cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Higher Plasma Myeloperoxidase Levels Are Not Associated with an Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Events in HIV-Infected Adults

AbstractObjectives: Elevated myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels are predictive of high cardiovascular (CV) risk in the general population. The value of MPO as a CV marker in the HIV population has not been investigated. Method: Medical records were reviewed to identify HIV+ patients with a documented CV event (myocardial ischemia/infarction) and stored plasma samples within 12 months prior to the event. HIV+ adults with no CV history and with similarly available stored plasma samples were site-, age-, and gender-matched 1:1 to cases. Results: We identified 124 participants (62 case-control pairs): 94% male, median age 46 years. Median (IQR) MPO levels (pmoles/L) were lower in cases vs. controls: 292 (235–376) vs. 320 (249–467); p = .004. Cases were more likely to have other CV risk factors, including smoking, hypertension, and higher cholesterol and triglycerides. The observed MPO directional difference persisted after controlling for CV risk factors. In the reduced model, observed differences in MPO remained i...
SU‐GG‐I‐16: A Monte Carlo Simulation of the Imaging of Low MV Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Purpose: Megavoltage (MV) cone beam computed tomography(CBCT) using softer spectrum by either lowering the accelerating potential or using low‐Z targets has been considered for image‐guidedradiotherapy(IGRT). In this study, projection images for 250 kVp, 1 MV and 6 MV photons were simulated and the image qualities of reconstructedCBCT were compared. Method and Materials: The Monte Carlo code EGSnrc/DOSXYZnrc was used to simulate the projection images for CBCTreconstruction using 250 kVp, 1 MV and 6 MV photons. The voxel phantom used for calculation was created from the CTimages of an ACR accredit phantom with four (air, adipose, muscle, and bone) cylindrical inserts of 25 mm in diameter. For each energy, 51 projection images were simulated every 4° for 200° gantry rotation. Volumetric CBCTimages were reconstructed from the calculated projection images using the Feldkamp algorithm. The image qualities of the 2D projections and 3D volumetric images were compared. Results: For 2D projection images, only the concave produced by the insert of air in the ACR phantom was observed. For 3D reconstructedCBCTimages, the inserts of air and bone were quite distinguishable for all three energies. However, the inserts of adipose and muscle were only discriminated for the 250 kVp and 1 MV photons, but were barely identified for the 6MV photons. The contrast‐to‐noise ratios (CNR) of the 250 kVp and 1 MV images were comparable and significantly better than the 6 MV images. The imaging dose of the 1 MV and 6MV photons were respectively 5 and 18 times of the 250 kVp photons.Conclusion: The 1 MV photons could be a good option for IGRT with an image quality comparable to the 250 kVp photons and an acceptable imaging dose.
Trans-atlantic data harmonization in the classification of medicines and dietary supplements: a challenge for epidemiologic study and clinical research.

Objectives As international scientific collaboration increases, there is a growing requirement for research data to be comparable among countries. Despite the importance of medication and dietary supplement data in research, there are no international standards for the collection and storage of these data. In the absence of such standards, we needed to adopt a strategy for classification and coding of medications and dietary supplements to meet demands of our multi-national study.
Update on cytokines

Summary Cytokines that are important in the pathophysiology of allergic disorders are summarized on Table V. The IgE isotype switch results from the activities of IL-4 and IL-13 and is inhibited by IFN-ggg and TGF-β. IL-2, IL-5, and IL-6 synergize with IL-4 and IL-13 to enhance IgE secretion. IL-4 is responsible for the differentiation of IL-4-producing lymphocytes, whereas IL-12 inhibits the differentiation of IL-4-producing T cells. IL-5 is the most important eosinophilopoietin, and together with GM-CSF and IL-3, prolongs the survival of and activates mature eosinophils. These three cytokines are responsible for the generation of the hypodense eosinophils which characterize the asthmatic state. Eosinophilia may also result from selective recruitment by the eosinophil chemotactic factors RANTES, MIP-1α, and eotaxin. Mast cell proliferation results from the activities of IL-3, IL-9, IL-10, nerve growth factor, and stem cell factor. Finally, several cytokines contribute to the inflammatory state of allergic disorders. IL-1, TNF, and IFN-γ increase expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules and support the egress of mononuclear cells, neutrophils, and eosinophils into the lungs. Induction of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 by IL-4 may promote the selective recruitment of eosinophils, basophils, and lymphocytes. Many cytokines may then contribute to the activation of these leukocytes once they have reached the airways.
Social mating system affects the frequency of extra-pair paternity in house wrens☆

We tested two hypotheses regarding the effect of the social mating system on extra-pair paternity in an Illinois population of house wrens, Troglodytes aedonAccording to the genetic-quality hypothesis, polygynous males are of higher quality than monogamists, and monogamously paired females, in an attempt to obtain high-quality genes, should have a greater proportion of extra-pair nestlings in their nests than polygynously paired females. According to the trade-off hypothesis, polygynists, with temporally overlapping nests, will have a greater proportion of extra-pair nestlings in their nests than monogamists, because polygynists have difficulty guarding one or both of their social mates. DNA fingerprinting revealed that extra-pair paternity was most frequent in secondary nests of polygynists. The proportion of secondary broods with extra-pair nestlings increased with the temporal overlap of polygynists' nests, although this trend was not significant. Both results are consistent with the trade-off hypothesis but not with the genetic-quality hypothesis. We did not address the effects of genetic quality on male success at siring nestlings in the nests of other males. Although the trade-off hypothesis focuses on male mate guarding, female behaviours may also affect frequencies of extra-pair paternity. Secondary females may compensate for reduced male defence by engaging in extra-pair copulations with neighbours to reduce the likelihood that neighbours destroy their nests. Thus, in house wrens, female participation in extra-pair copulations in combination with male mate-guarding constraints may generate higher levels of extra-pair paternity in secondary broods than in primary polygynous or monogamous broods.Copyright 1997 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour1997The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Aristotle and the stasis theory: A reexamination

(1991). Aristotle and the stasis theory: A reexamination. Rhetoric Society Quarterly: Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 53-59.
Simulation training for breast and pelvic physical examination: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Breast and pelvic examinations are challenging intimate examinations. Technology-based simulation may help to overcome these challenges. Objective To synthesise the evidence regarding the effectiveness of technology-based simulation training for breast and pelvic examination. Search strategy Our systematic search included MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Scopus, and key journals and review articles; the date of the last search was January 2012. Selection criteria Original research studies evaluating technology-enhanced simulation of breast and pelvic examination to teach learners, compared with no intervention or with other educational activities. Data collection and analysis The reviewers evaluated study eligibility and abstracted data on methodological quality, learners, instructional design, and outcomes, and used random-effects models to pool weighted effect sizes. Main results In total, 11 272 articles were identified for screening, and 22 studies were eligible, enrolling 2036 trainees. In eight studies comparing simulation for breast examination training with no intervention, simulation was associated with a significant improvement in skill, with a pooled effect size of 0.86 (95% CI 0.52–1.19; P < 0.001). Four studies comparing simulation training for pelvic examination with no intervention had a large and significant benefit, with a pooled effect size of 1.18 (95% CI 0.40–1.96; P = 0.003). Among breast examination simulation studies, dynamic models providing feedback were associated with improved outcomes. In pelvic examination simulation studies, the addition of a standardised patient to the simulation model and the use of an electronic model with enhanced feedback improved outcomes. Author's conclusions In comparison with no intervention, breast and pelvic examination simulation training is associated with moderate to large effects for skills outcomes. Enhanced feedback appears to improve learning.
Mathematical properties of the Kn(τ) functions

Abstract The K n (τ) functions, which arise in the study of nongray radiative transfer, are investigated. Closed-form expressions for the triangular and exponential profiles are presented. The K n (τ) and K 5 (τ) functions for the rectangular, triangular, exponential, Doppler, and Lorentz profiles are tabulated.
Character evolution in Anaxagorea (Annonaceae)

Anaxagorea is a critical genus for understanding morphological evolution in Annonaceae because it shares a variety of features with other Magnoliales that have been interpreted as primitive relative to other Annonaceae. We present a detailed discussion of morphological characters used in a combined morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis of Anaxagorea, along with implications of the analysis for character evolution in the genus. In spite of a high level of homoplasy in stamen and leaf venation characters, their removal results in loss of resolution in the trees obtained. The distributions of characters on trees confirm assumptions that several distinctive similarities between Anaxagorea and other Magnoliales are primitive retentions (e.g., the presence of an adaxial plate of xylem in the midrib, nonpeltate stamen connectives, inner staminodes, and several leaf architectural characters). However, lateral extensions of the "laminar" stamens, though possibly ancestral in Anaxagorea, are convergent with those in other Magnoliales. A number of morphological synapomorphies have been identified for a clade containing most Central American species and another comprising all Asian species (e.g., conical bud shape and reduced inner petals for the Central American clade, and adaxial cuticular striations and capitate stigma shape for the Asian clade).
Transmission electron microscopy study of Ag/n-Si composites grown on Si (1 1 1) substrates

Abstract A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study was made of 3 μm thick Ag/n-Si composite films deposited on Si (1 1 1) substrates at temperatures of 400 and 550 °C. Containing averages of 22 at.% Ag and 77.9 at.% Si they were prepared by magnetron co-sputtering of Ag and heavily doped n-type Si targets. Films deposited at 400 °C had a large number of Ag particles 5 nm in size embedded in amorphous silicon, while those prepared at 550 °C had many 10 nm sized Ag particles that were embedded in crystalline silicon. Unlike previous studies involving these materials, the Ag particles were uniformly distributed throughout the silicon, with no segregation occurring in the surface areas. This is due to the heavy doping of the silicon matrix and is reported here for the first time.
Thematic Minireview Series: Cell Biology of G Protein Signaling

This thematic series is on the topic of cell signaling from a cell biology perspective, with a particular focus on G proteins. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs, also known as seven-transmembrane receptors) are typically found at the cell surface. Upon agonist binding, these receptors will activate a GTP-binding G protein at the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane. Additionally, there is growing evidence that G proteins can also be activated by non-receptor binding partners, and they can signal from non-plasma membrane compartments. The production of second messengers at multiple, spatially distinct locations represents a type of signal encoding that has been largely neglected. The first minireview in the series describes biosensors that are being used to monitor G protein signaling events in live cells. The second describes the implementation of antibody-based biosensors to dissect endosome signaling by G proteins and their receptors. The third describes the function of a non-receptor, cytoplasmic activator of G protein signaling, called GIV (Girdin). Collectively, the advances described in these articles provide a deeper understanding and emerging opportunities for new pharmacology.
Response of olfactory axons to loss of synaptic targets in the adult mouse

Glomerular convergence has been proposed to rely on interactions between like olfactory axons, however topographic targeting is influenced by guidance molecules encountered in the olfactory bulb. Disruption of these cues during development misdirects sensory axons, however little is known about the role of bulb-derived signals in later life, as new axons arise during turnover of the olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) population. To evaluate the contribution of bulb neurons in maintaining topographic projections in adults, we ablated them with N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) in P2-IRES-tauLacZ mice and examined how sensory axons responded to loss of their postsynaptic partners. NMDA lesion eliminated bulb neurons without damage to sensory axons or olfactory ensheathing glia. P2 axons contained within glomeruli at the time of lesion maintained convergence at these locations; there was no evidence of compensatory growth into the remnant tissue. Delayed apoptosis of OSNs in the target-deprived epithelium led to declines in P2 neuron number as well as the gradual atrophy, and in some cases complete loss, of P2 glomeruli in lesioned bulbs by 3 weeks. Increased cell proliferation in the epithelium partially restored the OSN population, and by 8 weeks, new P2 axons distributed within diverse locations in the bulb remnant and within the anterior olfactory nucleus. Prior studies have suggested that initial development of olfactory topography does not rely on synapse formation with target neurons, however the present data demonstrate that continued maintenance of the sensory map requires the presence of sufficient numbers and/or types of available bulbar synaptic targets.
The microstructure of lass material

Abstract Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of low-angle silicon sheet (LASS) samples grown by Energy Materials Corporation showed that the material contained a high density of low-angle grain boundaries, twins and precipitates. The small-angle grain boundaries were facetted on the scale of about 100 A. The twins were found to contain a large number of Shockley partials, most probably because lattice dislocations which are mobile at high temperatures are trapped by twin boundaries. Such Shockley partials in twin boundaries are recombination sites for minority carriers. Numerous precipitates were observed in the material, but because of the inhomogeneous distribution their concentration was difficult to determine. In energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), the precipitates were free of transition metals. Their TEM images showed classical Ashby-Brown contrast, indicating that they are centers of contraction or dilation. A new kind of microdefect, the micro-crack, which is not found in other ribbon material (EFG, Web) was found to occur in LASS. At present it appears likely that the cracks are created by a scraping action of the LASS ribbon over a sharp bend.
Uniqueness of Solutions to Variationally Formulated Acoustic Radiation Problems

Determination of the surface acoustic pressure given the surface velocity of a vibrating body can be formulated in various ways. However, for some such formulations such as the surface Helmholtz integral equation, solutions are not unique at certain discrete frequencies. Such uniqueness problems can also be present for variational formulations of the problem, but the variational formulation based on the normal derivative of the Kirchhoff integral theorem has unique solutions for vibrating disks and plate-like bodies. For bodies of finite volume, but for which each surface point is vibrating in phase, the total radiated acoustic power is always unique, even though the pressure may not be. The latter conclusion is supported by numerical calculations based on the Rayleigh-Ritz technique for the case of a finite cylinder vibrating as a rigid body in the axial direction.
Motor nerve terminal morphology with unloading and reloading of muscle in Procambarus clarkii

Skeletal muscle shows dynamic changes in mass that correlate with activity and weight bearing loads. The electrical excitation of the muscle of Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1952) used in this study is graded which requires refined nerve-muscle matching in synaptic efficacy. We used the anterior levator (a.l.) muscle in crayfish as a model to address matching of the extent of nerve terminal and muscle size. This muscle repetitively becomes loaded and unloaded for various lengths of time due to limb autotomy. When an adult P. clarkii loses a cheliped, by autotomy, the a.l. muscle will atrophy over time. The leg stump still moves suggesting functional innervation. During atrophy, the muscle is drastically reduced in mass as compared to the contralateral control with a functional intact cheliped. The a.l. muscle is innervated by multiple excitatory neurons and at least 1 inhibitory neuron. Since the innervation is less extensive and identifiable for the inhibitory neuron the focus was on the innervation profile based on anti-GABA immunocytochemistry. Preliminary findings based on electron microscopic images of a few samples suggest that terminals on atrophied muscles have fewer synapses than terminals on control muscles. In addition, the extent of terminals on atrophied muscle is much more extensive as compared to muscle per surface area for animals with intact chelipeds. The atrophied muscles appear to be hyperinnervated when considering terminal length per surface area of muscle fiber.
Cytological recognition of invasive squamous cancer of the uterine cervix: Comparison of conventional light-microscopical screening and neural network-based screening

Cytologic recognition of invasive or microinvasive cancer of the uterine cervix may present substantial difficulties. In this study, we compared conventional light-microscopical screening of 109,104 cervical smears and neural network-based screening (NNS) of 245,527 smears, all obtained by the spatula-Cytobrush method. Two populations of Dutch women were included in the study: those receiving smears within the framework of the Dutch population screening program ("routine smears") and those receiving smears for other reasons, discussed in the text ("interval smears"). There were 71 smears, from an equal number of biopsy-confirmed invasive squamous carcinomas, 28 of which were microinvasive. The "interval smears" yielded a statistical valid higher prevalence of invasive cancer than "routine smears." Except for 5 smears that contained no evidence of abnormality ("sampling errors"), no false-negative errors occurred in the 52 NNS cases, whereas 4 such errors occurred in the 19 conventionally screened cases. By measuring the amount of cancerous material present in each smear (mapping), it could be documented that NNS was effective even in smears with a small number of cancer cells, whereas the 4 conventional false-negative screening errors occurred in smears of this type. The study showed that cells derived from invasive cancer of the cervix may have large bland nuclei that do not fit the images commonly associated with squamous cancer cells. Neural network-based screening of cervical smears was more effective than conventional screening in the diagnosis of invasive squamous cancer of the uterine cervix.
A Typology of Israelite Marriage: Kinship, Socio-Economic, and Religious Factors:

This article examines the less commonly used Israelite language of marriage. The thesis is that the literary contexts of the marriage accounts leave traces of significant social, economic, and reli...
Postcardiotomy assisted circulation with roller pump--early and late results.

The incidence of postcardiotomy myocardial failure (PMF) requiring mechanical circulatory support beyond IABP is reported to be 0.2% to 1.2%. From Dec. 1989 through Dec. 1995, 18 patients (0.3% of the total pump cases) were supported with roller pump type of LVAD. Assisted flow ranged from 3.5 up to 5 L/min with average support time of 35.5 hours. Six (33.3%) patients (pts) died while on LVAD. The causes of additional seven deaths (pts weaned of LVAD) were: myocardial failure (4), stroke (2) and intractable bleeding during removal of the LVAD (1). Overall, five patients (27.8 %) were successfully discharged from the hospital. Two out of five long-term survivors died later, 6 months and 4 years postoperatively, both of cardiac causes. The actuarial survival rate of long-term survivors was 60% at 7 years, all of them being in NYHA functional class II. These results have proved efficiency of roller pump driven LVAD for short-term circulatory support in pts with PMF. Results are comparable to so far published data on postcardiotomy support with the same, as well as other types of more versatile and costly devices.
Weighing the world's heaviest telescope at eight points with corrections for lifting perturbations

Abstract This technical note presents a summary of internal reports [ Parker DH, Anderson R, Egan D, Fakes T, Radcliff B, Shelton J. GBT rolling weight measurements: methods, results, estimation of uncertainty, and auxiliary measurements. GBT Memo 222, The National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 2003 ; Parker DH, Anderson R, Egan D, Fakes T, Radcliff B, Shelton J. GBT rolling weight measurements: methods, results, estimation of uncertainty, and auxiliary measurements. Technical Report A0335, The National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 2003. Includes Appendices ( ≈ 250 pp.) ], on weighing The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT)—the world’s largest (100 m), fully steerable, radio telescope (and involving, possibly, the most accurate large-scale metrology field measurement of weight conducted to date). The measured weight was 74 405 kN (4.448222 N/lbf), with a combined standard uncertainty (level of confidence ≈ 68%) of ± 213 kN, or a relative combined standard uncertainty of 0.3%. Two measurements of a wheel pair (mounter on a common support beam), conducted 15 days apart, reproduced within 24 kN, or 0.3%. The measured weight distribution revealed a maximum wheel pair load of 9781 ± 44 kN, or 46% greater than the original wheel and track design assumptions, and nearly 9% greater than the final symmetric load estimation. Corrections were made for perturbations in the measured forces, due to lifting approximately one-eighth of the structure at a time. The load cells were custom calibrated to more closely match the actual field conditions. Parallel measurements are also presented from the hydraulic jack pressures.
Chimeric 7E3 Fab (ReoPro) decreases detectable CD11b on neutrophils from patients undergoing coronary angioplasty.

Abstract Objectives. The purpose of this study was to monitor the effects of chimeric 7E3 Fab (ReoPro) on leukocyte and platelet activation and interaction during coronary angioplasty. Background. Increased expression of CD11b on monocytes and neutrophils promotes their adhesion to endothelial cells, extracellular matrix and smooth muscle cells. Thrombin-activated platelets adhere via P-selectin to monocytes and neutrophils. These cell interactions may affect the outcome of coronary angioplasty. Methods. During coronary angioplasty, venous blood was obtained for flow cytometric detection of leukocyte CD11b; platelet CD41a, CD61a and CD62P; the percentage of leukocytes with adherent platelets and the intensity of bound platelet fluorescence. Results. Leukocyte CD11b expression increased after angioplasty in control patients (neutrophils 171 ± 25 to 255 ± 31 mean fluorescence intensity [MFI, mean ± SEM], n = 25, p Conclusions. Despite standard aspirin and heparin therapy, leukocyte and platelet activation with platelet adherence to leukocytes occurs after coronary angioplasty. Although chimeric 7E3 Fab does not bind to leukocytes directly, it influences CD11b expression in whole blood. Modulation of platelet and leukocyte activation and interaction by chimeric 7E3 Fab may contribute to an improved outcome after coronary angioplasty.
The Relationship Between Elder Risk Assessment Index Score and 30-Day Readmission From the Nursing Home

AbstractObjective: Preventable early readmission to the hospital is expensive, and identification of patients at risk is an important task for health care providers. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between a high score on the Elder Risk Assessment (ERA) Index and 30-day readmission to the hospital in older patients discharged to a nursing home. Patients: Patients aged > 60 years residing in the community on January 1, 2005 and subsequently admitted to a local nursing home following hospitalization were included. The cohort was selected from all patients in a primary care internal medicine practice in Rochester, MN. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study that used an electronically archived administrative risk index, the ERA Index, which was derived from demographic and clinical factors. The primary outcome was hospital readmission within 30 days following initial admission to a nursing home. The predictor variable was the ERA Index score. Univariate association betwee...
What are Web services

A Web service, as defined by the W3C Web Services Architecture Working Group, is "a software application identified by a URI, whose interfaces and bindings are capable of being defined, described, and discovered as XML artifacts. A Web service supports direct interactions with other software agents using XML-based messages exchanged via Internet-based protocols."1 Others refine this definition further by requiring the description be a Web Services Description Language (WSDL) document and the protocol be SOAP.
Sperm viability in the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) is influenced by seminal and medium osmolality.

Abstract Fundamental knowledge of spermatozoa cryobiology can assist with optimizing cryopreservation protocols needed for genetic management of the endangered black-footed ferret. Objectives were to characterize semen osmolality and assess the influence of two media at various osmolalities on sperm viability. We examined the influence of Ham’s F10 + Hepes medium (H) at 270, 400, 500 or 700 mOsm (adjusted with sucrose, a nonpermeating cryoprotectant) and TEST Yolk Buffer (TYB) with 0% (300 mOsm) versus 4% (900 mOsm) glycerol (a permeating cryoprotectant). Electroejaculates ( n = 16) were assessed for osmolality using a vapor pressure osmometer. For media comparison, semen ( n = 5) was collected in TYB 0%, split into six aliquots, and diluted in H270, H400, H500, H700, and TYB 0% or TYB 4%. Each sample was centrifuged (300 g , 8 min), resuspended in respective medium, and maintained at 37 °C for 3 h. Sperm motility and forward progression were monitored every 30 min for 3 h post-washing. Acrosomal integrity was monitored at 0 and 60 min post-washing. Results demonstrated that black-footed ferret semen has a comparatively high osmolality (mean ± SEM, 513.1 ± 32.6 mOsm; range, 366–791 mOsm). Ferret spermatozoa were sensitive to hyperosmotic stress. Specifically, sperm motility was more susceptible ( P P > 0.05) by hypotonic solutions. Exposure to TYB 4% glycerol retained more ( P
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Premature Infants with Severe Respiratory Failure Enrolled in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Inhaled Nitric Oxide

Objectives We hypothesized that inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) would not decrease death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in infants enrolled in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Preemie iNO Trial (PiNO) trial, nor improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in the follow-up group. Study design Infants Results Of 420 patients enrolled, 109 who received iNO (52%) and 98 who received placebo (47%) died. The follow-up rate in survivors was 90%. iNO did not reduce death or NDI (78% versus 73%; relative risk [RR], 1.07; 95% CI, 0.95-1.19), or NDI or Mental Developmental Index Conclusions In this extremely ill cohort, iNO did not reduce death or NDI or improve neurodevelopmental outcomes. Routine iNO use in premature infants should be limited to research settings until further data are available.
Detection of low-temperature hydrothermal fluxes by seawater Mg and Ca anomalies

Geochemical fluxes into and out of the ocean control its chemical composition. Measurements of the magnesium (Mg) content of seawater, an assumed “conservative” element in the ocean, reveal mid-depth Mg depletions in the vicinity of the East Pacific Rise. The magnitude of the anomalies suggests that fluxes associated with the low-temperature circulation of seawater through axial mid-ocean ridge systems are much larger than the high-temperature axial component. A higher total axial hydrothermal flux provides a mechanism that simultaneously satisfies the mass balance requirement of several major seawater constituents.
Analysis of pyramidal horn antennas using moment methods

A hybrid numerical technique is developed for electrically large pyramidal horn antennas radiating in free space. A stepped-waveguide method is used to analyze the interior surfaces of the horn transition. The electric field integral equation (EFIE) is employed on the outer surfaces of the pyramidal horn including the radiating aperture. Meanwhile, the magnetic field integral equation (MFIE) is used on the aperture to relate the aperture fields and those in the horn transition The resultant hybrid field integral equation (HFIE) is solved numerically by the method of moments. This formulation is both accurate and numerically stable so that high-gain microwave pyramidal horns can be analyzed rigorously. Far-field radiation patterns, both computed and measured, are presented for three electrically-large X-band horn antennas. The comparisons demonstrate that this method is accurate enough to predict the fine pattern structure at wide angles and in the back region. Computed far-field patterns and aperture field distributions of two smaller X-band horns are also presented along with a discussion on the validity of the approximate aperture field distributions routinely used in the analysis and design of pyramidal horns. >
Conflicting Requirements of Exit Doors

The design of exit doors to meet the requirements of security, fire safety, and building operations necessitates analysis based on building occupancy. Recent Canadian research has led to clearer understanding of building operations for specific occupancies such as spectator, educational, and correctional facilities. The result is a strategy designed to resolve conflicting requirements, but it depends on the availability of appropriate hardware and management procedures.
A technique for speech coding using dynamic programming

A 1-bit dynamic programming algorithm is introduced where the path representing the warping function is coded as one bit per sample point. This algorithm is then applied to the task of speech coding. The resulting coded data consist primarily of two types of blocks -- the reference block and the dynamic programming path block. The data in the reference block represent a section of speech coded by a conventional adaptive differential pulse code modulation (ADPCM) technique. The data in the dynamic programming path block correspond to a 1-bit per sample representation of the warping function resulting from matching a subsequent section of the speech with the ADPCM encoded section. A side benefit of the coding procedure is the realization of a method of pitch tracking.
Acceptance of Non-Abstinence Goals by Addiction Professionals in the United States

Previous research has found relatively limited acceptance of nonabstinence goals in addiction treatment settings in the United States. Because such attitudes may have changed over time, this study was designed to assess the current acceptance of nonabstinence goals by addiction professionals as a function of type of substance (alcohol vs. drug), severity of the disorder (DSM–IV abuse vs. DSM–IV dependence), and finality of the outcome goal (intermediate vs. final). The sample comprised 913 members of a national association of addiction professionals who completed a web-based survey. Over one half of respondents rated nonabstinence as somewhat or completely acceptable as both an intermediate and final outcome goal for clients with alcohol abuse, but considerably smaller proportions rated nonabstinence an acceptable intermediate or final outcome goal for clients with alcohol dependence. Regarding drug-taking clients, one half and one third of respondents rated nonabstinence at least somewhat acceptable as an intermediate goal and final outcome goal, respectively, for clients with drug abuse, but fewer rated nonabstinence an acceptable outcome goal for clients with drug dependence. One implication of the findings is that individuals with alcohol and drug problems who avoid treatment because they are ambivalent about abstinence should know that—depending on the severity of their condition, the finality of their nonabstinence goal, and their drug of choice—their interest in moderating their consumption will be acceptable to many clinicians, especially those working in outpatient and independent practice settings.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of Holter-detected ST-segment deviation in unselected patients with chest pain referred for coronary angiography: a long-term follow-up analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of ST-segment deviation detected by ambulatory Holter monitoring in unselected chest pain patients referred for coronary angiography. Methods: Two hundred seventy-seven patients (71% were men) who underwent coronary angiography for evaluation of chest pain were studied with 24-h ambulatory Holter monitoring within 72 h of angiography. A lumen diameter reduction of > 50% was considered coronary artery disease. The ST-segment deviation was defined as > 1-mm deviation from the baseline lasting > 1 min separated by a minimum of 1 min. The patients were followed up for 65 21 months (mean SD) for occurrences of death, myocardial infarction, hospitalization for unstable angina, and need for revascularization. Results: Of the 277 patients, 223 (80%) had coronary artery disease. The prevalence of coronary artery disease was not significantly different in patients with (43 of 48 patients; 90%) and without (180 of 229 patients; 79%) Holter-detected ST-segment deviation. The diagnostic accuracy of Holter-detected ST-segment deviation in predicting the presence of coronary artery disease was poor (33%), with a sensitivity of 19% and a specificity of 91%. The presence of Holter-detected ST-segment deviation was not predictive of future cardiac events or death. Conclusion: The ST-segment changes detected on ambulatory Holter monitoring are of limited value in identifying coronary artery disease and predicting the future adverse cardiac events or death in unselected patients with chest pain. (CHEST 2001; 120:834 – 839)
Continuous-Time Regularized Path Integrals

Up to this point we have focused on temporal lattice regularizations in order to give meaning to the traditional configuration and phase space path integrals including coherent state phase space path integrals. In this chapter, we take up the question of introducing a continuous-time regularization procedure into a formal phase space path integral.
Microscopy, Fluorescence, and Confocal Raman Imaging of Biotinylated Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Bound to Breast Tumor Cells

Surface functionalization of carbon nanotubes is a strategy for the synthesis of SWNT-targeting moiety constructs and allows these hybrid nanotube-conjugates to be useful in various biomedical applications [1-2]. In this work, carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes (C-SWNTs), chemically modified by nitric acid reflux, were covalently coupled to a tether of (+)-Biotinyl-3,6,9trioxaundecanediamine (biotin-LC-PEO-amine) using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). The SWNT-(biotin-LC-PEO) amine constructs (B-SWNTs) were characterized by microscopic and spectroscopic methods. A sensitive and versatile sandwich immunoassay design was then developed that takes advantage of the specific interaction between Her2 receptors on breast tumor cells (BT-474 cell line) and a monoclonal antibody (Her-66) specific for the receptor. A biotinylated secondary antibody that recognizes the primary antibody was used to tag a NeutrAvidin-FITC marker via the strong binding affinity between biotin and avidin. BSWNTs were then targeted specifically to bind available sites on the NeutrAvidin-FITC. The surface distribution of receptors on BT-474 cells, indirectly marked by NeutrAvidin-FITC bound to the antibody, was studied by immunofluorescence microscopy at 15 and 37 C. Confocal Raman imaging was used to probe the localization of SWNT binding to the tumor cells.
Incest/Child Sexual Abuse: Historical Perspectives

After identifying that social scientists and historians have long believed (and vigorously defended) that the only universal trait found in every known culture is the prohibition against incest, occurrence of incest and child sexual abuse is traced first through Western culture from antiquity to the present with special emphasis on Sigmund Freud's "reversal." It then is traced through Eastern culture from ancient to modern times. Contemporary trends of self-disclosure of incest and child sexual abuse are examined, and current incidence data are provided. The backlash phenomenon is then explored, and conclusions are drawn.
Evaluation of three approaches for CORBA Firewall/NAT traversal

Applications that use CORBA as communication layer often have some restrictions for multi-domain deployment. This is particularly true when they have to face firewall/NAT traversal. Furthermore, nowadays there isn’t a well-accepted unique or standardized solution adopted by all ORBs, compelling applications using this middleware to use proprietary solutions that sometimes do not address the environment restrictions in which they are deployed (e.g. impossibility to open firewall ports). This work presents and compares three solutions for firewall/NAT traversal by CORBA-based distributed applications, each one suitable for a specific situation and exploring its advantages. Examples of such situations are the possibility of opening firewall ports or the possibility of starting a TCP connection to the outside network.
Predicting CH/π Interactions with Nonlocal Density Functional Theory

We examine the performance of a recently developed nonlocal density functional in predicting a model noncovalent interaction, namely the weak bond between an aromatic pi system and an aliphatic C--H group. The new functional is a significant improvement over traditional density functionals, providing results which compare favorably to high-level quantum-chemistry techniques, but at considerably lower computational cost. Interaction energies in several model C--H/pi systems are in good general agreement with coupled-cluster calculations, though equilibrium distances are consistently overpredicted when using the revPBE functional for exchange. The new functional predicts changes in energy upon addition of halogen substituents correctly.
Kinetics of Adhesion of IgE-Sensitized Rat Basophilic Leukemia Cells to Surface-Immobilized Antigen in Couette Flow

Antigen-antibody systems provide the flexibility of varying the kinetics and affinity of molecular interaction and studying the resulting effect on adhesion. In a parallel-plate flow chamber, we measured the extent and rate of adhesion of rat basophilic leukemia cells preincubated with anti-dinitrophenyl IgE clones SPE-7 or H1 26.82 to dinitrophenyl-coated polyacrylamide gel substrates in a linear shear field. Both of these IgEs bind dinitrophenyl, but H1 26.82 has a 10-fold greater on rate and a 30-fold greater affinity. Adhesion was found to be binary; cells either arrested irreversibly or continued at their unencumbered hydrodynamic velocity. Under identical conditions, more adhesion was seen with the higher affinity (higher on rate) IgE clone. At some shear rates, adhesion was robust with H1 26.82, but negligible with SPE-7. Reduction in receptor number or ligand density reduced the maximum level of adhesion seen at any shear rate, but did not decrease the shear rate at which adhesion was first observed. The spatial pattern of adhesion for both IgE clones is well represented by the first-order kinetic rate constant kad, and we have determined how kad depends on ligand and receptor densities and shear rate. The rate constant kad found with H1 26.82 was approximately fivefold greater than with SPE-7. The dependence of kad on site density and shear rate for SPE-7 is complex: kad increases linearly with antigen site density at low to moderate shear rates, but is insensitive to site density at high shear. kad increases with shear rate at low site density but decreases with shear at high site density. With H1 26.82, the functional dependence of kad with shear rate was similar. Although these data are consistent with the hypothesis that we have sampled both transport and reaction-limited adhesion regimes, they point out deficiencies in current theories describing cell attachment under flow.
Remediation of Intonation Contours of Hearing-Impaired Students.

Abstract Incorrect production of intonation contours is a common phonatory problem among the hearing impaired. Programs designed to remediate this problem include those that employ a systematic sequence of training steps as well as those that use sensory aids to provide visual or tactile feedback of contour production. A speech-training program that incorporates both is described. The program utilizes a hierarchical curriculum with either a tactile or a visual display of fundamental frequency for the remediation of incorrectly produced intonation contours. The displays are interfaced with a microprocessor, thus allowing regular collection of data and monitoring of the program's effectiveness. Three case studies are presented as representative examples of the student's progress. Implementation of the systematic curriculum with the use of the sensory aids results in improved performance in the phonatory skills of these students. The successes and difficulties encountered in speech training are discussed.
Synthesis of phase-modulated resonant DC/AC inverters and DC/DC convertors

A simple analytical description of phase-modulated resonant DC/AC inverters and DC/DC convertors is presented. Principles of synthesis of these circuits are introduced. Various topologies of phase-modulated inverters and convertors are given. The basic cell of the phase-modulated inverter consists of two conventional resonant DC/AC inverters connected in parallel or in series with an AC load. The two inverters are synchronised to the same operating frequency and have a controllable phase shift between their output currents or voltages to control the overall output current, voltage, or power, depending upon the application. Phase-modulated resonant DC/DC convertor can be obtained by adding current-driven or voltage-driven rectifiers at the output of phase-modulated DC/AC inverters. Both phase-modulated inverters and convertors can operate at a fixed switching frequency, reducing EMI problems. >
Cross-platform validation of notional baseline architecture models of naval electric ship power systems

To support efforts in assessing the relative merit of alternative power system architectures for future naval combatants, the Electric Ship Research and Development Consortium (ESRDC) has developed notional baseline models for each of the primary candidate architectures currently considered, medium-voltage DC (MVDC), conventional 60 Hz medium-voltage (MVAC), and high-frequency medium-voltage (HFAC). Initial efforts have focused on the development of a consistent set of component models, of which the system models can be comprised, and the basic definition of the system models. The broader objectives of the consortium, however, go beyond the definition of the baseline models. The focus is on the process by which the models are implemented in software and validated, the process by which the performance of the disparate system models are objectively and quantitatively assessed and compared, and, ultimately, the process by which the relative merits of the architectures may be assessed. This paper focuses specifically on cross-platform component validation.
A Major Determinant for Membrane Protein Interaction Localizes to the Carboxy-Terminal Domain of the Mouse Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Protein

The two major constituents of coronavirus virions are the membrane (M) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins. The M protein is anchored in the viral envelope by three transmembrane segments flanked by a short amino-terminal ectodomain and a large carboxy-terminal endodomain. The M endodomain interacts with the viral nucleocapsid, which consists of the positive-strand RNA genome helically encapsidated by N protein monomers. In previous work with the coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), a highly defective M protein mutant, MDelta2, was constructed. This mutant contained a 2-amino-acid carboxy-terminal truncation of the M protein. Analysis of second-site revertants of MDelta2 revealed mutations in the carboxy-terminal region of the N protein that compensated for the defect in the M protein. To seek further genetic evidence corroborating this interaction, we generated a comprehensive set of clustered charged-to-alanine mutants in the carboxy-terminal domain 3 of N protein. One of these mutants, CCA4, had a highly defective phenotype similar to that of MDelta2. Transfer of the CCA4 mutation into a partially diploid MHV genome showed that CCA4 was a loss-of-function mutation rather than a dominant-negative mutation. Analysis of multiple second-site revertants of CCA4 revealed mutations in both the M protein and the N protein that could compensate for the original lesion in N. These data more precisely define the region of the N protein that interacts with the M protein. Further, we found that fusion of domain 3 of the N protein to the carboxy terminus of a heterologous protein caused it to be incorporated into MHV virions.