cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of phenobarbital-induced cytochrome P-450 in rat hepatic microsomes using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

The major phenobarbital-inducible form of cytochrome P-450 (cytochrome P-450 PB) was purified to homogeneity from rat liver microsomes and rabbit antibodies prepared against the purified enzyme. Using these antibodies, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of cytochrome P-450 PB in microsomes which was sensitive at the nanogram level. The content of cytochrome P-450 PB was determined in hepatic microsomes from rats treated with various xenobiotics. Phenobarbital and Aroclor 1254 pretreatments resulted in several-fold increases in immunoreactive cytochrome P-450 PB over control levels. ELISA measurements of cytochrome P-450 PB were also carried out over a 48-h time course of phenobarbital induction in liver microsomes. Significant increases over control levels were seen at 16 h and beyond. Measurements of ELISA-detectable cytochrome P-450 PB were made in microsomes following the administration of CCl4 to phenobarbital-pretreated rats. Immunoreactive cytochrome P-450 PB was observed to decrease less rapidly than the spectrally detectable enzyme in the microsomal membranes. Inhibition of heme synthesis was carried out by the administration of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (AT) to rats. Concomitant pretreatment with phenobarbital and AT resulted in levels of ELISA-detectable cytochrome P-450 PB which were significantly increased over control levels, while spectrally detectable levels of total holoenzyme remained unchanged. These results support the idea that this cytochrome P-450 may exist, at least partly, in the microsomal membrane in an inactive or apoprotein form.
Prefrontal neurons in networks of executive memory

The neuronal networks of the frontal lobe that represent motor or executive memories are probably the same networks that cooperate with other cerebral structures in the temporal organization of behavior. The prefrontal cortex, at the top of the perception-action cycle, plays a critical role in the mediation of contingencies of action across time, an essential aspect of temporal organization. That role of cross-temporal mediation is based on the interplay of two short-term cognitive functions: one retrospective, of short-term active perceptual memory, and the other prospective, of attentive set (or active motor memory). Both appear represented in the neuronal populations of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. At least one of the mechanisms for the retention of active memory of either kind seems to be the reentry of excitability through recurrent cortical circuits. With those two complementary and temporally symmetrical cognitive functions of active memory for the sensory past and for the motor future, the prefrontal cortex seems to secure the temporal closure at the top of the perception-action cycle.
Simulation Strategy of Turbulent Internal Flow in Solid Rocket Motor

A strategy for the simulation of turbulent internal flows in a solid rocket motor (SRM) is described. Sources of turbulence inside an SRM are identified and their dominance relative to each other is characterized to set a priority in the modeling effort. This complex problem is simplified by subdividing it into problem components allowing for a more detailed study of each component. Problems of interest in which investigations have been pursued are compressible periodic rockets, spatial transition in a laboratory-scale rocket, and effect of inhibitors and large-eddy simulation (LES) wall-layer modeling (WLM) for the nozzle boundary layer. Grid sensitivity is observed in the application of dynamic LES to a transitional flow in an SRM. Inhibitors at the segment juctions act as a trip in the transition to turbulence and play a more dominant role compared to the injection of turbulence from the propellant surface. Detached-eddy simulation provides relatively accurate wall gradient properties and is more generally applicable than WLM. This hybrid method, however, requires some degree of implicitness in the time discretization to be efficient.
Novel approach to select genes from RMA normalized microarray data using functional hearing tests in aging mice.

Presbycusis – age-related hearing loss – is the number one communicative disorder and one of the top three chronic medical condition of our aged population. High-throughput technologies potentially can be used to identify differentially expressed genes that may be better diagnostic and therapeutic targets for sensory and neural disorders. Here we analyzed gene expression for a set of GABA receptors in the cochlea of aging CBA mice using the Affymetrix GeneChip MOE430A. Functional phenotypic hearing measures were made, including auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds and distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) amplitudes (four age groups). Four specific criteria were used to assess gene expression changes from RMA normalized microarray data (40 replicates). Linear regression models were used to fit the neurophysiological hearing measurements to probe-set expression profiles. These data were first subjected to one-way ANOVA, and then linear regression was performed. In addition, the log signal ratio was converted to fold change, and selected gene expression changes were confirmed by relative real-time PCR. Major findings: expression of GABA-A receptor subunit α6 was upregulated with age and hearing loss, whereas subunit α1 was repressed. In addition, GABA-A receptor associated protein like-1 and GABA-A receptor associated protein like-2 were strongly downregulated with age and hearing impairment. Lastly, gene expression measures were correlated with pathway/network relationships relevant to the inner ear using Pathway Architect, to identify key pathways consistent with the gene expression changes observed.
Are new weak gauge bosons a viable explanation of neutrino trimuon production

Heavy lepton cascade models with new intermediate gauge bosons have been proposed, to avoid constraints on neutrino production of trimuons. Some of these models require production of new hadrons typically with mass ⩾5 GeV in association with heavy leptons. Such mechanisms are strongly constrained by kinematics, compared to heavy production with ordinary hadrons. EHAD < 20 GeV is forbidden; the visible hadron energy for one of five trimuon events falls in this forbidden gap.
Police Deployment---Introduction

Introduction to the special issue devoted to police deployment. By publishing these four refereed papers together in one issue of Management Science, we have the dual purpose of presenting new substantive research results in an important public sector problem area and of attracting other management scientists to the area. The field is still relatively new for OR/MS professionals, and much work remains to be done.
Proliferation of cancer cells despite CDK2 inhibition

We have investigated the contribution of CDK4 and CDK2 inhibition to G1 arrest in colon cancers following inhibition of the MEK/MAP kinase pathway. CDK4 inhibition is sufficient to cause arrest, but inhibition of CDK2 by p27 Kip1 redistribution or ectopic expression has no effect on proliferation. Likewise, inhibition of CDK2 through expression of dominant-negative (DN) CDK2 or antisense oligonucleotides did not prevent cell proliferation in these cells. We therefore tested whether CDK2 activity is dispensable in other cells. Surprisingly, osteosarcomas and Rb-negative cervical cancers continued to proliferate after depletion of CDK2 through antisense oligonucleotides or small interfering (si) RNA. Here we report of sustained cell proliferation in the absence of CDK2, and we suggest that CDK2 is not a suitable target for cancer therapy.
Grating-based phase contrast tomosynthesis imaging: proof-of-concept experimental studies.

Purpose: This paper concerns the feasibility of x-ray differential phase contrast (DPC) tomosynthesis imaging using a grating-based DPC benchtop experimental system, which is equipped with a commercial digital flat-panel detector and a medical-grade rotating-anode x-ray tube. An extensive system characterization was performed to quantify its imaging performance. Methods: The major components of the benchtop system include a diagnostic x-ray tube with a 1.0 mm nominal focal spot size, a flat-panel detector with 96 μm pixel pitch, a sample stage that rotates within a limited angular span of ±30°, and a Talbot-Lau interferometer with three x-ray gratings. A total of 21 projection views acquired with 3° increments were used to reconstruct three sets of tomosynthetic image volumes, including the conventional absorption contrast tomosynthesis image volume (AC-tomo) reconstructed using the filtered-backprojection (FBP) algorithm with the ramp kernel, the phase contrast tomosynthesis image volume (PC-tomo) reconstructed using FBP with a Hilbert kernel, and the differential phase contrast tomosynthesis image volume (DPC-tomo) reconstructed using the shift-and-add algorithm. Three inhouse physical phantoms containing tissue-surrogate materials were used to characterize the signal linearity, the signal difference-to-noise ratio (SDNR), the three-dimensional noise power spectrum (3D NPS), and the through-plane artifact spread function (ASF). Results: While DPC-tomo highlights edges and interfaces in the image object, PC-tomo removes the differential nature of the DPC projection data and its pixel values are linearly related to the decrement of the real part of the x-ray refractive index. The SDNR values of polyoxymethylene in water and polystyrene in oil are 1.5 and 1.0, respectively, in AC-tomo, and the values were improved to 3.0 and 2.0, respectively, in PC-tomo. PC-tomo and AC-tomo demonstrate equivalent ASF, but their noise characteristics quantified by the 3D NPS were found to be different due to the difference in the tomosynthesis image reconstruction algorithms. Conclusions: It is feasible to simultaneously generate x-ray differential phase contrast, phase contrast, and absorption contrast tomosynthesis images using a grating-based data acquisition setup. The method shows promise in improving the visibility of several low-density materials and therefore merits further investigation.
Porous titanium alloy for fixation of knee prostheses

A porous titanium alloy called void metal composite (VMC) was investigated for use in knee prosthesis fixation. The interfacial ingrowth fixation of VMC intrameduallary, subchondral, and variable density implants in goat femora was evaluated biomechanically and histologically at six weeks and five months. Biomechanical tests were done under static shear and dynamic, cyclic (fatigue) loading conditions. Readily identifiable bone, strong fixation, and excellent biocompatibility were typical. Some subarticular implants appeared to induce normal hyaline cartilage overgrowth.
The function of classical and alternative non-homologous end-joining pathways in the fusion of dysfunctional telomeres

Repair of DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) is crucial for the maintenance of genome stability. DSBs are repaired by either error prone non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) or error-free homologous recombination. NHEJ precedes either by a classic, Lig4-dependent process (C-NHEJ) or an alternative, Lig4-independent one (A-NHEJ). Dysfunctional telomeres arising either through natural attrition due to telomerase deficiency or by removal of telomere-binding proteins are recognized as DSBs. In this report, we studied which end-joining pathways are required to join dysfunctional telomeres. In agreement with earlier studies, depletion of Trf2 resulted in end-to-end chromosome fusions mediated by the C-NHEJ pathway. In contrast, removal of Tpp1‐Pot1a/b initiated robust chromosome fusions that are mediated by A-NHEJ. C-NHEJ is also dispensable for the fusion of naturally shortened telomeres. Our results reveal that telomeres engage distinct DNA repair pathways depending on how they are rendered dysfunctional, and that A-NHEJ is a major pathway to process dysfunctional telomeres.
Sex-Differential Selection and the Evolution of X Inactivation Strategies

X inactivation—the transcriptional silencing of one X chromosome copy per female somatic cell—is universal among therian mammals, yet the choice of which X to silence exhibits considerable variation among species. X inactivation strategies can range from strict paternally inherited X inactivation (PXI), which renders females haploid for all maternally inherited alleles, to unbiased random X inactivation (RXI), which equalizes expression of maternally and paternally inherited alleles in each female tissue. However, the underlying evolutionary processes that might account for this observed diversity of X inactivation strategies remain unclear. We present a theoretical population genetic analysis of X inactivation evolution and specifically consider how conditions of dominance, linkage, recombination, and sex-differential selection each influence evolutionary trajectories of X inactivation. The results indicate that a single, critical interaction between allelic dominance and sex-differential selection can select for a broad and continuous range of X inactivation strategies, including unequal rates of inactivation between maternally and paternally inherited X chromosomes. RXI is favored over complete PXI as long as alleles deleterious to female fitness are sufficiently recessive, and the criteria for RXI evolution is considerably more restrictive when fitness variation is sexually antagonistic (i.e., alleles deleterious to females are beneficial to males) relative to variation that is deleterious to both sexes. Evolutionary transitions from PXI to RXI also generally increase mean relative female fitness at the expense of decreased male fitness. These results provide a theoretical framework for predicting and interpreting the evolution of chromosome-wide expression of X-linked genes and lead to several useful predictions that could motivate future studies of allele-specific gene expression variation.
An area-efficient Ternary CAM design using floating gate transistors

This paper presents a Ternary Content-addressable Memory (TCAM) design which is based on the use of floating-gate (flash) transistors. TCAMs are extensively used in high speed IP networking, and are commonly found in routers in the internet core. Traditional TCAM ICs are built using CMOS devices, and a single TCAM cell utilizes 17 transistors. In contrast, our TCAM cell utilizes only 2 flash transistors, thereby significantly reducing circuit area. We cover the chip-level architecture of the TCAMIC briefly, focusing mainly on the TCAMblock which does fast parallel IP routing table lookup. Our flash based TCAM block is simulated in SPICE, and we show that it has a significantly lowered area compared to a CMOS based TCAMblock, with a speed that can meet current (∼400 Gb/s) data rates that are found in the internet core.
Index of refraction of sapphire between 24 and 1060°C for wavelengths of 633 and 799 nm

The index of refraction of the ordinary ray in sapphire for temperatures from 24 to 1060°C and for wavelengths of 633 and 799 nm was found to be expressed to 0.02% (99% confidence level) by nS(T)633nm = 1.76565 + 1.258 × 10−5T + 4.06 × 10−9T2 and nS(T)799nm = 1.75991 + 1.229 × 10−5T + 3.10 × 10−9T2 where T is the temperature in degrees Celsius. These expressions were calculated from measurements of the relative change with temperature in the reflectance for a plane surface normal to the c axis of single-crystal sapphire.
Wage equity and female faculty job satisfaction: The role of wage differentials in a job satisfaction causal model

The present study examined the role of female/male wage differentials in a model of job satisfaction. Female/male wage differentials were initially derived in a manner designed to eliminate much of past discriminatory practices. Subsequently, wage differentials were incorporated in a causal model to predict multiple aspects of academic job satisfaction for female faculty. It was hypothesized that the magnitude of the gender-based wage differential not only affected global job satisfaction but also intentions to remain in the academy, perceived stress level, perceptions of collegiality, and perception of the institution among female faculty. The findings indicated that as gender-based wage differentials increased, global job satisfaction of female faculty decreased. This significant effect was manifested predominantly through faculty perceptions of the institution.
Thyroid hormone rapidly increases cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase mRNA levels in hypophysectomized rats

Abstract The induction of hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase mRNA by triiodothyronine was investigated in hypophysectomized rats. These rats exhibited markedly decreased levels of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase mRNA compared to normal controls. An increase in this mRNA could be detected within 30 min after giving triiodothyronine. A triiodothyronine dose of 0.25 μg per 100 g of body weight, which produces 50% occupancy of hepatic nuclear thyroid hormone receptors, caused significant increases in hydroxylase mRNA levels. The half-life of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase mRNA was about 30 min and was not affected by thyroid hormone. Administration of the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, after triiodothyronine caused superinduction. Hepatic HMG-CoA reductase mRNA levels, which are also low in livers from hypophysectomized rats, were unaffected by these doses of hormone within the 2 h time-frame examined in these studies. The results suggest that thyroid hormone may exert a primary affect on the expression of the hepatic cholesterol 7a-hydroxylase gene. This could explain, in part, the hypocholesterolemic effect of thyroid hormone.
Landsat 4 Thematic Mapper Imagery: Improved Tool for Geologic Mapping in Eastern Overthrust: ABSTRACT

The central Appalachians were studied using Landsat 4 thematic mapper (TM) data to evaluate the improved spatial resolution (30 × 30 m, 100 × 100 ft) of TM for mapping capabilities. The TM bands 2, 3, and 4 were contrast stretched and edge enhanced using digital processing techniques. Photogeologic analysis of the 1:125,000-scale TM image examined drainage, landform, lineament, and structural features. The study area comprises the junction of the central and southern Appalachians where fold axes change from N30°E to N60°E. Southeast-dipping thrust faults trend northeastward across the area. Cambrian through Devonian rocks are involved in and exposed by the thrust faults. Recognition of drainage relationships (density and pattern) are important in identifying lithologies. Landforms reflect structure and lithology through characteristic topographic expression. Improved identification and delineation of drainage and landform characteristics on TM imagery support structural and lithologic interpretations. Lineaments were identified by drainage, tonal, and topographic characteristics. Two major lineaments trending N83°E and N56°W, at the junction of the southern and central Appalachians, were identified. Identified structural features include fold axes, thrust faults, strike-slip faults, and thrust-faulted folds. Detailed lineament and structural mapping on TM imagery aids in unraveling complex surface geologic patterns in this critical area of the eastern overthrust. Digitally enhanced Landsat 4 TM data proved advantageous for accurate mapping of drainage, landform, lineament, and structural features. Improved accuracy on a regional scale allows reliable geologic mapping and therefore subsurface interpretations, benefiting hydrocarbon exploration. End_of_Article - Last_Page 508------------
Enhancing Nursing Students' Experience in the Assessment and Care of Vascular Access Devices

Abstract Background Bachelor of Science in Nursing students get minimal exposure or experience in the assessment and care of vascular access devices (VADs) let alone the placement of such devices. Students in our university nursing program receive no structured experience. Students learn how to assess and care for VADs in the clinical setting while working with clinical faculty and staff nurse mentors. Purpose The purpose of this pilot program was to increase the awareness and understanding of VADs for third-year nursing students to enhance their comfort level in assessing and caring for these devices. Methods Thirty-two third-year nursing students, in groups of 8, participated in this pilot program in addition to their usual academic and clinical assignments. The 4 structured components of this program included a didactic session to share basic VAD information, simulation laboratory time to practice peripheral intravenous line insertion, a 4-hour one-to-one shadowing experience with a vascular access service team registered nurse providing patient care, and a wrap-up session by the vascular access service team educational nurse coordinator to provide debriefing and additional information. Conclusions Students who participated in this pilot program expressed an increased level of comfort regarding VADs. They came away with knowledge that other nursing students in the program do not receive during their academic and clinical time.
Effects of an unidentified microsporidium on the convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), used for biological control

Convergent lady beetles, Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, are collected from overwintering sites in California and redistributed for aphid control in home gardens and agroecosystems. The effects of an unidentified microsporidium on the life history characteristics of commercially available H. convergens were examined. Mean development for microsporidia-infected and uninfected H. convergens was 15.40+/-0.14 and 14.76+/-0.16 days, respectively (P=0.01). Larval mortality did not differ significantly. Cumulative mean egg production for microsporidia-infected and uninfected females was 545.8+/-92.6 and 928.3+/-86.4 eggs, respectively (P=0.004) and mean survival was 64.5+/-5.6 and 77.1+/-4.5 days, respectively (P=0.04). Microsporidian spores (3.6x2.4 microm) are similar in size to those of Nosema hippodamiae.
Expression of matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) and tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TYRP-1) correlates with the absence of metastasis in an isogenic human breast cancer model

The multi-step nature of metastasis poses difficulties in both design and interpretation of experiments to unveil the mechanisms causing the process. In order to facilitate such studies, we have previously derived a pair of breast tumor cell lines that originate from the same breast tumor but which have diametrically opposite metastatic capabilities. In this system, the monoclonal cell line M-4A4 is metastatic to the lungs of athymic mice, whereas clone NM-2C5 is equally tumorigenic but non-metastatic. Here, we report that representational difference analysis (RDA) of cDNA obtained from the two clonal populations revealed an increased expression of tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TYRP-1) and the matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) genes in the non-metastatic cell line. RNA and protein analyses in cultured cells and in primary xenograft tissues confirmed that the non-metastatic cell line expresses TYRP-1 and MMP-8 at levels that are at least 20-fold higher than the metastatic counterpart. Other members of the MMP family (MMP-9 and MMP-2) and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) were found to be expressed at similar levels in both populations. The effects of MMP-8 and TYRP-1 on in vitro invasion and migration were assessed in cells whose expression of these genes was altered by stable transduction with sense and antisense constructs. Specific down-regulation of MMP-8 in non-metastatic NM-2C5 cells resulted in a 2.5-fold increased capacity to invade through Matrigel. Unlike other members of the matrix metalloproteinase family, MMP-8 has not previously been implicated in the processes of tumorigenesis or metastasis. The successful identification of two proteins that are differentially expressed in these matched clonal cell lines and the tumors that they produce demonstrates the feasibility of using this approach to search for genes that are associated with aberrant differentiation toward metastatic behavior.
Evaluation of linked protonation effects in protein binding reactions using isothermal titration calorimetry

A theoretical development in the evaluation of proton linkage in protein binding reactions by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is presented. For a system in which binding is linked to protonation of an ionizable group on a protein, we show that by performing experiments as a function of pH in buffers with varying ionization enthalpy, one can determine the pK(a)'s of the group responsible for the proton linkage in the free and the liganded states, the protonation enthalpy for this group in these states, as well as the intrinsic energetics for ligand binding (delta H(o), delta S(o), and delta C(p)). Determination of intrinsic energetics in this fashion allows for comparison with energetics calculated empirically from structural information. It is shown that in addition to variation of the ligand binding constant with pH, the observed binding enthalpy and heat capacity change can undergo extreme deviations from their intrinsic values, depending upon pH and buffer conditions.
Range Restrictions for Product-Moment Correlation Matrices.

It is well-known that for a trivariate distribution if two correlations are fixed the remaining one is constrained. Indeed, if one correlation is fixed, then the remaining two are constrained. Both results are extended to the case of a multivariate distribution. The results are applied to some special patterned matrices.
On domains of superior convergence of the SSOR method to that of the SOR method

Let v denote the spectral radius of JAB, the block Jacobi iteration matrix. For the classes of (1) nonsingular M-matrices and (2) p-cyclic, p ⩾ 3, consistently ordered matrices, we study domains in the (v, ω) plane when v < 1, where the block SSOR iteration method has at least as favorable an asymptotic rate of convergence as the block SOR method. Let LAω and SAω denote, respectively, the block SOR and SSOR iteration matrices. For the class of nonsingular M-matrices A, we determine conditions when the spectral radii satisfy ρ(SAω) ⩽ ρ(LAω) ∀0 < ω ⩽ 21 + v and ∀0 ⩽ v < 1 . Under these conditions we also show that the optimal SOR iteration parameter is ωb = 1. For the class of p-cyclic, p ⩾ 3, consistently ordered matrices A we determine for which ω's and v's, ρ(SAω) < |ω − 1| [ ⩽ ρ(LAω)]. Our investigations make use of the equality case in Wielandt's inequality between the spectral radii of a complex matrix and its nonnegative and irreducible majorizers and of Rouche's theorem for the location of zeros of complex functions.
Training fourth graders in compromising and persuasive strategies

Can children be trained to improve their compromising and persuasive skills? In this project, an instructional program was devised to train children in compromising strategies and in accommodating to others in their persuasive messages. The training modules were quite successful in improving fourth graders’ tendencies to compromise. Improvement in performance on persuasive tasks was limited to better accommodation to the views of others only when the children were assisted by external probes. Children who profited most from instruction in compromising had more restricted and less psychologically oriented construct systems.
Prevention of chickenpox in reproductive-age women

Abstract As primary health care providers, obstetrician/gynecologists are becoming actively involved in vaccination programs in their practices. Immunization against varicella is not only cost-effective, but may prevent serious disease in reproductive-age women.
Self-concept of lesbian and heterosexual women.

31 lesbian and 31 heterosexual women (aged 19 to 53 yr.) were compared on their scores on the Tennessee Self-concept Scale. Differences between the two groups were found only on the “personal self” subscale. There seems little support for an hypothesis that mean self-concept of lesbians as measured here is markedly different from that of heterosexual women.
‘Let's get laid because it's the end of the world!’: sexuality, gender and the Spanish Left in late Francoism and the Transición

This article sets out to look at the ways in which gender relations and sexuality became politicised over time and especially during the ‘long 1960s’ in Spain during what is often called ‘late Francoism’. It analyses the gradual change to more liberal mores that coincided with the so-called apertura, or opening-up of the regime, that began in the early 1960s and was intensified by the 1970s. The way in which progressive students – the so-called progre – experimented with sexuality and the ways in which their alternative aesthetics were used as codified elements of a rebelling identity marked the limits of the anti-regime community. The article ends with the final period of the Transicion and the emergence of a new kind of sexual explicitness which started being promoted through alternative channels, coinciding, however, with a growing disenchantment from politics.
Differentiated ratings of perceived exertion and various physiological responses during prolonged upper and lower body exercise

This study examined whether prolonged exercise employing upper or lower body muscle groups led to significant alterations in three differentiated ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Multiple regression analyses were used to identify those physiological responses which accounted for the greatest variability in these three RPE. Nine volunteer males performed 60 min of arm crank and cycle exercise at similar absolute and at similar relative exercise intensities. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) between arm and leg exercise for oxygen uptake (\(\dot V_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} }\)) during the absolute tests (~ 1.60 l·min−1) or during the relative tests (~ 60% peak\(\dot V_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} }\)). The RPE included local RPE (muscle and joint exertion), central RPE (ventilatory and circulatory exertion), and overall RPE. During the absolute tests, the final means for all three RPE were lower (P 0.05) were found during the relative tests between arm and leg exercise for any of the three RPE. Local RPE was generally higher than central RPE. The various physiological responses accounted for more (total) variance in all three RPE for arm than leg exercise (absolute and relative arm exercise: median R2=0.99; absolute and relative leg exercise: median R2=0.75). Lactate and the ventilatory equivalent of oxygen made the greatest contribution to R2. These data suggest that RPE may be more closely related to relative exercise intensity, and perceptual cues may be more readily monitored from smaller muscle masses such as the upper body. Further, steady-state RPE was not attained during prolonged upper body exercise.
The satanic notations: counting classes beyond #P and other definitional adventures

We explore the potentially "off-by-one" nature of the definitions of counting (#P versus #NP), difference (DP versus DNP), and unambiguous (UP versus UNP; FewP versus FewNP) classes, and make suggestions as to logical approaches in each case. We discuss the strangely differing representations that oracle and predicate models give for counting classes, and we survey the properties of counting classes beyond #P. We ask whether subtracting a #P function from a P function it is no greater than necessarily yields a #P function.
Reassessment of the end-to-side operation for esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula: 22-year experience with 68 cases.

Abstract End-to-side anastomosis (ES) and ligation of the tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) has been the procedure of choice for esophageal atresia at our institution since 1967. This report summarizes our operative and long-term results with the ES operation in 68 babies, including 33 in Waterston group A (50%), 23 in group B (35%), and 12 in group C (15%). An additional 10 patients had a primary end-to-end (EE) anastomosis, while 14 others required either staged EE repair or an esophageal replacement procedure. Overall survival rate with ES was 93% including two deaths attributed to major anastomotic leaks and sepsis, and three others in group C from cardiac anomalies. Six (9%) of those having ES anastomosis developed a recurrent TEF between 40 days and 21 months of age, necessitating reoperation. Predisposing factors to recurrent TEF were surgical inexperience (three cases; first operation for each surgeon), forceful vomiting secondary to gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in two, and drug overdose in one. Anastomotic leak occurred in seven (10%) following end-to-side repair and was implicated in two deaths. Three patients developed minor anastomotic stricture requiring less than three dilatations, while one with a tight stricture needed as many as five dilatations over the first 14 months of life. Mild dysphagia and respiratory symptoms were uniformly observed during the first year, but only five patients (7%), including the two with recurrent TEF, required fundoplication for persistent GER. All patients were eating table foods after 1 year of age, while 10 (15%) have required periodic endoscopic removal of solid food lodged at the radiographically unobstructed anastomosis. Eight patients in Waterston groups B and C remain below the fifth percentile in weight. It is concluded that the principal advantages of ES over EE repair are a lesser incidence of anastomotic leak, stricture, and GER with a similar incidence of recurrent TEF usually reported for EE repair. The risk of recurrent TEF is minimized with greater operator experience and prompt correction of severe GER by fundoplication. ES repair remains the favored operation for esophageal atresia at this institution.
Radiosurgery for the treatment of dominant hemisphere periventricular heterotopia and intractable epilepsy in a series of three patients

Periventricular heterotopia (PVH) is a neuronal migration disorder characterized by masses of gray matter located along the lateral ventricles that commonly cause epilepsy. The benefit of surgical resection of the PVH has been demonstrated in case reports to date; however, the location of the PVH in the paratrigonal region of the lateral ventricles can present significant surgical challenges. Noninvasive modalities of ablating this epileptogenic focus must therefore be considered. We present a small series of three patients who underwent stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for inoperable unilateral dominant hemisphere PVHs in order to illustrate the potential benefits and risks of this treatment modality. A total dose of 37.5–65 Gy resulted in seizure freedom for at least 14 months at the time of their last follow-up, even in patients harboring a second independent epileptic focus. Whether intracranial electrode recording truly offers added value is therefore uncertain. The two patients who received higher radiation doses suffered from symptomatic radiation necrosis and associated cerebral edema, requiring further medical intervention, and persistent monocular visual loss in one patient. While a longer interval prior to re-treatment may have been attempted, neither patient demonstrated radiographic findings typically associated with seizure remission. Refractory epilepsy due to PVH may be successfully treated with radiation therapy; but further work is needed to define the optimal dosing parameters in order to lower toxicity to normal tissue.
An international relations perspective on the consequences of SETI

Abstract Can we envision what the laws of politics and the laws of ethics will be in extraterrestrial civilizations? The laws of physics and chemistry will be the same. Presumably, if there are biospheres in other solar systems, the nature of biology will be the same. Over time evolution may produce the same forms of consciousness and intelligence as we see on earth. However, the political and ethical systems on earth are diverse. Often our images of extraterrestrial civilizations are mere projections of earthly patterns of conflict and cooperation. Perhaps over time the many civilizations and patterns on earth will evolve into one global civilization with harmonious political and ethical norms. These may be the same in universal civilizations if evolution is a cosmic process.
Wear characteristics in non-metallic materials

Abstract Non-metallic materials used in situations requiring high wear resistance include elastomers, plastics, carbon-graphite, ceramics and jewels. Each class of material has its special field of application. For instance, TFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) has been used successfully as a ballretainer material for bearings operating at cryogenic temperatures. Other non-metallic materials are used where oxidation or corrosion resistance is required, where dry sliding requires self-lubricating properties, where high temperatures require materials with good hot-hardness properties, or where very-low wear rates are required. Wear rates are so sensitive to surface conditions that it is dangerous to predict wear of various materials for a given set of conditions. As a rule of thumb, wear rate can be expected to be proportional to applied load under comparable surface conditions and surface temperatures. Some typical wear applications for non-metallic materials are given in Table I. Although non-metallic materials appear to cover a wide range of wear applications, their low thermal conductivity (in comparison to metals) limits their use in applications where metals are readily put to use, such as where high sliding speeds are involved and frictional heat generation becomes a problem. Exceptions to this general rule include some ceramics and cermets, which are capable of good wear resistance under very-high sliding velocities (up to 400 ft./sec, for instance). However, special problems in fastening or holding ceramic parts, inherent brittleness, and high cost still limit their use in specialized applications.
Rate and Predictors of Persistent Major Depressive Disorder in a Nationally Representative Sample

This study examined predictors of persistent major depressive disorder over 10 years, focusing on the effects of clinical variables, physical health, and social support. Data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States in 1995–1996 and 2004–2006 were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to predict non-recovery from major depression among individuals who met clinical-based criteria for major depressive disorder at baseline. Fifteen percent of the total sample was classified as having major depression in 1995–1996; of these individuals, 37 % had major depression in 2004–2006. Baseline variables that were significantly associated with persistent major depression at follow-up were being female, having never married, having two or more chronic medical conditions, experiencing activity limitation, and less contact with family. Therefore, treatment strategies focused on physical health, social support, and mental health needs are necessary to comprehensively address the factors that contribute to persistent major depressive disorder.
Suggestions for a Web based universal exchange and inference language for medicine

Mining biomedical and pharmaceutical data generates huge numbers of interacting probabilistic statements for inference, which can be supported by mining Web text sources. This latter can also be probabilistic, in a sense described in this report. However, the diversity of tools for probabilistic inference is troublesome, suggesting a need for a unifying best practice. Physicists often claim that quantum mechanics is the universal best practice for probabilistic reasoning. We discuss how the Dirac notation and algebra suggest the form and algebraic and semantic meaning of XML-like Web tags for a clinical and biomedical universal exchange language formulated to make sense directly to the eye of the physician and biomedical researcher.
Coarse-grained normal mode analysis in structural biology

The realization that experimentally observed functional motions of proteins can be predicted by coarse-grained normal mode analysis has renewed interest in applications to structural biology. Notable applications include the prediction of biologically relevant motions of proteins and supramolecular structures driven by their structure-encoded collective dynamics; the refinement of low-resolution structures, including those determined by cryo-electron microscopy; and the identification of conserved dynamic patterns and mechanically key regions within protein families. Additionally, hybrid methods that couple atomic simulations with deformations derived from coarse-grained normal mode analysis are able to sample collective motions beyond the range of conventional molecular dynamics simulations. Such applications have provided great insight into the underlying principles linking protein structures to their dynamics and their dynamics to their functions.
Lateral phase separation in adsorbed binary protein films at the air-water interface.

Lateral phase separation in two-dimensional mixed films of soy 11S/β-casein, acidic subunits of soy 11 (AS11S)/β-casein, and α-lactalbumin/β-casein adsorbed at the air−water interface has been studied using an epifluorescence microscopy method. No distinct lateral phase separation was observed in the mixed protein films when they were examined after 24 h of adsorption from the bulk phase. However, when the soy 11S/β-casein and AS11S/β-casein films were aged at the air−water interface for 96 h, phase-separated regions of the constituent proteins were evident, indicating that the phase separation process was kinetically limited by a viscosity barrier against lateral diffusion. In these films, β-casein always formed the continuous phase and the other globular protein the dispersed phase. The morphology of the dispersed patches was affected by the protein composition in the film. In contrast with soy 11S/β-casein and AS11S/β-casein films, no lateral phase separation was observed in the α-lactalbumin/β-casein ...
Allocation of research grants to university research proposals

Abstract In this paper we examine the optimal allocation of research money to incoming research proposals in a university environment. Since a university has no obvious objective to maximize when allocating research money, but rather has several, possibly conflicting, goals it would like to achieve, the method of goal programming is proposed as a solution technique, and the meaning and estimation of the priority weights in the resulting objective function in the goal programming problem, with regard to tradeoffs between goals, are discussed thoroughly. Finally, calculations based upon hypothetical sample data re presented in order to test the sensitivity of the model to different sets of priority weights.
Predictors of physical disability in elderly blacks and whites of the Charleston Heart Study.

Abstract During the 1984/1985 recall of the Charleston Heart Study Cohort, physical function data were obtained for 247 white males, 376 white females, 123 black males, 247 black females and 71 high socioeconomic status (SES) black males over 60 years of age. Black females had the highest prevalence of physical disability (55.8%), followed by white females (43.2%), black males (39.0%) and white males (25.8%) and high SES black males (22.3%). Physical disability was 1.5–2.5 times as prevalent among individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than those without such a history. Among individuals without a current history of CVD univariate analyses showed the following as significant (lower 95% CI > 1.0) predictors of physical disability: elevated systolic blood pressure in white females, black males, and black females; elevated cholesterol in black females; obesity in black females; and low educational level in white females. Regression analyses indicated that obesity in 1960 accounted for 10.9 and 2.9% respectively of the variability in physical disability scores in 1985 for black females and white females.
Information encryption and retrieval in mid-RF range using acousto-optic chaos

In recent work, low-frequency AC signal encryption, decryption and retrieval using system-parameter based keys at the receiver stage of an acousto-optic (A-O) Bragg cell under first-order feedback have been demonstrated [1,2]. The corresponding nonlinear dynamics have also been investigated using the Lyapunov exponent and the so-called bifurcation maps [3]. The results were essentially restricted to A-O chaos around 10 KHz, and (baseband) signal bandwidths in the 1-4 KHz range. The results have generally been satisfactory, and parameter tolerances (prior to severe signal distortion at the output) in the ±5% - ±10% range have been obtained. Periodic AC waveforms, and a short audio clip have been examined in this series of investigations. Obviously, a main drawback in the above series of simulations has been the low and impractical signal bandwidths used. The effort to increase the bandwidth involves designing a feedback system with much higher chaos frequency that would then be amenable to higher BW information. In this paper, we re-visit the problem for the case where the feedback delay time is reduced considerably, and the system parameters in the transmitter adjusted in order to drive the system with a DC driver bias into chaos. Reducing the feedback time delay to less than 1 μs, an average chaos frequency of about 10 MHz was achieved after a few trials. For the AC application, a chaos region was chosen that would allow a large enough dynamic range for the width of the available passband. Based on these dynamic choices, periodic AC signals with 1 MHz (fundamental) bandwidth were used for the RF bias driver (along with a DC bias). A triangular wave and a rectangular pulse train were chosen as examples. Results for these cases are presented here, along with comments on the system performance, and the possibility of including (static) images for signal encryption. Overall, the results are encouraging, and affirm the possibility of using A-O chaos for securely transmitting and retrieving information in the mid-RF range (a few 10s of MHz).
Hazards of chemicals to earthworms

While great strides have been made in recent years regarding water quality criteria and hazard assessment of chemicals in the aquatic environment, the same is not true for the terrestrial ecosystem. This results in part from the magnitude of the problem and, perhaps, to some degree, from an attitude held by some that animals dwelling in and on the land can better cope with environmental stress than can their aquatic counterparts. Indeed, this sometimes may be the case, but results of our studies with the earthworm Eisenia foetida suggest otherwise. This organism is extremely susceptible to the toxic action of many common pesticides and other chemicals, and there is good evidence that this species is among the more hardy of all the earthworms. Although many facets of the terrestrial ecosystem must be addressed with regard to chemical hazards, practicality dictates that emphasis be directed toward specific organisms representing a given segment of the terrestrial population. This article discusses the vital role of earthworms in the environment and why they are particularly useful as test organisms, and summarizes chemical toxicity data obtained in laboratory and field investigations.