cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sequential injection analysis system for the sandwich hybridization-based detection of nucleic acids.

A sequential injection analysis lab-on-valve (SIA-LOV) system was developed for the specific detection of single-stranded nucleic acid sequences via sandwich hybridization of specific DNA probes to the target sequence. One DNA probe was tagged with fluorescein; the other was biotinylated and immobilized to streptavidin-coated porous beads. The system was optimized with respect to buffer composition, length of hybridization and wash steps, and volumes and concentrations of components used. On-bead oligonucleotide hybridization was studied using UV detection at 260 nm, while a final dose response curve was quantified using fluorescence detection. A dynamic range of 1−1000 pmol was obtained for a synthetic DNA sequence that was homologous to a segment in the B. anthracis atxA mRNA. A within-day variation of 7.2% and a day-to-day variation of 9.9% was observed. Each analysis was completed within 20 min. Subsequently, the system was applied to the detection of atxA mRNA expressed in a surrogate organism and am...
Development of the PROMIS Social Motivations for Smoking item banks.

INTRODUCTION Smoking behavior is influenced by social motivations such as the expected social benefits of smoking and the social cues that induce craving. This paper describes development of the PROMIS Social Motivations for Smoking item banks, which will serve to standardize assessment of these social motivations among daily and nondaily smokers. METHODS Daily (N = 4,201) and nondaily (N =1,183) smokers completed an online survey. Item factor analyses, item response theory analyses, and differential item functioning analyses were conducted to identify a unidimensional set of items for each group. Short forms (SFs) and computer adaptive tests (CATs) were evaluated as tools for more efficiently assessing this construct. RESULTS A total of 15 items were included in the item banks (9 items common to daily and nondaily smokers, 3 unique to daily, 3 unique to nondaily). Scores based on full item banks are highly reliable (reliability = 0.90-0.91). Additionally, the item banks are strongly unidimensional and perform similarly across gender, age, and race/ethnicity groups. A fixed SF for use with both daily and nondaily smokers consists of 4 items (reliability = 0.80). Results from simulated CATs showed that, on average, fewer than 5 items are needed to assess this construct with adequate precision using the item banks. CONCLUSIONS A new set of items has been identified for assessing the social motivations for smoking in a reliable, standardized manner for daily and nondaily smokers. In addition to using the full item banks, efficient assessment can be achieved by using SFs, employing CATs, or selecting items tailored to specific research or clinical purposes.
The pH dependence of intramolecular electron transfer rates in sulfite oxidase at high and low anion concentrations.

The individual rate constants for intramolecular electron transfer (IET) between the MoVIFeII and MoVFeIII forms of chicken liver sulfite oxidase (SO) have been determined at a variety of pH values, and at high and low anion concentrations. Large anions such as EDTA do not inhibit IET as dramatically as do small anions such as SO4 2– and Cl–, which suggests that specific anion binding at the sterically constrained Mo active site is necessary for IET inhibition to occur.IET may require that SO adopt a conformation in which the Mo and Fe centers are held in close proximity by electrostatic interactions between the predominantly positively charged Mo active site, and the negatively charged heme edge. Thus, small anions which can fit into the Mo active site will weaken this electrostatic attraction and disfavor IET. The rate constant for IET from FeII to MoVI decreases with increasing pH, both in the presence and absence of 50 mM SO4 2–. However, the rate constant for the reverse process exhibits no significant pH dependence in the absence of SO4 2–, and increases with pH in the presence of 50 mM SO4 2–. This behavior is consistent with a mechanism in which IET from MoV to FeIII is coupled to proton transfer from MoV–OH to OH–, and the reverse IET process is coupled to proton transfer from H2O to MoVI=O. At high concentrations of small anions, direct access of H2O or OH–to the Mo-OH will be blocked, which provides a second possible mechanism for inhibition of IET by such anions. Inhibition by anions is not strictly competitive, however, and Tyr322 may play an important intermediary role in transferring the proton when an anion blocks direct access of H2O or OH– to the Mo-OH. Competing H-bonding interactions of the Mo-OH moiety with Tyr322 and with the anion occupying the active site may also be responsible for the well-known equilibrium between two EPR-distinct forms of SO that is observed for the two-electron reduced enzyme.
SAVING WATER A Causal Model of Household Conservation

The causes of household water conservation are studied using combined survey and billing-record data on 431 households in a community that recently experienced a severe water shortage. The largest ...
Higher order structural elements in ribosomal RNAs: Pseudo-knots and the use of noncanonical pairs

Abstract The data base of prokaryotic small subunit ribosomal RNAs alone now numbers more than 400 sequences, while that for the large subunit rRNAs numbers more than 70 when eukaryotic, mitochondrial, and plastid sequences are also included. Comparisons among these rRNA sequences reveal a number of positions that covary in composition, suggestive of higher order structural elements; 5 such structures are reported for the small subunit rRNA and 15 for the large subunit rRNA. While some of these are properly (small) secondary structural elements, the majority would have to be classified as more complex "tertiary" interactions, which in some cases bring together diverse areas in the secondary structural diagram. A number of the covariances are not of the canonical type, indicating non-Watson-Crick interactions.
The crystal structure of LiBr·(CH3OCH2CH2OCH3)2

The crystal structure of LiBr·(CH3OCH2CH2OCH3)2 has been determined from counter data and refined by full-matrix least-squares techniques. The crystals belong to the monoclinic space groupC2/c (C 2 6 , No. 15) witha=13.518(4),b=8.007(3),c=12.252(4) A,β=98.08(2)°, andD calc=1.35 gcm−3 forZ=4. The finalR value for 489 observed reflections is 0.033. The lithium and bromine atoms lie on a crystallographic two-fold axis. The structure consists of discrete LiBr·(CH3OCH2CH2OCH3)2 units. The Li-Br separation is 2.57(1) A. The two DME molecules are coordinated to the lithium atom through the four oxygen atoms at an average Li⋯O separation of 2.09(3) A.
Variations to the influence of lens aberration invoked with PSM and OAI

Through use of shorter wavelengths, larger numerical aperture lenses and resolution enhancement techniques optical extension may allow for attainment of geometry as small as 50 nm. As these trends continue, an appreciation of the influence that lens aberration has on imaging is required. Additionally, a fundamental understanding of the impact of various imaging approaches on aberration is needed. In this paper, we describe methods of interpretation that can lead to optimization of an imaging system under the influence of aberration where off-axis illumination or phase shift masking is utilized.
Erratum to: Cost Implications of ACGME’s 2011 Changes to Resident Duty Hours and the Training Environment

The original publication omits a correction intended for Figure 2B. The complete corrected Figure 2 is reproduced here. Figure 2 Net cost to major teaching hospitals of ACGME’s 2011 Common Program Requirements as a function of the policy’s hypothetical effect on preventable adverse events (PAEs). (a) scenario X: most programs reorganize schedules to comply with ...
Performance Degradation Due to Specular Multipath Intersymbol Interference

Plots of performance degradation are used to compare the effects of fading and intersymbol interference in a two- component specular multipath digital communications channel. Similar plots are then used to compare two practical receivers designed to combat the interference. Degradation plots are shown to allow easy identification of each receiver's range of usefulness, as well as identification of variance bounds demanded of channel parameter estimates which the receivers require.
Imaging of near-neighbor atoms in semiconductors by photoelectron holography

We have measured and calculated the full intensity profiles for Si 2{ital p} photoelectron emission from Si(111), and have analyzed these via a two-dimensional Fourier-transform holographic inversion procedure. The resulting images associated with two symmetry-inequivalent emitter types exhibit elongated features corresponding to near-neighbor atoms in the first (111) double layer above a given emitter, and are found to improve in quality if strong forward-scattering peaks are removed in a smooth way.
Glutamine Transport and Human Hepatocellular Transformation

Among other functions, the liver serves to regulate both glucose and nitrogen economy in the body, and in humans, the amino acid glutamine is a major gluconeogenic substrate and the primary extrahepatic ammonia shuttle. Accordingly, the liver acinus possesses a unique heterogeneous metabolic architecture suited to carry out these functions with glutamine-consuming urea cycle and gluconeogenic enzymes in the periportal hepatocytes and a high capacity for glutamine synthesis in the perivenous hepatocytes, resulting in net glutamine balance across the hepatic bed under most conditions. Cytoplasmic levels of glutamine are significantly governed by the activity of the System N transporter in the plasma membrane of parenchymal cells; in this capacity, this glutamine carrier has been shown to represent a rate-limiting step in metabolism via glutaminase. The unique properties of System N allow it to rapidly adapt in support of the dynamic demands of whole body ammonia and glucose homeostasis. In contrast to System N in normal hepatocytes, human hepatoma cells take up glutamine at rates several-fold faster through a broad-specificity higher affinity transporter with characteristics of System ASC or B0. It is currently hypothesized that the expression of this high activity carrier by hepatoma cells combined with accelerated metabolism and tumor-induced derangements in hepatocellular architecture result in net glutamine consumption, and may underlie the diminished plasma glutamine levels observed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The transport of glutamine through System ASC has been shown to regulate growth in some human hepatoma cells, which suggests this transporter may warrant consideration as a therapeutic target for HCC.
Replication kinetics of Chinese hamster chromosomes as revealed by bivariate flow karyotyping.

It is shown that the replication kinetics of individual chromosomes can be estimated by bivariate flow cytometric analysis of chromosomes isolated from 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd) treated cells. To study the timing of replication of chromosomes, Chinese hamster M3-1 cells were grown for different times in BrdUrd containing medium. Colcemid was added during the last 90 minutes of each BrdUrd labeling period. Chromosomes were isolated from the Colcemid blocked mitotic cells and stained with Hoechst 33258 (HO) and chromomycin A3 (CA3). Bivariate HO-CA3 flow karyotypes were measured in a dual beam flow cytometer. Labeling cells with BrdUrd for 2, 2 1/2, 3, 3 1/2, and 4 hours before chromosome isolation resulted in progressive quenching of the HO fluorescence of chromosomes Y and 10, 11, M2 while the HO fluorescence of all other chromosomes was either not quenched or was only slightly quenched. The CA3 fluorescence of all chromosomes was slightly enhanced by BrdUrd treatment. A quantitative evaluation of the quenching of HO fluorescence suggested that: a) greater than 50% of HO binding DNA of chromosomes 10, 11, M2 is synthesized in the last quarter of S phase; b) the Y chromosome synthesizes more than 50% of HO binding DNA in the lastmore » tenth of S phase making the Y chromosome the latest replicating M3-1 chromosome. All other chromosomes have synthesized greater than 50% of their HO binding DNA before the last third of S phase.« less
Proteasome activation by REG molecules lacking homolog-specific inserts.

Abstract The peptidase activities of eukaryotic proteasomes are markedly activated by the 11 S REG or PA28. The three identified REG subunits, designated α, β, and γ, differ significantly in sequence over a short span of 15–30 amino acids that we call homolog-specific inserts. These inserts were deleted from each REG to produce the mutant proteins REGαΔi, REGβΔi, and REGγΔi. The purified recombinant proteins were then tested for their ability to oligomerize and activate the proteasome. Both REGαΔi and REGγΔi formed apparent heptamers and activated human red cell proteasomes to the same extent as their full-length counterparts. By contrast, REGβΔi exhibited, at low protein concentrations, reduced proteasome activation when compared with the wild-type REGβ protein. REGβΔi was able to form hetero-oligomers with a single site, monomeric REGα mutant and with REGαΔi. At low concentrations, the REGαΔi/REGβΔi hetero-oligomers stimulated the proteasome less than REGα/REGβ oligomers formed from wild-type subunits, and the reduced activation by REGαΔi/REGβΔi was due to removal of the REGβ insert, not the REGα insert. These studies demonstrate that the REGα and REGγ inserts play virtually no role in oligomerization or in proteasome activation. By contrast, removal of REGβ insert reduces binding of this subunit and REGα/REGβ oligomers to proteasomes. On the whole, however, our findings show that REG inserts are not required for binding and activating the proteasome. We speculate that they serve to localize REG-proteasome complexes within cells, possibly by binding components in endoplasmic reticulum membranes.
SECOND-ORDER RADIATIVE CORRECTIONS TO THE TRIANGLE ANOMALY. I.

Lowest-order radiative corrections to the pion-photon-photon vertex are calculated in the pseudoscalar $\ensuremath{\pi}N\overline{N}$ theory. Causal analysis of two- and three-particle exchange processes is used, in the context of Schwinger's source theory, to calculate the spectral weight function for the vertex function. Evaluated at zero momentum transfer squared, this vertex function gives the so-called triangle anomaly in the relation between the pseudoscalar and axial-vector couplings, in second order. Unlike previous authors, we find a nonzero result, giving a total anomaly through this order proportional to $1+\frac{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{2\ensuremath{\pi}}$. This discrepancy is due to the fact that we have normalized the pseudoscalar form factor at zero momentum transfer squared, rather than at $\frac{3{m}^{2}}{\mathrm{ln}(\frac{{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{2}}{{m}^{2}})}$, where $\ensuremath{\mu}$ is the fictitious photon mass. Independent of the choice of normalization point, there exist radiative corrections to the low-energy theorem for ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ decay.
Reciprocating-jet Pump

A PUMP designed to operate with corrosive liquids at extremely high temperatures will usually be constructed from refractory oxides and hence, if possible, must not rely on solid moving parts such as valves, pistons and rotors. A simple method of achieving this is to make use of some non-reciprocal hydrodynamic effect.
The control of visual attention and its influence on prioritized processing in a location negative priming paradigm

In a location-based negative priming paradigm, the possibility of a disengagement option of the underlying inhibitory mechanism was tested. Whereas in previous studies disengagement was observed when providing utility information about the probe trial structure, in the present study the allocation of visual attention to the stimuli was manipulated. In the first step an automatic deployment of visual attention was implemented by presenting all stimuli as abrupt onsets (Experiment 1), which demonstrated commonly observed negative priming effects. In further conditions of non-automatic allocation of visual attention in which target and distractor were presented as no-onset stimuli, negative priming effects were eliminated (Experiments 2 and 3). The preferred interpretation is that in conditions of automatic control of attention, target and distractor compete for control of action. A non-automatic control of visual attention, on the other hand, leads to a top-down modulated selection, which results in prioritized target encoding and a loss of distractor impact on the selection process. Alternative accounts and the role of no-onset distractor processing were investigated in Experiment 4.
Accurate Relapse Prediction in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis–the Search for the Holy Grail

The discovery of ANCA in the 1980s has kindled three decades of intense collaborative clinical and translational research in vasculitis.[1][1],[2][2] These efforts have generated a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the various forms of vasculitis, modifications of nomenclature and
Equivalence of throughflow- and storage-based environs

Abstract An environ is a within-system partition of the environment associated with each ecosystem component. The methodologies for calculating throughflow-based and storage-based environs have heretofore been considered quantitatively and qualitatively different. Below, we show, from the fundamental environ equations, that these two approaches are mathematically equivalent by proving the throughflow-storage-equivalence relationship, T E = S E . This implies that ecosystem flows of energy or matter to storage and throughflow are one and the same, differing only in storage delays (flow impedances) along the way in the storage case.
Declining Blood Lead Levels and Cognitive Change in Children

To the Editor. —In study by Ruff et al 1 of the effect of declining lead levels on the cognitive abilities of children, some children in the study sample were found to be developmentally delayed during testing performed at the time of entrance into the study. And an even larger number of children were found to be in the range where they might be described as being at "high risk" for developmental delay. Perhaps the majority of children in this study were of the age range, socioeconomic status, and cognitive performance level where they were likely to be eligible for early childhood education programs, and I would suspect that some study children were enrolled in such programs between the time they were enrolled in the lead study and their 6-month follow-up. For those who are enrolled in such childhood enrichment programs, these children are being removed to a more relatively
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Nightmares and Sleep Disturbance in Iraq War Veterans: A Feasible and Promising Treatment Combination

A substantial proportion of returnees from the Iraq war have significant psychological symptoms related to war zone exposure, including high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nightmares, and sleep disturbances. This pilot investigation examined the feasibility and efficacy of a promising cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for nightmares, Imagery Rehearsal, combined with CBT for insomnia. Seven veterans completed treatment and showed promising pre-post effects regarding nightmare frequency, sleep quality, and PTSD. This report further examined the content of participants' nightmares, changes made during treatment, and potentially important modifying variables of treatment outcome. Those with redeployment fears, guilt due to perpetration issues, or traumatic brain injuries may receive some but not full benefits of the treatment.
Software development governance and its concerns

In this paper, we start with a discussion of Software Development Governance (SDG), and clarify its relationships to management and process. We discuss how these organizational components are related and present our view on SDG and its concerns. Throughout the paper, we use the Linux open source development project where we show how SDG is used to achieve productive development in an environment which is often considered to have anarchic characteristics.
Analytical approach for characterization of sputtered thin film microthermocouples (STFMT)

This paper describes an analytical approach for the characterization of sputtered thin film microthermocouples (STFMT) to determine the thermophysical properties of microstructures. A complete spatially one-dimensional (1D) boundary value problem with a thin film sputtered sample sandwiched between an heater/RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) at its one end and the thin film microthermocouple at its other end has been solved to show the effects of various thermoelements on Seebeck voltage, heat loss/gain effects between the device & the environment, as well as at the contact area between the sample and microthermocouple tip. An interesting outcome for three different pairs of thermoelements studied (one material is always Titanium, and the other is Chromium, Chromium-Silicide and Tantalum, in turn) is that higher the Seebeck voltage of the microthermocouples under consideration, less accurate is the temperature sensed by it.
Clinical Features of Graves' Ophthalmopathy in an Incidence Cohort

Purpose To determine the clinical characteristics of an incidence cohort of patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy. Methods We reviewed the community medical records of 120 patients residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota, in whom Graves' ophthalmopathy was diagnosed between 1976 and 1990. Results Among 120 patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy, 108 (90%) patients had Graves' hyperthyroidism, one (1%) had primary hypothyroidism, four (3%) had Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and seven (6%) were euthyroid. At some point in their clinical course, eyelid retraction was present in 108 patients, whereas the approximate frequency of exophthalmos was 62% (73 patients); restrictive extraocular myopathy, 43% (51 patients); and optic nerve dysfunction, 6% (seven patients). Only six (5%) patients had eyelid retraction, exophthalmos, optic nerve dysfunction, extraocular muscle involvement, and hyperthyroidism. At the time of diagnosis of ophthalmopathy, upper eyelid retraction and eyelid lag were documented in 85 and 52 patients, respectively, and the most frequent ocular symptom was pain (36 patients, 30%). Diplopia was noted at the initial examination by 20 patients, lacrimation was present in 25 patients, 19 patients had photophobia, and nine patients had blurred vision. Decreased vision from optic neuropathy was present in less than 2% of eyes at the time of diagnosis. Thyroid dermopathy and acropachy accompanied Graves' ophthalmopathy in five patients (4%) and one (1%) patient, respectively. Myasthenia gravis occurred in only one patient. Conclusions Eyelid retraction is the most common clinical sign of Graves' ophthalmopathy. The complete constellation of typical features (hyperthyroidism, eyelid retraction, exophthalmos, restrictive extraocular myopathy, and optic nerve dysfunction) occurs relatively infrequently.
Candidate SNP associations of optimism and resilience in older adults: exploratory study of 935 community-dwelling adults.

Objective Optimism and resilience promote health and well-being in older adults, and previous reports suggest that these traits are heritable. We examined the association of selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with optimism and resilience in older adults. Design Candidate gene association study that was a follow-on at the University of California, San Diego, sites of two NIH-funded multi-site longitudinal investigations: Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and SELenium and vitamin E Cancer prevention Trial (SELECT). Participants 426 women from WHI older than age 50 years, and 509 men older than age 55 years (age 50 years for African American men) from SELECT. Measurements 65 candidate gene SNPs that were judged by consensus, based on a literature review, as being related to predisposition to optimism and resilience, and 31 ancestry informative marker SNPs, genotyped from blood-based DNA samples and self-report scales for trait optimism, resilience, and depressive symptoms. Results Using a Bonferroni threshold for significant association (p = 0.00089), there were no significant associations for individual SNPs with optimism or resilience in single-locus analyses. Exploratory multi-locus polygenic analyses with p Conclusions Correcting for Type I errors, there were no significant associations of optimism and resilience with specific gene SNPs in single-locus analyses. Positive psychological traits are likely to be genetically complex, with many loci having small effects contributing to phenotypic variation. Our exploratory multi-locus polygenic analyses suggest that larger sample sizes and complementary approaches involving methods such as sequence-based association studies, copy number variation analyses, and pathway-based analyses could be useful for better understanding the genetic basis of these positive psychological traits.
Five-year patterns of adjuvant hormonal therapy use, persistence, and adherence among insured women with early-stage breast cancer

Adjuvant hormonal therapy (HT) for breast cancer improves survival, yet studies have shown that early discontinuation and suboptimal adherence are common. We aimed to expand existing literature by describing patterns of HT use, specifically focusing on the prevalence and predictors of treatment interruptions of varying durations. We identified 2,207 women who were diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and who initiated adjuvant HT between July 1, 2000 and 2005, and were followed through August 1, 2006, at a New England health plan. Of 58% of women who initiated HT within 12 months after diagnosis, 769 (54.6%) used tamoxifen, 354 (25.1%) used an aromatase inhibitor, and 285 (20.3%) switched between the two agents during the follow-up period. By the end of the first year of treatment, 79% of women remained on therapy without gaps exceeding 60 days and 85% without gaps exceeding 180 days. By year 5, only 27 and 29% remained without 60- and 180-day gaps, respectively. Results from extended Cox proportional hazards regression models indicated that only age ≥70 years (vs. less than 50 years) was consistently associated with an increased likelihood of treatment gaps, with hazard ratio (HR) of 2.00 [95% CI 1.36–2.94] for gaps of ≥60 days, HR 2.09 [1.38–3.16] for gaps of ≥90 days, and HR 2.14 [1.36–3.37] for gaps of ≥180 days in the first follow-up year, with similar results in subsequent years. Longer gaps were associated with a lower likelihood of resuming therapy. In summary, interruptions in HT therapy began in the first year after initiating treatment and continued through subsequent years and were common among insured women, particularly the elderly. Clinicians caring for breast cancer survivors should explicitly ask women about their medication use, explore barriers to adherence, and encourage them to continue long-term therapy as advised by treatment guidelines.
Three-dimensional matching of macromolecular structures obtained from electron microscopy: an application to the 70S and 50S E. coli ribosomal particles.

Abstract In this work we present a general computational method capable of finding the relative orientation of two structures represented by samples on a three-dimensional grid. It is shown that the three-dimensional shift and the three independent rotations necessary for the correct relative spatial placement of the two volumes can be obtained either from the auto-correlation function of the volumes or from a direct cross-correlation, depending on the specific problem to be solved. This method has been applied to the problem of fitting the 50S ribosomal subunit into the 70S monosome from E.coli, structures that were available as three-dimensional reconstructions from electron microscopical data.
Defective binding of factor XI–N248 to activated human platelets

Variants of factor XI containing Gln226 to Arg (Q226 to R) and Ser248 to Asn (S248 to N) substitutions were first identified in an African American family with a history of excessive bleeding. The substitutions have recently been identified in unrelated individuals, suggesting they are relatively common. Both amino acids are located in the third apple domain of factor XI, an area implicated in binding interactions with factor IX and activated platelets. Recombinant factor XI-R226 and factor XI-N248 were compared with wild-type factor XI in assays for factor IX activation or platelet binding. Factor XI-R226 activates factor IX with a Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) about 5-fold greater than wild-type protein. The catalytic efficiency of factor IX activation is similar to wild-type protein, however, due to an increase in the turnover number (k(cat)) for the reaction. Iodinated factor XI-N248 binds to activated platelets with a dissociation constant (K(d)) more than 5-fold higher than wild-type protein (55 nM and 10 nM, respectively). Activation of factor XI-N248 by thrombin in the presence of activated platelets is slower and does not progress to the same extent as activation of the wild-type protein under similar conditions. Factor XI-N248 activates factor IX normally in a purified protein system and has relatively normal activity in activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) assays. Factor XI-N248 is the first factor XI variant described with a clear functional difference compared with wild-type protein. Importantly, the defect in platelet binding would not be detected by routine clinical evaluation with an aPTT assay.
Early MRI Findings in Patients Receiving Tissue Plasminogen Activator Predict Outcome: Insights into the Pathophysiology of Acute Stroke in the Thrombolysis Era

We measured ischemic brain changes with diffusion and perfusion MRI in 42 ischemic stroke patients before and 2 hours (range approximately 1.5 to 4.5 hours) after standard intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy. The median time from stroke onset to tPA was 131 minutes. Clinical and MRI variables (change in perfusion and/or diffusion weighted lesion volume) were compared between those with excellent outcome defined as 3-month modified Rankin score (mRS) of 0 to 1 and those with incomplete recovery (mRS >1). In multivariate logististic regression analysis, the most powerful independent predictor for excellent outcome was improved brain perfusion: hypoperfusion volume on mean transit time (MTT) map decrease >30% from baseline to 2-hour post tPA scan (p=0.009; odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 20.7 [2.1-203.9]). Except for age < 70 years, no other baseline clinical or imaging variable was an independent predictor of outcome. We propose MTT lesion volume decrease more than 30% 2 hours after tPA as an early marker of long-term clinical benefit of thrombolytic therapy.
A single pass algorithm for clustering evolving data streams based on swarm intelligence

Existing density-based data stream clustering algorithms use a two-phase scheme approach consisting of an online phase, in which raw data is processed to gather summary statistics, and an offline phase that generates the clusters by using the summary data. In this article we propose a data stream clustering method based on a multi-agent system that uses a decentralized bottom-up self-organizing strategy to group similar data points. Data points are associated with agents and deployed onto a 2D space, to work simultaneously by applying a heuristic strategy based on a bio-inspired model, known as flocking model. Agents move onto the space for a fixed time and, when they encounter other agents into a predefined visibility range, they can decide to form a flock if they are similar. Flocks can join to form swarms of similar groups. This strategy allows to merge the two phases of density-based approaches and thus to avoid the computing demanding offline cluster computation, since a swarm represents a cluster. Experimental results show that the bio-inspired approach can obtain very good results on real and synthetic data sets.
Carrying the burden of cardiovascular risk in old age: associations of weight and weight change with prevalent cardiovascular disease, risk factors, and health status in the Cardiovascular Health Study.

Measured weight in old age, reported weight at age 50 y, and weight change from age 50 y to old age were studied in association with prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD), CVD risk factors, and health status in a population of 4954 men and women aged � 65 y in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS). Heavier weight (ie, generally weight in the fourth quartile for the cohort) at age 50 y was more closely associated with prevalent CVD than was current weight, with these associations stronger in women than in men. Heavier current weight and heavier weight at age 50 y were associated with cardiovascular risk factors, includ- ing higher blood pressure, lower high-density-lipoprotein choles- terol, and higher fasting insulin. Heavier weight at both time points was related to mobility problems in both men and women and to lower current physical activity levels; among women, strong as- sociations were also seen with lower education and current in- come. Remaining within 10% of reported weight at age 50 y was associated with better health status as measured by reported health, mobility difficulty, number of medications, and prevalent CVD in men. Paradoxically, most cardiovascular risk factors were lowest for weight losers despite an association of weight loss with poorer health. In this cohort of persons aged � 65 y, heavier weight was associated with CVD and CVD risk factors, suggesting that pre- vention of overweight may prove beneficial in improving cardio- vascular risk in older persons. Weight stability from age 50 y to old age was associated with better health status than was weight gain or loss. Am J Clin Nutr l997;66:837-44.
Transesophageal echocardiography simulator: a new learning tool.

RANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY (TEE)is a minimally invasive monitoring modality. The initialuse of TEE was limited to the acquisition of images in patientswith suboptimal echo windows during transthoracic echocar-diography. Its role has exponentially expanded to become al-most a standard of care during cardiac surgery and a valuableprocedural adjunct.
The science of ethics: Deception, the resilient self, and the APA code of ethics, 1966-1973

This paper has two aims. The first is to shed light on a remarkable archival source, namely survey responses from thousands of American psychologists during the 1960s in which they described their contemporary research practices and discussed whether the practices were "ethical." The second aim is to examine the process through which the American Psychological Association (APA) used these survey responses to create principles on how psychologists should treat human subjects. The paper focuses on debates over whether "deception" research was acceptable. It documents how members of the committee that wrote the principles refereed what was, in fact, a disagreement between two contemporary research orientations. The paper argues that the ethics committee ultimately built the model of "the resilient self" into the APA's 1973 ethics code. At the broadest level, the paper explores how prevailing understandings of human nature are written into seemingly universal and timeless codes of ethics.
Concerns and approaches for accurate EMC simulation validation

There are a number of different ways to validate EMI/EMC simulation. Measurements can be useful, but care is needed when using measurements, since the limitations of the measurement could affect the results significantly. Other options are available to help engineers increase the confidence is their model results. Engineers should validate their models to ensure the model's correctness, and to help understand the basic physics behind the model. Measurements can be used to validate modeling results, but extreme care must be used to ensure the model correctly simulates the measured situation. Omitting feed cables, shielding or ground reflections, or different measurement scan areas can dramatically change the results. An incorrect model result might be indicated when, in fact, the measured and modeled results are obtained for different situations, and should not be directly compared. Intermediate results can also be used to help increase the confidence in a model. Using the RF current distribution in model, or the animation in a time domain model, can help ensure the overall results are correct by determining the intermediate results are correct. These intermediate results have the added benefit of increasing the engineer's understanding of the underlying causes and effects of the overall problem.
Commissioning of the SPPS linac bunch compressor

First results and beam measurements are presented for the recently installed linac bunch compressor chicane. The new bunch compressor produces ultra-short electron bunches for the Sub-Picosecond Photon Source (SPPS) and for test beams such as the E164 Plasma Wakefield experiment. This paper will give an overview of the first experiences with tuning and optimizing the compressor together with a description of the beam diagnostics and beam measurements. These measurements form the basis for further detailed study of emittance growth effects such as CSR and wakefields in a previously unmeasured regime of ultra-short bunch lengths.
Bayesian calibration of simulation models for supporting management of the elimination of the macroparasitic disease, Lymphatic Filariasis

Mathematical models of parasite transmission can help integrate a large body of information into a consistent framework, which can then be used for gaining mechanistic insights and making predictions. However, uncertainty, spatial variability and complexity, can hamper the use of such models for decision making in parasite management programs. We have adapted a Bayesian melding framework for calibrating simulation models to address the need for robust modelling tools that can effectively support management of lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination in diverse endemic settings. We applied this methodology to LF infection and vector biting data from sites across the major LF endemic regions in order to quantify model parameters, and generate reliable predictions of infection dynamics along with credible intervals for modelled output variables. We used the locally calibrated models to estimate breakpoint values for various indicators of parasite transmission, and simulate timelines to parasite extinction as a function of local variations in infection dynamics and breakpoints, and effects of various currently applied and proposed LF intervention strategies. We demonstrate that as a result of parameter constraining by local data, breakpoint values for all the major indicators of LF transmission varied significantly between the sites investigated. Intervention simulations using the fitted models showed that as a result of heterogeneity in local transmission and extinction dynamics, timelines to parasite elimination in response to the current Mass Drug Administration (MDA) and various proposed MDA with vector control strategies also varied significantly between the study sites. Including vector control, however, markedly reduced the duration of interventions required to achieve elimination as well as decreased the risk of recrudescence following stopping of MDA. We have demonstrated how a Bayesian data-model assimilation framework can enhance the use of transmission models for supporting reliable decision making in the management of LF elimination. Extending this framework for delivering predictions in settings either lacking or with only sparse data to inform the modelling process, however, will require development of procedures to estimate and use spatio-temporal variations in model parameters and inputs directly, and forms the next stage of the work reported here.
Monitoring fatigue crack growth and opening using antenna sensors

Fatigue cracking is one of the most common failure modes of various load-bearing structures. Even though sensors of many different types have been developed for crack detection, very few can monitor crack growth with a high sensitivity. This paper presents an antenna sensor that is capable of monitoring the growth of fatigue cracks with a sub-millimeter resolution. According to microstrip patch antenna theory, the resonant frequencies of a dual-frequency patch antenna are inversely proportional to the electrical lengths of the corresponding antenna radiation modes. The presence of a crack in the ground plane or the elongation of the antenna patch due to crack opening increases the electric length, thereby causing a shift in its corresponding resonant frequency. As a result, crack propagation and opening can be monitored from the resonant frequency shifts of the patch antenna. The patch antenna's capability of monitoring crack growth was validated using fatigue testing of a compact tension specimen. The specimen preparation, sensor fabrication, and experimental procedure are presented. The experimental results demonstrated that the corresponding resonant frequency of the antenna sensor shifted linearly with crack growth. On average, 1 mm crack growth caused the antenna frequency to shift by 22.1 MHz. The orientation of the crack and the effect of crack closure on the resonant frequencies of the antenna sensor are also discussed.
Connections of calbindin-D28k-defined subdivisions in inferior pulvinar with visual areas V2, V4 and MT in macaque monkeys

Abstract We examined the relationship between calbindin-D28k-defined subdivisions in the macaque inferior pulvinar and the patterns of afferent connections to cortical visual areas MT, V4 and V2. The subdivisions identified included the posterior (PIp), medial (PIm), central (PIc) and lateral (PI1) subdivisions. Projections to MT and V4 were largely segregated in the inferior pulvinar: projections to MT originated mainly from PIm, while projections to V4 originated mainly from PI1. In addition, weaker projections to MT were observed from PIp and PIc, and some projections from PIp to V4 were observed in one of two cases. Projections to V2 originated preferentially from PI1, with a lesser projection from PIc. No labeled cells were observed in PIm in five monkeys injected with various tracers into different regions of V2. Since most V2 injections were large enough to involve several neighboring stripe-like compartments, these findings suggest that PIm does not project to V2 compartments associated with neither dorsal nor ventral cortical processing streams. Cells projecting to V4 were not strictly segregated from those projecting to V2 in neither PI1 nor PIc, suggesting that inferior pulvinar projections do not map the position of visual areas in the cortical mantle.
Restoring the self: Positive affect helps improve self-regulation following ego depletion

Previous work has shown that acts of self-regulation appear to deplete a psychological resource, resulting in poorer self-regulation subsequently. Four experiments using assorted manipulations and measures found that positive mood or emotion can counteract ego depletion. After an initial act of self-regulation, participants who watched a comedy video or received a surprise gift self-regulated on various tasks as well as non-depleted participants and significantly better than participants who experienced a sad mood induction, a neutral mood stimulus, or a brief rest period.
N–3 fatty acid deficiency in the rat pineal gland: effects on phospholipid molecular species composition and endogenous levels of melatonin and lipoxygenase products

N-3 essential fatty acid deficiency affects a num- ber of biological and physiological processes. In this study, we investigated the effect of n-3 essential fatty acid status on two key pineal biochemical functions, melatonin produc- tion and lipoxygenation, using pineal glands from rats given an n-3-adequate or n-3-deficient diet. The pineal total lipid profile and phospholipid molecular species distribution al- tered by n-3 deficiency were evaluated in parallel. In pineal glands from n-3-deficient rats, an 87% reduction of 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid) was observed, and this decrease was accompanied by increases in 22:4n-6 (docosatetraenoic acid, 3-fold), 22:5n-6 (docosapentaenoic acid, 12-fold), and 20:4n-6 (arachidonic acid, 48%). The significant decrease of 22:6n-3 containing species in phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylserine (PS) was also evident. These decreases in 22:6n-3 containing PL species were compensated by substantial accumulations of 22:4n-6 or 22:5n-6 and slight increases in 20:4n-6 contain- ing PL species in PC and PE. In PS, however, the accumula- tion of n-6 species was not adequate to compensate for the loss of 22:6n-3 species. N-3 deficiency significantly re- duced non-esterified 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3 levels in pineals (25% and 65%, respectively). Concomitantly, the endoge- nous 12-HETE level decreased by 35% in deficient pineals. In contrast, n-3 deficiency led to a more than 60% increase in the daytime pineal melatonin level. In conclusion, n-3 fatty acid deficiency not only has profound effects on pineal lipid profiles but also on pineal biochemical activities. These results suggest that n-3 fatty acids may play a critical role in regulating pineal function.— Zhang, H., J. H. Hamil- ton, N. Salem, Jr., and H-Y. Kim. N-3 fatty acid deficiency in the rat pineal gland: effects on phospholipid molecular spe- cies composition and endogenous levels of melatonin and lipoxygenase products. J. Lipid Res. 1998. 39: 1397-1403.
Cognitive impairment and problem behaviors as risk factors for institutionalization

Data from the 1982 and 1984 National Long-Term Care Surveys are used to develop a predictive model for nursing home institutionalization that includes cognitive functioning and problem behaviors in addition to more commonly studied indicators such as disability. As expected, cognitive impairment is a risk factor for institutionalization, controlling for other characteristics such as age, living arrangement, and use of paid inhome care. Four problem behaviors were investigated, but only one, Wanders/Gets Lost, contributed to the model. Among cognitively impaired persons, those who wander/get lost had a twofold risk of institutionalization. The findings suggest the need to differentiate among difficult or problem behaviors and to further investigate those that arouse concerns about safety and require extensive supervision as risk factors for institutionalization.