cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiative-recoil contributions to the Lamb shift

We consider the proton mass corrections to the radiative Lamb shift in hydrogen. A procedure is developed to incorporate these contributions in the standard approach for obtaining the nonrecoil shifts. An equation given by Grotch and Yennie is used as a starting point to describe the hydrogen atom. This equation includes the Coulomb and the convection potentials as well as the proton kinetic energy. The radiative corrections then produce the desired radiative-recoil contributions. The complete lowest order (..cap alpha..(Z..cap alpha..)/sup 4/ m/sup 2//M) contributions as well as part of the higher order (..cap alpha..(Z..cap alpha..)/sup 5/ m/sup 2//M) contributions are derived analytically in the so-called external field approximation. In order to obtain residual ..cap alpha..(Z..cap alpha..)/sup 5/ m/sup 2//M contributions, we then consider perturbation kernels involving the two-photon exchange diagrams which are not already included in the external field approximation calculation. This is done utilizing the Fried--Yennie gauge for the radiative photon and the Coulomb gauge for the exchanged photons. The behavior of the perturbation kernels in the low-momentum region of the exchanged photon is analyzed in considerable detail. For the evaluation of the energy shift, the integrals are carried out numerically. The ..cap alpha..(Z..cap alpha..)/sup 5/ m/sup 2//M contributionmore » beyond the usual reduced mass correction is ..delta..E/sub n/ = (..cap alpha..(Z..cap alpha..)/sup 5//n/sup 3/) m/sup 2//M(-1.574+(-0.415 +- 0.004)) delta/sub l//sub 0/. For the 2S/sub 1/2/--2P/sub 1/2/ Lamb shift in hydrogen, this amounts to a contribution of (-2.527 +- 0.005) kHz.« less
Infrared dichroic studies on orientation of labelled molecules in uniaxially and biaxially drawn gelation crystallized ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene

Abstract Orientation of labelled molecules in uniaxially and biaxially drawn ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) films has been characterized by means of infrared dichroism. Both deuterated UHMWPE and deuterated high density polyethylene (d-HDPE) were used as labelled molecules. The polymer concentration of deuterated species was 1 wt% to avoid possible polymer phase separation. These deuterated polymers were mixed with protonated UHMWPE by co-dissolving in decalin at an elevated temperature. Upon lowering the temperature, gelation crystallization took place. The gel-films were dried and stretched uniaxially and biaxially to obtain high oriented specimens. The orientation of crystalline chains was determined from 720 and 730cm−1 bands, whereas that of the labelled chains was measured from the 2194 and 2088 cm−1 bands as they are specific to the deuterated species. It turned out that the orientation of deuterated molecules was indistinguishable from those of crystal a- and b-axis in a uniaxial drawing, but deviations were seen in the biaxial stretching, suggesting that the orientation of labelled molecules is not strictly of crystalline origin.
A biomimetic route to the ergot derailment products, the clavicipitic acids - detection of a reactive intermediate by 31p nmr - some chemical underpinnings for a proposed intermediate in ergot alkaloid biosynthesis.

Abstract A biomimetic route to the clavicipitic acids has been developed which is based on the Mitsunobu reaction of the diol 4a .
Mn(III)-Based Oxidative Free-Radical Cyclizations of Unsaturated Ketones.

Mn(III)-based oxidative free-radical cyclization of unsaturated ketones is a versatile synthetic procedure with broad applicability. For example, oxidation of cyclopentanone 1a with 2 equiv of Mn(OAc)(3).2H(2)O and 1 equiv of Cu(OAc)(2).H(2)O in AcOH at 80 degrees C for 1.5 h affords 75% of bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-8-one 8a and 15% of bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-en-8-one 9a. Bridged bicyclic ketones that cannot enolize further are isolated in good yield. Monocyclic beta,gamma-unsaturated ketones that can enolize are oxidized further to give gamma-acetoxy enones. The formation of bicyclo[3.3.1]non-2-en-9-one (57a) in 52% yield from 2-allylcyclohexanone (56a) suggests that kinetically controlled enolization is the rate-determining step in alpha-keto radical formation. A wide variety of examples delineating the scope, limitations, and stereoselectivity of this reaction are presented.
Impact of Scramjet technology in supporting the army's mission to defend CONUS against cruise missiles and TBM

The purpose of our research is to define a battle unit and to create a systems evaluation process to evaluate the military impact and value of using Scramjet technology in weapons systems as envisioned in military scenarios defined for the battle unit to engage threats. The initial stakeholder is the United States Army. The stakeholder needs are defined as follows: evaluate the possible contribution of Scramjet technology to army transformation and development of future combat systems. Evaluations will then be measured against the objectives of flexibility, adaptability, lethality, response time, and the resultant impact on mission success. We model the system of attacker and defender by a network of queues with special queuing and service rules. Our battle unit will consist of a sensor system, a command and control system, and a defender system with n units. The units will have attributes assumed to be given. We approximate the system evaluation by a network of queues with balking and general service and general arrival distributions.
Estimation of psychophysical levels using the electrically evoked compound action potential measured with the neural response telemetry capabilities of Cochlear Corporation's CI24M device.

Objective The goal of this study was to estimate psychophysical levels using the electrically evoked compound action potential (EAP), measured with the Neural Response Telemetry capabilities of Cochlear Corporation's Nucleus CI24M cochlear implant system. Design Twelve postlingually deafened adults with at least 3 mo of implant experience with the CI24M were subjects in this study. EAP growth functions were successfully quantified on each active electrode of every subject. Correlation and regression analyses were performed between EAP measures and cochlear implant fitting psychophysics. Other information including performance, etiology and duration of hearing loss, and individual electrode impedance was considered. Results EAP thresholds were found to be highly correlated with psychophysical thresholds. The rate of EAP growth with increasing stimulation levels was also found to be correlated with the dynamic range of loudness limits and psychophysical thresholds in some subjects. No relationship was evident between EAP measures and speech perception tests. Conclusions Information from EAP growth function measurements may be used to estimate psychophysical information used in cochlear implant fitting but not to predict performance with the device.
Live attenuated rubella virus vaccine: comparison of responses to HPV-77-DE5 and RA 27/3 strains.

Abstract The responses of seronegative adults to two live attenuated rubella virus vaccines were compared. Of 50 women who received the HPV-77-DE5 strain, 49 (98%) had an antibody response; the geometric mean antibody titer(GMT) was 1:38 at two to five months and 1:59 at six to 14 months. Of 66 women and three men who received the RA 27/3 strain all (100%) had an antibody response; the GMT was 1:55 at two to five months and 1:75 at six to 14 months. The incidence of mild to moderate transient clinical reactions, occurring in approximately one-fourth of those vaccinated, was similar for both groups. The serologic response to both vaccines was excellent.
ASYMPTOTIC PROPERTIES OF PROTECTED NODES IN RANDOM RECURSIVE TREES

We investigate protected nodes in random recursive trees. The exact mean of the number of such nodes is obtained by recurrence, and a linear asymptotic equivalent follows. A nonlinear recurrence for the variance shows that the variance grows linearly, too. It follows that the number of protected nodes in a random recursive tree, upon proper scaling, converges in probability to a constant.
Day-Degree Methods for Pest Management

Recommendations are made for reporting day-degree methods which may have practical applications. Standardized thresholds (40, 50, and 60°F, or 5, 10, and 15°C) should be used. Day-degrees may be either sine wave approximations or exact units determined by instrumentation. Methods are proposed for converting current day-degree models to standardized thresholds and, ultimately, to actual day-degrees.
Extraocular muscle enlargement with tendon involvement in thyroid-associated orbitopathy.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the configuration of extraocular muscle and tendon enlargement in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO). Design Retrospective, noncomparative case series. Methods We retrospectively evaluated the preoperative computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or both, of 125 consecutive patients with previously diagnosed TAO. Axial CT (n = 88) or MRI (n = 37) slices of the orbits were examined for tendon involvement of enlarged medial or lateral recti muscles. A ratio of tendon to muscle width greater than 0.5 was considered as tendon involvement. Results Eight patients (6.4%) with TAO demonstrated tendon involvement on axial CT or MRI. These patients had significantly greater diplopia in primary gaze than patients with no tendon involvement or patients with no muscle enlargement. Conclusion The configuration of extraocular muscle enlargement on imaging studies has traditionally been used to differentiate TAO from other inflammatory processes because the tendon is typically spared (fusiform configuration) in TAO. However, we found that the configuration of tendon involvement (cylindrical configuration) can occasionally be noted in TAO and may be more frequently associated with primary gaze diplopia. Tendon involvement does not eliminate the diagnostic possibility of TAO.
Wireless Capsule Endoscopy and Endoscopic Imaging: A Survey on Various Methodologies Presented

The purpose of this study was to serve as a reference for further research improvements and to address the current level of maturity of each methodology from its maximum capabilities. This paper discussed the following: automatic detection of intestinal juices in wireless capsule video endoscopy; neural networks-based approach; model of deformable rings for aiding the WCE video interpretation and reporting; digestive organ automatic image classification; WCE blood detection using expectation maximization clustering; discriminate tissues color distributions; color- and texture-based GI tissue discrimination; topographic segmentation and transit time estimation for endoscopic capsule exams; automated tissue classification; colonoscopic diagnosis using online learning and differential evolution; computer-aided tumor detection using color wavelet features; versatile coLD detection system for colorectal lesions; images sequences; blood-based abnormalities detection; and other related topics.
Genome-wide genetic diversity of 'Nici', the DNA source for the CHORI-260 turkey BAC library and candidate for whole genome sequencing.

Summary Vertebrate whole genome sequence assembly can benefit from a priori knowledge of variability in the target genome, with researchers often selecting highly inbred individuals for sequencing. However, for most species highly inbred research lines are lacking, requiring the use of an outbred individual(s). Here we examined the source DNA [Nicholas inbred (Nici)] of the CHORI-260 turkey bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library through analysis of microsatellites and BAC sequences. Heterozygosity of Nici was compared with that of individuals from several breeder lines. Seventy-eight microsatellites were screened for polymorphism in a total of 43 birds, identifying an average individual heterozygosity of 0.39, with Nici at 0.35. Additional loci (total of 147) were examined on a subset of individuals to obtain better genome coverage. The mean heterozygosity for this subset was 0.33 with Nici at 0.31. Examination of approximately 200 kb of genome sequence identified SNPs in the order of one per 200 bp in Nici. These data suggest that the heterozygosity of Nici is comparable to other birds of selected breeder lines and that whole genome sequencing would result in an abundant resource of genome-wide polymorphisms.
Effects of oral N-acetylcysteine on fatigue, critical power, and W′ in exercising humans

The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with muscular fatigue. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can extend time to fatigue (TTF), but the effect appears to be exercise intensity dependent. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an acute oral dose of NAC on time to fatigue (TTF), critical power (CP), W' (curvature constant), V(O2) kinetics and muscle EMG during cycling exercise. Male (n=7) subjects performed four tests at power outputs corresponding to 80, 90, 100, and 110% of the peak power output achieved during the incremental test (Pmax) under NAC and placebo (PLA) conditions. TTF was increased only in the 80% Pmax trial (p=0.033). CP was higher with NAC (NAC: 232±28 W versus PLA: 226±31 W; p=0.032), but W' tended to decrease (NAC: 15.5±3.8 kJ versus W': 16.4±4.5 kJ; p=0.10). The change in W' was negatively related to the change in CP (r = -0.96). MdPF and RMS of EMG tended to change less with NAC. There were no significant differences in V(O2) kinetics. These results demonstrate that oral NAC was successful in extending time to fatigue at 80% Pmax but not at higher work rates.
Response to: ‘The methodology in the paper by Chambers et al. raises serious questions about their conclusions’

We appreciate the opportunity to respond to the critique and comments by Kulig et al. [1]. We disagree that our conclusions are not supported by the data.Kulig et al. contend that our conclusions m...
Perceptions of mentoring relationships.

Abstract The influence of mentor–protege relationship structure and experience factors on perceptions of mentoring were examined for a sample of mentors and also for a sample of proteges from the same work environment. Experience with mentor–protege relationships (number of mentors/proteges and relationship length) and the relationship structure (formally arranged vs informally developed and subordinate vs non-subordinate protege) significantly affected reports of the amount of psychosocial support, career guidance, role modeling, and communication that occurred in the mentoring relationships in which the proteges and mentors engaged.
Transposable elements of maize

The maize Enhancer transposable element can be targeted to any locus and many unstable alleles have been isolated. Normally, the result is an autonomously controlled allele leading to the mutability expression that is coordinately inherited with this locus. In this study, six alleles at the c locus (c-m) autonomously controlled by En, gave rise to a modified expression (original pattern of mutability, coarse is modififed to fine) that is under the control of a factor, segregating independently. This factor modifies the coarse pattern to fine by delaying the early occurring mutation events (c→C) during kernel development leading to the appearance of relatively sharp colored spots. This factor shows En-like activity but is limited to the pattern differentiatio of any one of the progenitor c-m alleles. These source c-m alleles are not affected by the standard En. A model is presented to support the hypothesis that this factor is a modified En with an altered mutator (M) effect and thus delays the M effect on the coarse allele. This altered En allele can be considered as En-Malt.
α-tocopherol oxidation mediated by superoxide anion (O 2 - ). II. Identification of the stable α-tocopherol oxidation products

The present paper describes the identification of two stable end products of α-tocopherol oxidation that were previously detected among the products of the reaction of α-tocopherol with superoxide anion (O2−) under aprotic conditions. One compound, previously designated compound A, was identified astrans-7-hydroxy-trans-8,8a-epoxy-α-tocopherone, and the other, designated compound B, was identified ascis-7-hydroxy-cis-8,8a-epoxy-α-tocopherone. It was also observed that under protic conditions (10% water in acetonitrile) the reaction of α-tocopherol with O2− did not produce compounds A and B, but rather α-tocopheryl quinone, α-tocopherol dimer, α-tocopherol dihydroxy dimer, and the previously designated compound C. Compound C was identified in the present study as α-tocopheryl-quinone-2,3-epoxide.
Independent vector analysis, the Kotz distribution, and performance bounds

The recent extensions of independent component analysis (ICA) to exploit source dependence across multiple datasets, termed independent vector analysis (IVA), have thus far only considered two multivariate source distribution models: the Gaussian and a second-order uncorrelated Laplacian distribution. In this paper, we introduce the use of the Kotz distribution family as a more flexible source distribution model which exploits both second and higher-order statistics. The Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) for IVA performance prediction is shown to be analogous to the bound for blind source separation (BSS). Lastly, we provide an analytic expression for the CRLB when the sources follow the multivariate power exponential (MPE) subclass of distributions within the Kotz family.
Color and contrast in magazine advertising

Color in advertising is used to increase the impact of an ad. However, indiscriminant use of color can sacrifice contrast, thereby reducing legibility and readability, and decreasing the effectiveness of the ad. This descriptive study evaluates the application of contrast principles in color print advertising, concluding that, at best, marketers are inconsistent in using color to enhance the impact of their advertising.
Nurses' attitudes and beliefs toward assisted suicide in AIDS

This report of a 1995 survey presents data regarding nurses' attitudes and beliefs about assisted suicide in AIDS. The authors surveyed 428 nurses working at facilities serving AIDS patients in the San Francisco Bay Area, using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. They received 215 responses (50%). There was a high level of agreement with statements that place assisted suicide in the context of humane action to relieve suffering. An AIDS diagnosis did not change respondents' attitudes toward assisted suicide, although many nurses said that the relentless suffering and specific nature of the AIDS epidemic did influence their thinking.
Awareness of and participation in maintenance of professional certification: a prospective study.

AbstractIntroduction:National health care concerns have led to the emergence of maintenance of certification (MOC) as a means to ensure the competence of practicing physicians. Little is known about physician perceptions of the barriers and/or benefits of MOC or proportions of physicians who partici
Dynamic state restoration using versioning exceptions

We explore the semantics and analysis of a new kind of control structure called a versioning exception that ensures the state of the program, at the point when an exception handler is invoked, reflects the program state at the point when the handler is installed. Versioning exceptions provide a transaction-like versioning semantics to the code protected by a handler: modifications performed within the dynamic context of the corresponding handler are versioned, and committed to the store only if the computation completes normally. Similar to the role of backtracking in logic programming, this facility allows unwanted effects of computations to be discarded when exceptional or undesirable conditions are detected. We define a novel points-to analysis to efficiently track changes to the store within handler-protected scopes. The role of the analysis is to facilitate optimizations that minimize the number of locations which must be restored when a versioning exception is raised. The analysis is defined by a reachability approximation over locations that indicates which objects have been potentially modified within a handler scope. The analysis is defined for programs which support first-class procedures, locations, and exceptions.
On abstract conditional expectations

(i) If C is a sub-a-field of 2, f,(o) -“f(o) p-a.e. and there is a nonnegative real valued function 40 E L’(Q) s.t. I/f,(o)\/ 1 then lim,,, Ezf,(w) = E”(o). This is just the Lebesgue dominated convergence theorem for abstract conditional expectations (see [S]). (ii) If {zm, z},, , are sub-a-fields of 2, V,“= , C, = Z or fi‘I,“=, 2, = C andfEL$(Q) (1 <PC co) then EZn -+L%(“) E’J: Furthermore if p = 1 then EZnf(o) --+’ Ezf(w) p-a.e. These are known as martingale convergence theorems (see [S] and [14, Theorem 51). Together with the general theory of martingales have an increasingly important impact in Banach space theory (see [5, Chap. VI).
Aminergic involvement in the control of luteinizing hormone secretion in the domestic fowl

Abstract Neuropharmacologic agents have been used, in vivo , to investigate the possible involvement of the biogenic amines in the hypothalamic control of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in the domestic fowl. Inhibitors of norepinephrine (NE)/dopamine (DA) synthesis (for DA NE α-methyl- p -tyrosine, α-mpt; for NE diethyldithiocarbamic acid, DDC) and granule reuptake of catecholamines (reserpine) and the α-adrenergic antagonist (phenoxybenzamine) induced reductions in the circulating concentrations of LH. The administration of p -chlorophenylalanine (an inhibitor of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) synthesis) and methysergide (a 5HT antagonist) also depressed plasma levels of LH. Neither β-adrenergic (propranolol) nor cholinergic (atropine) blockers affected circulating LH levels. These data suggest the involvement of a catecholamine (probably acting via α-adrenergic receptors), together with some serotoninergic components in the hypothalamic control of LH in the chicken.
An analysis of mill grinding noise

Abstract The noise generated by a ball mill during a batch grinding operation is investigated and the results show that, for a given ore, the noise levels may vary with time of grind, ore charge weight and mill speed. The role of the ore in absorbing noise energy is suggested as a possible control variable for the grinding process and as an indicator of product size distribution. The relationship between ore types and mill noise is also examined and, under conditions of wet grinding, it is demonstrated that mill noise analysis can indicate ore type and may have a possible use as a grindability-type parameter.
Predictors of Regional Well-Being: A County Level Analysis

The current study takes a novel approach to studying the correlates of subjective well-being. Unlike previous studies, which typically examine group-level well-being at the state or national level, we analyzed correlates of well-being at the county level within the United States. Using nationally representative data, we found that reliable variance in well-being exists across counties. Furthermore, this variance was associated with a number of objective factors, including income, population density, health and education. Continued study of these factors at the regional level may have important implications for developing community programs and public policy.
Prospective analysis of the effect of physician experience with the FAST examination in reducing the use of CT scans.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of ultrasound experience level on emergency physicians’ Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) exam accuracy and emergency physicians’ confidence in using FAST findings to assist in managing patients with blunt trauma. Methods: This prospective, consecutive enrolment study evaluated adult trauma team activation blunt trauma patients. Based on the number of post-training FAST exams carried out, 11 attending emergency physicians were grouped into A ( 50 exams, n = 3). The FAST exam was carried out prior to other diagnostic studies. The emergency physicians were asked to prospectively judge their perception of the need for surgery, abdominal CT or no further tests. All study patients ultimately underwent CT, diagnostic peritoneal lavage or laparotomy. Among each physician group, the number of subsequent CT scans deemed necessary by the emergency physician after a ‘normal’ FAST was calculated and compared. Results: Accuracy was greatest in group C. Sixty-nine of 80 patients in group A had a normal FAST exam; emergency physicians deemed CT necessary in 68/69 cases (99%; confidence interval [CI] 92–100%). Eighty-two of 98 patients in group C had a normal FAST exam; emergency physicians deemed CT necessary in 19/82 cases (23%; CI 15–34%). Physicians in groups B and C were less likely to order CT after a normal FAST than group A (P < 0.001). Conclusions: FAST accuracy was greatest among more experienced emergency physicians. A normal FAST exam assisted more experienced emergency physicians with the perceived need to order significantly fewer CT scans than less experienced emergency physicians.
Effect of root to solution ratio in ion absorption experiments

Large differences in absorption behavior are caused by changing the root to solution ratio in absorption experiments. Aeration ordinarily is not a factor. Changes in pH as a result of absorption activity cause a reduction in absorption rates. This factor may be eliminated by appropriate control measures. The liberation of calcium and other absorption modifying substances from the roots is the most important factor. Much of the effect of increased root to solution ratios on absorption can be accounted for by calcium liberation. The composition and concentration of the absorbing solution are important in determining the amount of calcium released from the roots. The fact that ion absorption is subject to such influences raises the question of the validity of certain types of kinetic studies and in general complicates the interpretation of all quantitative absorption data. (auth)
Effective isotopic fractionation factors for solute removal by reactive sediments: a laboratory microcosm and slurry study.

Wetlands remove many dissolved pollutants from surface waters by various mechanisms. Stable isotope ratio measurements may provide a means of detecting and possibly quantifying certain removal processes, such as reduction of SeO42−, Cr(VI), NO3−, and HClO4−, that fractionate isotopes. However, the magnitude of the isotopic fractionation for a given reaction depends on the setting in which it occurs. We explore the case where isotope ratio shifts in surface waters are used to detect or quantify reactions occurring in pore waters of underlying sediments. A series of SeO42− reduction experiments reveals that the effective isotopic fractionation, observed in the water column as a result of SeO42− diffusion into underlying, Se-reducing sediments, is weaker than the intrinsic fractionation induced by the same reduction reactions in well-mixed systems in which reaction sites are not separated from measured SeO42−. An intact sediment core yielded an effective e (≈ δreact − δinstantaneous prod) of 0.20‰, whereas t...
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for morbid obesity.

ABSTRACT Morbid obesity, with its accompanying human and monetary costs, is a serious and growing health problem worldwide. Surgical treatments are recognized as being effective, but until recently, the available surgical options entailed invasive techniques that permanently altered the gastrointestinal tract. In June 2001, the US Food and Drug Administration approved an adjustable gastric banding system that can be implanted laparoscopically for the treatment of morbid obesity. This article discusses laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, including patient selection and evaluation, perioperative care, and the importance of a team approach to patient management and follow-up care. AORN J 77 (May 2003) 924–940.
Multiscale Consequences of Spontaneous Calcium Release on Cardiac Delayed Afterdepolarizations

Spontaneous calcium (Ca) release in cardiac myocytes can produce delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) that promote arrhythmias. In these studies, we combined experimental and computational approaches to investigate quantitatively how Ca release features at subcellular, cellular, and tissue scales influence DADs. Spontaneous Ca release events and corresponding DADs were measured experimentally from isolated rabbit ventricular myocytes exposed to elevated extracellular Ca (2.7 mM) and isoproterenol (0.25 μM), and were compared between lower and higher total intracellular Ca levels following 1 or 5 paced beats at 400 ms intervals, respectively. At the subcellular scale, Ca waves emerged simultaneously from an average of 1.36 (low) and 2.5 (high) sites per Ca release event. Consistent with the criticality-based theory of Ca wave emergence, Ca wave numbers were proportional to sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca levels that produced INCX with −71.1 pA/pF×ms (low) and −106.0 pA/pF×ms (high) integrated current densities upon rapid exposure to caffeine (10 mM). At the cellular scale, whole-cell calcium transients had peak amplitudes of 0.462 F/Fo (low) and 0.717 F/Fo (high) and full widths at half maximum (FWHMs) of 309.0 ms (low) and 180.0 ms (high). Resultant DADs had peak amplitudes of 1.41 mV (low) and 6.03 mV (high) and FWHMs of 302.3 ms (low) and 140.3 ms (high). Ca wave latencies in single myocytes, which determine Ca release synchrony in cardiac tissue, were 0.996 s (low) and 0.416 s (high). Computer simulation analyses implementing various combinations of the experimentally measured factors suggest that greater numbers of Ca waves, increased SR Ca release, and greater synchrony are associated with larger DAD amplitudes in cardiac tissue. Simulations also suggest that the subcellular number of Ca waves has the largest impact on DAD amplitude in tissue.
Novel Indices for Left-Ventricular Dyssynchrony Characterization Based on Highly Automated Segmentation From Real-Time 3-D Echocardiography

Abstract Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) using a biventricular pacemaker is an invasive and expensive treatment option for left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (LVMD). The CRT candidate selection is a crucial issue due to the unreliability of the current standard CRT indicators. Real-time three-dimensional (3-D) echocardiography (RT3DE) provides four-dimensional (4-D) (3-D+time) information about the LV and is suitable for LVMD assessment. In this article, the complex left ventricle (LV) shape and motion of 50 RT3DE datasets are represented by novel 4-D descriptors — 4-D sphericity, volume and shape, from which novel indices were derived by principal component analysis (PCA) and subsequently analyzed by a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to assess their capability of LVMD characterization and CRT outcome prediction. These novel indices outperformed clinical indices and have promising capabilities in disease characterization and great potential in CRT outcome prediction. To enable efficient quantitative RT3DE analysis, a segmentation method was developed to combine the powers of active shape models and optimal graph search. Various aspects of the method were designed to handle varying RT3DE image quality among datasets and LV segments. An application with graphical user interface was developed to provide the user with simple and intuitive control. The developed method was robust to inter-observer variability and produced very good accuracy — 3.2±1.1 mm absolute surface positioning error,
The NOD2 defect in Blau syndrome does not result in excess interleukin 1 activity

Objective Blau syndrome is a rare, autosomal dominant, autoinflammatory disorder characterized by granulomatous arthritis, uveitis, and dermatitis. Genetic studies have shown that the disease is caused by single, nonsynonymous substitutions in NOD2, a member of the NOD-like receptor, or NACHT-LRR, (NLR) family of intracellular proteins. Several NLR function in the innate immune system as sensors of pathogen components and participate in immune-mediated cellular responses via the caspase 1 inflammasome. Mutations in a gene related to NOD2, NLRP3, are responsible for excess caspase 1-dependent IL-1β in cryopyrinopathies like Muckle-Wells syndrome. Furthermore, functional studies demonstrate that caspase 1-mediated release of IL-1β also involves NOD2. Here we test the hypothesis that IL-1β may mediate the inflammation seen in Blau syndrome patients.
Resolve and Credibility: U.S. Policy toward Southeast Asia

Books reviewed in this article: Fredrik Logevall, The Lost Chance for Peace and the Escalation of the War in Vietnam Robert McMahon, The Limits of Empire: The United States and Southeast Asia since World War II
Effects of serotonin on crossed phrenic nerve activity in cervical spinal cord hemisected rats.

Abstract The present study investigates the effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a serotonin precursor, on crossed phrenic nerve activity (CPNA) in rats subjected to a left C2 spinal cord hemisection. Electrophysiological experiments were conducted on anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated rats to assess phrenic nerve activity. The left phrenic nerve lost rhythmic activity due to the disruption of the bulbospinal respiratory pathways following spinal cord hemisection. Activity was induced in the left phrenic nerve (CPNA) by temporary asphyxia. 5-HTP administration increased CPNA during asphyxia in the left phrenic nerve in a dose-dependent fashion. Specifically, in a group of eight animals, application of 5-HTP at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg significantly increased CPNA by 102.2 ± 18.5%, 200.8 ± 58.1%, and 615.0 ± 356.9% compared with predrug control values, respectively. 5-HTP-induced increases in CPNA were reversed by methysergide (2–6 mg/kg, i.v.), a serotonin receptor antagonist. The results suggest that serotonin is involved in the modulation of crossed phrenic nerve activity following spinal cord injury.
A General Global Optimization Approach for Solving Location Problems in the Plane

We propose a general approach for constructing bounds required for the "Big Triangle Small Triangle" (BTST) method for the solution of planar location problems. Optimization problems, which constitute a sum of individual functions, each a function of the Euclidean distance to a demand point, are analyzed and solved. These bounds are based on expressing each of the individual functions in the sum as a difference between two convex functions of the distance, which is not the same as convex functions of the location. Computational experiments with nine different location problems demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed procedure.
Cytological studies on the absorptive surfaces of cestodes. I. The fine structure of the strobilar integument.

Autoradiographic studies of amino acid incorporation by Hymenolepis diminuta indicate high levels of protein synthetic activity in the subcuticular integumentary cells. Two hours after receiving a 5 minute pulse of tritiated proline, a significant percentage of the radioactivity initially incorporated into the subcuticular cytoplasm appears in the cuticular matrix. The results suggest that structural and non-mitochondrial enzymic proteins of the cuticle are synthesized in the subcuticular cells then secreted into the cuticular matrix. This interpretation is consistent with the cytology of the cestode integument revealed by electron microscopy.
How rapid are the internal reactions of the ubiquinol:cytochrome c2 oxidoreductase?

The temperature dependence of the partial reactions leading to turn-over of the UQH2:cyt c2 oxidoreductase of Rhodobacter sphaeroides have been studied. The redox properties of the cytochrome components show a weak temperature dependence over the range 280–330 K, with coefficients of about 1 m V per degree; our results suggest that the other components show similar dependencies, so that no significant change in the gradient of standard free-energy between components occurs over this temperature range. The rates of the reactions of the high potential chain (the Rieske iron sulfur center, cytochromes c1 and c2, reaction center primary donor) show a weak temperature dependence, indicating an activation energy < 8 kJ per mole for electron transfer in this chain. The oxidation of ubiquinol at the Qz-site of the complex showed a strong temperature dependence, with an activation energy of about 32 kJ mole−1. The electron transfer from cytochrome b-566 to cytochrome b-561 was not rate determining at any temperature, and did not contribute to the energy barrier. The activation energy of 32 kJ mole−1 for quinol oxidation was the same for all states of the quinone pool (fully oxidized, partially reduced, or fully reduced before the flash). We suggest that the activation barrier is in the reaction by which ubiquinol at the catalytic site is oxidized to semiquinone. The most economical scheme for this reaction would have the semiquinone intermediate at the energy level indicated by the activation barrier. We discuss the plausibility of this simple model, and the values for rate constants, stability constant, the redox potentials of the intermediate couples, and the binding constant for the semiquinone, which are pertinent to the mechanism of the ubiquinol oxidizing site.
Human Diurnal Preference and Circadian Rhythmicity Are Not Associated with the CLOCK 3111C/T Gene Polymorphism

Genetic association studies of the CLOCK 3111C/T polymorphism and diurnal preference have yielded conflicting results since the first report that the 3111C allele was associated with eveningness. The goal of the present study was to investigate the association of this polymorphism with diurnal preference and circadian physiology in a group of 179 individuals, by comparing the frequency of the 3111C allele to diurnal preference, habitual sleep timing, circadian phase markers, and circadian period. We did not find a significant association between this allele and morningness/eveningness or any circadian marker.
Structural Insights into the Conformation and Oligomerization of E2~Ubiquitin Conjugates

Post-translational modification of proteins by ubiquitin (Ub) regulates a host of cellular processes, including protein quality control, DNA repair, endocytosis, and cellular signaling. In the ubiquitination cascade, a thioester-linked conjugate between the C-terminus of Ub and the active site cysteine of a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) is formed. The E2~Ub conjugate interacts with a ubiquitin ligase (E3) to transfer Ub to a lysine residue on a target protein. The flexibly linked E2~Ub conjugates have been shown to form a range of structures in solution. In addition, select E2~Ub conjugates oligomerize through a noncovalent "backside" interaction between Ub and E2 components of different conjugates. Additional studies are needed to bridge the gap between the dynamic monomeric conjugates, E2~Ub oligomers, and the mechanisms of ubiquitination. We present a new 2.35 A crystal structure of an oligomeric UbcH5c~Ub conjugate. The conjugate forms a staggered linear oligomer that differs substantially from the "infinite spiral" helical arrangement of the only previously reported structure of an oligomeric conjugate. Our structure also differs in intraconjugate conformation from other structurally characterized conjugates. Despite these differences, we find that the backside interaction mode is conserved in different conjugate oligomers and is independent of intraconjugate relative E2-Ub orientations. We delineate a common intraconjugate E2-binding surface on Ub. In addition, we demonstrate that an E3 CHIP (carboxyl terminus of Hsp70 interacting protein) interacts directly with UbcH5c~Ub oligomers, not only with conjugate monomers. These results provide insights into the conformational diversity of E2~Ub conjugates and conjugate oligomers, and into their compatibility and interactions with E3s, which have important consequences for the ubiquitination process.
Cognitive high level information fusion

Fusion of sensor and communication data currently can only be performed at a late processing stage after sensor and textual information are formulated as logical statements at appropriately high level of abstraction. Contrary to this it seems, the human mind integrates sensor and language signals seamlessly, before signals are understood, at pre-conceptual level. Learning of conceptual contents of the surrounding world depends on language and vice versa. The paper describes a mathematical technique for such integration. It combines fuzzy dynamic logic with dual cognitive-language models. The paper briefly discusses relationships between the proposed mathematical technique, working of the mind and applications to understanding-based search engines.
Pancreatic digestive enzyme secretion in the rabbit: rapid cyclic variations in enzyme composition.

Abstract The role and mechanism of nonparallel pancreatic secretion of digestive enzymes, in which enzyme proportions change in rapidly regulated fashion, remain controversial. Secretion was collected from male 2.2-kg New Zealand rabbits in 5-min intervals for 3 h under basal conditions or constant stimulation with cholecystokinin (CCK; 0.1 microgram per kg per h i.v.) or methacholine chloride (MCh; 40 micrograms per kg per h i.v.). Both CCK and MCh produced an 8-fold stimulation of protein output. Enzymes were separated by SDS/PAGE and quantitated by densitometry of Coomassie blue-stained gels. Under both basal conditions and constant MCh infusion, rapid neurosecretory-like 12-min cyclic changes occurred in the proportions of amylase, lipase I, chymotrypsinogen, and trypsinogen. During constant infusion their percentages changed as much as 10-fold, and their ratios cycled by as much as 30-fold. The mean percentage for the entire infusion period for lipase I declined > 25% with CCK or MCh, for amylase it rose approximately 30%, and for chymotrypsinogen and trypsinogen it doubled (for all, P < 0.05). CCK and MCh elicited subtly but significantly different mean enzyme percentages and enzyme ratios (P < 0.05) for amylase, chymotrypsinogen, and trypsinogen; these differences were also confirmed by regression and correlation analyses. The changes in enzyme percentages and ratios were explicitly consistent with secretagogue-caused shifts in the intrapancreatic enzyme secretory sources. Nonparallel secretion of digestive enzymes occurs routinely, even during constant stimulation, and is due to cyclic neurosecretory-like secretion from heterogeneous intrapancreatic sources.
Puerperal febrile morbidity associated with the reverse transcriptase inhibitor stavudine

We report a case of postpartum drug fever associated with stavudine, a new reverse transcriptase inhibitor. A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patient experienced fevers to 102.6°F following vaginal delivery and bilateral partial salpingectomy. When history, physical, laboratory, and radiographic evaluations did not reveal a source of infection, discontinuation of the stavudine led to rapid defervescence within 28 hours. Stavudine-associated fever may be a cause of puerperal febrile morbidity in the HIV-seropositive patient without a source of infection.
Atmospheric research and electromagnetic telecommunication — Part I

The broad subject of electromagnetic telecommunication in the United States is examined, with the stress on the importance of atmospheric research to this growing field This report is based on material prepared during 1964 for the Interdepartmental Committee for Atmospheric Sciences, entitled “Atmospheric Research Required to Facilitate Electromagnetic Telecommunication.” The authors were chairman and secretary, respectively, of the Steering Committee set up to guide the preparation of the report. Part I of this report deals with the economic magnitude of electromagnetic telecommunication in the nation, and discusses the interactions between atmospheric science and electromagnetic telecommunication. Part II, to appear next month, will present an analysis of the fiscal year 1964 telecommunication-oriented atmospheric research across the nation, and discusses the balance of this research program relative to the atmospheric research needed to support the nation's telecommunication activities.
Pre-Incubation Warming of Chicken Eggs

Abstract WARMING of hatching eggs prior to the regular incubation period resulted in improvement in the hatchability of chicken and turkey eggs (Kosin, 1956; Becker and Bearse, 1958). Milby and Sherwood (1960) showed that pre-incubation warming only increased hatchability of turkey eggs produced from hens whose hatchabilities were below the average of the population (Milby and Sherwood, 1960). The usual warming procedure is to subject eggs to a period of five hours at 99.5°F. the day after they are laid, after which time the eggs are returned to the egg holding room for the remainder of the storage period. The question arises as to whether greater benefit could be obtained if warming is applied, instead of on the day after lay, somewhat near the middle of the storage period. Or, the five-hour warming might be given in the form of two or more doses with approximately equal intervals between applications. In …
Ethnic heritage as rhetorical legacy: The plan of Delano

The Plan of Delano was a powerful persuasive document in the interrelated Chicano and farmworkers’ movements of the 1960s and 1970s. To support the thesis that this Plan's persuasive qualities are illuminated best from the perspective of its own ethnic legacy, this essay attempts to demonstrate that the Plan's Mexican‐originated generic form and Mexican‐American cultural context reveal sources of its rhetorical power and meaning. These findings provide several implications for the rhetorical criticism of ethnic discourse.
The Impact of Age and Medical Comorbidities on the Outcome Following Severe Trauma

Older Americans are living longer and are more active than their predecessors. The population of older people in this country is expected to continue to increase over the next 20–30 years. This exposes more elderly to the ravages of traumatic injury. The elderly suffer a disproportionately high morbidity and mortality when compared to their younger counterparts due to the complex changes in physiology associated with aging and medical comorbidity. Physicians caring for the victims of this growing epidemic must have an understanding of the unique and complex challenges these patients provide. The elderly are not just “older adults.” This article examines the physiologic changes in the elderly and provides insight and guidelines for treating the oldest victims of trauma.
A small molecule-regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factor.

Selective, pharmacological agents are attractive tools for studying signal transduction because they allow rapid, reversible, and dose-dependent control over intracellular protein function. However, for many targets the identification of potent and selective small molecule agonists and antagonists is a formidable challenge. An attractive strategy for circumventing this problem is to engineer a protein of interest to be sensitive to a pharmacological agent of choice. Here, we report a chemical genetic method for regulating the catalytic activity of signaling enzymes with a small molecule. This approach uses the interaction of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL and a BH3 peptide as an autoinhibitory switch that can be controlled with a small molecule. We applied this strategy to the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Intersectin, which is a selective activator of the GTPase Cdc42. Replacing Intersectin’s regulatory domains with the BH3 peptide/Bcl-xL binding module generated a panel of synthetic GEF construct...