cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Age of onset of heaviest use of cannabis or alcohol in persons with severe opioid or cocaine use disorders

Abstract Background Persons with severe opioid or cocaine use disorders are particularly vulnerable to morbidity and mortality. Heaviest use of mu-opioid receptor agonists and cocaine typically commences in early adulthood and is preceded by substantial adolescent exposure to cannabis and/or alcohol. Little information exists on the age trajectories of exposure to cannabis or alcohol in persons diagnosed with severe opioid or cocaine use disorders, compared to persons diagnosed with other substance use disorders (unrelated to opioids or cocaine). Method This observational study had n = 854 volunteers (male = 581, female = 273; ≥18 years of age at the time of interview) and examined the ages of onset of heaviest use of cannabis and alcohol in persons diagnosed by DSM-IV criteria with opioid dependence (OD), both opioid and cocaine dependence (OD + CD) and cocaine dependence (CD). These age trajectory measures were compared to persons with other substance use disorders (primarily cannabis and alcohol use disorders, termed “Any Other Diagnoses”). Results Unadjusted survival analyses showed persons diagnosed with either OD + CD or CD had earlier onset of heaviest use of cannabis (mean ages of 16.2 and 17.8, respectively) compared to the “Any Other Diagnoses” reference group (mean age = 19.5). A multivariate logistic regression showed that later onset of heaviest use of cannabis was associated with lower odds of being in the OD + CD or CD groups, when compared to the reference group. Conclusions Persons diagnosed with severe cocaine use disorders or dual opioid and cocaine use disorders exhibit a pattern of heavy and especially early adolescent exposure to cannabis, compared to persons with other substance use disorders.
P211 Changes in sexual behavior during COVID-19 among men who have sex with men in a sexual network study

Background As part of an ongoing sexual network study, we assessed the impact of COVID-19 on sexual behavior of men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods The Columbus, Ohio arm of the multi-site Network Epidemiology of Syphilis Transmission (NEST) study is following 241 MSM over two years. Participants attend quarterly visits with behavioral surveys and HIV/STI testing. In April 2020, we implemented an additional survey to measure the impact of COVID-19 on sexual behavior. Our analysis compared participants’ reported sexual behavior during two periods: April-July 2020 (T1) and August-December 2020 (T2). Results Of the 200 participants who completed at least one COVID-19 survey in either time period, 10 (5%) self-reported a previous COVID-19 diagnosis. We compared behaviors reported by 174 respondents who submitted surveys in both time periods. During T1, about half (46%) said they felt more anxious about sex since COVID-19; anxiety was similar during T2 (43%). Many reported engaging in online sexual activities, though we saw no meaningful differences by time period for starting or increasing chatting on hookup apps (T1=30%, T2=30%), sexting (T1=30%, T2=25%), or video chat sex (T1=16%, T2=14%). Watching pornography was reported more often in T1 than T2 (53% vs. 42%). Nearly a third of respondents (30%) in T1 reported that they were not having sex; this decreased to 17% in T2. Compared to pre-pandemic behavior, in T1 a majority of participants (74%) said they were less likely to have sex with a new partner, compared to 61% during T2. Conclusion During COVID-19, nearly half of MSM reported feeling more anxious about sex, and many turned to online activities in lieu of in-person sex. However, when comparing the early months of the pandemic to later months of 2020, more participants are resuming in-person sex, and willingness to have sex with new partners also rose.
The impact of touchscreen interactivity on U.S. toddlers’ selective attention and learning from digital media

This study tested the extent to which the presence and relevance of interactive features influence toddlers’ visual attention and learning from videos. Two-year-olds (N = 88) watched an animated be...
The Effect of Limiting Trial Count in Context Aware BCIs: A Case Study with Language Model Assisted Spelling

Deflections in recorded electroencephalography (EEG) in response to visual, auditory or tactile stimuli have been popularly employed in non-invasive EEG based brain computer intefaces (BCIs) for intent detection. For example, in an externally stimulated typing BCI, an accurate estimate of the user intent might require long EEG data collection before the system can make a decision with a desired confidence. Long decision period can lead to slow typing and hence the user frustration. Therefore, there is a trade-off between the accuracy of inference and the typing speed. In this manuscript, using Monte-Carlo simulations, we assess the speed and accuracy of a Language Model (LM) assisted non-invasive EEG based typing BCI, RSVPKeyboard™, as a function of the maximum number of repetitions of visual stimuli sequences and the inter-trial interval (ITI) within the sequences. We show that the best typing performance with RSVPKeyboard™can be obtained when ITI=150 ms and maximum number of allowed sequences is 8. Even though the probabilistic fusion of the language model with the EEG evidence for joint inference allows the RSVPKeyboard™ to perform auto-typing when the system is confident enough t o make decisions before collecting EEG evidence, our experimental results show that RSVPKeyboard™does not benefit from auto-typing.
Abstract 18637: Differing Genetic Expression Patterns in Infants with Aortic Coarctation With Without Arch Hypoplasia

Introduction: Despite adequate repair, coarctation of the aorta (CoA) with concomitant aortic arch hypoplasia (AAH) is associated with an increased risk of hypertension. However, the mechanism(s) involved in the development of hypertension are unknown Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the aortic arch of infants with CoA + AAH would have differences in gene expression compared to infants with CoA alone, providing insight into the pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to later hypertension. Methods: In 14 infants (7-CoA+AAH, 7-CoA alone) we analyzed mRNA after isolating the aortic tissue from the transverse aortic arch and the aorta distal to the CoA. An Affymetrix 1.0 genome array was performed to elucidate differences in gene expression between aortic arch and distal aorta from infants with CoA+AAH vs. CoA alone. RT-PCR validated genetic differences after quantifying the fold difference in expression by normalizing the aortic arch mRNA to the distal aorta. Results: The micro-array data identified 807 genes that were significantly expressed from within the aortic arch of infants with CoA+AAH, predominantly in vascular smooth muscle cell regulation, cell division, and development. In contrast, infants with isolated CoA without AAH, demonstrated decreased number, and different focus, of gene expression (532 genes predominately involved in cell division). RT-PCR confirmed that aortic arch hepsin expression, a gene involved in cell growth, was significantly over-expressed in infants with CoA+AAH (26.1±18 vs. 0.5±10; p=0.05). Conclusions: Infants with CoA+AAH have differences in aortic arch gene expression compared to infants with CoA alone. We postulate that these genetic variations contribute to the pathophysiologic changes that lead to later hypertension.
A Cluster Based Hierarchical Routing Protocol for Mobile Networks

We propose a hierarchical, cluster based semi-distributed routing protocol for a mobile ad hoc network. The network graph is partitioned into clusters using heuristics and the shortest routes are first calculated locally in each cluster in the first phase. The network is then simplified to consist only of the nodes that have connections to other clusters called the neighbor nodes and the shortest routes are calculated for this simple network in the second. A complete route between two nodes of different clusters is formed by the union of intra-cluster and inter-cluster routes. We show that this method has better performance with respect to the other methods of calculation of all-pairs shortest paths in a mobile network...
Incomplete behavioural isolation and asymmetric female preference in darter sister species (Percidae: Etheostoma)

In this study, female preferences and behavioural isolation were estimated in a pair of allopatric sister species, Etheostoma duryi and Etheostoma flavum. Dichotomous mate preference trials were conducted to determine whether females prefer to associate with conspecific over heterospecific males and free-spawning assays were conducted to determine whether those preferences translated into behavioural isolation. Dichotomous mate choice trials revealed asymmetric female preference, as female E. flavum preferred conspecific males, whereas female E. duryi showed no preference. Free-spawning assays indicated that behavioural isolation remains incomplete between E. duryi and E. flavum (IB = 0·19). In addition to female mating preferences, male behaviour also appeared to influence mating outcomes as male E. flavum consistently courted conspecific females more often in free-spawning assays whereas male E. duryi did not. The data therefore suggest that despite marked divergence in male nuptial colour, divergence in female preferences between these species may not be sufficient to maintain species boundaries upon secondary contact. These results contrast with similar work in a sympatric darter species pair and may be explained by considering the contributions of reinforcement and differences in colour pattern as well as colour value.
Stimulation of the high-affinity IgE receptor results in the tyrosine phosphorylation of a 60 kD protein which is associated with the protein-tyrosine kinase, Csk.

Abstract The protein tyrosine kinase Csk downregulates the activity of the Src family of kinases and has a negative effect on signal transduction through several Src kinase-associated receptors. Because the Src-family kinase Lyn plays a pivotal role in FceRI-mediated cellular activation, we examined whether Csk is involved in FceRI signaling events. Using anti-Csk antibodies and recombinant fusion proteins we detected a single tyrosine-phosphorylated protein of 60 kD (herein referred to as ‘p60’) that associates with the SH2 domain of Csk after stimulation of the FceRI. p60 phosphorylation reached a maximum within one minute and remained constant while the receptors were aggregated; disaggregation of the receptors resulted in rapid dephosphorylation of p60. The phosphorylation of p60 was only detected after activation by IgE and antigen and not by stimulation with PMA and\or ionomycin. Phosphorylated p60 was associated entirely with the membrane fraction of the cells. A considerable fraction of Csk was associated with the membrane in both unstimulated and stimulated cells, this fraction did not change upon activation. p60 coprecipitated with Csk from both unstimulated and FceRI stimulated cells and was phosphorylated by the immunocomplex. Total kinase activity of Csk immunoprecipitates increased upon FceRI stimulation. p60 did not react with antibodies to a number of known signaling molecules, including the recently cloned, GAP-associated protein, p62 dok . Our data demonstrate that Csk associates with a membrane-anchored protein complex that is directly involved in Fc e RI signal transduction.
Knot selection for parametric spline interpolation

Abstract We present a new method for the selection of knot sequences for parametric spline curves. The method takes into consideration the geometry of the control points and produces quality results for a wide variety of curve fitting problems. In addition, this method is invariant with respect to affine transformations of the control points.
Divide and conquer semantic web with modular ontologies: a brief review of modular ontology language formalisms

Distributed data and knowledge base applications need ontology languages and tools that can support collaborative construction, sharing, and use of large ontologies. Modular ontology languages aim to address this challenge by providing language support for organizing complex ontologies into relatively independent modules, selective sharing of information among ontology modules, and reasoning with multiple ontology modules. This paper summarizes the evolution, language features and semantics of recent modular ontology language proposals, including Distributed Description Logics (DDL), E-Connections and Package-based Description Logics (P-DL) and describes some steps towards a modular ontology language that meets the needs of real-world Semantic Web applications.
Médicos, hospitales y servicios de inteligencia: el movimiento médico mexicano de 1964-1965 a través de reportes de inteligencia

In the autumn of 1964, residents and interns of Mexico's hospitals began a strike to demand salary increases, better working conditions, and more educational opportunities. As time passed, however, these workplace demands shifted to encompass more global issues of social justice, the right of all Mexicans to healthcare, and even peasant rights and agrarian reform. The Mexican government, concerned by the growing influence of these young doctors, made it a top priority of the intelligence service to monitor on a daily basis all Mexico City hospitals and to clandestinely follow certain physicians. Using only a sampling of these intelligence reports, the article reveals how the government of Gustavo Diaz Ordaz used the medical movement to better understand the student protests of 1968.
La danza y el concepto de estilo

El uso del termino "estilo" se examina con respecto a la danza y se explora su relacion con la estructura, la forma y el contenido social. La mayor dimension conceptual considerada es la forma (es decir, la entidad de contenido), que consiste en la estructura mas el estilo. Se explican los motivos y coremas como la base de las danzas, importantes para el estudio tanto de la estructura como del estilo. Luego se examinan estos ultimos como aspectos de competencia y ejecucion. La danza polinesia se describe en terminos de canon, estructura y estilo, y se emplean cuatro versiones del hula pahu hawaiano llamado Kaulilua para ilustrar las diferencias estilisticas. Un concepto que subyace en el articulo es que tanto la estructura como el estilo son "emic"
Antithrombotic Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation, Valvular Heart Disease, Management of Elevated INRs, and Perioperative Management

This chapter will concisely summarize the following sections of the anticoagulation guidelines (for management of deep vein thrombosis [DVT]/pulmonary embolism [PE], see chapter on DVT/PE): 1. Prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). 2. Antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation (AF). 3. Antithrombotic therapy in valvular heart disease—native and prosthetic. 4. Management of elevated international normalized ratios (INRs) or bleeding in patients receiving vitamin K antagonists (VKA). 5. Managing anticoagulation therapy in patients requiring invasive procedures (1).
Presentation techniques in distance education and training

The melding of television, satellites, computers and the Web make new media available to instructors of engineering communication courses. The paper describes how interactive video and audio can maximize educational impact within current technological constraints.
A visual language system for developing and presenting Internet-based education

The paper describes a visual language for organizing educational materials to be published on the World Wide Web using the Collaborative Multimedia Instructional Toolkit (CoMMIT). The developer uses the visual language to create a precedence graph that defines the organizational structure of the materials. This graph specifies materials that must be viewed as prerequisites for viewing other materials. This provides significantly more flexibility than existing path based educational authoring systems or hypertext link based HTML editors. Additional icons representing questions and advice supplement the precedence graph to provide educational support.
Impact of warning and brief intervention messages on knowledge of gambling risk, irrational beliefs and behaviour

This analog study examined whether warning and brief intervention messages would increase gamblers' knowledge of odds, alter level of irrational beliefs, and influence gambling behaviour on a computerized roulette game. College‐age participants (N = 101) were matched on level of gambling irrational beliefs and self‐efficacy and then randomly assigned to receive a warning message, a warning message plus information on limit setting and irrational beliefs, or a video about gambling history. Participants were then allowed to play roulette. In contrast to those who watched the video only, participants in the two message conditions showed greater knowledge of the risks of gambling. The limit‐setting strategy produced significant reductions in gambling‐related irrational beliefs. Across conditions, participants did not gamble differently. These results suggest that warning messages might have informational value and that limit‐setting strategies hold promise for producing cognitive change in gamblers. Under the...
Walking and Thinking in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis Who Vary in Disability

Abstract Sosnoff JJ, Boes MK, Sandroff BM, Socie MJ, Pula JH, Motl RW. Walking and thinking in persons with multiple sclerosis who vary in disability. Objective To examine the effect of a cognitive task on spatiotemporal parameters of gait in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) with varying disability. Design Cohort. Setting Testing occurred at a local hospital. Participants Community-living persons (N=78) with MS participated in this investigation. They were divided into 3 groups based on Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores: mild (2.0–3.5 EDSS; n=21); moderate (4.0–5.5 EDSS; n=25); and severe (6.0–6.5 EDSS; n=32). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Participants walked at a self-selected pace on an electronic pathway, which recorded spatiotemporal parameters of gait, in 4 separate trials and completed a cognitive task in the last 2 trials. The effect of the cognitive task was quantified as the change in spatiotemporal parameters of gait. Results There was an overall decline in gait with the additive cognitive task. The magnitude of the adverse changes ranged from 1.8% for step length ( P =.02 ) to 12% for gait velocity ( P ) . Moreover, adverse changes in gait function were greatest in the severe and moderate disability group ( P Conclusions Persons with MS have impaired walking while doing a cognitive task, and the adverse effect of a cognitive task on walking function is greatest in persons with severe and moderate disability. Difficulty walking while thinking has implications for everyday life and may be related to the risk of falls. Further work is needed to determine whether the adverse effect of an additive cognitive task can be minimized with rehabilitative interventions.
Results of a Brief Nutrition Survey of Outpatients Infected With HIV

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To assess nutrition related symptomatology and nutrition information needs of HTV infected outpatients. A nutrition questionnaire was distributed to 29 HIV positive patients seen in an Infectious Diseases clinic not currently staffed by a Registered Dietitian (RD). The questionnaire sought to obtain four pieces of information: a) weight loss history, b) the presence of disease symptoms that could interfere with nutrient intake, c) nutrition information needs identified by the patient and d) from whom the patient had received nutrition information in the past. Results of the survey show that 28% were
Epitope mapping of function-blocking monoclonal antibody CM6 suggests a "weak" integrin binding site on the laminin-332 LG2 domain.

Laminin-332 (Ln-332) is an extracellular matrix molecule that regulates cell adhesion, spreading, and migration by interaction with cell surface receptors such as α3β1 and α6β4. Previously, we developed a function-blocking monoclonal antibody against rat Ln-332, CM6, which blocks hemidesmosome assembly induced by Ln-332-α6β4 interactions. However, the location of its epitope on Ln-332 has remained unclear. In this study, we show that the CM6 epitope is located on the laminin G-like (LG)2 module of the Ln-332 α3 chain. To specify the residues involved in this epitope, we produced a series of GST-fused α3 LG2 mutant proteins in which rat-specific acids were replaced with human acids by a site-directed mutagenesis strategy. CM6 reactivity against these proteins showed that CM6 binds to the 1089NERSVR1094 sequence of rat Ln-332 LG2 module. In a structural model, this sequence maps to an LG2 loop sequence that is exposed to solvent according to predictions, consistent with its accessibility to antibody. CM6 inhibits integrin-dependent cell adhesion on Ln-332 and inhibits cell spreading on both Ln-332 and recombinant LG2 (rLG2; but not rLG3), suggesting the presence of an α3β1 binding site on LG2. However, we were unable to show that rLG2 supports adhesion in standard assays, suggesting that LG2 may contain a “weak” integrin binding site, only detectable in spreading assays that do not require washes. These results, together with our previous findings, indicate that binding sites for α3β1 and α6β4 are closely spaced in the Ln-332 LG domains where they regulate alternative cell functions, namely adhesion/migration or hemidesmosome anchoring. J. Cell. Physiol. 223:541–548, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Time resolved degree of polarization for human breast tissue

Polarized light propagating through the tissue retains the polarization information. The temporal profiles of the degree of polarization of the output light depends on the wavelength of the light and the type of the tissue that it propagates.
TEMPORA ET MORES: FAMILY VALUES AND THE POSSESSIONS OF A POST-APARTHEID COUNTRYSIDE

This paper examines a set of ritual responses to the challenges that post-apartheid South Africa's political economy poses to projects of domestic reproduction in the former Bantustan countryside of Zululand, where unemployment has limited the capacities of young men to create marital households. In the case study on which the paper is based, one such man's misfortunes are connected by divination to the spirit of an older kinsman who disappeared while working as a labor migrant. I argue that this connection and the rituals meant to confront it turn on fraught symbolic relations between the present and two pasts: the past of apartheid migrancy and a projected past of custom. Like the ghosts by which they are manifest, these times trouble domestic life in the present because of contradictory developments forcing unemployed migrants back on the values of private spheres while they undermine the bases of rural households.
High Resolution Imaging Detector For Use With A Soft X-Ray Telescope

Advanced x-ray imaging and data analysis for studies of the solar corona has led to successes with grazing-incidence optics, culminating in the very productive Skylab. Currently an extremely high-resolution technique is being constructed utilizing multilayer coated optics for imaging in the soft x-ray regime. This technique has the ability to achieve good x-ray reflectivities at normal incidence; thus, very-high-quality imaging, possible down to the diffraction limit can be achieved. At the same time, the multilayer coating technique is inherently capable of moderate spectral resolution of order lambda/delta lambda + approximately 50-200. Because of the requirements that must be met in an imaging detector for solar applications - small pixel size, large detector area and ability to handle high count rates - the photographic emulsion has so far been the best available choice. Film has many limitations for space instrumentation, the most important of which are that it needs to be retrieved and that it has low detective quantum efficiency. Development has begun on a high efficiency electronic-detector system that appears able to meet all of the stringent requirements of coronal studies. The immediate goal is to construct a 2048 X 2048 system with pixel size of 5 micrometers, capable ofmore » handling count rates up to a few 100000 cts/s in the photon counting mode, and substantially higher rates in the A/D mode. The following will discuss the present status of the development program and show some of the results.« less
Experimental corticosteroid myopathy.

The steroids triamcinolone, dexamethasone, beta-methasone, and cortisone were administered i.p. to adult rats for 14–63 days. The extensor digitorum longus (EDL, white muscle) and soleus (SOL, red muscle) muscles were examined histologically and histochemically. Triamcinolone was the most potent lesion-producing drug. Selective involvement of muscles, and of the fiber types within them was observed: Neerotic changes were seen only in the type 1 fibers of the SOL; atrophic fibers were observed in the type 2 fibers of both the SOL and the EDL.
Breakout Session: Ethnic and Gender Differences in Diabetic Foot Management and Amputations

Background Although the health status of all Americans has improved substantially in the past century, gender and ethnic disparities still persist. Gender and ethnic disparities in diabetic foot management and amputations are an important but largely ignored issue in musculoskeletal health care.
VDEPT: An enzyme/prodrug gene therapy approach for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

Abstract Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) remains a significant medical challenge with an expected 350000 new cases per year. Although the primary cancer can be successfully controlled by surgical resection, metastatic disease to the liver is the most common demise of the CRC patient. New innovative approaches must be developed for the treatment of CRC hepatic metastasis if the overall 2- and 5-year survival rates and quality of life assessments are to improved. We now describe an innovative gene therapy approach for the treatment of metastatic CRC, an approach called VDEPT. In this approach, an artificial chimeric gene is created which consists of two components: (1) the transcriptional regulatory sequence (TRS) of the human carcinoembryonic antigen gene (CEA); and (2) the protein coding domain of the nonmammlian cytosine deaminase gene (CD). This artificial gene will express CD only in cells which naturally express CEA. Expression of CD in CEA-positive cells is, by itself, nontoxic. However, CD can convert the nontoxic prodrug, 5-fluorocytosine (5-FCyt), to the toxic anabolite, 5-fluorouracil (5-FUra). Hence, the toxic compound, 5-FUra, will be selectively produced in cells which express CD. Since expression of CD is restricted to CEA-positive cells, 5-FUra will be selectively produced in CEA-positive cells. Hence, tumor-specific expression of CD permits the tumor-specific production of 5-FUra at high concentrations for extended periods of time directly at the tumor site. The artificial, chimeric gene can be delivered to CEA-positive tumors via a replication-defective retroviral vector. Chimeric genes composed of the human CEA promoter and the coding sequence of CD were created and engineered into a retroviral gene delivery vector. These chimeric genes selectively expressed CD in CEA-positive cells which resulted in the selective conversion of 5-FCyt to 5-FUra in the CEA-positive tumor cells. Human tumor xenografts demonstrated that expression of CD in solid tumors can generate complete cures if only 4% of the solid tumor cell mass expressed this enzyme. In vivo gene transfer has indicated that retroviral vectors can delivery and express CD chimeric genes in liver tumors at this 4% level.
Gain modulation of recurrent networks

Abstract Gain modulation is an important mechanism by which attentional and other inputs modify the amplitude of neuronal responses without changing their selectivity. Gain modulation has been studied previously in feedforward circuits but not in recurrent neural networks. We show how gain modulation modifies the response of a recurrent network to feedforward inputs. Even modest gain modulation of the recurrent network can cause downstream neurons to switch from a state in which they are unresponsive to a stimulus to a state where they respond selectively. Funneling the recurrent connections of a network through gain modulated neurons allows the selectivity within the network to be modified by modulatory inputs.
Determining the effects of dams on subdaily variation in river flows at a whole‐basin scale

River regulation can alter the frequency and magnitude of subdaily flow variations causing major impacts on ecological structure and function. We developed an approach to quantify subdaily flow variation for multiple sites across a large watershed to assess the potential impacts of different dam operations (flood control, run-of-river hydropower and peaking hydropower) on natural communities. We used hourly flow data over a 9-year period from 30 stream gages throughout the Connecticut River basin to calculate four metrics of subdaily flow variation and to compare sites downstream of dams with unregulated sites. Our objectives were to (1) determine the temporal scale of data needed to characterize subdaily variability; (2) compare the frequency of days with high subdaily flow variation downstream of dams and unregulated sites; (3) analyse the magnitude of subdaily variation at all sites and (4) identify individual sites that had subdaily variation significantly higher than unregulated locations. We found that estimates of flow variability based on daily mean flow data were not sufficient to characterize subdaily flow patterns. Alteration of subdaily flows was evident in the number of days natural ranges of variability were exceeded, rather than in the magnitude of subdaily variation, suggesting that all rivers may exhibit highly variable subdaily flows, but altered rivers exhibit this variability more frequently. Peaking hydropower facilities had the most highly altered subdaily flows; however, we observed significantly altered ranges of subdaily variability downstream of some flood-control and run-of-river hydropower dams. Our analysis can be used to identify situations where dam operating procedures could be modified to reduce the level of hydrologic alteration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of HEp-2 cell invasion by enteropathogenic and enteroinvasive Escherichia coli.

In order to further characterize cellular invasion by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), we compared invasion of HEp-2 cells by EPEC and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC). We used a gentamicin HEp-2 cell assay and measured bacterial recovery under conditions of varying incubation time and temperature, and in the presence or absence of inhibitors of cellular microfilaments and microtubules. We found that, unlike EIEC, EPEC did not rapidly multiply within HEp-2 cell but invaded well at 32°C. While microfilament inhibitors reduced invasion by both EIEC and EPEC, microtubule inhibitors reduced invasion by EPEC only. These results suggest that EPEC and EIEC differ in their mechanisms of epithelial cell invasion.
Frozen Dessert Attribute Changes with Increased Amounts of Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Vanilla flavor frozen desserts were made to be similar in composition except for the fat. Canola and soybean oils were combined with milk fat to provide fatty acid ratios of 1:1:1 and 3:2:1 (saturated: monounsaturated:polyunsaturated), whereas the milk fat control had a ratio of 24:8.6: 1. Sensory, physical and chemical tests indicated minimal differences between the control ice cream and the dessert with the 3:2:1 ratio. However, product with the 1:1:1 ratio was described as oily and oxidized in flavor. It melted faster, was softer in the penetration test and coarser in texture than the ice cream control.
BUYING TIME: INSTITUTIONAL AND POLITICAL ISSUES IN CONGESTION RELIEF TOLLS

Congestion relief tolling refers to charging drivers a fee that varies with level of traffic (or demand) on a congested tollway. The recent implementation and study of congestion relief tolls in this country are described. Findings are based on focus groups, telephone and personal interviews, a Citizens Jury, and three regional conferences held in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration. The economic rationale for congestion relief tolls and the key reasons why they are being considered by transportation planners and policy makers are outlined. Seven recommendations that address the political and institutional issues associated with building support for implementation are made.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of cytomegalovirus retinitis in persons without human immunodeficiency virus infection

Abstract Purpose To describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in the absence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods Consecutive patients with CMV retinitis in the absence of HIV infection were identified at a university hospital. Demographic and clinical characteristics were noted at the time of CMV retinitis. Outcomes were determined retrospectively. Main outcome measures were rates of second eye involvement, vision loss, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD), immune recovery uveitis, progression of retinitis, and mortality. Results The clinical characteristics of CMV retinitis in 18 patients (30 eyes) without HIV infection diagnosed between January 1, 1984, and April 13, 2003, were similar to those of patients with HIV infection. The incidences of visual loss to the levels of 20/50 or worse and of 20/200 or worse were 17% per eye-year and 14% per eye-year, respectively. The observed incidence of RD was 3.7% per eye-year, and the mortality rate was 23% per person-year. Following reduction of immunosuppression, 10 patients (56%) who discontinued anti-CMV therapy remained free of retinitis progression. The incidence of immune recovery uveitis was 13% per person-year. Conclusions In our series, CMV retinitis in patients without HIV infection had a clinical course similar to that in patients with AIDS treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), except the incidence of RD was lower for patients without AIDS. A substantial number of patients no longer required long-term anti-CMV therapy after adjustment of immunomodulatory therapy.
Pexel and heatmap visual analysis of multidimensional gun/homicide data

We present a visual analysis tool for mining correlations in county-level, multidimensional gun/homicide data. The tool uses 2D pexels, heatmaps, linked-views, dynamic queries and details-on-demand to analyze annual county-level data on firearm homicide rates and gun availability, as well as various socio-demographic measures. A statistical significance filter was implemented as a visual means to validate exploratory hypotheses. Results from expert evaluations indicate that our methods outperform typical graphical techniques used by statisticians, such as bar graphs, scatterplots and residual plots, to show spatial and temporal relationships. Our visualization has the potential to convey the impact of gun availability on firearm homicides to the public health arena and the general public.
Transform domain LMS algorithms for sparse system identification

This paper proposes a new adaptive algorithm to improve the least mean square (LMS) performance for the sparse system identification in the presence of the colored inputs. The l 1 norm penalty on the filter coefficients is incorporated into the quadratic LMS cost function to improve the LMS performance in sparse systems. Different from the existing algorithms, the adaptive filter coefficients are updated in the transform domain (TD) to reduce the eigenvalue spread of the input signal correlation matrix. Correspondingly, the l 1 norm constraint is applied to the TD filter coefficients. In this way, the TD zero-attracting LMS (TD-ZA-LMS) and TD reweighted-zero-attracting LMS (TD-RZA-LMS) algorithms result. Compared to ZA-LMS and RZA-LMS algorithms [10], the proposed TD-ZA-LMS and TD-RZA-LMS algorithms have been proven to have the same steady-state behavior, but achieve faster convergence rate with non-white system inputs. Effectiveness of the proposed algorithms is demonstrated through computer simulations.
The relationship between cerebral lateralization and cognitive ability: suggested criteria for empirical tests.

Abstract Many recent investigations in cognitive neuropsychology have been devoted to a fundamental question: are individual differences in cerebral lateralization reliably associated with differences in cognitive ability? The results have been highly inconsistent and inconclusive, with some studies showing a relationship, others not. We propose that research on this question has been hampered by inadequate clarification of the criteria required for a proper test. We suggest what these criteria should be, and, for purposes of illustration, we evaluate representative tests of the lateralization-cognition hypothesis in light of these criteria. We conclude that studies that meet our criteria lend at least a modest measure of support for the hypothesis.
Lipid metabolism in the free-living nematodes Panagrellus redivivus and Turbatrix aceti

Abstract 1. 1. Carbohydrate and lipid reserves decreased when Panagrellus redivivus and Turbatrix aceti were starved. 2. 2. The enzymes of β-oxidation and the tricarboxylic acid cycle were present, and their functional activity was indicated by the ability of both species to oxidize absorbed 14C-U-palmitic acid to CO2. 3. 3. T. aceti, and to a lesser extent P. redivivus, also incorporated fatty acid carbon into glycogen. The presence of the glyoxylate cycle enzymes, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase, and of the gluconeogenic enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and fructose-1,6-diphosphatase, constitute a possible mechanism for this conversion.
Overflow of dopamine and cholecystokinin in rat nucleus accumbens in response to acute drug administration.

Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) coexists with dopamine (DA) in rat mesencephalic neurons that project to the nucleus accumbens. To obtain indices of corelease, microdialysis probes were placed in the posterior nucleus accumbens of anesthetized rats, which were then injected acutely (s.c.) with drugs that exert known effects on DA neuronal function. Microdialysis samples were assayed for DA and CCK-8 to determine the differential overflow of these cotransmitters in response to drug treatment. Haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg), d-amphetamine (1 mg/kg), and TCP (5 mg/kg) preferentially increased DA overflow, whereas morphine (5 mg/kg) elicited marked increases in the overflow of both DA and CCK-8. These results suggest that the release of accumbal DA and CCK-8 can be differentially regulated by drug treatment.
Development of a Radiolabeled Irreversible Peptide Ligand for PET Imaging of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Imaging agents based on peptide probes have desirable pharmacokinetic properties provided that they have high affinities for their target in vivo. An approach to improve a peptide ligand’s affinity for its target is to make this interaction covalent and irreversible. For this purpose, we evaluated a 64Cu-labeled affinity peptide tag, 64Cu-L19K-(5-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene) (64Cu-L19K-FDNB), which binds covalently and irreversibly to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a PET imaging agent. We compared the in vivo properties of 64Cu-L19K-FDNB in VEGF-expressing tumor xenografts with its noncovalent binding analogs, 64Cu-L19K-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) (64Cu-L19K-DNP) and 64Cu-L19K. Methods: The L19K peptide (GGNECDIARMWEWECFERK-CONH2) was constructed with 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid at the N terminus for radiolabeling with 64Cu with a polyethylene glycol spacer between peptide and chelate. 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene was conjugated at the C-terminal lysine for cross-linking to VEGF, resulting in L19K-FDNB. 64Cu-L19K-FDNB was assayed for covalent binding to VEGF in vitro. As a control, L19K was conjugated to 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, resulting in L19K-DNP. PET imaging and biodistribution studies of 64Cu-L19K-FDNB, 64Cu-L19K-DNP, and the native 64Cu-L19K were compared in HCT-116 xenografts. Blocking studies of 64Cu-L19K-FDNB was performed with a coinjection of excess unlabeled L19K-FDNB. Results: In vitro binding studies confirmed the covalent and irreversible binding of 64Cu-L19K-FDNB to VEGF, whereas 64Cu-L19K-DNP and 64Cu-L19K did not bind covalently. PET imaging showed higher tumor uptake with 64Cu-L19K-FDNB than with 64Cu-L19K-DNP and 64Cu-L19K, with mean standardized uptake values of 0.62 ± 0.05, 0.18 ± 0.06, and 0.34 ± 0.14, respectively, at 24 h after injection (P
Oophorectomy in McCune-Albright syndrome: a case of mistaken identity.

Abstract Objective The objective of the study was to determine the incidence of oophorectomy in girls presenting with precocious puberty and vaginal bleeding who are subsequently diagnosed with McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS). Study Design Medical records of girls diagnosed with MAS between 1988 and 2005 were reviewed. Variables analyzed included presenting features, presence of cafe au lait macules, presence of fibrous dysplasia, radiographic studies, estradiol levels, tumor markers, surgery, and pathology reports. Results Nine girls with MAS were identified. Average age at initial presentation was 3.2 ± 2.1 years (range, 0.6-7 years). All patients presented with sudden onset of vaginal bleeding. Eight (88%) also had breast development and 2 (22%) had associated pubic hair. Four (44%) girls underwent salpingo-oophorectomy before the diagnosis of MAS was made. Of these, 3 had cafe au lait macules on initial presentation, and 3 were later diagnosed with fibrous dysplasia. Surgical pathology revealed benign ovarian cysts in all 4 patients. Conclusion Unnecessary oophorectomy is common in girls with MAS who are taken to the operating room for a presumed ovarian tumor. This highlights the need for increased awareness of MAS among pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, and emergency room physicians. Distinguishing features, which can be helpful in differentiating these 2 conditions, are often present.
Particle size dependence of the magnetic properties of ultrafine granular films

Magnetic granular solids consist of ultrafine metal granules of nanometer sizes embedded in an insulating medium. The magnetic properties are dictated by the microstructure such as particle size, metal volume fraction, which are process controlled. We report the results of a series of granular Fe60(SiO2)40 films in which the particle size has been systematically varied. The magnetic coercivity, ranging from 500 to 2200 Oe, increases with particle size. The ferromagnetic‐superparamagnetic transition had been studied by SQUID magnetometry and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The value of the magnetic anisotropy energy is found to be much larger than that due to magnetocrystalline anisotropy.
Prenatal stress and ketamine affect the behavioral and physiological responsiveness of early adolescent pigs to a novel arena and social confrontation test

Abstract Elevated maternal glucocorticoid concentrations during gestation can affect how the offspring respond, both behaviorally and physiologically, to a challenge later in life. The objectives of this study were to first, determine if elevated maternal glucocorticoid concentrations during late gestation affect the behavioral and physiological response of the female offspring to a challenge during early adolescence, and secondly, determine if giving ketamine (an anxiolytic drug) effects these behavioral and physiological responses. During late gestation (d 76 until 115) sows were either repeatedly injected with ACTH (n = 7) or control handled (n = 7). Three female offspring from each sow were used in the study. A back test was performed on all experimental pigs during the first week of life. Pigs were tested in a novel arena (n = 21/treatment) and social confrontation test (n = 10/treatment) at 25 and 28 wk of age respectively, to assess anxiety-like behaviors. Two h prior to testing in the novel arena and social confrontation tests, pigs were given either ketamine (KET) or saline (SAL). The same pigs were then re-tested 7 d later and given the alternative drug treatment. Hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal function in response to an ACTH challenge and a social confrontation test was assessed. ACTH sows tended to have fewer (P = 0.057) stillborn pigs than controls (0.4 and 0.0 ± 0.14 pigs, respectively). In response to the novel arena test, ACTH pigs tended (P = 0.056) to cross fewer squares than controls (77.2 ± 6.71 and 93.5 ± 93.5 squares, respectively), and pigs given ketamine spent less (P
Simulations of Variable Bottomhole Pressure Regimes to Improve Production from the Double-Unit Mount Elbert, Milne Point Unit, North Slope Alaska Hydrate Deposit

Gas production was predicted from a reservoir model based on the Mount Elbert gas hydrate accumulation located on the Alaska North slope at various simulator submodels and production scenarios. Log, core, and fluid measurements were used to provide a comprehensive reservoir description. These data were incorporated with experimentally derived saturations, porosities, permeability values, parameters for capillary pressure, and relative permeability functions. The modeled reservoir exposed to depressurization at a constant bottomhole pressure (2.7 MPa) has shown limited production potential due to its low temperature profile. To improve production the bottomhole pressure was allowed to vary from 2.7 (above the quadruple point) to 2.0 MPa over a 15-year period. The results indicate that gas production was nearly doubled in comparison with a constant-pressure regime. Extensive ice formation and hydrate reformation that could severely hinder gas production were avoided in the variable-pressure regime system. A...
The Effect of Changes in Functional Activity on Ubiquinone Redox Status in Isolated Atria

Changes in the mechanical activity of isolated guinea pig atria were induced by a variety of procedures. The atria were freeze-stopped in liquid nitrogen and the redox status of ubiquinone (Q) determined as a measure of the redox behavior of the mitochondrial compartment in intact cardiac tissue. 1 40% of the total Q was oxidized in spontaneously contracting atria under aerobic conditions at 30°C. 75% of Q was reduced when the atria were exposed to anoxic conditions (N2 and KCN). Maximal oxidation of Q (87%) was observed when atria were treated with 2μM rotenone followed by stimulation with 6 μM epinephrine. 2 At the height of the inotropic and chronotropic response to epinephrine alone (1.5 min) Q redox status was shifted slightly towards the reduced side (31% oxidized). At later time points (10 and 30 min), when the activity of the atria was still increased but to a lesser extent, the Q redox status had shifted slightly to the oxidized side (49% oxidized). 3 Larger shifts of Q redox status to the oxidized side 30 min after epinephrine were observed in atria concomitantly exposed to the respiratory inhibitors, malonate, amytal and rotenone. Under these conditions, there was a direct correlation between the contractile activity at the time of freeze-stop and the proportion of Q in the oxidized form. Ouabain in doses producing positive inotropic responses did not lead to any increase in the amount of oxidized Q. 4 Lowering the calcium level in the bath medium below 10% of its normal value essentially abolished atrial contractility, and Q was found to be slightly reduced (33% oxidized). Moreover, epinephrine produced only a minimal inotropic response under these conditions and Q showed no redox change. On the other hand, atria in a 10% calcium medium exhibited only 12% of the contractile amplitude shown in the normal calcium medium and the Q redox status was not detectably different. In addition, no difference in Q redox status could be demonstrated in left atria which showed no spontaneous activity and similar atria electrically stimulated to contract at 180/min. 5 The small shifts in atrial Q redox status (except in the presence of respiratory inhibitors) in response to marked changes in mechanical activity of the tissue suggests that changes in the rates of Q oxidation and reduction are balanced in such a way as to maintain redox status relatively constant.