cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE TWO PKA'S OF ASPARTATE-85 AND CONTROL OF THERMAL ISOMERIZATION AND PROTON RELEASE IN THE ARGININE-82 TO LYSINE MUTANT OF BACTERIORHODOPSIN

To explore the role of Arg82 in the catalysis of proton transfer in bacteriorhodopsin, we replaced Arg82 with Lys, which is also positively charged at neutral pH but has an intrinsic pKa of about 1.7 pH units lower than that of Arg. In the R82K mutant expressed in Halobacterium salinarium, we found the following: (1) The pKa of the purple-to-blue transition at low pH (which reflects the pKa of Asp85) is 3.6 +/- 0.1. At high pH a second inflection in the blue-to-purple transition with pKa = 8.0 is found. The complex titration behavior of Asp85 indicates that the pKa of Asp85 depends on the protonation state of another amino acid residue, X', which has a pKa = 8.0 in R82K. The fit of the experimental data to a model of two interacting residues shows that deprotonation of X' at high pH causes a shift in the pKa of Asp85 from 3.7 to 6.0. In turn, protonation of Asp85 decreases the pKa of X' by 2.3 pH units. This suggests that X' can release a proton upon formation of the M intermediate and the concomitant protonation of Asp85 in the photocycle. (2) The rate constant of dark adaptation, kda, is proportional to the fraction of blue membrane between pH 2 and 10, indicating that thermal isomerization proceeds through the transient protonation of Asp85. The pH dependence of kda shows that two groups with pKal = 3.9 and pKa2 = 8.0 control the rate of dark adaptation in R82K. The 1.7 pH unit shift in pKa2 in R82K compared to the wild type (WT) (pKa2 = 9.7) supports the hypothesis that X' is Arg82 in WT and Lys82 in R82K (or at least that these groups are the principal part of a cluster of residues that constitute X'). (3) Under steady state illumination, the efficiency of proton transport in R82K incorporated in phosphatidylcholine vesicles is at least 40% of that in the WT. A flash-induced transient signal of the pH-sensitive dye pyranine is similar to that in the WT (proton release precedes uptake), but the amplitude is small in R82K (about 15% of that found in the WT), indicating that only a small fraction of protons is released fast in R82K. This supports the suggestions that Arg82 is associated with the proton release pathway (acts as a proton release group or part of a proton release complex) and that Lys cannot efficiently substitute for Arg in this process.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Gamma-Induced Noise in CCDs

Analysis and measurement of gamma-induced noise in CCDs (Charge Coupled Devices) provides an approach to study of energy deposition patterns in solids. The results should be of interest to those concerned with predicting the biological effects of ionizing radiation (e.g., chromosome" aberrations), as well as for those interested in semiconductor devices. The CCD appears to be a valuable tool in these areas of microdosimetry. The theory of energy deposition and distribution in CCD structures is developed, and test results are shown which indicate model validation. The model described permits the determination of the noise as a function of pixel size, chip material, and incident photon energy.
A bedside ultrasound curriculum for medical students: prospective evaluation of skill acquisition.

Abstract Objective: We conducted a study to evaluate the efficacy of an introductory ultrasound (US) curriculum for medical students rotating through our emergency departments. Materials and Methods: Third and 4th-year medical students indicated their previous US experience and were given a pretest consisting of static US images to assess baseline interpretation skills. They participated in a 45-min interactive didactic session followed by a 45-min session of hands-on experience practicing real-time US image acquisition on a normal model. After this session, we tested the timing and quality of their image acquisition skills on a separate normal model. Quality of images was based on a point value from 0 to 2 per image. This was followed by a posttest of static US images, which was graded in the same manner as the pretest. Results: Thirty-one students participated in the study. Median time to acquire 2 images was 112.5 sec (range = 15-420 sec). Acquisition time was unaffected by previous experience (p = .97...
Social Stability and Territory Acquisition in Birds

This study tested the hypothesis that one strategy birds use to acquire territories is to seek and exploit areas where conspecific social stability is weak. Predictions were that nonterritorial individuals, 'floaters', should be attracted to areas of social instability and that they should obtain territories in unstable areas. An experiment with red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), designed to test whether floaters are attracted to boundary disputes between territorial neighbors, showed that floaters approached multiple male models in simulated boundary disputes at higher rates than they approached single models. Both drug implants that interfered with testosterone physiology in territory owners and manipulations of breeding habitat rendered certain territory aggregations socially unstable, and floaters obtained territories in those areas. Therefore, evidence generally supported the instability hypothesis of territory acquisition. No evidence was found to support an associated prediction, that a high-density breeding area should attract more floaters and thus suffer a higher territory owner turnover rate than a low-density site. Experiments with models of two species of blackbirds showed that one method floaters may use to establish territories is to settle on boundaries between adjacent owners. The potential generality of the instability hypothesis, and its implications for the expression of avian territorial behavior, are discussed. If floaters are attracted to signs of social instability, then it would be advantageous for territory owners to behave in ways that reduce the appearance of instability.
Particle dynamics simulation: a hybrid technique applied to granular mixing

Soft-sphere particle dynamics simulations have found wide use in recent years. One application for which this technique is particularly well suited is that of granular mixing. Particle properties can be varied on a particle-by-particle basis and detailed mixed structures are easily captured and visualized. While this method has proven to be quite versatile, it is computationally intensive. Current particle dynamics simulations in the literature generally handle 3000–5000 particles, whereas a typical industrial may easily contain as many as 109 particles—six orders of magnitude more. However, in certain circumstances — such as in a tumbler mixer, where the bulk of the particle motion consists of a solid body rotation — it is not necessary to explicitly calculate the motion of all of the particles. By combining particle dynamics and geometrical insight, in essence, by focusing the particle dynamics simulation only where it is needed, a new hybrid method of simulation, which is much faster than a conventional particle dynamics method, can be achieved. This technique can yield more than an order of magnitude increase in computational speed, allowing simulations of the order of 102 particles, while maintaining the versatility of a particle dynamics simulation. Two applications of this technique are presented: a tumbler operated in the avalanching regime and a continuously flowing tumbler.
Normocholesterolemic tendon xanthomatosis with overproduction of apolipoprotein B.

Abstract This report describes a 46-yr-old man with normocholesterolemic tendon xanthomatosis. He had severe bilateral xanthomas of Achilles tendons and small lesions on patellar tendons; biopsy of the latter revealed a fibroxanthoma of high cholesterol content. He did not have clinical evidence of atherosclerotic disease. The patient's total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were 245 and 258 mg/dl, respectively. LDL-TC was 168 mg/dl and HDL-TC was 32 mg/dl. VLDL consisted mainly of small particles (S f o 20–100) which were unusually rich in apolipoproteins B and E (and low in apo Cs). Plasma LDL-apo B was not increased (85–120 mg/dl), but VLDL-apo B was distinctly elevated (58 mg/dl). The synthesis rate of apoLDL (29.9 mg/kg/d) was increased markedly compared to a matched control (13.9 mg/kg/d) and to a patient with familial hypercholestrolemia (15.9 mg/kg/d). The concentration of apoLDL in our patient was not increased; this was because of an associated high FCR (0.484 day −1 ). His HDL was relatively low in TC but high in TG, which caused an increase in HDL 2b . The patient's xanthomata may have been the result of an overproduction of apo B possibly combined with a defect in HDL metabolism.
Performance of a single-cylinder diesel engine using oxygen-enriched intake air at simulated high-altitude conditions

A single-cylinder, naturally aspirated, air-cooled, direct-injected diesel engine was used to study the effects of oxygen enrichment of intake air on engine performance at simulated high altitude conditions. Altitudes up to 5200 m (17,000 ft) were simulated by using a throttle valve to restrict the mass air flow to the engine and reduce intake pressure to represent the atmospheric pressures observed at high altitudes. This altitude ceiling is relevant to current technology UAVs used by the military, such as the RQ-7A/B Shadow 200 and the MQ-1 Predator. The oxygen volume fraction in the combustion air was increased by mixing pure oxygen from gas bottles into the intake air. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the relationships between fuel injection timing (FIT), engine load, simulated altitude, and oxygen volume fraction to parameters of engine performance, such as power output, brake-specific fuel consumption and fuel conversion efficiency. It was found that power output depended mainly on engine load and was not improved by the use of oxygen-enriched air, but it did not decrease significantly for altitudes up to 2600 m (8500 ft). The use of oxygen-enriched air was also effective to prevent the deterioration in brake-specific fuel consumption when increasing simulated altitude, an effect that was observed on fuel conversion efficiency, peak cylinder pressures and maximum rates of heat release. Peak combustion temperatures were significantly affected by simulated altitude and oxygen volume fraction, but the effect of simulated altitude was of larger magnitude than the effect of oxygen volume fraction.
Further studies of practical advanced analysis for weak-axis bending

This paper presents three practical advanced analysis methods for a two-dimensional steel frame design subjected to weak-axis bending moment. The three practical design methods developed and refined here are: firstly, an explicit imperfection modelling method; secondly, an equivalent notional load method; and finally, a further reduced tangent modulus method. The magnitudes of geometric imperfections for unbraced frames are proposed. The strengths predicted by these proposed methods are compared with those predicted by the exact plastic-zone method as well as the conventional load resistance factor design (LRFD) method. The displacement predictions are also compared with the plastic-zone solutions. Member sizes determined by the proposed methods are compared with those determined by the LRFD method. A good agreement is generally observed. The three proposed methods can be used for steel frame design subjected to weak-axis bending without tedious separate member capacity checks, including the calculations of K-factors. The methods are recommended for general use.
Compensating for display deficiencies when displaying softcopy mammograms

Although full-field digital mammography (FFDM) systems are currently being used to acquire mammograms in digital format, the digital displays being used to display these images are less than ideal compared to traditional film-screen display. The resolution of softcopy displays is less than film and certain properties of the softcopy displays themselves (e.g., MTF) are less than optimal compared to film. We developed methods to compensate for some of these softcopy display efficiencies, based on careful physical characterization of the displays and image processing software to correct the deficiencies. An observer study was done to test the effectiveness of these techniques. A series of FFDM images acquired from different manufacturer devices was shown to six radiologists. Images were displayed at reduced resolution but they could be magnified to show full size. A window could be activated that 1) brought the image detail within the window to full resolution, 2) autoranged the displayed gray levels, and 3) corrected for the non-isotropic MTF of the CRT display. This study examined the way the observers utilized the viewing tools and their overall performance.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Estimating density of a forest-dwelling bat: a predictive model for Rafinesque’s big-eared bat

Data on species distribution and abundance are the foundation of population ecology. However, due to difficulties in surveying bats, abundance estimates for tree-roosting microchiropterans are non-existent. Therefore, our objective was to develop methods for estimating colony abundance and density, taking as our model Rafinesque’s big-eared bat Corynorhinus rafinesquii, a species of conservation concern found in cypress-gum swamps of the southeastern United States. We searched 123 transects at eight study sites in the Coastal Plain of Georgia, USA to locate and characterize diurnal summer roosts of C. rafinesquii. We modeled the relationship between the number of bat colonies and landscape-scale habitat variables with zero-inflated negative binomial regression and used Akaike’s information criterion to select the most parsimonious models. We generated a predictive density map to identify areas of high colony density and to estimate overall abundance. Colony density was predicted by the duration of wetland flooding, wetland width, and study site. Application of the regression model to a GIS indicated there were 3,734 colonies containing 6,910 adult bats on the eight study sites. Predicted density ranged from 0.07 colonies/ha and 0.07 adult bats/ha in saturated wetlands to 0.47 colonies/ha and 1.18 adult bats/ha in semi-permanently flooded wetlands. This study is the first to estimate density and abundance of forest-dwelling microchiropterans over a large area. Such data can serve as a baseline for future work on population trends in C. rafinesquii. In addition, our approach could be replicated for other bat species with moderately cryptic roosts.
Characterization of synthetic polymers using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization−time of flight mass spectrometry was used for a detailed characterization of three synthetic polymers. It has been demonstrated that the necessary components of the matrix required for effective desorption of intact oligomer ions depend on the properties of the synthetic polymer. Molecular weight averages were obtained for polystyrene and poly(ethylene glycol) samples by calculating the centroid of the distribution. Polyesters, synthesized from enzymatic polytransesterification of adipic acid esters with 1,4-butanediol, were characterized in detail to obtain significant structural information. Intact oligomer ions, cationized with Na+ were detected in the mass range 200−9000. The polyester species detected were terminated at both ends either with OH groups or by a COOH group and an OH group. The presence of these species was confirmed by quantifying the isotopic abundances of these cations and verifying them with theoretical predictions. The presence of -COOH te...
Characteristics of electrograms recorded at reentry circuit sites and bystanders during ventricular tachycardia after myocardial infarction

Abstract OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the relation of isolated potentials (IPs) recorded during ventricular tachycardia (VT) to reentry circuit sites identified by entrainment. BACKGROUND Reentry circuits causing VT late after myocardial infarction are complex. Both IPs and entrainment have been useful for identifying successful ablation sites, but the relation of IPs to the location in the reentry circuit as determined by entrainment has not been completely defined. METHODS Data from catheter mapping of 70 monomorphic VTs in 36 patients with prior myocardial infarction were retrospectively analyzed. Entrainment followed by radiofrequency current (RF) ablation was performed at 384 sites. On the basis of entrainment, sites were classified as reentry circuit exit, central–proximal, inner or outer loop sites. Sites outside the circuit were divided into remote and adjacent bystanders. RESULTS Isolated potentials were recorded at 50% (51 of 101) of reentry circuit exit, central and proximal sites as compared with only 8% (11 of 146, p CONCLUSIONS Isolated potentials are a useful guide to sites in the central–proximal region of the reentry circuit, but often fail to identify exit sites where ablation is successful. Entrainment and analysis of electrograms provide complementary information during mapping of VT.
The effect of prolonged administration of bovine insulin in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri R.).

Effects on growth parameters and tissue composition of rainbow trout were investigated following injection of bovine insulin at two dose levels every 48 hr for 56 days. In addition, [14C]leucine incorporation into plasma, liver, and skeletal muscle was studied for the two insulin treatments and a group of the saline-injected controls given a single shock-dose of insulin (5.0 IU/kg). Hypoglycemic responses were observed with all insulin treatments. In comparison to controls, high insulin treatment gave a significant body weight increase. At both levels, insulin increased the content of protein, lipid, and also the incorporation of [14C]leucine activity in skeletal muscle. Simultaneous decreases in specific activity of plasma and liver tissue indicated a net movement of [14C]leucine toward the peripheral musculature. No effect of the hormone was seen on the glycogen content of liver or muscle tissue over the 56-day period.
The Menopause: How Much Soma and How Much Psyche?

The clinical and experimental literature on the menopause is comprehensively reviewed from 1930 to the present. The syndrome and its incidence are described, along with the diverse biological, psychological, and cultural views on etiology. Hormone therapy is deemed to be central. All these views are synthesized to help answer the question: How much soma and how much psyche? The menopausal syndrome is documented and shown to have historically different etiologies, culminating in a compromise theory.
Theory-based strategies for improving contraceptive use: a systematic review.

Background: Theories and models help explain how behavior change occurs. We systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials that examined theory-based interventions for improving contraceptive use. Study Design: We searched electronic databases for eligible trials. Primary outcomes included pregnancy and contraceptive use. We calculated the odds ratio for dichotomous outcomes and the mean difference for continuous data. Results: Of 14 included trials, 10 showed positive results for a theory-based group: 2 of 10 studies with pregnancy or birth data, 4 of 9 addressing contraceptive use (for contraception) and 5 of 9 with condom use (to prevent HIV/sexually transmitted infections). An experimental group had favorable results for six of seven trials based on Social Cognitive Theory, two based on other social cognition models and two using motivational interviewing. Most interventions focused on adolescents and involved multiple sessions. Conclusions: Effects were not consistent across outcomes and comparisons. The field could benefit from thorough use of single theories and better reporting on intervention implementation.
Utilization of substance abuse treatment services under Medicare, 2001―2002

Abstract In 2006, the Medicare program covered 37 million elderly persons and 7 million persons younger than 65 years, but little is known about substance abuse (SA) service utilization. Using the 5% Sample of Medicare claims data, the study examines individuals who used SA detoxification (“detox”) and/or rehabilitation (“rehab”) services under Medicare in 2001 and 2002. SA claimants less than 65 years of age (disabled) were compared to claimants more than 65 years of age (elderly). The disabled were more likely to have a co-occurring mental disorder than elderly claimants (50% vs. 14%) and more likely to have serious mental illness (21% vs. 2.3%). Disabled claimants were more than three times as likely to receive any detox service as elderly claimants (17% vs. 6%). The rate of claimants receiving rehab services within 30 days of detox is about one third for disabled claimants and one quarter for elderly claimants.
Influence of obligatory mouth breathing, during realistic activities, on voice measures.

Summary Objective Low humidity environments and mouth breathing may contribute to superficial vocal fold dehydration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of obligatory mouth breathing, during daily activities in low- and high-humidity environments, on voice measures. The activities included 15 minutes of obligatory mouth breathing alone, during loud reading and during exercise. The effects of mouth breathing and humidity were compared in subjects who either reported or did not report vocal worsening after heavy voice use. Study Design Prospective, between-group, repeated-measures design. Methods Sixty-three healthy adults with normal respiratory function and perceptually normal voice participated in this study. Thirty-one subjects reported symptoms of voice worsening with heavy voice use. Thirty-two subjects who did not report these symptoms participated as controls. Phonation threshold pressure and perceived phonatory effort were measured at baseline and after each obligatory mouth breathing challenge. Ambient humidity was set to either low or high humidity. Results Obligatory mouth breathing in loud reading and exercise significantly increased phonation threshold pressure when compared with mouth breathing alone. This increase in phonation threshold pressure was observed at low and high humidity, in both subject groups. There were no significant effects for perceived phonatory effort. Conclusions Obligatory mouth breathing during loud reading and exercise negatively impact phonation threshold pressure. Future investigations that include longer challenge durations, and subjects with voice disorders, are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for increases in phonation threshold pressure.
Factors influencing the adhesion of polystyrene spheres attached to pyrex by polyethyleneimine in aqueous solution

Abstract Polystyrene spheres (5 μm in diameter) were deposited onto the inside surface of a glass capillary which was covered with adsorbed polyethyleneimine (PEI). From the flow rates of liquid through the capillary which were required to remove the spheres, sphere-PEI-glass adhesion forces were measured as functions of pH, molecular weight of the PEI, NaCl concentration, deposition time, and the PEI concentration of the solution used to form the adsorbed layer. Supplementary measurements of streaming potentials (capillary/liquid interface), PEI charge, and PEI adsorption on glass, were considered in the interpretation of the adhesion results. The average bond strengths (ABS) varied from 0.05 to >4.5 nN. Adhesion was low at pH 3 and was maximal between pH 10 and 11. The ABS was approximately independent of NaCl concentration. Each 10-fold increase in the average molecular weight of the PEI resulted in an approximately 2-fold increase in the ABS. Reciprocating flow in the capillary caused the attached spheres to oscillate with an amplitude of ca. ± 1.5 μm.
Numerical evaluations of the critical properties of the two-dimensional Ising model

Scaling transformations are used in numerical calculations of the properties of the two-dimensional Ising model near its critical point. When compared with the exact Onsager solution, the best approximation is seen to lead to 1 part in ${10}^{4}$ accuracy for the two largest scaling indices. This rather accurate calculation is obtained by utilizing a scaling transformation which depends upon a parameter. The parameter is set by demanding that two different evaluations of the magnetic eigenvalue agree with one another. One evaluation is found via the standard eigenvalue method; the other comes from a consistency condition for the spin-spin correlation function. This condition may also be used to distinguish scaling eigenvalues from other eigenvalues.
The importance of appropriate challenges in diagnosing food sensitivity.

Summary Two patients with clinically significant immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated reactions to cow's milk which occur only under special circumstances are described. Although double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges or open food challenges are generally very helpful, certain patients who react only under special circumstances might be missed when these office tests are used. The two reported incidences occurred in older children who seemed to outgrow their cow-milk allergy but still had clinically significant allergic reactions under certain circumstances.
Low-complexity 3D target tracking in Wireless Aerial Sensor Networks

With the proliferation of the application areas of the Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) and the technological advances in sensor electronics, target tracking has become one of the most important functions in WSNs. The overwhelming majority of moving target tracking studies in WSNs has assumed either one-dimensional space (lineland), or two-dimensional domain (flat-land). However, many existing, such as environmental monitoring of rugged terrain, structural health monitoring of buildings, underground and underwater WSN applications, and emerging applications, such as search-and-rescue via Micro Aerial Vehicles, reconnaissance by insect-sized flying robots, need target tracking in three-dimensional space. In this study, we assume a Wireless Aerial Sensor Network (WASN) with conventional low-power and low-complexity features and devise a low spatial and temporal complexity moving target tracking mechanism in 3D based on g-h filter that considers measurement errors. Our prefatory simulations show promising preliminary results for our approach in terms of very low inaccuracy rates between the true location of the target and the forecasts at the sink node as well as negligible estimate errors in terms of Euclidean distance.
Islet amyloid polypeptide: identification of long-range contacts and local order on the fibrillogenesis pathway.

The pathology of type II diabetes includes deposition of amyloid in the extra cellular space surrounding the beta-cells of the endocrine pancreas. The principle component of these deposits is an insoluble fibrillar form of a normally soluble 37 residue peptide hormone, islet amyloid polypeptide. Multiple sequence analysis and peptide synthesis have identified a core set of residues (20 to 29) as intrinsically amyloidogenic. As the fibrillogenesis of the 20-29 peptide often requires conditions that deviate considerably from physiological, residues 20 to 29 may be necessary, but not sufficient, for amyloidosis. We aim to determine the structural role of residues outside this core in the context of in vitro fibrillogenesis of the wild-type peptide at physiological pH and ionic strength. Specifically, we make use of an intrinsic fluorescent probe, tyrosine 37 (Y37), to explore the role of the C terminus in fibrillogenesis. Our protocol permits steady state measurement of the lag phase and fiber conformational states of the protein under identical conditions. These are compared to a non-amyloidogenic variant of islet amyloid polypeptide from rat and N-acetyl-tyrosinamide as models of the unfolded state under matched conditions. Spectral, quenching and anisotropic properties of Y37 in the fiber state indicate that the C terminus is packed in a well-defined environment with near frozen rigidity. The presence of a fluorescence resonance energy transfer pathway shows Y37 is near F15 and F23. The lag-phase conformation, while considerably less ordered than the fiber, is more ordered than unfolded models. Differences in anisotropy between the lag and fiber state were used to monitor fibrillogenesis in real time. Parallel assessment of fiber formation using the histological dye, ThT, indicate that ordering at the C terminus of islet amyloid polypeptide is coincident with, and thus indicative of, fiber formation.
Oculomotor capture by surprising onsets

The present study examined the effect of surprising onsets on oculomotor behaviour. Participants were required to execute a saccadic eye movement to a colour singleton target. After a series of trials an unexpected onset distractor was abruptly presented on the surprise trial. The presentation of the onset was repeated on subsequent trials. The results showed that the onset captured the eyes for 28% of the participants on the surprise trial, but this percentage decreased after repeated exposure to the onset. Furthermore, saccade latencies to the target were increased when a surprising onset was presented. After repeated exposure to the onset, latencies to the target decreased to the preonset level. The results suggest that when the onset is not part of participants' task set it has a strong effect on oculomotor behaviour. Once the task set has been updated and the onset no longer comes as a surprise its effect on oculomotor behaviour is dramatically reduced.
Potential effects of maternal physical activity on birth weight: brief review

ABSTRACT This review lists the most commonly accepted risk factors for low birth weight (LBW) and offers critical examination of research on the effect of maternal physical activity, both occupational and leisure time, on birth weight. Some studies have shown job related physical “activity” to be related to unfavorable birth outcomes, including premature delivery and LBW. However, most studies have not controlled for socioeconomic status, nor has actual physical activity been well quantified throughout gestation. Similarly, results of the relationship between leisure time physical activity and birth weight are mixed. Current evidence appears to indicate participation in moderate to vigorous activity throughout pregnancy may enhance birth weight, while more severe regimens may result in lighter offspring. Careful quantification of caloric balance during pregnancy in chronic exercisers is needed before further conclusions can be drawn. Indeed, the interaction between energy expenditure (whether job related or leisure time) and caloric consumption must be addressed to determine whether physical activityper se may affect birth outcome, or if it is merely a confounder. Future studies should include randomized trials in which women without a history of chronic physical activity are assigned to either an exercise/physical activity or control group.
Invading papillary fibroelastoma

256 The Journal of Thoracic and Card found the brief communication by Dr Fayad and colleagues regarding a case of “invasive” papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) interesting. Certainly this seems to be an uncommon variant of a rare lesion. However, use of the term invading has ertain connotations, at least to a pathologist. This term is typically reserved to escribe malignant processes wherein there is destruction of normal tissue. The uthors make no claim that they are using the term invading in this way, although hey do mention that it is impossible to prove infiltration of the valvular tissue ecause the valve was not excised. Indeed, one might contend that it would be mpossible to prove even if the valve was removed because the point of attachment f the PFE with the endocardium is indistinct at best and usually merges impereptibly with the underlying connective tissue. Perhaps sessile might be a more ppropriate term to use in describing this lesion. This term refers mostly to the gross ppearance but more importantly does not imply anything about the aggressiveness f a lesion. Also, PFEs with a sessile configuration have been described, but they are uite rare. I must admit that I found the discussion somewhat confusing in that it seems to ontradict the information in the “Clinical Summary” section. For instance, both the ransthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms showed a round, highly mobile, edunculated mass. Likewise, the histopathologic examination described specific ronds attached to a common pedicle. This contrasts with the “Discussion” portion hat begins by mentioning the rarity of multiple PFEs. Is this case then to be onsidered an example of multiple PFEs? If so, it might be helpful to know whether he patient had any previous cardiac operations because there is some evidence to uggest that so-called iatrogenic PFEs are more often multiple. Either way, this ertainly represents a very unusual morphology for a PFE. Whether PFE is a neoplasm, hamartoma, malformation, or organized thrombus or he result of a reactive/degenerative process is still not known. A lesion such as the ne described seems to be more in keeping with the latter. Only by the reporting and tudy of these rare lesions can we someday hope to ascertain the pathogenesis of FE.
Alcohol-Branded Merchandise and Its Association With Drinking Attitudes and Outcomes in US Adolescents

Objective To describe ownership of alcohol-branded merchandise (ABM) and its association with attitudinal susceptibility, initiation of alcohol use, and binge drinking. Design Three-wave longitudinal study. Setting Confidential telephone survey. Participants Representative US sample of 6522 adolescents aged 10 to 14 years at baseline survey (4309 of whom were never-drinkers at 8 months); subjects were resurveyed at 16 and/or 24 months. Main Exposures Ownership of ABM (first assessed at the 8-month survey) and attitudinal susceptibility to alcohol use. Outcome Measures Initiation of alcohol use that parents did not know about and binge drinking (≥5 drinks in a row). Results Prevalence of ABM ownership ranged from 11% of adolescents (at 8 months) to 20% (at 24 months), which extrapolates to 2.1 to 3.1 million US adolescents, respectively. Clothing and headwear comprised 88% of ABM. Beer brands accounted for 75% of items; 45% of items bore the Budweiser label. Merchandise was obtained primarily from friends and/or family (71%) but was also purchased by the adolescents themselves (24%) at stores. Among never-drinkers, ABM ownership and susceptibility were reciprocally related, each significantly predicting the other during an 8-month period. In turn, we found that ABM ownership and susceptibility predicted both initiation of alcohol use and binge drinking, while controlling for a broad range of covariates. Conclusions Alcohol-branded merchandise is widely distributed among US adolescents, who obtain the items one-quarter of the time through direct purchase at retail outlets. Among never-drinkers, ABM ownership is independently associated with susceptibility to as well as with initiation of drinking and binge drinking.
Mass spectrometry identification of potential mediators of progestin-only contraceptive-induced abnormal uterine bleeding in human endometrial stromal cells

Abstract Objective Thrombin and hypoxia each target human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) to mediate long-acting progestin-only contraceptive (LAPC)-induced abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Thus, the secretome resulting from treatment of primary cultures of HESCs with thrombin or hypoxia was screened by mass spectrometry (MS) to detect potential protein mediators that lead to AUB. Study design Cultured HESCs were primed with estradiol±medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or etonogestrel (ETO), the respective progestins in MPA-injected and ETO-implanted LAPCs, and then treated by incubation with thrombin or under hypoxia. Collected conditioned medium supernatants were used for protein identification and quantitation of potential AUB mediators by liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Microarray analysis of parallel cultures and immunostaining of endometrial biopsies of LAPC users vs. nonusers corroborated MS results. Results MS identified several proteins displaying changes in expression levels from either thrombin or hypoxia treatments that are integral to angiogenesis or extracellular matrix formation. Several MS-identified proteins were confirmed by mRNA microarray analysis. Overexpressed stanniocalcin-1 (STC-1) was observed in endometrium of LAPC users. Unlike controls, all LAPC users displayed endometrial tubal metaplasia (ETM). Conclusions MS analysis identified many proteins that can affect angiogenesis or vessel integrity, thereby contributing to AUB. Confirmation of STC-1 overexpression in LAPC users and microarray data supports the validity of the MS data and suggests STC-1 involvement in AUB. The discovery of ETM in LAPC users indicates that LAPC-related side effects extend beyond AUB. The results presented here demonstrate a complex biological response to LAPC use. Implications MS identified several HESC secreted proteins deregulated by thrombin and hypoxia that may mediate LAPC-induced AUB. The revelation of overexpressed STC-1 by combined in vivo and in vitro observations identifies a potential target for future studies to prevent or minimize LAPC-induced AUB.
"Hired Guns" and "Legitimate Voices": The Politics and Participants of Levy Campaigns in Five Ohio School Districts.

Background: In Ohio, levy campaigns are a burdensome task for district administrators and stakeholders alike. To date, there is little research on the districts’ role in crafting school budget refe...
Biocultural aspects of obesity in young Mexican schoolchildren.

Obesity related to over-nutrition is investigated in a sample of 219 Mexican children from affluent families, ages 6–12 years. Defined as weight-for-age at or above the 95th percentile, obesity rates in middle childhood are very high in this population, being 24.2% of children (29.4% of boys and 19.1% of girls). Binary logistic regression shows that children are more likely to be obese if they are boys, from small households with few or no other children, and have more permissive, less authoritarian parents. Diet at school and activity patterns, including television viewing, are not different for boys and girls and so do not explain this gender variation. The value placed on children, especially sons, in smaller middle-class families, can result in indulgent feeding because food treats are a cultural index of parental caring. Parents also value child fatness as a sign of health. These obese Mexican children have no greater social problems (peer rejection or stigma) or psychological problems (anxiety, depression, or low self esteem) than their non-obese peers. More study specifically focused on feeding practices in the home environment is required to explain very high rates of child obesity. The differences in obesity risk related to specific aspects of children's developmental microniche emphasize the importance of including a focus on gender as a socio-ecological construct in human biological studies of child growth, development, and nutrition. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:446–460, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Adaptive immunity to Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus: new insights into antigenic determinants

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is one of the most studied infectious disease models in mice. Human infection with LCMV can result in severe disease, ranging from aseptic meningitis in immunocompetent individuals, hydrocephalus, chorioretinitis or microcephaly in fetal infection, or to a highly lethal outcome in immunosuppressed individuals. This review examines recent advances in our understanding of the adaptive immune response to LCMV and how the cell-mediated and humoral immune responses contribute to protective immunity. New insights into the antigenicity of the LCMV proteome and the complexity of the cell-mediated immune response are addressed. We also discuss state-of-the-art approaches for T-cell epitope discovery in murine and human backgrounds and their recent application to LCMV. New findings regarding CD4+ T-cell dysregulation during chronic LCMV infection, and potential avenues for the treatment of chronic viral infection through modulation of the programmed cell death-1 receptor an...
Productivity Change under an Individual Transferable Quota Management System

This is a scanned version of a published article. © The Author (2012). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.The original can be found at: http://www.aaea.org/publications/ajae. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work.
Rapid Determination of Spinal Cord Content in Ground Beef by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT: The potential of attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to measure spinal cord in ground beef was investigated. Mid-infrared spectra were obtained for ground beef adulterated with 0 to 100 ppm spinal cord. Partial least squares models were developed using 400 to 4000 cm-1. The model in the 400 to 4000 cm-1 range showed a calibration of Rcall= 0.94 (RMSE = 11.24) and validation of Rval= 0.87 (RMSE = 17.22). The P-O-C and N-H stretches were found to correlate positively with spinal cord content. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has the potential to rapidly determine spinal cord adulteration in ground beef.
Nonlinear multiuser parameter estimation and tracking in CDMA systems

This paper presents a joint channel coefficient and time-delay tracking technique for code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems. Due to the highly nonlinear nature of time delay estimation, an iterative nonlinear filtering algorithm, called the "unscented filter" (UF), is employed. The UF can provide a better alternative to nonlinear filtering than the conventional extended Kalman filter (EKF) since it avoids errors associated with linearization. The Cramer-Rao lower bound is derived for the estimator, and computer simulations show that it provides a more viable means for tracking time-varying amplitudes and delays in CDMA communication systems than estimators based on the EKF.
Postnatal Development of Tracheal Surface Epithelium and Submucosal Glands in the Ferret

We explored the usefulness of the postnatal ferret as a model for early developmental events in the large airways, using light and scanning electron microscopy. In the first 28 postnatal days, ferret tracheal surface epithelium and glands undergo dramatic growth and development. Tracheal surface area increases 8-fold. At birth, ciliated cells are sparse (9.4 ± 1.2% of total epithelial cells). A significant increase in ciliated cells is observed at weekly intervals and by day 28 the ciliated cell is the predominant cell type (54.2 ± 2.8% of total epithelial cells). Secretory cells decrease from 66.4 ± 1.0% at birth to 22.2 ±2.8% of total epithelial cells. Histo chemical staining of the granules of the epithelial secretory cells changes from predominantly non-acidic (staining with PAS but not Alcian blue) to predominantly acidic (staining also with Alcian blue). During the same time interval, tracheal glands develop from intra-epithelial cellular aggregates devoid of secretory granules at birth into complex...
Search, Bargaining and Optimal Asking Prices

This paper analyzes a search-and-bargaining model in which the asking price influences the rate at which potential customers arrive to inspect the seller's house, and the buyer's valuation of the asset is not learned until after the seller makes his initial offer (the asking price). The optimal asking and reservation prices are characterized, and the existence of a subgame-perfect equilibrium asking-price—reservation-price strategy is established. Comparative-statics analysis illustrates how seller and buyer discount rates and the buyer's outside opportunity affect the optimal reservation and asking prices.
Hybrid powertrain control with a rapid prototyping research platform

As one of the most promising approaches for reducing automotive fuel consumption, hybrid powertrain has inspired extensive research efforts on system control and energy optimization. However, the time and cost of constructing or modifying a physical hybrid powertrain seriously affects the experimental investigation of the complicated system dynamics, so as to limit the development of the precise hybrid powertrain control and optimization. To provide an accurate and flexible hybrid powertrain emulation tool for developing the hybrid control methodologies, a rapid prototyping hybrid powertrain research platform, which employs a transient hydrostatic dynamometer to emulate the dynamics of various hybrid power sources and different hybrid architectures, is constructed. In this research platform, a three-level closed-loop control system is designed for realizing the hybrid powertrain emulation. With respect to the high/middle/low level systems, a suite of hybrid powertrain controllers including an adaptive driver model, an energy optimization strategy, a virtual hybrid torque controller and a dynamometer torque controller are designed and, further, their interactions are analyzed. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed control system can achieve the precise emulation of the typical hybrid powertrain operation.
Associations between juvenile delinquency and weight-related variables: analyses from a national sample of high school students.

Objective: This study examined direct and conditional associations between juvenile delinquency and weight-related variables in a national sample of high school students. Method: Data from the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) of 12,713 high school students aged 14 to 17 were examined. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Results: Bivariate and multivariate analyses indicated that juvenile delinquents were more likely than nondelinquents to use fasting, vomiting, and drugs to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight. Multivariate analyses also showed that delinquents were more likely than nondelinquents to perceive themselves as overweight, but the two groups did not differ in regard to actual overweight status. Tests of interactions in multivariate analyses indicated that the associations between delinquent status and specific, weight-related variables were stronger among younger than among older adolescents, as well as among female than among male adolescents. Conclusions: Future research should examine risk and protective factors for unhealthy weight control behaviors and perceptions among delinquents. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006
Micellar behavior in supercritical solvent-surfactant systems from lattice Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract We modify Larson’s lattice model [J. Chem. Phys. 83 (1985) 2411] and use it to study micellar behavior in supercritical solvent–surfactant systems by large-scale Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Carbon dioxide and perfluoroalkylpoly(ethylene oxide) serve as prototypes for the solvent and surfactant, respectively. Larson-model type parameters for carbon dioxide and perfluoroalkylpoly(ethylene oxide) are obtained using experimental values for critical parameters and solubility along with a modified Berthelot mixing rule. We perform canonical MC simulations at a supercritical temperature varying the structure of the surfactant, the solvent density and the surfactant concentration. Various properties such as the critical micelle concentration, the overlap concentration, the aggregate size distribution, and the size and shape of the micelles are calculated. The implications of these results for the thermodynamics of micellar formation in supercritical solvents are examined.