but knuckle pads have been reported to resolve spontaneously in children. (AJDC1986;140:915-917)
How Many School Psychologists are There in Each Country of the World? International Estimates of School Psychologists and School Psychologist-to-Student Ratios

How many school psychologists are there in each country of the world? Findings from this study indicate over 76,100 school psychologists throughout 48 countries from which estimates were available as of 2007. When considering the total number of school psychologists in a given country, it is essential to also consider the number of school-age children. The school psychologist-to-student ratio provides an omnibus indicator of the development of the profession of school psychology in countries around the world. Calculations revealed a wide range of school psychologist-to-school-age children ratios in countries around the globe. It is notable that many of the countries with the largest populations of school-age children in the world have the fewest school psychologists. Ideas for future scholarship that will further enhance our understanding of school psychology internationally are discussed.
The national conference on the science of politics

The first national conference devoted exclusively to the development of a scientific method in Political Science
Self-association of the α Subunit of Phosphorylase Kinase as Determined by Two-hybrid Screening

Abstract The structural organization of the (αβγδ)4 phosphorylase kinase complex has been studied using the yeast two-hybrid screen for the purpose of elucidating regions of α subunit interactions. By screening a rabbit skeletal muscle cDNA library with residues 1–1059 of the α subunit of phosphorylase kinase, we have isolated 16 interacting, independent, yet overlapping transcripts of the α subunit containing its C-terminal region. Domain mapping of binary interactions between α constructs revealed two regions involved in the self-association of the α subunit: residues 833–854, a previously unrecognized leucine zipper, and an unspecified region within residues 1015–1237. The cognate binding partner for the latter domain has been inferred to lie within the stretch from residues 864–1059. Indirect evidence from the literature suggests that the interacting domains contained within the latter two, overlapping regions may be further narrowed to the stretches from 1057 to 1237 and from 864 to 971. Cross-linking of the nonactivated holoenzyme withN-(γ-maleimidobutyroxy)sulfosuccin-imide ester produced intramolecularly cross-linked α-α dimers, consistent with portions of two α subunits in the holoenyzme being in sufficient proximity to associate. This is the first report to identify potential areas of contact between the α subunits of phosphorylase kinase. Additionally, issues regarding the general utility of two-hybrid screening as a method for studying homodimeric interactions are discussed.
Renal functional correlates of methyl mercury intoxication: interaction with acute mercuric chloride toxicity.

Abstract To determine the effect of methyl mercury and its possible interaction with mercuric chloride on renal function, male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with methyl mercuric chloride (1 mg/kg per day × 20 days ip) and/or mercuric chloride (1 mg/kg ip at Day 20) in a 2 × 2 factorial experimental design. Methyl mercury depressed urine osmolality and N -methylnicotinamide (NMN) uptake by renal cortical slices but did not affect the uptake of p -aminohippurate (PAH), blood urea nitrogen concentration (BUN), urine volume, or body weight. Urinary excretion of the lysosomal enzymes, β-galactosidase and acid phosphatase, appeared to be decreased, but excretion of the brush border enzyme, alkaline phosphatase, was not affected. Mercuric chloride treatment increased enzyme excretion, BUN, and uptake of NMN by renal cortical slices, while it decreased PAH uptake and urine osmolality, BUN concentration was further increased by combined treatment, yielding the only significant treatment interaction between methyl mercury and mercuric chloride. Prostaglandin E 2 synthesis and release by renal medullary tissue in vitro was not depressed by methyl mercuric chloride pretreatment nor was renal ammoniagenesis or gluconeogenesis. The effects of methyl mercury upon lysosomal enzyme excretion and NMN accumulation are suggestive of lysosomal and mitochondrial dysfunction. The failure to detect significant interaction between methyl mercury and mercuric chloride indicates that methyl mercury neither potentiates nor protects against acute mercuric chloride toxicity at this time and dose.
Reactive lymphoid hyperplasia of the liver identified by FDG PET.

Abstract: A 44-year-old woman with a history of colon cancer underwent an F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) scan to evaluate for recurrence. Intense focal FDG uptake in the caudate lobe was noted, which corresponded to a 1.5-cm lesion on computed tomography. The patient was thought to have a solitary liver metastasis and underwent partial hepatectomy. The FDG-avid lesion was diagnosed as reactive lymphoid hyperplasia of the liver. Although it is a rare lesion, reactive lymphoid hyperplasia of the liver is an important source of false-positive results on FDG PET because it has been associated with carcinomas, in particular colon carcinoma.
Software Note: Using probe secondary structure information to enhance Affymetrix GeneChip background estimates

High-density short oligonucleotide microarrays are a primary research tool for assessing global gene expression. Background noise on microarrays comprises a significant portion of the measured raw data. A number of statistical techniques have been developed to correct for this background noise. Here, we demonstrate that probe minimum folding energy and structure can be used to enhance a previously existing model for background noise correction. We estimate that probe secondary structure accounts for up to 3% of all variation on Affymetrix microarrays.
Wilhelm Reich: Culture as power

(1984). Wilhelm Reich: Culture as power. History of European Ideas: Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 273-292.
Reducing inappropriate behavior in special classrooms by reinforcing average interresponse times: Interval DRL

Interval DRL, a procedure by which reinforcement is delivered at the end of an interval if one or no responses have occurred, was used to reduce inappropriate classroom behavior in two separate studies. In Experiment I, a variety of inappropriate behaviors by one male learning-disabled student was reduced when stars, exchangeable for free time, were made contingent on short intervals in which fewer than two responses occurred. Inappropriate talk-outs were reduced in a group of 14 5-year-old handicapped children when minutes of access to a sand table were made contingent on two or fewer responses per interval in Experiment II.
The Paul Trap Simulator Experiment

AbstractThe assembly of the PaulTrap Simulator Experiment~PTSX!is now complete and experimental operations have begun.The purpose of PTSX, a compact laboratory facility, is to simulate the nonlinear dynamics of intense charged particlebeam propagation over a large distance through an alternating-gradient transport system. The simulation is possiblebecause the quadrupole electric fields of the cylindrical Paul trap exert radial forces on the charged particles that areanalogous to the radial forces that a periodic focusing quadrupole magnetic field exert on the beam particles in the beamframe. By controlling the waveform applied to the walls of the trap, PTSX will explore physics issues such as beammismatch, envelope instabilities, halo particle production, compression techniques, collective wave excitations, andbeam profile effects.Keywords: Alternating-gradient transport; Charged particle beam; Nonlinear dynamics; Paul trap 1. INTRODUCTIONConstructionofthePaulTrapSimulatorExperiment~PTSX!is now complete. PTSX is a cylindrical Paul trap ~Paul S Wineland et al., 1983! designed to simu-late the dynamics of intense charged particle beams inalternating-gradient transport systems. The experiment ispredicated on the similarity between the transverse Hamil-tonians for the two systems ~Davidson et al., 2000!. Thetemporally varying forces that the Paul trap exerts on theplasmaparticlesareequivalenttotheperiodicfocusingforcesthat the alternating-gradient quadrupole lattice exerts on thebeam particles in the beam frame. The advantage of thesimulationisthatPTSXisacompactlaboratoryexperiment,whereas a magnetic quadrupole transport system used tostudy the same physics would be kilometers long.Understanding the properties of intense charged beampropagation over large distances is important for a widevarietyofacceleratorapplications~Chao,1993;Reiser,1994;Davidson, 2001! including high energy physics, heavy ionfusion, spallation neutron sources, tritium production, andnuclear waste transmutation. We are especially interested instudying the properties of high-intensity beams, where theself-field effects can significantly alter beam equilibrium,stability, and transport properties.The PTSX trap consists of three cylindrical electrodes ofradius r
Effect of ethanol on troponin calcium binding

The Chelex resin method was found to be suitable for studying drug effects on Ca2+ binding of proteins. In comparison to conventional dialysis techniques, the Chelex method has the following advantages: Ca2+-EGTA buffer is not necessary, free Ca2+ concentration as low as 10(-9) M can be determined directly, and the reaction is complete in 30 min, thus creating fewer problems with protein denaturation at elevated temperatures. Methods to cope with problems inherent to this assay, such as the excluded volume effect of the resin and protein adsorption by the resin are described. The validity of the method was confirmed by the measurements of Ca2+ binding of troponin in the presence and absence of Mg2+. Using this method, it was demonstrated that ethanol concentration as high as 25% does not influence the Ca2+ binding of troponin.
Crossing locations, light conditions, and pedestrian injury severity

This paper assesses the role of crossing locations and light conditions in the severity of pedestrian injuries through a multivariate regression analysis to control for many other factors that also may influence pedestrian injury severity. Crossing locations include midblock and intersections, and light conditions include daylight, dark with street lighting, and dark without street lighting. The paper formulates a theoretical framework on the determinants of pedestrian injury severity and specifies an empirical model accordingly. The paper applies the ordered probit model to the KABCO severity scale of pedestrian injuries that occurred while attempting street crossing in the years 1986-2003 in Florida. In terms of crossing locations, the probability of a pedestrian dying when struck by a vehicle is higher at midblock locations than at intersections for any light condition. The odds of sustaining a fatal injury are 49% lower at intersections than at midblock locations under daylight conditions, 24% lower under dark-with-street-lighting conditions, and 5% lower under dark-without-street-lighting conditions. Relative to dark conditions without street lighting, daylight reduces the odds of a fatal injury by 75% at midblock locations and by 83% at intersections, whereas street lighting reduces the odds by 42% at midblock locations and by 54% at intersections.
Natural killer–dendritic cell cross-talk in cancer immunotherapy

Natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DCs), two important components of the immune system, can exchange bidirectional activating signals in a positive feedback. Myeloid DCs, the cell type specialised in the presentation of antigen and initiation of antigen-specific immune responses, have recently been documented to be involved in supporting innate immunity, promoting the production of cytokines and cytotoxicity of NK cells, and enhancing their tumouricidal activity. Natural interferon-producing cells/plasmacytoid DCs (IPCs/PDCs) play an additional role in NK cell activation. Reciprocally, NK cells, traditionally considered to be major innate effector cells, have also recently been shown to play immunoregulatory ‘helper’ functions, being able to activate DCs and to enhance their ability to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, and to stimulate T helper (Th) 1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses of tumour-specific CD4+and CD8+ T cells. Activated NK cells induce the maturation of myeloid DCs in...
Donor Risk Index and Organ Patient Index as Predictors of Graft Survival After Liver Transplantation

In liver transplantation the identification of risk factors and the risk quantification for each single case represent a field of great interest. There are donor-related and recipient-related risk factors. Donor risk index (DRI) was retrospectively calculated in 223 liver transplant cases. We did not include patients with preoperative diagnosis of hepatocarcinoma and retransplants. The cases were stratified into two classes according to the DRI (low risk, DRI or= 1.7). A new index, namely the organ patient index (OPI) was calculated adding the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score to the DRI. Patients were stratified into two classes according to the OPI (low risk, OPI 2.85). The cases with low DRI (n=144) showed better survival than the cases with high DRI (n=82; P< .02). The cases with low OPI (n=173) showed better survival than cases with high OPI (n=50; P< .01). The OPI predicted outcomes better than DRI, increasing the gap in the long-term graft survival between the low- and the high-risk class. The inclusion of the MELD in the new index allowed better prediction of graft survival.
NOAA's Future Ensemble-Based Hurricane Forecast Products

Uncertainty information from ensemble prediction systems can enhance and extend the suite of tropical cyclone (TC) forecast products. This article will review progress in ensemble prediction of TCs and the scientific issues in ensemble system development for TCs. Additionally, it will discuss the needs of forecasters and other users for TC uncertainty information and describe some ensemble-based products that may be able to be disseminated in the near future. We hope these proposals will jump-start a community-wide discussion of how to leverage ensemble-based uncertainty information for TC prediction. A supplement to this article is available online (10.1175/2011BAMS3106.2)
Sets of vectors with many orthogonal paris

What is the most number of vectors inR d such that anyk+1 contain an orthogonal pair? The 24 positive roots of the root systemF 4 inR 4 show that this number could exceeddk.
Soanian lithic occurrences and raw material exploitation in the Siwalik Frontal Zone, northern India : a geoarchaeological perspective

In the Himalayan foothills of northern India, evidence of widespread hominin occupation since at least the late Middle Pleistocene has been known since the early 20th century and indicates varied patterns of land-use and intraregional mobility. This lithic evidence primarily belongs to the Soanian industry, representing some of the highest concentrations of Paleolithic assemblages in the Old World based exclusively on pebble and cobble clasts. This body of evidence also signifies interregional dispersal from peninsular India or northern Pakistan, leading to environmental preferences that spread quickly through hominin populations in the region within a relatively short timespan. While rich in its technological repertoire, the Soanian industry is poorly- understood regarding site selection and raw material exploitation over time. Recent efforts demonstrate that Soanian sites on Siwalik frontal slopes between two major rivers vary considerably in their artifact quantities regardless of abundant raw material sources found across the landscape. Most of the assemblages suggest raw material transport distances of three kilometers or less from the localized sources. Geoarchaeological investigations at the richest known Soanian site, Toka, reveal dynamic evidence of pre- and postdepositional site formation including the exploitation of quartzite pebbles and cobbles by Pleistocene hominins from terrace and streambed contexts within a 1 km2 radius. Some field observations also disprove claims made by previous workers, of artifacts eroding out of late Pliocene exposures of the Upper Siwalik Tatrot Formation around Toka.