cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Marginal structural models: much ado about (almost) nothing

Marginal structural models were developed to account for a so-called time-dependent confounder and to estimate the presumed effect of ‘treatment regime’ (treatment over time). We present a set of causal axioms, according to which the problem of time-dependent confounding does not exist, and ‘treatment regime’ affects nothing. Per our axiomatization, marginal structural models do not introduce a new idea of deconfounding, but simply estimate a weighted average of effects. Whenever a weighted average and the weighting scheme can both be rationalized, the models are acceptable. Whenever a weighted average does not estimate an effect (e.g. important effect modification is ignored), or the weights are senseless – the models should not be fit.
Towards measuring nuclear-spin-dependent and isotopic-chain atomic parity violation in ytterbium

We discuss experiments aimed at measurements of atomic parity nonconservation (PNC) effects in the 6s2 1S0 → 5d6s 3D1 transition (408 nm) in atomic Ytterbium (Z=70). According to theoretical predictions, the PNC-induced E1 amplitude of this transition is ∼ 100 times larger than the analogous amplitude in Cs. Such an experiment will determine differences in PNC effects between different hyperfine components for odd-neutron-number Yb isotopes and, thereby, will allow measurements of the nuclear anapole moments in nuclei with unpaired neutrons. In addition, measurements of PNC in different isotopes would give information on neutron distributions within the nuclei. The apparatus designed and built for this experiment is described, and results of measurements towards understanding of systematic effects influencing the accuracy, and the current status of the ongoing PNC measurements are presented.
Stimulation of Cellular DNA Synthesis by Human Cytomegalovirus

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is able to induce cellular DNA synthesis in both permissive (human embryonic lung) and nonpermissive (Vero) cells. The induction of cell DNA synthesis was assayed by the incorporation of [methyl-3H]thymidine into macromolecules having the buoyant density characteristics of cell DNA. The DNA synthesis induced by CMV infection appears to represent normal semiconservative replication as opposed to repair synthesis. Both strains of CMV tested were capable of inducing cell DNA synthesis. Virus exposed to heat or UV light prior to infection lost the ability to induce DNA synthesis, indicating that a virus-coded function expressed after infection is responsible for stimulation of cell DNA synthesis.
Spontaneous Subthreshold Membrane Potential Fluctuations and Action Potential Variability of Rat Corticostriatal and Striatal Neurons In Vivo

Stern, Edward A., Anthony E. Kincaid, and Charles J. Wilson. Spontaneous subthreshold membrane potential fluctuations and action potential variability of rat corticostriatal and striatal neurons in...
Moving beyond phylogenetic assumptions about evolutionary convergence: response to Leander

Parallelism and convergence are concepts that emerged from the dawn of Darwinism and predated the rediscovery of Mendelian inheritance in 1900. Their purpose was to propose alternative mechanisms for how similar traits could evolve independently in different organisms. For example, Darwin [1] observed that species of fish in distant families had evolved similar organs to generate electric fields, but had arrived at these similarities via different pathways. He inferred that these traits had most likely evolved independently rather than being inherited from a common ancestor.
Pulmonary functional impairment associated with pleural asbestos disease. Circumscribed and diffuse thickening.

To define the pulmonary functional impairment associated with pleural asbestos signs (PAS), we compared 738 men with only circumscribed (plaques) or diffuse pleural thickening on chest roentgenograms but no irregular opacities by ILO pneumoconiosis criteria (1980) with 738 age-matched asbestos-exposed men without any roentgenographic signs and with 228 men unexposed to asbestos. All men were white. Spirometry and total thoracic gas volumes (TGV) were measured and expressed as percentage of predicted of white Michigan men who have been modeled for spirometric values thereby adjusting for height, age, and in current and ex-smokers for duration of smoking. Asbestos-exposed men who never smoked had reduced FEF75-85 (p 1 (p PAS = pleural asbestos signs; pop = percentage of predicted; TGV = thoracic gas volume
Beam fragmentation in heavy ion collisions with realistically correlated nuclear configurations

We develop a new approach to production of the spectator nucleons in the ultrarelativistic heavy ion collisions. The energy transfer to the spectator system is calculated using the Monte Carlo based on the updated version of our generator of configurations in colliding nuclei which includes a realistic account of short-range correlations in nuclei. The transferred energy distributions are calculated within the framework of the Glauber multiple-scattering theory, taking into account all individual inelastic and elastic collisions using an independent realistic calculation of the potential energy contribution of each of the nucleon-nucleon pairs to the total potential. We show that the dominant mechanism of the energy transfer is tearing apart pairs of nucleons with the major contribution coming from the short-range correlations. We calculate the momentum distribution of the directed flow of emitted nucleons which is strongly affected by short-range correlations, including its dependence on the azimuthal angle. In particular, we predict a strong angular asymmetry along the direction of the impact parameter $\text{b}$, providing a unique opportunity to determine the direction of $\text{b}$. Also, we predict a strong dependence of the shape of the nucleon momentum distribution on the centrality of the nucleus-nucleus collision.
Parasomnias: clinical features and forensic implications

Parasomnias are undesirable behavioral or experiential phenomena arising from the sleep period. Once felt to be a unitary phenomenon, it is now clear that a wide variety of sleep disorders are capable of resulting in complex behaviors arising during sleep. The most common are disorders of arousal and rapid eye movement sleep disorder. Less common conditions include nocturnal seizures and psychogenic dissociative states. Malingering and Munchausen syndrome by proxy, while they are not actually parasomnias, may masquerade as parasomnias. Careful clinical and sleep laboratory evaluation can usually provide an accurate diagnosis with effective therapeutic implications. Due to the potential forensic implications, sleep medicine specialists may be asked to participate in legal proceedings resulting from sleep-related violence. An awareness of the spectrum of such behaviors, and their clinical and legal evaluation, is becoming more important in the practice of sleep medicine.
Deprivation and escape conditioning with various intensities of shock

Eight rats were trained to escape electric shock. In the first phase, they were given 28 trials of 1 mA of shock on each of 10 days; during the second 16-day phase, they received 28 trials of seven intensities randomly presented so that each intensity occurred on four trials each day; in the final 10-day phase the procedure was as Phase 2 except the Ss were systematically placed on a 48-h food and water deprivation schedule. The major effect of deprivation was to increase the response latencies to the electric shock.
Retrieving random amplitude modulated harmonics using higher-order statistics

Additive as well as multiplicative noise appears in weather radar returns, or, when acoustic waves propagate through the ocean. Second order spectral methods fail to retrieve frequencies of such random amplitude modulated harmonic time series, especially when the multiplicative noise is broadband. An existing fourth-order method assumes real Gaussian multiplicative and additive noise. A novel approach is proved herein to impose no constraints on the distribution or the color of the disturbances. It relies on fourth-order special cumulant or moment slices. In particular, the fourth-order moment spectrum is shown to offer computational advantages. Extension to multi-component models and generalizations to alternative sixth order moments are also provided.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Random walks for spike-timing-dependent plasticity.

Random walk methods are used to calculate the moments of negative image equilibrium distributions in synaptic weight dynamics governed by spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP). The neural architecture of the model is based on the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL) of mormyrid electric fish, which forms a negative image of the reafferent signal from the fish’s own electric discharge to optimize detection of sensory electric fields. Of particular behavioral importance to the fish is the variance of the equilibrium postsynaptic potential in the presence of noise, which is determined by the variance of the equilibrium weight distribution. Recurrence relations are derived for the moments of the equilibrium weight distribution, for arbitrary postsynaptic potential functions and arbitrary learning rules. For the case of homogeneous network parameters, explicit closed form solutions are developed for the covariances of the synaptic weight and postsynaptic potential distributions.
Drug affordability and prescription noncompliance in the United States: 1997–2002

Abstract Background: Prescription drug costs have risen rapidly since the mid-1990s. Inability to pay for medications has consequences for population health and health system costs. However, national data on the scope of prescription noncompliance due to cost are surprisingly inconsistent. Objective: The goals of this study were to use data from a large, all-ages survey that accurately represents the civilian, noninstitutionalized population to estimate the national prevalence of medication noncompliance due to cost, identify sources of variation in rates of noncompliance due to cost, and assess changes in these rates over a recent 6-year interval (1997–2002). Methods: We undertook a trend analysis of the National Health Interview Surveys for 1997 through 2002 and detailed subpopulation analysis of the 2002 survey to determine rates of noncompliance due to cost. Results: Our analyses used a total sample size of 276,425 respondents for the 6-year period and a sample size of 43,568 respondents for the year-2002 subpopulation analysis. Self-reported rates of noncompliance due to cost grew from 4.7% in 1997 to 5.9% in 2002. The results of the 2002 survey suggested that noncompliance varied by subpopulation, with relatively high rates ( P Conclusion: A relatively small but growing proportion of Americans are unable to afford the medications they are prescribed. Cost-associated noncompliance, like other health care access problems, is unevenly distributed in the population.
Thin-layer chromatography of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract R F values have been obtained for thin-layer chromatography of 29 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with the following systems: cellulose (immobile phase, dimethylformamide in ethyl ether; mobile phase, iso-octane) and cellulose acetate (ethanol-toluene-water, 17:4:4, v/v/v). The cellulose reverse phase system more effectively separated the compounds into groups according to their ring structure. The cellulose acetate multi-phase technique was superior in separating the individual 4-, 5- and 6-ring compounds. This technique is rapid and has been successfully used in the preliminary separation of these hydrocarbons from vegetable oils.
Primary and secondary transconjunctival involutional entropion repair.

Abstract Purpose Lower eyelid involutional entropion is a significant disorder of the aging population resulting from horizontal eyelid laxity, overriding orbicularis oculi muscle, and attenuation of the lower eyelid retractors. The purpose of this study is to describe the long-term results of transconjunctival entropion repair. Design Interventional noncomparative case series. Participants Thirty-six eyelids in 31 patients. Methods Charts were reviewed of all transconjunctival entropion repairs, which included myectomy, retractor fixation, and horizontal shortening performed by three oculoplastic surgeons between January 1993 and January 1999. Cases with less than 12 months follow-up were excluded. Main outcome measures Entropion recurrence. Results Thirty-six lids in 31 patients were followed for mean of 31.5 months (12.5–79). Six of 36 lids (16.7%) had postoperative complications. Recurrent entropion occurred in 3 of 36 lids (8.3%) an average 16.3 months (7–35) after surgery. An average of 6 trichiasis lashes (1–10) occurred in 4 of 36 lids (11.1%) at a mean of 2.25 months (1–4) after surgery. There were no overcorrections. Three of 36 lids (8.3%) required additional surgery. Conclusions Entropion recurrence after three-step transconjunctival repair is within the 0% to 30% reported recurrence for other repair techniques but more frequent than reported for a similar transcutaneous procedure. The 8.3% recurrence rate might have resulted from inadequate myectomy, inadequate retractor fixation, cicatricial changes directly related to the transconjunctival incision, or progressive involutional changes. Trichiasis was the most frequent complication. Transconjunctival entropion repair may be slightly less effective than transcutaneous repair.
Effects of verapamil and lidocaine in a canine model of sudden coronary death.

The efficacy of verapamil and lidocaine for treating ischemia-induced arrhythmias was determined in a conscious canine model with a previous myocardial infarction remote from the ischemic area. Temporary (up to 5.5 minutes) occlusion of the circumflex coronary artery was made in eight conscious dogs that had sustained an anterior myocardial infarction 13 to 35 days previously. Each dog served as its own control. Ventricular arrhythmias were observed in 100% of control experiments but in only 25% of experiments after verapamil pretreatment at 0.4 mg/kg body weight. Repetitive ventricular complexes, defined as two or more consecutive ventricular complexes terminating spontaneously in sinus rhythm, were seen in 88% of control experiments and I3% of verapamil experiments, whereas ventricular fibrillation was seen in 6% of control experiments but in no verapamil experiment. Thus, verapamil abolished arrhythmias or reduced the grade of arrhythmias in all dogs. Six of the eight dogs were also tested with Lidocaine pretreatment at one or two doses resulting in mean plasma levels of 3.8 ± 2.0 µg/ml. Ventricular arrhythmias were seen in 92% of control experiments and 100% of lido-caine experiments. The incidence of ventricular fibrillation increased from 8% in control to 60% in Lidocaine experiments. It is concluded that verapamil may prevent severe ischemia-induced arrhythmias after a recent myocardial infarction, whereas Lidocaine may in some cases aggravate arrhythmias.
Effects of Nitrogen Nutrition on Nitrogen Partitioning between Chloroplasts and Mitochondria in Pea and Wheat.

Nitrogen partitioning among proteins in chloroplasts and mitochondria was examined in pea (Pisum sativum L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown hydroponically with different nitrogen concentrations. In pea leaves, chloroplast nitrogen accounted for 75 to 80% of total leaf nitrogen. We routinely found that 8% of total ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase adhered to thylakoids during preparation and could be removed with Triton X-100. With this precaution, the ratio of stroma nitrogen increased from 53 to 61% of total leaf nitrogen in response to the nitrogen supply, but thylakoid nitrogen remained almost constant around 20% of total. The changes in the activities of the stromal enzymes and electron transport in response to the nitrogen supply reflected the nitrogen partitioning into stroma and thylakoids. On the other hand, nitrogen partitioning into mitochondria was appreciably smaller than that in chloroplasts, and the ratio of nitrogen allocated to mitochondria decreased with increasing leaf-nitrogen content, ranging from 7 to 4% of total leaf nitrogen. The ratio of mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activities to leaf-nitrogen content also decreased with increasing leaf-nitrogen content. These differences in nitrogen partitioning between chloroplasts and mitochondria were reflected in differences in the rates of photosynthesis and dark respiration in wheat leaves measured with an open gas-exchange system. The response of photosynthesis to nitrogen supply was much greater than that of dark respiration, and the CO2 compensation point decreased with increasing leaf-nitrogen content.
How Heavy Is a Balloon? Using the Ideal Gas Law

This activity makes use of the Ideal Gas Law to determine the mass of a helium-filled Mylar balloon, if it were empty. The concept of buoyancy is explored as weights are attached to the balloon to bring it to neutral buoyancy, at which point the mass of the air displaced by the balloon is equal to the mass of the empty balloon, the helium inside, and the attached weights. Out of this relationship, the mass of the empty balloon is calculated and compared to its actual empty mass.
Editorial: Molecular Endocrinology Articles in the Spotlight for April 2013

We are pleased to feature the following articles in this month’s issue of Molecular Endocrinology. Interestingly, the 3 articles provide novel insights into various hypothalamic pathways that regulate important aspects of reproduction and metabolism. In “GnRH Pulse Frequency-Dependent Stimulation of FSH Transcription Is Mediated via Activation of PKA and CREB,” Thompson et al provide a mechanism of GnRH pulse frequency-dependent activation of FSH involving differential activation of protein kinase A (PKA) and subsequent differential levels of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation. LH gene expression is unaffected by this pathway. Furthermore, GnRH preferentially stimulates CREB phosphorylation at slow pulse frequencies, whereas PKA (the main regulator of CREB phosphorylation in the murine LT2 gonadotrope cell model) activity increases to a greater extent at slow GnRH pulse frequencies, correlating with the increase in CREB phosphorylation. Because pulsatile GnRHregulatestheexpressionandsecretionofbothFSH and LH, this work identifies the intracellular mechanism downstream of GnRH receptor activation responsible for triggering the diverse reproductive consequences of the individual gonadotropins. “Nuclear Receptor LRH-1 Induces the Reproductive Neuropeptide Kisspeptin in the Hypothalamus” by Atkin et al (freely available at http://mend.endojournals.org/) provides novel insights into the molecular mechanism controlling kisspeptin’s differential secretion. The authors show that mice lacking LRH-1 in kisspeptin neurons have reduced plasma FSH levels and corresponding defects in follicle maturation and ovulation in the ovary. These knockout mice have a prolonged estrous cycle and deliver fewer pups per litter. On a molecular level, these findings help explain why kisspeptin is differentially regulatedindistinctregionsofthehypothalamus,thearcuate and anteroventral periventricular nuclei, and have revealed an important role for LRH-1 in regulating the female reproductive axis. Groba et al’s “Hypothyroidism Compromises Hypothalamic Leptin Signaling in Mice” reveals that leptin signaling in hypothalamic arcuate neurons is compromised under hypothyroid conditions. Activation of the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways by leptin is reduced in hypothyroid obese (ie, ob/ob) mice as evidenced by reduced phopho-STAT3 immunoreactivity and decreased SOCS3 expression. A diminished reduction in body weight and food intake in hypothyroid ob/ob mice was observed after leptin treatment. Importantly, hypothyroidism is associated with elevated transcript levels of shorter leptin receptor isoforms. Consequently, up-regulation of the shorter isoforms of the leptin receptor may represent a major mechanism by which hypothyroidism influences the leptin signaling pathway in hypothyroid mice.
Implicit preferences: the role(s) of familiarity in the structural mere exposure effect.

Abstract In four experiments using an artificial grammar (AG) learning procedure, the authors examined the links between the “classic” mere exposure effect [heightened affect for previously encountered stimulus items ( Bornstein, 1989 ; Zajonc, 1968 )] and the “structural” mere exposure effect [greater hedonic appreciation for novel stimuli that conform to an implicitly acquired underlying rule system ( Gordon & Holyoak, 1983 )]. After learning, participants: (a) classified stimuli according to whether they conformed to the principles of the grammar and, (b) rated them in terms of how much they liked them. In some experiments unusual and unfamiliar symbols were used to instantiate the AG, in others highly familiar characters were used. In all cases participants showed standard AG learning. However, whether the two exposure effects emerged was dependent on symbol familiarity. Symbols with high a priori familiarity produced a structural mere exposure effect. Moderately familiar symbols produced only the classic, but not the structural, mere exposure effect. Highly unfamiliar symbols produced neither exposure effect. Results are discussed in the context of implicit learning theory and implications for a general theory of aesthetics are presented.
Bayesian inference for comparing two Poisson rates using data subject to underreporting and validation data

Abstract We derive a new Bayesian credible interval estimator for comparing two Poisson rates when counts are underreported and an additional validation data set is available. We provide a closed-form posterior density for the difference between the two rates that yields insightful information on which prior parameters influence the posterior the most. We also apply the new interval estimator to a real-data example, investigate the performance of the credible interval, and examine the impact of informative priors on the rate difference posterior via Monte Carlo simulations.
Fluorinated analogs of aldehyde components of boll weevil pheromone : Synthesis and biological activity.

Analogs of the two geometrical isomers of the dimethylcyclohexylidene acetaldehyde component of the pheromone of the boll weevilAnthonomus grandis were synthesized in which the α-vinylic proton or the aldehydic proton were replaced by fluorine. These isosteric substitutions substantially alter charge distribution and reactivity of the enal system, as documented by spectroscopic changes and changes in reactivity. The electrophysiological activity of the (E)- and (Z)-acyl fluorides is two orders of magnitude lower than that of the natural aldehyde. In contrast, the EAG response of female antennae to the (E)- and (Z)-α-fluoro compounds show that the thresholds are quite similar to (and in one isomer lower than) those of the natural aldehyde isomers.
Pionic atoms and low energy elastic scattering

A fit to pionic atom data is used to determine four of the parameters of the low energy pion-nucleus optical potential, while the other parameters are taken from theory. The resulting potential is used to predict elastic scattering from 30-50 MeV pions. The effects of extrapolating the par\aa{}meters to 50 MeV with a simple energy dependence are examined.
Review of the magnetic fusion program by the 1986 ERAB Fusion Panel

The 1986 ERAB Fusion Panel finds that fusion energy continues to be an attractive energy source with great potential for the future, and that the magnetic fusion program continues to make substantial technical progress. In addition, fusion research advances plasma physics, a sophisticated and useful branch of applied science, as well as technologies important to industry and defense. These factors fully justify the substantial expenditures by the Department of Energy in fusion research and development (R&D). The Panel endorses the overall program direction, strategy, and plans, and recognizes the importance and timeliness of proceeding with a burning plasma experiment, such as the proposed Compact Ignition Tokamak (CIT) experiment.
Poly(acrylic acid)/poly(vinyl alcohol) compositions coaxially electrospun with poly(ɛ-caprolactone) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes to create nanoactuating scaffolds

Abstract Skeletal muscle regeneration usually causes scar tissue formation and loss of function, an alternative method is needed. In this study, poly(ɛ-caprolactone), multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and (83/17, 60/40, 50/50, and 40/60) poly(acrylic acid)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PCL-MWCNT-PAA/PVA) were coaxially electrospun to create scaffolds. All four were conductive; however, not all scaffolds actuated when electrically stimulated. The best response occurred when 20 V was applied. A biocompatibility study where skeletal muscle cells were exposed to 0, 0.14%, and 0.7% MWCNT showed that these concentrations were low enough to not cause harm over a four week period. All scaffolds were biocompatible but, the 40/60 scaffolds had more cells. Fluorescent staining showed large clusters of multinucleated cells with actin interaction. Although scaffold tensile properties are greater than skeletal muscle, our other results show that with more modification to cause contraction instead of bending this combination of materials may show promise as components in an artificial muscle.
Role of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α in responses to diisononyl phthalate

Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) is a compound widely used as a plasticizer in the production of polyvinyl chloride products. Chronic exposure to DINP leads to liver cancer in rats and mice. Many phthalates are considered to be relatively weak peroxisome proliferators (PP), a group of rodent hepatocarcinogens that cause a variety of adaptive responses in liver through the PP-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha). The objectives of this study were to determine whether DINP-induced effects in the liver associated with carcinogenesis are mediated by PPARalpha and to identify novel gene targets of DINP. Male and female SV129 wild-type, SV129 PPARalpha-null, and B6C3F1 mice were administered DINP by gavage or in the feed. Transcript profile technology and reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to identify gene targets. Dose-dependent increases in relative liver weights were dependent on PPARalpha in 10- or 12-week-old male and female mice and 30-week-old male mice. Female 30-week-old mice exhibited PPARalpha-independent increases in relative liver weights. Increases in hepatocyte proliferation, palmitoyl-CoA oxidase (PCO) activity, and levels of enzymes involved in beta- and omega-oxidation of fatty acids were shown to be dependent on PPARalpha. Five novel genes were shown to be altered in the livers of female wild-type mice after a 3-week exposure, but not in PPARalpha-null, mice. These genes included those involved in DNA repair and recombination (ATP-dependent helicase and Endonuclease III homolog), drug metabolism (Cyp2a4) and protein trafficking (FKBP-1, FKBP-13). An additional gene (Cyp2d9) was shown to be down-regulated in wild-type mice but up-regulated in PPARalpha-null mice indicating more complex regulation by PPARalpha and additional factors. These data support the hypothesis that PPARalpha plays a dominant role in mediating the effects associated with hepatocarcinogenesis after DINP exposure.
Technical Communique: Simplified tree-structured decomposition using bond graphs

The value set of an uncertain transfer function facilitates a number of robust control problems. For the general case, value set synthesis is aided when the transfer function is decomposed into a tree structure with (mostly) disjoint uncertain parameters. We have developed a general and direct technique for obtaining such transfer functions. Bond graphs provide the machinery for the new technique. The method developed here simplifies tree-structured transfer function synthesis for physically derived symbolic plant models.
A new triple correlator design for the measurement of ultrashort laser pulses

Abstract A measurement device, a triple correlator, is proposed for the characterization of ultrashort optical pulses. The proposed triple correlator uses two consecutive nonlinear optical interactions, a sum frequency generation followed by a difference frequency generation, to produce a triple correlation output a the same optical frequencies as the input pulse. Phase matching for the triple correlator is greatly simplified by using the given design. The operation of the triple correlator is described and examples of expected output signals are given. The reconstructed optical pulse is quite insensitive to noise, as shown by computer simulations.
Early viral proteins in HeLa cells infected with adenovirus type 5 host range mutants.

Abstract Several classes of adenovirus type 5 host range mutants have been isolated, These mutants replicate in Ads-transformed human embryonic kidney cells (293 cells) but at low multiplicities of infection fail to replicate in HeLa cells. Experiments are presented that demonstrate that these host range mutants form two complementation group;: group I maps in region E1a of the adenovirus genome and contains mutants hr 1, hr 2, dl 311, and dl 312; group II maps in region Elb and includes mutants hr 6, hr 7, dl 313, and sub 315. Mutants dl 314 and sub 316 both fail to efficiently complement any of the group I and II host range mutants. At low multiplicities of infection most group I mutants failed to produce detectable levels of virus proteins derived from regions E1, E2, or E3 of the viral genome. This group I phenotype was markedly depen(lent upon the multiplicity of infection; at a multiplicity of 100 PFU/cell, hr 1-infected HeLa cells contained region E1b, E2, and E3 proteins, Group II mutants failed to produce only region E1b proteins; some of these mutants overproduced (two- to fivefold) region E2 and E3 proteins,
How Patients Recovering From Alcoholism Use a Smartphone Intervention

OBJECTIVE: Mobile technology has the potential to radically improve addiction treatment and continuing care by offering emotional and instrumental support anywhere and just in time. This is particularly important in addiction because timing is critical to preventing relapse. Although most experts consider alcoholism to be a chronic disease, providers do not typically offer ongoing support for relapse prevention after patients complete treatment, even though a central characteristic of alcoholism and other addictive behaviors is their chronically relapsing nature. A-CHESS is a smartphone-based system for preventing relapse to heavy drinking among people leaving active alcohol dependence treatment. A-CHESS is designed to improve competence, social relatedness, and motivation, the three tenets of Self-Determination Theory. This paper reports on the relative impact and use of A-CHESS four months after patients entered the study and discusses implications of the results on treating addiction and chronic diseases generally. METHODS: A total of 349 individuals with alcohol dependence leaving residential treatment were randomly assigned to either receive A-CHESS+Treatment as Usual or Treatment as Usual (standard aftercare). Patients came from two treatment agencies, one in the Midwest and one in the Northeast. Patients assigned to A-CHESS received a smartphone for 8 months and were followed for 12. The authors analyzed use patterns during the first 4 months of use by those receiving A-CHESS. RESULTS: Participants used A-CHESS heavily and sustained their use over time. Ninety-four percent of A-CHESS participants used the application during the first week after residential treatment. At week 16, almost 80% continued to access A-CHESS. Participants with alcohol and drug-dependence showed higher levels of system use than those with alcohol dependence only. Participants with a mental health diagnosis had slightly lower levels of use at the end of the intervention period (week 16), although more than 70% still accessed the system. CONCLUSIONS: These findings illustrate that patients with alcohol dependence, alcohol and drug dependence, and mental health issues will use smartphone applications such as A-CHESS for ongoing support, resources and information, thus extending patient care if given the opportunity. Further analysis is needed to determine if sustained A-CHESS use improves outcomes.
Sex differences in phonological coding: Alphabet transformation speed

Abstract A previous explanation of the sex difference on so-called perceptual speed tests was in terms of a female advantage in accessing and using phonological name codes in making item comparisons. That explanation was extended to a task involving alphabetical transformations without the requirement for comparison of perceptually available items. A single transformation problem required incrementing a letter of the alphabet by 1, 2, 3, or 4 letters, e.g. D + 4, where the correct response is H. A double transformation problem required two transformations, DL + 4. In two experiments the size of the sex difference was related to the length of the increment. The greatest sex differences in both experiments were found for the longest increment on the double transformation condition with size-of-effect values ( d ) of .80 and .87. This increase in the size of the sex difference with increased demands on the use of phonological name codes was interpreted in terms of a sex difference in speech-based processing.
Effect of topical ciprofloxacin 0.3% and ofloxacin 0.3% on the reduction of bacterial flora on the human conjunctiva.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate quantitatively over time the reduction in bacterial flora on the human conjunctiva after treatment with topical ciprofloxacin 0.3% (Ciloxan®) or topical ofloxacin 0.3% (Ocuflox®). Setting Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Methods Three study arms each consisted of 20 culture-positive eyes from patients 55 years or older. Pretreatment cultures were performed in all eyes. Eyes in the ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin arms received 1 antibiotic drop every 5 minutes for 3 doses. The conjunctiva of each treatment eye was recultured 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after application of the final antibiotic drop. Eyes in the control arm were recultured at corresponding time points. After 48 hours of incubation, colony counts were performed. Data were transformed into log units, and statistical analysis was performed. Results When compared to no treatment, instillation of ofloxacin 0.3% did not produce a significant reduction in bacterial colony forming units (CFUs) at 15, 30, or 60 minutes ( P = .17). A marginally significant reduction was achieved 120 minutes after administration ( P = .051). When compared to no treatment, instillation of ciprofloxacin 0.3% produced a significant reduction in bacterial CFUs at 15 minutes; this effect persisted for at least 2 hours ( P P Conclusion Ciprofloxacin 0.3% markedly reduced bacterial flora on the ocular surface within 15 minutes of instillation, and the effect lasted for at least 2 hours.
A Fast Sweeping Method for Static Convex Hamilton-Jacobi Equations

We develop a fast sweeping method for static Hamilton---Jacobi equations with convex Hamiltonians. Local solvers and fast sweeping strategies apply to structured and unstructured meshes. With causality correctly enforced during sweepings numerical evidence indicates that the fast sweeping method converges in a finite number of iterations independent of mesh size. Numerical examples validate both the accuracy and the efficiency of the new method.
Metabolism of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in mouse liver preparations.

Abstract Using a mouse liver microsomal preparation, it was found that the heterocyclic ring system of MPTP underwent an initial α-oxidation to give chemically reactive metabolites that may be associated with the induction of Parkinsonism by MPTP. Subsequent oxidative metabolic transformations of these intermediates were found to give a lactam metabolite and a pyridone metabolite that potentially may interact with the neurotransmitter system.
Application of Diagnostic Algorithms for Maintenance Optimization of Marine Gas Turbines

As part of the Naval gas turbine CBM effort, diagnostic and prognostic algorithms that utilize state-of-the-art probabilistic modeling and analysis technologies are being developed and implemented onboard Navy ships. The algorithms under development and testing will enhance gas turbine preventative maintenance in such areas as compressor on-line/crank wash and fuel nozzle replacement. In one application, the prognostic module assesses and predicts compressor performance degradation due to salt ingestion. From this information, the optimum time for on-line water washing or crank washing can be determined from a cost/benefit standpoint. A second application diagnoses the severity of fuel nozzle fouling in real-time during startup. This paper discusses the diagnostic and prognostic modeling approaches to these maintenance issues and their implementation for an Allison 501-K34 gas turbine engine onboard a DDG 51 class guided missile destroyer.© 2002 ASME
Superoxide radical anion adduct of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline n-oxide (DMPO). 1. The thermodynamics of formation and its acidity.

The nitrone 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) has been the most widely used spin trap for the detection of transient free radicals in chemical, biological, and biomedical research using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. A density functional theory (DFT) approach was used to predict the thermodynamics of formation of the superoxide anion/hydroperoxyl radical (O2•-/•O2H) adduct of DMPO as well as its pKa in aqueous systems. At the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level, we predicted (in the gas phase and with a polarizable continuum model (PCM) for water) three conformational minima for both the DMPO−O2- and DMPO−O2H adducts. Using DFT and the PCM solvation method, the pKa of DMPO−O2H was predicted to be 14.9 ± 0.5. On the basis of free energy considerations, the formation of DMPO−O2H at neutral pH proceeds via initial addition of O2•- to DMPO to form the DMPO−O2- adduct and then subsequent protonation by water (or other acidic sources) to form DMPO−O2H. Under acidic conditions, the...
Photographic modern architecture: inside ‘the new deep’

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe liked looking at things, and Adolf Loos liked feeling their presence, or so we might conclude from selective evidence. Mies's early photomontages, his engagement with the m...
Toll-like receptor activation suppresses ER stress factor CHOP and translation inhibition through activation of eIF2B

Activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) induces the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) unfolded protein response (UPR) to accommodate essential protein translation. However, despite increased levels of phosphorylated eIF2α (p-eIF2α), a TLR-TRIF-dependent pathway assures that the cells avoid CHOP induction, apoptosis and translational suppression of critical proteins. As p-eIF2α decreases the functional interaction of eIF2 with eIF2B, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), we explored the hypothesis that TLR-TRIF signalling activates eIF2B GEF activity to counteract the effects of p-eIF2α. We now show that TLR-TRIF signalling activates eIF2B GEF through PP2A-mediated serine dephosphorylation of the eIF2B ɛ-subunit. PP2A itself is activated by decreased Src-family-kinase-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of its catalytic subunit. Each of these processes is required for TLR-TRIF-mediated CHOP suppression in ER-stressed cells in vitro and in vivo. Thus, in the setting of prolonged, physiologic ER stress, a unique TLR-TRIF-dependent translational control pathway enables cells to carry out essential protein synthesis and avoid CHOP-induced apoptosis while still benefiting from the protective arms of the UPR.
Distributions of Stretch and Rotation in Polycrystalline OFHC Cu

High resolution experimental characterization of material stretch and rotation fields in relatively fine-grained polycrystals has been limited, inhibiting direct comparison with predictions of crystal plasticity theory. In this study, micron scale grids used more commonly in etching of substrates for microelectronic circuits were deposited on specimens of Oxygen Free High Conductivity Copper (OFHC Cu) subsequently subjected to uniaxial compressive deformations to effective strain levels up to unity. Material stretch and rotation fields were assessed for fields of view encompassing on the order of 20 grains. Some rather striking features emerge, including the apparent relative lack of deformation in regions sized on the order of large grains, and the apparent concentration of stretch and rotation in bands surrounding these relatively undeformed areas. Comparisons are drawn with results of 3D crystal plasticity calculations performed on digitized grain structures that conform to representative microstructures in terms of initial grain size and shape distributions. The crystal plasticity simulations predict regions of relatively large rotation and relatively localized stretch traversing multiple grains. The numerical solutions also exhibit slightly higher local stresses in the vicinity of grain boundaries and triple points than in grain interiors, a phenomenon attributed to local lattice misorientation among neighboring grains. However, the crystal plasticity calculations do not, in an average sense, predict larger-than-average maximum stretch or rotation in the grain boundary regions. The numerical solutions are also quite sensitive to initial lattice orientations assigned to the grains. Comments are made regarding the segmentation of slip within the grains and its implications for modeling, based upon direct comparison of results from experiments and simulations.
Effect of Nanoparticles on Electron and Thermoelectric Transport

Recent experimental results have shown that adding nanoparticles inside a bulk material can enhance the thermoelectric performance by reducing the thermal conductivity and increasing the Seebeck coefficient. In this paper we investigate electron scattering from nanoparticles using different models. We compare the results of the Born approximation to that of the partial-wave method for a single nanoparticle scattering. The partial-wave method is more accurate for particle sizes in the 1 nm to 5 nm range where the point scattering approximation is not valid. The two methods can have different predictions for the thermoelectric properties such as the electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient. To include a random distribution of nanoparticles, we consider an effective medium for the electron scattering using the coherent potential approximation. We compare various theoretical results with the experimental data obtained with ErAs nanoparticles in an InGaAlAs matrix. Reasonably good agreement is found between the measured and theoretical electrical conductivity and Seebeck data in the 300 K to 850 K temperature range.
Economic Voting in South Korea: Pocketbook or Sociotropic?

Using 2003 Asian Barometer Survey study data, this paper examines the economic voting model in the 2002 presidential election in South Korea. The core emphasis of the paper is on an investigation of the relative effects of different dimensions/scopes of economic evaluations on voting behavior, namely whether one form of assessment (e.g., pocketbook vs. sociotropic) can have similar consequences for electoral participation as others. The findings indicate that the overall economy is salient for Koreans to shape their political choices. In other words, voting behavior in Korea depends on how she or he thinks the national economy has been for the past five years. Also found is that voters’ perceptions of their own personal financial situations did not matter much as a predictor of voter choice.
Application of Transfer Matrix Approach to Modeling and Decentralized Control of Lattice-based Structures

This paper presents a modeling and control of aerostructure developed by lattice-based cellular materials/components. The proposed aerostructure concept leverages a building block strategy for lattice-based components which provide great adaptability to varying ight scenarios, the needs of which are essential for in- ight wing shaping control. A decentralized structural control design is proposed that utilizes discrete-time lumped mass transfer matrix method (DT-LM-TMM). The objective is to develop an e ective reduced order model through DT-LM-TMM that can be used to design a decentralized controller for the structural control of a wing. The proposed approach developed in this paper shows that, as far as the performance of overall structural system is concerned, the reduced order model can be as e ective as the full order model in designing an optimal stabilizing controller.
DIFFUSE HYPOTHALAMIC SYSTEM FOR THE REGULATION OF ACTH SECRETION.

A study has been carried out in the rat to determine the extent of the hypothalamic area which is concerned with the secretion of ACTH. The hypothalamus of the rat was divided into 4 zones extending from the optic chiasm to the mammillary bodies, and bilateral electrolytic lesions were placed in several combinations so that the effectiveness of small and large lesions in various regions of the hypothalamus could be compared. The peripheral plasma corticosterone response to ether stress was used to evaluate the deficit resulting from a particular lesion. It was found that a significant impairment of response occurred following placement of a small lesion in almost any region at the base of the hypothalamus between the optic chiasm and the mammillary bodies. Larger lesions produced greater impairment of response and extensive hypothalamic destruction resulted in a maximal deficit which was nonetheless compatible with a response to ether of the order of 25–30 % of normal. These results indicate that the enti...
(Re)Designing Data-Centric Data Centers

A grand challenge facing computing today is to design future systems to efficiently manage and harvest useful insights from the growing amount of information. Emerging technology inflections provide a unique opportunity to address this challenge through novel redesign at both the hardware and software levels.
Gender, Adolescent Lifestyles, and Violent Victimization: Implications for Routine Activity Theory

Using data from 541 high school students, we examine the associations between structured and unstructured routine activities and adolescent violent victimization in light of gender's influence. In particular, we focused on whether such activity-victimization relationships explained any effect of gender or, in contrast, were perhaps contingent upon gender. The results showed that gender's effect on both minor and serious victimization was substantially mediated by one measured lifestyle, in particular the delinquent lifestyle. In addition, there was only modest evidence of gender moderating the effects of certain lifestyles on victimization; the effects of most activities were consistent across male and female subjects. Implications of our findings for a contemporary age-graded and gendered routine activity theory are discussed.
Removal of sulfhydryl groups with 1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-3a, 6a- diphenylglycoluril: application to the assay of protein in the presence of thiol reagents.

Abstract The chloroamide compound 1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-3 a , 6 a -diphenylglycoluril is a useful solid-phase reagent for the oxidative removal of sulfhydryl groups from solution. The reaction with dithiothreitol is rapid and first order ( k obs = 0.3 min −1 ). Titration of dithiothreitol with chloroglycoluril shows that one sulfhydryl group reacts per chloroamide group. Chloroglycoluril can be conveniently employed as a solid-phase reagent to remove sulfhydryl groups prior to assay for protein using the standard method of O. H. Lowry, N. J. Rosebrough, A. L. Farr, and R. J. Randall (1951, J. Biol. Chem. 193 , 265–275).