cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The observation of atmospheric structure with TOMS and some potential advancements

The Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) was designed to observe the spatial characteristics of total ozone which were not resolved by the nadir-viewing Nimbus BUV and SBUV instruments. At the wavelengths suitable for total ozone measurements the radiance is large enough that the entire daytime atmosphere could be surveyed with about 50 km resolution from a polar orbiting satellite. The resulting high spatial resolution TOMS ozone images are found to reflect the internal dynamic structure of the lower atmosphere. Features which can be identified and tracked in the TOMS maps are illustrated. They include planetary wave scale troughs and ridges, mesoscale cutoff lows and rapidly moving troughs, jet stream confluence and difluence areas, hurricanes, and polar night lows. These features control the ozone above any given location and account for nearly all the variance in the total ozone. The TOMS instrument has also been employed to track the volcanic eruption clouds from El Chichon, Mount St. Helens, Alaid, and smaller eruptions, such as Galunggung. The volcanic clouds are detected by the absorption of sulfur dioxide at the TOMS wavelengths. Volcanic clouds and meteorological features that are resolved by TOMS change rapidly between the once per day mapping afforded with the Nimbus 7 satellite. A radiometric design analysis indicates that half-hourly maps are feasible using a similar instrument on a geostationary platform. A second application of the TOMS instrument design would permit a determination of the vertical ozone distribution in the lower stratosphere using Radon transform principles. This technique has importance in measurement of jet stream folds and the related troposphere-stratosphere exchange.
The Wisconsin Open Primary 1968 to 1984

Statewide surveys from the five most recent presidential primaries in Wisconsin are used to examine voting trends of independents and party identifiers in Wisconsin presidential primaries. The prim...
Wireless technology-a skyway to the future

In this paper, the key areas of focus include taking a strategic look at the growing usage of wireless, the application of wireless ATM (WATM) for multimedia, the Mobile IP and wireless data developments due to increased Internet navigation, application of PCS, and the deployment of wireless technology in the Asian region. The trends indicate that the increased flexibility and mobility features of wireless are motivating a large number of carriers to take a serious step towards the deployment of wireless networks. With downward economic trends for wireless devices and services, users are beginning to find it more affordable to consider wireless units. For the geographic and demographic conditions in the Asian region, the applicability of cordless infrastructures are gaining rapid momentum in a very short period. The paper clearly demonstrates that the current competition and developments in technology show that the user requirements will drive the developments in the wireless technology to get a "skyway to the future" over the next decade.
Interleukin 16- (IL-16-) Targeted Ultrasound Imaging Agent Improves Detection of Ovarian Tumors in Laying Hens, a Preclinical Model of Spontaneous Ovarian Cancer

Limited resolution of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) scanning is a significant barrier to early detection of ovarian cancer (OVCA). Contrast agents have been suggested to improve the resolution of TVUS scanning. Emerging evidence suggests that expression of interleukin 16 (IL-16) by the tumor epithelium and microvessels increases in association with OVCA development and offers a potential target for early OVCA detection. The goal of this study was to examine the feasibility of IL-16-targeted contrast agents in enhancing the intensity of ultrasound imaging from ovarian tumors in hens, a model of spontaneous OVCA. Contrast agents were developed by conjugating biotinylated anti-IL-16 antibodies with streptavidin coated microbubbles. Enhancement of ultrasound signal intensity was determined before and after injection of contrast agents. Following scanning, ovarian tissues were processed for the detection of IL-16 expressing cells and microvessels. Compared with precontrast, contrast imaging enhanced ultrasound signal intensity significantly in OVCA hens at early (P < 0.05) and late stages (P < 0.001). Higher intensities of ultrasound signals in OVCA hens were associated with increased frequencies of IL-16 expressing cells and microvessels. These results suggest that IL-16-targeted contrast agents improve the visualization of ovarian tumors. The laying hen may be a suitable model to test new imaging agents and develop targeted anti-OVCA therapeutics.
The Frequency of Low Muscle Mass and Its Overlap With Low Bone Mineral Density and Lipodystrophy in Individuals With HIV—A Pilot Study Using DXA Total Body Composition Analysis

As a result of the advances in antiretroviral therapy, the life span of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients has increased dramatically. Attendant to these effects are signs of premature aging with notable changes in the musculoskeletal system. Although changes in bone and fat distribution have been studied extensively, far less is known about changes in muscle. This study examined the extent of low muscle mass (LMM) and its relationship with low bone mineral density (BMD) and lipodystrophy (LD) in HIV-positive males. As such, HIV-positive males on therapy or treatment naive underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry total body composition measurements. Appendicular lean mass/(height)2 and lowest 20% of residuals from regression analysis were used to define LMM. BMD criteria defined osteopenia/osteoporosis, and the percent central fat/percent lower extremity ratio defined LD. Several potential risk factors were assessed through chart review. Sixty-six males (57 with treatment and 9 treatment naive) volunteered. Treated individuals were older than naive (44 vs 34 yr) and had HIV longer (108 vs 14 mo). When definitions for sarcopenia (SP) in elderly individuals were applied, the prevalence of LMM was 21.9% and 18.8% depending on the definition used. Low BMD was present in 68.2% of participants. LD with a cutoff of 1.5 and 1.961 was present in 54.7% and 42.2% of participants, respectively. LMM and LD were negatively associated. In conclusion, this study shows that LMM is common in males with HIV and that SP affecting muscle function could be present in a substantial number of individuals. Future research needs to examine what impact decreased muscle mass and function has on morbidity, physical function, and quality of life in individuals with HIV.
As China Hits No. 2, Opportunity Is Shrinking in America

The United States accuses China of subsidizing its entire export economy through artificially undervaluing its currency. China accuses the United States of fiscal profligacy while flooding the world with easy credit to keep its economy afloat. This dispute reflects the reality that the world's two largest economies are built on opposite dynamics of production and savings vs. consumerism and debt. In Europe, the wages of unsustainable debt that financed the welfare state have also come due. Rebalancing the global economy in this context is not only a matter of fixing exchange or interest rates and extending the retirement age. It must also involve a recalibration of democracy in both East and West. Two Nobel economists, the Greek prime minister, a ranking Chinese economist and the former chief economist of the IMF address these issues.
Multiculturalism and Social Justice: Two Sides of the Same Coin

The development of multicultural and advocacy competencies evolved out of the multicultural and social justice movements. To help readers more fully understand the complementary nature between these 2 sets of competencies and to connect both movements, this article introduces the Multicultural and Advocacy Dimensions model. Implications are also discussed. El desarrollo de las competencias multiculturales y de defensoria surgio a partir de los movimientos multiculturales y de justicia social. Para ayudar a los lectores a comprender en mas detalle la naturaleza complementaria entre estos 2 niveles de competencias y conectar ambos movimientos, este articulo introduce el modelo de Dimensiones Multiculturales y de Defensoria (MAD, por sus siglas en ingles). Tambien se discuten sus implicaciones.
Smoking among pregnant women with disabilities.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of smoking before, during, and after pregnancy among a representative sample of Massachusetts women with and without disabilities. Methods Data from the 2007 to 2009 Massachusetts Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System survey were used to estimate the prevalence of smoking by disability status. Main findings Disability prevalence was 4.8% (n = 204) among Massachusetts women giving birth during 2007 through 2009. The prevalence of smoking during the 3 months before pregnancy among women with disabilities was 37.3% (95% CI, 28.3-47.2%) compared with 18.3% (95% CI, 16.6-20.1%) among women without disabilities. Similarly, 25.2% (95% CI, 17.3-35.2%) of women with disabilities, compared with 9.4% of women without disabilities (95% CI, 8.1-10.8%), smoked during the last trimester of their pregnancy, and 32.1% of women with disabilities (95% CI, 23.5-42.1%) compared with 12.5% of women without disabilities (95% CI, 11.1-14.1%), smoked after pregnancy. In the multivariate logistic regression models, women with disabilities had significantly higher risks of smoking before, during and after pregnancy than women without disabilities (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.7 [95% CI, 1.2-2.2]; aRR, 1.9 [95% CI, 1.3-2.8]; aRR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.3-2.5], respectively) while adjusting for race/Hispanic ethnicity, marital status, education, age, household poverty status, and infant's birth year. Implications Women with disabilities are more likely to smoke before, during, and after their pregnancy and less likely to quit smoking during pregnancy. Efforts to integrate and target pregnant women with disabilities in smoking-cessation programs are vital.
A Milestone Study: Structured Variability as the Key to Unraveling (Contact-Induced) Language Change.

Despite increasing attention to bilingualism – conferences, publications, grants – linguists are as far as ever from reaching consensus. Is code-switching the alternation between two equally activated languages or is it the insertion of elements from a source language into a recipient language? Can and should we distinguish borrowing and code-switching of single words? Is there grammatical convergence between bilinguals’ two languages and does code-switching promote it? Since the first accounts of the structure of code-switching in the 1970s, the same questions have been readdressed with astoundingly little, if any, cumulative advances. Scientific progress has been obstructed by polemic debate, often fueled by elicited judgments, which may display random error (Labov, 1996), or reports of the behavior of stray individuals, which are uninterpretable in the absence of knowledge of the systematic community pattern (Labov, 2006/1966, p. 5).
Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis in performance assessment for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is under development by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the geologic (deep underground) disposal of transuranic (TRU) waste. This development has been supported by a sequence of performance assessments (PAs) carried out by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) to assess what is known about the WIPP and to provide guidance for future DOE research and development activities. Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis procedures based on Latin hypercube sampling and regression techniques play a major role in these PAs by providing an assessment of the uncertainty in important analysis outcomes and identifying the sources of this uncertainty. Performance assessments for the WIPP are conceptually and computationally interesting due to regulatory requirements to assess and display the effects of both stochastic (i.e., aleatory) and subjective (i.e., epistemic) uncertainty, where stochastic uncertainty arises from the possible disruptions that could occur over the 10000 yr regulatory period associated with the WIPP and subjective uncertainty arises from an inability to unambiguously characterize the many models and associated parameters required in a PA for the WIPP. The interplay between uncertainty analysis, sensitivity analysis, stochastic uncertainty and subjective uncertainty is discussed and illustrated in the context of a recent PA carried out by SNL to support an application by the DOE to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the certification of the WIPP for the disposal of TRU waste.
Intra‐ and inter‐hemispheric teleconnections using seasonal southern hemisphere sea level pressure

In this study spatial and temporal relationships involving Southern Hemisphere (SH) sea level pressure (SLP) were examined using a 25-year data set assembled for this purpose, with special emphasis on discovering inter-hemispheric teleconnections in the seasonal SLP field. Principal component and correlation analysis was employed. The most important findings include: 1 Season-to-season autocorrelation of SLP is at least as large in the SH as in the Northern Hemisphere (NH), though the amount of area of significant autocorrelation is not great in either hemisphere (i.e. a total global area of 17-24 per cent). 2 Principal component (PC) analysis performed on SH SLP in conjunction with Monte Carlo tests of significance showed that three or four PCs, explaining 40 to 58 per cent of the variance, represent the climatic signal in the data set. 3 Field significance tests applied to each teleconnection map, produced for each grid point in the SH, implied that there is a strong likelihood of real inter-hemispheric relationships in NH winter. There was much less certainty in the other seasons. Examination of significant teleconnection maps suggested SH links to the Southern Oscillation, the North Atlantic Oscillation, Siberian High strength, and the ‘West Pacific pattern’ described by Wallace and Gutzler (1981).
Inventories, Interest Rates, and Markups

This note explains why inventories might rise with interest rates. Higher real interest rates not only increase the carrying cost of inventories they also reduce the present value of the markup on delayed sales. When the markup is large enough, it is profitable to increase stocks in order to avoid sales delays. Another possibility is that the firm has an incentive to smooth its total stocks so that an increase in the real interest rate causes finished goods to fall but the reduction is partially offset by an increase in raw materials.
Purification and properties of cobalamin-independent methionine synthase from Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract In this study, we investigated methionine synthase from Candida albicans (CaMET6p) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScMET6p). We describe the cloning of CaMet6 and ScMet6, and the expression of both the enzymes in S. cerevisiae. CaMET6p is able to complement the disruption of met6 in S. cerevisiae. Following the purification of ScMET6p and CaMET6p, kinetic assays were performed to determine substrate specificity. The Michaelis constants for ScMET6p with CH3–H4PteGlu2, CH3–H4PteGlu3, CH3–H4PteGlu4, and l -homocysteine are 108, 84, 95, and 13 μM, respectively. The Michaelis constants for CaMET6p with CH3–H4PteGlu2, CH3–H4PteGlu3, CH3–H4PteGlu4, and l -homocysteine are 113, 129, 120, and 14 μM, respectively. Neither enzyme showed activity with CH3–H4PteGlu1 as a substrate. We conclude that ScMET6p and CaMET6p require a minimum of two glutamates on the methyltetrahydrofolate substrate, similar to the bacterial metE homologs. The cloning, purification, and characterization of these enzymes lay the groundwork for inhibitor-design studies on the cobalamin-independent fungal methionine synthases.
Flow Distribution of Food Materials in an Annular Extrusion Die

: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of die geometry, food material and operating parameters on flow distribution in an annular extrusion die. A diverging annular die with a conical insert was designed such that the eccentricity of the central conical core could be maintained at 0, 1, and 2 mm. Corn syrup, cornstarch, cornmeal, and wheat flour were extruded through the die using a twin-screw extruder at varying mass flow rates. It was found that perfect geometrical alignment was very critical in achieving flow uniformity, and should be considered as the important factor in practical applications. The type of food material and mass flow rate had negligible effects on the flow distribution.
Regulation of GHRH receptor gene expression in the neonatal and adult rat pituitary.

The growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) receptor gene is essential for normal growth, and its expression is developmentally regulated. The factors that control GHRH receptor expression in the neonatal pituitary are not well understood. This study focuses on the regulation of GHRH receptor gene expression by thyroid hormone, glucocorticoids, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-II in rat pituitary cell cultures. In newborn pituitaries, both T3 and hydrocortisone (24 h) caused a dose-dependent increase in GHRH receptor mRNA abundance, reaching levels 4.8-fold (P<0.001) and 6.5-fold (P<0.001) over corresponding controls. T3 and hydrocortisone also stimulated GHRH receptor expression in adult (70 day) pituitary cell cultures, consistent with our earlier findings. IGF-I treatment suppressed the inductive effects of T3 (P<0.02) and hydrocortisone (P<0.03) on GHRH receptor expression in adult pituitaries but not in neonatal pituitaries. Unlike IGF-I, IGF-II treatment had no effect on T3-induced or hydrocortisone-induced GHRH receptor expression in either neonates or adults. Taken together, these results indicate that (1) thyroid hormone and hydrocortisone act directly at the neonatal pituitary as potent stimulators of GHRH receptor gene expression, (2) IGF-I, but not IGF-II, acts at the pituitary to suppress GHRH receptor mRNA expression and (3) the effects of IGF-I on GHRH receptor gene expression are developmentally determined.
Packaging Influenced Total Chlorophyll, Soluble Protein, Fatty Acid Composition and Lipoxygenase Activity in Broccoli Florets

Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) degradation by lipoxygenase (LOX) may contribute to postharvest deterioration of vegetables and fruits. In broccoli, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), automatic misting (AM) and vent packaging (VP) may reduce postharvest deterioration. MAP storage resulted in increased chlorophyll and C-18 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in broccoli florets by 96 hr. Reduced chlorophyll, PUFA and soluble protein were observed in nonpackaged (NP) samples. Chlorophyll remained near initial levels in vent packaged (VP) products. AM resulted in increased relative PUFA and reduced losses of soluble protein. VP reduced PUFA and soluble protein. Optimal pH of broccoli floret LOX was 5.5-6.0. Water-soluble LOX activity in MAP and NP samples followed a trend similar to PUFA changes in both samples. No differences were found among treatments when enzyme activity was expressed on soluble protein basis.
Incidence and Tracking of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in a Major Produce Production Region in California

Fresh vegetables have become associated with outbreaks caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EcO157). Between 1995–2006, 22 produce outbreaks were documented in the United States, with nearly half traced to lettuce or spinach grown in California. Outbreaks between 2002 and 2006 induced investigations of possible sources of pre-harvest contamination on implicated farms in the Salinas and San Juan valleys of California, and a survey of the Salinas watershed. EcO157 was isolated at least once from 15 of 22 different watershed sites over a 19 month period. The incidence of EcO157 increased significantly when heavy rain caused an increased flow rate in the rivers. Approximately 1000 EcO157 isolates obtained from cultures of>100 individual samples were typed using Multi-Locus Variable-number-tandem-repeat Analysis (MLVA) to assist in identifying potential fate and transport of EcO157 in this region. A subset of these environmental isolates were typed by Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) in order to make comparisons with human clinical isolates associated with outbreak and sporadic illness. Recurrence of identical and closely related EcO157 strains from specific locations in the Salinas and San Juan valleys suggests that transport of the pathogen is usually restricted. In a preliminary study, EcO157 was detected in water at multiple locations in a low-flow creek only within 135 meters of a point source. However, possible transport up to 32 km was detected during periods of higher water flow associated with flooding. During the 2006 baby spinach outbreak investigation, transport was also detected where water was unlikely to be involved. These results indicate that contamination of the environment is a dynamic process involving multiple sources and methods of transport. Intensive studies of the sources, incidence, fate and transport of EcO157 near produce production are required to determine the mechanisms of pre-harvest contamination and potential risks for human illness.
An accurate and simplified method to calculate angiographic left ventricular ejection fraction

An accurate and simplified method to calculate left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF0 derived from the ellipsoidal formula for LV volume calculation is described. The LV Minor axis (D) is obtained from the average of three equidistant LV diameters at end-diastole (Ded) and end-systole (Des), and the shortening fraction of D2 (% delta D2) calculated as (D2ed - D2es)/D2ed. EF is calculated as EF = [delta D2 + ([1 - delta D2] X delta L)] X 100, where delta L = the shortening fraction of the long axis. The coefficient of correlation between the EF by this method and the EF derived from measurements of LV volumes with the area-length method was 0.98, SEE = 3.57% (n = 50). No significant over- or underestimation was observed according to the regression equation Y = 0.922X + 0.82. Thus, this simplified method allows accurate LVEF calculation without the need for planimetry of LV area.
Localization of neurons afferent to the optic tectum in longnose gars

Afferent pathways to the optic tectum in the longnose gar were determined by unilateral tectal injections of HRP. Retrogradely labeled cells were observed in the ipsilateral caudal portion of the rostral entopeduncular nucleus and bilaterally in the rostral half of the lateral zone of area dorsalis of the telencephalon. The following diencephalic cell groups were also labeled following tectal injections: the ipsilateral anterior, ventrolateral, and ventromedial thalamic nuclei, the periventricular pretectal nucleus, and the central pretectal nucleus (bilaterally); the ventromedial thalamic and central pretectal nuclei revealed the largest number of labeled cells. At midbrain levels, retrogradely labeled cells were seen in the ipsilateral torus longitudinalis, nucleus isthmi, and accessory optic nucleus; cells were labeled bilaterally in the torus semicircularis and a rostral tegmental nucleus. Only a few cells were labeled in the contralateral optic tectum, suggesting that few of the fibers of the intertectal commissure are actually commissural to the tectum. At hindbrain levels, retrogradely labeled cells were seen bilaterally in the locus coeruleus, the superior, medial, and inferior reticular formations, the eurydendroid cells of the cerebellum, and the nucleus of the descending trigeminal tract; the contralateral dorsal funicular nucleus also exhibited labeling. Clearly, the tectum in gars receives a substantial number of nonvisual afferents from all major brain areas, most of which have been reported in other vertebrates. The functional significance of these afferent sources and their probable homologues in other vertebrate groups are discussed.
Reconfigurable Optical Interconnection Using Photorefractive Holograms

The use of photorefractive holograms in conjunction with a spatial light modulator (SLM) to realize a reconfigurable optical interconnection with very high energy efficiency is briefly discussed. In this approach, the SLM is used as a programmable binary matrix mask to encode the interconnection pattern to a coherent laser beam whereas the photorefractive crystal is used as a dynamic holographic medium to store the pattern and to efficiently diffract the readout beam into the selected channels at high speed. We report recent experimental results on issues such as energy efficiency, reconfiguration time, contrast, and uniformity.
Parturition in beef cows following administration of porcine relaxin at ten days prepartum.

Abstract Administration of procine relaxin (pRLX) to heifers 5 d prepartum has been reported to expedite parturition. Thirty-eight mature crossbred beef cows were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. Control animals (C; n = 13) received an intramuscular (i.m.) injection of 2 ml corn oil and 2 ml i.m. phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) 24 h later; relaxin treated animals (RLX; n = 13) received 2 ml i.m. corn oil and 1.0 mg i.m. pRLX 24 h later; estradiol-relaxin treated animals (E-RLX; n = 12) received 20 mg i.m. estradiol benzoate (EB) and 1.0 mg i.m. pRLX 24 h later. Treatment with pRLX occurred at 272.6±0.14 d of gestation. The pRLX had been purified to homogeneity from porcine ovaries collected during late pregnancy and was determined to have ≥3000 U/mg by the mouse interpubic ligament bioassay. Peripheral blood samples were collected from all cows at 0, 4, 8 and 24 h, respective to corn oil or EB administration, and assayed for plasma estradiol-17β. At 24 h post administration of EB, plasma estradiol-17β concentrations were 48.0±10.5 pg/ml for C and RLX cows and 178.5±14.8 pg/ml for E-RLX cows. There were no treatment effects (P≥0.10) for elapsed time from treatment to parturition (304.2±22.4 h), gestation length (285.2±0.9 d), calving difficulty score (1.05±0.04), calf vigor score (1.05±0.04) or calf birth weight (38.0±0.88 kg). Additionally, there were no retained placental membranes in any cows. Administration of pRLX intramuscularly to beef cows at 10 d before expected parturition was not effective in inducing premature parturition. Furthermore, the effectiveness of pRLX in inducing parturition was not enhanced by pretreatment with estradiol benzoate.
Visual object understanding

Visual object understanding includes processes at the nexus of visual perception and visual cognition. A traditional approach separates questions that are more associated with perception — how are objects represented by high-level vision — from questions that are more associated with cognition — how are objects identified, categorized and remembered. However, to understand the bridge between perception and cognition, it is fruitful to abandon any sharp distinction between perceptual and cognitive aspects of visual object understanding. We provide a selective review of research from both the Object Recognition and Perceptual Categorization literatures, highlighting relevant behavioural, neuropsychological, neurophysiological and theoretical research into the representations and processes that underlie visual object understanding in humans and primates.
A Class of Dominance Solvable Common-Value Auctions

Dominant strategies seldom exist in non-cooperative games. Moulin's concept of a dominance solvable game generalizes, dominant strategy without dramatic loss in appeal. We consider a class of common-value auctions characterized by the property that the maximum of a collection of informative signals is a sufficient statistic for the entire collection. We demonstrate that this class of second-price auctions is dominance solvable.
Slow dynamics and aging in a nonrandomly frustrated spin system.

A simple, nondisordered spin model has been studied in an effort to understand the origin of the precipitous slowing down of dynamics observed in supercooled liquids approaching the glass transition. A combination of Monte Carlo simulations and exact calculations indicates that this model exhibits an entropy-vanishing transition accompanied by a rapid divergence of time scales. Measurements of various correlation functions show that the system displays a hierarchy of time scales associated with different degrees of freedom. Extended structures, arising from the frustration in the system, are identified as the source of the slow dynamics. In the simulations, the system falls out of equilibrium at a temperature ${T}_{g}$ higher than the entropy-vanishing transition temperature and the dynamics below ${T}_{g}$ exhibits aging as distinct from coarsening. The cooling rate dependence of the energy is also consistent with the usual glass formation scenario.
Comparison of Actigraphic and Subjective Measures of Sleep in Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator and Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Background: Cardiac patients frequently have insomnia symptoms that may pose risk for future cardiac events. Poor sleep relates to hyperarousal, anxiety and depression, and the incidence of hypertension and myocardial infarction. Hypothesis: The authors hypothesized that implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients would have poorer sleep than coronary artery disease (CAD) patients related to hypervigilance for device functioning and shock discharge. Methods: Authors investigated sleep efficiency and sleep latency in a sample of 60 patients (n = 30 CAD and n = 30 ICD) without obstructive sleep apnea at the University of Florida & Shands Hospital. For 14 days, participants completed a sleep diary. Additionally, half of the total sample also used actigraphy to objectively measure their sleep. Measures of somatic hypervigilance and psychosocial distress were administered. Results: Using actigraphy, mean sleep efficiency was poorer (69.76%) in CAD patients compared with ICD patients (82.80%). This difference was highly significant, F1,27 = 16.840, P < 0.001. CAD patients also had shorter mean total sleep times per sleep diaries compared with ICD patients (336.19 minutes or 5.60 hours, 430.65 minutes or 7.18 hours, respectively), F1,27 = 15.908, P < 0.001. Conclusions: The finding that ICD patients slept more efficiently than CAD patients is surprising given that CAD patients had higher ejection fractions and no concerns about ICD shocks. This difference cannot be accounted for by differences in hypervigilance, depression, anxiety, or physical activity. Results suggest that CAD patients may have more sleep problems and may warrant increased research attention. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dr. Sears serves as a consultant to Medtronic, has or has had research grants from Medtronic and St. Jude Medical, and has received speaker honoraria from Medtronic, Boston Scientific, St. Jude Medical, and Biotronik. Dr. Conti serves as a consultant to Medtronic, has or has had research grants from Medtronic and St. Jude Medical, and has received speaker honoraria from Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and St. Jude Medical. The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Peer collaboration and virtual environments: a preliminary investigation of multi-participant virtual reality applied in science education

The use of virtual reality (VR) in education has in recent years become more commonplace. For example, Youngblut (1998) identifies over forty examples of VR applications that are specifically designed to support learning. In the past, most educational applications of VR have involved a single student interacting with objects within a virtual environment (VE). Advances in VR technologies, however, are opening the doors to a broad investigation of the potential for collaborative, multi-participant VE’s designed to enhance educational experiences. As it becomes possible to place more than one student within a VE simultaneously, questions arise regarding the potential impact of the collaborative aspects of the experience on both learning and the degree of presence perceived by participants.
Universal labeling of 5'-triphosphate RNAs by artificial RNA ligase enzyme with broad substrate specificity.

An artificial RNA ligase specific to RNA with a 5′-triphosphate (PPP-RNA) exhibits broad sequence specificity on model substrates and secondary siRNAs with direct applications in the identification of PPP-RNAs through sequencing.
The Effect of Tubercle Bacilli on the Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes of Normal Animals.

A description is given of a slide cell whereby the rate of migration of very small amounts of leucocytes can be followed and measured. The migration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes was found to be inhibited by virulent tubercle bacilli pathogenic for the class of animal (mammal or bird) from which the leucocytes were obtained; it was not affected by the avirulent variants of these microorganisms, or by bacilli pathogenic for animals of the other class. Tests failed to disclose that the inhibition of leucocytic migration resulted from any gross damage caused by the bacilli to the leucocytes.
Clinical evaluation of liver size and hepatic scintiscan

The clinical estimation of liver size was evaluated with the use of radioisotope scintiscans as a standard of comparison. It was found that the upper border of liver dullness (as delineated by percussion) was almost always too low. The normal liver may frequently extend below the costal margin and the xiphoid process and yet be impalpable. Percussion offers a more accurate means of estimating the lower border of the normal or the acutely diseased liver. A truer estimation of liver size is obtained in patients with chronic liver disease, presumably because the increased consistency of the organ enhances the detection of its lower border by physical examination.
Identifying behavioral circuits in Drosophila melanogaster: moving targets in a flying insect

Drosophila melanogaster has historically been the premier model system for understanding the molecular and genetic bases of complex behaviors. In the last decade technical advances, in the form of new genetic tools and electrophysiological and optical methods, have allowed investigators to begin to dissect the neuronal circuits that generate behavior in the adult. The blossoming of circuit analysis in this organism has also reinforced our appreciation of the inadequacy of wiring diagrams for specifying complex behavior. Neuromodulation and neuronal plasticity act to reconfigure circuits on both short and long time scales. These processes act on the connectome, providing context by integrating external and internal cues that are relevant for behavioral choices. New approaches in the fly are providing insight into these basic principles of circuit function.
The mixing efficiency of open flows

Abstract Mixing in open incompressible flows is studied in a model problem with inhomogeneous passive scalar injection on an inlet boundary. As a measure of the efficiency of stirring, the bulk scalar concentration variance is bounded, and the bound is shown to be sharp at low Peclet number. Although no specific flow saturating the bound at high Peclet number is produced here, the estimate is conjectured to be approached for flows possessing sufficiently sustained chaotic regions.
Increased lysolecithin acyltransferase activity in the plasma of type II hyperlipoproteinenic patients

Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) in human plasma has been shown to acylate lysolecethin to lecithin in presence of low density lipoprotein (LDL). To determine the physological importance of LDL in activating lysolecithin acyltransferase (LAT) activity, we assayed the LAT activity in 18 hypercholesterolemic (Type II) patients and 15 control subjects. The enzyme activity was about 60% higher in the patients compared with the controls. On the other hand, the LCAT activity, measured by 2 different procedures, as well as enzyme mass, determined by radioimmuno assay, were comparable in the controls and hypercholesterolemics. The LAT activity was highly correlated with LDL levels in the plasma, but the LCAT activity and the enzyme mass had no correlation with the LDL levels. These results show that the plasma LDL is the rate-limiting activator of the enzyme, and pathological conditions, resulting in higher LDL levels, also cause higher LAT activities.
Specifying and verifying software

Software verification presents many challenges. One of these isproviding programmers with automated tool support for verification, another is providing specification support that captures common programming idioms. In this talk, I will discuss these two challenges, drawing from experience with building program verifiersfor Spec# and C. I will also give a demo of the Spec# programming system, which includes the automatic static program verifier Boogie.
Multiple source pools for Galápagos plant species richness: a critical analysis of the line of sight connectivity index

An index (Ci*E) combining the number of line-of-sight islands (CQ) within a radius i and target island elevation (E) has been proposed as an improved predictive model of plant species richness (St) in the Galapagos Archipelago. We examined this index critically and found that several major flaws preclude it from being a useful predictive tool for the archipelago. Although the number of collecting trips to an island was reported over 20 years ago to have substantial predictive value for reported plant species richness in the Galapagos Islands, this relationship was ignored in multiple regression analyses of the index. When we included the number of collecting trips in different multiple regression analyses of the index, CI*E had less predictive power than collecting trips or ceased to be significant at all. Additionally, the strong significant relationship between elevation and area in the Galapagos Archipelago results in area having a major confounding influence on the CI*E index. When elevation is removed from the CI*E index,
Productivity predictors of assembly workers using standards based on learning curves

Abstract This study examines the impact of long range planning in a manufacturing setting where standards are used to budget and evaluate employee performance and it further investigates whether demographic factors can be used to predict worker performance. Twenty-three factors were chosen for the study and five factors were significant in explaining employee performance. The results suggest that demographic factors may be used to identify potentially high performing workers.
Thermoelectric power of high-Tc superconductors.

Thermoelectric-power measurements are reported for four copper oxide superconductor systems: ${\mathrm{La}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{y}}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{\mathit{y}}$${\mathrm{CuO}}_{4}$, ${\mathrm{Nd}}_{1+\mathit{y}}$${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{y}}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{6+\mathit{x}}$, ${\mathrm{Y}}_{0.6}$${\mathrm{Ca}}_{0.4}$${\mathrm{Ba}}_{1.6\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{y}}$${\mathrm{La}}_{0.4+\mathit{y}}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{6+\mathit{x}}$, and ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2\mathit{y}}$${\mathrm{La}}_{2\mathit{y}}$${\mathrm{CuO}}_{6+\mathit{x}}$. The Seebeck coefficient \ensuremath{\alpha} is interpreted in terms of an electron-diffusion component ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}^{\mathit{e}}$ that varies from the small-polaron limit for the antiferromagnetic compositions to the metallic limit for the normal-metal compositions. It is argued that the width of the conduction band increases exponentially with oxidation of the ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ sheets. At larger hole doping, the correlation splitting in the superconductor compositions becomes small enough to require the introduction of a two-band model for ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}^{\mathit{e}}$. In those systems in which holes are trapped from the ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ sheets into the ``inactive'' intergrowth layers, the temperature dependence of \ensuremath{\alpha} develops a characteristic maximum at a temperature ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{m}}$. From a ${\mathit{T}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ dependence for Tg${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{m}}$, a trapping energy is extracted; this energy increases linearly with the formal charges of the intergrowth layers. The fall in \ensuremath{\alpha} with decreasing temperature for T${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{m}}$ is interpreted to reflect the consequences of a freezing out of the displacements of the c-axis oxygen that are associated with charge transfer between the ``active'' and ``inactive'' superconductor layers.
Interfacial Area Transport Equation and Implementation Into Two-Fluid Model

A dynamic treatment of interfacial area concentration has been studied over the last decade by employing the interfacial area transport equation. When coupled with the two-fluid model, the interfacial area transport equation replaces the flow regime dependent correlations for interfacial area concentration and eliminates potential artificial bifurcation or numerical oscillations stemming from these static correlations. An extensive database has been established to evaluate the model under various two-phase flow conditions. These include adiabatic and heated conditions, vertical and horizontal flow orientations, round, rectangular, annulus, and 8 X 8 rod-bundle channel geometries, and normal-gravity and reduced-gravity conditions. Currently, a two-group interfacial area transport equation is available and applicable to comprehensive two-phase flow conditions spanning from bubbly to churn-turbulent flow regimes. A framework to couple the two-group interfacial area transport equation with the modified two-fluid model is established in view of multiphase computational fluid dynamics code applications as well as reactor system analysis code applications. The present study reviews the current state-of-the-art in the development of the interfacial area transport equation, available experimental databases, and the analytical methods to incorporate the interfacial area transport equation into the two-fluid model.
The effect of protein-sparing modified fast in obese children with insulin dependent MODY-type diabetes mellitus. 422

The effect of protein-sparing modified fast in obese children with insulin dependent MODY-type diabetes mellitus. 422
Decreased use of iliac extensions and reduced graft junctions with software-assisted centerline measurements in selection of endograft components for endovascular aneurysm repair

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of using computerized software-assisted centerline measurements for extensions and graft junctions during the selection of endograft components for modular aortic endografts in endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Methods From April 1998 to December 2002, 289 modular aortic endografts were implanted at our institution. These included 248 grafts (prior to 2002, group 1) with components selected on the basis of manual caliper measurements from combined contrast computed tomography (CT) and marker-catheter arteriography data, and 41 grafts (2002, group 2) with components selected with the use of computerized software that allowed for centerline measurements on 3-dimensional reconstructions based on CT data. These 2 groups were compared for the number and type of extensions required per case. Seventeen other relevant variables were analyzed for their potential influence on selection of endograft components. These variables included age, gender, maximum aneurysm size, level of distal fixation, length and diameter at the fixation points, endograft manufacturer (make), and configuration. The significance of the observed differences was analyzed with a multivariate regression model, adjusting for potentially confounding preoperative measures. Results Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the number of right iliac extensions, left iliac extensions, total extensions, and total graft junctions was significantly reduced by the use of computerized software-assisted centerline measurements (group 2) compared with caliper measurements (group 1), independent of all other 17 preoperative variables. Notably, the mean number of required right iliac extensions was double in group 1 versus group 2. Conclusions Centerline software-assisted measurements can significantly reduce the need for iliac extensions and, concomitantly, the number of required endograft junctions. On average, twice as many extensions were required for right iliac fixation when the manual caliper measurements were used compared with software-assisted measurements. These findings are highly relevant to issues of total endograft cost and long-term endograft integrity and focus attention on the tools that may need to be considered standards of care rather than optional for selection of endograft components.
Comparative mechanical performances of some new devices for fixation of unstable pelvic ring fractures.

A laboratory cadaveric model, developed previously for the study of currently employed external fixation devices used for unstable pelvic fractures was used to evaluate rigidity improvements associated with a number of fixation design innovations. Based on quasistatic shearing displacements measured at the sacro-iliac joint and symphysis pubis disruption sites, otherwise identical anterior frameworks constructed on 5 mm fixation halfpins, rather than upon standard 4 mm halfpins, were able to sustain markedly (58% to 210%) greater loadings. A new and very simple traingular framework was designed and constructed for which the fixation rigidity was found to rival that of much more complex and cumbersome double anterior frames. When used as the posterior component of combined anterior/posterior fixation systems, a new double cobra-type (internal) plate allowed the injury model pelvises to sustain near-physiological load levels. A pair of dynamic compression plates attached across a disrupted symphysis pubis was found to be a biomechanically acceptable substitute for an anterior external fixator.
Signal-dependent requirement for the co-activator protein RcsA in transcription of the RcsB-regulated ugd gene

The RcsC/YojN/RcsB phosphorelay system controls gene expression in response to a variety of signals, including changes in temperature, osmolarity, and overproduction of membrane proteins. Transcription of certain RcsB-activated genes, such as the capsule synthesis cps operon, requires the co-activator protein RcsA, whereas expression of other RcsB-activated genes is RcsA-independent. We have established previously that a tolB mutation induces transcription of the Salmonella UDP-glucose dehydrogenase ugd gene in an RcsA- and RcsB-dependent manner. This induction is independent of the two-component systems PhoP/PhoQ and PmrA/PmrB, which are required for ugd expression in response to low Mg2+. We now report that the RcsC/YojN/RcsB system is activated in a pmrA mutant experiencing Fe3+ and low Mg2+, resulting in expression of both cps and ugd genes. However, whereas cps transcription remained RcsA-dependent, ugd transcription became RcsA-independent but dependent on the PhoP protein. S1 mapping experiments demonstrated that RcsA-dependent and -independent transcription of the ugd gene use the same promoter. DNase footprinting analysis identified a PhoP-binding site in the ugd promoter. Yet, PhoP-mediated ugd transcription required either the RcsC/YojN/RcsB or the PmrA/PmrB systems.