cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproductive traits of shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus (Rafinesque, 1820) in the lower Platte River, Nebraska

Summary We assessed reproductive status, fecundity, egg size, and spawning dynamics of shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus in the lower Platte River. Shovelnose sturgeon were captured throughout each year during 2011 and 2012 using a multi-gear approach designed to collect a variety of fish of varying sizes and ages. Fish were collected monthly for a laboratory assessment of reproductive condition. Female shovelnose sturgeon reached fork length at 50% maturity (FL50) at 547 mm and at a minimum length of 449 mm. The average female spawning cycle was 3–5 years. Mean egg count for adult females was 16 098 ± 1103 (SE), and mean egg size was 2.401 ± 0.051 (SE) mm. Total fecundity was positively correlated with length (r2 = 0.728; P 0.05). Male shovelnose sturgeon reached FL50 at 579 mm and at a minimum length of 453 mm. The average male spawning cycle was 1–2 years. Reproductively viable male and female sturgeon occurred during the spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October) in both years, indicating spring and potential autumn spawning events. Shovelnose sturgeon in the lower Platte River are maturing at a shorter length and younger age compared to populations elsewhere. Although it is unknown if the change is plastic or evolutionary, unfavorable environmental conditions or over-harvest may lead to hastened declines compared to other systems.
Nutritional and physiologic significance of human milk proteins

Human milk contains a wide variety of proteins that contribute to its unique qualities. Many of these proteins are digested and provide a well-balanced source of amino acids to rapidly growing infants. Some proteins, such as bile salt-stimulated lipase, amylase, beta-casein, lactoferrin, haptocorrin, and alpha1-antitrypsin, assist in the digestion and utilization of micronutrients and macronutrients from the milk. Several proteins with antimicrobial activity, such as immunoglobulins, kappa-casein, lysozyme, lactoferrin, haptocorrin, alpha-lactalbumin, and lactoperoxidase, are relatively resistant against proteolysis in the gastrointestinal tract and may, in intact or partially digested form, contribute to the defense of breastfed infants against pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Prebiotic activity, such as the promotion of the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, may also be provided by human milk proteins. This type of activity can limit the growth of several pathogens by decreasing intestinal pH. Some proteins and peptides have immunomodulatory activities (eg, cytokines and lactoferrin), whereas others (eg, insulin-like growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and lactoferrin) are likely to be involved in the development of the intestinal mucosa and other organs of newborns. In combination, breast-milk proteins assist in providing adequate nutrition to breastfed infants while simultaneously aiding in the defense against infection and facilitating optimal development of important physiologic functions in newborns.
Psychosocial factors and blood pressure in children

Abstract Preliminary analyses of data relating blood pressure levels in children to psychosocial factors suggest there are small but significant and important associations between blood pressure and an adolescent lifestyle that emphasizes Control, Ambitiousness, Competitiveness, Order and Organization, Religious Orientation, and strong pressures to achieve. Seventh-day Adventist children compared to public school children perceive a stronger emphasis on Religious Orientation and Family Control.
19 Clinician's Approach to Pertussis During an Outbreak Year.

BACKGROUND: DTaP was approved for use in the primary vaccine series for US children in 1996. Despite vaccine coverage rates estimated at 85%, as many as 10,000 cases of pertussis are reported annually in the US. In 2004, 79 children in Kansas City, MO had confirmed pertussis infection representing a 3 fold increase compared to 20 prior yrs, and doubling of the prior 4 yrs.
Origin and provenance of some exotic blocks in lower Mesozoic red-bed basin deposits, southern Arizona

In southern Arizona, a profound change in tectonic regime from quiescence to major instability took place near the beginning of Mesozoic time. One manifestation of this instability was the free gliding of large blocks of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks into fault troughs containing volcanic material and continental sediments. In the northwestern Canelo Hills, a succession of exotic blocks composed of Permian sedimentary rocks is intercalated with the Canelo Hills Volcanics of Triassic(?)-Jurassic age. The blocks are as large as 400 m thick and 2 km in strike length. Bedding faults, slickensides, and open-space breccias formed near the base of each Permian block during epidermal gliding, whereas the underlying sediments of the Canelo Hills Volcanics deformed by penecontemporaneous flow. Slickenside and fold-axis orientations place northeast-southwest constraints on the direction of block emplacements. The sense of movement is interpreted to have been northeast to southwest because paleocurrent directions for red beds within the Canelo Hills Volcanics are dominantly southwest and the stratigraphy of the glide blocks is most similar to Permian rocks to the northeast. Palinspastic reconstruction of the blocks to a provenance northeast of the Canelo Hills fits present models of distribution of Permian formations in southern Arizona. Slide block emplacement was synchronous with Triassic(?)-Jurassic vertical movements along northwest-striking fault zones in southern Arizona. One of these fault zones, the Sawmill Canyon, marks the approximate northeast boundary of the Canelo Hills and in early Mesozoic time furnished a scarp from which the slide blocks were derived.
Targeting the probability versus cost of feared outcomes in public speaking anxiety

Cognitive-behavioral theory suggests that social phobia is maintained, in part, by overestimates of the probability and cost of negative social events. Indeed, empirically supported cognitive-behavioral treatments directly target these cognitive biases through the use of in vivo exposure or behavioral experiments. While cognitive-behavioral theories and treatment protocols emphasize the importance of targeting probability and cost biases in the reduction of social anxiety, few studies have examined specific techniques for reducing probability and cost bias, and thus the relative efficacy of exposure to the probability versus cost of negative social events is unknown. In the present study, 37 undergraduates with high public speaking anxiety were randomly assigned to a single-session intervention designed to reduce either the perceived probability or the perceived cost of negative outcomes associated with public speaking. Compared to participants in the probability treatment condition, those in the cost treatment condition demonstrated significantly greater improvement on measures of public speaking anxiety and cost estimates for negative social events. The superior efficacy of the cost treatment condition was mediated by greater treatment-related changes in social cost estimates. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Structural Differences between Proteins with Similar Sequences

Similarity between protein sequences is usually predictive of similarity in structures. However, in some rare cases protein domains with significant sequence similarity adopt different structures. Here, we carry out a survey of protein domain pairs with high sequence similarity (measured by HHsearch probability) and low structural similarity (measured by Dali Z-score), aiming to identify the reasons for this discordance. Besides methodological problems with either sequences or structures of domains, we find and describe novel examples of homologs with structural changes.
Perspectives on mycotoxin decontamination procedures

Unquestionably, prevention is the best method for controlling mycotoxin contamination. Should the contamination occur, however, the hazard associated with the toxin must be removed if the product is to be used for food or feed purposes. Decontamination procedures currently used are based on (a) physical, chemical, or biological removal, or (c) physical or chemical inactivation. Ammoniation of corn, peanuts, cottonseed, and meals to alter the toxic and carcinogenic effects of aflatoxin contamination has been the subject of intense research effort by scientists in various government agencies and universities worldwide. Engineers have devised workable systems of treatment of whole seeds, kernels, or meals; chemists have identified and characterized products formed from the reaction of aflatoxin B1 with ammonia with and without a meal matrix; biochemists have studied the biological effects of these compounds in model systems; and nutritionists have studied animal responses to rations containing ammoniated or non-ammoniated components. This review describes these studies as well as other potentially useful decontamination processes. The results of aflatoxin/ammonia decontamination research demonstrate the efficiency and safety of ammoniation as a practical solution to aflatoxin detoxification in foods and animal feeds.
Psychology of the Scientist: XLVI: Correlation between Theoretical Orientation in Psychology and Personality Type:

Sttmnttlry.-In this study the question, "Are theoretical and methodological orientation an expression of psychology majors' personalities?" was asked. To answer this question, the Myers-Br~ggs Type Indicator and the Theoretical Orientation Survey were given to 181 junior and senior psychology majors. It was found that "objectively oriented psychology majors" tended to score high on Sensing on the Myers-Briggs, while "subjectively oriented psychology majors" tended to score high on Intuition. Marie Curie once said, "Science deals with things not people" (Goodfield, 1977, p. 580). Although this seems to have been the traditional view of science, others (Good field, 1977; Kuhn, 1970; Olson, 1976) have increasingly emphasized the role which scientists play in science. Instead of seeing science as resting upon a scaffold of immutable facts, Kuhn sees facts as defined by the consensus of the scientific community. Since the facts in psychology are defined by this consensus, the views of the scientist are important. Because psychologists have so often used the natural sciences as a model, psychology too has used a traditional image of science which assumes that only facts are important. Just as the traditional view of the natural sciences changed, the view of psychology as a science also began to change slowly. Watson (1967, 1979) extended Kuhn's point of view into psychology, suggesting that we study the attitudes and values which underlie chis consensus. Watson's "prescriptive dimensions" (1967) provide a framework for the study of such attitudes. These dimensions, which nlighc be called orienting attitudes, include such contrasting bipolar dimensions as the following: "molecularism-molarism (whether the units of analysis should be large as in field studies or small as in laboratory studies), "Methods: objectivism versus subjectivism," and "quantitativism-qualitativism." Fuchs and Kawash (1974; Kawash & Fuchs, 1974) have demonstrated that these prescriptive dimensions can be used to distinguish among the schools of psychology. Watson's conceptual scheme is a useful and relevant way to teach History and Systems of Psychology, as evidenced by its inclusion in a prominent history text (Max & Hillix, 1979).
Isolated potentials during sinus rhythm and pace-mapping within scars as guides for ablation of post-infarction ventricular tachycardia.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify ventricular tachycardia (VT) isthmus sites by pace-mapping within scar tissue and to identify electrogram characteristics that are helpful in identifying VT isthmus sites during sinus rhythm (SR). Background Pace-mapping has been used in the scar border zone to identify the exit site of post-infarction VT. Methods In 19 consecutive patients (18 men, mean age 66 ± 9 years, mean ejection fraction 0.24 ± 0.12) with post-infarction VT, a left ventricular voltage map was generated during SR. Pace-mapping was performed at sites with abnormal electrograms or isolated potentials. Radiofrequency ablation was performed at isthmus sites as defined by pace-mapping (perfect pace-map = 12/12 matching electrocardiogram leads; good pace-map = 10/12 to 11/12 matching electrocardiogram leads) and/or entrainment mapping. Results A total of 81 VTs (mean cycle length 396 ± 124 ms) were inducible. In 16 of the 19 patients, a total of 41 distinct isthmus areas of 41 distinct VTs were identified and successfully ablated. All but one displayed isolated potentials during SR. Furthermore, 22 of the 81 VTs (27%) for which no isthmus was identified became noninducible after ablation of a targeted VT. The 16 patients in whom ≥1 isthmus was identified and ablated were free of arrhythmic events during a mean follow-up of 10 months. Conclusions During SR, excellent or good pace-maps at sites of isolated potentials within areas of scar identify areas of fixed block that are protected and part of the critical isthmus of post-infarction VT. Shared common pathways might explain why non-targeted VTs might become noninducible after ablation of other VTs.
Assessing Dimensions of Inquiry Practice by Middle School Science Teachers Engaged in a Professional Development Program

Inquiry-based teaching promotes students’ engagement in problem-solving and investigation as they learn science concepts. Current practice in science teacher education promotes the use of inquiry in the teaching of science. However, the literature suggests that many science teachers hold incomplete or incorrect conceptions of inquiry. Teachers, therefore, may believe they are providing more inquiry experiences than they are, reducing the positive impact of inquiry on science interest and skills. Given the prominence of inquiry in professional development experiences, educational evaluators need strong tools to detect intended use in the classroom. The current study focuses on the validity of assessments developed for evaluating teachers’ use of inquiry strategies and classroom orientations. We explored the relationships between self-reported inquiry strategy use, preferences for inquiry, knowledge of inquiry practices, and related pedagogical content knowledge. Finally, we contrasted students’ and teachers’ reports of the levels of inquiry-based teaching in the classroom. Self-reports of inquiry use, especially one specific to the 5E instructional model, were useful, but should be interpreted with caution. Teachers tended to self-report higher levels of inquiry strategy use than their students perceived. Further, there were no significant correlations between either knowledge of inquiry practices or PCK and self-reported inquiry strategy use.
Caregiver‐Child Interaction in the Development of Self: The Contributions of Vygotsky, Bruner, and Kaye to Mead's Theory

J. Alan Winter* A way of updating Mead’s half-century old formulations is suggested. It entails regarding Mead’s formulations as one of a class of interactionist theories of the genesis of Eugene C. Goldfield self. Such theories regard the internalization of symbols hlnecticut College and social relations as the basis of self development and stress the role of the interaction between caregiver and child. Sensitizing concepts developed by other theorists, namely, zone of proximal development (Vygotsky). scaffolding (Bruner), and the child-as-apprentice (Kaye), are reviewed as heuristic devices which specify the nature of the interaction between caregiver and child which facilitates the latter’s self development.
Chorionic villus sampling compared with amniocentesis and the difference in the rate of pregnancy loss.

OBJECTIVE:To compare loss rates following amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) over time.METHODS:A retrospective cohort study of all amniocentesis and CVS procedures resulting in a normal karyotype from 1983–2003 at a single prenatal diagnostic referral center was conducted. Pregnancy l
Rank two Breuil modules: Basic structures

Abstract In this paper, we classify certain reducible rank two Breuil modules with descent data and compute Ext 1 ( M , M ) for Breuil modules M of certain type.
Eliminating read barriers through procrastination and cleanliness

Managed languages typically use read barriers to interpret forwarding pointers introduced to keep track of copied objects. For example, in a multicore environment with thread-local heaps and a global, shared heap, an object initially allocated on a local heap may be copied to a shared heap if it becomes the source of a store operation whose target location resides on the shared heap. As part of the copy operation, a forwarding pointer may be established in the original object to point to the copied object. This level of indirection avoids the need to update all of the references to the object that has been copied.In this paper, we consider the design of a managed runtime that eliminates read barriers. Our design is premised on the availability of a sufficient degree of concurrency to stall operations that would otherwise necessitate the copy. Stalled actions are deferred until the next local collection, avoiding exposing forwarding pointers to the mutator. In certain important cases, procrastination is unnecessary -- lightweight runtime techniques can sometimes be used to allow objects to be eagerly copied when their set of incoming references is known, or when it can be determined that having multiple copies would not violate program semantics.We evaluate our techniques on 3 platforms: a 16-core AMD64 machine, a 48-core Intel SCC, and an 864-core Azul Vega 3. Experimental results over a range of parallel benchmarks indicate that our approach leads to notable performance gains (20 - 32% on average) without incurring any additional complexity.
β-Catenin—A supporting role in the skeleton

In the last 5 years a role for β-catenin in the skeleton has been cemented. Beginning with mutations in the Lrp5 receptor that control β-catenin canonical downstream signals, and progressing to transgenic models with bone-specific alteration of β-catenin, research has shown that β-catenin is required for normal bone development. A cell critical to bone in which β-catenin activity determines function is the marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), where sustained β-catenin prevents its distribution into adipogenic lineage. β-Catenin actions are less well understood in mature osteoblasts: while β-catenin contributes to control of osteoclastic bone resorption via alteration of the osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio, a specific regulatory role during osteoblast bone synthesis has not yet been determined. The proven ability of mechanical factors to prevent β-catenin degradation and induce nuclear translocation through Lrp-independent mechanisms suggests processes by which exercise might modulate bone mass via control of lineage allocation, in particular, by preventing precursor distribution into the adipocyte pool. Effects resulting from mechanical activation of β-catenin in mature osteoblasts and osteocytes likely modulate bone resorption, but whether β-catenin is involved in osteoblast synthetic function remains to be proven for both mechanical and soluble mediators. As β-catenin appears to support the downstream effects of multiple osteogenic factors, studies clarifying when and where β-catenin effects occur will be relevant for translational approaches aimed at preventing bone loss and terminal adipogenic conversion. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 545–553, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ligand-induced protein tyrosine kinase activity in living cells coexpressing intact EGF receptors and receptors with an extensive cytosolic deletion

A population of stable NIH 3T3 transfectants with two molecular weight classes of membrane-bound EGF receptors encoded by a human EGF receptor cDNA has been identified and characterized. In addition to intact EGF receptors, these cells also express a molecule with an extensive cytosolic deletion. This deletion includes the ligand-activated intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase catalytic domain. Treatment with EGF caused dimerization of intact and truncated receptors, allowing us to assess protein tyrosine kinase activity in the heterodimer isolated from living cells. In contrast to homodimeric complexes with intact EGF receptor only, heterodimers were deficient in protein tyrosine kinase activity. Moreover, physical association between intact and truncated molecules suppressed receptor auto-phosphorylation by EGF receptor protein tyrosine kinase activated by antibody binding in vitro. Evidence presented here supports the idea that protein tyrosine kinase activation is facilitated by interaction between adjacent receptor molecules with intact catalytic domains. Furthermore, molecules with cytoplasmic deletions that are physically associated with kinase-active EGF receptors appear to behave as dominant negative mutations. The HerC cl cells used in this study were selected with methotrexate to amplify the EGF receptor cDNA, and in that sense may resemble certain tumor-derived cells characterized by overexpressed and rearranged EGF receptor genes.
Gary Condit’s image repair strategies: determined denial and differentiation

Abstract U.S. Congressman Gary Condit came under scrutiny following the disappearance of a Washington intern, Chandra Levy, in May 2001. Suspicions arose about his relationship with Levy, whether he was involved in her disappearance, and how fully he cooperated with the police investigation. In August 2001, Condit broke his silence by releasing an explanatory letter to his constituents and appearing on a nationwide broadcast. Analysis of these texts using an Image Repair Theory framework [Accounts, Excuses, and Apologies: A Theory of Image Restoration Strategies, State University of New York, Albany, 1995] reveals that Condit’s apparent lack of candor, unpersuasive denials, and failure to shoulder responsibility for any mistakes, doomed his efforts to failure. Implications for implementing image repair strategies stemming from this analysis are addressed.
Band Spectra of PbSe, SnSe and PbTe in Absorption

A vibrational analysis has been made of band systems in the visible region due to PbSe, to SnSe and to PbTe. These bands were observed in absorption. In each case the band heads degrade toward the red. The vibrational coefficients ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}$ and ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{e}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}$ for the ground state and for the first excited state are compared with those of the band systems in PbO, SnO, PbS and SnS. The expected trend in these vibrational constants is observed in each case, namely a decrease in ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{h}$, ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}$, and ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{e}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}$ with increasing number of electrons in the molecule.
Transforming Teaching Into a Collaborative Culture: An Attempt to Create a Professional Development School-University Partnership

Abstract A Professional Development School (PDS) serves as a quality-teaching model. It is a vehicle that generates professional understanding through conversations among university professors, teachers, and teacher candidates. The author illustrates a pilot PDS program that exemplifies the many benefits of transforming the teaching model into a successful collaboration and the lessons learned by PDS participants. The partnership explores classroom culture, collaboration agendas, and quality efforts for building a conceptual framework for mathematics and science teaching and learning with fifth graders.
The kinetic behavior of precipitate particles under Ostwald ripening conditions

Abstract The theory advanced by other investigators, on the asymptotic nature of particle size distributions undergoing Ostwald ripening, is used to evaluate the kinetic behavior of individual particles of which the distributions are constituted. Assuming asymptotic conditions, expressions are derived for the particle radius as a function of time and initial conditions for both diffusion-controlled and interface-controlled ripening. These expressions are then used to calculate the dissolution time for particles as a function of initial conditions.
Effective parenteral clodronate treatment of a child with severe juvenile idiopathic osteoporosis.

We report on an 8 years and 3 months old boy with severe idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis (IJO). Clinical features included multiple fractures, especially of the vertebrae, and neurological symptoms. Biological studies showed non-parathyroid hormone-mediated excessive bone resorption and massive urinary calcium loss. Although IJO is usually a self-limiting condition after puberty, the severity of our patient’s manifestations required therapeutic intervention. Clodronate (dichloromethylene-bisphosphonate) was administered parenterally every 3 months for a period of 2 years. Dramatic clinical and biochemical improvement was noted within 2 weeks. All parameters of bone resorption normalised and no new fractures occurred. After 6 months of treatment, radiological improvement with healing of fractures and rebuilding of the vertebral plates was documented. Bone mineral density increased to normal within 1 year and growth velocity was accelerated. After 2 years, treatment was stopped at the age of 10 years and 3 months. One year later, back pain and increasing pain in the knee region recurred. A tibial fracture was evident and, again, bone mineral density was far below normal. Bisphosphonate medication was reinstituted leading to rapid improvement. No side-effects were observed. Conclusion:parenteral clodronate therapy is effective in managing severe idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis.
GABA stimulation and blockade in the hypothalamus and midbrain: effects on feeding and locomotor activity.

Abstract Microinjections of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) antagonist, bicuculline methiodide (BM) (100 ng), into the anterolateral hypothalamus (LH) increased ingestion of sweet milk. A subsequent injection of BM 48 hrs. later produced a type of kindling effect consisting of feeding related automatisms, such as gnawing and bitting. The behavioral effects of injections of 100 ng of GABA into the LH were variable. GABA injections into the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) reliably increased food intake. GABA injections into the origin of the nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) suppressed it. Similar injections into the origin of the mesolimbic DA cells in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) had no effect on feeding behavior. Following BM injections into the SN, a moderate increase in tilt box activity was observed. A second injection of the GABA blocker 6 days later exaggerated this effect. Short latency extreme hyperactivation was accompanied by unidirectional barrel rolling which persisted until blocked by local injections of GABA.
Electrode Kinetics of Cytochrome c Models

Abstract The second order rate constant of the terminal oxidation chain in actively respiring mitochondria is known to be in the range between 10 7 and 10 9 dm 3 mol −1 s −1 .This remarkably fast reactivity is accounted for by sequential electron transfer through a “potential cascade” involving cytochrome c as a catalytic redox-couple. The relevant mechanism was explored by “electrochemical modelling” based on analogies postulated by the M arcus theory. Results were obtained at dropping and hanging drop mercury electrodes in several solvents. The kinetics of the ferrous-ferric electrooxidation-reduction process varied in various heme and homochrome moieties by three orders of magnitude. Solvent-solute interactions affecting the porphyrin periphery were the major controlling factor, suggesting that electron transfer occurred primarily via the plane of the tetrapyrole ring.
The independance of forward and backward estimation errors in the two-filter form of the fixed interval Kalman smoother

In this paper it is shown that the Fraser-Potter two-filter form of the fixed interval Kalman smoother can be derived without assuming that the forward and backward estimation errors are independent. In fact, it is shown that when the transformed process noise autocorrelation is nonsingular, the aforementioned independence is a conclusion rather than a hypothesis. Some additional conclusions pertinent to computations are also provided.
Crossing Numbers of Graphs with Rotation Systems

We show that computing the crossing number and the odd crossing number of a graph with a given rotation system is NP-complete. As a consequence we can show that many of the well-known crossing number notions are NP-complete even if restricted to cubic graphs (with or without rotation system). In particular, we can show that Tutte’s independent odd crossing number is NP-complete, and we obtain a new and simpler proof of Hliněný’s result that computing the crossing number of a cubic graph is NP-complete. We also consider the special case of multigraphs with rotation systems on a fixed number k of vertices. For k=1 we give an O(mlog m) algorithm, where m is the number of edges, and for loopless multigraphs on 2 vertices we present a linear time 2-approximation algorithm. In both cases there are interesting connections to edit-distance problems on (cyclic) strings. For larger k we show how to approximate the crossing number to within a factor of ${k+4\choose4}/5$ in time O(m k log m) on a graph with m edges.
Atrial Pacing During Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty: Results and Comparison with Exercise Treadmill Testing

Right atrial pacing (RAP) was used to immediately assess improvement in threshold for myocardial ischemia in 23 patients undergoing angiographically successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Multiple coronary lesions were present in 19 patients, and 15 had incomplete revascular ization. All patients had RAP done immediately before and after completion of all dilatations, and in 13 patients pre- and post-PTCA exercise treadmill tests (ETT) were also performed. Angina occurred in 16 (70%) patients during pre- PTCA RAP, but in only 4 (17%) after PTCA (p < .05). The electrocardiogram was positive for ischemia (horizontal or downsloping ST depression ≥ 1 mm) in 18 patients (78%) during pre-PTCA RAP. However, 13 patients (57%) continued to have an ischemic response during post-PTCA RAP (not significant—NS). In 4 patients with multiple coronary lesions who had sequential pacing studies after PTCA of each lesion, the maximum degree of ST depression decreased by 1 mm or more after each dila...
An X-ray diffraction study of krypton adsorbed on MgO(100) surfaces

Abstract Krypton in a triangular 2D solid phase was observed to form on the (100) surfaces of MgO crystallites. This system is unique because the physisorbed inert gas overlayer is not only incommensurate, but of a symmetry entirely unrelated to that of the substrate. Melting of the adsorbate occurred in the neighborhood of 70K for all coverages studied.
Genetic and Nonshared Environmental Factors Predict Handgun Ownership in Early Adulthood

Handgun ownership has been the focus of much criminological research due to the overinvolvement of handguns in violent crime. This literature has, however, overlooked the potential role genetic factors play in the decision to purchase a handgun. The current study analyzed the genetic and environmental influences on handgun ownership among a large sample of young adult twins from the United States. Analyses revealed a stronger concordance for gun ownership among identical twins as compared to fraternal twins and univariate ACE model results indicated genetic (57%) and nonshared environmental (43%) factors explained the variance in handgun ownership. A mediation analysis was performed and the results indicated a portion of the genetic influence on handgun ownership may be mediated by victimization experiences.
Photolysis of iododeoxycytidine in DNA and related polynucleotides: wavelength dependence and energy transfer.

— 5'-Iodocytosine (IC) containing denatured DNA and poly(C) were prepared and the photoinduced loss of iodine measured for irradiation at wavelengths between 240 and 313 nm. The following intrinsic quantum yields (ΦINT) were obtained for irradiation at λex > 300 nm where only IC absorbs: denatured DNA (0.01), poly(C) (0.013), apurinic acid (0.018) and IdCMP (0.026). These results suggest that geometrical or structural restraints in the polymer, which increase with the degree of base stacking, inhibit the loss of iodine from an excited IC residue. The variation in the photochemical cross section for iodine photolysis was measured as a function of the wavelength of irradiation and found to vary in a manner which indicates that absorption by noniodinated residues can lead to iodine photolysis. It is proposed that energy transfer from neighboring bases to an adjacent IC residue takes place, resulting in an action spectrum for iodine photolysis which reflects absorption of excitation energy by noniodinated as well as iodinated residues. The contribution due to energy transfer in denatured DNA was estimated to be from not more than a single base located on either side of an IC residue. The degree of transfer was slightly less in iodinated poly(C) and decreased 4-fold following depurination of the DNA. These results are consistent with a structurally dependent energy transfer process in which IC, because of its lower lying singlet state, can act as an energy trap.
Information- and graph-theoretic analysis of bacterial two component system

The bacterial two-component system is the major signal transduction system consisting of two geens, a histidine kinase (HK) and a response regulator (RR). The mechanism of how these simple systems maximize highly specific signal array and minimize irrelevant crosstalks has not been well characterized. In particular, the underlying biohemical mechanism of functional HK-RR pairs is yet to be understood since HK and RR genes share high level of sequence similarity. In this paper, we show, using an information- and graph-theoretic approach, that there are non-conserved, but highly co-evolving amino acid residue pairs in functional HK-RR pairs, but not in potentially non-functional HK-RR pairs. This finding can potentially help us to understand how HK and RR pairs and can lead us to develop a computational method to predcit the functional HK-RR pairs and a guidance system for the mutation experiment design for a TCS.
Four Distinct Membrane-bound Dipeptidase RNAs Are Differentially Expressed and Show Discordant Regulation with γ-Glutamyl Transpeptidase

Membrane-bound dipeptidase (MBD) participates in the degradation of glutathione by cleaving the cysteinyl-glycine bond of cystinyl bisglycine (oxidized cysteinyl-glycine) following removal of a γ-glutamyl group by γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). In the mouse, MBD RNA is most abundant in small intestine, kidney, and lung and is represented by four distinct RNA species. These are generated by transcription from two promoters located 6 kilobases apart in the 5′ flanking region of the gene and by the use of two different poly(A) addition sites. Promoter I is used primarily in small intestine and kidney, whereas promoter II is most active in lung and kidney. We found a discordance in the expected co-expression of MBD and GGT; as expected, MBD and GGT are both expressed at high levels in the kidney and small intestine. However, in the lung, MBD is expressed at high levels, whereas GGT is almost undetectable. The reverse is true in the seminal vesicles and fetal liver. Thus, although both enzymes may function in concert to metabolize glutathione in kidney and small intestine, in other tissues they appear to act independently, suggesting that they have independent roles in other biological processes.
Synthesis, characterization and surface modification of low moduli poly(ether carbonate urethane)ureas for soft tissue engineering

Abstract Flexible scaffolds are of great interest in engineering functional and mechano-active soft tissues as such scaffolds might allow mechanical stimuli to transfer effectively from the scaffolds to cells during tissue development. Towards this end, we have developed a family of flexible poly(ether carbonate urethane)ureas (PECUUs) with a triblock copolymer poly(trimethylene carbonate)–poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC–PEO–PTMC) or pentablock copolymers PTMC–PEO–PPO–PEO–PTMC (PPO, polypropylene oxide) as soft segments, linked by 1,4-diisocyanatobutane and putrescine. All of the PECUUs had low glass transition temperatures ( 180% for RGDS-modified PECUUs, with cell viability on both surfaces increasing during culture. These low moduli polyurethanes may find applications in engineering cardiovascular or other soft tissues.
Decay characteristics and masses of positive K Mesons produced by the Bevatron

A large emulsion stack exposed to the positive K beam at the Berkeley 6 GeV Bevatron has been used to measure the mass of the K-particles and their abundances. The masses for the decay modes Kμ2, Kπ2 and τ were obtained by measurement of the mean range of the secondaries. In addition, masses for all modes compared to the proton mass were measured by the range-momentum method. The abundances were determined by following and blob-counting secondaries. The data are : Type Abundances % Primary Mass (mfe) Mass from Secondary Range (mfe) τ 5.56 ± 0.41 966.3 ± 2.1 966.1 ± 0.7 τ´ 2.15 ± 0.47 967.7 ± 4 ─ Kfμ2 58.2 ± 3.0 967.2 ± 2.2 965.8 ± 2.4 Kfπ2 28.9 ± 2.7 966.7 ± 2.0 962.8 ± 1.8 Kfμ3 2.83 ± 0.95 969 ± 5 ─ Kfe3 3.23 ± 1.30 967 ± 8 ─
Finding the limit: examining the potential and complexity of compilation scheduling for JIT-based runtime systems

This work aims to find out the full potential of compilation scheduling for JIT-based runtime systems. Compilation scheduling determines the order in which the compilation units (e.g., functions) in a program are to be compiled or recompiled. It decides when what versions of the units are ready to run, and hence affects performance. But it has been a largely overlooked direction in JIT-related research, with some fundamental questions left open: How significant compilation scheduling is for performance, how good the scheduling schemes employed by existing runtime systems are, and whether a great potential exists for improvement. This study proves the strong NP-completeness of the problem, proposes a heuristic algorithm that yields near optimal schedules, examines the potential of two current scheduling schemes empirically, and explores the relations with JIT designs. It provides the first principled understanding to the complexity and potential of compilation scheduling, shedding some insights for JIT-based runtime system improvement.
The role of γ/δ T cells in immunity to infection and regulation of inflammation

The role of γ/δ T cells in immunity to bacterial infection and control of inflammation is discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the use of murine models in which various aspects of immune function can be monitored in the absence of γ/δ T cells. Issues discussed include the response to and control of cytokine production by γ/δ T cells. Especially relevant is the apparent paradox that γ/δ T cells play both pro-inflammatory and antiinflammatory roles in response to infection.
Biofeedback: A new treatment for psychosomatic and functional disorders?

IOFEEDBACK is “the use of modern instrumentation to give an individual better moment-to-moment information about a physiologic process that is under the control of the nervous system but not clearly or accurately perceived.“’ Such information can be used to learn the regulation of these processes (e.g., blood pressure) and in fact, biofeedback approaches are now being applied to the treatment of a wide variety of disorders in which physiologic responses are deranged (e.g., hypertension). Relaxation training is often combined with biofeedback procedures in such treatment. This training can produce a relaxation response* or low arousal state3 characterized by decreased oxygen consumption, heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tone, and respiratory rate as well as increased skin resistance and alpha and theta activity.2 Some investigators have suggested that cultivating a relaxed state alone is a useful technique for treating medical problems. 4s The clinical application of relaxation and biofeedback has been given a great deal of publicity that is optimistic in nature, but too few critical reviews of evidence.=s’ None of these reviews have focused on the treatment of the disorders most frequently referred to psychiatrists-those in which psychologic factors are usually considered to be important; i.e., psychosomatic and functional conditions. Since biofeedback may provide a new alternative or adjunctive therapy to the psychiatrist, this author will review research on the clinical application of biofeedback, alone or in combination with relaxation, to psychosomatic or functional disorders. These include anxiety states, phobias, headaches, insomnia, functional bowel disturbances, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and hypertension. By examining research performed on patients, I will present a status report on the use of biofeedback for each clinical problem. In this way I hope to present a realistic picture of the present value of this treatment approach for the clinical psychiatrist. Anxiety States (Table I) Raskin et al.’ treated 10 chronically anxious patients who had had prior treatment with psychotherapy, and in some instances tranquilizers, without clinical benefit. Before active treatment was begun, an 8-wk baseline period was used to assess symptoms and practice relaxation at home. Subsequently, 40 electromyogram (EMG) feedback sessions were given over an 8-wk period, while home relaxation was encouraged. No treatment control groups were established. Results showed four patients with at least moderate relief of symptoms. Most other subjects were unable to affect symptoms but could relax in a calm environment. Gar
Response to CO2 of intrapulmonary chemoreceptors in the emu.

Abstract We studied discharge frequencies of 12 intrapulmonary chemoreeeptors in the paleopulmonie lung of an emu ( Dromiceius novaehollandiae ) during unidirectional, artificial ventilation when step changes and static CO 2 concentrations were given. Discharge frequency in afferent neurons from the receptors increased as intrapulmonary CO 2 decreased. The response of the receptors to various static intrapulmonary CO 2 concentrations was similar to that previously demonstrated for the duck and chicken. The median sensitivity of the emu receptors at one-half maximal discharge was 4.6 imp · (sec · 0.01 F i CO 2 ) − . Discharge frequencies altered phasically in nine of 12 receptors when step changes in CO 2 of 3.3% at 1.6 Hz were given in the unidirectional gas stream while four of 12 modulated their discharge when the CO 2 changes were as rapid as 3.2 Hz. Hence, some receptors can respond to rapid fluctuations in CO 2 in their microenvironment. We conclude that intrapulmonary chemoreeeptors in the paleopulmonie lung of the emu exhibit similar characteristics to those in birds that possess varying amounts of neopulmonic parabronchi, such as the duck and chicken.
Review of interventions to increase hearing protective device use in youth who live or work on farms

Aims and objectives To identify and compare hearing protection interventions for youth working and living on farms. Background Noise-induced hearing loss represents a significant risk factor for injury, disability and death in agricultural populations due to an inability to receive sensory information that can indicate dangerous situations. Despite the availability of hearing protection devices, rates of utilisation remain low, while rates of noise-induced hearing loss are high within the agricultural youth population. Design Comprehensive review of the literature. Method Electronic database searches were conducted to identify research studies of hearing protection interventions for youth living or working on farms. Results Three intervention studies were identified as meeting the review criteria, with additional reanalysis studies based on the original intervention studies. The intervention studies demonstrated increased use of hearing protection devices among youth who received the interventions compared to the control groups although audiometry testing results were not improved as a result of the intervention. Conclusions The findings of this review highlight the need for additional research into the effectiveness of hearing protection device use as a noise-induced hearing loss preventative measure in youth who live or work on farms and the creation of effective interventions to increase hearing protection device use and decrease Noise-induced hearing loss risk. Relevance to clinical practice It is recommended that nurses be educated in the areas of health promotion relevant to farming communities to be able to effectively meet their rural clients' needs in relation to noise-induced hearing loss. Working with youth, families, and schools, as well as developing community partnerships, can facilitate the dissemination of hearing protection promotion.
Regularity in fuzzy convergence spaces

The notions of regularity and weak regularity are introduced in the category of fuzzy convergence spaces, and each is shown to be an extension of regularity with respect to the embedding functor from the category of convergence spaces. Moreover, the category whose objects are weakly regular fuzzy spaces is topological and thus initial and final regular structures exist. The relationship between regularity and a diagonal condition is given.
c-Myc Is Dispensable for Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts

Summary Retroviral transduction of the four transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc has been shown to initiate a reprogramming process that results in the transformation of mouse fibroblasts into embryonic stem (ES)-like cells designated as induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells (Maherali et al., 2007; Meissner et al., 2007; Okita et al., 2007; Takahashi and Yamanaka, 2006; Wernig et al., 2007). The promise of somatic reprogramming is the possibility to generate pluripotent stem cells that are patient specific and can be used as a unique source for autologous cell types for transplantation therapy (Jaenisch, 2004; Yamanaka, 2007). Many iPS cell-derived animals develop tumors due to the reactivation of the c-Myc virus (Okita et al., 2007), and this represents a major safety concern if we want to translate this approach to humans. It is thus of great importance to achieve reprogramming without this particular oncogene in the future. Here we show that fibroblasts can be reprogrammed to a pluripotent state by Oct4, Sox2, and Klf4 in the absence of c-Myc.
Anagram free-recall and recognition learning, and paired-associate transfer

Summary A marked and consistent free-learning superiority was found for conditions where recall was permitted in any letter order over conditions requiring reproduction of the exact letter order, with a recognition procedure requiring identification rather than reproduction of the correct letter order being intermediate between them. Contrary to preliminary findings, this difference was not reduced when all trigrams could be converted into words by the same letter-order transformation, and number of different letter-order transformations had no significant effect on performance. Subsequent paired-associate performance was best after the exact-order free-recall procedure, and worst for any-order groups. However, all groups showed marked facilitation on pairs constituted of trigrams from the free-learning list as compared with new pairs, although more so under exact-order and recognition than any-order conditions.