cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
908-111 Prognostic Value of Troponin T and CRP Levels in pts with Unstable Angina

Troponin T (TT), a specific marker of myocardial cell damage, and C reactive protein (CAP), an acute phase reactant, were found to be prognostic of outcome in unstable angina (UA) in different studies. We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of these markers for myocardial infarction (MI), death (D) and for the need of revascularization within a week after admission (R) in a group of 90 pts with UA. Blood samples for n and CAP measurement were taken on admission. Results 18/90 pts (20%) had elevated TT levels on admission (mean 0.8, range 0.2–4.3 μg/l, normal values l 0.2 μg/l); 7 (39%) of these pts had MI or D and 3 (17%) had A. 72/90 pts (80%) had normal TT values; 8 (11%) of these pts had Mlor D (p = 0.013) and 12 (17%) had R. Sensitivity of elevated n values for MI or D was 67% and specificity 85%. CRP was measured in 83 pts and was elevated (normal values l 3 mg/dl) in 50 (62%).10 (20%) ofthese pts had MI or D and 11 (22%) had R. Only 2/33 pts (6%) with normal CAP levels had MI or D and 3/33 (9%) had A. Sensitivity of CAP g 3 mg/dl for MI or D was 83% and specificity 44%. 20/83 pts (24%) had CAP values g 10 mg/dl; 8 (40%) of these pts had MI or D (p l 0.0007 versus pts with CAP l 10 mg/dl) and 8 pts (40%) required A(p = 0.004 versus pts with CAP l 10 mg/dl). Sensitivity of CAP g 10 mg/dl for MI or D was 67% and for A was 57%; specificity for MI or D and also for A was 83%. The combination of elevated values of n and CAP was shown in 14/83 pts (17%); 6 (43%) of these pts had MI or D, while only 1/31 pts (3%) with normal n and CAP had MI or D (p = 0.003). Sensitivity of elevated nand CAP levels for MI or Awas 43% and specificity 79%. Positive predictive value was 43% and negative predictive value 97%. These results indicate that n and CAP values on the admission are important prognostic predictors of outcome in pts with UA, particularly when both are elevated.
Yeast Gene Function Prediction from Different Data Sources: An Empirical Comparison

Different data sources have been used to learn gene function. Whereas combining heterogeneous data sets to infer gene function has been widely studied, there is no empirical comparison to determine the relative effectiveness or usefulness of different types of data in terms of gene function prediction. In this paper, we report a comparative study of yeast gene function prediction using different data sources, namely microarray data, phylogenetic data, literature text data, and a combination of these three data sources. Our results showed that text data outperformed microarray data and phylo- genetic data in gene function prediction (p 0.05). The com- bined data led to decreased prediction performance relative to text data. In addition, we showed that feature selection did not improve the prediction performance of support vector machines.
Stabilization of linearized Korteweg-de Vries systems with anti-diffusion

In this paper, backstepping boundary controllers are designed for a class of linearized Korteweg-de Vries systems with possible anti-diffusion, and the resulting closed-loop systems can achieve arbitrary exponential decay rate. Semigroup of linear operators is constructed in analyzing well-posedness and stability of the target systems, and mathematical induction is used in proving existence of kernel functions. An example is also presented, which illustrates performance of the controller. The decay rate estimate derived in this paper is not necessarily equal to decay rate, which can be seen from the appendix.
Activity coefficient prediction by osmotic molecular dynamics

Abstract The osmotic molecular dynamics method (OMD) is used to calculate activity coefficients for vapour–liquid equilibria (VLE) and liquid–liquid equilibria (LLE) predictions. The previously reported OMD methodology is refined and applied to mixtures of polar, structured molecular fluids. Other computer simulation approaches to phase equilibria prediction are discussed briefly, and comparison to recent Gibbs Ensemble Monte Carlo (GEMC) results is made. OMD-predicted activity coefficients are compared to experimentally-measured activity coefficients for six industrially-significant binary mixtures (methanol/ n -hexane, n -hexane/ n -pentane, chloroform/acetone, chloroform/methanol, methanol/water, chloroform/ n- hexane). Molecular model inadequacies, especially cross-parameters between unlike molecules, are shown. A single cross-parameter for the acetone/chloroform binary is modified to produce good agreement with experimentally-measured activity coefficients. Also, OMD-derived LLE predictions are produced for the methanol/ n -hexane system and compared with experimentally-measured LLE data.
Efficient Implementation of a Quasi-Maximum-Likelihood Detector Based on Semi-Definite Relaxation

Existing approaches to the maximum-likelihood (ML) detection problem in digital communications either suffer from exponential complexity (e.g. sphere decoder and its variants) or exhibit significant bit-error-rate (BER) degradation (e.g. LMMSE detector). In this paper we present an efficient implementation of a semi-definite relaxation-based detector (SDR Detector) which can achieve near-optimal BER performance with worst-case polynomial complexity. This implementation (available online) can be 100 times faster than an off-the-shelf SeDuMi-based implementation, outperforms sphere decoder in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or high dimension regimes, and matches the speed of sphere decoder in the high SNR regime. The core of the detector is an optimized dual-scaling interior-point method (implemented in C) for the relaxed semi-definite program. SNR-sensitive improvements are achieved by a dimension reduction strategy and a warm start technique based on a truncated version of the sphere decoding algorithm. Extensive numerical simulations show that the BER performance and the running time of SDR detector compare favorably to that of other near-optimal detection strategies.
Symbolic Model Checking of Software

Abstract Model checking is a popular formal verification technique for both software and hardware. The verification of concurrent software predominantly employs explicit-state model checkers, such as SPIN, that use partial-order reduction as a main technique to deal with large state spaces efficiently. In the hardware domain, the introduction of symbolic model checking has been considered a breakthrough, allowing the verification of systems clearly out-of-reach of any explicit-state model checker. This paper introduces I m P roviso , a new algorithm for model checking of software that efficiently combines the advantages of partial-order reduction with symbolic exploration. I M P ROVISO uses implicit BDD representations for both the state space and the transition relation together with a new implicit in-stack proviso for efficient partial-order reduction. The new approach is inspired by the T wophase partial-order reduction algorithm for explicit-state model checking. Initial experimental results show that the proposed algorithm improves the existing symbolic model checking approach and can be used to tackle problems that are not tractable using explicit-state methods.
Charge-transfer spectra of certain metal chelates of pyrazylmethyl ketones

Abstract The ultra-violet and visible spectra of copper(II), nickel(II), and cobalt(II) chelates of 2-, 3-, and 4-pyridyl pyrazylmethyl ketones and phenacylpyrazine have been examined in various solutions and the results related to the empirical assignments made for the parent compounds. Strong evidence has been found for the formation of two types of chelates with copper (II) and 2-pyridyl pyrazylmethyl ketone. One type of chelate consists of a six-membered chelate ring in which the pyrazine nitrogen is bonded to the copper (II), and the second type consists of a five-membered chelate ring in which the pyridine nitrogen is bonded to the copper (II). Certain of these pyrazylmethyl ketone chelates could be protonated in acid solutions and were theregore isolated as perchlorate salts. From the spectral behaviour of these chelates in solution it was possible to predict the presence of the protonated chelates. Furthermore, somewhat surprising information about the stability and dissociation of these chelates in methanol solution, was obtained from the ultra-violet spectra.
Ventricular Morphology is a Determinant of Diastolic Performance in Patients with Single Ventricle Physiology Undergoing Stage 3 Palliative Surgery

Patients with single ventricle anatomy undergo staged surgical palliation which results in pulmonary and systemic circulations in series with a single systemic pump. Single right ventricular morphology has been found to be an independent risk factor for worse survival. We sought to compare patients with single left (SLV) and single right (SRV) ventricular morphology to identify hemodynamic differences that may contribute to worse survival in patients with a single right ventricular. Single center, retrospective review of invasive hemodynamic data. All patients with single ventricle anatomy who underwent superior cavo-pulmonary anastomosis (Stage 2 palliation) and/or total cavo-pulmonary anastomosis (Stage 3 palliation) from August 1995 through May 2011 were identified. Patients were compared over time, and SLV and SRV patients were compared. Seventy-nine single ventricle patients (56 % SRV) underwent staged palliation and were analyzed. There was no difference in overall mortality (12 % SLV, 11 % SRV). There was no difference in hemodynamics at pre-Stage 2 catheterization between ventricular morphology, but SRV patients had higher ventricular end-diastolic pressure at pre-Stage 3 catheterization (7.6 vs. 6.4 mmHg, p = 0.026). End-diastolic pressure decreased after Stage 2 surgery for SLV patients, but not SRV patients. Intrinsic differences in morphology, function, and response to performing as the systemic ventricle between single right and left ventricles may lead to an elevated ventricular end-diastolic pressure. This could limit passive flow through the pulmonary circuit and coronary perfusion after Stage 3 palliation and potentially lead to poorer long-term performance for SRV patients.
A graph theoretic interpretation of the sufficiency conditions for the contiguous‐binary‐switching (CBS)‐rule

A sufficient condition for the optimality of the CBS-rule due to W. Smith is given a graphic interpretation in terms of ‘convex’ graphs. A convex graph is uniquely constructed (except for a homomorphism), and has the property that the optimum is achieved from any starting point.
Response to Nardone

To the Editor:—We thank Dr. Nardone for his comments and we agree that alternatives to traditional face to face visits offer potentially valuable means of providing health care. The low response rate is largely an artifact of our method of contacting potential subjects. If a potential subject did not answer the phone, we chose another subject from the pool of potential subjects. We did not use the aggressive and persistent techniques that would be required in a clinical setting.
Discovery of gradient pattern in dominant frequency maps during fibrillation: implication of rotor drift and epicardial conduction velocity changes.

Abstract Dominant frequency (DF) maps for mapping epicardial activations of ventricular fibrillation (VF) have been studied mainly using fast Fourier transform (FFT). Small and discrete DF domains exhibited in these DF maps have undermined the hypothesis of mother rotor for VF maintenance. We applied continuous Fourier transform (CFT) to generate high-precision DF maps and studied characteristics of these high-precision DF maps. Optical epicardial activations were recorded in isolated rabbit hearts (n = 10). Continuous Fourier transform of 1-second segments was performed in VF (n = 188) and ventricular tachycardia (n = 189) at 0.1 Hz precisions. Banded gradient patterns of gradual change in DF values were observed in 136 of 188 VF segments, but not in ventricular tachycardia. These gradients were not observed when FFT was used. Gradients were observed along the conduction path of reentrant-like waves with decreasing DF values along the path. Spectra in the gradients did not exhibit bimodal spectra as is usually observed in traditional DF domain boundaries. Time-space plots revealed clear association between gradient pattern and epicardial conduction velocity changes. Prior simulation studies predicted a gradient in activation rate during rotor drift. This gradient pattern has been observed for the first time experimentally by only using CFT, but not FFT. High-precision DF videos indicated the existence of gradient movement from one spatial location to another, smoothly instead of randomly disappearing from one location and appearing in another. The discovery of associated pseudoconduction velocity changes, and gradient patterns might suggest that dominant rotor (mother rotor) drifting plays a maintenance role only detectable by CFT and not FFT.
Hostility and Withdrawal in Marital Conflict: Effects on Parental Emotional Unavailability and Inconsistent Discipline

This study examined the nature of pathways between marital hostility and withdrawal, parental disagreements about child rearing issues, and subsequent changes in parental emotional unavailability and inconsistent discipline in a sample of 225 mothers, fathers, and 6-year-old children. Results of autoregressive, structural equation models indicated that marital withdrawal and hostility were associated with increases in parental emotional unavailability over the one-year period, whereas marital hostility and withdrawal did not predict changes in parental inconsistency in discipline. Additional findings supported the role of child rearing disagreements as an intervening or mediating mechanism in links between specific types of marital conflict and parenting practices. Implications for clinicians and therapists working with maritally distressed parents and families are discussed.
Members of the rel/NF-χB family of transcriptional regulatory proteins bind the HRAS1 minisatellite DNA sequence

The 28 base pair repeat unit of a minisatellite 1000 bp downstream from the human HRAS1 gene (VTRHRAS1) bound four proteins (p45, p50, p72 and p85) in nuclear extracts from a variety of human cell lines which were indistinguishable from several members of the rel/NF-kappa B family of transcriptional regulatory factors. VTRHRAS1 bound the constitutively expressed, but not the inducible, forms of these proteins. Analysis of partially purified binding factors from different cell lines demonstrated qualitative differences in the p50 subunit; phosphocellulose fractionation also revealed considerable heterogeneity in the p72 and p85 subunits. These results suggest the possibility that the HRAS1 minisatellite, in serving as a tandem array of rel/NF-kappa B binding sites, may function in the transcriptional regulation of HRAS1 and nearby genes.
Improvements in rotation rate step experiments to evaluate diffusion coefficients at rotating disk electrodes

Abstract An improved description of the current transient produced by an abrupt change in the rate of rotation of a rotating disk electrode has been obtained by the method of orthogonal collocation. The procedure provides an analytical expression from which the expected current transients can be calculated with good accuracy for at least 90% of their duration. If the final rotation rate is chosen to be ca. 58% of the initial rotation rate, the resulting current transient exhibits simple exponential decay which facilitates data analysis. The effects of imperfections in the response of the electrode rotator and of hydrodynamic relaxation appear to be accounted for by a simple offset in the time scale of the experiment.
Informed Local Trading Prior to Earnings Announcements

Do individual investors have better information about local stocks? Our results demonstrate that they do. Large trading imbalances by investors living close to a firm’s headquarters predict the stock’s earnings announcement return. Stocks with the most net buying by local investors average significantly higher market-adjusted announcement returns than stocks with the most net selling by local investors. This return difference is pronounced for small- and medium-sized firms, but absent among large firms, which have significant analyst coverage. Local investors' informational advantage comes at the expense of nonlocal traders.
Would North American Paleoindians have Noticed Younger Dryas Age Climate Changes

Paleoindian groups occupied North America throughout the Younger Dryas Chronozone. It is often assumed that cooling temperatures during this interval, and the impact these would have had on biotic communities, posed significant adaptive challenges to those groups. That assessment of the nature, severity and abruptness of Younger Dryas changes is largely based on ice core records from the Greenland ice sheet where changes were indeed dramatic. This paper reviews climatic and environmental records from this time period in continental North America. We conclude that, on the Great Plains and in the Rocky Mountains, conditions were in reality less extreme. It therefore follows that conditions during the Younger Dryas interval may not have measurably added to the challenge routinely faced by Paleoindian groups who, during this interval, successfully (and perhaps rapidly) dispersed across the diverse habitats of Late Glacial North America.
On the Kwak transition: Field-induced states in two-dimensional organic conductors

Abstract When the metallic salts (TMTSF)2ClO4 and (TMTSF)2PF6 are subjected to a large magnetic field at low temperatures, they undergo a series of metal-semimetal transitions. We review the experimental measurements on these materials and present some new magnetization data indicating that the transitions are thermodynamic and first order. We address the problem of the energy states of a two-dimensional open orbit metal in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field and indicate that such a system is unstable. The nature of the possible ground state and the transitions and their relation to the quantum Hall effect is discussed.
The Role of Declarative and Procedural Knowledge in Capital Murder Sentencing1

This paper identifies rational orderliness and moral appropriateness as 2 norms that the United States Constitution requires for sentencing in capital murder trials. The courts convey these norms directly to jurors through jury instructions in the penalty phase of capital murder trials. To follow the instructions, jurors require accurate declarative knowledge (rules of law) and procedural knowledge (processes required to execute the rules) of state and federal sentencing law. Undergraduate mock jurors showed low accuracy for both types of knowledge after reviewing and listening to pattern jury instructions. Participants failed to offset aggravating factors with mitigating circumstances as the Missouri Approved Jury Instructions direct. The less knowledge that participants mastered about mitigation, the more certain they were of invoking the death penalty.
Theoretical basis for brain plasticity after a TBI

Evidence has been accumulating that the brain can reorganize extensively after damage and that reorganization can be obtained even many years after the trauma with appropriate late rehabilitation. An understanding of the brain plasticity mechanisms should lead to more effective rehabilitation and neuropharmacology. In this communication, several emerging concepts with supporting experimental evidence have been presented. These include non-synaptic diffusion neurotransmission, extracellular space volume fraction, neuroytransmitters, regeneration and neurogenesis and multiplexing.
From Student to Scientist: An Experiential Approach to Science Education

This article provides a rationale for exploring ways in which science educators can structure learning activities that more accurately reflect the scientific inquiry processes used by practicing re...
Development of an optically scanned consultation-liaison data base.

Abstract Every clinical service must record certain data about its patient care activities. In low-volume services, such as Psychiatric Inpatient Services, with perhaps 20–30 admissions per month, and an average patient stay of 2–4 weeks, a large amount of data on each patient can be obtained during the contact time with the patient. On the other hand, very large-volume psychiatric services, such as Emergency and Consultation-Liaison (C-L) Services, may not need or be able to gather such a large amount of data on every patient seen. This article describes the development of a brief, optically scannable, and computerized minimal data base form for patients seen by a very large division of C-L Psychiatry. The system is feasible and easily auditable for completeness and reliability. This data base has already served many important functions beyond providing an administrative statistical summary of services rendered. It is presented as a model for the development of similarly efficient data collection methods for other high-volume psychiatric services.
Adolescents’ Perceptions of Parental Behaviors as Predictors of Adolescent Self–Esteem in Mainland China

Parents’ child-rearing behaviors have been identified as major sources of influence on the self-esteem of adolescents from Western societies and Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. The pattern of relationships found in samples of Hong Kong adolescents has been similar to the pattern found among samples of U.S. adolescents, but contrary to what might be expected in collectivistic societies such as mainland China. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to test specific dimensions of parenting behaviors as possible predictors of adolescents’ self-esteem in mainland China. Self-report data were acquired for this study from 480 adolescents who attended secondary schools located in Beijing. Results indicated that patterns of socialization between parents and adolescents in mainland China were similar to those found in the United States, although explanations for these results may differ from those characteristic of the United States and other Western societies. Reasoning, monitoring, and autonomy-granting behavior by Chinese parents were positive predictors, whereas punitiveness was a negative predictor of Chinese adolescents’ self-esteem (both males and females). Contrasting with patterns commonly found in the United States was the finding that parental support was not a predictor of Chinese adolescents’ self-esteem.
The relationship of internal versus external orientations to financial measures of strategic performance

Field research involving 137 respondents in eight organizations was conducted to study the relationship between alternative measures of the internal/external orientations of sociometrically identified dominant coalition members and their firms' financial performance. Results showed that attitudinal measures were more often correlated with financial measures of strategic performance than were traditional ‘insider’ to ‘outsider’ measures based on descriptive categorizations. The significant findings were related to four performance indicators of company profitability, namely, profit margin, return on average assets, net interest spread, and return on average equity.
A survey of infection control professional staffing patterns at University HealthSystem Consortium institutions.

Background: Proper staffing of infection control departments has long been a topic of interest. The most complete report on the subject, the Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control, was published in 1985. To provide current benchmarking comparison data for expected staff reductions at the University of Michigan Health System, a survey of University HealthSystem Consortium members was performed. Methods: A survey tool was developed to obtain general demographic, staffing, and case-mix information. An infection control professional at each institution was contacted to obtain most of the information. Additional information was obtained from standard references. Results: Responses were obtained from 45 University HealthSystem Consortium members (67%). Full-time equivalent ratios were based on the following parameters and compared for the institutions: number of occupied beds (according to occupancy rate, median 137 occupied beds/full-time equivalent), number of intensive care unit beds (median 28 beds/full-time equivalent), number of admissions or discharges (median 6686 admissions/full-time equivalent), number of ambulatory care visits (median 104,426 visits/full-time equivalent), and case-mix index (median 1.75). Conclusions: Many institutions are using benchmarking comparison data to make decisions regarding staff reductions. This survey provides preliminary data for determining the "best practice" in staffing for infection control departments. More information may be needed to evaluate other factors that affect infection control professionals' workload.
Intrakines and Blocking HIV Infection

CXC-chemokine receptor (CXCR)-4/fusin, a newly discovered co-receptor for T-cell line (T)-tropic HIV-1 virus, plays a critical role in T-tropic virus fusion and entry into permissive cells. The occurrence of T-tropic HIV viruses is associated with CD4-positive cell decline and progression to AIDS, suggesting that the T-tropic HIV-1 contributes to AIDS pathogenesis. In this study, we used a novel strategy to inactivate CXCR-4 by targeting a modified CXC-chemokine to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to block the surface expression of newly synthesized CXCR-4. The genetically modified lymphocytes expressing this intracellular chemokine, termed "intrakine," are immune to T-tropic virus infection and appear to retain normal biological features. Thus, this genetic intrakine strategy is uniquely targeted at the conserved cellular receptor for the prevention of HIV-1 entry and may be developed into an effective treatment for HIV-1 infection and AIDS.
A characterization of orthogonal duality in matroid theory

An operation on matroids is a function defined from the collection of all matroids on finite sets to itself which preserves isomorphism of matroids and sends a matroid on a set S to a matroid on the same set S. We show that orthogonal duality is the only non-trivial operation on matroids which interchanges contraction and deletion.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: another cause of “benign” pneumoperitoneum

most often involved with adenocarcinoma. The patient we have described was noted on barium esophagogram to have an incompetent LES following esophagomyotomy for achalasia. Barrett's esophagus developed and, 24 years after the surgical procedure, she presented with metastatic adenocarcinoma. Her chief complaint at the time of presentation was pelvic bone pain related to metastases. The absence of symptoms from the esophageal carcinoma was due to the widely dilated esophagus. There are no established recommendations on the frequency or type of evaluation needed for patients following surgical treatment for achalasia. Through serial biopsies of the esophagus, we demonstrated changes of columnar metaplasia, dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and invasive adenocarcinoma in this patient's esophagus. Endoscopic evaluation with biopsy of areas of suspicious mucosa may result in the early detection of Barrett's esophagus and aid in the diagnosis of a malignancy at a curable stage.
Enhanced susceptibility of hybrid tilapia to Flavobacterium columnare after parasitism by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

Abstract Bacterium Flavobacterium columnare and protozoan Ichthyophthirius multifiliis are two common pathogens of cultured fish. The objective of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of hybrid tilapia ( Oreochromis spp.) to F. columnare , including fish mortality and bacterial loads in fish gill and kidney after parasitism by I. multifiliis . Fish received the following treatments: 1) non-infected control; 2) infected by I. multifiliis at 30,000 theronts fish − 1 alone; 3) infected by F. columnare ALM-05-53 at 4.59 × 10 7 CFU mL − 1 alone; 4) infected by I. multifiliis at 30,000 theronts fish − 1 and exposed to F. columnare ALM-05-53 at 4.59 × 10 7 CFU mL − 1 ; 5) infected by F. columnare TN-3-2012 at 4.27 × 10 7 CFU mL − 1 alone; and 6) infected by I. multifiliis at 30,000 theronts fish − 1 and exposed to F. columnare TN-3-2012 at 4.27 × 10 7 CFU mL − 1 . F. columnare in fish tissues were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and reported as genome equivalents per mg of tissue (GEs mg − 1 ). The results demonstrated that the I. multifiliis -parasitized tilapia showed significantly ( P F. columnare ALM-05-53 than non-parasitized fish (29.1%). The bacterial loads of F. columnare ALM-05-53 in fish infected by 30,000 theronts fish − 1 were ≥ 5703 GEs mg − 1 which was between 13 and 17 fold higher than those of non-parasitized fish (≤ 472 GEs mg − 1 ). Similarly, parasitized tilapia showed significantly higher mortality (25%) and bacterial loads (≥ 1586 GEs mg − 1 ) at day 3 post-exposure to F. columnare TN-3-2012 than non-parasitized fish (0% and ≤ 197 GEs mg − 1 ). I. multifiliis parasitism of tilapia enhanced F. columnare invasion and resulted in higher fish mortality.
Experimental Transmission of Walleye Dermal Sarcoma to Yellow Perch

Abstract Walleye dermal sarcoma was transmitted under experimental conditions to yellow perch Perca flavescens. Fish (20 weeks posthatch) were challenged with cell-free tumor filtrates by topical application on the right flank and then held for observation for 25 weeks in 15°C dechlorinated municipal water. Additional treatment groups included yellow perch challenged with cell-free filtrates of walleye discrete epidermal hyperplasia, yellow perch discrete epidermal hyperplasia, normal yellow perch skin (control), and normal walleye skin (control). Walleye dermal sarcoma was first observed on yellow perch at 20 weeks postexposure, at which time the tumors were small (1–2-mm), slightly raised masses on the right flank of the fish. At the end of the 25-week study, walleye dermal sarcoma was grossly observed in 42% (22 of 53) of the remaining fish and was confirmed by microscopic examination in an additional 29% (9 of 31). Gross and microscopic evaluation of fish at 25 weeks postexposure did not reveal develo...
The Equal-Interval Nature of Semantic Differential Scales: An Empirical Investigation Using Fiedler'S Least Preferred Coworker (Lpc) Scale And Magnitude Estimation and Case Iii Scaling Procedures

An assumption made in using semantic differential measures is that the adjective pairs used are truly bipolar; otherwise, statistical analyses may yield distorted findings. This article examines the 18 bipolar adjective pairs used in Fiedler's Least Preferred Coworker (LPC) instrument by using two scaling techniques and a sample of 113 respondents. To replicate and extend previous research, the 36 LPC adjectives were ranked according to their relative interpersonal favorability. The same sample also scaled the 36 adjectives using Stevens's magnitude estimation technique (MET). Both pair-comparison treatment of complete ranks scaling (under Thurstone's Case III) and the magnitude estimation procedure indicated that true bipolarity did not characterize most of the paired adjectives. Implications for future LPC and semantic differential research are discussed.
Thermodynamics of Cationic Lipid-DNA Complex Formation as Studied by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry

Abstract The detailed analysis of the cationic lipid-DNA complex formation by means of isothermal titration calorimetry is presented. Most experiments were done using 1,2-dioleyl- sn -glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine (EDOPC), but basic titrations were also done using DOTAP, DOTAP:DOPC, and DOTAP:DOPE mixtures. Complex formation was endothermic with less than 1kcal absorbed per mole of lipid or DNA charge. This enthalpy change was attributed to DNA-DNA mutual repulsion within the lamellar complex. The exception was DOTAP:DOPE-containing lipoplex for which the enthalpy of formation was exothermic, presumably because of DOPE amine group protonation. Experimental conditions, namely, direction and titration increment as well as concentration of titrant, which dictate the structure of resulting lipoplex (whether lamellar complex or DNA-coated vesicle), were found to affect the apparent thermodynamics of complex formation. The structure, in turn, influences the biological properties of the lipoplex. If the titration of lipid into DNA was carried out in large increments, the Δ H was larger than when the injection increments were smaller, a finding that is consistent with increased vesicle disruption under large increments and which is expected theoretically. Cationic lipid-DNA binding was weak in high ionic strength solutions, however, the effective binding constant is within micromolar range because of macromolecular nature of the interaction.
Acute inhibition of nitric oxide exacerbates airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophilia and C-C chemokine generation in a murine model of fungal asthma

Objective and Design: This study examined he role of nitric oxide in changes in airway physiology and inflammation in a murine model of fungal allergy induced by Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) by treatment of A. fumigatus-sensitized mice with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or D-NAME (8 mg/kg; i.p.).¶Materials and Methods: Female CBA/J mice received A. fumigatus antigen dissolved in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (10 mg/100 ml i.p. and s.c.) followed 2 weeks later by A. fumigatus antigens (20 mg; i.n.) and a subsequent i.t. challenge 4 days later. Airway physiology and inflammation were examined (24 to 72 h) following i.t. challenge.¶Results: L-NAME-treated mice had lower lung nitrite levels 24 h after A. fumigatus challenge, but higher airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation compared to D-NAME controls. Airway inflammation in the L-NAME treatment group (72 h) was characterized by a greater bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), peribronchial eosinophilia and augmented levels of CC chemokines compared to controls.¶Conclusions: These findings suggest that nitric oxide is an important modulator of airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation and C-C chemokine generation during allergic airway responses to A. fumigatus.
Not so far from home: How family characteristics predict child care quality

This study examined the relationship between family background and child care quality for 636 children enrolled in 120 day care centres in three states in the US with widely varying regulations for child care centre quality. Family characteristics accounted for a substantial portion of the variance in day care quality. Mother' attitudes towards child-rearing and parent' education were the most potent family-level predictors of quality. State child care policy variables were also strong predictors of quality. Findings also suggest that the influence of environment on children's development cannot be partitioned simply into family and out-of-home child care effects; rather, the child care environment is an extension of the family environment, with parents determining characteristics of both.
Relations between mindfulness and mental health outcomes: need fulfillment as a mediator

Links between mindfulness and mental health outcomes have been established, but the explanatory mechanisms responsible for these associations are far less understood. This study examined relationships between mindfulness, need fulfillment and mental health outcomes (negative affect and depressive symptoms). The primary purpose of this paper was to, first, verify the link between mindfulness and mental health outcomes, and second, to better understand and explain why mindfulness is important for mental health outcomes. Specifically, this study sought to examine the potential mediating influence of need fulfillment in the relationship between mindfulness and mental health outcomes. A sample of 399 university students and employees responded to an online survey. Data were collected on personal ratings of trait mindfulness, need fulfillment, negative affect and depressive symptoms. Results indicated a significant positive relationship between mindfulness and need fulfillment, and these variables were negative...
Pressure Broadening of the Potassium Resonance Lines by Argon and Nitrogen

Broadening of the potassium resonance lines in absorption by argon and nitrogen pressures from 1 to 40 atmospheres has been observed. Half-widths and shifts of the lines, when plotted against "relative density," yield curves that are straight lines up to about relative density 14, indicating that in this pressure region Lorentz type of broadening predominates. At about relative density 14, the curves depart from linearity. The results are in accord with theory, and partly in agreement with previous work. Theoretical contours for pressure broadened spectral lines have been fitted to those of experiment. Agreement is quite satisfactory, considering the approximations made in evaluating the theoretical curves. Three independent methods of calculation yield for the constant $b$ (measure of van der Waals forces) the values 24${(10)}^{\ensuremath{-}32}$ and 18${(10)}^{\ensuremath{-}32}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{6}$ ${\mathrm{sec}.}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for argon and nitrogen, respectively.
Radiolabeled α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone analogs for receptor‐mediated targeting of melanoma: from tritium to indium

Following the first synthesis of tritiated a-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (a-MSH, α-melanotropin) in 1974 by Medzihradszky et al., several α-MSH analogs were designed containing between 2 and 12 tritium atoms, the latter of which displayed a specific radioactivity of 12.21 GBq/μmol (330 Ci/mmol). Similarly, radioiodinated α-MSH analogs of high purity, full biological activity and a specific radioactivity of approximatly 140 GBq/μmol were obtained. Although tritiated and radioiodinated α-MSH became indispensable tools as tracer molecules for numerous in vitro and in vivo studies, above all for receptor identification and characterization as well as for structure-activity studies, they did not fulfill the criteria required for therapeutic in vivo targeting of metastatic melanoma. Therefore, we recently developed α-MSH analogs containing the universal metal chelator 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) in different positions of the molecule. As DOTA can equally well incorporate diagnostic (e.g. 1 1 1 In, 6 7 , 6 8 Ga) and therapeutic (e.g. 9 0 Y, 6 7 Cu) radionuclides, DOTA-MSH compounds may serve for both melanoma scintigraphy and therapy. The analog DOTA-[βAla 3 , Nle 4 , Asp, D-Phe 7 , Lys 1 0 ]-α-MSH 3 - 1 0 (DOTA-MSH O C T ), which contains the metal chelator at its N-terminal end, displayed good in vitro MC1R affinity (IC 5 0 o 9.21 nM). In vivo, [ 1 1 1 In]DOTA-MSH O C T exhibited a favorable biodistribution profile after injection in B16-F1 tumor-bearing mice. The radiopeptide was rapidly cleared from blood through the kidneys and, most importantly, accumulated preferentially in the melanoma lesions. Lung and liver melanoma metastases could be clearly imaged on tissue section autoradiographs 4h after injection of [ 1 1 1 In]DOTA-MSH O C T . A comparative study of [ 1 1 1 In]DOTA-MSH O C T with [ 1 1 1 In]DOTA-[Nle 4 , D-Phe 7 ]-α-MSH ([ 1 1 1 In]DOTA-NDP-MSH) demonstrated the superiority of the DOTA-MSH O C T peptide, particularly with respect to the amount of radioactivity taken up by non-malignant organs, including bone, the most radiosensitive tissue. These results demonstrate that [ 1 1 1 In]DOTA-MSH O C T specifically targets melanoma metastases and represents a lead compound for the development of therapeutic DOTA-MSH analogs.
Convergence for moving averages

Assume T is an ergodic measure preserving point transformation from a probability space onto itself. Let be a sequence of pairs of positive integers, and define the sequence of averaging operators . Necessary and sufficient conditions are given forthis sequence of averages to converge almost everywhere. Weighted versions are also considered.
Repeated cocaine treatment activates flank marking in adolescent female hamsters.

Cocaine abuse during adolescence represents a significant health risk due to the potential for both acute and long-term negative physical and psychological sequelae, including increased aggressive behavior. This study examined the effect of adolescent cocaine treatment on flank marking (i.e., a stereotypic motor behavior that is part of the response pattern of offensive aggression) in female and male Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Adolescent cocaine treatment activated flank marking in female hamsters when animals were measured upon return to their home cage immediately following drug treatment. Sex differences were observed in cocaine-induced flank marking, as males failed to flank mark when returned to the home cage. In females, the behavioral response was most marked on Day 11 of cocaine treatment in all doses tested. Yet, animals treated with low-dose cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/day) showed the most significant increase in flank marking on and from Day 11 forward as compared to medium- and high-dose cocaine-treated animals and controls. In addition, the response of cocaine-treated animals was vigorous and nearly immediate, as >75% of the flank marks scored were performed within the first 2 min of the behavioral test in >85% of animals examined. Measures of locomotion showed that cocaine had stimulatory effects on motor activity in adolescent female hamsters at all doses tested. Cocaine-treated animals did not differ in body weight gain from controls, suggesting no dramatic physiological effects of adolescent cocaine exposure on body growth at the doses tested.
Carbon cycling in Lake Erie during cultural eutrophication over the last century inferred from the stable carbon isotope composition of sediments

A ~106-cm sediment core from the eastern basin of Lake Erie was examined to investigate biogeochemical processes in this large lake during its cultural eutrophication over the last century. We measured stable carbon isotopes of total organic carbon and calcium carbonate (δ13CTOC and \( \delta^{13} {\text{C}}_{{{\text{CaCO}}_{ 3} }} \)) as well as the concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3). δ13CTOC and TOC show a strong positive correlation throughout the core and record changes in phytoplankton productivity and nutrient loading. CaCO3 and TOC concentrations display a negative correlation throughout the core, suggesting that CaCO3 concentrations are controlled primarily by decomposition of TOC in the hypolimnion and the sediments, although temperature and invasive mussels are also potential controlling factors. \( \delta^{13} {\text{C}}_{{{\text{CaCO}}_{ 3} }} \) values show a positive correlation with δ13CTOC between 1909 and 1969, indicating phytoplankton productivity was the primary control for \( \delta^{13} {\text{C}}_{{{\text{CaCO}}_{ 3} }} \) values during eutrophication. However, a negative correlation between \( \delta^{13} {\text{C}}_{{{\text{CaCO}}_{ 3} }} \) and δ13CTOC from 1970 to 2002 suggests that these two proxies tracked different aspects of the carbon cycle in the lake in more recent times. The cause for the negative correlation is not yet known, but it is perhaps associated with temperature variations and seasonal differences in productivity.
Multiplicatively large sets and ergodic Ramsey theory

Multiplicatively large sets are defined in (ℕ, ·) by an analogy to sets of positive upper density in (ℕ, +). By utilizing various ergodic multiple recurrence theorems, we show that multiplicatively large sets have a rich combinatorial structure. In particular, it is proved that for any multiplicatively large setE ⊂ ℕ and anyk ∈ ℕ, there existsa,b,c,d,e,q ∈ ℕ such that {fx23-1}
Projectile size dependence of stopping power

Abstract Recent measurements for 0-, 1-, and 2-electron ions channeled in {111} Au suggest that the electronic stopping power,d E /d x , depends on the spatial distribution of charge on the projectile. We have investigated the effect of the projectile charge distribution on d E /d x using the Lindhard dielectric theory of stopping. The charge distribution is demonstrated directly within the framework of this theory. Good agreement is obtained between experiment and theory when higher order Z 1 -effects, which are of comparable magnitude (∼5−10%), are included in a self-consistent phenomenological manner.
Late-Onset, Cryptic and Classical 21-OH Deficiency: Allelic Variants

HLA genotyping and hormonal studies in 9 females with non-classical steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency (AAH) indicate that this disorder is due to an autosomal recessive gene linked to HLA, similar to classical and cryptic 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OH def). They had normal genitalia at birth and presented between 9 mos to 16 yrs with varying degrees of virilization. Hormonal studies of the families revealed 2 fathers and their HLA identical sisters with 21-OH def. The remaining parents and the sibs sharing one HLA haplotype with the AAH patient responded to ACTH stimulation as heterozygotes for classical or cryptic 21-OH def. Five sibs who were HLA identical to their affected sib also had findings diagnostic of 21-OH def. The hormonal response to ACTH of the patients with AAH and their HLA identical sibs was similar to that of patients with cryptic 21-OH def. Thus, individuals with these non-classical forms of 21-OH def and similar hormonal findings present with a clinical spectrum ranging from an asymptomatic deficiency to precocious pubic hair, acne, tall stature and advanced bone age, hirsutism, clitoromegaly and menstrual irregularities. The results of these studies support the concept that AAH, similar to classical and cryptic 21-OH def is due to an HLA linked autosomal recessive gene and that these disorders are due to allelic variants at the locus of steroid 21-hydroxylase.
Organic light-emitting diodes based on arylamine molecules and polymers with a fluorene core

A series of soluble arylamine-based hole transporting molecules with a fluorene core and with various ionization potentials have been synthesized. The transport properties of these molecules doped into polystyrene have been measured by time-of-flight experiments and compared to those of analogous compounds with a biphenyl core (TPD). Reorganization energies between the neutral molecules and their cations have been calculated using density functional theory. The effects of bond length and geometry relaxations on the overall reorganization energy in these two classes of molecules are discussed. Molecules from both classes have been doped into polystyrene and used as hole-transport layers (HTLs) in multi-layer light-emitting diodes with the structure ITO/HTL/AlQ 3 /Mg:Ag [ITO = indium tin oxide, AlQ 3 = tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum]. The electroluminescent properties and lifetime measurements at constant current have been evaluated. Significant variations in lifetime when using different substituents have been observed.