cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure and topography of the membrane-binding C2 domain of factor VIII in the presence of dodecylphosphocholine micelles.

A 21 residue peptide from the C2 domain of the antihaemophilic factor VIII competes with factor VIII for membrane-binding sites in vitro. Here, we provide the structure and topography of the peptide in solution, on dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles, determined using 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The peptide assumes an amphipathic structure comprising an extended N-terminal region and a C-terminal helix. The average root-mean-square deviation is 0.7+/-0.2 A for the superimposition of the backbone atoms of Ile6 to Arg18 on the lowest energy structure. Whereas the backbone conformation is similar to that in SDS micelles, the Trp11 side-chain orientation is dramatically changed. The indole ring is nearly parallel to the peptide backbone in SDS micelles but perpendicular in DPC micelles. Further, pKa values of the two histidines change by more than 1 pH unit in SDS relative to DPC, which localizes the imidazole rings to the interfacial region. Line-broadening induced by spin-labelled phosphatidylcholine shows that most of the amino acid side-chains that penetrate the DPC micelle are hydrophobic. Thus, the long axis of the peptide lies parallel to the micelle surface and the hydrophobic face of the alpha-helix provides hydrophobic membrane interaction. The large chemical shift changes shown by Trp11 and N-terminal amino acid residues in SDS relative to DPC indicate that this region may be involved in membrane phospholipid recognition. 1H-NMR assignments, CD spectra, one-dimensional 1H-NMR spectra, chemical-shift analysis and nuclear Overhauser effect information are reported in Supplementary Publication SUP 50184 (11 pages), which has been deposited at the British Library Document Supply Centre, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K, from whom copies can be obtained according to the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1997) 321, 8.
Seasonal methanotrophy across a hydrological gradient in a freshwater wetland

Abstract Wetlands provide significant ecosystem services but are also the largest natural source of methane (CH 4 ), a critical greenhouse gas. Oxidation of CH 4 in soils/sediments, driven by methanotrophs, offsets CH 4 losses to the atmosphere. Manipulation of flooding regimes to optimize methanotrophy is a potential management strategy to reduce CH 4 emissions from wetlands and offset global climate change. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine rates of potential CH 4 oxidation (PMO) and shifts in methanotrophs over hydrological and seasonal gradients. Surface and subsurface soil samples (0–8 or 8–16 cm depths) were analyzed for PMO and profiled for methanotroph community structure using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis over four seasons (winter, spring, summer and fall) and 3 landscape positions (upland, intermittently flooded, and permanently flooded sites). PMO rates were highest in the winter. The permanently flooded sites had higher PMO rates than the intermittently flooded sites ( p p p 4 ) concentration was more important in regulating methanotrophy than redox potential or seasonal shifts in temperature under flooded conditions. PFS had the lowest redox potential (which would not favor aerobic CH 4 oxidation), yet it had the highest PMO rates, suggesting anaerobic methane oxidizers may be important in flooded soils.
Circular DNA is a product of the immunoglobulin class switch rearrangement

THE class of immunoglobulin is defined by the constant region of its heavy chain. When a B lymphocyte switches the class of heavy chain it produces, the constant region of µ-type heavy chain is replaced (reviewed in refs 1 and 2, and see ref. 3); this occurs through a DNA rearrangement that brings the gene segment encoding the new constant region close to the VDJ segment encoding the variable region. The pre-B-cell line 18-81, which switches from heavy chain µ to γ2b production in culture4,5, occasionally abnormally rearranges the heavy chain locus so that DNA sequences between the switch regions of µ and γ2b are inverted6. Because looping-out is an intermediate step in generating an inversion, the switch rearrangement could occur by looping-out and deletion. Provided that recombination is reciprocal, this would produce a circle of DNA. Indeed, circular DNA molecules have been isolated as products of rearrangement among gene segments encoding the variable regions of the T-cell receptor7,9 and of the immunoglobulin heavy chain10,11 and light chain11,12. But whereas the breakpoints for the variable region rearrangement are precisely defined, the breakpoints for any given heavy chain class switch are scattered over a length of >6 kilobases, including both switch regions. We have now isolated circular DNA containing the sequences deleted by class-switching, thereby showing that the immunoglobulin heavy chain class switch occurs through looping-out and deletion.
33.3: Distinguished Student Paper: Improved Blue Phosphorescent OLEDs with a Linearly‐Graded Mixed Host Architecture

A blue PhOLED with a linearly-graded mixed host architecture is compared to a uniformly-mixed host device. We show that the recombination region is moved into the interior of the emissive layer and results in higher efficiency through avoiding quenching of the phosphor by species in the electron transporting layer.
Daily fluctuations in the detectability of dim lights by humans

Abstract Several aspects of retinal physiology are known to vary on daily or circadian cycles, suggesting that certain aspects of visual function might also vary. We measured absolute threshold—the dimmest visual stimulus that can be reliably detected—in seven human observers at mid-day (1200–1400) and mid-night (0000–0200), by means of standard psychophysical techniques. Five of the subjects were slightly more sensitive at night: they could detect stimuli that were on the average 20% dimmer at night than during the day, and this difference was not due to changes in the criterion for detection. Three of four subjects whose thresholds were measured hourly while they remained otherwise in total darkness for >24 hours showed changes in absolute visual threshold that correlated with hourly changes in body temperature. These results suggest that the ability to detect dim lights varies systematically with time of day in many human observers.
The paleolimnology of North Pond: watershed-lake interactions

We examined the stratigraphic record of North Pond, a small, oligotrophic lake in western Massachusetts, U.S.A. to describe late and post-glacial watershed-lake interactions. In particular we investigated the effects of two similar vegetation changes in the watershed on lake biogeochemistry. There was a transient (about 100 years) decline in hemlock ca. 7500 yr B.P. that has not been recorded in other pollen stratigraphies in the northeast. The second event was the classical hemlock decline that occurred ca. 4800 yr B.P. and lasted about 2000 years. This decline occurred throughout the range of hemlock and is thought to have been caused by a pathogen. As the climate began to warm ca. 10 000 yr B.P., a spruce dominated boreal woodland was established in the watershed. Sediment chemistry data showed that as soils became more acidic, the lake also acidified as evidenced by diatom-inferred (DI) pH. Hemlock was established in the watershed by about 8000 yr B.P. This was accompanied by a slight decrease in DI pH. The transient hemlock decline ca. 7500 yr B.P. was associated with an increase in sedimentary charcoal particles, that suggested fire was responsible for its demise. The diatom stratigraphy indicated a brief, slight, increase in productivity and alkalinity and a brief decrease in lakewater dissolved organic carbon concentrations. Aquatic microfossil data indicated a decrease in the area of the littoral zone ca. 7500 yr B.P. Following the transient decline the lake became more acidic. There were only brief, subtle changes associated with the classical hemlock decline, including a slight decline in DI pH. Although the two disturbances involved a similar vegetation shift, the timing and mechanisms of the disturbances had a greater impact on lake biogeochemistry.
Induction of Metallothionein I by Arsenic via Metal-activated Transcription Factor 1: CRITICAL ROLE OF C-TERMINAL CYSTEINE RESIDUES IN ARSENIC SENSING

Metal-activated transcription factor 1 (MTF1) mediates the induction of metallothioneins I and II by zinc and stress signals. The mechanism of MTF1 activation has not been well understood. We analyzed the interaction between arsenic (As3+) and MTF1 for Mt1 induction. As3+ potently induces Mt1 mRNA expression in mouse hepa1c1c7 cells. Induction is dependent upon functional MTF1 as induction is lost in Mtf1 knockout cells but is restored upon reconstitution with Mtf1; moreover, As3+ induces the binding of MTF1 to the metal response elements of endogenous Mt1. Induction is not affected by modulating zinc concentrations but is markedly enhanced by cycloheximide. Phenylarsine oxide (PAO), which covalently binds to vicinal protein cysteine thiol groups, induces Mt1 with a magnitude of higher potency than that of As3+. PAO affinity beads effectively pulls down the carboxyl half of MTF1 (MTF1321–675) by binding to a cluster of five cysteine residues near the terminus. Preincubation with As3+, Cd2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Ag+, Hg2+, and Bi3+ blocks pulldown of MTF1321–675 by PAO beads in vitro and in vivo, indicating that binding of the metal inducers to the same C-terminal cysteine cluster as PAO occurs. Deletion of the C-terminal cysteine cluster or mutation of the cysteine residues abolishes or markedly reduces the transcription activation activity of MTF1 and the ability of MTF1 to restore Mt1 induction in Mtf1 knockout cells. The findings demonstrate a critical role of the C-terminal cysteine cluster of MTF1 in arsenic sensing and gene transcription via arsenic-cysteine thiol interaction.
Solving Distributed Constraint Optimization Problems Using Cooperative Mediation

Distributed Constraint Optimization Problems (DCDP) have, for a long time, been considered an important research area for multi-agent systems because a vast number of real-world situations can be modeled by them. The goal of many of the researchers interested in DCOP has been to find ways to solve them efficiently using fully distributed algorithms which are often based on existing centralized techniques. In this paper, we present an optimal, distributed algorithm called optimal asynchronous partial overlay (OptAPO) for solving DCOPs that is based on a partial centralization technique called cooperative mediation. The key ideas used by this algorithm are that agents, when acting as a mediator, centralize relevant portions of the DCDP, that these centralized subproblems overlap, and that agents increase the size of their subproblems as the problem solving unfolds. We present empirical evidence that shows that OptAPO performs better than other known, optimal DCOP techniques.
Buckling experiments on stiffened cast-epoxy conical shells

This paper describes a casting technique for fabricating high-quality plastic structural models and presents results on the use of such specimens to parametrically study the effect of base-ring stiffness on the critical buckling pressure of a ring-stiffened conical shell. The fabrication technique involves machining a metal mold to the desired configuration and vacuum drawing the plastic material into the mold. A room-temperature-curing translucent thermoset epoxy was the casting material selected. The casting technique allows many high-quality specimens to be produced and each specimen is capable of being repeatedly tested without failure. The conical shell was modified for successive tests by machining the epoxy base-ring configuration to reduce its stiffness. A shell-of-revolution computer program which uses a nonlinear axisymmetric prebuckling strain field to obtain a bifurcation-buckling solution was used to guide the selection of configurations tested. The shell experimentally exhibited asymmetric collapse behavior and the ultimate load was considerably higher than the analyticalbifurcation prediction. The asymmetric buckling-mode shape, however, initially appeared at a pressure near the analysis-bifurcation solution. Comparison of experimental and analytical prebuckling strains at pressure magnitudes below the initiation of asymmetric collapse showed good agreement.
Effect of estradiol and dihydrotestosterone on hypergravity-induced MAPK signaling and occludin expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Female astronauts have been reported to have a higher incidence of post-flight orthostatic intolerance (POI) compared with that of their male counterparts. POI may result from increased permeability of the endothelial cell (EC) layer in the vasculature. The goal of this study has been to determine whether estradiol (E2) and dihydrotesterone (DHT) alter human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) responses to short term (10 min) hypergravity (1–3 g) mimicking the g force experienced by astronauts during liftoff. E2 and DHT rapidly (within 5 min) activated MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) in HUVEC at 1 g in a receptor-dependent manner. Liftoff inhibited MAPK phosphorylation, and rapid E2 and DHT activation of MAPK was blocked. Liftoff simulation or brief (5–90 min) treatment with E2 or DHT at 1 g had no effect on the expression of the EC tight-junction protein occludin. However, 24-h pre-treatment of HUVECs with E2 and DHT prior to liftoff simulation significantly increased occludin expression, and hypergravity exposure did not alter this increase. These data provide evidence for a possible protective effect of E2 and DHT on EC function as indicated by increased occludin; this may help maintain the integrity of EC tight junction and could thus retard or reduce the incidence of POI.
The distribution of partial melt in a granitic system: The application of liquid phase sintering theory

Abstract Two series of experiments, four crystallization and four partial melting, were performed at 1000°C and 10 kilobars in the quartz-alkali feldspar-granitic melt system in order to determine the equilibrium melt distribution and textural adjustment processes. The melt distribution in both types of experiments was characterized by melt residing at grain edge intersections and in a few large pools scattered throughout the sample. Wetting angle measurements from both sets of experiments gave values of 44, 49, and 59 degrees for the feldspar/feldspar, feldspar/quartz, and quartz/quartz wetting angles, respectively. Interparticle welding, a process consistent with the measured wetting angles, resulted in the formation of a skeleton of solid grains with very few unattached grains in any sample. Analysis of wetting angle distributions indicates that the longest duration experiments closely approached textural equilibrium and that the distributions of observed wetting angles from both sets of experiments were nearly identical. Measurement of quartz grain sizes from the 2, 4, 7, and 14-day crystallization experiments revealed: 1. 1) a probable cube root of time dependence for the quartz growth rate; 2. 2) a decrease in the number of quartz grains per square micron with increasing time; 3. 3) a normalized distribution of grain sizes that appeared stationary in time. These results were shown to be consistent with the processes observed during the liquid phase sintering of ceramic materials and suggest that identical processes may occur in natural partially-molten systems. Finally, it was shown that interfacial energy considerations lead to a model of interparticle welding (clustering) in which it is discovered that there is an equilibrium melt fraction stable along grain edges of a partially-molten crystalline aggregate. This melt fraction may be greater, equal to, or less than the equilibrium fraction of melt dictated by the pressure, temperature, and chemical potential conditions. If the interfacial energy-derived equilibrium melt fraciton is less than the P-T-u equilibrium derived melt fraction, then segregation of the melt in excess of the interfacial energy-derived equilibrium melt fraction may be expected to result in the formation of melt pools.
Hydrological changes in the climate system from leaf responses to increasing CO 2

Vegetation is a major component of the climate system because of its controls on the energy and water balance over land. This functioning changes because of the physiological response of leaves to increased CO2. A climate model is used to compare these changes with the climate changes from radiative forcing by greenhouse gases. For this purpose, we use the Community Earth System Model coupled to a slab ocean. Ensemble integrations are done for current and doubled CO2. The consequent reduction of transpiration and net increase of surface radiative heating from reduction in cloudiness increases the temperature over land by a significant fraction of that directly from the radiative warming by CO2. Large-scale atmospheric circulation adjustments result. In particular, over the tropics, a low-level westerly wind anomaly develops associated with reduced geopotential height over land, enhancing moisture transport and convergence, and precipitation increases over the western Amazon, the Congo basin, South Africa, and Indonesia, while over mid-latitudes, land precipitation decreases from reduced evapotranspiration. On average, land precipitation is enhanced by 0.03 mm day−1 (about 19 % of the CO2 radiative forcing induced increase). This increase of land precipitation with decreased ET is an apparent negative feedback, i.e., less ET makes more precipitation. Global precipitation is slightly reduced. Runoff increases associated with both the increased land precipitation and reduced evapotranspiration. Examining the consistency of the variations among ensemble members shows that vegetation feedbacks on precipitation are more robust over the tropics and in mid to high latitudes than over the subtropics where vegetation is sparse and the internal climate variability has a larger influence.
Reduction in viscosity of cystic fibrosis sputum in vitro by gelsolin

Obstruction of airways by viscous sputum causes lung damage in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Sputum samples from CF patients were shown to contain filamentous actin. Human plasma gelsolin, a protein that severs actin filaments, rapidly decreased the viscosity of CF sputum samples in vitro. Gc globulin and deoxyribonuclease I, proteins that sequester monomeric actin but do not sever actin filaments, were less efficient than gelsolin in diminishing sputum viscosity. These results suggest that gelsolin may have therapeutic potential as a mucolytic agent in CF patients.
The role of intercellular fluid and bacterial isolate on the in vivo production of tabtoxin and tabtoxinine- β-lactarn

Abstract In Woolley's medium 17 isolates of tabtoxin-producing pathovars of Pseudomonas syringae produced tabtoxin. However, when the medium was supplemented with intercellular fluid from tobacco leaves, 14 of the isolates now produced tabtoxinine-β-lactam rather than tabtoxin. At the time chlorosis first became evident in leaves infected by these isolates, only tabtoxinine-β-lactam could be detected in the intercellular fluids, and no peptidase activity towards tabtoxin was detectable. Intercellular fluids from leaves infected by the three unusual isolates contained only tabtoxin. These results show that, depending upon the isolate, the intercellular environment can control which molecular form of the toxin is produced.
Quantitative Determination of Radio Receiver Performance

The practise of making quantitative measurements on the individual units of radio receivers is quite general, but seldom are such measurements made on receivers as a whole because of certain difficulties encountered in this type of measurement. This paper describes apparatus developed to overcome these difficulties and to make possible a study of the performance of receivers as such. The over-all characteristics of receivers are classified and described, the method of tests for obtaining measurements on them explained, with some curves shown to illustrate the results obtained from these tests.
Reduction of ventricular ectopic beats with oral acebutolol: A double-blind, randomized crossover study

The antiarrhythmic efficacy of oral acebutolol, a new cardioselective beta-blocking agent, was assessed in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Twenty-five patients with greater than or equal to 30 ventricular ectopic beats (VEB) per hour on three control ambulatory monitorings were studied. Mean VEB reduction from the control period was 35% with placebo and 45% and 50% with the use of acebutolol 200 mg and 400 mg, respectively. Eleven patients had greater than or equal to 70% reduction in VEB with acebutolol and nine of them had greater than or equal to 90 VEB reduction. Among these 11 patients, the mean VEB suppression was 51% after placebo but significantly higher following the two doses of acebutolol at 71% (p less than 0.05) and 86% (p less than 0.01). The mean reduction of paired VEB compared to placebo was 71% (p less than 0.05) and 75% (p less than 0.01) following 200 mg and 400 mg of acebutolol and only 49% after placebo. Complete suppression of paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia was also noted in five patients. Mean PR interval only increased slightly when patients took 400 mg of acebutolol, but there was no significant change in either the QRS or QTc intervals. A significant decrease in heart rate from that during control periods was noted after acebutolol. No significant adverse reactions were noted during the study. Acebutolol appears to be an effective and well-tolerated antiarrhythmic agent in the treatment of VEB and higher grades of ventricular ectopy.
Sequential Separation and Indirect Voltammetric Determination of Silicate and Phosphate

Abstract An indirect voltammetric method for the determination of silicate at the ppm level was developed. The method is based or. the D.C. polarographic current measurement of molybdate ion formed by the decomposition of 12-molybdophosphoric and 12-molybdosilicic acids. After separation of the heteropoly acids by the liquid-liquid extraction technique, the heteropoly acids are decomposed with a basic buffer. After adjusting the solution to the proper conditions, the current measurement is made at the dropping mercury electrode.
Body size and body shape: perceptions of black women with diabetes.

PURPOSEthis qualitative study was conducted to explore perceptions of body size and shape in a group of black women with Type 2 diabetes.METHODSThirty-three black women with Type 2 diabetes participated in one of three focus groups to discuss perceptions about body size and body shape. Transcriptions of the discussion were analyzed for themes of participants' perceptions about their bodies, their ideas about body size and body shape, and personal and environmental influences on their preferences about size and shape.RESULTSParticipants preferred a middle-to-small body size but indicated that a middle-to-large body size was healthier. They also said that a large body size did result in some untoward social consequences. Participants preferred a pear-shaped body (a figure without abdominal adiposity). The three major influences on body image perceptions were children, parents, and the media.CONCLUSIONSWith these findings in mind, diabetes education programs that are geared for black women may benefit from t...
Impact of the look AHEAD intervention on NT-pro brain natriuretic peptide in overweight and obese adults with diabetes.

Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) is a randomized trial determining whether intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) aimed at long-term weight loss and increased physical fitness reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in overweight and obese individuals with type 2 diabetes compared to control (diabetes support and education, DSE). We investigated the correlates of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a biomarker associated with heart failure (HF) risk, in a subsample from 15 of 16 participating centers and tested the hypothesis that ILI decreased NT-proBNP levels. Baseline and 1-year blood samples were assayed for NT-proBNP in a random sample of 1,500 without, and all 628 with, self-reported baseline CVD (cardiovascular disease) (N = 2,128). Linear models were used to assess relationships that log-transformed NT-proBNP had with CVD risk factors at baseline and that 1-year changes in NT-proBNP had with intervention assignment. At baseline, the mean (s.d.) age, BMI, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were 59.6 (6.8) years, 36.0 kg/m2 (5.8), and 7.2% (1.1), respectively. Baseline geometric mean NT-proBNP was not different by condition (ILI 53.3 vs. DSE 51.5, P = 0.45), was not associated with BMI, and was inversely associated with HbA1c. At 1 year, ILI participants achieved an average weight loss of 8.3% compared to 0.7% in DSE. At 1 year, NT-proBNP levels increased to a greater extent in the intervention arm (ILI +21.3% vs. DSE +14.2%, P = 0.046). The increased NT-proBNP associated with ILI was correlated with changes in HbA1c, BMI, and body composition. In conclusion, among overweight and obese persons with diabetes, an ILI that reduced weight was associated with an increased NT-proBNP.
The value of fibular intersomatic fusion in the treatment of recent cervical spinal cord injuries.

A Series of six patients with recent cervical spine fracture and spinal cord injury treated by corpectomy and fibular strut graft is presented. Three patients had a complete sensorimotor tetraplegia and the other three had an incomplete sensory but complete motor lesion. All patients had fractures of one or two adjacent vertebrae with concomitant displacement which was corrected by skull traction prior to surgery. Gas myelography in three patients revealed herniated disc material in two instances. Corpectomy and fusion were carried out on the 12th, 13th, 29th, 32nd, 33rd, and the 58th post-traumatic day. There was no immediate mortality or major complication associated with the procedure. One late death in an elderly patient 6 months post-operatively is felt to be unrelated to the procedure. In this series gas myelography was carried out at a later date following the injury. The goal of the operation was therefore not primarily to decompress the cord but to stabilise the fractured spine in order to allow earlier mobilisation than traditional treatment in traction. Average time out of bed was 9 days post-operatively and 36 days post-injury. Solid fusion sufficient to allow discontinuation of all neck support was achieved in 3 months in all patients. There were no episodes of graft displacement or dislocation and in only one patient was there a moderate increase in angulation at the fracture site. In the patient who died 6 months postoperatively gross and histologic examinations showed incorporation and union at the ends of the graft and bridging of the injured area by new bone. The authors feel the above procedure in selected patients—six out of 62 patients admitted with cervical spine and spinal cord injury within 4 weeks of trauma during the past 39 months—is an important adjunct to the treatment and rehabilitation at their spine fracture and spinal cord injury.
Asymmetry in geomagnetic response to the polarity of the interplanetary magnetic field

Geomagnetic asymmetric response as function of polarity pattern of interplanetary magnetic field
Effects of medium composition on the recovery of bacteria from sea water

Abstract Water samples were collected from offshore and inshore localities at various depths off the Connecticut coast over a two-year period. Spread plates for bacterial counts at 20 °C were made on a variety of complex solid media. Counts on Difco-Marine Agar were controls in all cases with counts on test media related to these in ratio form. Initially, nine media were used and represented some from the literature as well as personal formulations. Differences between inshore and offshore samples were greatest with media containing the highest peptone concentrations. Two media containing the peptones Gelysate and Trypticase showed the highest overall counts. A second phase concerned a comparative study of these peptones varying in concentration from 0.1 to 10.0 g/l in a constant basal medium. None of the media invariably gave counts greater than the control, but peptone concentrations of 10.0 and 5.0 g/l resulted in the lowest comparative counts. Considering all samples, peptone levels of 0.1 and 1.0 g/l showed the highest counts. Counts for both inshore and offshore water samples decreased as peptone concentration increased. Qualitatively, high peptone media showed large, mucoid, confluent colonies which made the counting of smaller ones difficult. Pigmented colonies were more frequent on low peptone media. Bacteria were isolated from all media and from all stations; the percentage of various groups varied with peptone concentration and source of sample. Media containing three fish peptones in varying concentrations have also been investigated. None produced overall counts greater than Difco-Marine Agar and counts decreased with increasing peptone levels: there was a trend towards higher counts in offshore waters with fish extracts. Quantitative and qualitative aspects of the work are discussed.
Long-term follow-up of acquired coronary artery fistula after septal myectomy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Abstract The long-term follow-up of acquired coronary artery to left ventricle fistula is unclear. We describe 2 cases of coronary artery to left ventricle fistula monitored for an average of 15 years with no clinical or echocardiographic deterioration. Medical therapy appears to be the appropriate treatment strategy in these patients. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2002;15:1104-7.)
Exploratory investigation of obesity risk and prevention in Chinese Americans.

Abstract Objective To examine the beliefs and attitudes related to obesity risk and its prevention in Chinese Americans via in-depth, qualitative interviews using the guiding tenets of Health Belief Model, Theory of Planned Behavior, and social ecological models. Design A qualitative study using tenets of the Health Belief Model, the Theory of Planned Behavior, and social ecological models. Setting The New York City metropolitan area. Participants Forty young Chinese American adults (24 females; 16 males) were interviewed. Main Outcome Measures Obesity risk and prevention. Analysis Common themes were identified, coded, and compared using NVivo computer software. Results Poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles were seen as major weight gain contributors. Obesity was seen predominately as a non-Asian phenomenon, although 60% of the participants felt susceptible to obesity. Physical and social environmental factors were the overriding themes generated as to the causes of weight gain among young adult Chinese Americans. Physical factors included the powerful effect of media-generated advertisements and a plethora of inexpensive fast and convenience foods emphasizing large portion sizes of low nutrient density. The social environment encourages the consumption of large quantities of these foods. Traditional Chinese cuisine was seen as providing more healthful alternatives, but increasing acculturation to American lifestyle results in less traditional food consumption. Some traditional Chinese beliefs regarding the desirability of a slightly heavy physique can encourage overeating. Conclusion and Implications Nutrition educators need to be public policy advocates for environments providing tasty, low cost, healthful foods. Young adult Chinese Americans seek knowledge and skills for making convenient healthful food selections in the midst of a culture that advocates and provides an abundance of unhealthful choices.
Two-flash threshold, flicker-fusion threshold, and skin conductance

The subjective threshold of fusion of paired flashes of light (two-flash threshold), the critical flicker-fusion threshold, and tonic levels of skin conductance were measured in a sample of drug-free psychiatric patients. A significant positive correlation was found between the two-flash and flicker-fusion thresholds and both perceptual measures were significantly related to a range-corrected index of skin conductance.
Patient specific variables are a consideration in the decision to extract asymptomatic third molars.

Article title and Bibliographic Information The wisdom behind third molar extractions. Kandasamy S, Rinchuse DJ, Rinchuse DJ. Australian Dent J 2009;54:284-92. Reviewer Katherine W.L. Vig, BDS, MS, D Orth Purpose/Question To evaluate the scientific literature on third molar extraction and the role of the clinician in the decision-making process based on suggested guidelines and current evidence Source of Funding Information not available Type of Study/Design Comprehensive literature review Level of Evidence Level 3: Other evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Grade C: Consensus, disease-oriented evidence, usual practice, expert opinion, or case series for studies of diagnosis, treatment, prevention, or screening
THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENTIAL NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT OF OTHER BEHAVIOR AND NONCONTINGENT ESCAPE ON COMPLIANCE

The present study evaluated the effects of noncontingent escape and differential negative reinforcement of other behavior in reducing problem behaviors and increasing compliance in 2 children with disabilities. Results showed that both methods reduced problem behavior and increased compliance for both children.
Confidence intervals and significance tests for a single trial

Confidence intervals are developed for the location parameter of a continuous, symmetric, unimodal distribution in the casev where only a single observation from the distribution is available. These intervals are similar to those given by Abbott and Rosenblatt (1963), but shorter. The result is extended to include distributions which can be standardized to have unit scale. The procedure is exemplified for the normal distribution and the power of one- and two-sided significance tests are computed under normality.
Model-driven network emulation with virtual time machine

We present VENICE, a project that aims at developing a high-fidelity, high-performance, and highly-controllable experimental platform on commodity computing infrastructure to facilitate innovation in existing and futuristic network systems. VENICE employs a novel model-driven network emulation approach that combines simulation of large-scale network models and virtual-machine-based emulation of real distributed applications. To accurately emulate the target system and meet the computation and communication requirements of its individual elements, VENICE adopts a holistic machine and network virtualization technique, called virtual time machine, in which the time advancement of simulated and emulated components are regulated in complete transparency to the test applications. In this paper, we outline the challenges and solutions to realizing the vision of VENICE.
Hierarchical Assembly of Nanostructured Organosilicate Networks via Stereocomplexation of Block Copolymers

The effect of the stereochemistry of polylactide (PLA)-based block copolymers on templated inorganic nanostructures has been investigated from the self-assembly of a stereoisomer pair/organosilicate mixture followed by organosilicate vitrification and copolymer thermolysis. Isomeric PLA homopolymers, block copolymers, and a stereoblock copolymer were prepared by ring-opening polymerization of d-, l-, or rac-lactide using an organocatalytic catalyst. Both differential scanning calorimetry and atomic force microscopy showed the formation of a stereocomplex between enantiomeric stereoisomers, that is, block copolymer/block copolymer and block copolymer/homopolymer mixtures as well as a stereoblock copolymer. The unique noncovalent interactions driven by stereocomplexation of d- and l-lactide provided supramolecular structures with a hierarchical order as characterized by distinctive vertical and horizontal growth of toroidal nanostructured inorganic features. This study demonstrates the potential of hierarch...
Dimer states in atomic mixtures

A mixture of heavy atoms in a Mott state and light spin-1/2 fermionic atoms is studied in an optical lattice. Inelastic scattering processes between the two atomic species excite the heavy atoms and renormalize the tunneling rate as well as the interaction of the light atoms. An effective Hamiltonian for the latter is derived that describes tunneling of single fermions, tunneling of fermionic pairs, and an exchange of fermionic spins. Low-energy states of this Hamiltonian are a N\'eel state for strong effective repulsion, dimer states for moderate interaction, and a density wave of paired fermions for strong effective attraction.
Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic and peripancreatic malignancies: A 1996 perspective

Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, based on review of the literature, conveys little, if any, measurable benefit over the standard operation with regard to nutrition and metabolism. Some of the benefits attributed to pylorus preservation by Traverso may be due instead to his use of a duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis which preserves pancreatic function. Comparisons of the standard and pylorus-preserving operation in regard to metabolic, nutritional, and postgstrectomy syndromes are hindered by a lack of uniformity from one report to another regarding the type of pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis performed, the amount of stomach resected, whether vagotomy was or was not performed, and whether a Billroth I or II gastrojejunostomy or duodenojejunostomy was performed. Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy can be used safely in the management of about 85% of patients with pancreatic and distal common bile duct cancer and in 95% of those with ampullary cancer. The standard operation should be used in the presence of any sign of tumor infiltration of the duodenal bulb or peripyloric lymph nodes. Japanese surgeons have emphasized the utility of employing the Billroth I rather than Billroth II anastomosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy, as it provides access to visualize endoscopically the pancreaticojejunostomy and choledochojejunostomy anastomosis.
Cyclic stress–strain behavior of conventional grain and ultrafine grain nickel under biaxial straining

Results are presented on the effects of biaxial straining on the cyclic stress–strain response of ultrafine grain nickel (grain size ≈ 260 nm) and conventional grain nickel (grain size ≈ 50 μm) over a range of effective plastic strain amplitudes from 1 × 10−4 to 1 × 10−3. Grain refinement causes an increase in saturation stress. For conventional grain nickel, non-proportional straining causes higher saturation stress than proportional straining; but the ultrafine grain material exhibits the opposite behavior.
Stratification in the design of a clinical trial.

Abstract Stratification in the design of a clinical trial is often advanced as a method for greatly improving the precision of comparisons. It is argued here that stratification in design rarely achieves more than modest benefits in precision and that it exacts a heavy price in clumsiness and increased possibilities for error in the execution of a trial. Poststratification and covariance methods are important elements in analysis, but only limited stratification is justified in the design phase.
Analyzing power measurement for forward angle n-p scattering at 790 MeV.

A measurement of the analyzing power for {ital n}-{ital p} scattering has been made at center-of-mass angles, 8.8{degree}, 15.0{degree}, and 20.7{degree} with a nearly monoenergetic polarized neutron beam peaked at 790 MeV. These angles represent an acceptance from 5{degree} to 30{degree} in the center of mass, and therefore extend to the smallest angles yet reached for measurement of this observable. The data are compared with the predictions of several phase shift analyses, and with the results from previous measurements that extend to larger angles for both free and quasifree {ital n}-{ital p} scattering.
Ribosome Deficiency Protects Against ER Stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 59 of the 78 ribosomal proteins are encoded by duplicated genes that, in most cases, encode identical or very similar protein products. However, different sets of ribosomal protein genes have been identified in screens for various phenotypes, including life span, budding pattern, and drug sensitivities. Due to potential suppressors of growth rate defects among this set of strains in the ORF deletion collection, we regenerated the entire set of haploid ribosomal protein gene deletion strains in a clean genetic background. The new strains were used to create double deletions lacking both paralogs, allowing us to define a set of 14 nonessential ribosomal proteins. Replicative life-span analysis of new strains corresponding to ORF deletion collection strains that likely carried suppressors of growth defects identified 11 new yeast replicative aging genes. Treatment of the collection of ribosomal protein gene deletion strains with tunicamycin revealed a significant correlation between slow growth and resistance to ER stress that was recapitulated by reducing translation of wild-type yeast with cycloheximide. Interestingly, enhanced tunicamycin resistance in ribosomal protein gene deletion mutants was independent of the unfolded protein response transcription factor Hac1. These data support a model in which reduced translation is protective against ER stress by a mechanism distinct from the canonical ER stress response pathway and further add to the diverse yet specific phenotypes associated with ribosomal protein gene deletions.
Fast Black B as a substitute for bis-diazobenzidine to couple proteins to erythrocytes.

Abstract Fast Black B can replace bis-diazobenzidine for coupling antigens to erythrocytes.
The role of neuroendoscopy in the treatment of pineal region tumors

The authors describe a technique for the initial management of patients with pineal region neoplams and symptomatic hydrocephalus. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and, if possible, tumor biopsy are performed through a single precoronal burr hole. When indicated, formal tumor resection can be performed nonemergently, without the need for ventricular drainage or shunting.
Syntenic assignments of visual transduction genes in cattle.

To establish syntenic relationships of phototransduction genes, we have mapped the genes encoding the α-, β-, and γ-subunits of rod cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) (PDEA, PDEB, PDEG), the α'-subunit of cone PDE (PDEA2), and the rod cGMP-gated channel (CNCG) to bovine syntenic groups. The rod cGMP PDE α-, β-, and γ-subunit genes map to bovine syntenic groups U22, U15 (chromosome 6), and U21 (chromosome 19), respectively. The rod cGMP-gated channel gene also maps to syntenic group U15, and the bovine cone α'-subunit gene maps to U26 (chromosome 26). With the exception of the cone PDE α'-subunit gene, which has not been mapped in other mammals, all of these genes have been assigned to conserved chromosomal regions shared among bovine, human, and mouse. A compilation of currently known syntenic assignments and predictions regarding future assignments of phototransduction genes in human, mouse, and cattle is presented.
The Development of Children's Prejudice against the Aged

Children's prejudice against the aged was studied in terms of their responses to an attitude scale and measures of their social interaction with aged compared to nonaged confederates. Participants were 144 middle-class children, four, six, and eight years of age. Findings from the attitude scale indicated significant levels of ageist prejudice among six- and eight-year-olds but not in four-year-olds. Eight-year-olds had significantly higher prejudice scores than six-year-olds. There were six measures of participant interaction with aged compared to nonaged confederates: proxemic distance, productivity, eye-contact initiation, number of words spoken, number of conversation initiations, and number of verbal appeals. On all of these measures except productivity, participants in each age group showed significant levels of ageist prejudice. Ancillary findings indicated that, in general, participants were more prejudiced against women than against men. Attitude scores correlated significantly with some of the behavioral measures but not with all of them.
File references, trees, and computational thinking

We study student understanding of the use of a tree structure in the context of an introductory web development course. In particular, we analyze student answers as they use a tree structure to construct file references in web pages. More fundamentally, our study initiates a bottom-up study of computational thinking by identifying the computational thinking mistakes that students make when they are learning resource referencing for web development. Our preliminary results suggest that students do not necessarily learn abstract concepts (like trees) and abstract rules of reasoning (composing relative and absolute tree paths) by just working with folders and composing file references alone.
Archaean flow-top alteration zones formed initially in a low-temperature sulphate-rich environment

The 3,500–3,400 Myr Onverwacht Group in the southern part of the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa, includes up to 12 km of komatiitic and tholeiitic lavas containing minor sedimentary and felsic volcanic units1. Komatiitic lavas showing spinifex textures, chrome spinels and high Ni and Cr contents are common throughout the sequence2. The rocks have been subject to polyphase Archaean deformation and low-grade metasomatism2–4. At several positions within the Onverwacht Group (Fig. 1), the tops of komatiitic lavas underlying chert beds are marked regionally by 1–50-m thick zones of silicification, carbonatization and K2O enrichment (Fig. 2). Because these zones have been variously interpreted to represent the felsic tops of mafic-to-felsic volcanic cycles, weathering horizons and shear zones, their origin is germane to any interpretation of the stratigraphy, structure and evolution of the Barberton belt. Here we present evidence that they formed inlarge part by low-temperature, near-surface alteration of komatiitic lavas during intervals of volcanic quiescence. They do not mark fault zones and cannot be used to subdivide the greenstone belt sequence into a series of fault-bounded structural slices.
Localization of prolactin in the reptilian pars distalis.

Abstract The relationship between the distribution of prolactin and the various cell types in the pars distalis (PD) of two species of lizard, two species of snake and a turtle were examined in order to determine the site of prolactin production in the reptilian pituitary. Prolactin was measured by pigeon crop-sac bioassay, and, in the turtle, by polycrylamide gel (disc) electrophoresis. Pigeon crop-sac stimulating activity (prolactin) was observed in the pituitary of all species examined. In every case, most of the hormone was localized in the rostral half of the PD and in the lizards none was detected in the caudal region. Disc electrophoresis verified this finding in the turtle and also suggested that a presumptive growth hormone is concentrated in the caudal half of the chelonian gland. Thus, it appears likely that the lactotropes are located rostrally and the somatotropes caudally in the reptilian PD. Histological studies of the PD demonstrate two types of acidophils which show a marked regional distribution; a carminophil is restricted almost entirely to the rostral half of the PD and an orangeophil to the caudal half. On the basis of patterns of hormone distribution, it seems likely that the rostral carminophil is the lactotrope, and the caudal orangeophil may be the somatotrope.