cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of bomb pulse carbon-14 to age senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract The time course of formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and senile plaques (SP) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain is unknown. Above ground nuclear weapons testing in the late 1950s and early 1960s led to significantly increased levels of 14C in the atmosphere and carbon cycle. Because the amyloid beta peptide of SP and paired helical filaments of NFT, once formed, are relatively resistant to degradation, 14C levels observed in SP and NFT should reflect their year of formation. The purpose of this study was to develop a method to determine whether 14C levels could be used to define NFT and SP ages. Using accelerator mass spectrometry to measure bomb-pulse 14C levels, we determined the average age of formation of isolated SP and NFT fractions in bulk brain samples of 6 AD subjects. Although preliminary, the results demonstrate that it is possible to use bomb pulse 14C to determine the average year of formation of NFT and SP in the brain in AD. In addition, the data show that these structures, once formed, have a much slower carbon turnover rate than normal brain and are not in a formation/enzymatic degradation equilibrium.
The motion of a thin liquid film driven by surfactant and gravity

We investigate wave solutions of a lubrication model for surfactant-driven flow of a thin liquid film down an inclined plane. We model the flow in one space dimension with a system of nonlinear PDEs of mixed hyperbolic-parabolic type in which the effects of capillarity and surface diffusion are neglected. Numerical solutions reveal distinct patterns of waves that are described analytically by combinations of traveling waves, some with jumps in height and surfactant concentration gradient. The various waves and combinations are strikingly different from what is observed in the case of flow on a horizontal plane. Jump conditions admit new shock waves sustained by a linear surfactant wave traveling upstream. The stability of these waves is investigated analytically and numerically. For initial value problems, a critical ratio of upstream to downstream height separates two distinct long-time wave patterns. Below the critical ratio, there is also an exact solution in which the height is piecewise constant and ...
Stabilization of caffeyl compounds in alkaline media

Abstract Compounds containing a 3,4-dihydroxycinnamyl moiety can be stabilized in alkaline solutions by prior addition of Sodium borohydride. This procedure enables the determination of their alkaline spectra and also increases the yield when the isolation of these compounds after synthesis involves contact with alkaline solutions.
Incidence of esophageal and gastric cancers among Hispanics, non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic blacks in the United States: subsite and histology differences

Objective We examined subsite- and histology-specific esophageal and gastric cancer incidence patterns among Hispanics/Latinos and compared them with non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic blacks.
Mesentery vascular metabolism of substance P

Abstract Dipeptidylpeptidase IV (EC 3.4.14.5), an enzyme which metabolizes substance P, is present in crude homogenates of hog mesenteric artery and aorta. Its subcellular localization is closely correlated with the plasma membrane marker enzyme 5′-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) in addition to the kinin and angiotensin metabolizing enzymes angiotensin I converting enzyme (EC 3.4.15.1) and aminopeptidase M (EC 3.4.11.2). The highest level of dipeptidylpeptidase IV is found on the surface membrane-enriched fraction and is immunologically identical to the kidney brush border-bound enzyme. Vascular dipeptidylpeptidase IV sequentially removes the N-terminal Arg 1 -Pro 2 and Lys 3 -Pro 4 dipeptides of substance P and exposes the biologically active C-terminal heptapeptide product to rapid degradation by vascular aminopeptidases.
MR imaging of patellar retinacular ligament injuries

Seventeen patients with patellar retinacular ligament injuries were evaluated with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MR findings were correlated with clinical, surgical, and arthroscopic findings. The injuries involved the medial retinacular ligament in 16 of 17 patients and the medial and lateral retinacular ligament in one patient. Nine of 17 patients showed MR evidence of a patellar dislocation. In these patients, a triad of findings that included focal impaction injuries involving the lateral femoral condyle, osteochondral injuries of the medial patellar facet, and injuries of the medial retinacular ligament were seen. Seven of the nine patients with patellar dislocation injuries had frank osteochondral injuries. The injured retinaculum had an indistinct, irregular appearance associated with edema and hemorrhage. The patellar dislocations were clinically unsuspected in the initial evaluation of eight of these nine patients. In eight of 17 patients, the mechanism of injury was a patellar tendon tear (n = 1) or valgus hyperextension (n = 7). In the seven patients with hyperextension injuries, three had associated meniscal and cruciate ligament tears. MR imaging can help define patellar retinacular and associated osteochondral injuries, which may be clinically useful information.
Cloning and expression of heparinase I gene from Flavobacterium heparinum.

Abstract Heparinases, enzymes that cleave heparin and heparin sulfate, are implicated in physiological and pathological functions ranging from wound healing to tumor metastasis and are useful in deheparinization therapies. We report the cloning of the heparinase I (EC 4.2.2.7) gene from Flavobacterium heparinum using PCR. Two degenerate oligonucleotides, based on the amino acid sequences derived from tryptic peptides of purified heparinase, were used to generate a 600-bp probe by PCR amplification using Flavobacterium genomic DNA as the template. This probe was used to screen a Flavobacterium genomic DNA library in pUC18. The open reading frame of heparinase I is 1152 bp in length, encoding a precursor protein of 43.8 kDa. Eleven of the tryptic peptides (approximately 35% of the total amino acids) mapped onto the open reading frame. The amino acid sequence reveals a consensus heparin binding domain and a 21-residue leader peptide with a characteristic Ala-(Xaa)-Ala cleavage site. Recombinant heparinase was expressed in Escherichia coli as a soluble protein, using the T7 polymerase pET expression system. The recombinant heparinase cleavage of heparin was identical to that of native heparinase.
Interior Quality Decline in Eggs Cartoned and Sealed in Plastic Bags

Abstract Two trials were conducted to determine the effects of warm cartoning and subsequent sealing on the interior quality of shell eggs. In one trial, eggs from young layers (high initial egg quality) were used. In a second trial, eggs from older layers (low initial egg quality) were used. Both trials were conducted during hot weather. Eggs were (1) cooled for 24 hours prior to cartoning; (2) cartoned on day of lay and placed in the cooler, cartoned on day of lay, held at 23°C. and placed in the cooler either (3) one day later; or (4) two days later. In addition, one-half of the eggs in each treatment were sealed in plastic bags immediately after cartoning. Eggs cartoned warm and placed in the cooler, eggs cartoned, sealed and placed in the cooler up to two days later, and eggs cooled prior to cartoning did not differ in interior egg quality after a two-week storage period. Generally eggs which were not cooled on day of lay and were not sealed had a lower interior egg quality after two weeks of storage at 12°C. than those eggs cooled prior to cartoning or cartoned warm and sealed.
Online Journalism and the War in Cyberspace: A Comparison Between U.S. and International Newspapers

The 2003 Iraq War was the first military conflict in which online media played a significant role. Traditional news organizations from around the world provided extensive coverage of the conflict on their websites, reaching global audiences and adding new dimensions to traditional war reporting. This study explores how the Internet disseminated news about the war by comparing 26 international newspaper sites (N = 791) and their use of Web-specific features such as hyperlinks, animations, multimedia content, and interactive elements. By proposing a three-stage model of online journalism and applying it to the online war coverage, the analysis suggests that online journalism has not yet reached the state of convergence. The differences in online news coverage between the United States and international websites and their implications are also discussed.
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL EVALUATION IN PATIENTS WITH COARCTATION OF THE AORTA

Arrhythmias, sudden death and conduction defects have been associated with certain intracardiac abnormalities (valvular aortic stenosis, subaortic stenosis and mitral valve prolapse). In this study, electrophysiological (EP) evaluation was done in 4 pts with coarctation of the aorta (COA) (2 preop, 2 post op). This evaluation determined resting intracardiac intervals and atrial and A-V nodal refractory periods (RP) during sinus and one atrial paced cycle. Ventricular RP were also determined in the 2 post op pts. Ages ranged between 6 1/2 and 21 years. None had electro-cardiographic or historical evidence of dysrhythmias. The PR interval was less than 125 msec in 3/4. The A-H interval was less than 66 msec in 3/4. The atrial RP was prolonged in 1/4. Antegrade and retrograde dual A-V nodal pathways without dysrhythmias were demonstrated in the 2 post op pts. Repetitive ventricular responses were also induced in these 2 pts. Nonsustained atrial reentry was induced during atrial extrastimulation in 1/4. His-Purkinje (HP) EP characteristics were shown in 3/4. The relative RPHP ranged between 490 and 530 msec during sinus rhythm; and between 380 and 420 msec during the paced atrial cycle. These were prolonged for the respective sinus cycle. One pt developed atrial flutter during the post op period. EP assessment revealed various abnormalities of the conduction system in pts with COA. This suggests that EP assessment should be included in the evaluation of COA.
Effects of altering cycling technique on gluteus medius syndrome.

Abstract Objective: We discuss how altering the cycling technique of a cyclist receiving periodic chiropractic care helped in the management of gluteus medius syndrome. Clinical Features: A 24-year-old male amateur cyclist had numbness and tingling localized to a small region on the superior portion of the right buttock. The area involved demonstrated paresthesia to light touch sensory evaluation. The cyclist had received chiropractic adjustments 2 days before the onset of the symptoms. One week earlier, the patient began riding a new bicycle with different gearing than his previous one. Manual-resisted muscle testing created soreness in the lumbosacral area and buttocks. Trigger points were identified in the right gluteus medius. Standing lumbar spine flexion was 70 degrees, limited by tight hamstrings. Intervention and Outcome: Because the patient was already receiving periodic chiropractic care, no passive therapy was used. Patient education regarding the difference in gear selection in bicycles of a higher quality was provided. He was instructed to train in lower gears than he had previously used and to maintain a cadence of 70 to 90 revolutions of the pedals per minute. After 2 days, the paresthesia on the right buttock resolved. The trigger points were only mildly tender with minimal residual soreness of the involved muscles. Conclusion: Management of gluteus medius syndrome by altering the cadence and gear development for a bicyclist is discussed. Either frank or cumulative injury to the gluteus medius muscle is the typical etiologic factor for this syndrome. Repetitive strain of the patient's gluteus medius muscle as a result of poor cycling technique appeared to be the cause here. Knowledge of bicycle fitting, training techniques, and bicycle mechanics appeared necessary to resolve the problem. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1999;22:108–13)
Peptide biosensor for recognition of cross-species cell surface markers.

Biosensors based on phage display-derived peptides as biorecognition molecules were used for the detection of cell surface cross-species markers in tissue homogenates. The peptide selected for murine myofibers was immobilized onto the surface of an acoustic wave sensor by biotin–streptavidin coupling. To detect peptide–receptor interaction, the sensors were exposed to muscle and control (kidney, liver, brain) tissue homogenates. The sensor showed a strong response to murine muscle. The amplitudes of the responses to the feline muscle homogenates were lower compared to those of the murine muscle, while the same Kd indicated that the peptide has cross-species affinity. In contrast, murine kidney, liver and brain homogenates produced insignificant responses. Specificity of the sensor was shown in a blocking experiment, as reduced signal was detected when muscle preparations were preincubated with free peptide. Additionally, when muscle-specific peptide was replaced with two different random control peptides, the sensors produced no response to murine muscle. Suitability of peptide ligands for a variety of species can be evaluated using this technology. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In-depth characterization of N-linked oligosaccharides using fluoride-mediated negative ion microfluidic chip LC-MS.

Characterization of N-glycans by liquid chromatography–positive electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) using a microfluidic chip packed with porous graphitized carbon (PGC) represents a rapidly developing area in oligosaccharide analysis. Positive ion ESI-MS generates B/Y-type glycosidic fragment ions under collisional-induced dissociation (CID). Although these ions facilitate glycan sequencing, they provide little information on linkage and positional isomers. Isomer identification in these cases is by retention on the PGC stationary phase where the specific structural isomers can, in principle, be separated. In this paper, we broaden the applicability of the PGC microfluidic chip/MS platform by implementing fluoride-mediated negative ESI-MS. Ammonium fluoride, added to the mobile phase, aids in the formation of pseudomolecular oligosaccharide anions due to the ability of fluoride to abstract a proton from the glycan structure. The negative charge results in the generation of C...
Redox Titrations via Surface Interrogation Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy at an Extended Semiconducting Surface for the Quantification of Photogenerated Adsorbed Intermediates

Abstract We introduce a methodology based on electrochemical simulations and the identification of the relevant experimental factors that enable the use of micro- and nano- redox titrations via Surface Interrogation Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SI-SECM) on an extended substrate electrode geometry. Specifically, we address the quantification of adsorbed intermediates so that information such as the local surface coverage can be conveniently extracted from SI-SECM transients despite diffusional broadening. Using a time normalization parameter ρ , we studied the time evolution of the SI-SECM signal and its impact on the titrated surface below the SECM tip. We identified the experimental and time conditions on which diffusional broadening dominates the signal. Our simulated results suggest that, while this effect decreases the spatial resolution of the SI-SECM process, it enhances significantly the measured signal. It is also a strong function of the SECM tip size, where quantification enhancements on nano-electrodes may facilitate their practical experimental deployment. A versatile parameter, ρ , not only allowed to understand practical enhancements, but also to guide the fitting of experimental results to theory. SI-SECM was used to quantify photogenerated intermediates of the photoassisted water oxidation reaction on lightly n-doped SrTiO 3 using the ferri/ferrocyanide system as redox mediator. Agreement between simulated and experimental transients was excellent, and fitting allowed us to determine the potential-dependent surface coverage of hydroxyl radical intermediate, which ranged from 0.04 to 0.50 C/m 2 . The analysis and experimental demonstration introduced here move SI-SECM forward as a quantitative platform to study (photo) electrocatalytic samples without needing to constrain the size of the interrogated electrode. Furthermore, they establish SI-SECM as an analytical tool for mechanism-focused study of adsorbed intermediates and photocatalytic processes that occur on semiconducting and insulating surfaces, where quantification of surface reaction intermediates with view towards the nano-scale remains challenging for other electrochemical and spectroscopic approaches.
Predicting postoperative voiding efficiency after operation for incontinence and prolapse

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the postoperative postvoid residual volume that predicts a voiding efficiency after operation for incontinence and prolapse. Study Design: Ninety-nine patients met the criteria for inclusion. The patients' bladders were filled retrograde through gravity, through a Foley catheter, with 300 mL of sterile water, or by subjective fullness. The catheter was then removed, and the patient was asked to void spontaneously into a measured urine collection device ("Texas hat"). A postvoid residual was then calculated (amount voided minus amount inserted). The Foley catheter was reinserted for patients with a postvoid residual of >50%. These patients were instructed to follow-up in the office in 1 week, at which time the test was repeated. This process continued until the patient had a postvoid residual of ≤50% or was taught intermittent self-catheterization. Results: Ninety patients were available for follow-up. The overall failure rate (defined as cases that required reinsertion of a catheter) was 7.8%. No patient with a postvoid residual of ≤32% required reinsertion of a catheter. Conclusion: With the use of this simple bedside test, voiding efficiency was predicted in 92% of patients who voided ≥50% of the amount inserted and in 100% of patients who voided ≥68%. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:49-52.)
Abstract B93: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, and cardiovascular mortality in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial.

Background: Once daily use of aspirin has been associated with a reduction in risk for cancer and cardiovascular mortality outcomes. More frequent use of aspirin and ibuprofen has not been well studied. We evaluated the association between aspirin and ibuprofen use and risk of all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, and cardiovascular disease mortality within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Methods: Participants included 72,242 male and 70,978 female participants aged 55-74 with no history of cancer at baseline enrolled in the trial between 1993-2001. The frequency of aspirin and ibuprofen use one year prior to baseline was ascertained through self-administered questionnaires and causes of mortality were ascertained by linkage to the National Death Index. Multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: During follow-up, 14,721 deaths due to all causes, 7,069 deaths due to cancer, and 5,281 deaths due to cardiovascular disease were identified. A J-shaped risk curve for all-cause mortality was observed among exclusive aspirin users compared to those not taking either aspirin or ibuprofen. Although reductions in risk for mortality were observed among individuals who reported using aspirin less than daily (HR=0.90, 95%CI: 0.84-0.96 for all-cause mortality), a significant increase in risk for all-cause mortality (HR=1.21; 95% CI 1.12-1.31), cancer mortality (HR=1.12; 95% CI 0.99-1.25), and cardiovascular mortality (HR=1.23; 95% CI 1.09-1.40) was observed among individuals who reported taking aspirin more than once daily. The significant elevation in risk for all-cause mortality among exclusive aspirin users remained (HR=1.17; 95% CI 1.05-1.29) even after exclusion of deaths within the first six years of follow-up. Similar reductions in risk for mortality outcomes were observed for daily or less than daily use of ibuprofen and for the combined use of aspirin and ibuprofen, although no significant elevations in risk were observed overall among individuals who reported using more than once daily. Conclusion: This large prospective analysis observed an inverse association between all mortality outcomes and daily or less than daily use of NSAIDs. Our data did not, however, support a reduction in risk for any mortality outcomes among individuals using NSAIDs more than once daily, and may even suggest an elevation in risk for heavy aspirin users. Citation Format: Sarah E. Daugherty, Sonja I. Berndt, Mark Purdue, Wen-yi Huang. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, and cardiovascular mortality in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B93.
Winning Is Not the Only Thing “On the Campaign Trail”: An Evaluation of a Micro-Computer Campaign Simulation

order to show the students the impact of using each technique. Budgetary data for your state could be collected for such an exercise. Our undergraduate research classes develop and administer their own questionnaire. The resulting data are inputted to computer and analyzed by the class. The data are then saved and used as example material and for exercises in other research classes. Our own research files are also cycled into our teaching. We input all of our data using a spreadsheet. This allows us to input the data into various statistical packages for analysis purposes and into word processing packages for exercise development. Using our data has two advantages: (1) we already have a large amount of analyzed material making exercise development relatively easy; and (2) by tying the materials to our own research in class discussion we give practical reinforcement to the importance of research in political science.
Larson receives Geodesy Section Award

Kristine M. Larson received the Geodesy Section Award on 23 May 2006 at the 2006 Joint Assembly in Baltimore, Md. The award is given in recognition of major advances in geodesy
Anisometropia in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and unilateral optic glioma.

1. Kim JH, Hwang JM. Adduction on attempted abduction: the opposite of synergistic divergence. Arch Ophthalmol 2006;1246:918-20. 2. Pieh C, Berlis A, Lagr eze WA. Synergistic convergence in congenital extraocular muscle misinnervation. Arch Ophthalmol 2008;126:574-6. 3. Khan AO, Oystreck DT, Al-Tassan N, Al-Sharif L, Bosley TM. Bilateral synergistic convergence associated with homozygous ROB03 mutation (p.Pro771Leu). Ophthalmology 2008;115:2262-5. 4. Bosley TM, Salih MA, Jen JC, et al. Neurologic features of horizontal gaze palsy and progressive scoliosis with mutations in ROBO3. Neurology 2005;64:1196-203. 5. Volk AE, Carter O, Fricke J, et al. Horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis: three novel ROBO3 mutations and descriptions of the phenotypes of four patients. Mol Vis 2011;17:1978-86. 6. Khan AO, Abu-Amero K. Infantile esotropia with cross-fixation, inability to abduct, and underlying horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis. J AAPOS 2014;18:389-91. 7. Beigi B, O’Keeffe M, Logan P, Eustace P. Convergence substitution for paralysed horizontal gaze. Br J Ophthalmol 1995;79:229-32. 8. Abu-Amero KK, al DhalaanH, al Zayed Z,Hellani A, Bosley TM. Five new consanguineous familieswith horizontal gaze palsy and progressive scoliosis and novel ROBO3mutations. JNeurol 141 Sci 2009;276:22-6.
Development of adynamic bone in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism after intermittent calcitriol therapy

Development of adynamic bone in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism after intermittent calcitriol therapy. Intermittent calcitriol therapy is commonly used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients undergoing regular dialysis, but there is little available information about the histologic response of bone to this form of therapy. Accordingly, 14 children and adolescents with biopsy-proven secondary hyperparathyroidism were treated with intermittent oral or intraperitoneal doses of calcitriol for 12 months. Biochemical indices of mineral metabolism including serum intact PTH levels were measured monthly throughout the study, and bone biopsies were repeated at the end of treatment. Before treatment, 11 patients had osteitis fibrosa and three had mild lesions of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Histologic improvement was seen in 12 of 14 patients, and osteitis fibrosa resolved in 10 of 11 cases. Bone formation decreased in all patients during intermittent calcitriol therapy, falling from 861 ± 380 to 150 ± 170 µm 2 /mm 2 /day, P
Works-In-Progress: Guiding Junior Scientists Through Career Development Applications*

Background. Career development awards are important to the professional careers of many junior scientists. Designed to launch researchers as independent scientists earlier in their careers, such grants release them from full schedules of teaching and clinical service, protecting their time for research and publishing. Yet few know how best to embark on this crucial endeavor. Methods. We pilot tested a faculty-facilitated, biweekly working group for postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty preparing career development applications. Based on their needs and interests, sessions included didactic activities, structured panel discussions, identification of resources, and individual guidance. For those unable to attend regularly, e-mail kept them informed of information shared and lessons learned, as summarized by participants on a rotating basis. Results. Although success in terms of funded applications is yet unknown, preliminary evaluation suggests high satisfaction among the participants. Conclusions. Ultimately, if successful, a low-cost, easy-to-administer working group approach such as this can add great value to any training program.
Visual monitoring trap for the apple blotch leafminer moth, Phyllonorycter crataegella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae).

In tests of response of adult apple blotch leafminers, Phyllonorycter crataegella (Clemens), to sticky-coated rectangles of various hues and shades hung in apple trees, captures were consistently greater (though not always significantly so) on red rectangles than on green, orange, blue, yellow, black, gray, white, clear Plexiglas, or aluminum foil-covered rectangles. Captures were greater on horizontal red rectangles (sticky surface up) positioned at 0.5 m height and within 0.5 m of the tree trunk than on red rectangles of other orientations or positions. Such rectangles offer considerable promise for monitoring adult populations of this important apple pest.
Cytokine-directed therapies for the treatment of chronic airway diseases

Abstract Multiple cytokines play a critical role in orchestrating and perpetuating inflammation in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and several specific cytokine and chemokine inhibitors now in development as future therapy for these diseases. Anti-IL-5 antibody markedly reduces peripheral blood and airway eosinophils, but does not appear to be effective in symptomatic asthma. Inhibition of IL-4 despite promising early results in asthma has been discontinued and blocking IL-13 might be more effective. Inhibitory cytokines, such as IL-10, interferons and IL-12 are less promising, as systemic delivery produces side effects. Inhibition of TNF-α may be useful in severe asthma and for treating severe COPD with systemic features. Many chemokines are involved in the inflammatory response of asthma and COPD and several small molecule inhibitors of chemokine receptors (CCR) are in development. CCR3 antagonists (which block eosinophil chemotaxis) and CXCR2 antagonists (which block neutrophil and monocyte chemotaxis) are in clinical development for asthma and COPD, respectively. Because so many cytokines are involved in asthma, drugs that inhibit the synthesis of multiple cytokines may prove to be more useful; several such classes of drug are now in clinical development and any risk of side effects with these non-specific inhibitors may be reduced by the inhaled route.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Vibrational Signature Transfer from a Glycine Peptide Chain to Nanosized Gold Clusters

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to study a glycine polypeptide chain connected to gold nanoclusters. This system is used as a proof of concept for the development of scenarios for the transmission of signals encoded into molecular vibrations (vibronics) instead of the standard encoding in electron currents (electronics). We demonstrate theoretically that, although a linear polypeptide is not energetically stable thus not suitable to be connected to gold clusters, a prerelaxed polypeptide can stay connected to the nanosized gold electrodes showing a final stable structure, which is important for the design and development of molecular vibronics systems. The frequency analysis shows an observable change of the vibrational characteristics of the nanogold cluster due to the peptide presence, suggesting that such system can also be used as a sensor device for molecule detection.
Online Learning From Input Versus Offline Memory Evolution in Adult Word Learning: Effects of Neighborhood Density and Phonologically Related Practice

Purpose In this study, the authors investigated adult word learning to determine how neighborhood density and practice across phonologically related training sets influence online learning from input during training versus offline memory evolution during no-training gaps. Method Sixty-one adults were randomly assigned to learn low- or high-density nonwords. Within each density condition, participants were trained on one set of words and then were trained on a second set of words, consisting of phonological neighbors of the first set. Learning was measured in a picture-naming test. Data were analyzed using multilevel modeling and spline regression. Results Steep learning during input was observed, with new words from dense neighborhoods and new words that were neighbors of recently learned words (i.e., second-set words) being learned better than other words. In terms of memory evolution, large and significant forgetting was observed during 1-week gaps in training. Effects of density and practice during mem...
Chekhov as a Founder of the Comedy of a New Type

In her article "Chekhov as a Founder of the Comedy of a New Type" Vera Zubarev discusses Chekhov's innovations within the framework of general systems thinking and the predispositioning theory. To this end, the notion of the positional style is used as a subject of systems analysis. Zubarev postulates that Chekhov's innovative style signified a new era of thinking now known as systems thinking. The main principles of the style correspond to those offered by the positional style in chess speedily developed at the time Chekhov worked on his stories and plays. Chekhov's reconstruction of the comedic genre had nothing to do with a simple recombination of the known dramatic genres. It was rather a new approach to the notion of the dramatic from the point of view of the characters' potentials and predisposition. Chekhov's comedy of a new type appeared as a result of his development of the positional style that posed questions regarding the degree of strength and richness of the system formed by the characters. Although Chekhov did not conceptualize his style, he made some considerable analytical remarks which suggest his innovative thing. Vera Zubarev, "Chekhov as a Founder of the Comedy of a New Type" page 2 of 10 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 13.1 (2011):
Uneven warming shifts equatorial rain band, midlatitude westerlies

In a band near the equator, southward Northern Hemisphere winds and northward Southern Hemisphere winds come together to form the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). In this zone the equatorward winds rise and cool, creating a region of high precipitation and weak surface winds. The ITCZ's location and the precipitation it delivers to the rainforests are not static—seasonal differences in temperature between the hemispheres drive ITCZ north and south, with the convergence zone moving toward the warmer hemisphere.
Mechanism of soman-induced contractions in canine tracheal smooth muscle

The actions of the irreversible organophosphorus cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitor soman were investigated on canine tracheal smooth muscle in vitro. Concentrations of soman greater than or equal to 1 nM increased the amplitude and decay of contractions elicited by electric field stimulation. The effect on decay showed a marked dependence on stimulation frequency, undergoing a 2.4-fold increase between 3 and 60 Hz. Soman also potentiated tensions due to bath applied acetylcholine (ACh). Little or no potentiation was observed for contractions elicited by carbamylcholine, an agonist that is not hydrolyzed by ChE. Concentration of soman greater than or equal to 3 nM led to the appearance of sustained contractures. These contractures developed with a delayed onset and were well correlated with ChE activity. Alkylation of muscarinic receptors by propylbenzilylcholine mustard antagonized the actions of soman on both spontaneous and electrically-evoked muscle contractions. The results are consistent with a mechanism in which the toxic actions of soman are mediated by accumulation of neurally-released ACh secondary to inhibition of ChE activity. An important factor in this accumulation is suggested to be the buffering effect of the muscarinic receptors on the efflux of ACh from the neuroeffector junction.
Exploratory Studies on the Control of High-Speed Flows With Magnetogasdynamics

Magnetogasdynamics (MGD) has the potential to lift many of the constraints presently inhibiting sustained hypersonic flight and affordable access to space. Given the difficulty of ground-testing under the expected harsh conditions, numerical methods can provide insight into the physical phenomena, and thus complement experimental investigations in the development of future concepts. This paper describes the status of an effort to develop a high-fidelity, fully three-dimensional method to explore MGD flow control in complex configurations. The theoretical model includes several non-ideal effects and takes recourse to a blend of first principles and phenomenological approaches to enhance simulation efficiency. Boundary conditions are summarized and sample verification exercises are presented. Exploratory calculations on a reentry vehicle and flow-through scramjet flowpath with MGD-bypass demonstrate the versatility of the approach and yield insight into dominant flow control mechanisms.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Continuous Change, Episodes, and Critical Periods: A Framework for Understanding Women's Political Representation over Time

In recent decades, scholars have documented remarkable changes in women’s political representation around the world. At present, however, researchers are ill-equipped to explain these changes in women’s representation in politics. In this article, we introduce a broad theoretical framework for reorienting existing explanations of women’s formal political representation to account for change over time. We conceptualize stasis and growth in women’s political representation as the balance between forces of resistance and forces for change. We also classify forces by timing, distinguishing among those that are continuous, are episodic, and have originated from critical periods. Using data on women in national legislatures from 1945 to 2003, we find that longitudinal forces combine to produce four common trajectories of women’s political representation across time. We also discuss how various approaches, including event history analysis, latent growth curve models, and the focused ethnographic revisit, are well suited for modeling the different types of forces that combine to produce these trajectories. Overall, we argue that implementing a longitudinal framework for understanding women’s political representation has the power both to alter the way we think about established findings and to suggest new theories for empirical evaluation.
An open-economy transition model

This paper presents an open-economy general equilibrium model illustrating an economy such as a small eastern European country prior to economic transition. The developed model illustrates some of the inefficiencies inherent in the pre-reform economies, including the price distortions that caused resource wasting queues, as well as government domination of the production process. The model specifically provides a dynamic, analytical framework for considering the impact of government policies in determining the size of the trade balance and pre- and post-reform domestic social welfare.
Effects of Temperature and Emulsifier Concentration on α-Tocopherol Distribution in a Stirred, Fluid, Emulsion. Thermodynamics of α-Tocopherol Transfer between the Oil and Interfacial Regions

The combined linear sweep voltammetry (LSV)/pseudophase kinetic model method was used to obtain the first estimates of the free energies, enthalpy, and entropies of transfer of α-tocopherol (TOC) between the oil and interfacial regions of fluid, opaque, emulsions of n-octane, acidic water, and the nonionic surfactant hexaethyleneglycol mono dodecyl ether (C12E6) from the temperature dependence of TOC’s partition constant. Determining structure−reactivity relationships for chemical reactions in emulsions is difficult because traditional methods for monitoring reactions are unsuitable and because the partitioning of reactive components between the oil, interfacial, and aqueous regions of opaque emulsions are difficult to measure. The dependence of the observed rate constant, kobs, for the reaction of an arenediazonium probe, 16-ArN2+, with TOC was determined as a function of C12E6 volume fraction. The pseudophase kinetic model was used to estimate the interfacial rate constant, kI, and the partition constan...
Greater Polar Moment of Inertia at the Tibia in Athletes Who Develop Stress Fractures.

Background:Several previous investigations have determined potential risk factors for stress fractures in athletes and military personnel.Purpose:To determine factors associated with the development of stress fractures in female athletes.Study Design:Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:A total of 88 female athletes (cross-country, n = 29; soccer, n = 15; swimming, n = 9; track and field, n = 14; volleyball, n = 12; and basketball, n = 9) aged 18 to 24 years were recruited to participate in a longitudinal bone study and had their left distal tibia at the 4%, 20%, and 66% sites scanned by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Patients included 23 athletes who developed stress fractures during the following year (cases). Whole body, hip, and spine scans were obtained using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Analysis of covariance was used to determine differences in bone parameters between cases and controls after adjusting for height, lower leg length, lean mass, fat mass, an...
Timing the smile

Within the general framework of stochastic volatility, the authors propose a method, which is consistent with no-arbitrage, to price complicated path-dependent derivatives using only the information contained in the implied volatility skew. This method exploits the time scale content of volatility to bridge the gap between skews and derivatives prices. Here they present their pricing formulas in terms of Greeks free from the details of the underlying models and mathematical techniques. 1 Underlying or Smile? Our goal is to address the following fundamental question in pricing and hedging derivatives. How traded call options, quoted in terms of implied volatilities, can be used to price and hedge more complicated contracts. One Department of Mathematics, NC State University, Raleigh NC 27695-8205, fouque@math.ncsu.edu. Work partially supported by NSF grant DMS-0071744. Department of Mathematics, Stanford University, Stanford CA 94305, papanico@math.stanford.edu. Department of Operations Research & Financial Engineering, Princeton University, E-Quad, Princeton, NJ 08544, sircar@princeton.edu. Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine CA 92697, ksolna@math.uci.edu.
A Rhetorical Approach to Single-Sourcing Via Intertextuality

A recent technique called single-sourcing has evolved to handle complex documents that involve content replication. Current rhetorical theories are insufficient to analyze this technique. This essay offers a background rooted in the poetic movements of Anglo-American Imagism and Russian Acmeism. Through developing an intertextuality of induction, rhetorical structure, and emphasis on craft, the poetic traditions inform examples of how these concepts apply to pedagogical and paradigmatic approaches to single-sourcing.
Mild systolic dysfunction in heart failure (left ventricular ejection fraction >35%): Baseline characteristics, prognosis and response to therapy in the vasodilator in heart failure trials (V-HeFT)

Objectives. This analysis sought to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcome in heart failure with mild systolic dysfunction. Background. Although heart failure with mild systolic dysfunction occurs commonly, this is an understudied area because clinical trials have usually excluded patients with ejection fraction >35%. Methods. The 422 patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ⩽35% were compared with 172 with a left ventricular ejection fraction > 35% in the Vasodilator in Heart Failure Trial (V-HeFT I), whereas in V-HeFT-II 554 patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction ⩽ 35% were compared with 218 patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction > 35% for mortality and clinical care. For a left ventricular ejection fraction >35%, treatment with hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate was compared with prazosin and placebo therapy in V-HeFT I, and hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate was compared with enalapril in V-HeFT II for mortality, clinical course and change in physiologic variables: ejection fraction, plasma norepinephrine levels, ventricular tachycardia and echocardiographic variables. Results. In both studies, patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction > 35% differed principally in hypertensive history, higher functional capacity and radiographic and echocardiographic cardiac dimension from patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction ⩽35%, and plasma norepinephrine levels differed in V-HeFT II (p 35% had a lower cumulative mortality than those with a left ventricular ejection fraction ⩽35% (p < 0.0001) and less frequent hospital admissions for heart failure (p < 0.014, V-HeFT I; p < 0.005, V-HeFT II). Although cumulative mortality and morbidity did not differ between treatment groups in V-HeFT I, enalapril decreased overall mortality versus hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate (p < 0.035) in V-HeFT II. For physiologic variables in V-HeFT II, enalapril decreased ventricular tachycardia at follow-up (p < 0.05). Conclusion. In V-HeFT, heart failure with mild systolic dysfunction was associated with different characteristics and a more favorable prognosis than heart failure with more severe systolic dysfunction. Enalapril decreased overall mortality and sudden death compared with hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate. Prospective trials are needed to address therapy for heart failure with mild systolic dysfunction.
Characterization of solids mixtures by the discrete fourier transform

Abstract The applicability of the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) for the characterization of random and ordered solids mixtures has been tested. It has been found that the DFT power spectrum possesses more significant physical meaning than the variance itself. Computer simulated results show that the maximum component of the DFT power spectrum can be employed as a mixing index; this index can distinguish random mixtures from ordered mixtures. It has also been confirmed theoretically that, for mixing processes obeying the Fickian diffusion equation, there exists a linear relationship between the logarithmic plot of the variance and the maximum DFT power spectrum component.
A CATALOG OF PROSTATE CANCER NOMOGRAMS

Purpose: Prediction is central to the management of prostate cancer. Nomograms are devices that make predictions. We organized many nomograms for prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: Using MEDLINE a literature search was performed on prostate cancer nomograms from January 1966 to February 2000. We recorded input variables, prediction form, the number of patients used to develop the nomogram and the outcome being predicted. We also recorded the accuracy measures reported by the original authors and whether the nomograms have withstood validation. In addition, we noted whether the nomograms were proprietary or in the public domain. Each nomogram was classified into patient clinical disease state and the outcome being predicted.Results: The literature search generated 42 published nomograms that may be applied to patients in various clinical stages of disease. Of the 42 nomograms only 18 had undergone validation, of which 2 partially failed. Few nomograms have been compared for predictive superiority and n...
Determinants of fertility: Results from a 1989 rural household survey in China

Abstract The relationship between family planning, socioeconomic conditions, and fertility was investigated in six rural villages of China. Data from a 1989 random household survey were used to test the hypothesis relating fertility (number of children born) to family planning policy (policy impact and free contraceptive provision) and socioeconomic conditions (education and income). The fertility behavior of two cohorts (the first refers to those married before 1969 and the second those between 1978 and 1980) was compared to examine the impact of strict family planning policy on fertility. The average number of children born was significantly fewer in the second cohort than the first cohort (1.6 versus 4.2) during the ten year span after marriage. The regression results indicate that family planning policy measures and female education have both direct and indirect (through influence on age at first marriage and contraceptive use) significant impact on fertility.
Voice target time in Parkinson's disease: A preliminary report.

Abstract A target-matching paradigm was developed to assess the vocal equivalents of reaction and movement time in Parkinson’s disease. Six patients with Parkinson’s disease and 6 age- and gender-matched control subjects were asked to enunciate /pa/ to reach a target frequency and intensity level in response to a light stimulus. The stimulus and acoustic responses were simultaneously recorded. Measures included laryngeal reaction time, time between stimulus and phonation onset; frequency voice target time, time from phonation onset to target level of frequency; and amplitude voice target time, time from phonation onset to target level of intensity. The 2 subject groups were significantly differentiated by laryngeal reaction time ( t = –299.67, df = 10, P = 0.005) and frequency voice target time ( t = –148, df = 10, P = 0.014). These data suggest voice target time is a viable tool for assessing the effects of neurologic disorders on voice execution in Parkinson’s disease. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;121:87-91.)