cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Downscaling Indonesian precipitation using large-scale meteorological fields

This study investigates the skill of linear methods for downscaling provincial-scale precipitation over Indonesia from fields that describe the large-scale circulation and hydrological cycle. The study is motivated by the strong link between large-scale variations in the monsoon and the El Nino—Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon and regional precipitation, and the subsequent impact of regional precipitation on rice production in Indonesia. Three different downscaling methods are tested across five different combinations of large-scale predictor fields and two different estimates of regional precipitation for Indonesia. Downscaling techniques are most skillful over the southern islands (Java and Bali) during the monsoon onset or transition season (Sep-Dec). The methods are moderately skillful in the southern islands during the dry season (May-Aug), and exhibit poor skill during the wet season (Jan-Apr). In northern Sumatra downscaling methods are most skillful during January to April with little skill during other times of the year. There is little difference between the three different linear methods used to downscale precipitation over Indonesia. Additional analysis indicates that downscaling methods that are trained on the annual cycle of precipitation produce less-biased estimates of the annual cycle of regional precipitation than raw model output, and also show some skill at reconstructing interannual variations in regional precipitation. Most of the skill of downscaling methods is attributed to year-to-year ENSO variations and to the long-term trend in precipitation and large-scale fields. While the goal of the present study is to investigate the skill of downscaling methods specifically for Indonesia, results are expected to be more generally applicable. In particular, the downscaling models derived from observations have been effectively used to debias the annual cycle of regional precipitation from global climate models. It is expected that the methods will be generally applicable in other regions where regional precipitation is strongly affected by the large-scale circulation. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
The effects of altered brain norepinephrine levels on continuous avoidance responding and the action of amphetamines.

Depressed norepinephrine (NE) levels in rat brain caused by administration of α-MT had differential effects on avoidance responding. A single dose of α-MT (100 mg/kg, aqueous suspension, i.p.) lowered whole brain NE by 53 % in 6 hr; this dose caused a significant reduction (−62%) in avoidance responding. In contrast, 4 doses of α-MT (150 mg/kg, oil suspension, i.p.) lowered brain NE by 39% at 6 hr after the last dose; these animals had a virtually normal rate of avoidance responding. This latter type of pretreatment with α-MT had little effect on the stimulation of avoidance responding evoked by p-chloroamphetamine of p-chloro-N-methylamphetamine. In contrast, the α-MT pretreatment changed the stimulatory action of a subsequent dose of D-amphetamine into a marked depression of avoidance responding.
Methane and carbon dioxide dynamics inTypha Latifolia (L.) wetlands in central New York state

I examined differences in the biogeochemical cycles of CH4 and CO2 (fluxes, concentrations, production, CH4 oxidation) inTypha latifolia wetlands on silty clay sediment versus organic peat soil in central New York State to determine whether variation in the amount of organic matter in sediment or soil, or plant production on sites with different organic matter content, affected variation in CH4 and CO2. I found very high temporal variation in CH4 within each site, precluding the detection of variation in CH4 as a function of sediment or soil organic matter content. In 1994. CH4 efflux from two peat sites to the atmosphere averaged 7 and 87 nmol m−2s−1 compared to 89 and 408 nmol m−2s−1 compared to 1.02 and 1.65 μmol m−2s−1 for the sediment sites. I assessed the role of plant production by experimentally removingT. latifolia shoots from small plots: this lowered CH4 efflux from the sediment site by 85%, suggesting that plants foster CH4 production in low organic matter sediment, but CH4 efflux was 14-times greater following shoot removal on one peat site. Shoot removal had no effect on CO2 efflux. Variations in temperature, dissolved organic carbon, and pCH4 in sediment or soil porewater explained the variation in CH4 efflux among the four study sites, whereas variation in net primary production explained the variation in CO2 efflux.
Childhood and adolescent antecedents of drug and alcohol problems: A longitudinal study

Despite the serious health and economic consequences of drug and alcohol abuse and dependence, few studies have prospectively examined the etiology of this problem in non-clinical populations. This longitudinal study examines childhood and adolescent antecedents of drug and alcohol problems in adulthood among an African American cohort (n = 1242; 51% female) from Woodlawn, a neighborhood in Chicago. The participants were followed from age 6 to 32 years, and data were collected in first grade, adolescence, and adulthood. Structural equation modeling showed that, for both males and females, educational attainment was directly associated with a reduced risk for substance use problems. For males, first grade shyness was directly associated with a reduced risk of substance use problems, and adolescent substance use was directly associated with an increased risk. First grade aggression, low family socioeconomic status (SES), and low school bonds were indirectly associated with substance use problems for both males and females. For males, first grade underachievement had an indirect effect, and, for females, first grade shyness and strong parental supervision had indirect effects. This study is among the first to identify life course trajectories to substance use problems among an African American, community-based population. These results help to identify the targets and timing of interventions that may help to reduce the risk of drug and alcohol problems in adulthood.
Component Latent Trait Models for Paragraph Comprehension Tests

The cognitive characteristics of paragraph compre hension items were studied by comparing models that deal with two general processing stages: text represen tation and response decision. The models...
Dose-response immunotoxicities of commercial polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their interaction with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

The relative potencies of the commercial polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixtures Aroclors 1260, 1254, 1248, 1242, 1016 and 1232 to inhibit the murine splenic plaque-forming cell response to sheep red blood cells was determined by dose-response treatment of C57BL/6 mice followed by logit plot analysis of the data. The ED50 values obtained for Aroclors 1260, 1254, 1248, 1242, 1016 and 1232 were 104, 118, 190, 391, 408 and 464 mg/kg or 0.28, 0.35, 0.66, 1.5, 1.5 and 2.0 mmol/kg, respectively. It was apparent that the higher chlorinated PCB preparations (Aroclors 1260, 1254 and 1248) were more potent than the lower chlorinated preparations (Aroclors 1242, 1016 and 1232). Previous studies have shown that the interaction of a subeffective dose of Aroclor 1254 (25 mg/kg) with an immunotoxic dose (3.7 nmol/kg) of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) resulted in significant antagonism of the toxicity of the latter compound. Co-treatment of mice with a 25 mg/kg dose of all the commercial Aroclors and with a 50 mg/kg dose of a reconstituted PCB mixture (resembling a PCB extract from human milk) with TCDD (3.7 nmol/kg) showed that, with the exception of Aroclor 1232, all of the commercial PCBs and the reconstituted PCB mixture significantly antagonized the TCDD-mediated inhibition of the splenic plaque-forming cell response in C57BL/6 mice. The identities of the PCB congeners responsible for this antagonism and the mechanism of this process are unknown and are currently being investigated.
The amino-terminal sequence of MUC5B contains conserved multifunctional D domains: implications for tissue-specific mucin functions.

Abstract The MUC5B mucin gene product is expressed in a wide variety of secretory epithelia including the gallbladder, salivary glands, trachea, and colon. Previous studies by us and others have described the C-terminal region as well as the central tandem repeating domain of this mucin. In an effort to understand the functional role of MUC5B in diverse human tissues, the sequence encoding the N-terminal region of this mucin was determined from the sequences of exons in three overlapping genomic clones. Primer extension mapped the site of transcription initiation 25 bp downstream from a putative TATA box element. The N-terminal region of MUC5B contained 1321 amino acids organized into a signal peptide, a short serine-threonine rich region, and three von Willebrand factor-like D domains. Comparison of this sequence with the N-terminal sequences of MUC2 and MUC5AC revealed a much higher degree of identity (46–59%) than that observed in the C-terminal regions of these mucins (33%). The N-terminal sequence of MUC5B also contains a number of sequence motifs common to several groups of extracellular ligand binding and adhesion proteins not previously recognized in mammalian gel-forming mucins. The N-terminal D domains in MUC5B are likely to have important roles in both mucin assembly and in the protective functions of the secreted mucin.
The Prevalence of Distal and Proximal Gastroesophageal Reflux in Patients Awaiting Lung Transplantation

Objective: To determine the prevalence and proximal extent of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) in patients awaiting lung transplantation. Background: GERD has been postulated to contribute to accelerated graft failure in patients who have had lung transplantations. However, the prevalence of reflux symptoms, esophageal motility abnormalities, and proximal esophageal reflux among patients with end-stage lung disease awaiting lung transplantation are unknown. Methods: A total of 109 patients with end-stage lung disease awaiting lung transplantation underwent symptomatic assessment, esophageal manometry, and esophageal pH monitoring (using a probe with 2 sensors located 5 and 20 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter). Results: Reflux symptoms were not predictive of the presence of reflux (sensitivity, 67%; specificity, 26%). Esophageal manometry showed a high prevalence of a hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter (55%) and impaired esophageal peristalsis (47%) among patients with reflux. Distal reflux was present in 68% of patients and proximal reflux was present in 37% of patients. Conclusions: These data show that in patients with end-stage lung disease: 1) symptoms were insensitive and nonspecific for diagnosing reflux; 2) esophageal motility was frequently abnormal; 3) 68% of patients had GERD; 4) in 50% of the patients with GERD, acid refluxed into the proximal esophagus. We conclude that patients with end-stage lung disease should be screened with pH monitoring for GERD.
HUMAN GROWTH CURVE.

The human growth curve shows two (and only two) outstanding periods of accelerated growth-the circumnatal and the adolescent. The circumnatal growth cycle attains great velocity, which reaches a maximum at the time of birth. The curve of this cycle is best fitted by a theoretical skew curve of Pearson's Type I. It has a theoretical range of 44 months and a standard deviation of 5.17 months. The modal velocity is 10.2 kilos per year. The adolescent growth cycle has less maximum velocity and greater range in time than the circumnatal cycle. The best fitting theoretical curve is a normal frequency curve ranging over about 10 years with a standard deviation of about 21 months and a modal velocity of 4.5 kilos per year. The two great growth accelerations are superimposed on a residual curve of growth which measures a substratum of growth out of which the accelerations arise. This probably extends from conception to 55 years, on the average. It is characterized by low velocity, averaging about 2 kilos per year from 2 to 12 years. It is interpreted as due to many growth operations coincident or closely blending in time. Our curve shows no third marked period of acceleration at between the 3rd and 6th years. The total growth in weight of the body is the sum of the weight of its constituent organs. In some cases these keep pace with the growth of the body as a whole; great accelerations of body growth are due to great accelerations in growth of the constituent organs. In other cases one of the organs of the body (like the thymus gland) may undergo a change in weight that is not in harmony with that of the body as a whole. The development of the weight in man is the resultant of many more or less elementary growth processes. These result in two special episodes of growth and numerous smaller, blending, growth operations. Hypotheses are suggested as to the basis of the special growth accelerations.
Effect of mitral regurgitation on cerebrovascular accidents in patients with atrial fibrillation and left atrial thrombus.

Background The effect of mitral regurgitation (MR) on the incidence of new cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) and mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and left atrial thrombus (LAT) is unknown. Objective To investigate the effect of MR in patients with AF and LAT on new CVA and mortality. Methods Eighty nine consecutive patients, mean age 71 years, with AF and LAT documented by transesophageal echocardiography were investigated to determine the prevalence and severity of MR and the association of the severity of MR with new cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) and mortality at 34-mo follow-up. Results Of 89 patients, 1 + MR was present in 23 patients (26%), 2 + MR in 44 patients (50%), 3 + MR in 17 patients (19%), and 4 + MR in 3 patients (4%). Mean follow-up was 34 ± 28 mo. The Cox proportional hazards model showed that the severity of increased MR did not significantly increase new CVA or mortality at 34-mo follow-up. The only variable predictive of mortality was left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and with every unit increase in LVEF, the risk decreased by 3%. Conclusion MR occurred in 87 of 89 patients (98%) with AF and LAT. There was no association between the severity of MR and the incidence of CVA or mortality. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Integration of size distributions and size-resolved hygroscopicity measured during the Houston Supersite for compositional categorization of the aerosol

Abstract Measurements of aerosol size distributions and hygroscopicity were combined to infer the size-resolved composition of the ambient aerosol during the Houston Supersite campaign from June through October, 2001. The 3000+ distributions used in this analysis were measured at the Aldine site north and typically downwind of the greater Houston metropolitan area. Size distributions spanning the diameter range from 0.025 to 0.700 μm, and hygroscopic behavior at eight logarithmically spaced dry diameters from 0.025 to 0.344 μm were analyzed. At smaller dry sizes, the aerosol hygroscopic growth factor distributions were typically monomodal and peaked at or near a growth factor of 1.0, indicating predominantly non-hygroscopic aerosols. Particles larger than ∼0.100 μm exhibited bimodal growth patterns, with increasing importance of the hygroscopic mode with increasing dry particle size. Hygroscopic growth distributions were used to partition the aerosol into pure insoluble, mixed insoluble, mixed soluble, and pure soluble categories. This categorization scheme was used to analyze in detail four multi-day episodes. During two of these episodes new particle formation events were observed daily. The recently formed particles were only sparingly hygroscopic, suggesting they were composed primarily of insoluble material. To contrast these periods during which pronounced diurnal variability was observed, a third period was chosen because the aerosol concentration and composition varied little. The fourth period analyzed spanned the passage of a cold front, which had a pronounced influence on the aerosol distributions.
Evolving dynamical neural networks for adaptive behavior

We would like the behavior of the artificial agents that we construct to be as well-adapted to their environments as natural animals are to theirs. Unfortunately, designing controllers with these properties is a very difficult task. In this article, we demonstrate that continuous-time recurrent neural networks are a viable mechanism for adaptive agent control and that the genetic algorithm can be used to evolve effective neural controllers. A significant advantage of this approach is that one need specify only a measure of an agent's overall performance rather than the precise motor output trajectories by which it is achieved. By manipulating the performance evaluation, one can place selective pressure on the development of controllers with desired properties. Several novel controllers have been evolved, including a chemotaxis controller that switches between different strategies depending on environmental conditions, and a locomotion controller that takes advantage of sensory feedback if available but th...
Introducing Subspace Grids to Recognise Patterns in Multidimensinal Data

The work presented in this paper proposes a new approach of using subspace grids for recognizing patterns in multidimensional data. The proposed approach addresses the two problems often associated with this task: i) curse of dimensionality ii) cases with small sample sizes. To handle the curse of dimensionality problem, this paper introduces subspace grids and shows how it can be employed for pattern recognition tasks efficiently. To address the cases with small sample sizes, this paper proposes a multi-scale approach where coarse scale, being stable and generic in nature, suits well for small sample sizes, and fine scales, being more specialized in nature, enhance classification accuracy. The paper first describes projection of multidimensional data to a number of lower dimensional subspaces. Principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) algorithms are used to define lower dimensional subspaces. The range of value associated with each vector of a subspace is divided into a number of equal parts to define coarse subspace grids. Coarse subspace grids are further divided equally into fine subspace grids. A recursive procedure is then employed to obtain rules where coarse and fine subspace grids form premises of rules. The system is tested on the bench mark IRIS data set having 150 examples. (50 examples belonging to each class type). The results show that the use of subspaces grids produces good results to recognize patterns in multidimensional data.
The excess enthalpies of (carbon dioxide + ethanol) at 308.15, 325.15, 373.15, 413.15 and 473.15 K from 5.00 to 14.91 MPa

Abstract The excess molar enthalpies HmE{xCO2 + (1−x)C2H5OH} were measured in the vicinity of the critical locus. Large positive and negative HmEs were observed depending on the compositions, temperatures, and pressures. Rapid changes with small variations in temperature and composition were observed. An interpolating function used to describe the results is presented. The Soave equation of state was used to correlate HmEs over a temperature range of 308.15 to 473.15 K and a pressure range of 5.00 to 14.91 MPa. The fit ranged from poor to excellent depending upon the pressures and temperatures of the mixtures. The average standard deviation over all pressures, temperatures, and compositions was 242 J · mol−1.
Modulation of caspases and their non-apoptotic functions by Legionella pneumophila

Summary Legionella pneumophila has become a model system to decipher the non-apoptotic functions of caspases and their role in immunity. In permissive cells, the L. pneumophila-containing vacuole evades endosomal traffic and is remodelled by the endoplasmic reticulum. Evasion of the endosomes is mediated by the Dot/Icm type IV secretion system. Upon L. pneumophila infection of genetically restrictive cells such as wild-type (WT) C57Bl/6J murine macrophages, flagellin is sensed by the NOD-like receptor Nlrc4 leading to caspase-1 activation by the inflammasome complex. Then, caspase-7 is activated downstream of the Nlrc4 inflammasome, promoting non-apoptotic functions such as L. pneumophila-containing phagosome maturation and bacterial degradation. Interestingly, caspase-3 is activated in permissive cells during early stages of infection. However, caspase-3 activation does not lead to apoptosis until late stages of infection because it is associated with potent Dot/Icm-mediated anti-apoptotic stimuli that render the infected cells resistant to external apoptotic inducers. Therefore, the role of caspase-1 and non-apoptotic functions of executioner caspases are temporally and spatially modulated during infection by L. pneumophila, which determine permissiveness to intracellular bacterial proliferation. This review will examine the novel activation pathways of caspases by L. pneumophila and discuss their role in genetic restriction and permissiveness to infection.
Global regularity of solutions of nonlinear second order elliptic and parabolic differential equations

On considere des solutions du probleme de Dirichlet pour une equation elliptique totalement non lineaire dans un domaine borne lisse et du probleme parabolique analogue
Fiber optic force and displacement sensor based on speckle detection with 0.1-nanonewton and 0.1-angstrom resolution

A new mode of operation for a high-multimode fiber optical sensor based on the detection of modal interference (speckle sensor) is described. The main mechanism in which the sensor is based is coupling between different modes due to curvature induced upon bending of the fiber. In contrast to previous work, the variation of the length of the fiber under such curvatures may be neglected in this work. A sensor of this kind was implemented and showed a resolution of 10-11 m in displacement and 10-10 N in force. The 'spring' constant of the sensor is relatively small (5.6 N/m) compared to similar sensor. A detailed theoretical analysis of the mechanism involved in the transduction process is given. The potential use of this sensor in atomic force microscopy (AFM) is discussed.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Benign Pleural Effusion and Ascites Associated with Adenocarcinoma of the Body of the Pancreas

A case has been presented which was characterized by the presence of bilateral pleural effusion and ascites in the presence of an abdominal tumor. At autopsy the tumor was found to be a pancreatic carcinoma with two small and probably recent metastases in the liver. The effusions were found to be due to causes obscure in nature but not carcinomatous in origin. It is suggested that this case may be analogous to cases of Meigs’ syndrome, associated with a pancreatic tumor. Every procedure should be exhausted to demonstrate the benign or malignant nature of the effusions in this type of syndrome. If pleural metastases cannot be demonstrated and the abdominal tumor is amenable to surgery such surgery would then seem to be indicated.
CT-Guided Transthoracic Core Biopsy for Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Diagnostic Value of the Histopathological Findings in the Specimen

We evaluated the value of CT-guided transthoracic core biopsy for the diagnosis of mycobacterial pulmonary nodules. The 30 subjects in this study had pulmonary nodules that had been either diagnosed histopathologically as tuberculosis or were suspected as tuberculosis based on a specimen obtained by CT-guided transthoracic core biopsy. The histopathological findings, the existence of acid-fast bacilli in the biopsy specimens, and the clinical course of the patients after the biopsy were reviewed retrospectively. Two of the three histological findings for tuberculosis that included epithelioid cells, multinucleated giant cells and caseous necrosis were observed in 21 of the nodules which were therefore diagnosed as histological tuberculosis. Six of these 21 nodules were positive for acid-fast bacilli, confirming the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Thirteen of the 21 nodules did not contain acid-fast bacilli but decreased in size in response to antituberculous treatment and were therefore diagnosed as clinical tuberculosis. Seven nodules with only caseous necrosis were diagnosed as suspected tuberculosis, with a final diagnosis of tuberculosis being made in 4 of the nodules and a diagnosis of old tuberculosis in 2 nodules. Two nodules with only multinucleated giant cells were diagnosed as suspected tuberculosis with 1 of these nodules being diagnosed finally as tuberculosis and the other nodule as a nonspecific granuloma. When any two of the three following histopathological findings — epithelioid cells, multinucleated giant cells or caseous necrosis — are observed in a specimen obtained by CT-guided transthoracic core biopsy, the diagnosis of tuberculosis can be established without the detection of acid-fast bacilli or Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Enhancement of STT-RAM Characteristics by Wet Clean Treatment after MTJ Etch Process

The effect of wet chemical treatment on the magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) was examined. The tunneling magneto-resistance (TMR) increased and the resistance of anti-parallel state and parallel state decreased when a wet cleaning treatment was carried out after a reactive ion etching process. Furthermore, the exfoliation between the capping layer and Inter layer Dielectric (ILD) was prevented. Presumably, these were due to the elimination of the damaged layer and the residues. This investigation showed that the wet treatment after the MTJ patterning using RIE process could improve the MTJ properties without degradation of Hc, such as TMR and R low .
Allelic Variation in the Squirrel Monkey X-Linked Color Vision Gene: Biogeographical and Behavioral Correlates

Most Neotropical primate species possess a polymorphic X-linked and a monomorphic autosomal color vision gene. Consequently, populations are composed of both dichromatics and trichromatics. Most theories on the maintenance of this genetic system revolve around possible advantages for foraging ecology. To examine the issue from a different angle, we compared the numbers and relative frequencies of alleles at the X-linked locus among three species of Saimiri representing a wide range of geographical and behavioral variation in the genus. Exons 3, 4, and 5 of the X-linked opsin gene were sequenced for a large number of X chromosomes for all three species. Several synonymous mutations were detected in exons 4 and 5 for the originally reported alleles but only a single nonsynonymous change was detected. Two alleles were found that appeared to be the result of recombination events. The low occurrence of recombinant alleles and absence of mutations in the amino acids critical for spectral tuning indicates that stabilizing selection acts to maintain the combinations of critical sites specific to each allele. Allele frequencies were approximately the same for all Saimiri species, with a slight but significant difference between S. boliviensis and S. oerstedii. No apparent correlation exists between allele frequencies and behavioral or biogeographical differences between species, casting doubt on the speculation that the spectral sensitivities of the alleles have been maintained because they are specifically well-tuned to Saimiri visual ecology. Rather, the spectral tuning peaks might have been maintained because they are as widely spaced as possible within the limited range of middlewave to longwave spectra useful to all primates. This arrangement creates a balance between maximizing the distance between spectral tuning peaks (allowing the color opponency of the visual system to distinguish between peaks) and maximizing the number of alleles within a limited range (yielding the greatest possible frequency of heterozygotes).
An Association of Keratoconus and Mitral Valve Prolapse

Abstract Thirty-two consecutive patients with keratoconus were screened for mitral valve prolapse by two dimensional echocardiography. The overall prevalence of 38% was found to be statistically different from a prevalence of 13% in a group of age- and sex-matched controls. Similarities in their pathophysiology indicate that an alteration in collagen metabolism may underlie both conditions.
Testing Pancreatic Islet Function at the Single Cell Level by Calcium Influx with Associated Marker Expression

Studying the response of islet cells to glucose stimulation is important for understanding cell function in healthy and disease states. Most functional assays are performed on whole islets or cell populations, resulting in averaged observations and loss of information at the single cell level. We demonstrate methods to examine calcium fluxing in individual cells of intact islets in response to multiple glucose challenges. Wild-type mouse islets predominantly contained cells that responded to three (out of three) sequential high glucose challenges, whereas cells of diabetic islets (db/db or NOD) responded less frequently or not at all. Imaged islets were also immunostained for endocrine markers to associate the calcium flux profile of individual cells with gene expression. Wild-type mouse islet cells that robustly fluxed calcium expressed β cell markers (INS/NKX6.1), whereas islet cells that inversely fluxed at low glucose expressed α cell markers (GCG). Diabetic mouse islets showed a higher proportion of dysfunctional β cells that responded poorly to glucose challenges. Most of the failed calcium influx responses in β cells were observed in the second and third high glucose challenges, emphasizing the importance of multiple sequential glucose challenges for assessing the full function of islet cells. Human islet cells were also assessed and showed functional α and β cells. This approach to analyze islet responses to multiple glucose challenges in correlation with gene expression assays expands the understanding of β cell function and the diseased state.
Statistical analysis of Capon-Bartlett 2-D cross spectrum

An exact joint probability density function (PDF) (not approximate as in [4]) is provided for the Capon power spectral estimate and the average output power of any other deterministic filter when based on the same data sample covariance matrix. The cross coherence/cosine (correlation coefficient) between the two filter weights determines the extent of statistical dependence. An exact PDF for a sample covariance based (SCB) estimate of this cross coherence is derived allowing complete point-level statistical characterization of the 2-D Capon-Bartlett cross spectrum introduced in [4]. The exact bias and variance are computed for the cross spectrum showing asymptotic consistency and inviting a natural recursive refinement for reducing bias.
Release of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus from productively infected bovine kidney cells: an electron microscopic study

An electron microscopic study of bovine kidney cells infected with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus revealed the development of branching membranous channels in their cytoplasms. The presence of virus particles within the lumina of these channels, both at their junctions with the perinuclear cisterna and also at various sites in the cytoplasm of the cells, suggest that such membranous structures might be concerned with the passage of virus from the perinuclear cisterna to the intercellular spaces. Morphological appearances of the membranous structures observed at various periods of infection and in various locations in the cell cytoplasm indicate they probably represent a modification of endoplasmic reticulum initiated as a consequence of virus infection of the cells. Only occasionally release of the viral particles was observed through a possible sequestration process of the folded or reduplicated nuclear envelope that enclosed the viral particles.
High-pH reversed-phase chromatography with fraction concatenation for 2D proteomic analysis

Orthogonal high-resolution separations are critical for attaining improved analytical dynamic range and protein coverage in proteomic measurements. High-pH reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), followed by fraction concatenation, affords better peptide analysis than conventional strong cation-exchange chromatography applied for 2D proteomic analysis. For example, concatenated high-pH RPLC increased identification of peptides (by 1.8-fold) and proteins (by 1.6-fold) in shotgun proteomics analyses of a digested human protein sample. Additional advantages of high-pH RPLC with fraction concatenation include improved protein sequence coverage, simplified sample processing and reduced sample losses, making this an attractive alternative to strong cation-exchange chromatography in conjunction with second-dimension low-pH RPLC for 2D proteomics analyses.
Sexual activity and cardiac risk.

Endothelial dysfunction underlies both atherosclerosis and erectile dysfunction (ED). Therefore, the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is inevitably increased in patients with ED. Patients with ED, who are typically unable to develop or maintain an erection, are able to engage in sexual activity when treated with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. Acute coronary syndromes and cardiac sudden death are precipitated by either vulnerable plaque erosion or rupture, or by the development of sudden myocardial ischemia. The physical activity of sexual intercourse is associated with increased myocardial oxygen demand (MVo 2 ) and increased sympathetic nervous system activation, both of which can result in myocardial ischemia in the presence of CAD. The effect of sexual activity on total body oxygen consumption (Vo 2 ) and MVo 2 has been studied in the past, but not extensively. Available research shows that sexual intercourse increases Vo 2 to a modest extent. As studied, Vo 2 is increased modestly to 3 to 5 metabolic equivalents. Further, this increase in Vo 2 lasts only for a brief period. The small increase in the incidence of myocardial infarction that accompanies sexual activity within 2 hours of onset is likely related to sympathetic activation and to an increase in MVo 2 . The evidence for this hypothesis is reviewed in this article.
Effect of pressure on the water relaxation in glassy polyetherimide

Abstract A dielectric study of the water peak in glassy polyetherimide is reported. The peak is found to shift to higher frequency with increasing intensity (associated with increasing water content) and to shift to lower frequency with increasing pressure. The temperature dependence of the peak position is Arrhenius with activation energy 0.46 eV. The activation volume is approximately equal to the Van der Waals b coefficient which is about twice the volume of a water molecule. This implies that the relaxation mechanism involves more than simple reorientation of a water molecule. Modeling results suggest that water molecules can associate with the glassy polymer through hydrogen bonds to the imide carbonyl oxygen atoms. In the case of Ultem® 1000, a water molecule is able to H-bond simultaneously with two carbonyl oxygens, however in Ultem® 5000 the para-bisimide linkage leads to improved chain packing and the more extended geometry allows only one H-bond between each imide carbonyl unit and water molecule.
The role of mental health professionals in multidisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs

The traditional roles of psychologists and mental health therapists are challenged by the comprehensive treatment necessary for patients being treated in multidisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs (MPRPs). Mental health professionals within MPRPs provide direct clinical care but also guide the biopsychosocial model of pain management and cognitive-behavioral interventions for multiple disciplines. Illustrated by a case example of a patient who has complex chronic pain, this article discusses the biopsychosocial approach to pain treatment, structure of multidisciplinary care, major roles of mental health professionals in MPRPs, complexities of treating patients who have pain, and challenges in collaborating with multiple disciplines.
Determining the joint moments of a motor drive's harmonic current phasors

It has been previously demonstrated that if a sufficiently large number of harmonic current sources are operating, a complete probabilistic characterization of the resulting power system-wide harmonic voltages can be found with knowledge of only the first and second order joint moments of each harmonic current's rectangular components. However, little consideration has been given to the problem of determining these joint moments for specific types of harmonic sources. This paper presents a method for analytically determining the joint moments of the resolved harmonic current components produced by two motor drives which utilize a phase-controlled rectifier. It is shown that when given the load torque as a function of the randomly varying motor speed, the means, variances and covariance of each harmonic current phasor's rectangular components can be expressed in terms of the probability density function of the motor speed.
A new method for delivering a taste without fluids to preterm and term infants

A new method for administering a taste to preterm and term infants has been developed that does not necessitate the delivery of rapid solutions. Sucrose, a sugar that in solution was shown to potentiate sucking behavior, was embedded in gelatin-based nipples that continuously release sweet taste when mouthed or sucked. The gelatin nipples and comparable latex nipples were adapted to measure sucking behavior and were tested in a within-subject design. The gelatin nipples potentiated sucking in preterm and term infants by increasing the frequency and strength of the responses. Few sucking measures varied significantly for preterm and term infants. Those that did vary might be attributable to differences in physical stamina, rather than to orosensory or hedonic factors. It was concluded that the flavored gelatin nipple provides an effective method for studying taste in infants and offers the possibility of routine chemosensory stimulation for research and clinical applications.
Outcomes of Gastric Cancer Resection in Octogenarians: A Multi-institutional Study of the U.S. Gastric Cancer Collaborative

As the U.S. population ages, an increasing number of elderly patients with gastric adenocarcinoma are being evaluated for surgical resection. This study aimed to describe the short- and long-term outcomes after gastric cancer resection for patients 80 years of age or older. Patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma from 2000 to 2012 at seven U.S. academic institutions were analyzed. The main outcome measures included postoperative morbidity, mortality, survival, and failure to rescue (defined as death after any complication). Of 953 patients who underwent distal or total gastrectomy during the 12-year study period, 127 (13 %) were 80 years of age or older. Although the type of postoperative complications did not differ between the two groups, octogenarians had a higher incidence of any (54 vs 41 %; p = 0.006) and of major (28 vs 17 %; p = 0.006) postoperative complications. This translated into higher 30-day (10.2 vs 3.6 %; p = 0.001) and 90-day mortality (19.7 vs 7.9 %; p = 0.001) rates, with correspondingly higher failure-to-rescue rates (17.4 vs 8 %; p = 0.015). However, disease-specific survival after resection was equivalent between the two groups (5-year survival: 46 vs 53 %; p = 0.676). In the multivariate analysis, age of 80 years or older, blood transfusion, and albumin and creatinine levels all were independent predictors of 90-day mortality. Stage, tumor grade, race, blood transfusion, and adjuvant therapy, but not age, were independently associated with disease-specific survival. Perioperative mortality and failure-to-rescue from complications is substantial for octogenarians undergoing gastric cancer resection. However, if the operation can be performed safely, the long-term cancer-specific outcome appears similar to that for younger patients.
Effects of Ammonia on Growth and Survival of Rainbow Trout in Intensive Static‐Water Culture

Abstract Rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri were grown from November 17, 1979, to March 18, 1980, in static-water ponds in Alabama. Stocking densities of 55-g fish in the 0.04-hectare ponds ranged from 29,640 to 59,280 fish per hectare. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations were kept above 5.0 mg/liter with mechanical aerators, and fish production was limited by accumulation of unionized ammonia (NH3). Neither growth nor survival was significantly correlated with stocking density, but both were inversely related to the average daily maximum concentration of NH3(r = -0.62, P < 0.1 for growth; r = -0.75, P < 0.02 for survival). Because all mortality was caused by parasite epizootics, exposure to ammonia may have predisposed the fish to infection. Received October 19, 1981 Accepted February 15, 1983
Update on trauma system development in the United States.

Background: Two previous reports, in 1987 and 1993, have tracked trauma system development in the United States. This report updates the current status of trauma systems in the United States. Methods: All state emergency medical service directors (including the District of Columbia) were surveyed regarding the existence of trauma systems in their states, including the presence of eight essential criteria of trauma system development that have been the focus of the two previous studies. Data were analyzed and compared with results previously published in the two reports. Results: Five states met all eight essential development criteria, 28 states met six or seven criteria, and another 10 states met between one and five criteria. In the 1993 study, 18 states met six or more criteria. In 1987, 22 states reported meeting four or more criteria. Conclusion: There has been significant progress, when compared with 1987 and 1993 evaluations in the number of states reporting the presence of trauma systems and meeting six or more key criteria. Recent progress may be due to federal assistance for trauma system development available from 1991 until 1995.
F-Actin Mediated Chromosome Transport

F-actin meshwork contraction is a novel mechanism of intracellular transport that was recently shown to transport chromosomes during meiosis in starfish oocytes. The starfish model system is well suited to high-resolution fluorescence microscopy imaging. We use a high-throughput volume filtering procedure as well as optical flow calculations and spatio-temporal image correlation spectroscopy (STICS). We determine the meshwork pore sizes, node distributions, and branching angles, and relate these structural features to predictions of the recently-proposed “homogeneous contraction” model of transport. We also perform indirect structure analysis by simulating diffusing particles migrating though the F-actin meshwork to probe local F-actin structures and to investigate how F-actin bundle remodeling or binding to F-actin bundles would affect particle motion. We analyze these results in the context of percolation theory and well-understood diffusion model systems. We furthermore compare the simulated particle trajectories to experimental observations of chromosomes and inert PEG-coated beads diffusing within both active and utrophin-stabilized F-actin meshworks. The experimental data are in good agreement with our simulations, and both suggest that chromosome-sized particles can be transported by the F-actin meshwork as passive cargo undergoing confined diffusion.
On the Combination of Forecast Probabilities for Consecutive Precipitation Periods

Abstract The performance of the method of Hughes and Sangster (1979) for combining precipitation probabilities pertaining to standard 12-h forecast periods is examined for 100 stations in the conterminous United States. Precipitation probabilities for both 24- and 36-h periods are investigated. Although originally derived for a small number of stations by using data from a limited time period, the original formulation is found to be remarkably robust. There is a tendency for overforecasting in the lower half of the probability range, which is most pronounced for the 36-h forecasts. A modification of the original procedure is suggested which largely corrects this problem.
Divergent taste responsiveness to fruit of the tree Antidesma bunius

GENETIC divergence of taste responsiveness was first demonstrated for phenylthiocarbamide (PTC)1, the inability to taste PTC bitter being described as an inherited Mendelian recessive character, and ability to taste PTC bitter as dominant2. This hypothesis has largely been confirmed3,4 although occasional incomplete penetrance of the ‘taster’ gene has been reported. Recently, eight people were served with a pie made from antidesma berries, and two people complained that the pie was extremely bitter and inedible. The other six people, however, found the pie pleasant tasting, enjoyably edible and sweet. This incident prompted us to survey taste responsivness to antidesma. We found that all subjects who tasted antidesma as bitter found PTC not bitter, whereas no subject who tasted PTC as bitter found antidesma bitter.
Effects of DDE on experimentally poisoned free‐tailed bats [tadarida brasiliensis): lethal brain concentrations

Adult female free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) were collected at Bracken Cave, Texas, and shipped to the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Treated mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) containing 107 ppm DDE were fed to 17 bats; five other bats were fed untreated mealworms. After 40 days on dosage, during which one dosed bat was killed accidentally, four dosed bats were frozen and the remaining 17 were starved to death. The objective was to elevate brain levels of DDE to lethality and measure these concentrations. After the feeding period, dosed bats weighed less than controls. After starvation, the body condition of dosed bats was poorer than that of controls even though there was no difference in the amounts of carcass fat. During starvation, dosed bats lost weight faster than controls. Also, four dosed bats exhibited the prolonged tremoring that characterizes DDE poisoning. DDE increased in brains of starving bats as fat was metabolized. The estimated mean brain concentration of DDE diagnostic of death was 519 ppm with a range of 458-564 ppm. These values resemble diagnostic levels known for two species of passerine birds, but they exceed published levels for two free-tailed bats from Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico.
Healing sound: the use of ultrasound in drug delivery and other therapeutic applications

Ultrasound, which is routinely used for diagnostic imaging applications, is now being adopted in various drug delivery and other therapeutic applications. Ultrasound has been shown to facilitate the delivery of drugs across the skin, promote gene therapy to targeted tissues, deliver chemotherapeutic drugs into tumours and deliver thrombolytic drugs into blood clots. In addition, ultrasound has also been shown to facilitate the healing of wounds and bone fractures. This article reviews the principles and current status of ultrasound-based treatments.