cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Significance of Spontaneous Echo Contrast in the Thoracic Aorta: Relation With Accelerated Clinical Progression of Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract Objectives. The purposes of this study were to identify the incidence of aortic smoke in an unselected cohort of patients and to determine the utility of this measurement as a clinical marker for future coronary events and long-term cardiac prognosis. Background. Although spontaneous echo contrast detected within the cardiac chambers has been associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism, less is known about “smoke” within the thoracic aorta and its relation to progression of coronary artery disease. Methods. We prospectively assessed 118 unselected, consecutive male patients (mean age 67 years, range 29 to 86) who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The presence of aortic smoke was identified by swirling echodense shadows distinct from high gain artifact. A positive result required confirmation by two of three independent observers. Results. Aortic smoke without dissection was found in 25 of the patients (21%). Indications for TEE, coronary risk factors, the incidence of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and mitral insufficiency and known coronary artery disease severity collectively did not differ significantly at baseline between the groups with and without smoke. Follow-up averaged 20.4 months (range 18 to 24) and was 100% complete for mortality and 98% complete for morbidity. The presence of aortic smoke was an independent predictor of myocardial infarction (16.0% vs. 2.2%, p Conclusions. Spontaneous echo contrast detected within the thoracic aorta by transesophageal echocardiography is a common and important clinical marker that is strongly associated with an increased risk for future myocardial infarction and cardiac mortality. Future studies will attempt to define the pathophysiology of this relation and assess whether aggressive revascularization strategies and antithrombotic therapy may aid in the reduction of this risk. (J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;30:71–75)
AXISYMMETRIC SLABS OF FINITE EXTENT ON ELASTIC SOLID

The development of a computer program for the analysis of axisymmetric slabs of finite extent supported by an elastic solid foundation is described. CFES employs the method of concordant deflections and is much less taxing on computer resources than corresponding finite element programs. It is shown to be a useful tool in the analysis of rigid pavements, especially in investigating subgrade stress distributions, where it can aid interpretation of finite element results. Other possible applications include analysis of foundation rafts and footings, floor slabs, etc.
Tyrosine hydroxylase:--examination of conditions influencing activity in pheochromocytoma, adrenal medulla and striatum.

Abstract Soluble tyrosine hydroxylase from human pheochromocytoma, bovine adrenal medulla and rat striatum was studied with regard to factors influencing enzyme activity. The pH optimum was different for tyrosine hydroxylase from the three tissues examined: pheochromoeytoma, pH 7.8; adrenal medulla, pH 6.8; and striatum, pH 6.0. In preparations of tyrosine hydroxylase from each tissue, the presence of Mg 2+ . ATP and cyclic AMP resulted in a significant activation of the enzyme. On the other hand, addition of catecholamines to the reaction mixture produced a marked inhibition which became more pronounced with increasing pH. In all three tissues, the pH for maximum per cent stimulation by Mg 2+ , ATP and cyclic AMP was different from the pH optimum for tyrosine hydroxylase. In addition, the magnitude of this stimulation, as well as the basal activity, was dependent on the buffer present in the reaction mixture.
Shotgun cross-linking analysis for studying quaternary and tertiary protein structures.

We developed a new approach that employs a novel computer algorithm for the sensitive and high-throughput analysis of tertiary and quaternary interaction sites from chemically cross-linked proteins or multi-protein complexes. First, we directly analyze the digests of the chemically cross-linked proteins using only high-accuracy LC−MS/MS data. We analyze these data using a computer algorithm, we term X!Link, to find cross-links between two peptides. Our algorithm is rapid, taking only a few seconds to analyze ∼5000 MS/MS spectra. We applied this algorithm to analyze cross-linked sites generated chemically using the amino specific reagent, BS3, in both cytochrome c and the mitochondrial division dynamin mutant, Dnm1G385D, which exists as a stable homodimer. From cytochrome c, a well-established test protein, we identified a total of 31 cross-links, 21 interpeptide and 10 intrapeptide cross-links, in 257 MS/MS spectra from a single LC−MS/MS data set. The high sensitivity of this technique is indicated by the...
Changes in polarization and angular distribution of scattered radiation during cloud formation.

Changes in radiation scattering due to changes in droplet size distribution during development of stratus clouds have been calculated. The development model of Neiburger and Chien was used to give the droplet size distribution at various stages. Mie theory was used to calculate the angular variation for both parallel and perpendicular polarization of incident radiation at 0.4880 μ, 0.6328 μ, 3.50 μ, and 10.6 μ. The marked variations in the nature of the scattered radiation as the droplet size distribution varies with time indicate the measurement of radiation scattering may be a useful method of studying cloud formation processes.
Enterogenous cyst of the third ventricle

We present the second case of an enterogenous cyst of the third ventricle. This is a 28-year-old woman who presented with a 2 year history of progressive headaches and memory loss. A cystic lesion of the anterior third ventricle was noted on MRI. The cyst was resected via a transcallosal approach and demonstrated simple cystic morphology lined by ciliated cuboidal epithelium with numerous goblet cells. The presentation was unusual with signs of memory loss presumably due to a mass effect on the fornices. Although uncommon, this entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a cystic lesion of the third ventricle.
Key neuroprotective role for endogenous adenosine A1 receptor activation during asphyxia in the fetal sheep.

Background and Purpose— The fetus is well known to be able to survive prolonged exposure to asphyxia with minimal injury compared with older animals. We and others have observed a rapid suppression of EEG intensity with the onset of asphyxia, suggesting active inhibition that may be a major neuroprotective adaptation to asphyxia. Adenosine is a key regulator of cerebral metabolism in the fetus. Methods— We therefore tested the hypothesis that infusion of the specific adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), given before 10 minutes of profound asphyxia in near-term fetal sheep, would prevent neural inhibition and lead to increased brain damage. Results— DPCPX treatment was associated with a transient rise and delayed fall in EEG activity in response to cord occlusion (n=8) in contrast with a rapid and sustained suppression of EEG activity in controls (n=8). DPCPX was also associated with an earlier and greater increase in cortical impedance, reflecting earlier onset of p...
Mineralogical alteration of Chinese tomb jades

ADMIRERS of ancient Chinese jades have frequently noted the curious white, chalky areas which invade the otherwise firm polished surfaces of many artefacts. This phenomenon, variously described as “alteration”, “calcification”, “calcination”, or simply “decay”, seems to be restricted to ancient (Shang to Han Dynasty, 1766 BC to 220 AD) ‘tomb jades’, artefacts explicitly or implicitly connected with burials1. We have examined artefacts exhibiting this alteration using X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. We postulate that the alteration consists of a selective dissolution (leaching) along grain boundaries by ammoniacal solutions of high pH produced during decay of the corpses with which the jades were buried. Analyses by X-ray powder diffraction of a number of partially altered jades showed them all to be nephrite (a fine grained, compact variety of the tremolite–actinolite series of amphiboles). This mineralogy is consistent with the antiquity of the artefacts, since the other jade mineral, jadeite (a pyroxene), was not introduced into China until the eighteenth century AD1,2. Interestingly, the diffraction patterns of altered and unaltered regions are identical (also noted by West1), indicating that the alteration does not involve any change in mineral composition. This invalidates the terms calcification and calcination which, respectively, imply chemical replacement and thermal decomposition. It is likely that these terms were coined with reference to the white, ivory-like ‘chicken-bone’ jades which are produced by heating nephrite: calcification because of the bone-like appearance, and calcination referring to the method of production. The original nephrite in the ‘chicken-bone’ jades has, however, decomposed with loss of structural water into a diopside–enstatite–silica assemblage which is easily distinguished in diffraction patterns.
Hospital's water system implicated in Mycobacterium gordonae pseudo-outbreak

ISSUE: As rapid identification of acid-fast bacillus (AFB) species is necessary in the control of nosocomial outbreaks of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, monitoring of AFB-positive cultures is an important part of infection control surveillance. A sharp rise in the rate of positive AFB cultures was seen at this medical center between March and September 2004. Review of isolates revealed a total of 15 out of 40 positive AFB cultures were identified as M. gordonae. In this time period, the isolation rate of M. gordonae was 14.0/1000 cultures versus the 2003 rate of 3.5/1000 cultures. Concentrated sputum specimens were AFB smear negative, and culture positive patients were non-symptomatic which indicated a pseudo-outbreak. PROJECT: Laboratory reagents were eliminated as a potential source of the increase in M. gordonae. As water for this facility is held in two 250,000-gallon underground tanks built in the late 1940s, ground water contamination from heavy seasonal rains was considered as a possible source of this pseudo-outbreak. Investigation showed that the normal bi-weekly rotation of water in the tanks, between potable water and fire system water, was not being performed on schedule, and chlorine levels decreased out of effective range within the scheduled rotation period. In September 2004, the facility implemented the following multidisciplinary team recommendations: 1) cease rotation of tanks, and designate only one tank for potable water; 2) institute regular monitoring of holding tank potable water for adequate chlorine levels; 3) install a new tank lid and seal to decrease contamination from ground water; and 4) install a 0.5 micron filter in the water line between the potable water holding tank and the facility. RESULTS: Following these interventions, environmental cultures of the facility water were negative for M. gordonae, and no M. gordonae positive sputum cultures have been noted. LESSONS LEARNED: Concurrent monitoring by trained infection control professionals identified clustering of non-pathogenic mycobacteria isolates. Due to this facility's high-risk practice (i.e., underground water tanks) appropriate surveillance indicators are needed to reduce the potential for oropharyneal colonization from a contaminated water source. Stringent engineering controls were implemented to decrease the potential for human error, while protecting a medically complex, at-risk patient population.
Estimation of forest growth from successive surveys

Abstract Estimators of forest growth and meaningful components of growth are presented in a unified framework. The approach is based on the identification of mutually exclusive domains of the target population of trees, each of which contributes to the overall net change in the value of the resource to be estimated. Various estimators that have been proposed in the literature are reviewed and examined within this framework. An estimator of the component of growth corresponding to each domain of study is shown to relate back to the trees sampled from that domain, a portion of it, or in some cases, a union of two domains. Special attention is given to the treatment and examination of the issues of additivity of growth components and the recalibration effect which hampers additivity, both of which arise in the context of horizontal point sampling designs.
Global Civilization and Local Cultures: A Crude Look at the Whole

This article distinguishes between civilization and culture in the tradition of Alfred Weber and Robert Merton. Civilization denotes the human control of nature and is used in the singular; culture...
HierS: Hierarchical Scaffold Clustering Using Topological Chemical Graphs

An exhaustive ring-based algorithm, HierS, has been developed in order to provide an intuitive approach to compound clustering for analyzing high-throughput screening results. The recursive algorithm rapidly identifies all possible ring-delimited substructures within a set of compounds. Molecules are grouped by shared ring substructures (scaffolds) so that common scaffolds obtain higher membership. Once all of the scaffolds for a set of compounds are identified, the hierarchical structural relationships between the scaffold structures are established. The complex network of hierarchical relationships is then utilized to navigate compounds in a structurally directed fashion. When the scaffold hierarchy is traversed, over-represented structural features can be rapidly identified so that excess compounds that contain them can be removed without significantly impacting the structural diversity landscape of the compound set. Furthermore, the removed compounds can provide the opportunity to follow-up on active compounds that had previously been discarded because of practical limitations on follow-up capacity. A Web-based interface has been developed that incorporates this algorithm in order to allow for an interactive analysis. In addition, biological data are coupled to scaffolds by the inclusion of activity histograms, which indicate how the compounds in each scaffold class performed in previous high-throughput screening campaigns.
A multi‐method investigation of consumer motivations in impulse buying behavior

This study used both qualitative and quantitative data to test hypotheses related to consumers’ motivations to engage in impulse buying. A grounded theory approach was used to develop hypotheses from in‐depth interviews. These hypotheses were tested by the collection and analysis of survey data. Data support the theory that impulse buying is a common method of product selection, in part, because the shopping act and impulsive product selection provide hedonic rewards. Further information‐processing overload confounds product selection, reinforcing the rewards to be obtained from alternative section heuristics, like impulse buying.
Neurobehavioral Therapies in the 21st Century: Summary of an Emerging Field and an Extended Example of Cognitive Control Training for Depression

The promise of a new generation of therapies targeted to address neurobiological mechanisms thought to underlie psychological disorders, particularly depression, using cognitive and behavioral techniques is discussed. Relationships between such neurobehaviorally focused therapies and other psychological and rehabilitative interventions are also discussed. Their potential utility as adjuncts to conventional treatment, and the importance of multi-method assessment in their evaluation are emphasized. Finally, initial data from a neurobehavioral “cognitive control training” (CCT) adjunctive intervention for severe unipolar depression is presented as an extended example. These data suggest that CCT aids in reducing both physiological mechanisms underlying depression as well as depressive symptomatology.
A patient with carpotarsal osteolysis and nephropathy treated with long-term hemodialysis

We describe a type III carpotarsal osteolysis patient with nephropathy who has been maintained on chronic hemodialysis for 12 years. The diagnosis of osteolysis was based on x-ray findings and bone biopsy. At the age of 12 years, she developed renal disease that progressed; she was placed on chronic dialysis at the age of 18 years. Blood pressure was controlled by a medical regimen, and her anemia has benefitted from erythropoietin up to a level of 28% to 30%. Her osteolysis has stabilized since the age of 20 years; she is presently 30 years old. The major problem affecting the patient's clinical outcome is hyperphosphatemia.
Metallographic and X-ray observations of Pu-C alloys

Metallographic, x-ray diffraction, and incipient-melting techniques were used to investigate the Pu-C phase diagram below 50 at.% C and for temperatures between 500 and 1500 deg C. The variation of lattice parameter with composition for Pu--C alloys is presented and used to define portions of the low-carbon boundary of the PuC phase field. Unique microstructural characteristics are detailed for the epsilon Pu + PuC in equilibrium Pu/sub 3/C/sub 2/ peritectoid reaction, namely, the preference of the Pu/sub 3/C/sub 2/ phase to grow as platelets rather than as an interfacial envelope surrounding the PuC reactants. Some aspects of coring in cast alloys containing the monocarbide phase are discussed. (auth)
Regional‐Scale Assessment of Deer Impacts on Vegetation Within Western Connecticut, USA

High densities of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are believed to cause broad-scale forest regeneration failure and loss of plant diversity. But, the empirical basis for such presumptions is limited. We, therefore, conducted a survey in western Connecticut, USA, woodlots to examine how spatial variation in deer densities influences variation in impacts on plant species abundance, identity and diversity, and tree regeneration. We also used a Geographic Information System to quantify trends between land-cover type and deer density. Deer density was not correlated with any vegetation or land use variable. This suggests that deer density is not a leading factor determining variation in vegetation impacts across western Connecticut.
Digitized images on the Web: a starring role in curriculum support.

Abstract Student focus groups and surveys indicate that students have a high level of interest and satisfaction using the tools that information technology offers medical education. One student put it this way, “No dog fight for slides and having sets disappear the night before exams is a definite plus!”
Lack of Increased Cardiac Toxicity with Sequential Doxorubicin and Paclitaxel

Introduction Recently, paclitaxel has joined doxorubicin as one of the most active single agents for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (1,2). Because these drugs now appear to be non-cross-resistant, combinations have been studied using various doses and schedules to assess efficacy and toxicity (3-7). However, concurrent administration of the two drugs at full doses has been associated with increased toxicity. In particular, an increased incidence of congestive heart failure has been seen in two studies of doxorubicin plus concurrent paclitaxel (6,7). At our institution, we have been developing “dose-dense” chemotherapy applying doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide as adjuvant treatment for high-risk primary breast cancer. To minimize toxicity and maximize delivered dose intensity, these drugs are given sequentially in the above order rather than concurrently. Because of the suggestion that the use of doxorubicin and paclitaxel might increase the risk of cardiac toxicity, we reviewed our...
Micronuclei and developmental abnormalities in 4‐day mouse embryos after paternal treatment with acrylamide

The developmental consequences of paternal exposure to acrylamide (50 mg/kg i.p. for 5 days) were assessed in preimplantation embryos. There was a significant increase in the proportion of morphologically abnormal embryos after postmeiotic treatment during spermatogenesis (88.7% vs. 14.8% in control). Abnormal embryos had an average of 1.8 +/- 3.5 cells and > 80% had at least one fragmented nucleus. In addition, morphologically normal embryos were significantly delayed (34.3 +/- 12.8 cells per embryo vs. 57.6 +/- 15.7 in control, P < 0.001). Acrylamide caused 10- and 20-fold increases in frequencies of cells with micronuclei (MN) in morphologically normal and abnormal embryos, respectively (41 and 93 MN per 1,000 cells). Both centromere-negative (MN-) and centromere-positive (MN+) were induced. Nuclei of abnormal embryos were significantly larger (900 microm2 vs. 250 microm2) than controls. In addition, MN of abnormal embryos were larger than those of normal embryos (21.2 microm2 vs. 6.5 microm2, P < 0.01). Among control embryos, MN+ were significantly larger than MN- (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the preimplantation embryo is a sensitive indicator of paternally transmitted effects on early development. Multiple mechanisms appear to be involved, including cytogenetic damage, proliferation arrest/delay, and fertilization failure. Future studies are needed to establish how induced cytological defects in preimplantation embryos contribute to birth defects and other postimplantation abnormalities.
School choice, racial segregation, and test-score gaps: Evidence from North Carolina's charter school program

Using panel data that track individual students from year to year, we examine the effects of charter schools in North Carolina on racial segregation and black-white test score gaps. We find that North Carolina's system of charter schools has increased the racial isolation of both black and white students, and has widened the achievement gap. Moreover, the relatively large negative effects of charter schools on the achievement of black students is driven by students who transfer into charter schools that are more racially isolated than the schools they have left. Our analysis of charter school choices suggests that asymmetric preferences of black and white charter school students (and their families) for schools of different racial compositions help to explain why there are so few racially balanced charter schools. © 2006 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Indomethacin causes a simultaneous decrease of both prolactin binding and fluidity of mouse liver membranes.

Abstract Indomethacin suppressed the numbers of prolactin receptors detectable in the liver membranes of both male and female C 3 H mice. This occurred in a dose-dependent fashion with 7.5 μg/gm body weight injected every 4 hours exerting a maximal effect within 20 hours. While injection of 50 Vg prolactin every 4 hr increased the number of prolactin receptors in control animals it could not in the indomethacin-treated animals. Membrane fluidity was estimated by fluorescence polarization techniques using the lipid probe 1,6-diphenylhexatriene. Indomethacin caused a decrease in membrane fluidity, whereas, exogenous prolactin increased the fluidity of the recipients' liver membranes but again could not overcome these suppressive effects of indomethacin. The data suggest that prolactin induces its own membrane-associated receptor by means of the prostaglandin cascade, perhaps by altering the fluidity of the supporting lipid bilayer.
A simplified method for analysis of inorganic phosphate in the presence of interfering substances

Abstract A new phosphate analysis method is described which is designed primarily for use with routine phosphatase assays. The method is modified extensively from that of Fiske and SubbaRow [(1925) J. Biol. Chem.66, 375] by decreasing 10-fold the level of reducing agent, ANSA, increasing the concentration of ammonium molybdate to 4 m m , utilizing HCl as the only acid present, and incorporating SDS. The method is insensitive to pH, ATP, proteins, and detergents at concentrations normally encountered in enzyme purification and analysis experiments. The color developed is fivefold more stable than that from the original Fiske-SubbaRow method, and the standard curve retains linearity for at least 24 hr with acid concentrations between 0.6 and 1.0 n HCl and for wavelengths between 500 and 900 nm. The simplicity, stability, and general applicability of the method allow for convenient and rapid analysis of large numbers of samples under a wide variety of conditions.
Does “Yummy” Food Help You Grow and Avoid Illness? Children's and Adults' Understanding of the Effect of Psychobiological Labels on Growth and Illness

Three studies examined children's understanding of the role of psychobiological labels such as tasty (“yummy”) and not tasty (“yucky”) foods on growth and illness. Studies 1 and 3 examined the role of tasty and not tasty foods on height, weight, and illness, respectively. Study 2 controlled for the possibility that participants were responding to the positive and negative valence of the terms “yummy” and “yucky” in Study 1. Results revealed that young children entertain psychobiological causes for growth but not for illness. These results suggest that young children selectively apply psychobiological causes to explain different biological processes.
A simplified colorimetric method for determination of mercury in biologic materials.

A simplified colorimetrie method for determination of mercury by the dithizone method has been developed. The procedure is suitable for analyzing biological and certain mineral samples for their mercury content. Amounts of mercury between 10 and 100 mcg. have been analyzed with a maximum deviation of ±5 per cent. The procedure has been simplified wherever possible to do so without sacrificing accuracy.
How the FBI Has Advanced the Effectiveness of Policing and Law Enforcement in America, While Serving as the Nation's Homeland Security Agency:

In America the FBI has advanced the effectiveness of policing and law enforcement, while at the same time serving as the nation's homeland security agency. The concept of culture, which is the unique configuration of norms, values and beliefs that characterise the way that people agree to do things, has played a major part in this advancement. Management has had a great influence on how the FBI has become more effective. Early theories of organisations say that the proper way to manage is through control mechanisms. In the early 1800s, policing was the task that provided basic public safety services. The idea of dedicating human and financial resources to catching criminals can be traced back to Roman times. From these roots, the FBI has evolved and had tremendous success in crime fighting. Many of the FBI's efforts have been concentrated on fighting domestic terrorism; however, the FBI has had successes in a wide range of law enforcement tasks, from handling bank robberies to dealing with plots to overth...
Predictable performance optimization for wireless networks

We present a novel approach to optimize the performance of IEEE 802.11-based multi-hop wireless networks. A unique feature of our approach is that it enables an accurate prediction of the resulting throughput of individual flows. At its heart lies a simple yet model of the network that captures interference, traffic, and MAC-induced dependencies. Unless properly accounted for, these dependencies lead to unpredictable behaviors. For instance, we show that even a simple network of two links with one flow is vulnerable to severe performance degradation. We design algorithms that build on this model to optimize the network for fairness and throughput. Given traffic demands as input, these algorithms compute rates at which individual flows must send to meet the objective. Evaluation using a multi-hop wireless testbed as well as simulations show that our approach is very effective. When optimizing for fairness, our methods result in close to perfect fairness. When optimizing for throughput, they lead to 100-200% improvement for UDP traffic and 10-50% for TCP traffic.
Induction of hematopoietic and endothelial cell program orchestrated by ETS transcription factor ER71/ETV2

The ETS factor ETV2 (aka ER71) is essential for the generation of the blood and vascular system, as ETV2 deficiency leads to a complete block in blood and endothelial cell formation and embryonic lethality in the mouse. However, the ETV2-mediated gene regulatory network and signaling governing hematopoietic and endothelial cell development are poorly understood. Here, we map ETV2 global binding sites and carry out in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells, and germ line and conditional knockout mouse studies to uncover mechanisms involved in the hemangiogenic fate commitment from mesoderm. We show that ETV2 binds to enhancers that specify hematopoietic and endothelial cell lineages. We find that the hemangiogenic progenitor population in the developing embryo can be identified as FLK1highPDGFRα−. Notably, these hemangiogenic progenitors are exclusively sensitive to ETV2-dependent FLK1 signaling. Importantly, ETV2 turns on other Ets genes, thereby establishing an ETS hierarchy. Consequently, the hematopoietic and endothelial cell program initiated by ETV2 is maintained partly by other ETS factors through an ETS switching mechanism. These findings highlight the critical role that transient ETV2 expression plays in the regulation of hematopoietic and endothelial cell lineage specification and stability.
Inteins: Structure, Function, and Evolution

Inteins are genetic elements that disrupt the coding sequence of genes. However, in contrast to introns, inteins are transcribed and translated together with their host protein. Inteins appear most frequently in Archaea, but they are found in organisms belonging to all three domains of life and in viral and phage proteins. Most inteins consist of two domains: One is involved in autocatalytic splicing, and the other is an endonuclease that is important in the spread of inteins. This review focuses on the evolution and technical application of inteins and only briefly summarizes recent advances in the study of the catalytic activities and structures of inteins. In particular, this review considers inteins as selfish or parasitic genetic elements, a point of view that explains many otherwise puzzling aspects of inteins.
Specific language impairment and parameter theory

A parameter theory of language learning was applied to data from eight specifically-language-impaired children in an attempt to determine whether a single factor might be responsible for a large cluster of these children's errors. The results failed to support the hypothesis that these children's difficulties were associated with a delayed resetting of the null subject parameter. These findings are compared to findings from studies involving other language learning theories.
Inhibition of PKR Activation by the Proline-Rich RNA Binding Domain of the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Us11 Protein

Upon activation by double-stranded RNA in virus-infected cells, the cellular PKR kinase phosphorylates the translation initiation factor eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) and thereby inhibits protein synthesis. The gamma 34.5 and Us11 gene products encoded by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) are dedicated to preventing the accumulation of phosphorylated eIF2. While the gamma 34.5 gene specifies a regulatory subunit for protein phosphatase 1 alpha, the Us11 gene encodes an RNA binding protein that also prevents PKR activation. gamma 34.5 mutants fail to grow on a variety of human cells as phosphorylated eIF2 accumulates and protein synthesis ceases prior to the completion of the viral life cycle. We demonstrate that expression of a 68-amino-acid fragment of Us11 containing a novel proline-rich basic RNA binding domain allows for sustained protein synthesis and enhanced growth of gamma 34.5 mutants. Furthermore, this fragment is sufficient to inhibit activation of the cellular PKR kinase in a cell-free system, suggesting that the intrinsic activities of this small fragment, notably RNA binding and ribosome association, may be required to prevent PKR activation.
Sustained Release of Multiple Growth Factors from Injectable Polymeric System as a Novel Therapeutic Approach Towards Angiogenesis

Purpose The aim was to investigate that a bio-degradable alginate and poly lactide-co-glycolide (PLG) system capable of delivering growth factors sequentially would be superior to single growth factor delivery in promoting neovascularization and improving perfusion.
Imaging Genetic Liability to Schizophrenia: Systematic Review of fMRI Studies of Patients’ Nonpsychotic Relatives

There is a growing literature on brain activity in the nonpsychotic first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia as measured using functional imaging. This systematic review examined 20 studies in 4 domains of cognition, including cognitive control (7 samples), working memory (5 samples), long-term memory (4 samples), and language (4 samples). While the literature was widely divergent, these studies did consistently find activation differences between patients' relatives and controls. The most consistent increases in activation within hemisphere were found in right ventral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and right parietal cortex. Abnormal activity, defined as significant increases or decreases in activation relative to controls irrespective of hemisphere, was found in about two-thirds of contrasts in the cerebellum, dorsal prefrontal, lateral temporal, and parietal cortices, and thalamus, with basal ganglia and ventral PFC showing abnormalities in approximately half of those contrasts. Anterior cingulate was generally spared in patients' relatives. The diversity of findings in studies of patients' relatives may derive from differences between the cognitive demands across studies. We identify avenues for building a more accurate and cumulative literature, including symmetrical inclusion criteria for relatives and controls, recording in-scanner responses, using both a priori and whole-brain tests, explicitly reporting threshold values, reporting main effects of task, reporting effect sizes, and quantifying the risk of false negatives. While functional imaging in the relatives of schizophrenia patients remains a promising methodology for understanding the impact of the unexpressed genetic liability to schizophrenia, no single region or mechanism of abnormalities has yet emerged.
Elucidating the digital control mechanism for DNA damage repair with the p53-Mdm2 system: single cell data analysis and ensemble modelling.

Recent experimental evidence about DNA damage response using the p53–Mdm2 system has raised some fundamental questions about the control mechanism employed. In response to DNA damage, an ensemble of cells shows a damped oscillation in p53 expression whose amplitude increases with increased DNA damage—consistent with ‘analogue’ control. Recent experimental results, however, show that the single cell response is a series of discrete pulses in p53; and with increase in DNA damage, neither the height nor the duration of the pulses change, but the mean number of pulses increase—consistent with ‘digital’ control. Here we present a system engineering model that uses published data to elucidate this mechanism and resolve the dilemma of how digital behaviour at the single cell level can manifest as analogue ensemble behaviour. First, we develop a dynamic model of the p53– Mdm2 system that produces non-oscillatory responses to a stress signal. Second, we develop a probability model of the distribution of pulses in a cell population, and combine the two with the simplest digital control algorithm to show how oscillatory responses whose amplitudes grow with DNA damage can arise from single cell behaviour in which each single pulse response is independent of the extent of DNA damage. A stochastic simulation of the hypothesized control mechanism reproduces experimental observations remarkably well.
Winning the war, but losing the peace? The dilemma of SPLM/A civil administration and the tasks ahead

The debate over peace in Sudan has centred on the ongoing talks in Naivasha, Kenya. This paper argues, however, that sustainable peace is not simply a function of the implementation of an agreement between the SPLA and Khartoum, but that other fracture lines will run through post-conflict Sudan. Here we draw attention to the rupture between the Dinka, dominant within the SPLA, and the Equatorian peoples of the far south, hundreds of thousands of whom were driven from their homes or faced with economic and political oppression under SPLA occupation. As these refugees return, it will be through local government structures that Equatorians will or will not be integrated into the SPLA political project for Southern Sudan. Thus, local government figures prominently in the possibility for sustainable peace. We describe the origins and structure of local government in Southern Sudan, situating it in the history of political tension between Dinka and Equatorians. We then describe the challenge of equitably distributing land and foreign aid to returnees in the context of ethnic politics and a massive NGO presence.
Micelle formation above 100°C

Critical micelle concentrations (CMC) were determined for tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide in water from 25 to 166°C using a flow conductance cell. Over this temperature range the CMC increases by a factor of 10 and the degree of micelle dissociation increases from 0.25 to 0.65. The values of ΔH and ΔS for micellization are determined using the equilibrium model and are discussed in terms of the Benzinger compensation hypothesis for aqueous solutions.
Evolution of extended-spectrum beta-lactam resistance (SHV-8) in a strain of Escherichia coli during multiple episodes of bacteremia.

Nine isolates of Escherichia coli were recovered from seven blood cultures over a period of 3 months from a 19-month-old female with aplastic anemia. Initial isolates were susceptible to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, including ceftazidime (MIC, or = 128 micrograms/ml) and other cephalosporins and the monobactam aztreonam. Molecular typing methods, including plasmid profile analysis, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and arbitrarily primed PCR, indicated that the nine isolates were derived from a common ancestor. Dot blot hybridization and PCR analysis of total bacterial DNA using blaSHV- and blaTEM-specific DNA probes and primers identified the presence of a blaTEM beta-lactamase gene in all of the isolates and a blaSHV gene in the isolates with elevated ceftazidime MICs. Isoelectric focusing analysis of crude lysates showed that all nine isolates contained an enzyme with a pI of 5.4 corresponding to the TEM-1 beta-lactamase, and those isolates containing an SHV-type beta-lactamase demonstrated an additional band with a pI of 7.6. The first of the ceftazidime-resistant isolates appeared to hyperproduce the SHV enzyme compared to the other resistant isolates. DNA sequencing revealed a blaSHV-1 gene in the first ceftazidime-resistant isolate and a novel blaSHV gene, blaSHV-8, with an Asp-to-Asn substitution at amino acid position 179 in the remaining four isolates. Three of the ceftazidime-resistant isolates also showed a change in porin profile. The patient had received multiple courses of antimicrobial agents during her illness, including multiple courses of ceftazidime. This collection of blood isolates from the same patient appears to represent the in vivo evolution of resistance under selective pressure of treatment with various cephalosporins.
An improved hierarchical lossless text compression algorithm

Several improvements to the Bugajski-Russo N-gram algorithm are proposed. When applied to English text these result in an algorithm with comparable complexity and approximately 10 to 30% less rate than the commonly used COMPRESS algorithm.
Estimation of co-conditional moments of transmissivity, hydraulic head, and velocity fields

An iterative co-conditional Monte Carlo simulation (IMCS) approach is developed. This approach derives co-conditional means and variances of transmissivity (T), head (f), and Darcy’s velocity ( q), based on sparse measurements of T and f in heterogeneous, confined aquifers under steady-state conditions. It employs the classical co-conditional Monte Carlo simulation technique (MCS) and a successive linear estimator that takes advantage of our prior knowledge of the covariances of T and f and their cross-covariance. In each co-conditional simulation, a linear estimate of T is improved by solving the governing steady-state flow equation, and by updating residual covariance functions iteratively. These residual covariance functions consist of the covariance of T and f and the cross-covariance function between T and f .A s a result, the non-linear relationship between T and f is incorporated in the co-conditional realizations of T and f. Once the T and f fields are generated, a corresponding velocity field is also calculated. The average of the co-conditioned realizations of T, f, and q yields the co-conditional mean fields. In turn, the co-conditional variances of T, f, and q, which measure the reduction in uncertainty due to measurements of T and f, are derived. Results of our numerical experiments show that the co-conditional means from IMCS for T and f fields have smaller mean square errors (MSE) than those from a non-iterative Monte Carlo simulation (NIMCS). Finally, the co-conditional mean fields from IMCS are compared with the co-conditional effective fields from a direct approach developed by Yehet al .[ Water Resources Research, 32(1), 85‐92, 1996]. q 1998 Elsevier Science Limited.
Is There a Better Time of Day to Have a Heart Attack

See related article, pages 546–550 It is widely accepted that time influences cardiovascular health and disease, including the time of the day, day of the week, or season of the year. For example, myocardial infarctions occur with greatest incidence early on a Monday morning, in fall/winter.1 Peak incidence in adverse cardiovascular events, such as acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death, has classically been ascribed to temporal changes in extracardiac factors.1,2 These factors include fluctuations in posture, physical exertion, food consumption, and body temperature over the course of the day contributing toward changes in sympathetic and autonomic activity, numerous endocrine and paracrine factors, as well as thrombolytic factors, ultimately influencing cardiovascular function and/or precipitating an adverse cardiovascular event.3–6 Recently, what has become increasingly evident is a significant contribution of intrinsic mechanisms mediating temporal dependence of cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology.7–9 For instance, travelers retain time-of-day oscillations in sudden cardiac death, in such a way that the peak incidence is equivalent to the early hours of the morning in the time zone of origin.10 What might be the …
Structure and development of the pitchers from the carnivorous plantNepenthes alata (Nepenthaceae)

The pitchers of the tropical carnivorous plant Nepenthes alata are highly specialized organs for the attraction and capture of insects and absorption of nutrients from them. This study examined the structure and development of these pitchers, with particular focus on the nectaries and digestive glands. Immature pitchers developed at the tips of tendrils and were tightly sealed by a lid structure that opened during the end of pitcher elongation. Opened pitchers exposed a ridged peristome containing large nectaries. Like other members of the genus, a thick coating of epicuticular waxy scales covered the upper one-third of the pitcher. Scattered within this zone were cells resembling a stomatal complex with a protruding ridge. Cross sections showed that this ridge was formed by asymmetric divisions of the epidermal cells and lacked an underlying pore. The basal region of the trap had large multicellular glands that developed from single epidermal cells. These glands were closely associated with underlying vascular traces and provided a mechanism for supplying fluid to closed immature pitchers.
Perioperative Pain and Swelling Control in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) remains one of the most common sports medicine procedures performed in the young, athletic patient population. Over the past 2 decades, advances in surgical technique as well as improvements in perioperative pain control modalities have enabled the vast majority of patients undergoing ACLR to have the procedure performed in the outpatient setting. Multimodal pain control is paramount to the success of outpatient ACLR and incorporates various combinations of general-epidural-regional anesthetics, perioperative peri-incisional local anesthetics, oral analgesics, electrostimulation, compressive cryotherapy, and early physical therapy. This article provides a concise summary of evidence-based guidelines for perioperative pain and swelling management following ACLR, with an emphasis on oral agents and postoperative modalities.
Impact of Explicit Information on Implicit Motor-Sequence Learning Following Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke

Background and Purpose. Recovery of motor skills following stroke is supported, in part, by the implicit memory system. However, attempts to guide learning commonly use explicit instructions concerning “how to” perform a movement task. The purpose of this work was to systematically investigate the impact of explicit information (EI) on implicit motor-sequence learning using the ipsilesional arm in people with damage in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) distribution. Subjects and Methods. Ten people with unilateral stroke in the MCA distribution affecting the sensorimotor cortical areas and 10 people with no known pathology or impairment (control participants) were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group was provided with EI and one group was not (EI and No-EI groups, respectively) as the participants practiced an implicit motor-sequencing task over 3 days, with a retention test on day 4. Results. A 3-way interaction demonstrated that, across days of practice, EI had opposite effects on implicit motor-sequence performance for the 2 groups. Post hoc tests confirmed that EI facilitated the performance of the control participants in the EI group but interfered with the performance of the participants with stroke in the EI group. This interference effect persisted, and was evident during the retention test in the participants with stroke in the EI group. Discussion and Conclusion. Explicit information was detrimental for implicit motor-sequence learning following MCA stroke. Rehabilitation outcomes may benefit from consideration of stroke location when determining the degree to which EI can augment implicit motor skill learning.
A community study of calorie and nutrient intake in drinkers and nondrinkers of alcohol

Nutrient intake and alcohol consumption were studied in a 15% random sample of a predominantly white upper-middle class suburban community in Southern California. Based on 24-h dietary recall, 51% of the 691 men and women aged 30 to 90 yr in the study population had consumed an average of 30 g alcohol during the preceding 24 h. In general, alcohol-derived calories were added to the diet, and did not replace calories derived from other nutrients. Consequently, alcohol consumers had a significantly higher total caloric intake than did nondrinkers. Dietary differences were greatest in moderate drinkers, who tended to consume fewer nonalcohol-derived calories, and less of most specific nutrients. Although dietary differences in moderate drinkers were similar in men and women, statistically significant differences in women were limited to carbohydrate consumption. Moderate drinking men consumed significantly less protein, fat, carbohydrate, and cholesterol. These dietary differences suggest one mechanism whereby moderate alcohol consumption might reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Although alcohol intake resulted in an increase in total calories consumed, alcohol drinkers were not more obese than nondrinkers. Since similar proportions of drinkers and nondrinkers exercised regularly, these data may suggest that alcohol calories are not fully utilized.