cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The reaction matrix and effective shell-model interactions for the Ni isotopes☆

Abstract Shell-model calculations are performed for the nickel isotopes with an approximate reaction matrix, corrected in various ways for core polarization, as interaction. The resulting energy levels are compared with experiment and with the predictions of phenomenological shell-model interactions.
Idiosyncratic variations in eye-head coupling observed in the laboratory also manifest during spontaneous behavior in a natural setting

The tendency to generate head movements during saccades varies from person to person. Head movement tendencies can be measured as subjects fixate sequences of illuminated targets, but the extent to which such measures reflect eye-head coupling during more natural behaviors is unknown. We quantified head movement tendencies in 20 normal subjects in a conventional laboratory experiment and in an outdoor setting in which the subjects directed their gaze spontaneously. In the laboratory, head movement tendencies during centrifugal saccades could be described by the eye-only range (EOR), customary ocular motor range (COMR), and the customary head orientation range (CHOR). An analogous EOR, COMR, and CHOR could be extracted from the centrifugal saccades executed in the outdoor setting. An additional six measures were introduced to describe the preferred ranges of eyes-in-head and head-on-torso manifest throughout the outdoor recording, i.e., not limited to the orientations following centrifugal saccades. These 12 measured variables could be distilled by factor analysis to one indoor and six outdoor factors. The factors reflect separable tendencies related to preferred ranges of visual search, head eccentricity, and eye eccentricity. Multiple correlations were found between the indoor and outdoor factors. The results demonstrate that there are multiple types of head movement tendencies, but some of these influence behavior across rather different experimental settings and tasks. Thus behavior in the two settings likely relies on common neural mechanisms, and the laboratory assays of head movement tendencies succeed in probing the mechanisms underlying eye-head coupling during more natural behaviors.
Blast transformation of lymphocytes from newborn human infants.

The in vitro blast transformation of lymphocytes from cord blood, infants, and adults was studied. Spontaneous blastogenesis was found in the lymphocytes from cord blood and infants but not from adults or children over 1 year of age. Two weeks after immunization with typhoid antigen the cultured lymphocytes of newborn infants and adults developed comparable percentages of blasts. When studied six weeks after immunization, this responsiveness to typhoid antigen could not be demonstrated in some of the infants' cultures. The blastoid response of the newborn's lymphocytes was similar to that of adult cells when cultured with phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen, and staphylococcal filtrate as well as in homologous cell cultures.
Radial nerve injuries and outcomes: Our experience

Background:The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the patients who had undergone radial nerve reconstruction.Methods:The medical charts of 35 patients with radial nerve lesions and 13 patients with superficial radial nerve lesions who underwent surgical exploration and repair in t
Phosphorimetry, a spectrochemical method of analysis.

A review is given of the various phosphorimetric techniques, now available, together with their analytical applications.
Haploid Gene Expression versus Meiotic Drive: the Relevance of Intercellular Bridges during Spermatogenesis

IT has long been argued whether or-not any genes are active after meiosis in male gametogenesis. The existence of non-Mendelian segregation with some genes in males (most notably, Segregation Distorter of Drosophila and the t-alleles of mice) has argued for the possibility of haploid gene expression. Recently, Lyon et al.1 have presented evidence that sperm deficient in the chromosomal segment carrying the T and H-2 loci can successfully fertilize eggs, confirming for mammals what has long been known in Drosophila where spermatozoa function successfully with deficiencies of almost the entire chromosomal complement2–4. The spermatozoa could have contained post-meiotically synthesized gene products from these loci, however, because of the quasi-syncytial character of spermatozoal differentiation.
Bilabial compression force discrimination by human subjects

This study examined and compared bilabial compression force difference limen (DL) values (the minimally perceivable difference between two compression forces) for a group of twenty normal-speaking female subjects (mean age, 25 years) under conditions with and without the teeth clenched. In addition, measures of maximum bilabial compression force under conditions with and without the teeth clenched were obtained. Mean DL values obtained against a standard of 100 gm were 36 gm for the clenched condition and 38 gm with no clenching. Discrimination performance under these two conditions was not significantly different (P greater than 0.05). Mean maximum bilabial compression force was 411 gm with the teeth clenched and 568 gm without clenching. This difference in performance was significant (P less than 0.01). This study provides initial normal data against which individuals with labial sensorimotor dysfunction can be compared.
Classifying Services to Gain Strategic Marketing Insights

The diversity of the service sector makes it difficult to come up with managerially useful generalizations concerning marketing practice in service organizations. This article argues for a focus on...
The sweet taste of excess.

Naltrexone has been shown to supress relapse into heavy drinking of alcohol (O’Brien, Volpicelli, & Volpicelli, 1996) and to reduce short term food intake in healthy people (see Yeomans & Gray, 2002). There is less information about the long term effects of opiate blockers on food intake, food cravings, or obesity. We are currently studying food cravings in alcoholics undergoing long-term treatment with naltrexone. In one study, abstinent alcoholics receiving naltrexone (100 mg fixed dose; N= 63) and a set of age/gender matched healthy controls (N= 61) were given a questionnaire about food cravings. The alcoholics on naltrexone were less likely to report food cravings than were the controls. However, significantly more of the cravings that they did report were for sweets. In a second study, we did a within-subjects (N=55) comparison of food cravings in alcoholics before and during treatment with naltrexone. There was no evidence for an effect of naltrexone on the probability of reporting food cravings. There was evidence for an effect of naltrexone on frequency of food cravings: the modal frequency in the past week for abstinent alcoholics was “several times per day” prior to naltrexone and was “once or twice” during treatment with naltrexone. Craving for sweets was higher during treatment with naltrexone even controlling for abstinence. Conclusion: Naltrexone may have some effect on frequency of food craving. But it does not reduce sweet craving. The latter is surprising given the well-established relationship between endogenous opiates and sweets.
Antiplatelet Polypharmacy in Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Trying to Understand When More Is Better

Timely and sustained reperfusion in the ST-elevation myocardial infarction setting improves mortality, and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the guideline-favored revascularization strategy.1 Primary PCI requires pharmacological support with antiplatelet and antithrombin therapy, and many drugs and combinations are established for this purpose. Likewise, patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction are at risk for subsequent ischemic events in the weeks to months after their index event, and long-term antiplatelet therapy is needed. Aspirin alone provides an inadequate effect on a substantial number of patients with atherosclerotic plaque rupture, whether the vascular disruption occurs as part of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or a PCI procedure. Indeed, patients with concomitant spontaneous plaque rupture (ie, troponin-positive ACS) and subsequent disruption from PCI have a particularly high rate of ischemic events with aspirin therapy alone and a notably large risk reduction with antiplatelet adjuncts, such as thienopyridines and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. Article see p 3207 Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors have been studied in many placebo-controlled primary PCI trials. De Luca and colleagues performed a meta-analysis of such trials testing abciximab on 3949 patients. They reported an ≈30% reduction in mortality at 6 to 12 months.2 When these studies were performed, procedural thienopyridine use was infrequent, and appropriate loading doses had not been established. Of the 8 primary PCI trials in the meta-analysis, only 2 described administration of a thienopyridine loading dose, and maintenance therapy was continued for only several weeks. Since then, clopidogrel use has become commonplace, yet for a variety of reasons a placebo-controlled trial testing procedural clopidogrel in primary PCI was never performed. In the most recent scientific society guidelines, clopidogrel was given a class I recommendation for use in ST-elevation myocardial infarction1 and …
Fault tolerant deployment and topology control in wireless networks

This paper investigate fault tolerance for wireless ad hoc networks. We consider a large-scale of wireless networks whose nodes are distributed randomly in a unit-area square region. Given n wireless nodes V, each with transmission range rn, the wireless networks are often modeled by graph G(V,rn) in which two nodes are connected if their Euclidean distance is no more than rn.We first consider how the transmission range is related with the number of nodes in a fixed area such that the resulted network can sustain k fault nodes with high probability. We show that, for a unit-area square region, the probability that the network G(V,rn) is (k+1)-connected is at least e-e-α when the transmission radius rn satisfies n π rn2 ≥ ln n + (2k-1) ln ln n -2ln k! + 2α for k>0 and n sufficiently large. This result also applies to mobile networks when the moving of wireless nodes always generates randomly distributed positions. Our simulations show that n should be larger than 500 if k=2 or 3 and α = log n and n should be larger than 2500 if k=2 or 3 and α = log log n.We then present a localized method to control the network topology given a (k+1)-faults tolerant deployment G(V,rn) of wireless nodes such that the resulting topology is still (k+1)-faults tolerant but with O(kn) communication links maintained. We show that the constructed topology is also a length spanner. Here a subgraph H is spanner of graph G, if for any two nodes, the length of the shortest path connecting them in H is no more than a small constant factor of the length of the shortest path connecting them in G.Finally, we conduct some simulations to study the practical transmission range to achieve certain probability of k-connected when n is not large enough.
An Improved Synthesis of Hexamethylphenalene

Abstract The synthesis of 1,3,4,6,7,9-hexamethylphenalene (2) has been improved from 15 steps to a four step procedure. The overall yield has been increased from an estimated 5% to 45%. Key steps in the synthesis are the reaction of 3,5-dimethylbenzylmagnesium chloride with 2,4-pentanedionato lithium in THF to make 5-(3,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-4-methyl-4-hydroxy-2-pentanone (5) and the Lewis acid acylation-alkation of 1,3,6,8-tetramethylnaphthalene using 3-chlorobutanoic chloride in hexane with sonication to make 1,3,4,6,7,9-hexamethyl-phenalane (2).
Computational and experimental investigation of cavity flowfields

This paper presents a computational and experimental investigation of supersonic flow past a cavity in a flat plate. The source of the particular interest in this problem is the ongoing study of the aerodynamic interference effects between a separating store and its bay in the parent body. An upwind relaxation scheme, utilizing flux vector splitting and line-Gauss-Seidel iterations, is used to solve Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Spatial discretizations of this two-dimensional analysis are based on implicit and finite-volume methods. Turbulence is modeled and shocks are captured. The flowfield of the symmetry plane at the half-width is computationally visualized and all flow properties are computed. Experimental tests are conducted in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel to measure wall pressures and to capture schlieren photographs. Qualitative as well as quantitative data of computations and experiments agree very well. These two vehicles of investigation are merged to show open, closed and transitional cavity flow behaviors.
Ordered assembly of roX RNAs into MSL complexes on the dosage-compensated X chromosome in Drosophila

Abstract Background : In the male Drosophila , the X chromosome is transcriptionally upregulated to achieve dosage compensation, in a process that depends on association of the MSL proteins with the X chromosome. A role for non-coding RNAs has been suggested in recent studies. The roX1 and roX2 RNAs are male-specific, non-coding RNAs that are produced by, and also found associated with, the dosage-compensated male X chromosome. Whether roX RNAs are physically part of the MSL complex has not been resolved. Results : We found that roX RNAs colocalize with the MSL proteins and are highly unstable unless the MSL complex is coexpressed, suggesting a physical interaction. We were able to immunoprecipitate roX2 RNA from male tissue-culture cells with antibodies to the proteins Msl1 and Mle, consistent with an integral association with MSL complexes. Localization of roX1 and roX2 RNAs in mutants indicated an order of MSL-complex assembly in which roX2 RNA is incorporated early in a process requiring the Mle helicase. We also found that the roX2 gene, like roX1 , is a nucleation site for MSL complex spreading into flanking chromatin in cis . Conclusions: Our results support a model in which MSL proteins assemble at specific chromatin entry sites (including the roX1 and roX2 genes); the roX RNAs join the complex at their sites of synthesis; and complete complexes spread in cis to dosage compensate most genes on the X chromosome.
Psychometrics, intelligence, and public perception.

Abstract Herrnstein and Murray (1994, pp. 22–23) stated six propositions concerning a g factor of intelligence. Because these propositions had been widely criticized in public media as being false and pseudoscientific, they are examined here for support in the scientific literature. All are found to be reasonably well supported. Most experts agree that there is a general factor g on which human beings differ. It is measured to some degree by most tests of cognitive aptitude and achievement, but more accurately by tests designed to measure it. It corresponds to most people's concept of intelligence. It is quite stable over the life span, and properly constructed and administered IQ tests are not demonstrably biased against different social groups. It is substantially influenced by genetic factors, but also by environmental factors. Some psychometric findings about g have been poorly presented to the public or widely misunderstood. The public is urged to recognize that (1) psychometrics (literally, mental measurement) is a rigorous scientific discipline that has resolved many questions concerning cognitive abilities; (2) general ability scores should be taken not as direct measures of hereditary intelligence, but rather as measures of rate of progress over the life span in achieving full mental development; (3) there are many other cognitive abilities besides g; (4) important sources of variation in g or IQ are environmental; (5) the IQ is possibly more an indicator of how fast the individual can learn that it is of the individual's capability of learning; and (6) much more research is needed to resolve questions about the role of individual differences in cognitive abilities in a democratic society. These conclusions can be reached whatever one's views may be about the validity of Herrnstein and Murray's claims about the significance of variation in intelligence for social problems.
Vapor Pressures and Evaporation Studies of Sugars and Sugar Alcohols

The use of heterogeneous catalysts for conversion of sugars and sugar alcohols to value-added chemicals has been widely studied in liquid phases. Low selectivities and high costs associated with catalyst recovery have substantially limited commercialization of these processes. Gas phase packed-bed catalysis has recently been successful in overcoming these obstacles for the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to propylene glycol. In this paper, the evaporation of glucose and sorbitol was investigated to identify potential conditions for gas-phase conversions of these sugars. In our studies, vapor pressures of sorbitol were estimated in a wider temperature range of (250 to 350) °C than work done by Guido et al. (J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans. 1990, 86, 75−79) at (177 to 227) °C. A thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) method was used to estimate a boiling point of 362 °C for sorbitol with sorbitol’s vapor pressure following a Clausius−Clapeyron model behavior. In addition, evaporation studies demonstrated sobitol evaporati...
AN ADDITIONAL DIMER LINKAGE STRUCTURE IN MOLONEY MURINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS RNA

Abstract We have identified an additional dimerization linkage structure in the genome of Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV). Retroviral genomes have long been known to be linked at their 5′ ends to form dimers. In MoMLV, a hairpin loop functioning as a dimer linkage structure (DLS) has previously been identified at nucleotides 278–303. Here, we describe RNA dimers formed from sections of the MoMLV 5′ untranslated region that do not contain the previously described MoMLV DLS. These dimers exhibit the distinctive characteristics previously described for whole genome dimers. We have mapped this novel region to nucleotides 199–243. This sequence contains a stem-loop structure (nucleotides 204–227) much like the 278–303 region. We describe the chemical and thermal stability of dimers containing the 204–227 stem-loop as well as kinetics and salt-dependence of dimer formation. Our results show that dimerization of MoMLV RNA can be nucleated at multiple sites and suggest that the 5′ untranslated region may contain separately folding and dimerizing domains.
Identification of sensor cysteines in human Keap1 modified by the cancer chemopreventive agent sulforaphane.

The chemopreventive agent sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate derived from cruciferous vegetables. Sulforaphane exerts cancer chemopreventive effects by inducing antioxidant/electrophile response element (ARE)-regulated phase 2 enzyme and antioxidant genes through activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which is regulated by the thiol-rich sensor protein Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1). Sulforaphane is an electrophile that can react with protein thiols to form thionoacyl adducts. We hypothesized that, like other electrophilic Nrf2 activators, sulforaphane activates this system through specific modifications of the Keap1 protein. However, thionoacyl adducts are labile to hydrolysis and transacylation reactions, which complicate the identification of the sulforaphane adduct sites on Keap1. In this study, we characterized the stability of sulforaphane thionoacyl adducts and developed a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method to map labile sulf...
Runway Performance as a Function of Magnitude of Runway Reward and Intertrial Reinforcement

Rats were trained to traverse a straight alley for either 1 or 10 food pellets as reward. Each runway trial was preceded by an intertrial reinforcement of 1 or 10 pellets. A negative contrast effect obtained and persisted throughout the 72 trials conducted. Although there was a strong suggestion of a positive contrast effect throughout training, the effect did not prove reliable. The contrast effect results were interpreted as challenging the view that with extended training ITRs become “irrelevant” to runway reward.
Border Crossings: Engaging Students in Diversity Work and Intergroup Relations

As an innovative model for diversity education, Dickinson College designed the Crossing Borders program to encourage culturally diverse students to live, work, and study together in multiple contexts both within the United States and abroad. Envisioning a series of crossings, the program brings together up to 20 students from Dickinson College, a predominantly White Institution, and Xavier University, Dillard College, and Spelman College, three Historically Black Colleges/Universities, to spend 4 weeks studying together in Cameroon. West Africa. Students then study at Dickinson for one semester and at one of the Historically Black Colleges/Universities for one semester.
The membrane skeleton of erythrocytes: models of its effect on lateral diffusion

Abstract The membrane skeleton, a network of structural proteins attached to the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane, hinders lateral diffusion of integral proteins. 1. 2. In some types of cells, such as epithelial cells and nerve cells, the obstruction of lateral diffusion by the membrane skeleton is one of the mechanisms by which proteins are localized to domains on the cell surface. 2. 3. The effect of the membrane skeleton on lateral diffusion may involve steric hindrance, transient binding or both. Three plctures of the effect are reviewed, the discrete barrier model, the continuous barrier model and the transient binding model. 3. 4. Experiments to distinguish the models are discussed.
Visualization of the inverted terminal repetition in adeno-associated virus DNA

Abstract Adeno-associated virus linear, single polynucleotide chains contain an inverted terminal repetition which allows the formation of single-stranded circles when the DNA is exposed to annealing conditions. Under appropriate annealing conditions single-stranded circular dimers are formed, the majority of which have two projections separated by 180 ° visible in the electron microscope. We conclude that these projections represent the regions of self-complementarity (inverted terminal repetition) contained within the virus DNA. Measurements of the lengths of the projections indicate that the length of the inverted terminal repetition represents approximately 1.5% of the genome.
Formation of nanodiamonds at near-ambient conditions via microplasma dissociation of ethanol vapour

Nanodiamonds are small clusters of carbon that are of use in various nanotechnology applications such as spintronics, but are difficult to synthesize. Here Kumar et al. achieve the fabrication of nanodiamonds 2–5 nm in size at near-ambient conditions by a microplasma process.
Syntrophin isoforms play specific functional roles in the α1D-adrenergic receptor/DAPC signalosome

α1D-Adrenergic receptors, key regulators of cardiovascular system function, are organized as a multi-protein complex in the plasma membrane. Using a Type-I PDZ-binding motif in their distal C-terminal domain, α1D-ARs associate with syntrophins and dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) members utrophin, dystrobrevin and α-catulin. Three of the five syntrophin isoforms (α, β1 and β2) interact with α1D-ARs and our previous studies suggest multiple isoforms are required for proper α1D-AR function in vivo. This study determined the contribution of each specific syntrophin isoform to α1D-AR function. Radioligand binding experiments reveal α-syntrophin enhances α1D-AR binding site density, while phosphoinositol and ERK1/2 signaling assays indicate β2-syntrophin augments full and partial agonist efficacy for coupling to downstream signaling mechanisms. The results of this study provide clear evidence that the cytosolic components within the α1D-AR/DAPC signalosome significantly alter the pharmacological properties of α1-AR ligands in vitro.
Carboplatin and paclitaxel for the treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the activity and toxicity of carboplatin and paclitaxel (taxol) in the treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Study design This was a retrospective review of 18 consecutive patients with advanced (stage 4) or recurrent endometrial adenocarcinoma that had been treated with outpatient carboplatin and taxol. Taxol was delivered at 135 mg/m 2 over 3 hours, and carboplatin was delivery at an area under the curve of 5 over 1 hour. Cycles were repeated every 21 days. Results The overall response rate was 63% with 28% of patients who had a partial response and 35% of patients who had a complete response. Kaplan-Meier test was used to estimate the median survival time of 27 months and the median progression free survival time of 24 months. No patient had neutropenia, thrombocytopenia or grade 3 vomiting, neurosensory toxicity, or renal toxicity. Conclusion Carboplatin and taxol for the treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer appear to be active regimens with minimal toxicity.
Measurements of the spectral and temporal evolution of FEL macropulses

The Vanderbilt Mark III FEL is a tunable source of coherent mid-infrared radiation occurring as a train of high- intensity (picosecond) micropulses with a repetition rate of 3GHz that continues for 3-5 microseconds (the macropulse). We have measured the spectral output of the Vanderbilt FEL as a function of time during the macropulse with ~10nm resolution in wavelength and ~20ns resolution in time. The measurement takes about one minute and gives a representation of the micropulse spectral width average over many macropulses. Data collected thus far indicates a surprising amount of structure produced by overlapping periods of growth, saturation, and decay within the macropulse. It is found that the central wavelength of the FEL slips over the course of the macropulse, and that the instantaneous output typically has a much smaller spectral bandwidth than the macropulse bandwidth. Thus, a user slicing portion fo the macropulse with a Pockel's Cell can obtain different central wavelengths by slicing at different times during the macropulse. The evolution of the macropulse spectrum as a function of cavity de-tuning and electron beam parameters is studied with the goal of improving the stability and spectral density of the FEL output.
Seeing Theory in Practice: An Analysis of Empathy in Mediation

Bush and Folger (1994) in The Promise of Mediation articulated distinctions between Individualist and Relational ideology, and linked them to specific theoretical orientations to mediation practice, problem-solving and transformative, respectively. Yet, a question persists as to whether these distinctions produce any material differences in practice. This question is approached here through an examination of a single construct in the mediation literature, empathy. The author proposes that the Individualist and Relational ideological frameworks have material implications for the concept and the practice of fostering empathy between the parties to a mediation: The problem-solving framework fosters a social interaction which can be understood as transactional empathy while the transformative framework fosters an interaction described as relational empathy.
Numerical Simulation of a Spinning Missile with Dithering Canards Using Unstructured Grids

Euler and Navier-Stokes solutions were obtained using an unstructured-grid approach to predict the aerodynamic performance of a spinning missile with dithering canards. Integrated force and moment coefficients were computed, along with helicity contours to track the horseshoe vortices generated by the canards. Comparisons were made to determine the effect of grid resolution and viscous effects. The grid-resolution study was performed using three levels of refinement. Comparison of the viscous and inviscid force and moment coefficients revealed that the viscous effects were not significant for this low angle of attack. The largest viscous contribution was to the axial force, which was approximately 10% of the total axial force. Overall the viscous effects were minimal because the flow is supersonic and remains attached and there are no regions of separated flow where viscous effects are important. The vortices are due to the pressure difFerences acting on the canards and not due to viscous boundary-layer separation along the missile body. It was found that, at certain roll orientations, the canards do impinge on the tail fins. Solution comparisons were made to results from another high-resolution viscous flow solver and to experimental data and the results compared favorably to both.
A naturalistic study of patients with anorexia nervosa admitted to a university medical center.

Summary A group of 115 patients diagnosed as falling within the anorexia nervosa syndrome were identified through the case records of the Presbyterian Hospital and New York State Psychiatric Institute at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. The patients had been admitted during the period from 1932 to 1964. The peak age at onset was between ages ten to 15. The mean weight lost was 35.9 pounds, with the weight at hospitalization ranging between 67 and 81 pounds. Over 75 per cent of the patients were single females who had been ill for less than two years. A sample of 35 patients whose records were sufficiently complete for clinical study and symptom analysis demonstrated a symptomatic picture consistent with the overall clinical and psychodynamic constellations reported in other studies. The follow-up study of 21 per cent of the overall patients indicated a significant shift back toward health and maintenance of weight. About 50 per cent of the patients had married; most of them had had children. Another 50 per cent were still students, at least partly dependent on their parents for support. Only one-third still reported health problems, none of which appeared to be of any clinical significance. A small percentage of the patients had died of complications of anorexia nervosa.
Predicting Quantitative Outcomes of Patients Using Longitudinal Gene Expression

We present a new statistical method using longitudinal gene expression to predict quantitative outcomes of patients. Through simulations and application on a dataset of burn patients, the proposed method outperforms prediction methods using gene expression from individual time points or simply combining them together. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljastats.v5i4.7787
Effective threshold energy for pair production in nonpolar semiconductors

Abstract A streaming model (high field) analysis is given for the average energy for and the probability of electron-hole pair production in a semiconductor when a quadratically energy dependent impact ionization cross-section exists above a threshold energy and competes with a nonpolar optical phonon scattering mechanism. A power series expansion method and tabulated results are provided to treat the resulting probability integrals of the form ∫ 0 ∞ x n exp {−( βx + x 3 )}d x .
Tropical pyomyositis in a temperate climate in an immunocompetent adult.

Tropical pyomyositis, though common in Africa, South America, and the South Pacific, is relatively rare in North America. Reported is the case of a patient who developed chest wall muscle abscesses after sustaining minor chest wall muscle trauma and presented to the emergency department appearing acutely ill. He was treated surgically with irrigation and debridement of the abscesses as well as with antibiotics and recovered fully over a seven-month course. This case illustrates important aspects of tropical pyomyositis with a discussion of the natural history of this disease as well as diagnostic modalities and treatment options for this virulent infectious process that is usually caused by penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus .
Temperature Coefficients of Rates of Ethyl Radical Reactions with HBr and Br in the 228−368 K Temperature Range at Millitorr Pressures

The rates of the reactions of ethyl radicals with HBr (k7) and with Br atoms (k8) have been measured in the temperature range 228−368 K at millitorr pressures using the very low pressure reactor (VLPR) technique. The Arrhenius function for the H atom abstraction reaction is found to be k7 = (1.43 ± 0.06) × 10-12 exp[−(444 ± 26)/RT] cm3/(molecule s), while the ethyl radical disproportionation with Br atom shows no temperature dependence. Its average value over the entire temperature range is k8 = (1.18 ± 0.05) × 10-11 cm3/(molecule s). Reaction 7 is significantly slower than has been reported in the only other two direct measurements, both finding a negative activation energy for k7 of from −1.0 to −1.1 kcal/mol. The small positive activation energy found in this work for k7 fits standard models for H atom metathesis. Combination with all known kinetic information for ethane bromination gives an average reaction enthalpy of ΔH°7 = 13.0 ± 0.2 kcal/mol using both the second- and third-law thermochemical calc...
ANALYTIC TREATMENT OF COULOMB DISTORTIONS IN L = 0 STRIPPING REACTIONS

Analytic expressions for first-order stripping amplitudes, using Coulomb waves for the description of relative motions in both entrance and exit channels are obtained. The initial bound state (i.e., the projectile) is assumed to be asymptotic, having a wave function of the form e/sup - alpha r/r. The final bound state (i.e., the resultant nucleus) may be taken to have a wave function of the Hulthen shape (e/sup - BETA r/-e/sup - BETA 'r)/r. The cross sections predicted by these distorted wave expressions are compared to the predictions of analogous plane wave amplitudes. It is found that the angular distributions are qualitatively indistinguishable for a large range of parameters, including even severe distortions. The magnitudes of the predicted cross sections, however, are much smaller than the magnitudes predicted by plane wave expressions and are much closer to measurements. A fit to data for the /sup 6/Li(/sup 3/He,p)/sup 8/*Be (16.63 Mev) reaction is given, involving a reduced width as the only parameter. At 2.6 Mev bombarding energy, the plane wave theory gives an answer which differs by factors such as 24 at forward angles and 36 at backward anglcs. (auth)
Function of interfacial prolines at the transmitter-binding sites of the neuromuscular acetylcholine receptor.

The neuromuscular acetylcholine (ACh) receptor has two conserved prolines in loop D of the complementary subunit at each of its two transmitter-binding sites (α-ϵ and α-δ). We used single-channel electrophysiology to estimate the energy changes caused by mutations of these prolines with regard to unliganded gating (ΔG0) and the affinity change for ACh that increases the open channel probability (ΔGB). The effects of mutations of ProD2 (ϵPro-121/δPro-123) were greater than those of its neighbor (ϵPro-120/δPro-122) and were greater at α-ϵ versus α-δ. The main consequence of the congenital myasthenic syndrome mutation ϵProD2-L was to impair the establishment of a high affinity for ACh and thus make ΔGB less favorable. At both binding sites, most ProD2 mutations decreased constitutive activity (increased ΔG0). LRYHQG and RL substitutions reduced substantially the net binding energy (made ΔGBACh less favorable) by ≥2 kcal/mol at α-ϵ and α-δ, respectively. Mutant cycle analyses were used to estimate energy coupling between the two ProD2 residues and between each ProD2 and glycine residues (αGly-147 and αGly-153) on the primary (α subunit) side of each binding pocket. The distant binding site prolines interact weakly. ProD2 interacts strongly with αGly-147 but only at α-ϵ and only when ACh is present. The results suggest that in the low to-high affinity change there is a concerted inter-subunit strain in the backbones at ϵProD2 and αGly-147. It is possible to engineer receptors having a single functional binding site by using a α-ϵ or α-δ ProD2-R knock-out mutation. In adult-type ACh receptors, the energy from the affinity change for ACh is approximately the same at the two binding sites (approximately −5 kcal/mol).
Nash Implementation of Matching Rules

Abstract We consider the Nash implementation of Pareto optimal and individually rational solutions in the context of matching problems. We show that all such rules are supersolutions of the stable rule. Among these solutions, we show that the “lower bound” stable rule and the “upper bound” Pareto and individually rational rule are Nash implementable. The proofs of these results are by means of a recent technique developed by Danilov [2]. Two corollaries of interest are the stable rule is the minimal implementable solution that is Pareto optimal and individually rational and the stable rule is the minimal Nash implementable extension of any of its subsolutions.Journal of Economic LiteratureClassification Numbers: C78, D78.
Computer Graphic\-\-Aesthetic Experiments between Two Cultures

ABSTRACT The author presents a summary of his research on the Stuttgart School and information aesthetics as developed by Max Bense in the 1950s and 1960s. Three artists, Frieder Nake, Georg Nees and Manfred Mohr, adopted the use of information aesthetics in computer graphics. The author investigates the relation between artistic practice and aesthetic theory.
Scanning electron microscopy of the developing alimentary canal in the chick

Fresh pullet eggs (White Leghorn strain) were incubated from 11 to 21 days. Embryos were killed by decapitation and portions of the esophagus, crop, proventriculus, gizzard, small intestine, caecum and rectum were dissected and removed rapidly. The inner lining of the gut was exposed by using small needles to pin the cut edges of the tube to a wax plate immersed in Hank's fixative modified with aldehydes (Litke and Low, ′77). Preparation for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was routine. Esophageal cilia appeared in tufts along with microvilli and microplicae. These were more frequent at the lower end of the esophagus. Developing cilia were present. In the 12-day proventriculus, structures resembling macrovilli were predominant. These disappeared by the seventeenth day, when aggregates of rounded cells covered with microvilli appeared. The gizzard acquired a prominent rounded cellular appearance with microvilli at 17 days. These cells increasingly elongated and flattened out towards hatching (21 days). Observations of the duodenum confirmed those made by Grey (′72). A hexagonal pattern of cells was also observed. The ridges of the ileal portion of the small intestine were larger and fuller than in the duodenum. Formation of rectal villi was not as well organized as in the small intestine. Villi could be seen scattered at random at 12 days. By 17 days, definitive ridges were seen. The villi in the cloacal region of the rectal area were extremely long and elaborate, as previously reported by Zeitschmann (′02, cited by Calhoun, ′57). Our observations show that the mucosal surfaces become highly specialized in different parts of the tract during development. Marked changes in geometric form occur during development.
Random Cayley Maps for Groups Generated by Involutions

Let ? be a finite group and let ? be a generating set for ?. A Cayley map associated with ? and ? is an orientable 2-cell imbedding of the Cayley graph G?(?) such that the rotation of arcs emanating from each vertex is determined by a unique cyclic permutation of generators and their inverses. A probability model for the set of all Cayley maps for a fixed group and generating set, where the distribution is uniform, is investigated in the special case when the generating set contains only elements of order 2. The Cayley genus, maximum Cayley genus, and average Cayley genus are the minimum, maximum, and expected value of the genus random variable associated with this probability model. These parameters are determined for abelian groups, symmetric groups, and dihedral groups (with certain prescribed generating sets). Using the dihedral groups, it is shown that the difference between two consecutive values in the Cayley genus distribution may be arbitrarily large. Further, for each group and its prescribed generating set, the likelihood that a given Cayley map is symmetrical is determined.
Effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on extravascular lung water in porcine acute respiratory failure

Recent studies of acute respiratory failure suggest that PEEP causes increased pulmonary interstitial fluid collection and therefore increased extravascular lung water (EVLW). We examined the effect of increasing levels of PEEP on EVLW in 20 to 25-kg pigs with acute respiratory failure induced by continuous infusion of live Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2 × 108 organisms/20 kg-min). Animals were intubated, paralyzed, and ventilated at 15 ml/kg tidal volume and an Fio2 of 0.4. Pigs in group 1 were given 4 ml/kg · h of iv fluid (lactated Ringer's solution) with no PEEP administered. Animals in groups 2 through 5 were given 0, 4, 17, and 44 ml/ kg h of lactated Ringer's solution, respectively, and PEEP was added at 5-cm H2O increments per half-hour, starting one hour after beginning P. aeruginosa infusion. EVLW in PEEP animals was less than or equal to that in controls despite variation in the administration of lactated Ringer's solution. This suggests that PEEP may slow EVLW accumulation over time and provide a protective effect that allows increased amounts of crystalloid fluids to be administered.
Colorful Lather Printing

In this classroom activity, students explore the chemistry of polar and nonpolar substances and surfactants while marbling paper with consumer products. Shaving cream, a soap lather, is used as a base for supporting food color marbling patterns. Once the shaving cream is tinted, the excitement and marbling action continue as a drop of water on tinted shaving cream makes a clean white surface. As beautiful colored patterns are created, students refine their understanding of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the different marbling materials. Students compare diffusion of a dye in different materials, observe the wetting action of soap solutions and surfactants, and investigate a colloid.See Related Article.
Unresolved Issues in Fuel Cell Modeling

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts the stored chemical energy in fuel directly into electrical energy. The fuel is not burned in a flame, as in conventional power systems; rathe...
From SDK to xPST: A New Way to Overlay a Tutor on Existing Software

Our past work has investigated the use of the Cognitive Model Software Development Kit (SDK) for creating the cognitive models that underlie model-tracing Cognitive Tutors. Though successful at increasing the number of people who could author such a cognitive model, for certain kinds of situations the Cognitive Model SDK proved cumbersome. The present work discusses a new authoring system, xPST, that allows an example-based tutor to be built on top of existing software. 1
Primary position upbeat nystagmus. Another central vestibular nystagmus

Recent studies of the vestibulo-ocular reflex have revealed a distinct pathway from the anterior semicircular canal to the contralateral oculomotor nucleus via the superior vestibular nucleus. Axons of this pathway ascend in the brachium conjunctivum, while axons of the other semicircular canal pathways ascend in the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF). We report two cases of primary position upbeat nystagmus where lesions of the brachium conjunctivum were suggested by computed tomography (CT) scans. One of these lesions was confirmed at autopsy. We concluded that primary position upbeat nystagmus, like downbeat nystagmus, is a type of central vestibular nystagmus resulting from an imbalance of vertical vestibulo-ocular reflex activity.
Three-dimensional mixed explicit-implicit generalized Galerkin spectral element methods for high-speed turbulent compressible flows

Abstract In high speed flows the interactions of shock waves with turbulent boundary layers are important design considerations because of the complex flowfields resulting in increased adverse pressure gradients, skin friction and temperatures. Unsteadiness and three-dimensional flowfield structure are also characteristic of shock wave turbulent boundary layer interactions. Such physical phenomena require sophisticated numerical schemes in the solution of governing equations. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to introduce an accurate and efficient approach—the Mixed Explicit-Implicit Generalized Galerkin Spectral Element Method (MEI-GG-SEM) with Legendre polynomial spectral elements in which flowfield dependent implicitness parameters provide automatically adequate computational requirements for compressible and incompressible flows or high speed and low speed flows. This is in contrast to the traditional approach in which all-speed-regime analysis requires a separate hyperbolic-elliptic pressure equation for pressure correction if the flow becomes incompressible. In the MEI-GG-SEM scheme, mesh refinements are carried out adaptively until shock waves are resolved, followed then by the adaptive increase of Legendre polynomial degrees until turbulence microscales are resolved, in which the traditional turbulence modeling is no longer required, aimed toward direct numerical simulation. In order to demonstrate the validity of the theory and numerical procedure, two-dimensional flat plate and compression corner high speed flows are investigated, followed by a three-dimensional sharp leading edged fin for swept shock wave turbulent boundary layer interactions. Comparisons of the present study with experimental measurements and other numerical studies show favorable agreement.
Late sodium current is a novel target for amiodarone: studies in failing human myocardium.

V. A. Maltsev, H. N. Sabbah and A. I. Undrovinas. Late Sodium Current is a Novel Target for Amiodarone: Studies in Failing Human Myocardium. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology (2001) 33, 923-932. The authors recently reported the existence of a novel late Na(+)current (I(NaL)) in ventricular cardiomyocytes (VC) isolated from both normal and failing human hearts. Both in failing human and canine VC, partial block of I(NaL)normalized action potential (AP) duration and abolished early after depolarizations (EADs). The most recent computer simulation studies indicate a significant contribution of the persistent Na(+)current into the ion current balance on the plateau of VC AP as well as its important role in the dispersion of AP duration across the ventricular wall. The data thus indicate a possibility for I(NaL)to be a new therapeutic target. The present study tested a hypothesis that I(naL)could be a novel target for amiodarone (AMIO). Midmyocardial VC isolated from left ventricle of explanted failing human hearts were measured by a whole-cell clamp. I(NaL)was effectively blocked by AMIO in therapeutic concentrations, with IC(50)being 6.7+/-1.1 microM (mean+/-S.E.M., n=16 cells). At the same time, AMIO (5 microM ) produced almost no effect on the transient Na(+)current (IC(50)=87+/-28 microM, n=8). AMIO significantly shifted the steady-state inactivation (SSI) curve of I(NaL)towards more negative potentials and accelerated decay time course in a dose-dependent manner. At 5 microM, AMIO shifted SSI by 21+/-3 mV (n=7) and decreased the decay time constant from 0.67+/-0.05 s to 0.37+/-0.04 s (n=5, P<0.004). Evaluation of AMIO binding to different Na(+)channel (NaCh) states by means of mathematical models describing dose-dependent SSI shift and decay acceleration was consistent with an action that AMIO blocks NaCh preferentially in inactivated and activated states rather than in resting state. The authors conclude that the late Na(+)current is effectively blocked by AMIO and represents a new target for the drug in patients with chronic heart failure (HF).