cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Equivocal significance of post-ictal generalized EEG suppression as a marker of SUDEP risk.

Abstract Purpose Our objective was to determine the significance of PGES as a possible EEG marker of increased risk for SUDEP and explore factors that influence PGES. Methods We identified 17 patients who died due to definite or probable SUDEP and 52 living control patients with drug resistant focal epilepsy who underwent EEG monitoring and least one seizure recorded on EEG. We reviewed 305 seizures on EEG and when available, on video, for presence or absence of PGES, the duration of PGES immediately after seizure end, seizure type, state seizure occurred (sleep vs. wake), tonic duration and time from seizure onset to initial nursing intervention. We noted that majority (93% in SUDEP group and 83% living controls) with PGES had additional brief bursts of suppression. We measured the time from the end of seizure to end of last brief suppression to determine the time to final PGES. Results SUDEP patients had statistically significant shorter PGES duration compared to living controls (unadjusted: −32.8s, 95%CI[−54.5, −11.2], adjusted: −39.5s, 95% CI[−59.4, −19.6]). SUDEP status was associated with longer time to final PGES compare to living controls, but this was not statistically significant. Earlier nursing intervention was associated with shorter seizure duration. PGES occurred only after GCS. Time to nursing intervention, tonic duration or state did not have a statistically significant effect on PGES. Conclusions PGES is an equivocal marker of increased SUDEP risk. Earlier nursing intervention is associated with shorter seizure duration and may play a role in reducing risk of SUDEP.
Elder abuse and neglect

According to the US Census Bureau’s national population projections, the structure of the United States population is aging steadily. The first among the baby boomer generation reached retirement age in 2011, and the last will hit retirement age in 2029. Members of this generation currently account for 25% of the total population in the United States. The elderly population has become more visible, more active, and more independent than ever before. Because of advances in health care, they
Development and validation of a HPLC-UV assay for quantification of levetiracetam concentrations in critically ill patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy.

Limited clinical data exists on the effects of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on drug pharmacokinetics. A high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection method was developed and validated to determine levetiracetam concentrations in human plasma and CRRT effluent samples. Five hundred microliters of human plasma and 250 μL effluent samples were used to quantify levetiracetam. Plasma samples were purified by protein precipitation, evaporated under nitrogen gas at room temperature and reconstituted in 50 mm potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH of 4.5). Reverse-phase chromatographic separation was achieved within 20 min using a mobile phase eluting gradient of 50 mm potassium dihydrogen phosphate and acetonitrile. UV detection was set at 195 nm. The calibration curve was found to be linear over the range of 2-80μg/mL. Inter- and intra-day precisions were < 8% for both plasma and effluent samples. The accuracy was determined to be within -12-10% of nominal concentrations. The method was selective and sensitive with a lower limit of quantification of 2 μg/mL. Overall recovery of levetiracetam from plasma was ~100%. The validated assay was successfully applied in a pharmacokinetic study to determine potential dose adjustments in patients undergoing CRRT and receiving levetiracetam.
Role of Ox-LDL and LOX-1 in Atherogenesis

Oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) plays a central role in atherosclerosis by acting on multiple cells such as endothelial cells, macrophages, platelets, fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells through LOX-1. LOX-1 is a 50 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein that serves as receptor for ox-LDL, modified lipoproteins, activated platelets and advance glycation end-products. Ox- LDL through LOX-1, in endothelial cells, causes increase in leukocyte adhesion molecules, activates pathways of apoptosis, increases reactive oxygen species and cause endothelial dysfunction. In vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, they stimulate proliferation, migration and collagen synthesis. LOX-1 expressed on macrophages inhibit macrophage migration and stimulate foam cell formation. They also stimulate generation of metalloproteinases and contribute to plaque instability and thrombosis. Drugs that modulate LOX-1 are desirable targets against atherosclerosis. Many naturally occurring compounds have been shown to modulate LOX-1 expression and atherosclerosis. Currently, novel drug design techniques are used to identify molecules that can bind to LOX-1 and inhibit its activation by ox-LDL. In addition, techniques using RNA interference and monoclonal antibody against LOX-1 are currently being investigated for clinical use.
Efficient image computations on reconfigurable meshes (preliminary version)

The reconfigurable mesh combines two attractive features of massively parallel architectures, namely, constant diameter and a dynamically reconfigurable bus system. Being mesh-based, the reconfigurable mesh is eminently suitable for applications in image processing and computer vision. Common wisdom has it that buses are entities created in support of communicational needs of the task at hand. The authors have recently proposed a new way of looking at a reconfigurable bus system. They have shown that buses can be used as computational devices as well as topological descriptors. The purpose of this work is to present additional results of this on-going project. Specifically, we show novel algorithms for image segmentation and labeling, along with a number of algorithms for describing the shape of objects in the image. We discuss using the buses to compute the area, perimeter, and convex hull of every object in the image.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Thin Film Growth with Energetic Atoms

Hyperthermal atoms are deposited upon a substrate in thin film deposition processes. Even when the atoms in the vapor phase are not intentionally accelerated to the substrate, the vapor phase atoms are attracted to the substrate surface with a potential of a few electron volts (eV) because of the interaction between the incoming atom and the substrate. Some deposition processes such as ion beam assisted deposition(IBAD), ion beam deposition (IBD), sputter deposition(S), and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD)result in ions striking the substrate with energies from 10 to over 100 eV as shown in figure 1 [1].
Mapping genes in domesticated animals.

During the last few decades, animal breeders have been very successful in breeding animals that are superior in the production of milk, eggs, meat, and wool. The strategies for optimized breeding of livestock have been based on the concepts of quantitative genetics which assume that there are several genes, possibly on different chromosomes, each of which has a certain effect on a particular quantitative trait. However, we do not know how many genes are actually involved in the expression of a given quantita tive trait or how each gene contributes to the trait and where it is located on the chromosomes. Such knowledge will become crucial for improvements in the breeding of animals with a heightened resistance to diseases in unfavorable environments or that have better fertility but are still capable of producing good yields of milk, eggs, meat, or wool. Modern methods of gene mapping, so far mostly applied in mice and man, offer new ways towards a better understanding of the genetic determination of animal performance.
A generalized approach to generate optimized approximations of the inverse Langevin function

Proper approximation of the inverse Langevin function (ILF) is a well-recognized problem with significant relevance in many fields ranging from polymer physics to turbulence mechanics. While several estimations of the ILF has been developed recently, the accuracy/complexity trade-off has remained a major challenge in ILF estimation. Accurate estimations are computationally too expensive, and the low-cost estimations lack high accuracy. Here, a novel approach is developed that can provide a family of approximation functions for ILF with different degrees of accuracy. In the present paper, a simple procedure is presented, which can take current approximation functions with asymptotic behavior and enhance them by the addition of a power series of their induced error. The total error is thus correlated with a number of terms in the power series. We further propose different approaches to reduce the terms of the power series and increase the accuracy, the proposed approach is applied to four different classes ...
Genome-Wide Reinforcement of DNA Methylation Occurs during Somatic Embryogenesis in Soybean

Somatic embryogenesis is an important tissue culture technique that sometimes leads to phenotypic variation via genetic and/or epigenetic changes. To understand the genomic and epigenomic impacts of somatic embryogenesis, we characterized soybean (Glycine max) epigenomes sampled from embryos at 10 different stages ranging from 6 weeks to 13 years of continuous culture. We identified genome-wide increases in DNA methylation from cultured samples, especially at CHH sites. The hypermethylation almost exclusively occurred in regions previously possessing non-CG methylation and was accompanied by increases in the expression of genes encoding the RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) machinery. The epigenomic changes were similar between somatic and zygotic embryogenesis. Following the initial global wave of hypermethylation, rare decay events of maintenance methylation were observed, and the extent of the decay increased with time in culture. These losses in DNA methylation were accompanied by downregulation of genes encoding the RdDM machinery and transcriptome reprogramming reminiscent of transcriptomes during late-stage seed development. These results reveal a process for reinforcing already silenced regions to maintain genome integrity during somatic embryogenesis over the short term, which eventually decays at certain loci over longer time scales.
Managerial Robotics: a Model of Sociality and Autonomy for Robots Managing Human Beings and Machines

Background. The development of robots with increasingly sophisticated decision-making and social capacities is opening the door to the possibility of robots carrying out the management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling the work of human beings and other machines. Research aims. In this paper we study the relationship between two traits that impact a robot’s ability to effectively perform management functions: those of autonomy and sociality. Method. Using an assessment instrument we evaluate the levels of autonomy and sociality of 35 robots that have been created for use in a wide range of industrial, domestic, and governmental contexts, along with several kinds of living organisms with which such robots can share a social space and which may provide templates for some aspects of future robotic design. We then develop a two-dimensional model that classifies the robots into 16 different types, each of which offers unique strengths and weaknesses for the performance of management functions. Key findings. Our data suggest correlations between autonomy and sociality that could potentially assist organizations in identifying new and more effective management applications for existing robots and aid roboticists in designing new kinds of robots that are capable of succeeding in particular management roles.
Review: She Begat This: 20 Years of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Joan Morgan

Joan Morgan. She Begat This: 20 Years of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill . New York: Atria, 2018. 176 pp. I remember the first time I listened to Lauryn Hill's 1998 solo debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill . It was roughly two weeks after the album's release, and I was spending the weekend with
Terahertz-Rate Kerr-Microresonator Optical Clockwork

Experiments demonstrate down-conversion of an optical clock signal to terahertz frequencies using a Kerr-microresonator frequency comb, a technology that permits chip-scale, potentially cost-effective fabrication.
Expression of the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) in CCK-immunoreactive axon terminals in the basolateral amygdala of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

Studies in rodents have shown that interactions between cholecystokinin (CCK) and the endogenous cannabinoid system in the basolateral nuclear complex of the amygdala (BNC) modulate anxiety-like behavior and fear learning/expression. One of the main cell types implicated is a CCK-immunoreactive (CCK+) basket cell that innervates the somata of pyramidal projection neurons (PNs) and expresses the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) in its axon terminals. Although numerous studies have elucidated the anatomy and physiology of these CCK+/CB1R + interneurons in rodents, it has not been determined if they exist in primates. The present investigation used immunohistochemical techniques in the monkey to answer this question. It was found that the monkey BNC, as in rodents, has a very high density of CB1R + axons, including CB1R + axon terminals that form basket-like plexuses contacting somata of PNs. These axons, as well as axons in the neuropil, exhibit extensive colocalization of CCK and CB1R. These findings suggest that the same synaptic mechanisms involved in CCK-CB1R interactions in rodents may also apply to primates, and that therapies that target the cannabinoid system in the BNC may be useful for treating fear and anxiety in human patients.
Discipline, risk, and the endogeneity between financial decisionmaking and health

We examine the effect of financial asset allocation and asset liquidity on individuals’ health. Earlier literature finds empirical evidence and provides theoretical justification of the impact of health on financial decisions but speculates that reverse causality is unlikely. Through panel data methods and an instrumental variable approach, we refute this claim and establish a causal effect of financial choices on physical and mental health outcomes. Our findings suggest that accounting for endogeneity changes the results from a basic specification. Stock holdings no longer significantly affect health while ownership of time accounts and retirement accounts have a strong positive effect on health outcomes. An exploration of the channels driving these effects provides confidence that the potential stress caused by the risk level of financial assets as categorized by the literature is not the primary driver of health outcomes. However, the findings support the time preference channel, i.e. willingness to forego financial satisfactions today in return for greater financial well-being in the future causes beneficial physical and mental health outcomes. There is also some support for the allostatic load hypothesis as well as a dopamine substitutability hypothesis.
Method for probabilistic evaluation of post-earthquake functionality of building systems

Abstract Recent large earthquakes have caused significant building damage resulting in lengthy functional recovery times. Post-earthquake recovery time can be minimized through improved design of building systems essential for providing continuous operation. This study presents a novel method for probabilistic evaluation of the post-earthquake building’s functionality to support functionality-based seismic design. Aligned with the PBEE methodology, the proposed method utilizes FEMA P-58 damage assessment results in conjunction with fault trees of complex building systems to find the percent of building area with compromised functionality and to identify building components that impair its functionality. The primary user-defined inputs are probabilistic limit state functions of individual building components, which define the damage thresholds for partial (local) and full loss of the building functionality. The proposed method is highly flexible; it has a modular structure that allows easy extension by adding new features. A case study is conducted for an existing 13-story building to demonstrate the functionality evaluation and showcase how its results can guide the retrofit measures for improved seismic performance.
‘Field Testing’ Research Assignments

Numerous studies and theorists have identified a variety of problems with traditional research paper assignments for lower-division undergraduate students. These problems have a variety of causes, including assignment design issues, theoretical concerns with research papers in general, and classroom implementation errors. One approach to help mitigate some of these problems is to ensure assignments are properly tested prior to being distributed. However, the use of this simple technique has not been well explored by scholars. The data presented here sheds light on the extent to which instructors complete research tasks themselves before assigning them to students. That is, how frequently instructors field test their research assignments. Responses to a question in a survey conducted by the author suggest that a majority of instructors do not attempt to complete all of their research assignments prior to assigning them to students. The author argues this is a problematic practice that might be addressed through various types of collaborative intervention.
Active sites and effects of co-adsorbed H2O on isolated methanol dehydrogenation over Pt/γ-Al2O3

Abstract Dehydrogenation is the first reaction of the aqueous phase reforming (APR) mechanism of polyols, and its rate is likely affected by the environment at the active site. This study focuses on reactions of methanol on benchmark Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalysts probed by infrared spectroscopy under high vacuum. CO in linear and bridging coordination are the dominant surface species on metal sites. Pt particle sizes and reaction temperatures are varied to identify the kinetically preferred active site for methanol dehydrogenation as either lowly coordinated (edges, corners, interface) or highly coordinated (terraces) metal atoms. Interpretation of temperature-dependent IR spectra up to 450 °C show that larger Pt particles produce more CO at lower temperatures from complete methanol dehydrogenation. Similarly, time-resolved isothermal experiments at 150 °C showed equilibrium conversion occurred much faster on larger Pt particles than smaller ones. Features of evolving ν(C≡O) bands (shape, vibrational frequencies, integrals) suggest that, even on small Pt particles, CO first forms on the scarcely available terraces, or possibly in the form of islands. We have thus experimentally identified highly coordinated Pt metal as the more active site in overall methanol dehydrogenation. The electronic and chemical effects of co-adsorbed water and hydrogen on dehydrogenation activity and the CO spectra are discussed. The co-adsorption of water, an abundant APR component needed for the water-gas shift reaction, does not appear to affect methanol dehydrogenation on large Pt particles but hinders the reaction on small Pt particles as evident by limited growth in the respective ν(C≡O) bands.
Minimal Access Approach for Facial Vessels

The facial artery and vein, frequently utilized in microvascular head and neck reconstruction, have traditionally been exposed via limited neck dissection or similar neck exploration techniques. However, when neck dissection is not required and/or increased superior pedicle reach is required, these vessels are amenable to isolation via a small aesthetically favorable incision just below the inferior mandible border at the facial notch. The technique described in the following chapter allows for facile vessel access and isolation with minimal morbidity and negligible risk to adjacent neural structures.
Measuring household energy efficiency behaviors with attention to behavioral plasticity in the United States

Abstract Household energy consumption remains ripe for behavioral intervention, being responsible for an estimated 31% of U.S. CO 2 emissions. As researchers attempt to understand the factors that influence household energy efficiency behaviors, we suggest it is important to attend to behavioral plasticity—how the perceived difficulty of behavioral responses varies across individuals, behaviors, and contexts. We present a new instrument composed of behaviors identified in previous analyses as having the highest impact on residential energy consumption. Our instrument allows for the specific measurement of self-reported behaviors, behavioral intentions, and inability to perform behaviors. Results from a convenience sample of 1522 U.S. adults demonstrate the construct validity of this instrument, as key factors known to influence pro-environmental behaviors—e.g., key environmental beliefs and attitudes—predict household energy efficiency behaviors.
Characterizing the impact of precision time and range measurements on network position solutions

There is a strong desire to improve the ability to determine the relative position of a network of vehicles (such as aircraft, tanks, troops, etc). This research uses two-way time-transfer (TWTT) measurements, which are already being used for precise relative time measurements, to improve relative positioning of a vehicle network. This research characterizes the impact of using TWTT measurements to improve positioning of vehicle networks. The results show that including TWTT measurements in particular scenarios can reduce the 3-dimensional positioning errors by 11-42% and reduce the relative clock errors from 15% to over 99%.
Protein synthesis in virus-infected plants. I. The number and nature of TMV-directed proteins detected on polyacrylamide gels.

Abstract Extracts and subcellular fractions of TMV-infected tobacco leaves, obtained after various periods of radioactive amino acid incorporation, were denatured and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in SDS. Coelectrophoresis of leucine- 3 H infected and leucine- 14 C uninfected control samples showed that the largest detectable protein moved to the same position as the viral coat protein (MW 17,400). When the leaves from an infected plant were doubly labeled with a mixture of histidine- 3 H and leucine- 14 C or methionine- 35 S and leucine- 3 H, this leucine peak showed a marked decrease in the histidine (or methionine):leucine ratio as compared to the ratios in the gel fractions from an uninfected sample. This technique thus supplies a method of detecting any protein which is related to the viral coat protein, which characteristically lacks histidine and methionine. Two or more peptides smaller than the coat protein, observed in a fraction sedimenting with the virus, were shown to be coat-related by a similar decrease in histidine (or methionine):leucine ratio coinciding with the leucine peaks. High molecular weight proteins were found only if the labeling was done by vacuum infusion of minced tissue, in confirmation of a recent study. This material, however, appeared to be an aggregate containing coat protein. Actinomycin D did not suppress host protein synthesis to an appreciable degree.
Antigen(s) responsible for immunoglobulin G responses specific for the acute stage of Toxoplasma infection in humans.

Abstract An agglutination test for immunoglobulin G (IgG) Toxoplasma antibodies with acetone-fixed tachyzoites (AC antigens; AC agglutination test) was positive only with sera from patients during the acute stage of their infection. In contrast, when the test was performed with Formalin-fixed tachyzoites (HS antigens; HS agglutination test), positive results were obtained during both the acute and chronic (latent) stages of the infection. Studies were performed to define the antigen(s) of T. gondii which are detected by IgG antibodies present only during the acute stage of the infection. Sera of mice immunized with AC antigens recognized predominantly 10 antigens of tachyzoites by immunoblot analysis. Sera from individuals with the acute but not chronic infection reacted strongly with these same 10 antigens in immunoblots. Sera of mice immunized with HS antigens recognized more Toxoplasma antigens on immunoblots than did mouse AC antibodies. Absorption of the latter with HS antigens removed detectable reactivity of AC antibodies in immunoblots and in the AC and HS agglutination tests, suggesting that AC antigens are a selected portion of HS antigens. AC antigens were specific for tachyzoites in that AC antibodies reacted with the cell membranes of both forms of the organism in an indirect fluorescent-antibody test. Tachyzoite-specific antigen(s) appear to be useful in differentiating between the acute and chronic stages of Toxoplasma infection through their detection by IgG antibodies.
Deposition of CuInSe/sub 2/ by the hybrid sputtering-and-evaporation method

CuInSe/sub 2/ thin films deposited by a hybrid process combining magnetron sputtering of Cu and In with evaporation of Se have been analyzed and solar cells have been fabricated. The hybrid technique is shown to produce CuInSe/sub 2/ films of device quality. Heterojunction Mo/CuInSe/sub 2//CdS/ITO/Ni devices with photovoltaic conversion efficiencies as high as 7.7% have been tested. Device characteristics for the best device include V/sub oc/=0.385 V, J/sub sc/=32.6 mA, and a fill factor of 61.3%. The device required an air anneal to achieve full efficiency. Results of microstructural analyses using transmission electron microscopy are reported. The results assist in determining what limits the performance of these devices. As-deposited CuInSe/sub 2/ exhibits no measurable differences as compared with CuInSe/sub 2/ produced by three-source evaporation. All films contain microtwins, stacking faults, and voids. No evidence was found for second phases in material with metal atom fractions as much as 4% off stoichiometry. Defect ordering produces features in the diffraction patterns of single-phase material at positions not normally allowed for the chalcopyrite structure. These measurements are compared with results for single crystals grown with the vertical Bridgeman method by Tomlinson (1986). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results characterizing the valence band as a function of film composition are also presented. >
Alcoholic Beverage Consumption and Lung Cancer Risk among Residents of Los Angeles County

Although studies generally support a positive association between alcohol consumption and lung-cancer risk, the relationship between specific alcoholic beverages and lung-cancer risk has been inconsistent. We examined recent and past alcoholic beverage intake among 261 incident cases and 615 population controls enrolled in a lung-cancer case-control study of African Americans and Caucasians in Los Angeles County between 1991 and 1994. An in-person interview elicited information about past alcohol intake from ages 30 to 40 y, smoking, other lung-cancer risk factors, as well as recent intake of alcohol, and recent dietary intake. An association was observed between recent hard-liquor consumption and lung-cancer risk. The odds ratio (OR) for 1 or more drinks (1.5 oz or 0.051 mL) per day of hard liquor compared with infrequent liquor drinking (0-3 drinks per month), adjusted for smoking, the matching factors, saturated fat and other alcoholic beverages was 1.87 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02-3.42]. No appreciable association was observed for total alcohol, whereas small inverse associations were observed for beer and wine, although confidence intervals were wide. An elevated lung-cancer risk was also observed for past liquor consumption (between ages 30 and 40 y). The adjusted OR for 1 or more drinks per day of liquor compared with infrequent drinkers was 1.83 (95% CI = 1. 06-3.15). Confounding of the association between alcohol and lung cancer by smoking was apparent. Although we devoted considerable efforts to adjusting for smoking in our analyses, residual confounding is still possible because smoking and alcohol are closely associated. In addition, case-control studies including this study should be viewed with caution because of possible selection bias. An increased risk of lung cancer might occur with moderate drinking of hard liquor but confirmation is required in larger studies.
Future Combat Systems Case Study for Analysis of System of Systems Approach

The system of systems approach used in the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program is compared to the systems approach of the Army Brigade Combat Team Modernization (ABCTM) and Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) projects. Several systems engineering tools are applied in order to assess the effectiveness of each method, covering the technical, scheduling and financial perspectives. System complexity and stakeholder relationships were determinant in the transition away from the system of systems approach.
High focal adhesion kinase expression in breast carcinoma is associated with lymphovascular invasion and triple-negative phenotype

Background: Focal adhesion Kinase (FAK) is a nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase that is overexpressed in tumors and plays a significant role in tumor survival and metastasis. The purpose of the study is to perform correlation of FAK expression with patient prognostic factors using tissue microarrays (TMA) samples. Methods: We analyzed FAK expression by immunohistochemical staining in 196 breast primary tumor samples from stage II-IV patients and in 117 metastatic tissues matched to the primary tumors using TMA that were stained with FAK monoclonal antibody. Results: High FAK expression in primary tumors was associated with a younger age of patients (p = 0.033), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.001) and with the triple-negative phenotype (p = 0.033). FAK expression in 117 metastatic tissues positively correlated with FAK expression in matched primary tumors by Spearman correlation analysis. In addition, a strong positive correlation was observed between high FAK expression and shorter overall survival and progression free survival in patients with metastatic tumors. Conclusions: The data demonstrate a high potential for FAK as a therapeutic target, especially in triple-negative breast cancer patients with high FAK expression.
The Measurement of Selfism

Narcissism has become a matter of increasing concern in recent years. In this paper it is referred to as selfism and construed as a problem solving generalized expectancy in the framework of Rotter's social learning theory. The development of a 28-item objective scale is described along with preliminary evidence for its validity.
Relation of electromyography‐induced pain to type of recording electrodes

Pain is an important consideration in the performance of needle electromyography (EMG). Prior investigations have suggested that pain is greater with a concentric needle electrode (CNE) than monopolar needle electrode (MNE). This prospective randomized study tested this hypothesis using improved methodology and disposable rather than reusable needle electrodes. Ninety consecutive outpatients were enrolled and randomized to CNE (diameter = 0.46 mm) or MNE (diameter = 0.41 mm) arms. Subjects underwent a standardized 4 limb-muscle needle EMG protocol during which pretest and posttest verbal analog pain scale (0-10) measures were obtained. As anticipated, EMG-induced pain was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than pre-EMG baseline pain. However, analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant differences in pain ratings between the CNE and MNE arms. Among other factors analyzed, only gender significantly influenced EMG-induced pain, with females reporting higher levels than males. Thus, pain is not an important selection criterion for type of disposable needle electrode.
Quantum efficiency determinations on components of the bacterial luminescence system.

Quantum efficiency determinations for dodecyl aldehyde, FMN, and DPNH were made, various enzyme preparations from the luminous bacterium, Achromobacter fischeri being used. From such measurements it was shown that FMN was not destroyed during luminescence but that dodecyl aldehyde disappeared during the reaction. The lowest value found for the aldehyde quantum efficiency was 20. In one enzyme preparation, about 0.036% of the DPNH was utilized for light production whereas the bulk of the compound was oxidized via other pathways. Reduced flavin mononucleotide and the enzyme, luciferase, were found to be necessary for the disappearance of the aldehyde in the luminescence reaction. The quantum efficiency data support a proposal by McElroy and Green9 that the peroxidation of dodecyl aldehyde (or of long chain aldehydes in general) furnishes the necessary energy for the excitation of FMN, which subsequently leads to light production. A working hypothesis describing the mechanism has been presented.
Reassessing the dependence of cloud condensation nucleus concentration on formation rate

MARINE stratocumulus clouds play an important role in the Earth's radiation budget. The albedo of these clouds depends on the cloud droplet size distribution, and therefore, in part, on the number density of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN)1. It has been postulated2 that a positive feedback loop between increased CCN concentrations and decreased drizzle gives rise to a bistable system, in which there are two equilibrium CCN concentration regimes. According to this model, CCN concentration is only weakly dependent on the CCN production rate within the stable regimes, but very strongly dependent on this rate in the transition region between the regimes. If correct, this strong dependence implies that a small increase in the production of CCN over the oceans could drastically increase the planetary albedo. Using a more sophisticated model3 than that used previously, we find no evidence for bistability. However, we find that CCN concentrations are generally strongly dependent on their production rate, so that changes in the latter would influence the Earth's albedo. We also find that the timescale for reducing high CCN concentrations can be as long as several days, which implies that high CCN concentrations can persist in clouds advected to regions of lower CCN production rate.
Approach to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patient with Lipodystrophy

Subcutaneous atrophy and central fat accumulation are common among HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy, and may be accompanied by dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. These fat changes, although commonly referred to together as lipodystrophy, are best considered as separate disorders, with distinct pathogeneses and treatment approaches. These morphological and metabolic abnormalities first appeared after introduction of protease inhibitors more than 10 yr ago, but research has demonstrated that their pathogenesis is multifactorial, with contributions from other antiretroviral medications, patient-related factors, and HIV itself. Switching to a less toxic highly active antiretroviral therapy regimen has shown partial effectiveness for the management of fat atrophy and lipid abnormalities. Lifestyle modification or surgical approaches are the treatment of choice for lipohypertrophy, although novel therapies targeting the GH axis show promise. HIV-related dyslipidemia may be difficult to treat, and can be complicated by drug-drug interactions between some lipid-lowering medications and antiretroviral medications. Treatment of diabetes in HIV-infected patients should generally follow established guidelines, but thiazolidinediones, rather than metformin, may be considered first-line treatment in a patient with lipoatrophy, given their potential to increase sc fat. The contribution of body fat changes and metabolic abnormalities to cardiovascular risk and the changing risk profiles of newer antiretroviral regimens are under intense investigation.
Control of albumin and α-fetoprotein expression in rat liver and in some transplantable hepatocellular carcinomas

Abstract Albumin and α-fetoprotein production by rat liver and by four selected transplantable hepatocellular carcinomas is compared to the messenger RNA present in these tissues. Albumin and α-fetoprotein were measured by radioimmunoassay of serum concentration, immunofluorescence, and in vitro incorporation of labeled amino acids into proteins specifically precipitated by antisera. The number of mRNA molecules per cell was calculated from the hybridization of specific cDNA probes to polysomal mRNA and by translational activity of polysomal RNA in a wheat germ system. The amount of albumin and α-fetoprotein produced by the different tissues is directly related to the number of functional mRNA molecules per cell for each protein.
Dual biological function of a T-cell-derived murine immunoenhancing factor.

Abstract Murine enhancing factor (MEF), derived from the culture fluid of mixtures of histoincompatible spleen cells, was found to have two apparently different, but perhaps closely related, biological activities. First, MEF can functionally replace T cells in nonspecifically augmenting the anti-sheep erythrocyte plaque-forming cell response of T-cell-depleted, mouse splenic B-cell cultures. Second, the mediator acts similarly to colony stimulating factor from human urine in promoting the formation of colony-forming units (CFU) in soft agar bone marrow cell cultures. This latter function of MEF was manifest in the absence of detectable increases in the level of incorporation of [ 3 H]thymidine by cultured bone marrow cells. Morphologically, the cells comprising the CFU were macrophage-like in appearance. The data suggest that MEF may function as a differentiation signal for the maturation of antigen-activated B lymphocytes into immunoglobulin-secreting cells, as well as for the modulation of hematopoietic or granulopoietic macrophage stem cells into mature, functional macrophages.
Ultrasensitive detection of single molecules in flowing sample streams by laser-induced fluorescence

We report here on the detection and fluorescence lifetime measurement of single Rhodamine- 110 molecules in a flowing, aqueous sample stream. Time-correlated photon counting (TCPC) used in combination with pulsed excitation allows for the detection, in the presence of significant prompt Raman and Rayleigh background, of photon bursts due to single fluorescent molecules passing through a small detection volume (approximately 1 pL). The fluorescence lifetime of a detected molecule is estimated from the decay curve complied from photon arrival times in the burst.
MicroRNAs control intestinal epithelial differentiation, architecture, and barrier function.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Whereas the importance of microRNA (miRNA) for the development of several tissues is well established, its role in the intestine is unknown. We aimed to quantify the complete miRNA expression profile of the mammalian intestinal mucosa and to determine the contribution of miRNAs to intestinal homeostasis using genetic means. METHODS: We determined the miRNA transcriptome of the mouse intestinal mucosa using ultrahigh throughput sequencing. Using high-throughput sequencing of RNA isolated by cross-linking immunoprecipitation (HITS-CLIP), we identified miRNA-messenger RNA target relationships in the jejunum. We employed gene ablation of the obligatory miRNA-processing enzyme Dicer1 to derive mice deficient for all miRNAs in intestinal epithelia. RESULTS: miRNA abundance varies dramatically in the intestinal mucosa, from 1 read per million to 250,000. Of the 453 miRNA families identified, mmu-miR-192 is the most highly expressed in both the small and large intestinal mucosa, and there is a 53% overlap in the top 15 expressed miRNAs between the 2 tissues. The intestinal epithelium of Dicer1 loxP/loxP ;Villin-Cre mutant mice is disorganized, with a decrease in goblet cells, a dramatic increase in apoptosis in crypts of both jejunum and colon, and accelerated jejunal cell migration. Furthermore, intestinal barrier function is impaired in Dicer1-deficient mice, resulting in intestinal inflammation with lymphocyte and neutrophil infiltration. Our list of miRNA-messenger RNA targeting relationships in the small intestinal mucosa provides insight into the molecular mechanisms behind the phenotype of Dicer1 mutant mice. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified all intestinal miRNAs and shown using gene ablation of Dicer1 that miRNAs play a vital role in the differentiation and function of the intestinal epithelium.
DNA repair in syrian hamster embeyo cells treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene and its weakly carcinogenic 5-fluoro analog

Summary The postreplication repair capacity of Syrian hamster embryo cells in culture was determined after treatment with the potent carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a ] anthracene (DMBA) and its weakly carcinogenic analog 5-F-DMBA. The size and amount of daughter DNA sedimenting as high-molecular-weight DNA were found to be less in the DMBA treated cells than in the 5-F-DMBA-treated cells. This difference probably depends upon the types of adducts entering DNA replication.
A procedure for the classification of synoptic weather maps from gridded atmospheric pressure surface data

Abstract Although synoptic climatological research includes two stages, the classification of daily weather maps and the evaluation of the relationships of these synoptic type categories with local weather elements, most expenditures of time and money are on classification procedures. To alleviate this problem, a series of 6 FORTRAN programs for the classification of synoptic weather maps from gridded atmospheric pressure surface data is presented. An example illustrating the applicaton of the procedure is discussed.
Further Remarks on the Cosmological Time Scale

Recent investigations on clusters of nebulae with the 18-inch Schmidt telescope on Palomar Mountain suggest that many large clusters of nebulae such as the Coma cluster represent statistically stationary configurations [1]. Calculations show that, if one starts from originally random distributions of nebulae, the formation of stationary large clusters requires periods of time exceeding 10^18 years [1]. Consequently, if the process of clustering of nebulae has actually reached a stationary state, it follows that the short-time scale demanded by the hypothesis of an expanding universe is untenable.
CSCC Review Series Essay: Education Abroad in the U.S. Community Colleges.

This article—the first in the Council for the Study of Community Colleges (CSCC) Review Essays Series—reviews the literature concerning education-abroad opportunities for community college students...
Analysis of polarization mode dispersion in Raman amplification

The analysis of the effect of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) on Raman amplification has been investigated. It is found that the Raman amplification is affected by the fiber length and core ellipticity. High PMD values are obtained for increased fiber length and change in core ellipticity.
Resistance is futile: effects of landscape features on gene flow of the northern bobwhite

Habitat for the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) has declined and changed drastically in spatial structure throughout the last century. Undoubtedly such changes have impacted bobwhite and may have altered their ability to access available habitat. We investigated whether landscape resistance, geographic distance, or interstate highway barriers were related to dispersal and gene flow of bobwhite in central and southern Illinois. Landscape resistance was determined from two empirically informed models depicting habitat suitability for bobwhite. During 2007–2008, hunters submitted bobwhite tissue samples from which we amplified 11 microsatellites. The relationship between individual genetic distances and spatial variables was analyzed with Mantel tests and causal modeling was used to verify the spatial variables influencing gene flow. Genetic distance was correlated with geographic distance but showed no relationship with interstate highway barriers. Habitat suitability did not enhance gene flow, and was inversely related in some partial Mantel tests. We suggest that bobwhite dispersal from suitable habitat patches may be less frequent than from suboptimal habitats. Bobwhite may be able to access suitable habitat across gaps of unsuitable habitat but distance limits their dispersal. Because available habitat for bobwhites may have a greater likelihood of being colonized when closer to occupied habitat, we suggest that lands closer to occupied habitat should be targeted for conservation or habitat improvement efforts.
Matrix representations of propagation and scattering operations

Abstract We develop a systematic approach for modeling underwater propagation media using matrix representations of bounded, linear operators. Numerical representations easily incorporated into discrete-time array processors can be developed for a broad class of deterministic and random media. Both well established and new results developed in this paper can be unified within this framework. Matrix representations for wideband signal processing have interesting implications in non-stationary stochastic process theory.
TFOx: A versatile kinetic Monte Carlo program for simulations of island growth in three dimensions

Abstract A three dimensional (3D) kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) code has been developed that simulates the general behavior of the 3D irreversible nucleation and growth of epitaxial islands, as motivated by experimental observations of oxide nuclei formation and growth during the early stages of copper oxidation. This package was originally a versatile two dimensional (2D) KMC code [Thin Film Oxidation (TFOx)] that considered a variety of elementary steps, including deposition, adsorption, surface diffusion, aggregation, desorption, and substrate-mediated indirect interactions between static adatoms. We extended TFOx to describe 3D island growth. This new version of TFOx is composed of a C++ console program and Python graphical user interface (GUI), such that parameterized simulation, parallel execution, and 3D growth capabilities are feasible. We examined the effects of the potential gradient and the Ehrlich–Schwobel barrier and found that the 3D island morphology is significantly influenced by the incorporation of these two factors.
Protection from Feed-Forward Amplification in an Amplified RNAi Mechanism

Summary The effectiveness of RNA interference (RNAi) in many organisms is potentiated through the signal-amplifying activity of a targeted RNA-directed RNA polymerase (RdRP) system that can convert a small population of exogenously-encountered dsRNA fragments into an abundant internal pool of small interfering RNA (siRNA). As for any biological amplification system, we expect an underlying architecture that will limit the ability of a randomly encountered trigger to produce an uncontrolled and self-escalating response. Investigating such limits in Caenorhabditis elegans , we find that feed-forward amplification is limited by biosynthetic and structural distinctions at the RNA level between (1) triggers that can produce amplification and (2) siRNA products of the amplification reaction. By assuring that initial (primary) siRNAs can act as triggers but not templates for activation, and that the resulting (secondary) siRNAs can enforce gene silencing on additional targets without unbridled trigger amplification, the system achieves substantial but fundamentally limited signal amplification.
The “Real Alaskan”: Nostalgia and Rural Masculinity in the “Last Frontier”

Using a cultural studies approach, we connect recent theories on rural masculinities and nostalgia to show how a particular variety of rural Alaskan masculinity becomes dominant and struggles to maintain its dominance even in late capitalist urban spaces. This Alaskan masculinity, we argue, is embedded in landscape and frontier nostalgia, through discourse, images, and practices surrounding the “real Alaskan.” Our examples come from both reflective nostalgia found in classic and contemporary literature about Alaska and restorative nostalgia found in the modern tourist industry. The real Alaskan, a cultural symbol deeply coded as masculine, rural, and white, repudiates—or at least marginalizes—that which is feminine, urban, and Native. We argue that it is not only part of the nation's imagination but also one in which many Alaskans are invested.