cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The M-mode echocardiogram in Fabry's disease.

Fabry's disease results from deficient activity of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. Cardiac abnormalities result from glycosphingolipid deposition in the myocardium, valvular tissue, and vessel walls. A noninvasive method to examine these abnormalities would be useful in the evaluation of patients. We examined the echocardiograms of 32 patients, 25 hemizygous and seven heterozygous, for Fabry's disease. The aortic root diameter was measured in each hemizygote. In nine patients under 26 years it was 33.2 +/- 1.2 mm. and in two it was dilated. In 16 patients over 26 years it was 38.8 +/- 1.2 mm. (p < 0.01), and in 12 it was dilated. The left ventricular posterior wall was measured in the echocardiogram of 21 normotensive hemizygotes. The difference in thickness between nine patients under 26 years (9.6 +/- 1.3 mm.) and 12 patients over 26 years (12.4 +/- .07 mm.) was not statistically significant. Only two of the nine younger patients had left ventricular wall thickness greater than normal compared to eight of the 12 older patients. The mean left ventricular shortening fraction of 22 hemizygous patients was normal. One hemizygote had echocardiographic evidence of mitral valve prolapse. Four of the seven heterozygotes had normal echocardiograms. Among the other three, one had increased left ventricular wall thickness, a second had disproportionate ventricular septal thickness, and a third had both abnormalities. The echocardiographic aortic root size was normal in each heterozygote. Abnormal echocardiographic findings were more common in older hemizygous patients, a distribution similar to that of the age of onset of cardiac dysfunction. Increased left ventricular wall thickness probably reflects glycosphingolipid deposition in the myocardium. Dilatation of the aortic root may result from degenerative changes of the aortic media. Abnormalities of mitral valve echoes were uncommon.
On Local Roundoff Errors in Floating-Point Arithmetic

A bound on the relative error in floating-point addition using a single-precision accumulator with guard digits is derived. It is shown that even with a single guard digit, the accuracy can be almost as good as that using a double-precision accumulator. A statistical model for the roundoff error in double-precision multiplication and addition is also derived. The model is confirmed by experimental measurements.
Structure of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides R-26 reaction center

The molecular replacement method has been successfully used to provide a structure for the photosynthetic reaction center of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides at 3.7 A resolution. Atomic coordinates derived from the R. viridis reaction center were used in the search structure. The crystallographic R-factor is 0.39 for reflections between 8 and 3.7 A. Validity of the resulting model is further suggested by the visualization of amino acid side chains not included in the R. viridis search structure, and by the arrangements of the reaction centers in the unit cell. In the initial calculations quinones or pigments were not included; nevertheless, in the resulting electron density map, electron density for both quinones QA and QB appears along with the bacteriochlorophylls and bacteriopheophytins. Kinetic analysis of the charge recombination shows that the secondary quinone is fully functional in the R. sphaeroides crystal.
Human Erythrocyte Membrane Permeability and Nitroxyl Spin-Label Reduction

Abstract Nitroxyl spin labels are paramagnetic compounds that have demonstrated utility as contrast enhancing agents in proton magnetic resonance imaging. The time-course of contrast enhancement depends on distribution and elimination of these agents. Reduction, resulting in formation of the diamagnetic hydroxylamine, is the major metabolic pathway observed in vivo. This bioreduction has implications for the design of contrast agents and for understanding their imaging behavior. Bioreduction has been shown to occur, at least in part, intracellularly. As such, cell membrane permeability to nitroxyl spin labels may influence their bioreduction. In this study, this influence was examined using eight nitroxyl derivatives and the human erythrocyte suspension as a model biomembrane system. lonizable weak acids and bases were found to equilibrate rapidly across the erythrocyte membrane with half-times of equilibration ranging from
The natural history and pathophysiology of treatment resistant schizophrenia

Defining treatment resistance among schizophrenia patients is problematic since most patients experience persistent morbidity over the course of their illness and full remissions are infrequent. In addition, the level of response to antipsychotic medication is not an immutable feature of the patient's illness that is present at its onset; rather, it can change over the course of the illness (usually unidirectionally with patients becoming less responsive to treatment) and is determined by various modifying factors. Although treatment resistance may be an enduring feature of a patient, present at illness onset and throughout, more commonly it develops over the course of patients' illnesses. Evidence from both retrospective and prospective studies suggests that a longer duration of untreated psychosis in the early stage of schizophrenia is associated with a longer time to remission and a lower level of recovery, a greater likelihood of relapse and a worse overall outcome. The pattern of deterioration observed is analogous to a well replicated neurobiologic phenomenon, termed behavioral sensitization. In sensitized animals a pathologic behavioral process emerges whereby the response to a pharmacologic or stress challenge is progressively increased in proportion to the number of pretreatments. Thus, endogenous neurochemical sensitization resulting from the inability to regulate presynaptic dopamine release in the limbic striatum may be a useful way to conceptualize the continuum of response-refractoriness that is clearly evident in schizophrenia patients. Most importantly, early detection, intervention and optimal maintenance treatment may improve the long term course of schizophrenia.
Anomalous Drainage of Entire Pulmonary Venous System into Left Innominate Vein Clinical and Surgical Considerations

Total anomalous drainage of pulmonary venous blood produces a severe circulatory disturbance. In the most common type of this category of lesions, the entire venous return from the lungs enters a common venous channel ascending in the left superior mediastinum where it connects with the innominate vein. Seven cases of this type are described. Successful total correction was possible in 4 of these patients in whom a special technic was used, which incorporated the pump oxygenator for temporary cardiopulmonary bypass. This technic provides optimum conditions for complete correction of this complicated anomaly.
Are Volunteer Satisfaction and Enjoyment Related to Cessation of Volunteering by Older Adults

Purpose of the Study. Pre vious research indicates that volunteer satisfaction and enjoyment do not exert direct effects on the cessation of volunteering by older adults. This study examined whether satisfaction with and enjoyment of volunteering indirectly affect volunteer cessation via hours volunteered. Method. Our sample consisted of participants in the Americans’ Changing Lives study (N = 380) who were 65 years old and older and who volunteered at Wave 1. Volunteer satisfaction, volunteer enjoyment, hours volunteered, and several covariates were assessed at Wave 1, and volunteer cessation was assessed 3 years later at Wave 2. Results. V olunteer satisfaction and volunteer enjoyment were positively associated with hours volunteered, and more hours volunteered was associated with decreased likelihood of volunteer cessation. The indirect effects of volunteer satisfaction and volunteer enjoyment on volunteer cessation via hours volunteered were −.023 (p = .059) and −.036 (p = .015), respectively. Discussion. The dynamics of v olunteer cessation are important because a volunteer shortage is forecasted and because the benefits of volunteering may attenuate when volunteering stops. Future research should test the proposed causal sequence using longitudinal data with at least 3 waves.
Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Lecithin Retinol Acyltransferase

The enzyme responsible for conversion of all-trans-retinol into retinyl esters, the lecithin retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) has been characterized at the molecular level. The cDNA coding for this protein was cloned and its amino acid sequence deduced. LRAT is composed of a polypeptide of 230 amino acid residues with a calculated mass of 25.3 kDa. Tissue distribution analysis by Northern blot showed expression of a 5.0-kilobase transcript in the human retinal pigment epithelium as well as in other tissues that are known for their high LRAT activity and vitamin A processing. Affinity labeling experiments using specific compounds with high affinity for LRAT and monospecific polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbits against two peptide sequences for LRAT confirmed the molecular mass of LRAT as a 25-kDa protein. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of the reaction product formed by HEK-293 cells transfected with LRAT cDNA confirmed the ability of the transfected cells to convert [3H]all-trans-retinol into authentic [3H]all-trans-retinyl palmitate as chemically determined.
Exogenous stress proteins enhance the immunogenicity of apoptotic tumor cells and stimulate antitumor immunity.

We have previously reported that apoptotic tumor cells can be either immunogenic or nonimmunogenic in vivo, depending on whether or not these cells are heat stressed before induction of apoptosis. Stressed apoptotic cells express heat shock proteins on their plasma membranes and dendritic cells are capable of distinguishing them from nonstressed apoptotic cells. Here we provide evidence that when purified heat shock protein 70 or chaperone-rich cell lysate (CRCL) from syngeneic normal tissue is used as an adjuvant with nonimmunogenic apoptotic tumor cells in vaccination, potent antitumor immunity can be generated. This antitumor immunity is mediated by T cells because antitumor effects are not observed in either severe combined immunodeficiency or T cell–depleted mice. We further demonstrate that vaccination of mice with apoptotic tumor cells mixed with liver-derived CRCL as adjuvant were capable of enhancing the production of T H 1 cytokines, inducing specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and eliciting long-lasting antitumor immunity. Stress proteins from autologous normal tissue components therefore can serve as danger signals to enhance the immunogenicity of apoptotic tumor cells and stimulate tumor-specific immunity
Speaking out for Mental Health: Collaboration of Future Journalists and Psychiatrists.

Objectives The authors assess the effects of an educational intervention on the attitudes and understanding of psychiatric residents and journalism students, review how collaboration between these disciplines affects these attitudes, and propose the development of similar programs within residency to enhance systems-based learning.
Plasticization of Poly(ethylene oxide) in Fluid CO2 Measured by in-Situ NMR

While use of CO2 as a solvent for polymer synthesis has been well established, applications to polymer processing have followed more slowly. Motivated by success using supercritical CO2 as a mediating solvent in forming composites of montmorillonite “nanoclay” with plasticized polymer melts, this study makes a detailed quantification of the CO2 plasticization of solid poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) using NMR spectroscopy and relaxation experiments. The study of solid polymers using NMR presents challenges but can yield detailed information about polymer morphology, dynamics, and chemistry. Immersing bulk polymers under fluid CO2 in an NMR spectrometer allows direct access to plasticization dynamics relevant to polymer processing. Using a simple high-pressure apparatus and temperatures <90 °C, melting and crystallization temperatures are depressed by up to 18 °C when solid PEO is immersed in CO2 at modest pressures (≤82 bar). A detailed analysis of NMR spectral components also quantifies the crystalline/amorph...
Numerical simulation of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy: Modeling of aerosol analysis with finite diffusion and vaporization effects

The application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to aerosol systems has been shown to provide quantitative analysis of particle-derived species; however, the exact nature of the plasma/particle interactions remains to be fully understood. Although the plasma/particle interaction may be idealized within a framework of instantaneous vaporization and analyte diffusion throughout the plasma volume, experimental evidence suggests that these processes actually occur on finite time scales relative to the plasma decay times at which measurements are frequently taken. In the present work, a numerical simulation of the temperature and species concentration fields of a plasma containing a single particle, including dissociation and diffusion on semi-empirical finite time scales, is developed. Using these results, the intensity of analyte emission is calculated as a function of time, and the standard ion/neutral ratios typical of aerosol-derived LIBS signals are calculated. Furthermore, the ratio of ion/neutral ratios for two different species was used to assess the temperature homogeneity of the particle-derived analytes in comparison to the overall plasma temperature field. From this numerical study, it is shown that the finite time scale of evaporation and diffusion of aerosol material results in a non-uniform spatial distribution in concentration. This results, in turn, in temperature and free electron density gradients within the plasma, leading to variation between the local conditions surrounding aerosol mass and the bulk conditions of the plasma as a whole.
Specifying, Balancing, and Interpreting Bioethical Principles

The notion that it is useful to specify norms progressively in order to resolve doubts about what to do, which I developed initially in a 1990 article, has been only partly assimilated by the bioethics literature. The thought is not just that it is helpful to work with relatively specific norms. It is more than that: specification can replace deductive subsumption and balancing. Here I argue against two versions of reliance on balancing that are prominent in recent bioethical discussions. Without meaning to address the substance or the overall merits of either view I criticize, I attack Gert, Culver and Clouser's implicit reliance on some overall dimension of balancing as a basis of resolving conflicts among norms and Beauchamp and Childress's residual acceptance of 'justified balancing'. The former authors' description of resolving conflicts depends upon a type of value commensurability that (as they otherwise seem to admit) does not obtain, while the latter authors' role for justified balancing would be better served by continued specification.
Trabecular microstructure and surface changes in the greater tuberosity in rotator cuff tears.

Abstract Objective. When planning surgery in patients with rotator cuff tear, strength of bone at the tendon insertion and trabecular bone structure in the greater tuberosity are usually taken into consideration. We investigated radiographic changes in bone structure of the greater tuberosity in rotator cuff tears. Design. Twenty-two human cadaveric shoulders from subjects ranging from 55 to 75 years of age were obtained. The integrity of the rotator cuff was examined by sonography to determine if it is intact without any tear, or torn partially or completely. The humeral head was sectioned in 3 mm thick coronal slab sections and microradiographed. After digitization of the microradiographs and imaging processing with in-house semi-automated image processing software tools developed using software interfaces on a Sun workstation, the trabecular histomorphometrical structural parameters and connectivity in the greater tuberosity were quantified. The degenerative changes on the surface of the greater tuberosity were interpreted blindly by 2 independent readers. Results. Among the 22 shoulder specimens, the rotator cuff was found intact in 10 shoulders, partially in 7 and fully torn in 5. Statistically significant loss in apparent trabecular bone volume fraction, number of trabecular nodes, and number of trabecular branches, and a statistically significant increase in apparent trabecular separation and number of trabecular free ends were found in the greater tuberosity of the shoulders with tears. The loss was greater in association with full tear than in partial tear. Thickening of the cortical margin of the enthesis, irregularity of its surface, and calcification beyond the tidemark were observed in 2 (20%) shoulders with intact rotator cuff, in 6 (86%) shoulders with partial tear, and in 5 (100%) shoulders with full tear. Conclusions. Rotator cuff tears are associated with degenerative changes on the bone surface and with disuse osteopenia of the greater tuberosity. Aging, degenerative enthesopathy of the supraspinatus tendon, and rotator cuff tears appear closely related.
Pain Limits the Effectiveness of Collaborative Care for Depression

Objective To ascertain the effects of baseline pain on depression outcomes in a collaborative care treatment trial of depression for older adults. Methods A secondary data analysis of 1,801 depressed older adults in the Improving Mood: Providing Access to Collaborative Treatment trial, comparing groups with no/low and high baseline pain using two pain interference variables. The primary outcome was a 50% reduction in depression score at 12 months. Analyses were performed separately for usual care and intervention groups, then examined for interactions. Results In the treatment-as-usual group, there was no significant association of baseline pain status with depression outcomes. In the intervention group, higher pain interference was significantly associated with worse depression response: 48.9% of those with no/low pain interference achieved a depression response, compared with 37.4% of those with high pain (χ 2 = 12.27, df=1, p=0.001). Arthritis pain interference showed a similar association (χ 2 = 4.04, df=1, p=0.044). Controlling for sociodemographic and baseline characteristics did not diminish this association. A significant interaction effect on depression response was found between pain interference and the intervention, suggesting that higher pain differentially impairs depression response in collaborative care compared to usual care. Conclusion A collaborative care intervention was significantly more successful in older adults with less pain. Pain may be an important barrier to improvement of depression and attending to pain might produce better depression outcomes.
On Promoting Positive Human Health

Lakey, B., Moineau, S., & Drew, J. B. (1992). Perceived social support and individual differences in the interpretation and recall of supportive behavior. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 11, 336-348. Lakey, B., Ross., L. T., Butler, C., & Bentley, K. (1996). Making social support judgments: The role of similarity and conscientiousness. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 15, 283-304. Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1987). Dispositional optimism and physical well-being: The influence of generalized outcome expectancies on health. Journal of Personality, 55, 169-210. Uchino, B. N., Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., & Cacioppo, J. T. (1996). The relationship between social support and physiological processes: A review with emphasis on underlying mechanisms and implications for health. Psychological Bulletin, 119, 488-531.
Influence of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor treatment on cardiac autonomic modulation in patients receiving haemodialysis

SUMMARY: Background: Cardiovascular disease mortality among patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) exceeds that which is predicted by traditional risk factors. Sudden death accounts for up to 15–38% of patients with ESRD found dead at home. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a reliable measure of autonomic modulation and has a very strong predictive value for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. A lower HRV is associated with increased risk. Modifying autonomic tone pharmacologically reduces death from dysrhythmia in the general population but has not been studied in ESRD. Methods: We examined the effect of ramipril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) known in the general population to increase HRV, on cardiac function and heart rate variability in patients with renal failure. Eligible subjects on haemodialysis underwent a 2-week washout period free of ACEI or beta blockers, during which time hypertension was treated with amlodipine, which has been shown not to affect HRV. Haemodynamic and HRV measurements were obtained at baseline and after subjects were treated for 4 weeks with an ACEI. Results: Haemodynamics did not differ at 0 and 4 weeks. Baseline HRV values were markedly below those found in the general population, indicating pronounced predominance of sympathetic tone over vagal tone. Actual worsening of HRV with ACEI treatment was evident in several major time domains. The time domain SDNN (the standard deviation of all normal RR intervals) fell from 42.0 ± 24.8 ms to 20.1 ± 16.1 ms (P = 0.004) and the triangulation index fell from 178.0 ± 94.0 to 115 ± 59.2 (P = 0.01). A trend toward reduced HRV was seen in several other time domains. Conclusion: These findings suggest that, unlike the general population, treatment of ESRD patients with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor may cause a deleterious shift toward increased cardiac sympathetic nervous system tone.
Influence of reservoirs on solute transport: a regional-scale approach†

Regional transport of water and dissolved constituents through heavily regulated river systems is influenced by the presence of reservoirs. Analysis of seasonal patterns in solute fluxes for salinity and nutrients indicates that in-reservoir processes within large storage reservoirs in the Rio Grande and Colorado basins (southwestern USA) are superimposed over the underlying watershed processes that predominate in relatively unregulated stream reaches. Connectivity of the aquatic system with the landscape is apparently disrupted by processes within the reservoir systems; these processes result in large changes in characteristics for solute transport that persist downstream in the absence of significant inputs. Additionally, reservoir processes may be linked for upstream/downstream reservoirs that are located relatively close in a series. In contrast, the regional effect of in-reservoir processes is negligible for solute transport through run-of-river reservoirs in the lower Columbia River (northwestern USA). Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ethanol tolerance in the rat is learned

Rats were trained to walk on a treadmill to avoid foot shock. The animals developed tolerance for ethanol if given subsequent practice while ethanol intoxicated. Rats given equivalent doses of ethanol after practice did not develop tolerance, nor did saline-treated controls. These results challenge the hypothesis that mere repeated doses of ethanol are sufficient to induce tolerance. It seems that tolerance does not develop unless the response used to measure tolerance is performed while the subject is intoxicated.
Which defects are most critical? optimizing test sets to minimize failures due to test escapes

Traditionally, test set quality has been estimated through fault coverage. However, even with 100% fault coverage, some defects may escape the testing process - making defect level a more accurate estimate of the quality of test. However, even the defect level may not truly capture the reliability experience of the customer. Specifically, different undetected defects will produce different failure rates in the user's environment. Depending on the user's application, this may mean the difference between a part that is acceptable and never fails, one that rarely fails and can be tolerated, and one that experiences frequent, catastrophic failures. This paper explores the effect of circuit functionality and a user's application on the field failure rates that result from various faults and surrogate defects. We then propose a simple optimization procedure to create test sets that significantly reduce the field failure rates of test escapes without significantly increasing (and sometimes even decreasing) the final defect level.
Enterovirus Meningitis With Marked Pleocytosis

In neonates and young infants, it can be difficult to distinguish bacterial from aseptic meningitis, especially in the setting of marked CSF (cere-brospinal fluid) pleocytosis. This case series and review of the literature explores the role of early CSF EV-PCR (enterovirus-polymerase chain reaction) in these patients' diagnostic workup, management, and overall hospital stay. Patient 1 was a 30-day-old female who presented with a fever of 102°F and increased irritability for 1 day. She was admitted to the hospital for an evaluation including complete blood cell count (CBC), blood culture, urine culture, urinalysis, and lumbar puncture (LP). Ampicillin, gentamicin, and acyclovir were initiated. Admission laboratory data included peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count of 9200 cells/μL and a normal urinalysis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was remarkable for pleocytosis of 1005 cells/μL with 53% lymphocytes, 0 red blood cells (RBCs), protein of 92.8 mg/dL, and glucose of 44 mg/dL (Table 1). Gram-stain of the CSF revealed Gram-positive cocci in pairs; however, no bacteria were cultured. Results of the urine culture were negative. The blood culture grew coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, which was believed to be a contaminant. The patient continued to be febrile despite 72 hours of antibiotic therapy. Therefore, a repeat LP was performed, revealing 80 WBC/μL with 63% lymphocytes, 700 RBC/μL, protein of 138 mg/dL, and glucose of 38 mg/dL. Enterovirus-polymerase chain reaction (EV-PCR) performed on the repeat CSF was positive. Herpes simplex virus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was negative. Antibiotic therapy was discontinued, and the patient was discharged from the hospital. View this table: TABLE 1 Summary of Patient Laboratory Data Patient 2 was a 7-day-old female who presented with fever of 104°F for 1 day and jaundice. She was transferred from a referring hospital after undergoing an evaluation that included CBC, blood culture, urine culture, urinalysis, and LP. Ampicillin, gentamicin, and acyclovir were begun before patient …
BioVLAB-Microarray: Microarray Data Analysis in Virtual Environment

Microarray technology is a high-throughput experimental technique that can measure expression levels of hundreds of thousands of genes simultaneously. To interpret massive data from gene-expression microarray experiments, biologists encounter computational and analytical challenges. This is especially challenging for small research labs that lack local computing and bioinformatics expertise. Here, we introduce a virtual analysis system for microarray gene expression data in computing clouds with flexible and configurable GUI workflow engine so that biologists are able to analyze the data in many angles without worrying about computational and bioinformatics issues.
The anatomy and fine structure of the eye in teleosts. V. Vascular relations of choriocapillaris, lentiform body and falciform process in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).

Abstract The lentiform body is a counter-current system based on two sets of interdigitating capillaries (rete mirabile). It and the much larger rete mirabile of the choroidal body are implicated in the elevation of oxygen in the retina of many teleosts. The arterial blood comes to the lentiform body independently of the choroidal body and passes to the inside of the eye (to hyaloid vessels in Fundulus and to a falciform process in rainbow trout). Arterial blood to the choroidal body passes to the choriocapillaris. It has been shown recently that the choriocapillaris provides counter-current blood to condition the incoming systemic blood of both the lentiform and choroidal rete in Fundulus . This report gives a detailed analysis of the vascular connections in the rainbow trout eye.
Musculotendon lengths and moment arms for a three-dimensional upper-extremity model

Generating muscle-driven forward dynamics simulations of human movement using detailed musculoskeletal models can be computationally expensive. This is due in part to the time required to calculate musculotendon geometry (e.g., musculotendon lengths and moment arms), which is necessary to determine and apply individual musculotendon forces during the simulation. Modeling upper-extremity musculotendon geometry can be especially challenging due to the large number of multi-articular muscles and complex muscle paths. To accurately represent this geometry, wrapping surface algorithms and/or other computationally expensive techniques (e.g., phantom segments) are used. This paper provides a set of computationally efficient polynomial regression equations that estimate musculotendon length and moment arms for thirty-two (32) upper-extremity musculotendon actuators representing the major muscles crossing the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints. Equations were developed using a least squares fitting technique based on geometry values obtained from a validated public-domain upper-extremity musculoskeletal model that used wrapping surface elements (Holzbaur et al., 2005). In general, the regression equations fit well the original model values, with an average root mean square difference for all musculotendon actuators over the represented joint space of 0.39 mm (1.1% of peak value). In addition, the equations reduced the computational time required to simulate a representative upper-extremity movement (i.e., wheelchair propulsion) by more than two orders of magnitude (315 versus 2.3 s). Thus, these equations can assist in generating computationally efficient forward dynamics simulations of a wide range of upper-extremity movements.
Stock Assessment: Operational Models in Support of Fisheries Management

Fishery stock assessment models connect ecosystem data to quantitative fishery management. Control rules that calculate annual catch limits and targets from stock assessment results are a common component of US Fishery Management Plans. Ideally, the outcome of such control rules are updated annually on the basis of stock assessment forecasts to track fluctuations in stock abundance. When the stock assessment - fishery management enterprise achieves this level of through- put, they truly are operational models, much as the complex physical models used to routinely update climate forecasts. In reality, many contemporary assessments are closer to an individual scientific investigation than to an operational model. As a result, the review of each stock assessment is extensive and the lag between data acquisition and quota adjustment may extend to several years. If the future stock assessment process is to move towards an operational status, there will need to be changes in three aspects of the process. First, key data streams will themselves need to be made more operational and corporate so that relevant data are immedi- ately available and trusted. Second, stock assessment models need to be made more capable of including diverse relevant data and comprehensively calculating levels of uncertainty, while also being more completely tested, documented, and standard- ized. The class of models called integrated analysis has these characteristics and is described here, with emphasis on the features of the Stock Synthesis model. Areas of future model development, especially to include more ecosystem and environ- mental factors, are explored. Third, increased throughput of assessment updates will require streamlining of the extensive review process now routinely required before stock assessment results can serve as the scientific basis for fishery manage- ment. Emphasizing review of broadly applicable assessment data and methods, rather than each final result, is a logical step in this streamlining, while maintaining public trust in the final results.
Landscape phage ligands for PC3 prostate carcinoma cells

Tumor-specific cytotoxicity of drugs can be enhanced by targeting them to tumor receptors using tumor-specific ligands. Phage display technology with its high throughput capacity for the analysis of targeting ligands possessing specific binding properties represents a very attractive tool in the quest for molecular ligands. Also, current phage nanobiotechnology concepts allow the use of intact phage particles and isolated phage coat proteins per se as components of nanomedicines. Herein, we describe the use of two landscape phage libraries to obtain phage ligands against PC3 prostate carcinoma cells. Following a very stringent selection scheme, we were able to identify three phage ligands, bearing the fusion peptides, DTDSHVNL, DTPYDLTG and DVVYALSDD that demonstrated specificity and selectivity to PC3 cells based on target-association assays, microscopy and flow cytometry. The phage ligands and their fusion coat proteins can be used as navigating modules in both therapeutic and diagnostic approaches to prostate carcinoma.
Implications of intraguild predation for sea turtle nest protection

Abstract In the United States, raccoons Procyon lotor are often removed from sea turtle nesting beaches to decrease egg mortality. However, raccoons also consume ghost crabs Ocypode quadrata, another common egg predator. Reducing predator populations can benefit secondary predators, inflating total predation pressure and leading to a decline in prey species. We used track and burrow counts to compare raccoon and ghost crab abundance at four beaches in Florida, USA, that differ in management activity and determined predation rates on loggerhead Caretta caretta nests by each predator. Mean raccoon abundance (range 0.12–0.46 tracks plot−1 night−1) and ghost crab density (0.09–0.19 burrows m−2) were inversely correlated. Ghost crabs were largest at the site with the fewest raccoons. The stable nitrogen isotope ratios of ghost crabs (mean 9.8‰) were positively correlated with body mass, indicating larger ghost crabs feed at a higher trophic level and suggesting large ghost crabs may consume more loggerhead eggs. The highest rates of egg predation by both predators (31%) occurred where raccoon abundance was lowest and ghost crab abundance was highest, suggesting ghost crab burrows may facilitate predation by raccoons. Our data suggest that predation by raccoons limits ghost crabs and that removing raccoons can increase ghost crab abundance and sea turtle egg mortality. Although predator removal can be effective when nest predation rates are quite high, maintaining moderate raccoon densities may be important for controlling ghost crabs. These results highlight the importance of understanding food web connectivity in developing management strategies to achieve conservation goals, especially when the species of concern are threatened or facing extinction.
Genetic susceptibility to lead poisoning—A case report

Lead poisoning is well documented in persons occupationally exposed to lead. What is less known is, that even in persons working in lead based industries, the effect of lead and the appearance of signs and symptoms of lead poisoning is genetically determined. Three genes related to lead metabolism, exhibiting polymorphism have already been demonstrated-δALA-dehydratase, Vitamin D receptor gene and Hemochromatosis gene. These alleles determine the susceptibility of the individuals to lead. We present here a case of a lead acid battery worker, who presented without any signs and symptoms of lead poisoning except for a very high level of blood lead (82.8μg/dl and 47.5μg/dl 9 months later)
Guess who's coming to therapy? Getting comfortable with conversations about race and ethnicity in psychotherapy.

The ability to conduct psychotherapy effectively with racially and ethnically diverse populations is becoming increasingly important given the changing demographics of this country. Recent estimates of population trends suggest that by the year 2050, non-Hispanic Caucasian Americans will constitute approximately 50% of the United States population, as compared with the current 72% of the population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001). The American Psychological Association (APA) has recognized the critical nature of integrating issues of race and ethnicity into the field of psychology by encouraging attention to these issues in clinical training programs (APA, Committee on Accreditation, 2002), creating therapist competency guidelines for working with racial and ethnic minority populations (APA, 1993), and sponsoring professional meetings to identify strategies to promote sensitivity to diversity in psychology (McGuire, 1999). It is likely that most clinical psychologists have acquired an intellectual appreciation of the salience of race and ethnicity in the
A Comparison of Sodium Hydroxide and Sodium Sulfide Digestion of Mouse Hair in the Recovery of Radioactivity Following Systemic Administration of [3H]-Nicotine and [3H]-Flunitrazepam

Pigmented (C57BI) and nonpigmented (balb/c) mice, 25 days of age, were treated intraperitoneally with [3H]-nicotine (4 mg/kg, 555 dpm/ng) or [3H]-flunitrazepam (1 mg/kg, 2200 dpm/ng) daily for three days. After 21 days, shaved back hair was digested at 37 degrees C for 24 h with either 1 M sodium hydroxide or 1 M sodium sulfide. With both drugs, sodium sulfide extraction removed the same amount of radioactivity as sodium hydroxide from nonpigmented hair. However, sodium sulfide removed significantly more radioactivity from pigmented hair than did sodium hydroxide. In pigmented hair, sodium sulfide solubilized 35% and 74% of the flunitrazepam- and nicotine-associated radioactivity, respectively. Of this, 12% and 43%, respectively, could be partitioned into ethyl acetate. Microscopic examination of residual pellets after digestion demonstrated a more thorough dissolution of the hair shaft with sodium sulfide with only melanosomes remaining. The results demonstrate the significant interaction of flunitrazepam and nicotine with melanins and the utility of sodium sulfide in increasing drug recovery.
Robust Speech Recognition in Noise: An Evaluation using the SPINE Corpus †

In this paper, methodologies for effective sp eech recognition are considered along with evaluations of an NRL speech in noise corpus entitled SPINE. When speech is produced in adverse conditions that include high levels of noise, workload task stress, and Lombard effect, new challenges arise concerning how to best improve recognition performance. Here, we consider tradeoffs in (i) robust features, (ii) front-end noise suppression, (iii) model adaptation, and (iv) training and testing in the same conditions. The type of noise and recording conditions can significantly impact the type of signal processing and speech modeling methods that would be most effective in achieving robust sp eech recognition. We considered alternative frequency scales (M-MFCC, ExpoLog), feature processing (CMN, VCMN, LP-vs-FFT MFCCs), model adaptation (PMC), and combinations of gender dependent with gender independent models. For the purposes of achieving effective speech recognition performance, computational speed and availability of adaptation data greatly impacts final recognition performance. In particular, while reliable algorithm formulations for addressing specific types of distortion can improve recognition rates, these algorithms cannot reach their full potential wit hout proper front-end algorithm data processing to direct compensation. While parallel banks of speech recognizers can improve recognition performance, their significant computational requirements can render the recognizer useless in actual speech applications.
Strength Distribution of Reinforcing Fibers in a Nicalon Fiber/Chemically Vapor Infiltrated Silicon Carbide Matrix Composite

The strength distribution of fibers within a two-dimensional laminate ceramic/ceramic composite consisting of an eight harness satin weave of Nicalon continuous fiber within a chemically vapor infiltrated SiC matrix was determined from analysis of the fracture mirrors of the fibers. Comparison of the fiber strengths and the Weibull moduli with those for Nicalon fibers prior to incorporation into composites suggests that possible fiber damage may occur either during the weaving or during another stage of the composite manufacture. Observations also indicate that it is the higher-strength fibers which experience the greatest extent of fiber pullout and thus make a larger contribution to the overall composite toughness than do the weaker fibers.
Origins of behavioral teratology and distinctions between research on pharmaceutical agents and environmental/industrial chemicals☆

Most behavioral teratology studies have focused on pharmaceutical agents. Investigations of developmental toxicity are lacking for the majority of the nearly 100,000 industrial chemicals currently in use. Only some three dozen chemicals have been examined for behavioral/neurochemical deviations in offspring following maternal exposures. Examination of industrial agents for developmental toxicity, therefore, remains a major public health need. Most developmental research addresses the effects of pharmaceutical agents, but these studies frequently do not address environmental/industrial concerns due to fundamental differences in experimental methodology. The route, duration, and timing of exposure, usefulness of fostering of offspring, and potential concomitant exposure of both parents are all variables which should be treated differently in research on industrial chemicals as opposed to pharmaceutical agents. After briefly tracking the history of behavioral teratology, the present paper discusses differences in application of behavioral teratological principles to industrial versus pharmaceutical agents, and points to the largely untested number of industrial chemicals needing investigation.
The pvr1 locus in Capsicum encodes a translation initiation factor eIF4E that interacts with Tobacco etch virus VPg.

*† These authors contributed equally to this study. Summary Mutations in the eIF4E homolog encoded at the pvr1 locus in Capsicum result in broad-spectrum potyvirus resistance attributed to the pvr1 resistance allele, a gene widely deployed in agriculture for more than 50 years. We show that two other resistance genes, previously known to be eIF4E with narrower resistance spectra, pvr21 andpvr2 2 , are alleles at thepvr1 locus. Based on these data and current nomenclature guidelines, we have re-designated these alleles, pvr11 and pvr1 2 , respectively. Point mutations in pvr1, pvr1 1 , and pvr1 2 grouped to similar regions of eIF4E and were predicted by protein homology models to cause conformational shifts in the encoded proteins. The avirulence determinant in this potyvirus system has previously been identified as VPg, therefore yeast two-hybrid and GST pull-down assays were carried out with proteins encoded by the pvr1 alleles and VPg from two different strains ofTobacco etch virus (TEV) that differentially infectedCapsicum lines carrying these genes. While the protein encoded by the susceptible allele pvr1þ interacted strongly, proteins translated from all three resistance alleles (pvr1, pvr1 1 , and pvr1 2 ) failed to bind VPg from either strain of TEV. This failure to bind correlated with resistance or reduced susceptibility, suggesting that interruption of the interaction between VPg and this eIF4E paralog may be necessary, but is not sufficient for potyvirus resistance in vivo. Among the three resistance alleles, only the pvr1 gene product failed to bind m7 -GTP cap-analog columns, suggesting that disrupted cap binding is not required for potyvirus resistance.
Signal conditioning technique for position sensitive photodetectors to manipulate pixelated crystal identification capabilities

We analyze performance of position sensitive detectors such as Position Sensitive Avalanche Photodiodes (PSAPDs) used to readout pixelated scintillation crystal arrays. Crystal identification abilities are determined by analyzing the flood histogram. A good flood histogram has peaks which are as well separated and as narrow as possible since this enables better crystal identification, and ultimately improves spatial resolution. We present a signal conditioning circuit for the readout of PSAPDs and investigate how the tradeoff between the parameters of the signal conditioning circuit components, the PSAPD bias voltage, and the input dynamic range and noise of the preamplifier influence the flood histogram. The signal conditioning circuit involves adding a resistor and a capacitor between the four spatial channels of the detector and the preamplifier. This technique was verified and studied both experimentally and by simulation using PSAPDs coupled to 8 × 8 arrays of 1 mm3 scintillation crystals. Results showed that the flood histogram is not very sensitive to the exact value of the resistor in the signal conditioning circuit, but in general a resistance about twice the sheet resistance of the position sensitive detector is recommended. The capacitor in the signal conditioning circuit should be chosen by taking preamplifier input dynamic range, preamplifier noise, and detector noise into account.
Abstract P374: Monthly distribution of incident myocardial infarction in four United States communities: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Background: A seasonal periodicity, winter peaks and summer troughs, of coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality has been identified by several investigations in various parts of the world using vital statistics. However, population-based studies describing seasonal patterns of validated incident non-fatal and fatal myocardial infarction (MI) are sparse. Thus, we aim to characterize the monthly distribution of acute MI incidence using data from the community surveillance component of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Methods: We estimated monthly rates of incident hospitalized acute MI from community-wide surveillance of 35 to 84 year old residents of the 4 ARIC Study communities (415,000 base population) from 2006 to 2010. Diagnostic classifications of all hospitalized MI events were independently validated using standardized algorithms applied to data on chest pain history, electrocardiographic evidence and cardiac biomarkers obtained from medical record abstraction. Age adjusted event...
Consequences of the Collapse of International Capital Markets during the Great Depression (1930–39)

International capital movements and commerce are distinguishable, though interrelated activities. The Great Depression asserted itself in the East European countries essentially in two ways. First, the declining trend in world agricultural prices meant a severe reduction in the total value of exports, while the demand for imports and import prices did not decline pari passu; hence, the trade balance tended to deteriorate. Second, the flow of foreign capital mercilessly dwindled. Clearly, the collapse of international commodity markets in the early 1930’s (especially the crisis in the agricultural markets) was a phenomenon distinct from the collapse of international capital markets. This second blow, that originated externally and affected the internal balances through automatic channels and hasty policies, had no historical precedent. It is not difficult to imagine a similar crisis in the future.