cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural Specificity Predicts Fluid Processing Ability in Older Adults

We investigated whether individual differences in neural specificity-the distinctiveness of different neural representations-could explain individual differences in cognitive performance in older adults. Neural specificity was estimated based on how accurately multivariate pattern analysis identified neural activation patterns associated with specific experimental conditions. Neural specificity calculated from a same/different task on two categories of visual stimuli (faces and houses) significantly predicted performance on a range of fluid processing behavioral tasks (dot-comparison, digit-symbol, Trails-A, Trails-B, verbal-fluency) in older adults, whereas it did not correlate with a measure of crystallized knowledge (Shipley-vocabulary). In addition, the neural specificity measure accounted for 30% of the variance in a composite measure of fluid processing ability. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that loss of neural specificity, or dedifferentiation, contributes to reduced fluid processing ability in old age.
Proteoglycans collagen interactions in human costal cartilage

Abstract 1. 1. Adult human costal cartilage was repeatedly extracted using both dissociative and disruptive techniques. A considerable amount of proteoglycans could not be solubilized by these sequential extractions. 2. 2. This non-extractable proteoglycan fraction was solubilized by treating the cartilage residue with bacterial collagenase. In an attempt to define the interactions between the insoluble collagen matrix and the non-extractable proteoglycan, the collagenase-solubilized proteoglycans were extensively purified by gel filtration, carboxymethyl-cellulose chromatography, cesium chloride density gradient ultracentrifugation, electrophoresis and chromatography on cellulose columns in the presence of quaternary ammonium salts. 3. 3. Density gradient ultracentrifugation of collagenase-solubilized proteoglycans in 4.0 M guanidine·HCl yielded low-density and high-density fractions, both containing considerable amounts of hexuronate and hydroxyproline. 4. 4. Chromatography of the high-density fraction on a cellulose column equilibrated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide yielded a purified proteoglycan fraction containing only a trace of hydroxyproline. The same treatment separated the low-density fraction into two fractions, one eluted with acetate buffer pH 4.0 and the other 1.25 M MgCl 2 . Both fractions contained polysaccharide material and hydroxyproline. These results are thought to indicate the presence of collagen peptides tightly bound to the proteoglycans. 5. 5. Digestion of the acetate-eluted fraction obtained from low-density proteoglycans with testicular hyaluronidase removed most of the chondroitin sulfate chains from the proteoglycan, but the hydroxyproline remained bound to the high molecular weight fraction which contained the protein core of the proteoglycan and keratan sulfate.
Trace Determination of Acetaminophen in Serum

A simple and accurate method for measuring acetaminophen in serum was developed using liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Acetaminophen can be quantitated in 100 μl of serum over the range of 20 ng/ml-20 μg/ml. The method is linear (r = 0.9997) and reproducible (RSD = 3.0% at 2 μg/ml, RSD = 5.1% at 200 ng/ml, n = 6). An internal standard (N-propionyl-p-aminophenol) is used, and a single extraction is performed.
Successful assisted reproductive technology: the beauty of one

In 1999, the approximately 90,000 in vitro fertilization procedures accounted for 98% of all types of assisted reproductive technologies in the United States. Since 1992, when Congress recognized a public health interest in reporting accurate and timely information about pregnancy success rates for infertility treatments, success has been defined as a live birth after an assisted reproductive technology cycle, regardless of the number of live-born infants per delivery. Because of pressures to achieve success, often more than one pre-embryo is transferred per cycle, frequently resulting in multifetal pregnancy reduction or multiple births. Twin and higher order births associated with assisted reproductive technology have increased significantly since 1980. Although births resulting from assisted reproductive technology amount to less than 1% of all live births, they now account for about a third of all twin births and more than 40% of triplets and higher number births in the United States. Although multiple births fit the current definition of success, they create much higher risks for maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, contributing to more than $640 million in excess initial hospital costs during the year 2000 alone. With recent improvements in assisted reproductive technology procedures that increase the likelihood of delivery after the transfer of just one pre-embryo per cycle, it is time to re-examine how success is measured. Assisted reproductive technology success should be redefined to be the proportion of cycles resulting in a singleton, live birth.
Induced rewarming by central stimulation in hypothermic hamsters

Abstract Helium-cold hypothermic hamsters, colonic temperature ( T c ) 7 to 11 °C, injected with acetylcholine (ACH) at a preoptic-anterior hypothalamic (AHPOA) site responded with a rise in colonic temperature while remaining in a cold environmental chamber. The He-Cold hamster does not thermoregulate at these body temperatures. In contrast to central ACH-elicited responses, the injection of a and β adrenergic drugs into the systemic circulation of the He-Cold hamster did not elicit a rise in colonic temperature. The data describe a different animal model of rewarming than has previously been described that is under pharmacologic control by the experimenter. The use of exogenous neurotrans-mitter provides the potential to understand the mechanisms of thermoregulation in deep experimental hypothermia.
Factors influencing self-esteem and self-consciousness in adolescents with spina bifida

Abstract Purpose: To identify the demographic, personal, familial, attitudinal, and social factors that influence the self-esteem of adolescents with spina bifida. Methods: A structured face-to-face interview, that included the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory, was conducted with 107 adolescents with spina bifida. Discriminant analyses were performed to identify the factors that discriminate between adolescents with spina bifida who have low vs. high self-esteem and low vs. high self-consciousness. The discriminant functions included variables from the following domains: sociodemographics, personal biography, family interaction, peer relationships and activities, school and work experiences, attitudes toward spina bifida, sexuality and sexual education, and future aspirations. Results: The factors contributing most positively to adolescents' self-esteem were age-appropriate treatments by parents and parental permissiveness in social participation, as perceived by the adolescents. Factors negatively associated with self-esteem included school problems, a perception of disability by others, and living in a medium-sized town (i.e., population 10,000–49,999). The discriminant models correctly identified 57.8% of adolescents who had low self-esteem and 50.4% of those with high self-consciousness, and accurately classified 92.6% and 88.4% of those who had high self-esteem and low self-consciousness, respectively. Conclusions: Parents' relationships with their adolescents have important associations with the self-image of the youth.
MODEL 9975 SHIPPING PACKAGE FABRICATION PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

The Model 9975 Shipping Package is the latest in a series (9965, 9968, etc.) of radioactive material shipping packages that have been the mainstay for shipping radioactive materials for several years. The double containment vessels are relatively simple designs using pipe and pipe cap in conjunction with the Chalfont closure to provide a leak-tight vessel. The fabrication appears simple in nature, but the history of fabrication tells us there are pitfalls in the different fabrication methods and sequences. This paper will review the problems that have arisen during fabrication and precautions that should be taken to meet specifications and tolerances. The problems and precautions can also be applied to the Models 9977 and 9978 Shipping Packages.
SERUM-TSH AND -T4 BEFORE AND AFTER TRH STIMULATION IN NEWBORN

TSH and T4 were estimated prior to, and 30 & 180 min. after i.v. injection of 40 μg TRH in 15 fullterm (FT), 10 preterm (PT) and 15 small-for-gestational age (SGA) euthyroid babies, 5–172 hours after delivery. For comparison, 13 normal children, 8–382 days of age, and two hypothyroid patients, 3 and 28 days old, were studied. Results: 1) Basal levels of TSH and T4 were significantly lower in PT than in FT and SGA. 2) The decrease in TSH during the first 7 days of life was approximately exponential only in FT and SGA. 3) TSH (30 min.) was positively correlated to basal levels; the % increase in TSH was of same magnitude in all euthyroids. 4) TSH (180 min) remained elevated only in PT (2 α < 0.01) and in SGA (2α <0,05). 5) T4 (180 min) was significantly higher than basal values in all euthyroids, especially in PT. TSH was extremely high in both hypothyroid patients with no increase after TRH. The different responses in euthyroid newborn may be related to varying degrees of hypothalamic-hypopituitary maturation.
Respiration studies on Russet Burbank potato tubers: effects of storage temperature and chemical treatments

Tubers of Russet Burbank potatoes were stored at 36 F (2.2 C), 42 F (5.6 C), 45 F (7.2 C), 48 F (8:9 C), and 70 F (21.1 C) and respiration rates determined. Chemical treatments 4 with growth regulators were made and respiration rates determined on intact tubers.
Knee extensor torque, work, and EMG during subjectively graded dynamic contractions

We examined knee extensor peak torque, work, and electromyogram (EMG) during dynamic contractions to perceived exertion levels in men and women. Thirty subjects performed three maximal effort isokinetic knee extensions (60 deg.s−1), followed by three contractions to each of nine separate levels of perceived exertion. Surface EMG of the vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), and rectus femoris (RF), and knee extensor peak torque and work were normalized to a percent of each respective value obtained during the maximal effort contractions. The results demonstrated a significant linear increase in voluntary knee extensor peak torque and work across perceived exertion levels. Knee extensor peak torque and work were less than 70%, 80%, and 90% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) at perceived exertion levels 7, 8, and 9, respectively. A significant increase in VM, VL, and RF muscle EMG was observed across perceived exertion levels 1 through 9, with EMG increase highest for the VL. The findings demonstrate that dynamic contractions guided by perceived exertion are underproduced at relatively high perceptual intensities, and that reliance on VL activation occurs across submaximal torque levels. The overestimation of knee extensor peak torque and work at relatively high perceptual intensities may suggest the presence of a subconscious mechanism aiming to reduce high muscle and joint forces. Muscle Nerve 28: 54–61, 2003
Reducing uncertainty associated with CO2 injection and brine production in heterogeneous formations

Abstract Spatial heterogeneity and variability across many orders of magnitude are two properties of formation permeability that are challenging to effectively capture in subsurface flow models. With regard to geological CO 2 storage, heterogeneity affects storage capacity, plume migration, pressure build-up around injection wells and, if utilized, the possibility of early breakthrough at brine extraction wells. Faced with under-characterized heterogeneity and an information-poor environment, the challenge is to make as much use as possible of the available data in reducing uncertainty associated with model prediction of a CO 2 injection operation. The two types of data used here to inform models are point permeability measurements from each well and interference tests between wells; these are both obtained from a synthetic permeability distribution approximating a hypothetical CO 2 storage formation. These data are used to reduce uncertainty in predictions of CO 2 injection, brine and CO 2 production rates, and CO 2 breakthrough times obtained from simulations of five-spot CO 2 injection/brine production performed on >600 conditional permeability realizations. First, assuming the underlying permeability field exhibits long-range correlation and a log-normal permeability distribution, a Bayesian analysis was undertaken using the point permeability measurements to reduce the likely magnitude of permeability heterogeneity. Comparison of realizations drawn from the prior and posterior indicate that the data were sufficient to exclude extreme scenarios with very rapid or very slow CO 2 transport and breakthrough at brine production wells. Thirty-year prediction envelopes for net CO 2 retention, brine and CO 2 production were reduced by 40, 45 and 72%, respectively. In the second stage, simulated interference tests for each of the posterior realizations were compared against interference tests simulated for the synthetic “true” permeability field. Weighting functions derived from these comparisons are used to further refine predictions, providing additional reductions of uncertainty by 38 and 69% for brine and CO 2 production rates, respectively. Predictions of CO 2 breakthrough are especially sensitive to analysis of interference tests, with a good estimate of the correct time obtained in three out of four cases.
Nonparametric estimation of the expected duration of old age

Abstract A definition of the expected old age duration based on the concept of mean residual lifetime is proposed. A nonparametric estimation approach is then presented and shown to have asymptotically normal distribution which enables us to construct asymptotically distribution free confidence bands for the expected duration of old age.
The contribution of physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners toward rural primary care: findings from a 13-state survey.

BACKGROUND Estimates of the relative contributions of physicians, physician assistants (PAs), and nurse practitioners (NPs) toward rural primary care are needed to inform workforce planning activities aimed at reducing rural primary shortages. OBJECTIVES For each provider group, this study quantifies the average weekly number of outpatient primary care visits and the types of services provided within and beyond the outpatient setting. METHODS A randomly drawn sample of 788 physicians, 601 PAs, and 918 NPs with rural addresses in 13 US states responded to a mailed questionnaire that measured reported weekly outpatient visits and scope of services provided within and beyond the outpatient setting. Analysis of variance and χ(2) testing were used to test for bivariate associations. Multivariate regression was used to model average weekly outpatient volume adjusting for provider sociodemographics and geographical location. RESULTS Compared with physicians, average weekly outpatient visit quantity was 8% lower for PAs and 25% lower for NPs (P<0.001). After multivariate adjustment, this gap became negligible for PAs (P=0.56) and decreased to 10% for NPs (P<0.001). Compared with PAs and NPs, primary care physicians were more likely to provide services beyond the outpatient setting, including hospital care, emergency care, childbirth attending deliveries, and after-hours call coverage (all P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Although our findings suggest that a greater reliance on PAs and NPs in rural primary settings would have a minor impact on outpatient practice volume, this shift might reduce the availability of services that have more often been traditionally provided by rural primary care physicians beyond the outpatient clinic setting.
The evolution of senescence under curtailed life span in laboratory populations of Musca domestica (the housefly)

The evolution of senescence may be explained by two different, but not mutually exclusive, genetic mechanisms. The antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis predicts that senescence is a consequence of the fixation of alleles with pleiotropic effects favouring early life fitness, but bearing a cost in later life. The mutation-accumulation hypothesis attributes senescence to the accumulation of deleterious mutations with late-acting effects on fitness in mutation–selection balance. Experiments were carried out on the housefly, Musca domestica, in which large and small populations were maintained so that reproduction was limited to four or five days after reaching sexual maturity. Longevity declined significantly under the husbandry protocol and was largely the same in large and small populations; this is consistent with the random accumulation of deleterious alleles affecting longevity under curtailed life span, although laboratory adaptation cannot be ruled out entirely as a causal mechanism. An analysis of life-history data did not provide evidence for a trade-off between longevity and age at sexual maturity, developmental time, or dry body weight, but there was an apparent trade-off between longevity and early progeny production, in support of antagonistic pleiotropy.
Experimental study, numerical modeling of and axial prediction approach to base grouted drilled shafts in cohesionless soils

The pressure grouting of drilled shaft tips has become popular worldwide due to its effectiveness in mobilizing a larger portion of the available tip resistance under service displacements. This paper presents experimental and numerical studies on the load transfer mechanism and factors controlling the axial response of base grouted drilled shafts in cohesionless soils. The study found that the increased axial capacity of grout-tipped drilled shafts under service loads and displacements depended mainly on preloading effects and the increased tip area provided by the grouting process. A simple prediction approach for estimating the tip capacity of grouted shafts utilizing cone penetration resistance was suggested based on the results of the study. The validity of the proposed approach was verified by the analysis of full-scale case studies of grouted shafts reported in the literature.
Siliceous nanoplankton. II. Newly discovered cysts and abundant choanoflagellates from the Weddell Sea, Antarctica

Siliceous choanoflagellates and previously undescribed, siliceous cyst-like spheroids (in the size range 2.5 to 15 μm) were found below sea-ice in the Weddell Sea and studied with scanning electron microscopy. Cell counts from water samples obtained over a 10,000 km area indicated that both spheroids and choanoflagellates were abundant in the upper 100 m of the water column, averaging about 105 cells l-1. The large numbers of phagotrophic choanoflagellates suggest that bacterioplankton-picoplankton food chains are important and may indicate the presence of longer, more complex trophic networks than previously considered in Antarctic waters. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the spheroids may be the cysts of choanoflagellates; if so, the production of siliceous cysts by members of this enigmatic taxon may be of considerable interest in discussions of the phylogenetic position of the group in relation to the algae and the metazoans. Similar cysts were found simultaneously in the North Pacific Ocean (see preceding paper: Booth et al. 1980), and recently we have discovered the cysts in the upwelling area of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The occurrence of the cyst in such geographically distant localities suggests that they have a worldwide distribution. Since the minute cysts are easily overlooked on the light microscope, their recognition and further study undoubtedly require the electron microscopic examination of plankton samples.
Error modeling of multi-baseline optical truss: part II. Applications to SIM metrology truss field dependent error

The current design of the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) employs a 19 laser-metrology-beam system (also called L19 external metrology truss) to monitor changes of distances between the fiducials of the flight system's multiple baselines. The function of the external metrology truss is to aid in the determination of the time-variations of the interferometer baseline. The largest contributor to truss error occurs in SIM wide-angle observations when the articulation of the siderostat mirrors (in order to gather starlight from different sky coordinates) brings to light systematic errors due to offsets at levels of instrument components (which include corner cube retro-reflectors, etc.). This is the external metrology wide-angle field-dependent error. Physics-based model of field-dependent error at single metrology gauge level is developed and linearly propagated to errors in interferometer delay. General formulation of delay error sensitivity to various error parameters is developed. The essence of the linear error model is contained in an errormapping matrix. A corresponding Zernike component matrix approach is developed in parallel with its advantages discussed. As a first example, dihedral error model is developed for the corner cubes (CC) attached to the siderostat mirrors. Average and worst case residual errors are computed when various orders of field-dependent terms are removed from the delay error. These serve as guidelines for arriving at system requirements given the error budget allocation. Highlights of the non-common vertex error (NCVE) model are shown as a second example followed by discussions.
Preparation of polysaccharide-enzyme conjugates for competitive binding assays

A variety of bacterial O-polysaccharides were covalently linked to enzymes and it was demonstrated with three discrete monoclonal antibodies that enzyme-glycoconjugates function as convenient labelled antigens in direct enzyme immunoassays, particularly competitive assays that quantify bacterial O-antigens. Two strategies, each involving reductive amination, were used to couple O-polysaccharides to enzymes, while retaining high enzymic activity. Reduction of the Schiff base formed between, 1,3-diaminopropane and the terminal reducing ketodeoxyoctanoic acid (KDO) residue present in the majority of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core domains, following mild acid removal of Lipid A, offered the most direct route to mono-aminated polysaccharide. Alternatively, mild periodate oxidation of KDO and heptose residues generated multiple aldehyde targets for Schiff base formation, without affecting the O-antigenic determinant. Hetero- and homobifunctional coupling reagents, sulphosuccinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)-cyclohexane-1-carboxylate and discuccinimidyl suberate, activated polysaccharide for coupling to enzymes at amino and sulphydryl sites and produced conjugates that retained at least 95% of the original enzymic activity. The most suitable enzyme conjugates, especially for competitive inhibition EIA were those bearing one polysaccharide chain, and these were easily prepared from horse-radish peroxidase. Although the extent of conjugation of activated polysaccharide to β-galactosidase and alkaline phosphatase could be controlled by reaction stoichiometry, the use of these enzymes was a less effective utilization of valuable antigen and enzyme.
Tight-binding streptavidin ligands from a cyclic peptide library

During the screening of a soluble library of cyclo(AXXXXXAE)K-CONH2, a cyclic peptide cyclo(AHPQFPAE)K-CONH2 was identified as a tight-binding ligand (IC50 = 128 nM) and found to bind 1000-fold more tightly than its linear peptide to streptavidin. The results of this study suggest that library screening of conformationally constrained cyclic peptides can be an effective means for the discovery of high affinity ligands.
JUDGES' UNEQUAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO EXTRALEGAL DISPARITIES IN IMPRISONMENT*

How do judges in the same court system contribute differentially to extralegal disparities in sentencing? Analyses of felony sentencing in an urban Ohio trial court uncovered two distinct but equal-sized groups of judges that differed in the magnitude of extralegal correlates to imprisonment. Within the group of judges reflecting substantive extralegal correlates to prison sentences, demographic correlates (based on defendants' race, sex, age, and the interaction between them) were more pervasive across judges relative to social demographic correlates (based on education, residence length, and means of financial support). The directions of significant relationships involving a defendant's race, age, and means of support also were inconsistent across judges. These interjudge differences suggest that analyses of cases pooled across judges at either the jurisdiction or the state level might over- or understate the relevance of particular attribution theories of sentencing disparities.
PLD1b in IIC9 fibroblasts is selectively activated in the nucleus and not in the Golgi apparatus.

Abstract Mitogen-induced activation of a nuclear-acting PC-phospholipase D (PLD) is mediated, at least in part, by the translocation of RhoA to the nucleus. A remaining question is whether PLD in all subcellular compartments is regulated in the same manner. To address this question, we identified PLD in another subcellular compartment and determined whether its activity was influenced by α-thrombin in a RhoA-dependent manner. The data in this manuscript show that nuclear PLD is selectively regulated. α-Thrombin stimulates an increase in PLD activity in IIC9 fibroblast nuclei while Golgi PLD activity is unaffected. We cloned PLD1 from IIC9s (hamPLD1b) to show that it is present in both nuclei and Golgi. Interestingly, only nuclear PLD1 is modulated by α-thrombin, demonstrating that this activity is selectively regulated. These data provide support for the physiological importance of agonist-induced nuclear signalling enzymes.
Results of Surgical Treatment of Congenital Heart Defects in Children with Down's Syndrome

We analyzed early and late results of surgical treatment of 100 consecutive children with Down's syndrome (DS) and congenital heart defect (CHD) who were operated on between 1990 and 1997. Fifty had common atrioventricular canal (CAVC), 24 ventricular septal defect, 8 the ostium primum atrial septal defect, 8 tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), 3 patent ductus arteriosus, 3 the ostium secundum atrial septal defect, and 4 CAVC coexisting with TOF. In 93 patients total correction was performed. The total death rate was 6%. Death in the CAVC group was 8%, but it decreased to 2.7% during the past 3 years. The children who were followed up (from 7 months to 6 years; mean, 39 months) are in NYHA class I or II. There were no reoperations. The postoperative course was complicated by pulmonary infections in 38% of patients, which converted to generalized infection in 10% and was the cause of death in 8% of patients. These results indicate that CHD in DS children can be repaired with a low death rate and low incidence of severe mitral atrioventricular valve regurgitation in the CAVC group. A high incidence of severe infections can influence the final results. Repair of CHD in infancy helps to eliminate problems connected with congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension.
Genetic and morphogenetic studies of angiosperm single-gene dwarfs

INTRODUCTION Single-gene dwarfs, as deviations from the normal, are useful in studies of the genetic basis of growth. This indirect approach to normal growth is advantageous, since the dynamic nature of growth in the delicately balanced equilibrium of living organisms sometimes precludes direct experimentation. Thus far, mutations are the only means of determining the loci that control normal growth processes. Establishment of the locus for a single-gene dwarf also locates an unaltered allele that participates in normal aspects of growth. Differences in growth of dwarf and normal sibs then are ascribed to the action of the allelic genes. Dwarfism, as a distinct growth form, was recognized long before the event of modern genetics. Both the Greeks and Romans had words for dwarf, the Romans distinguishing between natural dwarf (nanus) and unnatural dwarf (pumilo). Now, two biological terms delineate the major causes of dwarfing: "genetic dwarfs", resulting from hereditary change, and "physiological dwarfs", resulting from environmental inhibition. Of the two types only genetic dwarfs are suited to studies of the genetic basis of growth. Genetic dwarfs have been verified by classic breeding tests in plants and animals as resulting from the mutation of one or more genes. Single-gene dwarfs, a type of genetic dwarf involving a mutation at one locus, are more suitable than multigene-
A microstate for the 3-charge black ring

We start with a 2-charge D1–D5 BPS geometry that has the shape of a ring; this geometry is regular everywhere. In the dual CFT there exists a perturbation that creates one unit of excitation for left movers, and thus adds one unit of momentum P. This implies that there exists a corresponding normalizable perturbation on the near-ring D1–D5 geometry. We find this perturbation, and observe that it is smooth everywhere. We thus find an example of ‘hair’ for the black ring carrying three charges—D1, D5 and one unit of P. The near-ring geometry of the D1–D5 supertube can be dualized to a D6 brane carrying fluxes corresponding to the ‘true’ charges, while the quantum of P dualizes to a D0 brane. We observe that the fluxes on the D6 brane are at the threshold between bound and unbound states of D0–D6, and our wavefunction helps us learn something about binding at this threshold.
Effects of exercise training on left ventricular performance and myocardial perfusion in patients with coronary artery disease

To determine the effects of exercise training on left ventricular performance and myocardial perfusion in coronary artery disease, rest and exercise radionuclide angiocardiography and thallium-201 scintigraphy were performed before and after 12 weeks of training in 16 coronary patients. After training, 15 of the 16 patients had improved exercise tolerance; total treadmill exercise duration increased from (mean ± standard error of the mean) 491 ± 37 to 602 ± 31 seconds (p < 0.01), and the estimated rate of oxygen consumption (VO2 max) increased from 29.4 ± 1.4 to 33.8 ± 1.2 ml/kg per min (p < 0.001). Resting left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 52 ± 4 to 57 ± 4 percent (p < 0.02); no change occurred in left ventricular functional reserve assessed by ejection fraction and regional wall motion response to exercise at the same ratepressure product before and after training. Myocardial perfusion at equivalent pre- and post-training cardiac work loads during exercise and on redistribution was unchanged by training. It is concluded that in patients with coronary heart disease, physical training increases exercise tolerance, and results in minimal improvement in resting left ventricular systolic performance. Functional reserve of both left ventricular systolic performance and the coronary circulation appears to be unchanged by exercise training. These data suggest that the beneficial effects of training for 12 weeks in patients with coronary artery disease predominantly result from factors other than improvement in left ventricular pump performance or perfusion.
Dynamic properties in the bilayer quantum Hall ferromagnet

The spectral functions of pseudospin response functions in the bilayer quantum Hall system at $\ensuremath{\nu}=1$ are investigated numerically, where the pseudospin describes the layer degrees of freedom. In the pseudospin-ferromagnetic phase, the lowest-lying excitation branch is closely connected with the ground state through the fluctuations of pseudospin ${S}_{y}$ and ${S}_{z},$ and this pseudospin-wave excitation branch plays a significant role in the tunneling-current properties in the system.
Investigation of the morphology of internal defects in cross wedge rolling

Abstract Since internal defects in the cross wedge rolling (CWR) process can weaken the integrity of the final product and may ultimately lead to catastrophic failure, it is necessary to investigate the mechanisms of their generation and growth. Using a specially designed CWR experimental apparatus, experiments were performed at more than 50 different operating conditions. The cross-sectional profiles of the workpiece specimens were examined and compared at each condition. Based on the experiments, the influence of three primary parameters in CWR process—the forming angle α , the stretching angle β , and the area reduction Δ A were determined. From the experimental results, the morphology of void generation and growth in CWR is ascertained and discussed. Through the definition of a non-dimensional deformation coefficient e , a method for predicting the likelihood of void formation is also established and discussed with respect to optimizing CWR tooling design.
Syndicated bank loans and capital structure

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of interest rates on the size and the maturity choice of a syndicated bank loan. In addition, it attempts to determine the long‐run impact of a syndicated loan on the borrower's capital structure.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a sample of 6,903 syndicated bank loans in the USA, covering the period 1984‐2004. First, all syndicated loans are categorized into two groups: loans in periods of increasing interest rates, and loans in periods of decreasing rates. Then, non‐parametric tests are performed to compare the characteristics of the two groups, including the proceeds from the loans, and robust regressions are used to examine the impact of the interest rates on the maturity choice. Finally, robust regressions are employed to examine the long‐run impact of the interest rates on the borrowers' leverage ratios.Findings – On the whole, the results reject the market timing theory of capital structure for syndicated bank loans. Firms in t...
A multiplex immunoassay gives different results than singleplex immunoassays which may bias epidemiologic associations

Abstract Objectives Multiplex immunoassays are increasingly used in epidemiologic studies to measure inflammatory factors, however there are few published evaluations of this technology. Our objective was to compare a common multiplex immunoassay to singleplex immunoassays for measuring inflammatory factors, and to examine how combining data from each affects an epidemiologic association. Design and methods Plasma IL-1 beta, IFN-gamma, IL-6, and TNF-alpha were measured in 100 samples using a multiplex kit from Mesoscale Discovery (MSD) and singleplex ELISAs from RD n = 1314). Results Compared to R&D ELISAs, the MSD multiplex proportionally and significantly overestimated IL-1 beta (slope = 1.2), and IFN-gamma (slope = 2.9) but underestimated IL-6 (slope = 0.5). Correlations were ≥ 0.81 except for TNF-alpha ( r = 0.31). Compared to MSD singleplex, the MSD multiplex proportionally underestimated IFN-gamma (slope = 0.7) and TNF-alpha (slope = 0.5). Correlations were ≥ 0.96. The association between sugar sweetened beverage intake and IL-6 in the HPFS (+ 0.16 pg/mL per serving/day, p = 0.02, all singleplex) was gradually attenuated as multiplex data made an increasing contribution to the data-set. (+ 0.09 pg/mL [− 45%], p = 0.02, all multiplex) Conclusions A multiplex immunoassay for inflammatory factors yielded significantly different results than singleplex immunoassays—including those from the same company. Correlations were not consistently high, except among assays from the same company. Such differences may distort epidemiologic relationships if data from both methods are merged.
Multivariate analysis and the study of style variation

This paper investigates style variation in George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four and William Golding's The Inheritors using multivariate analysis, specifically, cluster analysis of the frequencies of frequent words. Baseline tests on a corpus including these and four other novels show that traditional authorship attribution techniques correctly distinguish all sections of each novel from all sections of the other five and correctly cluster all sections of each novel. They are also very successful in distinguishing the section of Nineteen Eighty-Four that purports to be a political tract by Emmanuel Goldstein from the rest of the novel. They are less successful in distinguishing the style of the final chapter of The Inheritors, where critics have argued that a sudden shift of point of view leads to a radical variation in style. The nature of this stylistic variation suggests a modification in the way that frequent words are selected for analysis - a modification that gives improved results for both novels and sharply distinguishes the final chapter from the rest of The Inheritors. A further test of the modified technique on an unusual section of The Picture of Dorian Gray suggests that it may be more widely useful in studies of style variation.
Public Accountability Is it a Private Responsibility

Public law principles must be paramount in designing and implementing privatized administrative arrangements. Private nonprofit organizations are a familiar part of the public administration landsc...
Highly Paramagnetic Tumor-Targeted Contrast Agents

The noninvasive imaging of cell surface markers could provide a powerful technique for the early identification of cancer as well as allow for repetitive measurements to monitor the efficacy of therapeutic treatments. Magnetic resonance (MR) is a particularly attractive platform for molecular imaging due to the ability to acquire high-resolution anatomical images in conjunction with measures of biomarker expression; however, the sensitivity of MR contrast agents is often too low to detect the relatively low number of cell receptors per imaging voxel at the targeted site. To generate the level of sensitivity required for imaging molecular markers of disease, novel approaches must be established to amplify the MR signal. In this talk, we will describe how nanoparticulate carriers can be designed to carry extremely high gadolinium (Gd) payloads in order to compensate for the low MR signal enhancement generated by individual Gd ions. Further, we will show that Gd-labeled nanoparticles that have been functionalized with targeting ligands can be used for the highly sensitive detection of human tumor xenografts in mice.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Screening for substance use in pregnancy: A practical approach for the primary care physician

Our goal was to identify risk factors for substance use during pregnancy for primary care physicians so that we could assess a woman's risk of alcohol or illicit drug use. Participants were 2002 Medicaid-eligible pregnant women with < or =2 visits to prenatal care clinics in South Carolina and Washington State. Structured interviews were used to collect data. Logistic regressions and classification and regression trees identified predictors for pregnant women at high risk for substance use. Approximately 9% of the sample reported current use of either drugs or alcohol or both. Past use of alcohol or cigarettes, including during the month before pregnancy, most differentiated current drug or alcohol users from current nonusers. Our analysis suggests that primary care physicians can ask 3 questions in the context of a prenatal health evaluation to target women for referral to a full clinical assessment for drug and alcohol use.
Angle resolved auger surface spectroscopy

Abstract The angular distribution of electrons ejected in core-valence-valence Auger transitions of atoms chemisorbed on metal surfaces is considered theoretically. Since the valence electrons participating in the Auger transition are also involved in chemical bonding to the surface, these initial states contain information pertaining to the chemisorption bonding geometry. The role of the initial state symmetry in determining the angle resolved Auger surface spectrum (ARASS) is investigated through model calculations and is found to be small. Thus the ARASS is expected to be a smoothly varying function of angle with ≲ ± 15% modulations due to diffraction effects, in agreement with recent experimental results for S adsorbed on Ni(100).
Experimental approaches to the study of HIV-1 latency

Viral latency is a reversibly non-productive state of infection that allows some viruses to evade host immune responses. As a consequence of its tropism for activated CD4(+) T cells, HIV-1 can establish latent infection in resting memory CD4(+) T cells, which are generated when activated CD4(+) T cells return to a quiescent state. Latent HIV-1 persists as a stably integrated but transcriptionally silent provirus. In this state, the virus is unaffected by immune responses or antiretroviral drugs, and this latent reservoir in resting CD4(+) T cells is a major barrier to curing the infection. Unfortunately, there is no simple assay to measure the number of latently infected cells in a patient, nor is there an entirely representative in vitro model in which to explore the molecular mechanisms of latency. This Review will consider current approaches to the analysis of HIV-1 latency both in vivo and in vitro.
Measurement of the vibrational Zeeman effect for HCF3 using magnetic vibrational circular dichroism

Magnetic vibrational circular dichroism (MVCD) for different vibrational modes of HCF3 have been measured. The vibrational Zeeman effect for the E‐symmetry v4 and v5 modes have been determined for the first time from the solution and gas phase MVCD and absorption spectra. An analysis of the vibrational Zeeman effect for the other E‐symmetry mode, v6, has been derived from the v3+v6 combination band MVCD and absorption spectra based on the vibronic coupling model. Comparisons of these results to predictions of different theoretical models have been used to analyze the sources of the observed Zeeman effect.
Single-step separation of red blood cells, granulocytes and mononuclear leukocytes on discontinuous density gradients of Ficoll-Hypaque

Abstract Centrifugation of heparinized human blood on discontinuous gradients of Ficoll-Hypaque resulted in the simultaneous separation of mononuclear leukocytes, granulocytes, and erythrocytes. Nearly complete separation of cells was achieved with high recovery of each cell type. Leukocytes isolated by this method retained the ability to exclude Trypan Blue dye and granulocytes retained their chemotactic responsiveness.
Multiaxis microcoil sensors in standard CMOS

The subsystems of an integrated MEMS 3D magnetic sensor are described and created using a standard CMOS fabrication process. For the completed sensor, after fabrication, the chip is micromachined and the sensor is assembled. The sensing is done by a two layer, aluminum coil whose equivalent area is specific to being sent off chip. The sensitivity and resolution of the transducer is found and shown to be a function of frequency. The frequency response is shown to be linear. Both higher sensitivity and finer resolution can be achieved by increasing the equivalent area of the micro-coil or by using a higher input frequency. The next phase is to fabricate the complete three axis system with two perpendicular coils rotated off the substrate and one remaining on the substrate.
Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Inhibits Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension and Vascular Remodeling in Guinea Pigs

Rationale: We have shown previously that antiproliferative unfractionated heparins block hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and vascular remodeling, and hypothesized that low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) would too. Objectives To determine the potential role and mechanisms of dalteparin and enoxaparin (two LMWHs) in inhibiting hypoxic PAH and vascular remodeling. Methods Male Hartley guinea pigs were exposed for 10 days to normobaric 10% oxygen with dalteparin (5 mg/kg), enoxaparin (5 mg/kg), or with an equivalent volume of normal saline solution. Normoxic control animals (n = 5) received room air for 10 days. Bovine pulmonary artery smooth-muscle cells (PASMCs) were grown in 10% fetal bovine serum without heparin, with dalteparin (1 μg/mL) or with enoxaparin (1 μg/mL). Measurements Pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), cardiac index, right ventricular heart weight divided by left ventricular plus septum weight (RV/LV+S), hematocrit, percentage of wall thickness of intraacinar vessels (%WT-IA), percentage of wall thickness of terminal bronchiole vessels (%WT-TA), and the percentage of thick-walled vessels (%Thick) were determined. In PASMCs, expression of p27 and cell growth were compared because in mice whole heparin depends on p27 for its antiproliferative action. Main results In hypoxic animals, hematocrit, PAP, total pulmonary vascular resistance index, RV/LV+S, %WT-IA, %WT-TA, and %Thick all rose significantly vs normoxic control animals (p Conclusions Not all LMWHs are the same. Dalteparin was more effective than enoxaparin in inhibiting pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling in hypoxic guinea pigs.
NMR study of lithium ion in nitrobenzene/water system

The goal of this project has been to elucidate the solvation states and kinetics involved in the transfer of Li ions between nitrobenzene and water. A large interface area has been realized by confining one phase in polymer beads and suspending them in the other phase. A 2D 7Li-NMR spectroscopic result of such a system obtained on a 400 MHz instrument has shown that the rate of the Li ion transfer exchange between nitrobenzene and water is too fast to resolve individual solvatomers. A pair of well-resolved 7Li-NMR peaks corresponding to different solvation environments of Li+ in “wet” nitrobenzene has been observed. The most surprising result is that the ratio of those two peaks and their separation changes over a period of days, but it can be reversibly changed by mechanical disturbance, such as ultrasonication. This effect is reproducible and suggests spontaneous but slow formation of metastable solvatomers of Li+. Another surprising observation has been slow and irreversible incorporation of lithium ion from wet nitrobenzene into the walls of the silica-containing vessels.
An emerging role for microRNA in the regulation of endothelin-1.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a peptide signaling molecule serving diverse functions in many different tissues such as the vasculature and the kidney. The primary mechanism thought to control ET-1 bioavailability is the rate of transcription from the ET-1 gene (EDN1), but recent research suggests that EDN1 expression is attenuated by microRNA (miRNA) –mediated regulation. The action of specific miRNAs on EDN1 mRNA appears to vary greatly in a tissue specific manner. This review provides a summary of our current understanding of miRNA-EDN1 interaction.
The G protein-coupled receptor G2A: involvement in hepatic lipid metabolism and gallstone formation in mice.

The G2A receptor is a member of the ovarian cancer G protein–coupled receptor 1 family of stress-inducible G protein–coupled receptors. In this study, we examined the hepatobiliary effects of loss of function of G2A in mice fed either a chow or lithogenic diet. G2A-deficient (G2A−/−) mice fed chow had a 25% reduction in biliary phosphatidylcholine content, reduced hepatic gene expression of the phosphatidylcholine transporter adenosine triphosphate–binding cassette B4, and an 8-fold increase in expression of the nuclear receptor liver X receptor (LXR). Despite the increased expression of LXR, transcription of several LXR target genes was reduced. G2A−/− mice fed a lithogenic diet had rapid gallstone formation, an increased cholesterol saturation index, a 2.5-fold increase in farnesoid X receptor expression, a 5-fold increase in LXR expression, and a 90% reduction in cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase expression in comparison with wild-type mice. There were no changes in gallbladder volume. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that the G2A receptor is important for hepatobiliary bile salt, cholesterol, and phospholipid homeostasis and for the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone formation. (HEPATOLOGY 2008;48:1138–1148.)