cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating navigational surrogate formats with divergent browsing tasks

Navigational surrogates are representations that stand for information resources within search engine result sets, e?commerce sites, and digital libraries. They also form the basis of personal collections of media, such as web pages. Our hypothesis is that the formats of individual surrogates and collections play an important role in how people use collections. We are particularly interested in processes of information discovery, in which ideas are iteratively reformulated in the context of working with information.To investigate how the representation of navigational surrogates affects how people work with information, we have created a collection of undergraduate psychology curriculum resources in 3 alternative formats: a linear list of textual elements, a spatialized set of textual elements, and a spatialized set of labeled images that have been composited. To evaluate navigation with these surrogate formats during information discovery, we designed divergent browsing tasks, that is, tasks that require assembling information from multiple diverse sources. A within-subjects evaluation indicates that users prefer the spatial labeled images format, and navigate more effectively with it.
Tumor pH-responsive flower-like micelles of poly(l-lactic acid)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(l-histidine)

Polymeric micelles were constructed from poly(l-lactic acid) (PLA; M(n) 3K)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG; M(n) 2K)-b-poly(l-histidine) (polyHis; M(n) 5K) as a tumor pH-specific anticancer drug carrier. Micelles (particle diameter: approximately 80 nm; critical micelle concentration (CMC): 2 microg/ml) formed by dialysis of the polymer solution in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) against pH 8.0 aqueous solution, are assumed to have a flower-like assembly of PLA and polyHis blocks in the core and PEG block as the shell. The pH-sensitivity of the micelles originates from the deformation of the micellar core due to the ionization of polyHis at a slightly acidic pH. However, the co-presence of pH-insensitive lipophilic PLA block in the core prevented disintegration of the micelles and caused swelling/aggregation. A fluorescence probe study showed that the polarity of pyrene retained in the micelles increased as pH was decreased from 7.4 to 6.6, indicating a change to a more hydrophilic environment in the micelles. Considering that the size increased up to 580 nm at pH 6.6 from 80 nm at pH 7.4 and that the transmittance of micellar solution increased with decreasing pH, the micelles were not dissociated but rather swollen/aggregated. Interestingly, the subsequent decline of pyrene polarity below pH 6.6 suggested re-self-assembly of the block copolymers, most likely forming a PLA block core while polyHis block relocation to the surface. Consequently, these pH-dependent physical changes of the PLA-b-PEG-b-polyHis micelles provide a mechanism for triggered drug release from the micelles triggered by the small change in pH (pH 7.2-6.5).
EFFECT OF HEATING METHODS ON THIAMINE RETENTION IN FRESH OR FROZEN PREPARED FOODS

SUMMARY— Thiamine retentions were determined in beef stew, chicken a la f or newburg and peas in cream sauce, which ware 11 freshly prepared and held for 1, 2 or 3 he ld 180°F (82.2°) or 2) freshly prepared, frozen at −10°F (−23.3°C) and reheated to reheated using microwaves, infrared heating or boiling water immersion. Similar treatments had the on the thiamine retention in the various products. The average thiamine retentions Boy de n products (based on 100% for the freshly prepared foods) were 93.5% in the frozen-microwave heated products; 90% in the frozen-infrared heated products; 86% in the frozen-immersion hot products versus 78% in the fresh hot products after 1 hr, 74% after 2 hr and 67% after 3 hr.
A helix initiation signal in T4 lysozyme identified by polyalanine mutagenesis.

Abstract To better understand the relation between sequence and structure, and in an attempt to simplify the protein folding problem, a series of alanine substitutions was introduced into bacteriophage T4 lysozyme. In contrast to previous studies in this system, which were restricted to single α-helices, the present analysis included a helix–turn–helix region, a loop–helix region, and two α-helices that were well separated in the three-dimensional structure. It was shown previously that T4 lysozyme is very tolerant of alanine substitutions within α-helices, especially at solvent-exposed sites. The present study shows that the protein is also tolerant of such substitutions in turn and loop regions, although less than in helices. The results confirm that the structural information in the amino acid sequence is highly redundant. For example, the protein with the sequence 127AAAAAALAAAAWAAA141 folds normally, has melting temperature only 0.8 °C lower than wildtype, and has a crystal structure that is also very similar to wildtype. Polyalanine substitutions within turns or loops can, however, lead to differences in structure and in folding. In one example the triple substitution K35A/S36A/P37A caused this region of the molecule to change to a more helical conformation. In a second case the mutant with the sequence 34AAAAALAAAKAALAAA49, which spans a loop–helix region, had a dramatically altered thermal unfolding transition, suggesting that this region may tend to form a single, uninterrupted, helix. Substitution of Ala38 in the above construct with aspartic acid caused the unfolding to be more like wildtype, suggesting that residue 38, which is at a helix-capping position in the wildtype structure, provides an initiation signal that is essential in the polyalanine mutant for the correct formation of α-helix 39–50. In a typical protein, the information that codes for the 3D structure is presumably distributed over many amino acids. The present results suggest that in simplified sequences the key folding information may be restricted to a subset of critical residues, and so be more readily accessible to experimental analysis.
Dissociation of compound ions in a high electric field: Atomic tunneling, orientational, and isotope effects.

Dissociation of compound ions, ${\mathrm{HeRh}}^{2+}$, has been studied with a combined technique of pulsed-laser-stimulated field desorption and time-of-flight spectroscopy. It is found that $^{4}\mathrm{HeRh}^{2+}$ ions can dissociate in a field of a few V/A\r{} by atomic tunneling several hundred femtoseconds after their formation. This dissociation time is believed to be one of the fastest reaction times ever successfully measured. The tunneling effect is confirmed with a strong isotope effect observed when $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ is replaced with $^{3}\mathrm{He}$. The field dissociation can occur most readily when the ions are rotated by 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} from their original field-desorption orientation. This orientation effect produces a secondary peak in the time-of-flight spectral line of ${\mathrm{Rh}}^{2+}$. The experimental results can be satisfactorily explained by using a realistic interaction U(r) between a He atom and a ${\mathrm{Rh}}^{2+}$ ion. This potential is constructed from an effective-medium model of the repulsion, an induced dipole attraction, and damped dispersion interaction terms.
13C nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the conformation of the X-pro bond in the oligopeptide hormones, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone-releasing factor, angiotensin and melanocyte-stimulating hormone release-inhibiting factor.

Abstract Studies by carbon-13 NMR of small proline-containing peptides are useful in determining cis-trans isomerism about the X-Pro bond, in which X is acylating the secondary amino group of the proline moiety. In tripeptides the ratio of the isomers depends upon the conformational constraints induced by the acylating moiety, but is subject to solvent and temperature perturbations. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) was studied in particular detail using chemical shift and T 1 measurements for cis-trans isomerism about the amide bond of the proline residue and for mobility of the individual carbon atoms forming the proline ring. The results were related to those obtained with MSH-release-inhibiting factor, Val 5 -angiotensin II β-amide, and luteinizing hormone-releasing factor. The His-Pro residues in angiotensin II and TRH give rise to similar spectra, implying that this sequence experiences the same environment in both hormones. The His spectrum of LRF is different from that of angiotensin II and TRH, indicating a conformational difference in LRF.
Inhibitory effects on microbial growth of Botrytis cinerea and Erwinia carotovora on potato using of a biopolymer chitosan at different molecular weights

The antimicrobial efficiency of chitosan at different molecular weights (5, 37, 57 and 290 kDa) against Botrytis cinerea and Erwinia carotovora on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) was investigated. In vitro study showed that chitosan of 37 kDa was the most active against E. carotovora (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 950 mg/L), whereas 5 kDa chitosan was the most active against B.cinerea. Coating of potato tubers with 100, 250 and 500 mg/L significantly decreased the rate of weight loss and chitosan of 37 kDa showed the best effect. The in vivo antibacterial effect indicated that all treatments (500, 1000 and 2000 mg/L) significantly inhibited the growth of E. carotovora compared with the control. The lowest decay incidence was observed with 37 kDa chitosan. However, the antifungal activity against B. cinerea inoculated of leaves showed no decay incidence at 500 and 1000 mg/L with 57 kDa chitosan after 48 h.
Pneumatic Retinopexy for Uncomplicated Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Purpose Since its introduction in 1985, pneumatic retinopexy (PR) has become an important office based procedure for treating an ever-expanding group of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD). As an alternative to scleral buckling (SB) or pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), estimates suggest that over 40% of primary RRDs may be managed by PR. Methods The efficacy of PR is dependant on 4 cardinal steps: (1) Identification and localization of all retinal breaks; (2) Induction of retinopexy around all breaks with cryopexy or laser; (3) Intraocular gas injection; and (4) Consistent post-operative head positioning for appropriate gas tamponade to achieve closure of the retinal breaks. Results Numerous prospective and retrospective reports have confirmed that the single operation success rate for PR ranges from 65-75%, with a final anatomical success rate of over 95%. New retinal breaks typically occur in 10% of PR cases, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy is noted in approximately 5% of eyes. For repair of primary RRD, final post-operative visual acuity does not appear to differ among eyes initially treated with PR when compared to those treated with SB or PPV. Conclusion PR has become a valuable technique in the modern era of RRD management. Despite its limitations and shortcomings, multiple clinical studies have clearly established its essential role in the armamentarium of surgical techniques utilized for the primary repair of RRD.
A chronoamperometric kinetic study of the reduction of the double Fe4S4 clustered ferredoxin of Clostridium pasteurianum by methylviologen

Abstract In advancing our earlier work on single cluster redox proteins, we report here a chronoamperometric kinetic study of the homogeneous reduction of Clostridium pasteurianum ferredoxin ( n = 2, U ° 7.6 = −395 mV versus n.h.e.) by methylviologen ( U ° 7.0 = −420 mV). This ferredoxin has two Fe 4 S 4 * (S* = inorganic sulfide) clusters each of which has n = 1 and can be formally represented as 8 Fe 0,0 , 8 Fe 0,r and 8 Fe r,r′ This ferredoxin is similar to P. aerogenes ferredoxin for which the X-ray crystallographic structure shows that the two clusters are about 1.2 nm apart. Rates were determined at two temperatures. Using computer simulation of the catalytic mechanism with two homogeneous electron transfer steps, it was found that both electrons are transferred at equal rates, with k 25°C = 4.7×10 5 M −1 s −1 and k 15°C = 1.5 × 10 5 M −1 s −1 . Since k 1 = k 2 at both temperatures it is concluded that under these reducing conditions, where 8 Fe 0,r does not come to equilibrium with other species during the reduction process, the two clusters operate independently of each other.
The determination of frying oil quality using Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance

Abstract The possibility of using the whole spectra (wave numbers between 4000 and 850 cm −1 ) from Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) to differentiate between good, marginal and unacceptable oils with regard to various intensities of oil rancidity was investigated. Fresh, used, and discarded oils were collected from several fast food restaurants from each frying cycle for 4 weeks. Dielectric constant, peroxide value, free fatty acid content, and density of oil samples significantly ( P r ) between FTIR absorbance at 3300 cm −1 and free fatty acid content was from 0.84 to 0.94 for oils from the three restaurants. Similarly, the correlation between FTIR absorbance at 3471 cm −1 and peroxide value was from 0.90 to 0.97. The results of principal component analysis using the whole spectra (4000–850 cm −1 ) showed good discrimination and stability for identification between acceptable, marginal and unacceptable frying oils.
Bigger is better: maternal and neonatal predictors of hematopoietic potential of umbilical cord blood units.

Umbilical cord blood (CB) is a useful stem cell source for patients without matched family donors. CB banking is expensive, however, because only a small percentage of the cord units stored are used for transplantation. In this study, we determined whether maternal factors, such as race, age, and smoking status have an effect on laboratory parameters of hematopoietic potential, such as viability, cell counts, CD34+ cell counts, and CFU-GM. We studied the effect of neonatal characteristics such as birth order, birth weight, gestational age, and sex of the baby on the same laboratory parameters. Race and maternal age had no effect on these laboratory parameters. In multivariate analysis, babies of longer gestational age had higher cell counts, but lower CD34+ cell counts and CFU-GM. Bigger babies had higher cell counts, more CD34+ cells, and more CFU-GM. Women with fewer previous live births also produced cord units with higher cell counts, CFU-GM, and CD34+ cell counts. Specifically, each 500 g increase in birth weight contributed to a 28% increase in CD34+ cell counts, each week of gestation contributed to a 9% decrease in CD34+cell counts, and each previous birth contributed to a 17% decrease in CD34+ cell counts (all P < 0.05). These data may be used to select the optimal cord blood donors and allow CB banks efficient resource allocation. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2001) 27, 7–14.
Assessment of pain and itch behavior in a mouse model of neurofibromatosis type 1.

Abstract Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is characterized primarily by tumor formation in the nervous system, but patients report other neurological complications including pain and itch. Individuals with NF1 harbor 1 mutated NF1 allele causing heterozygous expression in all of their cells. In mice, Nf1 heterozygosity leads to hyperexcitability of sensory neurons and hyperproliferation of mast cells, both of which could lead to increased hypersensitivity and scratching in response to noxious and pruritic stimuli. To determine whether Nf1 heterozygosity may increase pain and itch behaviors independent of secondary effects of tumor formation, we used mice with a targeted, heterozygous Nf1 gene deletion ( Nf1 ±) that lack tumors. Nf1 ± mice exhibited normal baseline responses to thermal and mechanical stimuli. Moreover, similar to wild-type littermates, Nf1 ± mice developed inflammation-induced heat and mechanical hypersensitivity, capsaicin-induced nocifensive behavior, histamine-dependent or -independent scratching, and chronic constriction injury-induced cold allodynia. However, Nf1 ± mice exhibited an attenuated first phase of formalin-induced spontaneous behavior and expedited resolution of formalin-induced heat hypersensitivity. These results are not consistent with the hypothesis that Nf1 heterozygosity alone is sufficient to increase pain and itch sensation in mice, and they suggest that additional mechanisms may underlie reports of increased pain and itch in NF1 patients. Perspective This study assessed whether Nf1 heterozygosity in mice increased hypersensitivity and scratching following noxious and pruritic stimuli. Using Nf1 ± mice lacking tumors, this study finds no increases in pain or itch behavior, suggesting that there is no predisposition for either clinical symptom solely due to Nf1 heterozygosity.
Pain medicine versus pain management: ethical dilemmas created by contemporary medicine and business.

The world of health care and the world of business have fundamentally different ethical standards. In the past decades, business principles have progressively invaded medical territories, leading to often unanticipated consequences for both patients and providers. Multidisciplinary pain management has been shown to be more effective than all other forms of health care for chronic pain patients; yet, fewer and fewer multidisciplinary pain man- agement facilities are available in the United States. The amazing increase in interventional procedures and opioid prescriptions has not led to a lessening of the burden of chronic pain patients. Ethical dilemmas abound in the treatment of chronic pain patients: many are not even thought about by providers, administrators, insurance companies, or patients. We call for increased pain educational experiences for all types of health care providers and the separation of business concepts from pain-related health care.
Green's Function Simulation of Space&#8211;Charge Effects in Electron Beams

In this paper, a new numerical model for space-charge forces in electron beams based on a Green's function approach is described. In this model, the beam is simulated by a series of rings with nonzero thickness and length. The space-charge force on a ring is found by summing over all the interactions with all the other rings, where each interaction force is integrated over the entire volume of each source rings. With proper beam initialization of the simulation parameters, the rings can perfectly form the electron beam, leading to a very smooth and accurate calculation of the space-charge fields. The space-charge fields calculated this way can be more accurate than those found with particle-in-cell (PIC) calculations. The fields can also be distributed onto a mesh, as in a PIC calculation, leading to equivalent accuracy with greatly reduced simulation times. The accuracy of this type of model is demonstrated by comparing the harmonic-current evolution from an RF gap for a transversely cold confined beam to analytic theory and we show its utility with a large-signal annular beam klystron simulation using this technique
Regulation of sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced endothelial cytoskeletal rearrangement and barrier enhancement by S1P1 receptor, PI3 kinase, Tiam1/Rac1, and α-actinin

Endothelial cell (EC) barrier dysfunction results in increased vascular permeability observed in inflammation, tumor angiogenesis, and atherosclerosis. The platelet-derived phospholipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) decreases EC permeability in vitro and in vivo and thus has obvious therapeutic potential. We examined S1P-mediated human pulmonary artery EC signaling and barrier regulation in caveolin-enriched microdomains (CEM). Immunoblotting from S1P-treated EC revealed S1P-mediated rapid recruitment (1 microM, 5 min) to CEMs of the S1P receptors S1P1 and S1P3, p110 PI3 kinase alpha and beta catalytic subunits, the Rac1 GEF, Tiam1, and alpha-actinin isoforms 1 and 4. Immunoprecipitated p110 PI3 kinase catalytic subunits from S1P-treated EC exhibited PIP3 production in CEMs. Immunoprecipitation of S1P receptors from CEM fractions revealed complexes containing Tiam1 and S1P1. PI3 kinase inhibition (LY294002) attenuated S1P-induced Tiam1 association with S1P1, Tiam1/Rac1 activation, alpha-actinin-1/4 recruitment, and EC barrier enhancement. Silencing of either S1P1 or Tiam1 expression resulted in the loss of S1P-mediated Rac1 activation and alpha-actinin-1/4 recruitment to CEM. Finally, silencing S1P1, Tiam1, or both alpha-actinin isoforms 1/4 inhibits S1P-induced cortical F-actin rearrangement and S1P-mediated barrier enhancement. Taken together, these results suggest that S1P-induced recruitment of S1P1 to CEM fractions promotes PI3 kinase-mediated Tiam1/Rac1 activation required for alpha-actinin-1/4-regulated cortical actin rearrangement and EC barrier enhancement.
The prevalence of overhanging dental restorations and their relationship to periodontal disease.

Abstract Overhanging dental restorations (ODR) are a major dental health problem. An ODR is defined as an extension of restorative material beyond the confines of a cavity, preparation. They have been strongly implicated as an etiologic factor in the progression of periodontal disease and are alarmingly prevalent. In addition to promoting plaque accumulation, they change a nondestructive subgingival flora to a destructive one. There is good documentation that bleeding, gingivitis, and bone loss increase in tissues adjacent to ODR as compared to homologous teeth. Removal of ODR enhances the effectiveness of the hygienic phase of periodontal therapy. Many ODR, however, are not detected on radiographs and are evident only by use of an explorer directed subgingivally. For this reason and others, many are not removed. This literature review summarizes research concerning the prevalence, significance and removal of ODR.
Accurate and Fast Proximity Queries Between Polyhedra Using Convex Surface Decomposition

The need to perform fast and accurate proximity queries arises frequently in physically-based modeling, simulation, animation, real-time interaction within a virtual environment, and game dynamics. The set of proximity queries include intersection detection, tolerance verification, exact and approximate minimum distance computation, and (disjoint) contact determination. Specialized data structures and algorithms have often been designed to perform each type of query separately. We present a unified approach to perform any of these queries seamlessly for general, rigid polyhedral objects with boundary representations which are orientable 2-manifolds. The proposed method involves a hierarchical data structure built upon a surface decomposition of the models. Furthermore, the incremental query algorithm takes advantage of coherence between successive frames. It has been applied to complex benchmarks and compares very favorably with earlier algorithms and systems.
Aligned Rank Test

Aligned rank tests are an intuitive rank-based approach to the evaluation of an experimental treatment effect in blocked or stratified data. Their interblock ranking foundation yields an efficiency advantage relative to comparable tests constructed from intrablock rankings such as Friedman's test. Both exact and asymptotic tests of the null hypothesis are available with this approach. We present a general overview of the history and construction of aligned rank tests, and provide an example in selected data from a clinical trial of high-dose vitamin D supplementation. Keywords: Aligned rank test; nonparametric test; blocked designs; residual analysis
Numerical approximation abilities correlate with and predict informal but not formal mathematics abilities.

Abstract Previous research has found a relationship between individual differences in children’s precision when nonverbally approximating quantities and their school mathematics performance. School mathematics performance emerges from both informal (e.g., counting) and formal (e.g., knowledge of mathematics facts) abilities. It remains unknown whether approximation precision relates to both of these types of mathematics abilities. In the current study, we assessed the precision of numerical approximation in 85 3- to 7-year-old children four times over a span of 2 years. In addition, at the final time point, we tested children’s informal and formal mathematics abilities using the Test of Early Mathematics Ability (TEMA-3). We found that children’s numerical approximation precision correlated with and predicted their informal, but not formal, mathematics abilities when controlling for age and IQ. These results add to our growing understanding of the relationship between an unlearned nonsymbolic system of quantity representation and the system of mathematics reasoning that children come to master through instruction.
Computerized Image Analysis for Identifying Triple-Negative Breast Cancers and Differentiating Them from Other Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer on Dynamic Contrast-enhanced MR Images: A Feasibility Study

A computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system based on quantitative morphologic, texture, and textural kinetic features at dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging was developed to determine the feasibility of distinguishing triple-negative cancers from different molecular subtypes of cancer (eg, estrogen receptor positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive) and fibroadenomas; such a CAD system has the potential to provide insight into the underlying tumor biology along with providing information about how a patient’s cancer may respond to targeted therapies.
Presynaptic protein kinase activity supports long-term potentiation at synapses between individual hippocampal neurons.

Simultaneous microelectrode recording from two individual synaptically connected neurons enables the direct analysis of synaptic transmission and plasticity at a minimal synaptic connection. We have recorded from pairs of CA3 pyramidal neurons in organotypic hippocampal slices to examine the properties of long-term potentiation (LTP) at such minimal connections. LTP in minimal connections was found to be identical to the NMDA-dependent LTP expressed by CA3–CA1 synapses, demonstrating this system provides a good model for the study of the mechanisms of LTP expression. The LTP at minimal synaptic connections does not behave as a simple increase in transmitter release probability, because the amplitude of unitary EPSCs can increase several-fold, unlike what is observed when release probability is increased by raising extracellular calcium. Taking advantage of the relatively short axon connecting neighboring CA3 neurons, we found it feasible to introduce pharmacological agents to the interior of presynaptic terminals by injection into the presynaptic soma and have used this technique to investigate presynaptic effects on basal transmission and LTP. Presynaptic injection of nicotinamide reduced basal transmission, but LTP in these pairs was essentially normal. In contrast, presynaptic injection of H-7 significantly depressed LTP but not basal transmission, indicating a specific role of presynaptic protein kinases in LTP. These results demonstrate that pharmacological agents can be directly introduced into the presynaptic cell and that a purely presynaptic perturbation can alter this plasticity.
Computationally Generated Cardiac Biomarkers for Risk Stratification After Acute Coronary Syndrome

The existing tools for estimating the risk of death in patients after they experience acute coronary syndrome are commonly based on echocardiography and clinical risk scores (for example, the TIMI risk score). These identify a small group of high-risk patients who account for only a minority of the deaths that occur in patients after acute coronary syndrome. Here, we investigated the use of three computationally generated cardiac biomarkers for risk stratification in this population: morphologic variability (MV), symbolic mismatch (SM), and heart rate motifs (HRM). We derived these biomarkers from time-series analyses of continuous electrocardiographic data collected from patients in the TIMI-DISPERSE2 clinical trial through machine learning and data mining methods designed to extract information that is difficult to visualize directly in these data. We evaluated these biomarkers in a blinded, prespecified, and fully automated study on more than 4500 patients in the MERLIN-TIMI36 (Metabolic Efficiency with Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 36) clinical trial. Our results showed a strong association between all three computationally generated cardiac biomarkers and cardiovascular death in the MERLIN-TIMI36 trial over a 2-year period after acute coronary syndrome. Moreover, the information in each of these biomarkers was independent of the information in the others and independent of the information provided by existing clinical risk scores, electrocardiographic metrics, and echocardiography. The addition of MV, SM, and HRM to existing metrics significantly improved model discrimination, as well as the precision and recall of prediction rules based on left ventricular ejection fraction. These biomarkers can be extracted from data that are routinely captured from patients with acute coronary syndrome and will allow for more accurate risk stratification and potentially for better patient treatment.
Mitomycin C induction of bacteriophages from Serpulina hyodysenteriae and Serpulina innocens

A prophage was induced from cells of the pathogenic spirochaete Serpulina hyodysenteriae using mitomycin C. Five to seven hours after mitomycin C was added (8 micrograms/ml, final concentration) to S. hyodysenteriae B204 cultures in BHIS broth (OD620 = 0.9) cell lysis was detected as a decrease in culture optical density. Bacteriophage particles attached to whole cells and to cell debris were detected by electron microscopic analysis of negatively stained (2% PTA, pH 7.0) bacteria harvested by centrifugation from mitomycin C treated cultures. The phage particles consisted of a head (45 nm diameter) and a tail (64 nm x 9 nm). Bacteria from untreated cultures lacked phages detectable by electron microscopy. The appearance of bacteriophage particles in mitomycin C treated cultures correlated with the appearance of extrachromosomal DNA, 7-8 kb in size as estimated by agarose gel electrophoresis, in DNA preparations from treated S. hyodysenteriae cells. When cultures of other S. hyodysenteriae strains (B78, B169, A-1, B8044, B6933, Ack300/8, R-1) and S. innocens 4/71 in BHIS were treated with mitomycin C (8-15 micrograms/ml, final concentration), phages similar in morphology and size to the S. hyodysenteriae B204 were induced.
Computer power consumption and management: “Earth, wind, and fire: Sustainable energy for the 21 st century” research experience for undergraduates

There is a huge potential to save energy on computers and in university computer labs. With many computers sitting idle during nights and weekends when they are rarely used, power management techniques could have both monetary and energy savings. Through the use of a Watts Up? Pro ES power meter, the energy consumption of different computers and user activities was explored on the Kansas State University campus. Energy Star computers were found to be much more efficient for all activities, averaging 52% less energy use than the other computers tested. To implement energy management techniques (such as the use of Faronics PowerSave software), more studies need to be done on computer usage in the computer labs during the school year. This will allow for effective power management settings while balancing user convenience and energy savings.
The hot chocolate effect

The ’’hot chocolate effect’’ was investigated quantitatively, using water. If a tall glass cylinder is filled nearly completely with water and tapped on the bottom with a softened mallet one can detect the lowest longitudinal mode of the water column, for which the height of the water column is one‐quarter wavelength. If the cylinder is rapidly filled with hot tap water containing dissolved air the pitch of that mode may descend by nearly three octaves during the first few seconds as the air comes out of solution and forms bubbles. Then the pitch gradually rises as the bubbles float to the top. A simple theoretical expression for the pitch ratio is derived and compared with experiment. The agreement is good to within the 10% accuracy of the experiments.
Polarimetric passive remote sensing of ocean wind vectors

Presents the first experimental evidence that the polarimetric brightness temperatures of sea surfaces are sensitive to ocean wind direction in the incidence angle range of 30 to 50 degrees. The experimental data were collected by a K-band (19.35 GHz) polarimetric radiometer (WINDRAD) mounted on the NASA DC-8 aircraft. A set of aircraft radiometer flights was successfully completed in November 1993. The first WINDRAD flight was made on November 4, 1993. There was clear weather with a wind speed of 12 m/s at 330 degrees around the Pt. Arena buoy. The buoy was circled at three incidence angles, and all data when plotted as functions of azimuth angles show clear modulations of several degrees Kelvin. At 40 degrees incidence angle, there is a 5 degrees Kelvin peak-to-peak signal in the second Stokes parameter and and the third Stokes parameter U. The Q data maximum is in the upwind direction and U has a 45 degrees phase shift in azimuth -as predicted by theory. There is also an up/downwind asymmetry of 2 degrees Kelvin in the Q data, and 1 degree Kelvin in the U data. At 50 degrees incidence angle, the collected data show very similar wind direction signatures to the SSM/I model function. Additional flight's were made on other days under cloudy conditions. Data taken at a wind speed of 8 m/s show that at 40 degrees incidence Q and U have a smaller azimuthal modulation of 3 degrees Kelvin, probably due to the lower wind speed. Additionally, the simultaneously recorded video images of sea surfaces suggested that and and U data were less sensitive to clouds, breaking waves and whitecaps, while the T/sub /spl upsi// and T/sub h/ increased by a few degrees Kelvin when the radiometer beam crossed over clouds, or there was a sudden increase of whitecaps in the radiometer footprint. The results of the authors' aircraft flights clearly indicate that passive polarimetric radiometry is a viable option in space remote sensing of ocean surface wind direction as well as wind speed. >
A New Look at the EMC Problem

In order to achieve a large improvement in the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of Army communications-electronics equipment, the U. S. Army Electronics Command (ECOM) has been conducting a comprehensive program to determine the fundamental causes of interference. The objective of the program is to find design techniques of broad applicability which will maximize EMC without degrading the primary functions of the equipment. Some interesting and potentially valuable studies which are discussed are: EMC education, non-linear devices, shielding and filtering, the binomial pulse, and receivers. Some ideas, held by many design engineers, which are fallacious are mentioned, and some problems yet to be solved are pointed out.
Decomposition of arithmetic expressions to improve the behavior of interval iteration for nonlinear systems

Interval iteration can be used, in conjunction with other techniques, for rigorously bounding all solutions to a nonlinear system of equations within a given region, or for verifying approximate solutions. However, because of overestimation which occurs when the interval Jacobian matrix is accumulated and applied, straightforward linearization of the original nonlinear system sometimes leads to nonconvergent iteration. In this paper, we examine interval iterations based on an expanded system obtained from the intermediate quantities in the original system. In this system, there is no overestimation in entries of the interval Jacobi matrix, and nonlinearities can be taken into account to obtain sharp bounds. We present an example in detail, algorithms, and detailed experimental results obtained from applying our algorithms to the example. — Author's Abstract
In the Virion, the 11-Amino-Acid Peptide Cofactor pVIc Is Covalently Linked to the Adenovirus Proteinase

Previously, the adenovirus proteinase (AVP) had been shown to be stimulated by an 11-amino-acid cofactor pVIc; the crystal structure of an AVP-pVIc complex formed in vitro reveals a disulfide bond between AVP and pVIc. However, that disulfide bond was recently shown not to be required for maximal stimulation of enzyme activity by pVIc in vitro. Is the disulfide bond physiologically relevant or is it an artifact that arose in the crystallization of the complex? Here we show that a disulfide bond between AVP and pVIc is physiologically relevant, because in the virus particle AVP is linked to pVIc via a disulfide bond. This is also the first experimental proof that AVP interacts in vivo with one of its cofactors, all of which were discovered and characterized in vitro. A rationale as to why this apparently unnecessary disulfide bond between AVP and pVIc forms in the virus particle is presented.
Update on Cardiovascular Outcomes at 30 Years of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Study

OBJECTIVE To describe the beneficial long-term effects of an average of 6.5 years of intensive diabetes therapy (INT) in type 1 diabetes on measures of atherosclerosis, cardiac structure and function, and clinical cardiovascular events observed in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The DCCT was a randomized clinical trial of 1,441 participants assigned to receive INT or conventional therapy (CON). It was conducted between 1983-1993 with an average follow-up of 6.5 years. EDIC (1994-present) is an observational follow-up of the DCCT cohort. Cardiovascular events have been recorded throughout. During EDIC common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured with ultrasound, coronary artery calcification with computed tomography, and cardiac structure and function with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS DCCT INT and lower levels of HbA1c during DCCT/EDIC were associated with thinner carotid IMT, less coronary calcification, and a lower incidence of clinical cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiac death. While there were no significant differences in cardiac structure and function between the former INT and CON groups, they were significantly associated with higher HbA1c during DCCT/EDIC. CONCLUSIONS DCCT INT and the attendant 6.5 years of lower HbA1c had long-term salutary effects on the development and progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease during the subsequent follow-up during EDIC.
Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in the Nitrogen Uptake of Plants: Current Knowledge and Research Gaps

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play an essential role for the nutrient uptake of the majority of land plants, including many important crop species. The extraradical mycelium of the fungus takes up nutrients from the soil, transfers these nutrients to the intraradical mycelium within the host root, and exchanges the nutrients against carbon from the host across a specialized plant-fungal interface. The contribution of the AM symbiosis to the phosphate nutrition has long been known, but whether AM fungi contribute similarly to the nitrogen nutrition of their host is still controversially discussed. However, there is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates that AM fungi can actively transfer nitrogen to their host, and that the host plant with its carbon supply stimulates this transport, and that the periarbuscular membrane of the host is able to facilitate the active uptake of nitrogen from the mycorrhizal interface. In this review, our current knowledge about nitrogen transport through the fungal hyphae and across the mycorrhizal interface is summarized, and we discuss the regulation of these pathways and major research gaps.
Technical Section: Hyper-Resolution: Image detail reconstruction through parametric edges

Hyper-Resolution, a new technique for super-resolution reconstruction of images, is based on matching low-resolution target image details to their high-resolution counterparts from an image database. Central to the algorithm is a novel transform of image content from the orthogonal pixel space to a parametric space structured around edges. This approach offers improved quality, more flexibility and significantly faster performance than previous work in the field. Implementation strategies for achieving this efficiency are carefully outlined. The algorithm is evaluated by controlled assessment, qualitative evaluation, and applications to facial detail reconstruction and identification. The algorithm is finally analyzed through the comparison with alternative techniques.
Susceptibility of Certain Soybean Cultivars to Damage by Stink Bugs

Five soybean cultivars among 4 maturity groups were tested in 1974 for susceptibility to stink bug damage, primarily by Nezara viridula (L.), Acrosternum hilare (Say), and Euschistus spp. ‘Essex’ matured early and escaped some severe damage before insect populations increased. In 1975, a new method of assessing stink bug damage severity was used to compare damage susceptibility between early (May 22) and late (June 24) plantings of 6 cultivars and one insect resistant breeding line. Damage was more severe among the early plantings, averaging 22.9% seed weight loss compared to 16.0% for the late plantings. Among the late plantings, ‘Cobb’ and ED73-371 incurred significantly less seed weight loss (11.4%) than ‘Bragg’ (23.9%). Differences in damage were not directly related to differences in length of the pod development stages in each case.
Time Versus Rate in Parameter Estimation of Nonlinear Temperature-Dependent Development Models

A potential problem exists when rate (1/time) is used for parameter estimation instead of time in least-squares estimation of nonlinear development models, because the squared error is the quantity that is minimized by this technique. Minimizing the squared error in the rates is not equivalent to minimizing the squared error in time. This is of particular significance in modeling insect development because, when development times are largest, rates are small and squared errors in the rates produce large errors in time predictions. The purpose of this study was to show that, in many cases, parameters should be evaluated in terms of the observed data. Using least-squares techniques on rates did not allow for the minimization of the absolute squared error in time at low temperatures. Least-squares techniques applied to development time produced good predicted values throughout the temperature range in particular cases. These results show that when parameters are not evaluated in terms of the observed data but rather in some modified form such as rate, erroneous predictions may result.
Treatment of 40 Cases of Knee Osteoarhritis by Acidated Herb Fumigation and Ultrashort Wave Irradiation

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of acidated herb fumigation combined with ultrashort-wave irradiation in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.Methods Forty cases in treatment group were treated by acidated herb fumigation combined with ultrashort-wave irradiation and another 40 cases in control group were treated by regular medical herb fumigation combined with ultrashort-wave irradiation.The clinical effects,CRP and IL-1 were tested before and after treatment in both groups.Results After treatment,symptoms were relieved and CRP and IL-1 were decreased in two groups,with better improvement in treatment group than in control group(P0.05).Conclusion Acidated herb fumigation is obviously better than regular herb fumigation in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
Firearm Ownership and Suicide Rates Among US Men and Women, 1981-2013.

Objectives. To examine the relationship between state-level firearm ownership rates and gender-specific, age-adjusted firearm and total suicide rates across all 50 US states from 1981 to 2013.Methods. We used panel data for all 50 states that included annual overall and gender-specific suicide and firearm suicide rates and a proxy for state-level household firearm ownership. We analyzed data by using linear regression and generalized estimating equations to account for clustering.Results. State-level firearm ownership was associated with an increase in both male and female firearm-related suicide rates and with a decrease in nonfirearm-related suicide rates. Higher gun ownership was associated with higher suicide rates by any means among male, but not among female, persons.Conclusions. We found a strong relationship between state-level firearm ownership and firearm suicide rates among both genders, and a relationship between firearm ownership and suicides by any means among male, but not female, individua...
Effect of MELT method on thoracolumbar connective tissue: The full study

Altered connective tissue structure has been identified in adults with chronic low back pain (LBP). A self-care treatment for managing LBP is the MELT method. The MELT method is a hands-off, self-treatment that is said to alleviate chronic pain, release tension and restore mobility, utilizing specialized soft treatments balls, soft body roller and techniques mimicking manual therapy. The objective of this study was to determine whether thickness of thoracolumbar connective tissue and biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of myofascial tissue in the low back region change in subjects with chronic LBP as a result of MELT. This study was designed using a quasi experimental pre-post- design that analyzed data from subjects who performed MELT. Using ultrasound imaging and an algorithm developed in MATLAB, thickness of thoracolumbar connective tissue was analyzed in 22 subjects. A hand-held digital palpation device, called the MyotonPRO, was used to assess biomechanical properties such as stiffness, elasticity, tone and mechanical stress relaxation time of the thoracolumbar myofascial tissue. A forward bending test assessing flexibility and pain scale was added to see if MELT affected subjects with chronic LBP. A significant decrease in connective tissue thickness and pain was observed in participants. Significant increase in flexibility was also recorded.
Spectroscopic identification of type 2 quasars at z < 1 in SDSS-III/BOSS

The physics and demographics of type 2 quasars remain poorly understood, and new samples of such objects selected in a variety of ways can give insight into their physical properties, evolution, and relationship to their host galaxies. We present a sample of 2758 type 2 quasars at z $\leq$ 1 from the SDSS-III/BOSS spectroscopic database, selected on the basis of their emission-line properties. We probe the luminous end of the population by requiring the rest-frame equivalent width of [OIII] to be > 100 A. We distinguish our objects from star-forming galaxies and type 1 quasars using line widths, standard emission line ratio diagnostic diagrams at z 0.52. The majority of our objects have [OIII] luminosities in the range 10^8.5-10^10 L$_{\odot}$ and redshifts between 0.4 and 0.65. Our sample includes over 400 type 2 quasars with incorrectly measured redshifts in the BOSS database; such objects often show kinematic substructure or outflows in the [OIII] line. The majority of the sample has counterparts in the WISE survey, with median infrared luminosity {\nu}L{\nu}[12{\mu}m] = 4.2 x 10^44 erg/sec. Only 34 per cent of the newly identified type 2 quasars would be selected by infrared color cuts designed to identify obscured active nuclei, highlighting the difficulty of identifying complete samples of type 2 quasars. We make public the multi-Gaussian decompositions of all [OIII] profiles for the new sample and for 568 type 2 quasars from SDSS I/II, together with non-parametric measures of line profile shapes and identify over 600 candidate double-peaked [OIII] profiles.