cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Further evidence for a developmental change in morphogenetic properties of embryonic chick heart cells

Recent experiments involving the reaggregation of dissociated cells and fusion of intact tissue fragments have indicated that whereas heart cells and tissue fragments from young chick embryos (1.5–2 days) displayed a tendency to assume external positions in combination with neural tube, those from older embryos (4–5 days) tended to segregate to the inside of neural tube. In the present experiments, we have used the same techniques in conjunction with autoradiography to determine the relative positions of two-day and five-day heart ventricle cells in fusion masses and in reaggregates. Sections of 30 fusion masses revealed that the two-day heart fragment enveloped the five-day heart fragment in every case. Sections of 29 reaggregates showed that the two-day and five-day heart cells were still randomly mixed at the end of the two and one-half day culture period. The consistent spreading of intact two-day heart ventricle fragments over five-day heart ventricle fragments confirms the indication of the previous experiments that heart cells change their morphogenetic properties between two days and five days of incubation. The failure of five-day and two-day heart cells to sort out from one another could be due to a decreased cohesiveness of five-day heart cells caused by the trypsin dissociation procedure.
Autoactivatability of human Hageman factor (factor XII).

Abstract Purified Hageman factor was found to autodigest upon binding to a negatively charged surface such as kaolin. Assessment by incorporation of tritiated diisopropylfluorophosphate indicated that this cleavage was accompanied by activation and that the two known forms of activated Hageman factor result. Cleavage within a critical disulfide bridge generated activated Hageman factor, a two-chain enzyme of molecular weight 80,000 as well as the active Hageman factor fragment, a 28,000 molecular weight cleavage product. The autocleavage seen was dependent upon the percentage of activated Hageman factor in the starting material and was independent of HMW-kininogen. This result suggest that initiation of the intrinsic coagulation cascade may, in part, depend upon the autoactivatability of Hageman factor described herein. This observation may in turn, account for the ability of prekallikrein deficient plasma to gradually autoactivate as a function of the time of contact with initiating surfaces.
Total synthesis of 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonic acid (KDO) and 2-deoxy-beta-KDO.

Total syntheses of KDO and 2-deoxy-β-KDO are reported. The C2-symmetric dienediol 4 was desymmetrized by conversion to its corresponding 1,4-dioxanone 5. Ireland−Claisen rearrangement of 5 provided the 6-vinyldihydropyran-2-carboxylate template 6. Double-Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation gave the tetraol 7a, which was converted to KDO and 2-deoxy-β-KDO using methods similar to those previously reported. This synthetic scheme provides a flexible route to KDO and KDO analogues.
Pattern recognition using Hilbert space

In this paper, we develop a new learning approach, the Hilbert learning. This approach is similar to Fractal learning, but the Fractal part is replaced by Hilbert space. Like the Fractal learning, the first stage is to encode an image to a small vector in the internal space of a learning system. The next stage is to quantize the internal parameter space. The internal space of a Hilbert learning system is defined as follows: A pattern can be interpreted as a representation of a vector in a Hilbert space. Any vectors in a Hilbert space can be expanded. If a vector happens to be in a subspace of a Hilbert space where the dimension L of the subspace is low (order of 10), the vector can be specified by its norm, an L-vector, and the Hermitian operator which spans the Hilbert space. This establishes a mapping from an image space to the internal space P. This mapping converts an input image to a 4-tuple: t (epsilon) P equals (Norm, T, N, L-vector), where T is an operator parameter space, N is a set of integers which specifies the boundary condition. The encoding is implemented by mapping an input pattern into a point in its internal space. We assume that a system uses local search algorithm, i.e., the system adjusts its internal data locally. The search is first conducted for an operator in a parameter space of operators, then an error function (delta) (t) is computed. The algorithm stops at a local minimum of (delta) (t). Finally, the input training set divides the internal space by a quantization procedure.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Drug use practices among MDMA/ecstasy users in Ohio : a latent class analysis

Abstract This study describes the drug use practices among 402 recent MDMA (3,4-methelyenedioxymethamphetamine) users recruited in Ohio using respondent-driven sampling. About 64% of the participants were men, 81.6% were white, and the mean age was 20.9 years. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups of MDMA users. Use of cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, tranquilizers, inhalants, marijuana, and hallucinogens during the previous 6 months, and days of “drunkenness” in the past 30, were used for classification. A three-class model was preferable and reflected “Limited range,” “Moderate range,” and “Wide range” drug use patterns. For example, the conditional probability of using opioids during the previous 6 months was .07 in Class 1, .59 in Class 2, and .88 in Class 3. Other substances followed similar patterns. Predictors of class membership were examined in a multinomial logit model in which the “Limited range” Class was treated as the reference group. Participants who were white, younger, and who reported more than 10 occasions of MDMA use were more likely to be in the “Wide range” drug use Class. Latent class analysis is a useful method to help describe and understand variability in polydrug use patterns.
Gauge invariance and the Pauli-Villars regulator in Lorentz- and CPT-violating electrodynamics

We examine the nonperturbative structure of the radiatively induced Chern-Simons term in a Lorentz- and CPT-violating modification of QED. Although the coefficient of the induced Chern-Simons term is in general undetermined, the nonperturbative theory appears to generate a definite value. However, the CPT-even radiative corrections in this same formulation of the theory generally break gauge invariance. We show that gauge invariance may yet be preserved through the use of a Pauli-Villars regulator, and, contrary to earlier expectations, this regulator does not necessarily give rise to a vanishing Chern-Simons term. Instead, two possible values of the Chern-Simons coefficient are allowed, one zero and one nonzero. This formulation of the theory therefore allows the coefficient to vanish naturally, in agreement with experimental observations.
Multi-locus Test Conditional on Confirmed Effects Leads to Increased Power in Genome-wide Association Studies

Complex diseases or phenotypes may involve multiple genetic variants and interactions between genetic, environmental and other factors. Current genome-wide association studies (GWAS) mostly used single-locus analysis and had identified genetic effects with multiple confirmations. Such confirmed single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) effects were likely to be true genetic effects and ignoring this information in testing new effects of the same phenotype results in decreased statistical power due to increased residual variance that has a component of the omitted effects. In this study, a multi-locus association test (MLT) was proposed for GWAS analysis conditional on SNPs with confirmed effects to improve statistical power. Analytical formulae for statistical power were derived and were verified by simulation for MLT accounting for confirmed SNPs and for single-locus test (SLT) without accounting for confirmed SNPs. Statistical power of the two methods was compared by case studies with simulated and the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) GWAS data. Results showed that the MLT method had increased statistical power over SLT. In the GWAS case study on four cholesterol phenotypes and serum metabolites, the MLT method improved statistical power by 5% to 38% depending on the number and effect sizes of the conditional SNPs. For the analysis of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) of the FHS data, the MLT method conditional on confirmed SNPs from GWAS catalog and NCBI had considerably more significant results than SLT.
Is Tommy John Surgery Performed More Frequently in Major League Baseball Pitchers From Warm Weather Areas

Background:Medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction is a common procedure performed on Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers with symptomatic UCL insufficiency, frequently due to overuse. Warm weather climates afford youth pitchers the opportunity to throw year-round, potentially placing them at risk for overuse elbow injuries.Purpose/Hypothesis:To determine whether the proportion of MLB pitchers who underwent medial UCL reconstruction and who pitched competitive youth baseball in warm weather areas is higher than those from cold weather areas. The hypothesis was that MLB pitchers from warm weather areas were more likely to undergo UCL reconstruction than pitchers from cold weather areas.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiological study.Methods:All MLB pitchers with symptomatic UCL deficiency who underwent UCL reconstruction as of June 1, 2014, were evaluated. The state/country where they played high school baseball was identified from online reference websites. Warm and cold weather areas were d...
Numerical simulation of the transport and chemistry of CH4 and co in the troposphere

Abstract A model for the methane-carbon monoxide system which considers the physico-chemical behavior of these trace gases in the troposphere is discussed. Source-sink descriptions are incorporated into the model based on the best available information relative to the major anthropogenic and natural contributions. The distributions of methane and carbon monoxide in the atmosphere are interrelated by the chemical reactions in which they participate; and a photochemical model, based on the pseudo-steady state approximation for the intermediate species and for inclusion in the species continuity equations, accounts for these reactions. Two 20-day dynamic simulations are described, both of which use January climatological data for meteorological input to numerically solve the conservation of mass equations for CO and CH4. The models employed, respectively, current estimates of the anthropogenic CO sources, and five times that value. Based on the results, residence times of 0.21 yr for CO and 2.7–4.0 yr for CH4 were calculated. Furthermore, the CO mixing ratio over the Pacific Ocean was predicted to be reasonably symmetric, indicating longitudinal CO concentration variations and the lack of widespread north-south asymmetry as has been observed over the Atlantic Ocean. This is consistent with a relatively short CO residence time and the model prediction that substantial anthropogenic CO is not transported from North America to Europe. Increasing the anthropogenic CO production rate substantially increased the CO concentrations near the sources, and this effect was more pronounced over Europe than over Japan or North America. Detailed comparisons of the model predictions with large-scale features suggested by other studies, such as oceanic source strength and north-south interhemispheric exchange, were calculated and generally show good agreement.
Determination of inositol phosphate esters in lake sediments

Abstract A procedure for the determination of the total inositol polyphosphate content of lake sediments is presented and evaluated. This technique involves extraction with NaOH, cleanup of the extract, and isolation and identification of two groups of inositol phosphate esters by ion-exchange chromatography. Radioisotope dilution is employed to correct for losses during the extraction, cleanup and isolation steps. Recoveries of the radiotracer inositol phosphates have averaged 85% during the analysis of approximately 40 calcareous and non-calcareous sediment samples and more than 20 soil samples.
Investigation of Lagrangian and Eulerian finite element methods for modeling the laser forming process

Laser forming is an effective and efficient manufacturing technology. Both Eulerian and Lagrangian approaches can be applied on modeling the laser forming process. In this paper, 3D Eulerian and Lagrangian finite element models of various lengths are created for simulation. The results of Lagrangian approach are in good agreement with the experimental results reported by Kyrsanidy (J. Mater. Process. Technol. 87 (1999) 281.) Results of models with various lengths, indicate that the specimen length has significant effect on the angular deformation of the plate in the laser forming process. The Eulerian approach is nearly 2 orders of magnitude faster than the Lagrangian approach, especially for long parts, which are common in the real production. However, the angular deformation is over predicted using Eulerian approach and further development is needed.
Drug development against metastasis-related genes and their pathways: a rationale for cancer therapy.

It is well recognized that the majority of cancer related deaths is caused by metastatic diseases. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of therapeutic intervention specifically targeted to the metastatic process. In the last decade, significant progress has been made in this research field, and many new concepts have emerged that shed light on the molecular mechanism of metastasis cascade which is often portrayed as a succession of six distinct steps; localized invasion, intravasation, translocation, extravasation, micrometastasis and colonization. Successful metastasis is dependent on the balance and complex interplay of both the metastasis promoters and suppressors in each step. Therefore, the basic strategy of our interventions is aimed at either blocking the promoters or potentiating the suppressors in this disease process. Toward this goal, various kinds of antibodies and small molecules have been designed. These include agents that block the ligand-recepter interaction of metastasis promoters (HGF/c-Met), antagonize the metastasis-promoting enzymes (AMF, uPA and MMP) and inhibit the transcriptional activity of metastasis promoter (β-Catenin). On the other hand, the intriguing roles of metastasis suppressors and their signal pathways have been extensively studied and various attempts have been made to potentiate these factors. Small molecules have been developed to restore the expression or mimic the function of metastasis-suppressor genes such as NM23, E-cadherin, Kiss-1, MKK4 and NDRG1, and some of them are under clinical trials. This review summarizes our current understanding of the molecular pathway of tumor metastasis and discusses strategies and recent development of anti-metastatic drugs.
Methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether in a staged autothermal millisecond residence time reactor

Abstract Methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether (DME) has been carried out in a two-stage autothermal millisecond residence time reactor using a noble metal coated catalyst in the upstream stage to generate heat and zeolite in the downstream stage to dehydrate methanol with a total residence time of less than 100 ms. Two reactor configurations have been examined: (1) methanol fed from the top of the reactor with hydrogen as sacrificial fuel and (2) methanol fed between the two stages with methane as a sacrificial fuel. Methanol dehydration was also explored under isothermal conditions to compare with the results obtained under autothermal conditions. For autothermal experiments, reaction temperature and product distribution of the second stage was adjusted by varying the fuel to oxygen ratio and distance between two stages. The DME yield of the autothermal reactor with side-entering methanol was comparable to that of methanol dehydration reaction under isothermal conditions and was much better than the methanol top-feed configuration. The highest yield of DME obtained was ∼80% at C/O ratio of 1.0 which was comparable to the non-autothermal values reported in literature (∼80%) and close to equilibrium yield (84%). This demonstrates the ability to synthesize DME in staged autothermal reactors with short contact time, high yield and no external heating. This also shows that noble metal catalysts can be integrated with zeolite catalysts for upgrading oxygenated compounds to more energetically dense compounds in compact reactors having multiple feeds.
Mercury capture from flue gas using palladium nanoparticle-decorated substrates as injected sorbent

Although the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) was recently vacated by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, efficient mercury (Hg) capture is still an important topic for the coal-fired power plant industry. Several states have Hg emission regulations that are even more stringent than CAMR guidelines. All coals contain Hg, which is released during combustion. Significant research efforts have been made to capture this toxic element before it is released to the atmosphere where it can stay suspended and travel for great distances. A variety of approaches have been examined, among which the injection of sorbent materials such as powdered activated carbon (PAC) is the current method of choice. The work presented here examined the mercury capture capability of various carbon substrates decorated with metal nanoparticles when injected as sorbents. Sorbent injections were carried out in a Hg in air mixture for laboratory-scale screening and in a real flue gas at a coal-fired power plant. It was found that pal...
Three-Dimensional Visualization of Lymph Node Morphology using OCT

We report the first demonstration of OCT for the three-dimensional visualization of lymph node morphology and microarchitecture from human and carcinogen-induced rat mammary tumor specimens.
Nitric oxide mediates renal vasodilation during erythropoietin-induced polycythemia

Nitric oxide mediates renal vasodilation during erythropoietin-induced polycythemia. The renal blood flow (RBF) of patients with polycythemia rubra vera is increased despite the high hematocrit (Hct) which elevates the whole blood viscosity. Since blood viscosity determines the shear force on the endothelium which is a major stimulus to nitric oxide (NO) release, we investigated the hypothesis that renal vasodilation during erythropoietin-induced erythrocytosis is mediated by the L-arginine-NO pathway. Groups of Sprague-Dawley rats received thrice weekly injections of erythropoietin (E) for two to five weeks; responses were contrasted with normal rats (N) which received sham injections. The first group was studied after five weeks of erythropoietin injections which led to sharp increases in Hct (E: 72 ± 3 vs. N: 44 ± 1%) and mean arterial pressure (MAP: 126 ± 3 vs. 107 ± 3 mm Hg). These rats had an elevated basal RBF whether measured by the clearance and renal extraction of PAH or by a transit-time renal blood flow meter. Subsequent groups were studied after two to three weeks of erythropoietin which raised the Hct more modestly to 59 ± 2%. In this group, the basal MAP was similar in E and N rats. Graded doses of the NO synthase inhibitor, N ω -monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMA) led to a steeper rise in MAP in E than N; at the highest doses, the MAP had increased by 36 ± 2 in E and 23 ± 3 mm Hg in N (P -1 · 100 g -1 ; P -1 · 100 g -1 ; NS). We conclude that an enhanced generation of NO from L-arginine maintains normotension and mediates renal vasodilation in rats with erythropoietin-induced erythrocytosis.
In Vivo Function of Immune Murine Peritoneal Exudate Cells after Freezing and Thawing

Peritoneal exudate cells were collected from Balb/c mice immunized against a 3-methylcholanthrene-induced (3-MCA) tumor and known to be capable of conferring tumor transplantation resistance in vivo in syngeneic recipients. These PEC were frozen-using dimethylsulfoxide as the cryopreservative agent. Adoptive transfer of tumor resistance in syngeneic recipients challenged with homologous 3-MCA sarcoma cells was attempted using these frozen exudate cells. Cells were thawed 1, 4, 7, 10 or 30 days after freezing and admixed with tumor cells in ratios of 100:1 or 1000:1 before injecting into mice. Tumorigenesis was decreased and delayed in groups receiving the 100:1 ratio. Less than 3% of the mice developed tumors in groups receiving the 1000:1 ratio. The number of cells recovered post-thawing ranged from 60 to 80%; viability of post-thawed cells ranged from 80 to 96%.
Evidence for the order promoter-operator-first structural gene in the tryptophan operon of Salmonella.

Abstract Genetic evidence suggests that the order, with respect to the first structural gene, of the genetic elements controlling the expression of the tryptophan ( trp ) operon of Salmonella tryphimurium is P1-trpO-trpA (promoter-operator-first structural gene). Two independent lines of evidence are consistent with this order: (1) the deletion supX38 , which removes P1, fails to recombine with some trpO c mutations but recombines with one of them suggesting that it covers only part of trpO ; (2) we have been unable to find supX to trpO deletions after several attempts, but have easily obtained multisite mutations with the characteristics of deletions extending from trpO to trpA .
Professional conversations: new teachers explore teaching through conversation, story, and narrative

Abstract Undergraduate students and recent graduates of an urban teacher education program came together regularly to talk about becoming reflective and effective teachers. Qualitative analysis of the conversations produced a rich picture of the complex learning at the heart of teaching. The study draws attention to factors in teacher education and schools that support and hinder new teachers’ work in urban schools, and contradicts established developmental models of expertise. Additionally, the study highlights the potential of conversation and story telling to sustain teacher learning and inquiry and to meet local needs for teacher learning, teacher research, and teacher-directed professional development.
Photographic aureole measurements and the validity of aerosol single scattering.

A refined photographic system for solar aureole measurements is described in which a neutral density filter occulting disk blocks the direct sunlight. Experimental data for solar aureoles are presented for several wavelengths from 309 nm to 640 nm and solar zenith angles of up to 88°. The results are compared with a modified single scattering calculation that includes corrections for Rayleigh multiple scattering, attenuation by ozone, ground reflection, and spherical atmosphere geometry and, at 309 nm, are compared with a Monte Carlo multiple scattering calculation. Useful analytic functions for the aerosol size distribution and for the molecular, ozone, and aerosol height distributions are given. Our near sunset calculation represents an intermediate step between single scattering and full multiple scattering for a Rayleigh–ozone–aerosol atmosphere. We show that aerosol multiple scattering may not be ignored at large solar zenith angles and long wavelengths.
Non-destructive analysis of copper in human brain tissue by neutron activation analysis using coincidence and anti-coincidence techniques

Copper (Cu) is an essential element and is incorporated in many biomolecules that are involved in protecting the brain from oxidative damage. Many brain regions strongly affected by neurodegene rative diseases are small. A sensitive nondestructive procedure to determine Cu is desirable to preserve samples for additional studies. Copper is not easily determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) due to high activity levels produced by major abundance elements such as sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl), which produce a high Compton background. An INAA method involving a short epithermal neutron irradiation and counting with a Compton suppression system was developed to determine Cu in brain, via 5.1-min66Cu. These short irradiation results are compared to those based on coincidence spectrometry of annihilation photons from positron emitting 12.7-h64Cu after a long irradiation.
Testing for Adverse Impact When Sample Size Is Small

Adverse impact evaluations often call for evidence that the disparity between groups in selection rates is statistically significant, and practitioners must choose which test statistic to apply in this situation. To identify the most effective testing procedure, the authors compared several alternate test statistics in terms of Type I error rates and power, focusing on situations with small samples. Significance testing was found to be of limited value because of low power for all tests. Among the alternate test statistics, the widely-used Z-test on the difference between two proportions performed reasonably well, except when sample size was extremely small. A test suggested by G. J. G. Upton (1982) provided slightly better control of Type I error under some conditions but generally produced results similar to the Z-test. Use of the Fisher Exact Test and Yates's continuity-corrected chi-square test are not recommended because of overly conservative Type I error rates and substantially lower power than the Z-test.
Stability of Fast Solitary Structures on Auroral Field Lines

Abstract The stability of the fast solitary structures which were observed onboard several auroral crossing satellites is analyzed as a dynamical system and investigated numerically. These large-amplitude potential spikes are supported by trapped electron populations. For parameters of low and mid-altitude auroral passes with gyro-to-bounce frequency ratios significantly larger than unity, the potential spikes are very resilient, while for lower magnetic fields, at ratios below unity, they develop unstable undulations in the transverse direction. The evolution of the solitary structures is related to changes in the trajectories of the trapped electrons. It is shown here that the coupling of the parallel and perpendicular dynamics is stronger when the above ratio decreases, resulting in a bifurcation of trajectories. The addition of a small perturbation to the large amplitude structure leads to a very different response of the trapped electrons in the two configurations. The electron behavior reflects the lack of spike stability at small gyro-to-bounce frequency ratios.
Studies of dosage, seizure threshold, and seizure duration in ECT

Seizure threshold, defined as the minimal electrical dosage necessary to elicit adequate generalized seizure, was determined throughout the course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in depressed patients randomly assigned to bilateral and right unilateral treatment, with brief pulse, constant current stimulation. In Study 1, it was found that seizure threshold may be more accurately measured using the unit of charge compared to the traditional unit of watt-second. In Study 2, it was found that seizure threshold was associated with seizure duration. Patients with high thresholds had shorter seizure durations. This indicated that the seizure threshold measure assesses in part functional neural activity. In Study 3, it was found that failure for seizure threshold to increase substantially over the course of ECT was associated with poor clinical outcome. In Study 4, it was found that electrical dosage at threshold was not related to magnitude of acute cognitive impairments. This suggested that the degree to which dosage exceeds threshold may be more strongly tied to adverse effects than the absolute dosage administered to patients. Implications of the data are discussed, particularly in relation to a hypothesized link between the anticonvulsant properties of ECT and its mechanism of therapeutic action.
Relaxation Times for Metastable States in the Mean-Field Model of a Ferromagnet

Relaxation from metastable to stable states is considered for a mean-field model Ising ferromagnet in which each spin interacts equally with every other spin in the system. Spins are chosen at random and flipped over with probability given by a suitable Boltzmann factor. Approximate solutions to the stochastic equations, confirmed by computer calculations on small systems, indicate a relaxation time increasing exponentially with the size of the system (contrary to one's expectation for a system with short-range interactions).
RECENT ADVANCES AND DESIGN TRENDS IN CMOS RADIO FREQUENCY INTEGRATED CIRCUITS

Several state-of-the-art wireless receiver architectures are presented including the traditional super-heterodyne, the image-reject heterodyne, the direct-conversion, and the very-low intermediate frequency (VLIF). The case studies are followed by a detailed view of receiver building blocks: low-noise amplifiers (LNA), mixers, and voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO). Two popular topologies currently exist for LNAs: the common-gate configuration, which offers low power consumption with superior stability, robustness and linearity performance, and its common-source counterpart, which provides comparatively higher gain and lower noise figure. Aside from the traditional passive and active Gilbert mixers, the even-harmonic and masking-quadrature mixers are developed to combat second-order non-linearity and improve image-rejection, respectively. For quadrature carrier generation, the degeneration-injected QVCO is superior to the cascode-injected QVCO both in terms of phase noise and tuning range. The Colpitts QVCO is attractive as a low-noise alternative as it does not disturb the output voltage as much as its traditional LC counterpart and thus offers lower phase noise.
Maternal effects determine effective lethal phase of carnation-light synthetic lethal in Drosophila melanogaster

GENETIC conditions which preclude development to the reproductive stage (lethal factors) include dominant and recessive Mendelian units, genomic imbalance and gene interaction. Determination of the ontogenetic phase at which each lethal factor inflicts atypical development and death (effective lethal phase1) provides an opportunity for study of specific genetic requirements for normal development. I describe here maternal effects which determine the effective lethal phase (ELP) of a synthetic lethal2 produced by the interaction of two non-lethal eye-colour mutations, carnation (car) and light (lt), in Drosophila melanogaster.
Obstructive sleep apnea and diurnal nondipping hemodynamic indices in patients at increased cardiovascular risk.

Rationale:We hypothesized increasing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity would be associated with nondipping blood pressure (BP) in increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.Methods:Baseline data from 298 cardiology patients recruited for a multicenter randomized controlled trial were examined.
Caregiver burden in Alzheimer's disease: Case studies

A series of individual caregivers were studied in a program for reducing caregiver burden. Using a modified caregiver burden inventory for assessment, an educational program and a needs-based intervention algorithm to guide intervention of caregivers, attempts were made to mitigate caregiver burden. A study of individual cases suggested that primary burden for caregivers included time spent in caring for loved ones and missing out on phase-of-life-appropriate activities. It was our impression that caregiver burden did not represent an appropriate outcome measure in this situation, and that the most desired outcome was the openness of individuals to assistance when and where they were able to accept it.
Intensive care in critical access hospitals.

Context Although critical access hospitals (CAHs) have limitations on number of acute care beds and average length of stay, some of them provide intensive care unit (ICU) services. Purpose To describe the facilities, equipment, and staffing used by CAHs for intensive care, the types of patients receiving ICU care, and the perceived impact of closing the ICU on CAH staff and the local community. Methods A semistructured interview of directors of nursing at CAHs that provide intensive care services. Results Two thirds of CAHs that provide intensive care do so in a distinct unit. Most have continuous or computerized electrocardiography and ventilators. Other ICU equipment common in larger hospitals was reported less frequently. Nurse:patient ratio ranged from 1:1 to 1:3, and some or all nursing staff have advanced cardiac life support certification. Most CAHs admit patients to the ICU daily or weekly, primarily treating cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and drug- or alcohol-related conditions. ICUs are also used for postsurgical recovery. Respondents felt that closure of the ICU would be burdensome to patients and families, result in lost revenue, negatively impact staff, and affect the community's perception of the hospital. Conclusions Intensive care services provided by CAHs fall along a continuum, ranging from care in a unit that resembles a scaled-down version of ICUs in larger hospitals to care in closely monitored medical-surgical beds. Nurse to patient ratio, not technology, is arguably the defining characteristic of intensive care in CAHs. Respondents believe these services to be important to the well-being of the hospital and of the community.
Effect of Growth Hormone, Glutamine, and Diet on Body Composition in Short Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized, Controlled Study

Background: A previous controlled study of ten patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) reported human recombinant growth hormone resulted in a significant increase in body weight and lean body mass (LBM) without clinical edema. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of growth hormone, glutamine, and diet on body composition. Methods: A randomized, 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was performed in eight patients. Active treatment was 21 days of growth hormone, oral glutamine, and a high-carbohydrate-low-fat (HCLF) diet. Body composition was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. Treatments were compared by paired t test. Results: Active treatment resulted in significant increases in body weight (mean 3.02 ± 0.7 kg, p < .05) and lean body mass, (mean 3.96 ± 0.5 kg, p < .001). Percent body fat was significantly reduced in the actively treated group (mean -2.51% ± 0.4, p < .001). Body weight returned to baseline within 2 weeks of discontinuing active trea...
Temperature-Dependent Collision-Broadening Parameters of H2O Lines in the 1.4-μm Region Using Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy

Abstract Spectrally resolved measurements of water vapor absorption spectra near 1.4 μm have been performed with a tunable, distributed-feedback InGaAsP diode laser. A lineshape analysis was used to infer the collision-broadening coefficient of 11 rovibrational transitions in the ν 1 + ν 3 and 2ν 1 vibration bands perturbed separately by N 2 , O 2 , CO 2 , and H 2 . The temperature dependence of the broadening coefficients was determined using a temperature-controlled static cell and a pressure-driven shock tube over the range 300-1200 K. The measured coefficients are in good agreement with the previous calculations of Delaye. Also, agreement is found between prior experimental data, obtained for the same rotational transitions but different vibration bands, and our results.
Long-Range Correlations in Stride Intervals May Emerge from Non-Chaotic Walking Dynamics

Stride intervals of normal human walking exhibit long-range temporal correlations. Similar to the fractal-like behaviors observed in brain and heart activity, long-range correlations in walking have commonly been interpreted to result from chaotic dynamics and be a signature of health. Several mathematical models have reproduced this behavior by assuming a dominant role of neural central pattern generators (CPGs) and/or nonlinear biomechanics to evoke chaos. In this study, we show that a simple walking model without a CPG or biomechanics capable of chaos can reproduce long-range correlations. Stride intervals of the model revealed long-range correlations observed in human walking when the model had moderate orbital stability, which enabled the current stride to affect a future stride even after many steps. This provides a clear counterexample to the common hypothesis that a CPG and/or chaotic dynamics is required to explain the long-range correlations in healthy human walking. Instead, our results suggest that the long-range correlation may result from a combination of noise that is ubiquitous in biological systems and orbital stability that is essential in general rhythmic movements.
Preparation of 211At-Labeled Humanized Anti-Tac Using 211At Produced in Disposable Internal and External Bismuth Targets

Abstract These studies describe the production and purification of 211 At as well as the procedure for labeling humanized anti-Tac, the antibody to the α-chain of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2Rα), which has been shown to be a useful target for immunotherapy. The optimized protocol combines the advantages of the two-stage dry distillation procedure with the astatination of trialkylstannyl substances as labeling compounds for proteins. The 211 At was produced by bombarding either an external or a recently developed disposable internal bismuth target with α-particles from a Cyclotron Corporation CS-30 cyclotron. The 211 At was found to contain less than 0.01% 210 At. The production rate for the external target was 0.15 mCi ± 0.056 μA −1 h −1 ( n = 9) (5.55 MBq μA −1 h −1 ). The production rate for the internal target was 0.44 ± 0.14 mCi μA −1 h −1 ( n = 16) (16.28 MBq μA −1 h −1 ).
Evidence of Differential Meta-Accuracy People Understand the Different Impressions They Make

This article reexamines the prevailing conclusion that people are unaware of the different impressions they make, or that their differential meta-accuracy is poor. This conclusion emerged from research employing contextually undifferentiated designs that may have constrained differences in actual impressions, thereby limiting participants' ability to demonstrate differential meta-accuracy. We argue that an alternative, contextually differentiated approach may reveal evidence for differential meta-accuracy because (a) people tend to behave differently in different social contexts, (b) interaction partners from different social contexts witness differing behaviors and form differing impressions of a target person, and (c) contextual information used to infer the impression one makes on others is relatively differentiated across contexts, resulting in differentiated metaperceptions. We assessed differential meta-accuracy across social contexts (i.e., parents, hometown friends, and college friends) and found ...
A Robust Dual-Frequency Radar Profiling Algorithm

AbstractIn this study, an algorithm to retrieve precipitation from spaceborne dual-frequency (13.8 and 35.6 GHz, or Ku/Ka band) radar observations is formulated and investigated. Such algorithms will be of paramount importance in deriving radar-based and combined radar–radiometer precipitation estimates from observations provided by the forthcoming NASA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. In GPM, dual-frequency Ku-/Ka-band radar observations will be available only within a narrow swath (approximately one-half of the width of the Ku-band radar swath) over the earth’s surface. Therefore, a particular challenge is to develop a flexible radar retrieval algorithm that can be used to derive physically consistent precipitation profile estimates across the radar swath irrespective of the availability of Ka-band radar observations at any specific location inside that swath, in other words, an algorithm capable of exploiting the information provided by dual-frequency measurements but robust in the absen...
Microstructure development in furfuryl resin-derived microporous glassy carbons

The processing of microporous glassy carbon derived from furfuryl alcohol and ethylene glycol mixtures has been studied, with emphasis on understanding and controlling microstructure development. It is shown that this system exhibits a polymerization-dependent miscibility gap, and that the carbon microstructure is determined by phase separation in the liquid state. Variations in carbon microstructure with composition and thermal history can be understood in terms of the time-dependent immiscibility and resulting phase separation.
"Yo Soy Voluntaria" Volunteering in a Dual-Language School

Several recent studies have suggested that to involve parents, the most successful schools reach out to the community. In a recent ethnographic study of parents whose children attend a dual-language school, it was found that volunteering in the school was an important mechanism to build and maintain close relationships between parents and the school. This article reports on the patterns of volunteering in the school and the ways that parents used these opportunities, not only to benefit the school and the community, but to improve their own lives.
A note on the relationship between some specialized binary algorithms and the algorithm of land and doig

This note examines the relationship between several specialized binary algorithms and the pioneering work of Land and Doig. This relationship may provide new ideas which could enhance the effectiveness of these algorithms.
Military Warriors as Peacekeeper–Diplomats: Building Productive Relationships with Foreign Counterparts in the Contemporary Military Advising Mission

This project examines the sophisticated cultural toolkit deployed by contemporary US military advisors to successfully build productive relationships with foreign security forces, advance the advising mission, and survive combat. This project's data stems from a three-part multi-method, including a survey conducted in Iraq; a document analysis; and interviews. This article focuses on numerous subthemes that coalesce to vividly divulge an intriguing story about how contemporary advisors build relationships with counterparts, including avoiding an “Ugly American” approach, how cross-cultural competence benefits the mission and increases survivability, learning about counterparts, the power of informal socializing, employing humor, navigating taboo topics, cultural stretching and associated limits, diplomatically balancing strength and subtlety, and taking physical and cultural risks. This project argues that effective advisors deploy a multifaceted cultural toolkit filled with peacekeeper-diplomat, warrior,...
Spatial orientation of VOR to combined vestibular stimuli in squirrel monkeys.

The interaction of angular and linear stimuli produces a complex alignment of spatial orientation and the VOR. This phenomenon was studied by measuring three dimensional eye movements in 6 squirrel monkeys during centrifugation in the dark. The axis of eye rotation was always aligned with gravity and with the spinal axis of the upright monkeys. The erect monkeys were oriented such that they were either facing toward the direction of motion or were facing away from the motion. Angular velocity trapezoids were utilized as the motion stimuli with a ramp acceleration of 10°/s2 to a constant velocity of 200°/s. This yields a final centripetal acceleration of 1 g. The orientation of centripetal acceleration dramatically altered the VOR by changing the axis of eye rotation, the peak value of slow phase eye velocity, and the time constant of per-rotary decay. The axis of eye rotation always tended to align with gravito-inertial force, the peak value of slow phase eye velocity was greater when the monkey faced the...
Dimer self-association via hydrogen bonding: Measurement and comparison of binding constants with 2-amidopyrimidine derivatives

Abstract A method based on 1H NMR was used to measure the self-assembly equilibrium constants for three acylated derivatives of 2-aminopyrimidine: 2-acetamidopyrimidine (1), 2-isopropylamidopyrimidine (2), and 2-neopentylamidopyrimidine (3). The synthesis of the latter two compounds is described. The self-association constant decreases from 1 to 2 to 3, which is attributed to the syn/anti conformational preference of the amide bond. For 1, complexation with chloroform must be included in order to explain the observed chemical shift values. Complementary density functional theory calculations (MP2/cc-pVTZ//B3LYP-D/cc-pVDZ) suggest a direct relationship between conformational preference of the amide bond and the self-assembly constant.
Self-Efficacy: An Important Aspect of Prison-Based Learning

Self-efficacy in academic settings is an established correlate of educational accomplishments with relevance beyond the classroom. It is a socially created propensity to view oneself as capable of ...
Style as Identities in Design Products

Architecture, together with painting, sculpture, music, and poetry, has long been classified in the domain of “Arts” or “Fine Arts” (Greene 1940) and studied within this fine arts domain. For example, architecture has been extensively studied by architectural historians to understand historical developments, and by theorists to explore individual characteristics (Pothorn 1982). Thus, architectural style has been described as the collective characteristics of buildings where structure, unity and expressiveness are combined in an identifiable form related to a particular period or region, sometimes to an individual designer or school of design (Smithies 1981, p. 25). All these notions and approaches attempt to examine the prominent features in forms and to systematically illustrate the underlying cultural, social, economical, and technical relationships among different regions, periods, and designers that are associated with these features.
A Constant Energy-Per-Cycle Ring Oscillator Over a Wide Frequency Range for Wireless Sensor Nodes

This paper presents an energy-efficient oscillator for wireless sensor nodes (WSNs). It avoids short-circuit current by minimizing the time spent in the input voltage range from $V_{\rm thn}$ to $[V_{\rm dd} - \vert V_{\rm thp}\vert]$ . A current-feeding scheme with gate voltage control enables the oscillator to operate over a wide frequency range. A test chip is fabricated in a $0.18\;\upmu{\rm m}$ CMOS process. The measurements show that the proposed oscillator achieves a constant energy-per-cycle (EpC) of 0.8 pJ/cycle over the 21–60 MHz frequency range and is more efficient than a conventional current-starved ring oscillator (CSRO) below 300 kHz at 1.8 V supply voltage. As an application example, the proposed oscillator is implemented in a switched-capacitor DC–DC converter. The converter is 11%–56% more efficient for load power values ranging from 583 pW to 2.9 nW than a converter using a conventional CSRO.