cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 1829: Predictors of quality of life among Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women: A 15 year follow-up study of long-term breast cancer survivors

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Background: Breast cancer survivors are the largest group of cancer survivors, comprising 23% of the total. While significant predictors of quality of life (QOL) have emerged among independent studies, data is lacking for long-term survivors as well as for differences between Hispanic (H) and Non-Hispanic White (NHW) women. Investigating QOL is important for the evaluation of the consequences of breast cancer beyond the diagnosis and treatment phases. Methods and Materials: Participants from the New Mexico Women's Health Study (NMWHS), population-based case-control investigation (1992-1996) were contacted by telephone 12-15 years after the original interview. QOL was assessed using the MOS SF-36, a generic, multi-purpose, health survey composed of 36 questions that has been utilized and validated to evaluate physical and mental health in many diverse populations. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate differences between cases and controls for eight sub-scales and two summary scales adjusting for potential covariates, including stratification by ethnicity for physical and mental health summary scales. Means for scales were log transformed and normalized and compared to the 1998 U.S. general population of females aged 55-64. Results: There was a significant difference between cases and controls for the mental health summary (β=−3.74; p=0.04) but not physical health summary (β=−2.53; p=0.14) scale. Significant predictors for both summary scales included: age, ≥4 co-morbidities, current pain and fatigue, and less education. Social support (p=0.002), case (p=0.02) and ethnicity (p=0.02) were significant predictors of mental health while BMI (p<0.0001) was significant for physical health. Adjustment for time since diagnosis, current marital status, and menopausal status did not alter the results. When stratified by ethnicity, and adjusted for all significant covariates, there was a significant difference in mental health summary between cases and controls for H women (p=0.03). Transformed means for eight subscales and physical health summary were higher for both cases and controls compared to normative data, with the exception of mental health summary for cases. Conclusion: Breast cancer survivors report lower mental health scores on the SF-36 than control women 12 to 15 years after diagnosis and treatment. Hispanic cases, in particular, report lower mental health scores even after adjustment for multiple covariates including co-morbidity, pain and fatigue, education, and social support. This is one of the first studies to detect persistent problems with QOL in long-term breast cancer survivors. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1829. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1829
Evaluating Acrosome Interference Contrast Reaction Steps with Brightfield and Differential Microscopy Techniques

Abstract Acrosomal integrity of bovine spermatozoa was evaluated using naphthol yellow S-erythrosine B stain with bright field microscopy, .2% glutaraldehyde fixation with Nomarski optics, and live wet smears with Nomarski optics to compare the evaluation techniques. Four ejaculates per two Holstein bulls were enriched through a Percoll gradient, capacitated with heparin, and acrosome-reacted with lysophosphatidylcholine to prepare spermatozoa for in vitro fertilization. Spermatozoa samples were taken after each preparatory step, and percentage of intact acrosomes was evaluated with the stain, .2% glutaraldehyde, and live wet smear. Acrosomal integrity decreased with each preparatory step across all techniques. The decrease in integrity from heparin to lysophosphatidylcholine indicated that all methods detected the acrosome reaction. Technique means across preparation steps showed no differences. Correlations between microscopy techniques were high. The live wet smear used no fixation methods. Both the naphthol yellow S-erythrosine B stain and the .2% glutaraldehyde techniques employed fixation steps that may have introduced artifacts that could influence the data. The live wet smear evaluated by Nomarski optics allowed a comparable evaluation of the acrosome-reacted bovine spermatozoa. Comparing brightfield with differential interference contrast microscopy for detecting the acrosome reaction in bovine spermatozoa showed that both methods were equally accurate.
Protein Kinase A Activation of Estrogen Receptor α Transcription Does Not Require Proteasome Activity and Protects the Receptor from Ligand-Mediated Degradation

17β-Estradiol (E2)-stimulated estrogen receptor (ERα) transcription is accompanied by protein degradation via the 26S-proteasome pathway. Inhibition of proteasome activity stabilizes ERα protein and abolishes E2-activated transcription, suggesting functional linkages between transcription and degradation. It is not known whether ligand-independent ERα activation is coupled to proteolysis. In pituitary cells, forskolin (FSK) stimulates ERα transcription through the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. This study examined interactions between E2-dependent and PKA-stimulated pathways in GH3 cells by measuring transcription of a transfected reporter gene and endogenous ERα levels. E2 stimulated estrogen response element-mediated transcription 2- to 3-fold and decreased ERα protein levels to 40%. In contrast, FSK stimulated ERα transcription without decreasing ERα protein. Treatment with FSK plus E2 resulted in synergistic ERα transactivation, and FSK specifically prevented E2-induced ERα degradation. PKA is requir...
The nursing shortage: a worldwide problem

A worldwide shortage of nurses has been acknowledged by the multidisciplinary Global Advisory Group of the World Health Organization. The shortage is caused by an increased demand for nurses, while fewer people are choosing nursing as a profession and the current nurses worldwide are aging. The shortage applies to nurses in practice as well as the nurse faculty who teach students. The inter-country recruitment and migration of nurses from developing countries to developed countries exacerbates the problem. Although public opinion polls identifies the nurse as the person who makes the health care system work for them, the conditions of the work environment in which the nurse functions is unsatisfactory and must change. Numerous studies have shown the positive effects on the nurse of a healthy work environment and the positive relationships between nursing care and patient outcomes. It is important that government officials, insurance companies, and administrators and leaders of health care systems acknowledge and operationalize the value of nurses to the health care system in order to establish and maintain the integrity and viability of that system.
Analysis of steady state shearing and stress relaxation in the Maxwell orthogonal rheometer

A nonlinear, integral viscoelastic model is used to predict the stresses in the Maxwell orthogonal rheometer. The resulting expressions indicate that the instrument yields data on material functions not heretofore measured, and also show how the data may be analyzed to get the complex viscosity. Expressions are given for stress relaxation after cessation of shearing. Some experimental data are analyzed to give model parameters.
“Democratic” collaboration for school turnaround in Southern Arizona

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the democratic nature of collaboration and related principal influences in one successful Southern Arizona elementary school in a changing demographic and border context in the US Southwest and where the principal did not share the same ethnic identity/cultural background.Design/methodology/approach – This case study, using Furman's ethic of community framework, draws upon a secondary analysis of existing qualitative data from one urban elementary school as part of a larger multi‐case study. Participants included the Principal, Assistant Principal, eight teachers, and six parents.Findings – Findings revealed limitations in democratic collaborative processes associated with school turnaround on account of principal pressure for compliance with personal agendas and packaged curricular reform expectations. Top‐down managerial practices sacrificed inclusion of stakeholders, community relationship building, and room for more authentic democratic grassroots inno...
Identification and segregation of high-value soybeans at a country elevator

For three harvest seasons, 1989–1991, a whole-grain nearinfrared transmission analyzer was used at a large Iowa elevator to measure oil and protein content of unground soybeans. In the third year, soybeans were physically sorted on the basis of the sum of protein and oil. The sum is a direct measure of processor revenue potential. The top 23% (approximately 150,000 bu or 4500 MT) of soybeans were isolated from the lower 77%. The “high-value” beans (with sum 0.7 percentage points above the average) were isolated for future sale to a processor. The analyzer performed accurately and required about 1.5 min per test. Compared to the normal 1.0 min per test for moisture measurement, this caused an additional delay of about 30 s per load for farmers, which is a significant cost over the 100–300 loads per day received by the elevator. Because this was a new program for elevator employees, errors in data transcription and communication reduced the value difference of the high-sum beans from its theoretical maximum of 1.2 percentage points, but the high-value beans still had a theoretical 10 cent/bushel advantage over average unsegregated beans delivered to that elevator. Cost accounting showed the testing and segregation to cost about 2–3 cents per bushel. Testing and segregation is feasible in the U.S. grain market.
Minimizing transceivers in optical path networks

The problem of routing traffic on multihop clear optical channels and deciding the virtual topology of optical channels to form on a physical network of fibers to minimize the cost of electronic switching equipment has become known as traffic grooming in optical networks. Traffic grooming is recognized as an important research area, because the joint opto-electric routing problem is a hard one, yet necessary because of the large cost of pure electronic switching. This problem has been shown to be NP-complete (nondeterminstic polynomial complete) even for very simple practical topologies such as a path network. In previous work, we have shown that at least the subproblem of routing traffic on a given virtual topology to minimize electronic switching (NP-hard for path networks with arbitrary traffic matrices) becomes polynomial when the traffic on the path is restricted to be egress traffic, that is, all traffic requests are destined for a single egress node. In that work, the objective was to minimize the raw OEO (opto-electro-optic) metric (number of bits electronically switched per second) totaled over all network nodes. Of late, it has become clear that electronic switching equipment cost is best counted in quantized units, e.g., in the number of transceiver interfaces at network nodes. In this paper, we consider the traffic grooming problem in unidirectional, WDM path networks with the goal of minimizing the number of transceivers. We conclusively show that the problem is NP-hard, even under the restriction of the egress traffic model. In the case of egress traffic, we give a simple heuristic that will never be worse than twice the optimal.
Contribution of L496-L500-W503 Motif of DHPR-β1A Subunit to Skeletal-Type EC-Coupling

The β1a subunit is a cytoplasmic component of the dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) complex that plays an essential role in skeletal muscle excitation-contraction (EC) coupling. Here we investigate the role of the carboxyl terminal end of this auxiliary subunit in the functional and structural communication between the DHPR and the Ca2+ release channel (RyR1). Progressive truncation of the β1a C-terminus showed that deletion of amino acid residues 489Q- to -W503 resulted in loss of depolarization-induced Ca2+ release, severe reduction of L-type Ca2+ currents and lack of tetrad formation as evaluated by freeze-fracture analysis. However, deletion of this domain did not affect expression/targeting or density (Qmax) of DHPR-α1S subunit to the plasma membrane. Within this region are found residues L496, L500 and W503, which are thought to mediate direct β1a-RyR1 interactions. Disruption of the motif L496-L500-W503 by a triple alanine substitution weakened EC-coupling but it did not replicate the truncated phenotype. These data demonstrate that an amino acid segment encompassing sequence 489QVQVLTSLRRNLSFW503 of β1a contains critical determinant(s) for the physical link of DHPR and RyR1, further confirming a direct correspondence between DHPR positioning and DHPR/RyR functional interactions. In addition, our data strongly suggest that motif L496-L500-W503 within the β1a C-terminal tail plays a non-essential role in bi-directional DHPR/RyR1 signaling that supports skeletal-type EC-coupling.Supported by NHI Grants 5K01AR054818, R03AR066359 (to CFP), R37-HL-048093 (to CFA) and Milton Fund/Harvard Medical School (to CFP).
Growing lettuce in non-aerated, non-circulated hydroponic systems

Abstract Low density, plant-holding trays conveniently float on nutrient solution in hydroponic systems, but they do not provide an air space to the plant root zone. Astudy was conducted to determine if an air space between the tank cover and the nutrient solution affected lettuce using three non-aerated hydroponic methods that were also non-circulated. ‘Red Sails’ leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was grown in 5-cm net pots supported by expanded polystyrene bead board tank covers where the board was supported by the tank frame and remained fixed, the board floated on the nutrient solution, and the board initially floated on the nutrient solution and sank to a 5-cm depth as the solution was depleted. Tanks were 8.9-cm high and contained 7.6 cm (109 L) of non-circulating nutrient solution. No additional nutrient solution was added. Lettuce was harvested when only 1.3 cm of nutrient solution remained in the tank. When the board remained fixed, head fresh weights averaged 220 g during seven crops over a perio...
Ion-Pair Recognition by Ditopic Macrocyclic Receptors

Over the past thirty years, a large number of macrocyclic receptors have been synthesized and evaluated for their abilities to bind cations. More recently, increased attention has been directed towards receptors for anions. Many of these synthetic receptors are uncharged molecules and operate in organic solvents. Under these conditions the target salts exist as associated ion-pairs which can hinder the single-ion recognition process. [1] A strategy to circumvent this problem is to design a single receptor with specific cation and anion binding sites. In other words, a heteroditopic receptor that can simultaneously bind both of the salt ions. The chronological development of salt receptors has been reviewed a number of times in the past few years, [2-6] and so the exercise will not be repeated here. Instead, the chapter will focus on the more specific topic of ion-pair recognition.
Medical planning and response for a nuclear detonation: A practical guide

This article summarizes major points from a newly released guide published online by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The article reviews basic principles about radiation and its measurement, short-term and long-term effects of radiation, and medical countermeasures as well as essential information about how to prepare for and respond to a nuclear detonation. A link is provided to the manual itself, which in turn is heavily referenced for readers who wish to have more detail.
Measuring Student's Perceptions of Teaching: Dimensions of Evaluation:

Results from application of the SPTE Questionnaire from 2,115 classes were factor analyzed to oblique simple structure. A first-order solution with six factors resulted: 1) Attitude Toward Students...
Neuroecology and psychological modularity

To be fair, Bolhuis and Macphail are not alone in their misconceptions of modularity, particularly in the notion that psychological modularity assumes neural modularity. Many cognitive scientists, for example, have either implicitly or explicitly presupposed a necessary link between modularity at the cognitive and neural levels [8xKarmiloff-Smith, A. See all References, 10xNon-verbal cognition: from reals to integers. Gallistel, C.R. and Gelman, R. Trends Cogn. Sci. 2000; 4: 59–65Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (371)See all References]. Our point is simply that Bolhuis and Macphail's assumptions about modularity are just that – assumptions. And sadly, they are assumptions that detract from what we feel is the most important point of their review, namely, that seemingly domain-specific cognitive systems can in fact be implemented in a distributed neural substrate. The data Bolhuis and Macphail review on song learning and food storage in birds suggest that distributed neurobiological architectures can subserve specified cognitive functions. These data are important in light of the fact that cognitive neuroscientists still know relatively little about how neuroanatomical structures constrain cognitive computations, and, particularly, about how specificity at the neural level impacts the implementation (and evolution) of cognitive specificity. In the same way that cognitive scientists working on humans should avail themselves of the existing comparative literature in order to understand whether the modules that subserve human thought evolved recently or in the distant past, ethologists working on non-human animals must avail themselves of the appropriate cognitive theories in order to ensure that they are shooting at the right targets.
The Paradox of Term Limit Support: To Know Them Is NOT to Love Them

The public has evidenced continuing support for state legislative term limits, while those who most closely observe the impacts of term limits often support their repeal or extension. This article examines this paradox of term limit support among two groups of knowledgeable observers—party chairs and lobbyists in Florida. The findings support the idea that to know term limits is NOT to love them. They also suggest that among these political elites, support for the repeal of term limits is not a matter of self-interest, but rather reflects a concern about the institutional viability of an important state representative body.
High‐pressure liquid chromatography and ultraviolet spectrometry of ketonic C27 sterols

A method for the separation of ketonic C27 sterols was devised, based on high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultraviolet absorption (UV). The adsorption column contained silica gel, particle size 10 μm, and the eluents were dichloromethane/n-hexane/ethyl acetate (94∶5∶1) and dichloromethane/ethyl actate (99∶1) followed by dichloromethane/ethyl acetate (3∶1). The 5β-sterols were eluted before the 5α-analogs, sterols with isolated double bonds before conjugated carbonyl compounds, and ketones before hydroxy ketones. The effect of carbonyl groups on polarity depends on the position in the molecule and decreases in the order C-3>C-6>C-7. The ultraviolet absorption spectra of eleven sterols were determined, and their absorbance at 254 nm and at 280 nm was used for analyzing the column effluent with a dual detector system.
Recent references September through December 1991

In support of a continuing program of systematic evaluation of nuclear structure data, the National Nuclear Data Center maintains a complete computer file of references to the nuclear physics literature. Each reference is tagged by a keyword string, which indicates the kinds of data contained in the article. This master file of Nuclear Structure References (NSR) contains complete keyword indexes to literature published since 1969, with partial indexing of older references. 261 refs.
Measuring health-related quality of life in population-based studies of coronary heart disease: comparing six generic indexes and a disease-specific proxy score

Purpose To compare HRQoL differences with CHD in generic indexes and a proxy CVD-specific score in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults.
Effect of Kinematic Oscillation on Tractive Characteristics of Steel Wheel on Rail

The effect of kinematic oscillation of a wheel on a rail has been experimentally investigated by using the newly redesigned and improved quarter scale IIT-GMEMD Wheel Rail Simulation Facility. It has been found that unlike the decrease of longitudinal adhesion observed in curve negotiation with a steady angle of attack, the kinematic oscillation ar a small oscillation angle seems to actually increase the maximum adhesion levels that can be achieved. This implies that the wheel conicity is slightly beneficial from the point of view of the levels of adhesion that may be achieved. It has also been observed that the condition of the surface in terms of the roughness is a more significant parameter influencing degree of adhesion as compared to the influence of kinematic oscillation. Slightly higher roughness seems to increase the adhesion level achieved.
Existence, extendability, and stability for a differential equation in the space of convergent sequences

On considere l'existence, l'etendabilite et la stabilite des solutions pour une equation differentielle dans le cadre de l'espace de Banach des suites convergentes et on donne des conditions sur chaque composante qui soit forcent la composante a s'annuler en un temps fini soit lui permettent d'exister dans le futur
Spectroscopic Determination of Leaf Biochemistry Using Band-Depth Analysis of Absorption Features and Stepwise Multiple Linear Regression

Abstract We develop a new method for estimating the biochemistry of plant material using spectroscopy. Normalized band depths calculated from the continuum-removed reflectance spectra of dried and ground leaves were used to estimate their concentrations of nitrogen, lignin, and cellulose. Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to select wavelengths in the broad absorption features centered at 1.73 μm, 2.10 μm, and 2.30 μm that were highly correlated with the chemistry of samples from eastern U.S. forests. Band depths of absorption features at these wavelengths were found to also be highly correlated with the chemistry of four other sites. A subset of data from the eastern U.S. forest sites was used to derive linear equations that were applied to the remaining data to successfully estimate their nitrogen, lignin, and cellulose concentrations. Correlations were highest for nitrogen (R2 from 0.75 to 0.94). The consistent results indicate the possibility of establishing a single equation capable of estimating the chemical concentrations in a wide variety of species from the reflectance spectra of dried leaves. The extension of this method to remote sensing was investigated. The effects of leaf water content, sensor signal-to-noise and bandpass, atmospheric effects, and background soil exposure were examined. Leaf water was found to be the greatest challenge to extending this empirical method to the analysis of fresh whole leaves and complete vegetation canopies. The influence of leaf water on reflectance spectra must be removed to within 10%. Other effects were reduced by continuum removal and normalization of band depths. If the effects of leaf water can be compensated for, it might be possible to extend this method to remote sensing data acquired by imaging spectrometers to give estimates of nitrogen, lignin, and cellulose concentrations over large areas for use in ecosystem studies.
Collisional dissociation spectroscopy of (H3+)∗ and (He2+)∗ using small accelerators

Abstract The laboratory energy distributions, at 0° scattering, of H− and He+ resulting from the collisional excitation and dissociation of keV H3+ and He2+ have been measured. From the H− distribution we have determined an approximate c.m. energy distribution resulting from the three particle breakup of ( H 3 + ) ∗ → H + + H − + H + . From the He+ distribution we have found possible evidence for an electronically excited, metastable state of (He2+) at about 25 eV above the dissociation limit of He+ + He.
Gyro reliability in the Apollo Guidance, Navigation, and Control system.

Apollo gyro reliability covering guidance, navigation and control systems, stressing failure mode prediction
Measuring value-added in higher education: Possibilities and limitations in the use of administrative data §

Abstract This paper develops a general methodology for measuring the value added of institutions of higher education using commonly available administrative data. Our approach recognizes the data limitations and selection problems inherent in higher education, and highlights the challenges these issues pose for education policy. Combining information from different administrative sources in the state of Texas, we follow the universe of Texas college applicants from the time of application (pre-enrollment) through public college and into the labor market. In specifications that do not control for selection, we find large, significant differences across colleges in terms of persistence, graduation, and earnings; however, these differences decrease substantially when we control for selection. In light of the growing interest in using value-added measures in higher education for both funding and incentivizing purposes, our methodology offers unique evidence and lessons for policy makers.
Ndabaningi Sithole, Garfield Todd and the Dadaya school strike of 1947

Like the more well‐known railway workers’ strike of 1945 and the general strike of 1948, a strike by students at the Dadaya mission school in 1947 was an important background episode to the rise of African nationalism in Southern Rhodesia. The two main antagonists in this strike were Ndabaningi Sithole and Garfield Todd, both of whom went on to play important political roles in the colony, the one as African nationalist theoretician and practitioner and the other as Prime Minister from 1953 to 1958 and later as a leading white critic of Ian Smith's break‐away Rhodesia. Todd, the principal of Dadaya at the time of the strike, fired Sithole (along with three other African teachers) for his alleged role in ‘instigating’ it. Considerable political turmoil subsequently ensued. Todd, who had been elected to the Legislative Assembly on the ruling party's ticket the previous year, demanded that the government bar Sithole from teaching, while various African political and professional associations rallied to Sitho...
Next-generation psychiatric assessment: Using smartphone sensors to monitor behavior and mental health.

Objective Optimal mental health care is dependent upon sensitive and early detection of mental health problems. The current study introduces a state-of-the-art method for remote behavioral monitoring that transports assessment out of the clinic and into the environments in which individuals negotiate their daily lives. The objective of this study was examine whether the information captured with multi-modal smartphone sensors can serve as behavioral markers for one’s mental health. We hypothesized that: a) unobtrusively collected smartphone sensor data would be associated with individuals’ daily levels of stress, and b) sensor data would be associated with changes in depression, stress, and subjective loneliness over time.
Experimental Studies of Narrow Band Effects in the Actinides

It is the purpose of this paper to present experimental data which emphasize the narrow band behavior of actinides. We will show that phenomena associated with narrow 5f-like bands are not rare. The discussion will concentrate on pure actinides and binary cubic intermetallic compounds of the type AnX, AnX2, and AnX3.
Oxygen activation by the noncoupled binuclear copper site in peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase. Spectroscopic definition of the resting sites and the putative CuIIM-OOH intermediate.

Spectroscopic methods, density functional calculations, and ligand field analyses are combined to define the geometric models and electronic structure descriptions of the Cu M and CuH sites in the oxidized form of the noncoupled binuclear copper protein peptidylglycine R-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM). The CuM site has a square pyramidal geometry with a long axial Cu-methionine bond and two histidines, H2O, and OH - as equatorial ligands. The CuH site has a slightly D2d distorted square planar geometry with three histidines and H2O ligands. The structurally inequivalent CuM and CuH sites do not exhibit measurable differences in optical and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra, which result from their similar ligand field transition energies and ground-state Cu covalencies. The additional axial methionine ligand interaction and associated square pyramidal distortion of the Cu M site have the opposite effect of the strong equatorial OH - donor ligand on the Cu d orbital splitting pattern relative to the Cu H site leading to similar ligand field transition energies for both sites. The small molecule NO 2 - binds in different coordination modes to the CuM and CuH site because of differences in their exchangeable coordination positions resulting in these Cu II sites being spectroscopically distinguishable. Azide binding to PHM is used as a spectroscopic and electronic structure analogue to OOH - binding to provide a starting point for developing a geometric and electronic structural model for the putative Cu II M-OOH intermediate in the H-atom abstraction reaction of PHM. Possible electronic structure contributions of the Cu II M- OOH intermediate to reactivity are considered by correlation to the well-studied L3Cu II -OOH model complex (L3 ) (HB{3-tBu-5-iPrpz}3)). The Met-S ligand of the CuM site is found to contribute to the stabilization of the Cu II M-oxyl species, which would be a product of Cu II M-OOH H-atom abstraction reaction. This Met-S contribution could have a significant effect on the energetics of a H-atom abstraction reaction by the Cu II M-OOH intermediate.
Properties of Hemoglobin Solutions in Red Cells

The present studies are concerned with a detailed examination of the apparent anomalous osmotic behavior of human red cells. Red cell water has been shown to behave simultaneously as solvent water for nonelectrolytes and nonsolvent water, in part, for electrolytes. The nonsolvent properties are based upon assumptions inherent in the conventional van't Hoff equation. However, calculations according to the van't Hoff equation give osmotic volumes considerably in excess of total cell water when the pH is lowered beyond the isoelectric point for hemoglobin; hence the van't Hoff equation is inapplicable for the measurement of the solvent properties of the red cell. Furthermore, in vitro measurements of osmotic and other properties of 3.7 millimolal solutions of hemoglobin have failed to reveal the presence of any salt exclusion. A new hypothesis has been developed from thermodynamic principles alone, which predicts that, at constant pH, the net charge on the hemoglobin molecule decreases with increased hemoglobin concentration. The existence of such cooperative interaction may be inferred from the effect of pH on the changes in hemoglobin net charge as the spacing between the molecules decreases. The resultant movement of counterions across the cell membrane causes the apparent anomalous osmotic behavior. Quantitative agreement has been found between the anion shift predicted by the equation and that observed in response to osmotic gradients. The proposed mechanism appears to be operative in a variety of tissues and could provide an electrical transducer for osmotic signals.
Treatment of Traumatic Separation of the Auricular and Annular Cartilages Without Ablation: Results in Five Dogs

Five dogs were diagnosed as having unilateral separation of the otic cartilages (auricular and annular). Four dogs had sustained prior trauma (hit by a car). Clinical signs were typical of ear canal stenosis and included swelling at the base of the ear (n = 2), periotic fistulation (n = 2), head tilt toward the affected side (n = 2), and pain when opening the mouth (n = 1). Palpation revealed separation of the horizontal and vertical ear canals. Otoscopic findings included a shallow ear canal and a pseudotympanic membrane across the proximal end of the auricular cartilage. Findings at surgery confirmed the diagnosis of cartilage separation and included an exudate-filled horizontal ear canal and a blind-ending vertical ear canal. Surgical treatment involved isolating the distal end of the annular cartilage (horizontal ear canal), opening and evacuating the horizontal ear canal, and suturing the open end of the annular cartilage to the skin. The length of annular cartilage was variable among the dogs, although each dog had sufficient horizontal canal to appose skin to otic epithelium. The vertical ear canal was not surgically dissected or manipulated. The mean follow-up period was 46 +/- 14 months (range, 31 to 68 months). All five dogs had patent horizontal ear canals when examined at the follow-up examination.
A Life with Acetogens, Thermophiles, and Cellulolytic Anaerobes

Frankly, I was surprised to receive an invitation to write a prefatory chapter for the Annual Review of Microbiology. I have read several such chapters written by outstanding researchers, many of whom I know and admire. I did not think I belonged to such a preeminent group. In my view, my contributions to the physiology and biochemistry of anaerobic thermophilic bacteria and, more lately, to anaerobic fungi are modest compared to the contribution made by other authors of prefatory chapters. I am honored to write about my life and my work, and I hope that those who read this chapter will sense how exciting and rewarding they have been.
Proteins Associated with Thermally Induced Gelation of Turkey Breast Meat

ABSTIIACT: Principal component analysis was performed on turkey breast muscle that originated from a pool of genetically distinct turkeys by separating the salt-soluble from the salt-insoluble protein's. The salt-soluble protems (SSP) formed thermally induced meat gels and the viscoelastic properties of the gels were analyzed. The storage modulus (G') at 80 °C of thermally Induced gels derived from the SSPs ranged from a to 400 Fa. Each protein,fractlon was analysd using 5% to 20% sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Reverse stepwise regoession analysis of the electrophoretic fingerprints of the protein fractions showed that G' at 80 °C was associated with the 2 pwtein bands from the salt-soluble fraction (R 2 = 0.87, P < 0.01) and 1 protein from the salt-insoluble fraction (R 2 =0.27, P<0.05). Primary sequence analysis identified one of the SSPs positively associated with G' at 80 °C as α-tropomyosin and the other SSP negatively associated with G' at 80 °C as pyruvate kiuase. The salt-Insoluble protein Identffied as triose phosphate isomerasewas negatively associated with G' at 80 °C. These findings are unique in that they show that proteins other than myosin and actin participate in the mechanisms of forming thermally induced meat gels.
Three environmental discourses in human-computer interaction

A review of the past decade of human-computer interaction relating to environmental issues identifies three discourses whose commitments and assumptions have consequences for the design of new interfaces and interactive systems: sustainable interaction design, re-visioning consumption and citizen sensing. It suggests two promising directions for future research: participatory design and infrastructure.
The Probiotic Content of Commercial Yogurts in West Virginia

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can confer health benefits. Current recommendations for probiotic dosing in pediatrics for acute gastroenteritis range from 109 to 1011 colony forming units (CFUs)/day. In the present study, commercial yogurts were investigated for probiotic content and concentration. A total of 10 yogurts and 1 probiotic supplement were tested. Culture and enumeration were performed on Lactobacillus specific agar, and presence of gram positive rods were confirmed with gram staining. Various PCR techniques were also used to identify different Lactobacillus species. Good colony growth was noted on all cultures, with enumeration results ranging from 4.8 x 109 to 9.5 x 1010 CFU in a single 100mL serving. A wide variety of bacterial species was noted, including unidentified bacteria. All yogurt samples had enough probiotic content to meet current recommendations for treatment of acute gastroenteritis. Physicians should use yogurts with caution in this setting until full bacterial repertoires are available for commercial yogurts.
The Case for Mandatory Seat Restraint Laws

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death and injury to children over one year of age in the United States. About 800 motor vehicle occupants less than four years old are killed each year and tens of thousands are injured severely enough to require emergency room treatment. Studies have demonstrated that the vast majority of children ride unprotected in motor vehicles. Restrained children are likely to have milder injuries or no injuries at all. One study intimates that seat belts or restraints could reduce injuries up to 70 per cent and deaths up to 90 per cent. Various educational efforts have been attempted to increase restraint and belt use. Most have not worked. Seat belts laws in other countries have been effective in increasing belt use by adults when the laws are enforced. In Tennessee, where a mandatory seat restraint law has been part of a large-scale educational effort, restraint use has increased from an average of 9 per cent prior to the law, to an average of 18.7 per cent in the fall of 1979. Because the problem of motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries is widespread and because legislation holds some promise for amelioration of this problem, pediatricians and public health professionals should work toward the passage of such laws.
Media influence on attitudes toward guns and gun control

This study employs the 1995 National Opinion Survey of Crime and Justice to examine the effect that media consumption (hours of television viewing per week, regular viewing of crime drama, and primary source of crime news) has on attitudes towards guns and gun control. Logistic regression results indicate that regular viewers of crime shows are more likely to oppose gun control and believe that firearms prevent crime. Respondents who receive their primary crime news from the print media are more likely to disagree with making it easier to conceal firearms. The author suggests that violent depiction of crime on television may influence viewers’ attitudes toward guns and gun control.
An approximation of the electromagnetic Green's function of layered media with the source point considered as an independent variable

A novel method of approximation of the layered media electromagnetic Green's function is presented. In addition to its closed-form representation, a key attribute of the new approximation is coordinates of the source are kept as independent variables. The mathematical analysis of the accuracy of the approximate Green's function is provided, along with results from its numerical validation.
Normalized Gradient Vector Diffusion and Image Segmentation

In this paper, we present an approach for image segmentation, based on the existing Active Snake Model and Watershed-based Region Merging. Our algorithm includes initial segmentation using Normalized Gradient Vector Diffusion (NGVD) and region merging based on Region Adjacency Graph (RAG). We use a set of heat diffusion equations to generate a vector field over the image domain, which provides us with a natural way to define seeds as well as an external force to attract the active snakes. Then an initial segmentation of the original image can be obtained by a similar idea as seen in active snake model. Finally an RAG-based region merging technique is used to find the true segmentation as desired. The experimental results show that our NGVD-based region merging algorithm overcomes some problems as seen in classic active snake model. We will also see that our NGVD has several advantages over the traditional gradient vector diffusion.
Transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing analysis of rat skeletal muscle feed arteries. I. Impact of obesity

We employed next-generation RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology to determine the influence of obesity on global gene expression in skeletal muscle feed arteries. Transcriptional profiles of the gas...
Early postnatal dexamethasone influences matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9, and their tissue inhibitors in the developing rat lung.

In order to test the hypothesis that early postnatal exposure to dexamethasone (Dex) influences matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and -9, as well as their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1 and -2) in the developing rat lung, newborn rats (3 litters/group) were treated with low Dex (0.1 mg/kg/day, IM), high Dex (0.5 mg/kg/day), or equivalent volumes of saline at 5 days postnatal age (P5), P6, and P7. Lung weight and lung MMP and TIMP levels were determined at sacrifice (7 days postinjection, P14; at weaning, P21; and at adolescence, P45, n = 10/group and time). Dex did not adversely affect lung weight or lung MMP-2 levels, which peaked in all groups at P21 and then fell by P45. In contrast, Dex decreased TIMP-2 at all time intervals, but achieved statistical significance only at P45. An imbalance in MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio was noted at P21, with elevations occurring in the low and high Dex-treated groups. Lung MMP-9 levels remained comparable with controls during low Dex treatment. However, high Dex exposure resulted in elevated lung MMP-9 levels at P21 and P45. Lung TIMP-1 levels increased only with high Dex exposure at P14 and P21, whereas the lung MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was elevated at P21 in the high Dex group, and at P45 in both Dex-treated groups. These data provide evidence that early postnatal dexamethasone results in an imbalance between gelatinase-A and -B, and their tissue inhibitors in the developing rat lung. These changes may be responsible, in part, for some of the known maturational effects of steroids on lung structure in the newborn. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:456–462. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Altruism and Reproductive Limitations

We examined how different types of reproductive limitations — functional (schizoid personality disorder and schizophrenia), physical (malnutrition), and sexual (bisexuality and homosexuality) — inf...
Efficient Optimization of Stimuli for Model-Based Design of Experiments to Resolve Dynamical Uncertainty

This model-based design of experiments (MBDOE) method determines the input magnitudes of an experimental stimuli to apply and the associated measurements that should be taken to optimally constrain the uncertain dynamics of a biological system under study. The ideal global solution for this experiment design problem is generally computationally intractable because of parametric uncertainties in the mathematical model of the biological system. Others have addressed this issue by limiting the solution to a local estimate of the model parameters. Here we present an approach that is independent of the local parameter constraint. This approach is made computationally efficient and tractable by the use of: (1) sparse grid interpolation that approximates the biological system dynamics, (2) representative parameters that uniformly represent the data-consistent dynamical space, and (3) probability weights of the represented experimentally distinguishable dynamics. Our approach identifies data-consistent representative parameters using sparse grid interpolants, constructs the optimal input sequence from a greedy search, and defines the associated optimal measurements using a scenario tree. We explore the optimality of this MBDOE algorithm using a 3-dimensional Hes1 model and a 19-dimensional T-cell receptor model. The 19-dimensional T-cell model also demonstrates the MBDOE algorithm’s scalability to higher dimensions. In both cases, the dynamical uncertainty region that bounds the trajectories of the target system states were reduced by as much as 86% and 99% respectively after completing the designed experiments in silico. Our results suggest that for resolving dynamical uncertainty, the ability to design an input sequence paired with its associated measurements is particularly important when limited by the number of measurements.
Optimally smoothed maps of pollution source potential via particle back-trajectories and filtered kriging

Abstract For over 20 years, the Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) has been used by the aerosol research community to identify areas around an air-quality receptor location that are associated with high levels of pollutant emissions. PSCF uses particle back trajectories associated with multiple times as well as measured levels of a pollutant at each time, linking high-measurement days with specific back trajectories. For a given rectangular area ( s ) on a map, the probability p ( s ) that the area contains an important source of the pollutant of interest is estimated with p ˆ s = X s / n s , where n ( s ) is the number of back trajectories that trace back through that area and X ( s ) is the number of those back trajectories that are associated with a high day for the pollutant. Results are generally illustrated with a PSCF plot in which p ( s ) is plotted at each area (or pixel) on the map. However, the PSCF exhibits high pixelwise volatility and strong spatial discontinuity, particularly for high resolutions. We propose a modified potential source map that exploits both prior knowledge about p ( s ) and a filtered kriging approach that accounts the heterogeneous measurement error variances. Results are illustrated using air quality data from the EPA St. Louis–Midwest Supersite.
Negative Social Contextual Stressors and Somatic Symptoms Among Young Black Males: An Exploratory Study

This study examines whether negative social contextual stressors were associated with somatic symptoms among young Black males (N = 74) after accounting for background and psychological characteristics. Using Cunningham and Spencer’s Black Male Experiences Measure, negative social contextual stressors connoted those experiences connected to the personal attributes, devaluation, and negative imagery of young Black males, such as being followed when entering a store or police or security guards asking them what they are doing when hanging out (e.g., in the park or playground or on the street corner). Results showed that such stressors made a unique and significant contribution to the experience of somatic symptoms. Future research directions and implications for addressing the larger societal perceptions of young Black males are discussed.
Dividing Up the Game: From Serial to Parallel Simulations

In-class simulations tend to involve all students in one pool of participants engaging in a single simulation. As an alternative to this ‘serial’ model of running one simulation at a time, the paper explores designing a ‘parallel’ model — running at least two versions of the same simulation simultaneously. The value-added of the parallel model is that students can learn from the differences they encounter within and across simulations. That is, students not only learn from the one simulation with which they are engaged, but they also benefit from a comparative analysis with their peers’ parallel simulations. The paper proposes ways to design-in differences and explores when and how to hold class discussions of the simulation. The paper includes an example simulation from the author’s experience and poses concerns regarding time management during a parallel simulation. To encourage instructors to think about their time commitments in conducting a parallel simulation the paper closes with a simple typology of different roles the instructor might take on — from a role of relative absence to that of a ‘game master’ which actively manages from outside and intervenes inside the simulation.