cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Single-Molecule Kinetics Reveal Cation-Promoted DNA Duplex Formation Through Ordering of Single-Stranded Helices

In this work, the kinetics of short, fully complementary oligonucleotides are investigated at the single-molecule level. Constructs 6–9 bp in length exhibit single exponential kinetics over 2 orders of magnitude time for both forward (kon, association) and reverse (koff, dissociation) processes. Bimolecular rate constants for association are weakly sensitive to the number of basepairs in the duplex, with a 2.5-fold increase between 9 bp (k′on = 2.1(1) × 106 M−1 s−1) and 6 bp (k′on = 5.0(1) × 106 M−1 s−1) sequences. In sharp contrast, however, dissociation rate constants prove to be exponentially sensitive to sequence length, varying by nearly 600-fold over the same 9 bp (koff = 0.024 s−1) to 6 bp (koff = 14 s−1) range. The 8 bp sequence is explored in more detail, and the NaCl dependence of kon and koff is measured. Interestingly, konincreases by >40-fold (kon = 0.10(1) s−1 to 4.0(4) s−1 between [NaCl] = 25 mM and 1 M), whereas in contrast, koffdecreases by fourfold (0.72(3) s−1 to 0.17(7) s−1) over the same range of conditions. Thus, the equilibrium constant (Keq) increases by ≈160, largely due to changes in the association rate, kon. Finally, temperature-dependent measurements reveal that increased [NaCl] reduces the overall exothermicity (ΔΔH° > 0) of duplex formation, albeit by an amount smaller than the reduction in entropic penalty (−TΔΔS° < 0). This reduced entropic cost is attributed to a cation-facilitated preordering of the two single-stranded species, which lowers the association free-energy barrier and in turn accelerates the rate of duplex formation.
Body image in bulimic, dieting, and normal females

The present investigation examined body-size estimation and overvaluation of a thin shape in bulimic females, females having been obese as adults who later lost weight, females with no history of obesity who were dieting, and females with no history of obesity as adults and not currently dieting. Each subject was presented with a set of seven silhouettes, one having been drawn from the subject's actual photograph and the remaining silhouettes representing 2.5, 5, and 7.5% increases and decreases in the size of certain body areas of the original figure. Subjects selected both their actual size and their ideal size. In addition, objective raters selected an ideal size for each subject. The hypotheses that bulimics would overestimate their size or overvalue an ultrathin body size as compared with other females were not supported. A history of childhood obesity appears to influence significantly body-size overestimation. Finally, the hypothesis that bulimics would appear more dissatisfied with their body image was not supported, with the three groups currently dieting appearing equally dissatisfied with their shape.
Obesity and the healthy living apparatus: discursive strategies and the struggle for power

In lieu of increased international attention on high rates of obesity in the Pacific Islands, this paper examines the discourse strategies employed in three international health and fitness documents that enable the international community to problematize and to govern the lifestyles of Pacific Islanders. I draw specifically upon Fairclough's [(2001). Language and power (2nd ed). Essex: Pearson Education Limited] tools of discourse analysis to help unearth a particular kind of ‘healthy living’ ideology that lies at the center of international public-health policy, targeting obesity. I also draw on Greene's [(1999). Malthusian worlds: US leadership and the governing of the population crisis. Boulder, CO: Westview Press] interpretation of the governing apparatus to help illuminate the work performed by discourse to (1) construct obesity as a public problem, (2) to convince others that it is a problem, and (3) to stabilize its status as a problem. The implications of this analysis lead us to consider the rel...
Temporal shaping of third-harmonic pulses on the Nova laser system

We demonstrate temporal shaping of 0.35-μm-wavelength pulses produced by a third-harmonic conversion of the output from the Nova Nd:phosphate glass-laser amplifier system for use in inertial confinement fusion experiments. We describe the computer models used to calculate the pulse shape that is required as the input to the amplifier system, the experimental apparatus used to produce these pulses, and the high-power 0.35-μm shaped pulses produced in recent experiments.
Ion-induced surface modification of alloys

In addition to the accumulation of the implanted species, a considerable number of processes can affect the composition of an alloy in the surface region during ion bombardment. Collisions of energetic ions with atoms of the alloy induce local rearrangement of atoms by displacements, replacement sequences and by spontaneous migration and recombination of defects within cascades. Point defects form clusters, voids, dislocation loops and networks. Preferential sputtering of elements changes the composition of the surface. At temperatures sufficient for thermal migration of point defects, radiation-enhanced diffusion promotes alloy component redistribution within and beyond the damage layer. Fluxes of interstitials and vacancies toward the surface and into the interior of the target induce fluxes of alloying elements leading to depth-dependent compositional changes. Moreover, Gibbsian surface segregation may affect the preferential loss of alloy components by sputtering when the kinetics of equilibration of the surface composition becomes competitive with the sputtering rate. Temperature, time, current density and ion energy can be used to influence the individual processes contributing to compositional changes and, thus, produce a rich variety of composition profiles near surfaces. 42 references.
Investigation of the effect of amylose/iodine complexation on the conformation of amylose in aqueous solution†

Using a potato amylose fraction of 8 × 105, molecular-weight viscosity studies were carried out at 25°C on solutions containing 0.176–0.042% polymer, 8.67 mM KI, 1% ethanol, and different concentrations of iodine. By a novel extrapolation method, the intrinsic viscosities of the amylose/iodine complex were determined under various conditions of iodine binding (0–0.133 g I2/g amylose). Contrary to the view long held in this research area, it was found that the intrinsic viscosity of amylose solutions decreases significantly upon complex formation with iodine. Taking into account the results of our previous kinetic studies, the present findings are interpreted in terms of an amylose model characterized by loose, extended helical regions which are interrupted by short disordered regions. It is proposed that the intrinsic viscosity decrease observed is due to a shortening of the linear dimension of the polymer chain. This conformation change is apparently caused by the contraction of loose helical regions of the amylose macromolecule due to the entrapment of iodine (and perhaps other) atoms inside the helical cavities.
Multiplexed rectilinear ion trap mass spectrometer for high-throughput analysis.

A multichannel mass spectrometer based on the rectilinear ion trap (RIT) analyzer was designed and constructed for simultaneous high-throughput analysis of multiple samples. The instrument features four parallel ion source/mass analyzer/detector channels assembled in a single vacuum chamber and operated using a common set of control electronics, including a single rf amplifier and transformer coil. This multiplexed RIT mass spectrometer employs an array of four millimeter-sized ion traps (xo = 5.0 mm and yo = 4.0 mm, where xo and yo are the half-distances in the x and y dimensions, respectively). Mass spectra are acquired from four different samples simultaneously. The available mass/charge range is m/z 15−510 with excellent linearity of the mass calibration (R2 = 0.999 999). The peak width is less than 0.3 mass/charge units at m/z 146, corresponding to a resolution of ∼500. Simultaneous MS/MS of ions due to four compounds (3-fluoroanisole, 4-fluoroanisole, 2-fluorobenzyl alcohol, 2,6-dimethylcyclohexanon...
Practice with Transgendered Children

SUMMARY Utilizing an ecological framework and based on the existing literature and research, as well as my own 24 years of clinical practice with children, youth, and families, this paper examines gender variant childhood development from a holistic viewpoint where children and en-vironments are understood as a unit, in the context of their relationship to one another. This chapter is limited to a discussion regarding the recogni-tion of gender identity; an examination of the adaptation process through which gender variant children deal with the stress of an environment where there is not a “goodness of fit” and a discussion of the overall de-velopmental tasks of a transgendered childhood. Recommendations for social work practice with gender variant children are presented in the con-clusion of the paper.
Notes on the Iconography of Cosmic Kingship

IN the past few years a number of important studies have been devoted to the iconography of cosmic kingship and especially to the phenomenon of continuity between concepts of the ancient East and concepts of the Middle Ages.1 These investigations will doubtless be supplemented in the future by others that attempt to focus attention on those turning points in history to which the most important steps in the development can be ascribed. Every great ruler with imperial aspirations adopted the paraphernalia of cosmic kingship as a conscious act of archaism, as an attempt at binding his authority to the authority of the remotest past. I wish to call attention to one of these periods of revival the eminent contributions of which to the ideologies of the West are all but forgotten. I shall use as a starting point a group of Achaemenid seals the importance of which in this ideological chain has already been pointed out (text fig. I).2
Estimating Gas Turbine Engine Weight, Costs, and Development Time During the Preliminary Aircraft Engine Design Process

This paper describes the application of a weight and cost-estimating methodology used in an undergraduate aircraft engine design course that is taught in concert with a companion course in airframe design. The two preliminary designs, one for the engine and the other for the airframe, must be integrated as subsystems within a system to satisfy the performance requirements of a given mission as outlined in a single “request for proposals”. In recent years, systems engineering management majors have been added to the design teams to work alongside the aeronautical engineering majors to analyze and report on costs, schedule, and technical risk factors in addition to the operational performance factors that have previously been the sole focus of the course. The teaming of technical management majors and aeronautical engineering majors has been driven by a heightened emphasis on system affordability. The cost-estimating methodology for gas turbine engines uses cycle parameters such as turbine rotor inlet temperature, overall pressure ratio, specific fuel consumption, level of technology, and engine dry weight as inputs. A methodology for estimating dry engine weight was developed which uses engine cycle parameters and fan face diameter as inputs in a volume analog scaling factor which was correlated against historical engine weight data. To tie all of the performance, weight, cost, and development time issues together, the paper presents an “analysis of alternatives” example that considers three different engine cycle alternatives. The design tools presented in this paper will provide a strong foundational understanding of how to systematically weigh and evaluate the important tradeoffs between aircraft turbofan engine performance, cost, schedule, and risk factors. Equipping students with the insight and ability to perform these multidisciplinary trade studies during the preliminary engine design process is this paper’s most important contribution.© 2013 ASME
Microinjection of RNA polymerase II corrects the temperature-sensitive defect of tsAF8 cells

tsAF8 cells area temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant of BHK cells that arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle at the non-permissive temperature of 40.6 °C. Previous reports had suggesed that the temperature-sensitivity of these cells was based on a defect in either the synthesis, assembly or turnover of RNA polymerase II. We now show that the direct microinjection of purified RNA polymerase 11 into nuclei of tsAF8 cells corrects the ts defect and allows these cells to enter the S phase of the cell cycle.
Maladies attributed to myxomatous mitral valve.

However, the waters have become muddied by reports associating the myxomatous mitral valve with various conditions, including sudden death and neuroendocrine disorders. These associations may be purely coincidental or a bias of sample selection. In particular, symptoms encountered among patients with the so-called «MVP syndrome» are more likely a result of psychogenically induced anxiety or comorbidity than neuroendocrine dysfunction. This point of view is elaborated on
Fabrication of high-aspect-ratio microscale mold inserts by parallel μEDM

The micro-electrical-discharge-machining (μEDM) technique is an alternative to LiGA (Lithographie, Galvanoformung, Abformung) for fabricating metal-based high-aspect-ratio microscale structures (HARMS). Traditional μEDM is a serial subtractive machining technique in which cuts are performed sequentially, and is therefore difficult to use for generating complex micropatterns on surfaces. In this paper, we report results of a hybrid microfabrication approach, combining micropattern definition with LiGA fabricated Ni HARMS with parallel micropattern generation with μEDM. Multiple micropatterns with some geometrical complexity were successfully generated in parallel on elemental Ta and 304 stainless steel. The hybrid LiGA/parallel-μEDM strategy offers a credible alternative to conventional LiGA regarding fabrication of meso- and micro- scale mold inserts, and enables them to be fabricated out of high-temperature metals/alloys not achievable with electrodeposition.
Carbon Nanotube Arrays Encapsulated into Freely Suspended Flexible Films

We demonstrated the fabrication of a carbon nanotube (CNT) array with microscopic spacing encapsulated into freely suspended flexible films with a nanoscale thickness. This result implies that freely suspended carbon nanotube arrays embedded in nanoscale polymer films can be assembled providing access from both sides and helping to tune micromechanical elastic properties.
Early and late results of operations for defects associated with corrected transposition and other anomalies with atrioventricular discordance in a pediatric population.

Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the early and late results for children having operations for defects associated with corrected transposition of the great arteries and other anomalies with atrioventricular discordance. Methods: Data on 111 children operated on from July 1, 1971, through January 31, 1996, including clinic records, operative reports, and follow-up visits and questionnaires, were analyzed with particular reference to variables associated with early and late mortality, reoperations, ventricular function, and status of the atrioventricular valves. Results: Complex associated anomalies were common and included double-outlet right ventricle (n = 43) and situs abnormalities (n = 38). Overall early mortality was 16%; for the 29 patients operated on after 1986, early mortality was 3%. Early survival was adversely affected by patch repair of ventricular septal defect and early operative interval. Follow-up of the 93 early survivors extended to 26.5 years (mean 11.4 years). Overall survival was 77% (±4%) at 5 years and 67% (±5%) at 10 years. Late survival was adversely affected by prior operations, more severe preoperative functional class, and cardiac rhythm other than sinus. Reoperation was required for 38 (41%) patients, most commonly for conduit replacement (n = 22) or repair/replacement of the systemic ventricle atrioventricular valve (n = 13). Conclusions: These results can serve as a basis for comparison with newer surgical alternatives proposed for corrected transposition of the great arteries. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;122:234-41
Characterization of Coelenterazine Analogs for Measurements of Renilla Luciferase Activity in Live Cells and Living Animals

In vivo imaging of bioluminescent reporters relies on expression of light-emitting enzymes, luciferases, and delivery of chemical substrates to expressing cells. Coelenterazine (CLZN) is the substrate for a group of bioluminescent enzymes obtained from marine organisms. At present, there are more than 10 commercially available CLZN analogs. To determine which analog is most suitable for activity measurements in live cells and living animals, we characterized 10 CLZN analogs using Renilla luciferase (Rluc) as the reporter enzyme. For each analog, we monitored enzyme activity, auto-oxidation, and efficiency of cellular uptake. All CLZN analogs tested showed higher auto-oxidation signals in serum than was observed in phosphate buffer or medium, mainly as a result of auto-oxidation by binding to albumin. CLZN-f, -h, and -e analogs showed 4- to 8-fold greater Rluc activity, relative to CLZN-native, in cells expressing the enzyme from a stable integrant. In studies using living mice expressing Rluc in hepatocytes, administration of CLZN-e and -native produced the highest signal. Furthermore, distinct temporal differences in signal for each analog were revealed following intravenous or intraperitoneal delivery. We conclude that the CLZN analogs that are presently available vary with respect to hRluc utilization in culture and in vivo, and that the effective use of CLZN-utilizing enzymes in living animals depends on the selection of an appropriate substrate.
Localization of cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage, cytochrome P450 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase, and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isomerase steroidogenic enzymes in human and rhesus monkey fetal adrenal glands: reappraisal of functional zonation

We examined the in situ localization of key steroidogenic enzymes in adrenal gland sections from midgestation (17-24 weeks) human fetuses and late gestation (130-142 days; term = 165 days) rhesus monkey fetuses. The rhesus monkey fetal adrenals were used as a model for the late gestation human fetal adrenal. The enzymes examined were cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage (P450scc), cytochrome P450 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450c17), and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase (3 beta HSD). In human fetal adrenals, P450scc and P450c17 proteins and mRNAs were detected only in fetal zone (innermost cortical zone) and transitional zone (between the fetal and definitive zone) cells, not in definitive zone cells. Expression of 3 beta HSD was not detected in any cortical zone cells in midgestation human fetal adrenals. In rhesus monkey fetal adrenals, a similar pattern of P450scc and P450c17 expression was observed in the fetal and transitional zones. In the definitive zone cells of rhesu...
Multiplicity and origin of isoenzymes of lipoyl dehydrogenase.

Reports in the literature on the number of isoenzymes of lipoyl dehydrogenase in mammalian heart mitochondria vary from 2 to 13 and one report claims that no isoenzymes occur in vivo. The present paper provides evidence that 6 main isoenzymes and 2 minor ones of lipoyl dehydrogenase occur in beef and pig heart, 3 of the main components being associated with 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, 3 with pyruvate dehydrogenase. Failure to detect these in some previous studies has been explained in terms of the experimental conditions used. Heart and liver mitochondria from several mammalian species present the same isoenzyme pattern. Evidence is presented that “free” (uncomplexed) lipoyl dehydrogenase detected in extracts of mitochondria by several investigators originates largely from the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.
DNA fibers by electrospinning

Thin fibers of calf thymus Na-DNA were electrospun from aqueous solutions with concentrations from 0.3% to 1.5%. In electrospinning, a high voltage is used to create an electrically charged jet of liquid solution, which dries to leave a polymer fiber. The electrospun DNA fibers have diameters around 50 to 80 nm. The diameter of the electrospun fibers is an order of magnitude or more smaller than that of previously reported fibers. The DNA fibers were observed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Bead-like structures were observed on many of the fibers. During electrospinning a process called splaying causes the jet to split longitudinally into two smaller jets, which split again, repeatedly, until the very small diameter fibers are formed. The small-diameter fibers are transparent in ordinary 100 kV electron microscopes. Fibers can be spun from samples of DNA as small as 1 mg.
Ethical aspects of determining and communicating prognosis in critical care

Physicians have an ethical duty to accurately determine and clearly communicate a patient's prognosis because a patient's or surrogate's decision whether to consent for aggressive treatment rests largely on their understanding of the patient's diagnosis and prognosis. Pitfalls in determining prognosis include uniformed summary judgement based on faulty pattern recognition, inadequate outcome data, utter reliance on retrospective studies, statistical limitations, nongeneralizability of outcome data, and the fallacy of the self-fulfilling prophecy. Pitfalls in physicians' communication of prognosis include inadequate time spent in discussion, use of technical jargon, biased framing of decisions, unjustified physician bias, patient innumeracy, ethnicity barriers, and surrogates' unfounded intuitions about critical illness and death. Improving the recognition of and surmounting the barriers to accurate determination and clear communication of prognosis can make critical care physicians more scientific and virtuous.
Testing and Evaluation of an Ultra-Wideband Pulse Generator for HPM Weapon Simulation

The potential for high power microwave (HPM) and radio frequency weapons (RFW) to degrade or destroy electronics has been studied for decades. However, the fast pace of change in the underlying digital technologies of modern electronics makes it necessary to continually re-evaluate the susceptibilities of such systems. The Directed Energy Technology Office has developed a major test complex at the Naval Surface Warfare Center- Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) to study the effectiveness of a variety of HPM and RFW prototypes. The facility consists of two concrete block buildings populated with a variety of modern commercial infrastructure electronics. In this paper we discuss a recent project which typifies the testing activities at the NSWCDD facility. Schriner Engineering, Inc. built a pulse generator, the S-30, to simulate an ultra-wideband RF weapon. The S- 30 operates from AC mains and uses a series of AC and pulsed transformers to charge a wide-band antenna structure up to 100's of kV. The S-30 radiates a fast risetime short pulse (<3 ns) when an oil-filled spark gap switch closes. We report our evaluation of the S-30 design and operation, measurements of the radiated output, and modeling of the antenna pattern. We also describe the electronic systems which were tested for susceptibility to the S-30 and the test protocol that was followed.
Postchallenge plasma lipoprotein retinoids: chylomicron remnants in endogenous hypertriglyceridemia

This study was conducted to determine whether chylomicron remnants accumulate in the plasma of patients with “endogenous” hypertriglyceridemia. Retinyl esters were used as markers of chylomicrons and chylomicron remnants since they are carried mainly if not exclusively by lipoproteins of intestinal origin. Seventy-six fasting normotriglyceridemic and hypertriglyceridemic patients were studied 12 to 15 hours after ingesting 25,000 IU of vitamin A. Plasma retinol and retinyl esters were measured by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Chylomicronemia was assessed by flotation at unit gravity and by chylomicron flocculation in 3% polyvinylpyrrolidone. Plasma lipids, retinoids, lipoprotein cholesterol, and the electrophoretic mobility of very-low density lipoproteins were determined in a subset of 36 subjects. Progressively elevated plasma retinyl ester concentrations were observed among patients with mild, moderate, and severe hypertriglyceridemia. All subjects with fasting chylomicronemia had retinyl ester retention. The majority of subjects with mild or moderate hypertriglyceridemia (predominantly type IV hyperlipoproteinemia) also had elevated plasma concentrations of retinyl esters. Total plasma retinyl ester and plasma triglyceride concentrations correlated significantly (rs = 0.721, P < 0.001) in nonchylomicronemic subjects. In addition, total plasma retinol concentrations were mildly elevated among hypertriglyceridemic subjects because retinol, as well as retinyl esters, is transported by triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. If lipoprotein remnants are atherogenic in man, then chylomicron remnant retention may accelerate atherogenesis in hypertriglyceridemic individuals.
Failure of chronic ginseng supplementation to affect work performance and energy metabolism in healthy adult females

Abstract Ginseng has long been used for various medicinal reasons in East Asia and has recently also become a popular nutritional supplement in Western countries. Although commonly alleged to increase work performance by enhancing the body resistance to stress and fatigue, human experimental research evidence to either support or refute these claims is limited and conflicting. Therefore, this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study served to examine a group of healthy adult females who for eight weeks added 200 mg·day −1 of a concentrated extract of Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer (n=10) or placebo (n=9) to their otherwise supplement-free normal diet. Before and after the trial intervention, each subject performed a graded maximal cycle ergometry test to exhaustion and completed a standard habitual physical activity questionnaire. It was observed that chronic ginseng supplementation had no effect on maximal work performance (J) and resting, exercise, and recovery oxygen uptake (VO 2 , ml·kg −1 ·min −1 ), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), minute ventilation (VE, L·min −1 ), heart rate (beats·min −1 ), and blood lactic acid (mmol·L −1 ) levels (p>0.05). Habitual physical activity scores of study participants were found to be similar between the placebo and ginseng treatment groups and at the beginning and end of the eight week trial period (p>0.05). The present data in healthy adult females indicate that chronic dietary supplementation with a standardized extract of Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer does not result in an enhancement of work performance or a change in energy metabolism and improvement of the recovery response from maximal physical work.
Changing management trends in penetrating colon trauma.

PURPOSE: Recent prospective studies have recommended primary repair for all penetrating colon injuries. We evaluated our management trends given these recommendations and assessed our results of primary repair. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 145 patients with penetrating colon injuries received between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 1997. The patients were characterized according to demographics and severity of injury. Morbidity was defined as failure of a primary repair, abscess, fistula, wound dehiscence, fasciitis, sepsis, organ failure, or coagulopathy. The periods 1991 to 1993 (early period) and 1994 to 1997 (late period) were chosen for comparison. RESULTS: Primary repairs were performed in 53 of 75 patients (71 percent) during the early period and in 61 of 70 patients (87 percent) during the late period (P=0.03). No significant differences in demographics or injury severity were found to account for the increased rate of primary repairs. The number of suture repairs was nearly equal in both periods (59vs. 61 percent). The number of resections and anastomoses for destructive colon injuries was significantly higher in the late period (26 percent) compared with the early period (12 percent;P=0.05). Morbidity was equal (24 percent) in the two periods. There were no failures of resections and anastomoses and one failure of suture repair. CONCLUSIONS: Increased primary repair occurred because of more liberal use of resection and anastomosis for destructive injuries. Suture repair was performed for the amenable colonic injury throughout the study period. Risk factors for failure of resection and anastomosis cannot be defined from our study. Further investigation is needed to determine if resection and anastomosis is safe for the most severely injured patients.
Normal Excretion of Sex Hormones in Childhood.1

THE GLANDS of internal secretion are of great importance in childhood. Their three major functions are: to stimulate growth, to influence metabolic activities and to regulate physical metamorphosis of adolescence. The rate of growth and the resting metabolic rates (factors largely influenced by the secretion of the endocrine glands) have been discussed by others, but very little work has been done previously in regard to the third function. This investigation deals chiefly with the urinary excre-tion of the sex hormones, measurements which should indicate the rate of activity of the glands from which these secretions are derived. Development in normal youth is essentially a problem of normal activity of the pituitary gland and the ability of the peripheral endocrine organs to respond to its stimulation. Laboratory and clinical evidence indicate that without the normal func-tioning of this particular endocrine organ, the otherwise normal peripheral glands such as ovaries and testicles remain quiescent and ...
Developing writing, then teaching, amongst new faculty

First, a writing program helped new faculty participants (contrasted to nonparticipating controls) increase productivity to stable, acceptable levels during the first year or two on campus. Then, the same basic exercises (of economies at working) proved effective in enhancing the teaching performance of these newcomers to the professoriate. Each of the six program elements (motivation, imagination, fluency, control, audience, and resilience) functioned in general ways (e.g., by moderating pacing and broadening social supports) to help writers, then teachers, meet goals for better results (more articles accepted in refereed journals, higher teaching ratings) while spending less time working. That is, writing was practiced in ways that facilitated teaching (and vice versa).
“Percutaneous RF Interstitial Thermal Ablation in the Treatment of Hepatic Cancer”— A Commentary

he AJR’s Centennial celebration recognizes “Percutaneous RF Interstitial Thermal Ablation in the Treatment of Hepatic Cancer” [1] as one of the most influential articles published in the AJR’s first 100 years. This article helped establish an entirely new field in radiology: percutaneous imaging-guided ablation therapy for liver malignancies. This extremely important article, written by Rossi and colleagues [1] who have established themselves as leaders in the area of percutaneous imaging-guided tumor ablation, was critical in setting the stage for expansion and advances of imaging-guided radiofrequency ablation of tumors. Earlier articles published by these authors gave preliminary results for using radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of inoperable liver tumors [2, 3]. However, this article was particularly important, hence the numerous citations, for several reasons. First, the authors showed the efficacy of this approach by systematically confirming the diagnosis of malignancy in each patient treated. Each treated lesion was a biopsyproven malignancy. This proof of malignancy validated the effectiveness of the technique in achieving oncologic control. Second, the authors are to be applauded for their careful and meticulous follow-up of patients treated with radiofrequency ablation for liver cancer in their series. This study spanned a 7-year experience using imaging-guided radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of liver tumors. The average patient follow-up was almost 2 years, a period adequate to critically compare this technique with surgical resection, which was previously the gold standard. Rossi and colleagues [1] carefully evalu
Exact analytical treatment of noise initiation of SBS in the presence of loss

An exact analytical expression for the Stokes power generated by stimulated Brillouin scattering in a lossy medium is derived for the first time. The approach is based on a distributed, fluctuating source model in the undepleted pump regime, previously only rigorously applied to lossless media. A comparison with known approximations is performed.
Health locus of control and health-related information seeking at a hypertension screening.

Abstract The present study examines the relationship between Health Locus of Control-a dimension of personal “belief” regarding the extent to which individuals characteristically attribute responsibility for matters of health to themselves (Internal control) or to chance, fate or other extrapersonal influences (External control)-and health-related information seeking in an unselected sample of individuals participating in a public hypertension screening. Partitioning 121 subjects by age and race, it was found that among older whites, individuals reporting greater Internal Health Locus of Control were significantly more likely to take informational pamphlets concerning heart disease and selected a greater number of pamphlets than persons indicating a belief in External Health Locus of Control. Unfortunately, the number of blacks represented in the older range of ages was insufficient for statistical comparison. Pamphlet selection did not vary as a function of Internal and External Health Locus of Control for either white or black participants in the younger group, though younger blacks were more likely to select pamphlets than younger whites and indicated a greater concern that they might develop heart disease.
Biochemical control of moulting hormone titer in Calliphora erythrocephala during puparium formation

Abstract The in vivo activity for catabolizing 3 H-β-ecdysone decreases during the initiation of puparium formation in Calliphora when endogenous moulting hormone activity is increasing. An analysis of these data suggests that the decrease in catabolic activity acting in conjunction with a large increase in the rate of synthesis of α-ecdysone makes a substantial contribution to the increase in titer.
Infant Pulmonary Function Testing: Overview of Technology and Practical Considerations—New Current Procedural Terminology Codes Effective 2010

Infant pulmonary function testing has evolved from a research technique into a diagnostic tool. As such, new current procedural terminology (CPT) codes have been created and are available for use as of January 1, 2010. The technology now available has a range of applications. Through a series of vignettes, this article illustrates the methodology of the tests, some of their applications, and how to code and bill for the procedures.
Post-Dexamethasone Cortisol, Self-Inflicted Injury, and Suicidal Ideation Among Depressed Adolescent Girls

Although the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) has limited use as a biomarker of depression given inadequate sensitivity and specificity, it marks prospective risk for suicide among adults. However, few studies have examined associations between the DST, suicidal ideation, and self-inflicted injury (SII) among adolescents, even though SII is the single best predictor of eventual suicide. We evaluated the DST as a correlate of suicidal ideation and retrospective reports of self-inflicted injury (SII) among adolescent girls, ages 13–17, with histories of depression (n = 28) or depression and self-harm (n = 29). Lower post-DST cortisol was associated with suicidal ideation and SII, over-and-above parent-reports and combined parent-/self-reports of internalizing and externalizing behavior. These findings are consistent with recent acquired capacity models of stress-related psychopathology in which hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis function is altered through epigenetic/allostatic mechanisms among vulnerable individuals who incur adversity early in life.
Nearest Neighbor based Greedy Coordinate Descent

Increasingly, optimization problems in machine learning, especially those arising from high-dimensional statistical estimation, have a large number of variables. Modern statistical estimators developed over the past decade have statistical or sample complexity that depends only weakly on the number of parameters when there is some structure to the problem, such as sparsity. A central question is whether similar advances can be made in their computational complexity as well. In this paper, we propose strategies that indicate that such advances can indeed be made. In particular, we investigate the greedy coordinate descent algorithm, and note that performing the greedy step efficiently weakens the costly dependence on the problem size provided the solution is sparse. We then propose a suite of methods that perform these greedy steps efficiently by a reduction to nearest neighbor search. We also devise a more amenable form of greedy descent for composite non-smooth objectives; as well as several approximate variants of such greedy descent. We develop a practical implementation of our algorithm that combines greedy coordinate descent with locality sensitive hashing. Without tuning the latter data structure, we are not only able to significantly speed up the vanilla greedy method, but also outperform cyclic descent when the problem size becomes large. Our results indicate the effectiveness of our nearest neighbor strategies, and also point to many open questions regarding the development of computational geometric techniques tailored towards first-order optimization methods.
On the use of DNA pooling to estimate haplotype frequencies.

Genome-wide association studies may be necessary to identify genes underlying certain complex diseases. Because such studies can be extremely expensive, DNA pooling has been introduced, as it may greatly reduce the genotyping burden. Parallel to DNA pooling developments, the importance of haplotypes in genetic studies has been amply demonstrated in the literature. However, DNA pooling of a large number of samples may lose haplotype information among tightly linked genetic markers. Here, we examine the cost-effectiveness of DNA pooling in the estimation of haplotype frequencies from population data. When the maximum likelihood estimates of haplotype frequencies are obtained from pooled samples, we compare the overall cost of the study, including both DNA collection and marker genotyping, between the individual genotyping strategy and the DNA pooling strategy. We find that the DNA pooling of two individuals can be more cost-effective than individual genotypings, especially when a large number of haplotype systems are studied.
Plate Tectonics and the Ouachita System in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas

The Ouachita system is commonly considered to be an extension of the Appalachian orogen into the area of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Although the Appalachians have been interpreted within the framework of plate tectonics, most analyses of the Ouachita system have relied primarily on classical geosynclinal theory. Here, we apply a cordilleran-type model (Dewey and Bird, 1970) to the Ouachita system. This model appears consistent with the stratigraphic and structural development of the system, with the chronologic development of the Atlantic Ocean, and with proposed plate tectonic models for the Appalachians. Also, it is consistent with limited geophysical evidence, which includes a gravity profile across a portion of Texas. The cordilleran-type model proposed here implies Paleozoic and possible Mesozoic spreading centers in the region of the Gulf of Mexico.
Characterization of an electrostatic discharge tester

The experimental characteristics of a commercial electrostatic discharge (ESD) tester operating in air discharge mode are reported. Specifically, the discharge current and radiated electric field intensity of a KeyTek Corp. Series 2000 ESD Tester are measured using a Tektronix 7912HB (750 MHz bandwidth) voltage transient digitizer. The following discharge waveform parameters are considered: rise times and peak values in the time domain, and amplitude and low-pass cutoff frequency in the frequency domain. The 10%-to-90% rise times increased from 1.0 kV to about 15 kV, and then decreased for the discharge current and radiated electric field intensity. The measured peak values of the radiated field (over a copper ground plate) varied from about 50 V/m to about 200 V/m. The discharge current amplitude increased with increasing spark gap voltage, as did the radiated E-field intensity. However, the cutoff frequency of the radiated E-field decreased with increasing spark gap voltage. >
Control strategy for single-input single-output non-linear systems with time delays

A new controller design technique is developed for a general class of non-linear systems with delays. The proposed suboptimal controller consists of a generalized proportional-integral (PI) control structure plus a new time-delay compensator that is shown to be superior to the conventional Smith Predictor. Simulation results demonstrate the advantages of the new design method in comparison with conventional PID control and gain scheduling.
Studies of the Transverse Spin Dependent Structure Function $g$(2) (X, $Q^2$)

We study the transverse spin-dependent nucleon structure function g2(x, Q2) in leading order at large Q2. After reviewing the operator-product-expansion analysis of g2(x, Q2) we calculate the twist-3 contributions which arise from quark-gluon interactions and quark masses in the bag model. The result confirms the presence of significant twist-3 effects in g2(x, Q2). We discuss two questions raised by our analysis: the validity of the Burkhardt-Cottingham sum rule and the relation to previous calculations of g2(x, Q2) in versions of the parton model.
Social Influences and Smoking Behaviors Among Four Asian American Subgroups

This study sought to identify the predictive power of social influences on smoking behavior among Asian American adults. A cross-sectional self-report survey method and stratified-cluster proportional sampling technique was used. The survey was conducted at the 26 randomly selected Asian American community organization locations in the Delaware Valley region. A sample of 1374 was recruited from 26 selected organizations and 1174 completed the survey with an average response rate of 83%. Social influences were measured by examining the predictive power of parental, other important family members’ and friends’ tobacco use prevalence on smoking behavior, and the perception of the number of people who smoke in the U.S. A Chi-Square test and logistic regression models were used to analyze the data. Current smoking father/brother, number of smoking friends, and gender were positively associated with current tobacco use. Asians who had an ever and current smoking father/brother and those who had current smoking friends were more likely to be current smokers. The youngest age group were more likely to be influenced by an ever and current smoking father/brother, by having close friends who smoke, and perceived the highest amount of peer pressure. The smoking rate was highest among the 22-45 age group. Successful smoking prevention and cessation programs designed for Asian Americans must take into consideration male parental tobacco use because it represents the primary source of learned behavior and this influence continues beyond adolescence.
The Influenza A Virus Protein NS1 Displays Structural Polymorphism

ABSTRACT NS1 of influenza A virus is a potent antagonist of host antiviral interferon responses. This multifunctional protein with two distinctive domains, an RNA-binding domain (RBD) and an effector domain (ED) separated by a linker region (LR), is implicated in replication, pathogenesis, and host range. Although the structures of individual domains of NS1 from different strains of influenza viruses have been reported, the only structure of full-length NS1 available to date is from an H5N1 strain (A/Vietnam/1203/2004). By carrying out crystallographic analyses of full-length H6N6-NS1 (A/blue-winged teal/MN/993/1980) and an LR deletion mutant, combined with mutational analysis, we show here that these full-length NS1 structures provide an exquisite structural sampling of various conformational states of NS1 that based on the orientation of the ED with respect to RBD can be summarized as “open,” “semi-open,” and “closed” conformations. Our studies show that preference for these states is clearly dictated by determinants such as linker length, residue composition at position 71, and a mechanical hinge, providing a structural basis for strain-dependent functional variations in NS1. Because of the flexibility inherent in the LR, any particular NS1 could sample the conformational space around these states to engage ED in different quaternary interactions so that it may participate in specific protein-protein or protein-RNA interactions to allow for the known multifunctionality of NS1. We propose that such conformational plasticity provides a mechanism for autoregulating NS1 functions, depending on its temporal distribution, posttranslational modifications, and nuclear or cellular localization, during the course of virus infection. IMPORTANCE NS1 of influenza A virus is a multifunctional protein associated with numerous strain-specific regulatory functions during viral infection, including conferring resistance to antiviral interferon induction, replication, pathogenesis, virulence, and host range. NS1 has two domains, an RNA-binding domain and an effector domain separated by a linker. To date, the only full-length NS1 structure available is that from an H5N1 strain (A/Vietnam/1203/2004). Here, we determined crystal structures of the wild type and a linker region mutant of the H6N6 NS1 (A/blue-winged teal/MN/993/1980), which together with the previously determined H5N1 NS1 structure show that NS1 exhibits significant strain-dependent structural polymorphism due to variations in linker length, residue composition at position 71, and a mechanical hinge. Such a structural polymorphism may be the basis for strain-specific functions associated with NS1.
Why Location Matters for Innovative Activity

For the past twenty years a prominent view seemed to indicate that geographic location had become less important to economic activity (Barnet and Muller 1974; Vernon 1977). It is well known that as production processes standardize manufacturing industries, even high-tech manufacturing industries, become “footloose” -- seeking out the lowest cost locations (Hymer 1979; Bluestone and Harrison 1982). In contrast, the non-routine production activities associated with innovation such as research and development, experimental and prototype manufacturing, and small volume production are increasingly spatially concentrated (Malecki 1980).