cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene-Based Sequencing Identifies Lipid-Influencing Variants with Ethnicity-Specific Effects in African Americans

Although a considerable proportion of serum lipids loci identified in European ancestry individuals (EA) replicate in African Americans (AA), interethnic differences in the distribution of serum lipids suggest that some genetic determinants differ by ethnicity. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of five lipid candidate genes to identify variants with ethnicity-specific effects. We sequenced ABCA1, LCAT, LPL, PON1, and SERPINE1 in 48 AA individuals with extreme serum lipid concentrations (high HDLC/low TG or low HDLC/high TG). Identified variants were genotyped in the full population-based sample of AA (n = 1694) and tested for an association with serum lipids. rs328 (LPL) and correlated variants were associated with higher HDLC and lower TG. Interestingly, a stronger effect was observed on a “European” vs. “African” genetic background at this locus. To investigate this effect, we evaluated the region among West Africans (WA). For TG, the effect size among WA was the same in AA with only African local ancestry (2–3% lower TG), while the larger association among AA with local European ancestry matched previous reports in EA (10%). For HDLC, there was no association with rs328 in AA with only African local ancestry or in WA, while the association among AA with European local ancestry was much greater than what has been observed for EA (15 vs. ∼5 mg/dl), suggesting an interaction with an environmental or genetic factor that differs by ethnicity. Beyond this ancestry effect, the importance of African ancestry-focused, sequence-based work was also highlighted by serum lipid associations of variants that were in higher frequency (or present only) among those of African ancestry. By beginning our study with the sequence variation present in AA individuals, investigating local ancestry effects, and seeking replication in WA, we were able to comprehensively evaluate the role of a set of candidate genes in serum lipids in AA.
Pregnancy in patients with aortic dilatation

Abstract Women with aortic dilation, either in association with an underlying connective tissue disease, or congenital cardiac lesion, require peripartum disease-specific counselling and management. This document reviews the literature on aortic complications which may occur during pregnancy in patients with aortopathies.
Peak voltages with D-C arc interruption for aircraft

The data presented may be summarized as follows: 1. When a Switchette (the trade name for a small double-break switch with 0.020-inch gaps and opening time of one to two milliseconds) was used on 250 volts and 0.4 ampere at sea level, voltage peaks as high as 28 times line voltage or 7,000 volts were observed. 2. A maximum peak of 130 times line voltage or 3,900 volts was observed while operating the Switchette double-break on 30 volts and 0.4 ampere at sea level. 3. When the Switchette was used the voltage peaks were found to decrease with altitude for all voltages tested. A maximum of seven to one in ratio of voltage at sea level to voltage at 50,000 feet was observed. 4. Using a double-break contactor which has a 1/16-inch gap per break and a gap-travel time of 12 milliseconds, the induced voltage peaks rise with altitude in every case. A maximum of two to one in the ratio of voltage at 50,000 feet to voltage at sea level was observed. The loads on which these tests were made, as the text of the paper will show, were very much less inductive than those used for the Switchette. 5. Variations of humidity over a wide range has little effect on the voltage peaks at any altitude. 6. There are no voltage peaks above normal line voltage in a purely resistive circuit.
Process Modeling With Inhomogeneous Thin Films

Designers of optical multilayer coatings commonly assume that the individual layers will be ideally homogeneous and isotropic. In practice, it is very difficult to control the conditions involved in the complex evaporation process sufficiently to produce such ideal films. Clearly, changes in process parameters, such as evaporation rate, chamber pressure, and substrate temperature, affect the microstructure of the growing film, frequently producing inhomogeneity in structure or composition. In many cases, these effects are interdependent, further complicating the situation. However, this process can be simulated on powerful, interactive, and accessible microcomputers. In this work, we present such a model and apply it to estimate the influence of an inhomogeneous layer on multilayer performance. Presently, the program simulates film growth, thermal expansion and contraction, and thickness monitoring procedures, and includes the effects of uncertainty in these parameters or noise. Although the model is being developed to cover very general cases, we restrict the present discussion to isotropic and nondispersive quarterwave layers to understand the particular effects of inhomogeneity. We studied several coating designs and related results and tolerances to variations in evaporation conditions. The model is composed of several modular subprograms, is written in Fortran, and is executed on an IBM-PC with 640 K of memory. The results can be presented in graphic form on a monochrome monitor. We are currently installing and implementing color capability to improve the clarity of the multidimensional output.
Commotio cordis: a deadly consequence of chest trauma.

IN BRIEF: Commotio cordis is arrhythmia or sudden death from low-impact, blunt trauma to the chest without apparent heart injury. Ventricular fibrillation is the most common associated arrhythmia, and heart block, bundle branch block, and ST-segment elevation are also seen. Commotio cordis occurs most commonly in baseball but has also been reported in hockey, softball, and several other sports. Approximately two to four cases are reported each year, but the true incidence is uncertain. Survival is low, even when resuscitation is performed. Preventive measures include education of participants and coaches, chest protection, and softer baseballs. Other considerations include having external automatic defibrillators and trained personnel at youth sporting events.
The coastal ocean off Oregon from 1961 to 2000: is there evidence of climate change or only of Los Niños?

Abstract A zonal hydrographic section along 44.65°N, from the coast of Oregon to 300 km offshore, was occupied regularly (at least seasonally) from 1961 to 1971 and then sporadically until recently. Regular monitoring of this section to 160 km offshore resumed in July 1997 as part of the GLOBEC Long Term Observational Program; the recent data provide observations in Oregon coastal waters of El Nino 1997–98 and La Nina conditions that followed. The complete seasonal data from the decade 1961–1971 provide a basis for comparison with the recent temperature and salinity sections, steric height profiles, geostrophic velocity, and water mass characteristics. These data, and sporadic observations in intervening years, allow us to compare conditions during several ENSO events with the recent event and to search for evidence of climate change. The PFEL Coastal Upwelling Index, sea level from the University of Hawaii Sea Level Center, the Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and outflow from the Columbia River are used to distinguish local and remote causes of variability in physical oceanographic conditions off Oregon. The sequence of El Nino/La Nina/El Nino in 1963–66, during a cool phase of PDO, provides a comparison to El Nino/La Nina of 1997–2000. El Nino in 1982–83 and 1997–98, during a warm phase of PDO, caused the largest oceanographic anomalies in the 40 years. The comparison indicates warming of the coastal ocean off Oregon and suggests a modulation of ENSO effects by PDO. Such modulation would mask evidence for secular climate change in our 40-year oceanographic data series.
A Stepwise Resampling Method of Multiple Hypothesis Testing

Abstract This article introduces a method of multiple hypothesis testing that combines the idea of sequential multiple testing procedures with the structure of resampling methods. The method can be seen as an alternative to the analytic method of Dunnett and Tamhane, which requires a specific distributional form. Resampling incorporates the covariance structure of the data without the need for distributional assumptions. Recent work by Westfall and Young has shown that a step-down resampling method is asymptotically consistent when adjusted p values can be obtained exactly for continuous data. This article shows that in the case of a comparison of two groups on multiple outcomes, those results are generalizable to discrete data where exact adjusted p values are not available. It is shown that the method asymptotically attains the desired level for controlling the experimentwise probability of a type I error.
Employing the Electronic Health Record to Improve Diabetes Care: A Multifaceted Intervention in an Integrated Delivery System

INTRODUCTION Type 2 diabetes is one of the nation’s most prevalent chronic diseases. Although well-known practice guidelines exist, real-life clinical performance often falls short of benchmarks.
Evidence for chemical processing of precometary icy grains in circumstellar environments of pre-main-sequence stars

We report the detection of a broad absorption feature near 2166/cm in the spectrum of the Taurus cloud cource Elias 18. This pre-main-sequence source is the second in Taurus, the third in our survey, and the fifth known in the sky to show the broad 2166/cm absorption feature. Of equal importance, this feature is not seen toward several other embedded sources in our survey, nor is it seen toward the source Elias 16, located behind the Taurus cloud. Laboratory experiments with interstellar ice analogs show that such a feature is associated with a complex C triple bonded to N containing compound (called X(C triple bonded to N)) that results from high-energy processing (ultraviolet irradiation or ion bombardment) of simple ice components into more complex, organic components. We find a nonlinear anticorrelation between the abundance of X(C triple bonded to N) and frozen CO components in nonpolar lattices. We find no correlation between the abundance of X(C triple bonded to N) and frozen CO in polar lattices. Because the abundances of frozen CO and H2O are strongly correlated with each other and with visual extinction toward sources embedded in and located behind the Taurus molecular cloud, these ice components usually are associated with intracloud material. Our results indicate that X(C triple bonded to N) molecules result from chemical processing of dust grains dominated by nonpolar icy mantles in the local environments of pre-main-sequence stars. Such processing of icy grains in the early solar system may be an important source of organic compounds observed in minor solar system bodies. The delivery of these organic compounds to the surface of the primitive Earth through comet impacts may have provided the raw materials for prebiotic chemistry.
Promoter-Bound Trinucleotide Repeat mRNA Drives Epigenetic Silencing in Fragile X Syndrome

Epigenetic gene silencing is seen in several repeat-expansion diseases. In fragile X syndrome, the most common genetic form of mental retardation, a CGG trinucleotide–repeat expansion adjacent to the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene promoter results in its epigenetic silencing. Here, we show that FMR1 silencing is mediated by the FMR1 mRNA. The FMR1 mRNA contains the transcribed CGG-repeat tract as part of the 5′ untranslated region, which hybridizes to the complementary CGG-repeat portion of the FMR1 gene to form an RNA·DNA duplex. Disrupting the interaction of the mRNA with the CGG-repeat portion of the FMR1 gene prevents promoter silencing. Thus, our data link trinucleotide-repeat expansion to a form of RNA-directed gene silencing mediated by direct interactions of the trinucleotide-repeat RNA and DNA.
Relevant issues for the recruitment and retention of women in the technological sciences

The U.S. economy is experiencing a shortage of information technology (IT) workers. All forecasts indicate the problem will increase more dramatically in the next two decades. A report conducted by the Computing Research Association in May 1999 describes two types of demands, episodic and long-term. [2] The episodic demand has been generated by the Y2K problem and will drop off dramatically in the next year. The long-term demand is created by the changes in our society brought about by the integration of technology and will continue to increase. In searching for solutions to the shortage problem, focusing on the underrepresented groups in American society, women, Hispanics, African Americans and Native Americans presents one solution. The panel will discuss several current programs designed to address the needs of women and minorities in an attempt to recruit and retain these underrepresented groups in the technological sciences.
Compatibility of quantum dots with immunobuffers, and its effect on signal/background of quantum dot-based immunoassay

In this work, the compatibility of quantum dots (QDs) with immunobuffers was studied by investigating the fluorescence stability of QDs in immunobuffers (in this research immunobuffers were defined as buffers for immunoaffinity binding or separation). Experimentally, the fluorescence signals of QDs with different surface chemistries (amine-terminated, streptavidin-coated, or antibody-conjugated) in commonly used immunobuffers were monitored versus time. The effect of some buffer composition on the compatibility of QDs with these buffers was also explored. Based on experimental data, the QD compatibility with these buffers is summarized, and it is found that a trace amount of bovine serum albumin added to most of these buffers helps QDs to achieve compatibility with them. Moreover, with QD as fluorescence label and C-reactive protein as a model analyte, a magnetic bead-based assay was performed using compatible and incompatible QD–immunobuffer systems. It is shown that compatible QD–immunobuffer systems can be used to achieve a higher assay signal/background ratio.
Induced-charge electrokinetics: fundamental challenges and opportunities

Induced-charge electrokinetic (ICEK) phenomena occur when an applied electric field induces an ionic double-layer over a polarizable surface, then forces that induced double-layer into electro-osmotic flow. The nonlinear character of ICEK phenomena enable steady flows to be driven using small AC potentials, which in turn reduces or eliminates electrochemical reactions. As such, ICEK holds promise as a mechanism by which low-voltage, high-pressure pumps may be developed to enable portable, self-contained microfluidic manipulation. Here we review the basic physics of induced-charge electrokinetic phenomena and the advantages they hold for Lab-on-a-Chip devices, in addition to the opportunities they present for fundamental science. In particular, these systems are unique in that all aspects of the (measurable) ICEK flows can be predicted in advance using standard electrokinetic theories, which can then be compared with experimental data. Such comparisons have revealed a number of striking discrepancies between theory and experiment, thus indicating the standard model is missing key physical or chemical ingredients. We discuss specific discrepancies-which remain to be understood-and the challenges they pose for widespread implementation of ICEK in practical Lab-on-a-Chip devices. We propose and present a variety of challenges and opportunities-theoretical and experimental, fundamental and applied-which must be addressed.
Net Heat Flux Reduction and Overall Effectiveness for a Turbine Blade Leading Edge

The external cooling performance of a film cooled turbine airfoil can be quantified as a net reduction in heat transfer relative to the turbine airfoil without film cooling. This quantification is generally accomplished by using measurements of the adiabatic effectiveness and the change in heat transfer coefficients (hf /h0 ) for the film cooled surface to determine the net heat flux reduction (Δqr ). Although measurement of Δqr for laboratory models give an indication of the ultimate film cooling performance, this does not show how much the surface temperature of the airfoil is reduced by film cooling. Measurement of scaled surface temperatures can be accomplished by using laboratory models constructed so that the Biot number is matched with that of the actual airfoil. These measurements provide a scaled temperature distribution on the airfoil that is referred to as the overall effectiveness, φ. For the current study, measurements of Δqr and φ have been made for a simulated turbine blade leading edge. The simulated leading edge incorporated shaped coolant holes, and had three rows of coolant holes. Improvements due to the shaped holes were determined by comparisons with previously measured round hole configurations. Spatially distributed hf /h0 show increases of 5% to 15% for M = 1.0 and 10% to 30% for M = 2.0. Results show that local variation in Δqr much greater than variation in φ, but laterally averaged Δqr distributions are reasonable predictors of the laterally averaged φ distributions.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Perceived Affective Symptoms: A New Approach to Affect Patterning and Response

This article develops a new construct, perceived affective symptoms, and investigates it in relation to emotions and response to television commercials. These symptoms, a part of affect structure having to with the somatic symptoms that individuals perceive, were operationalized in terms of a body location framework (i.e. head, throat, heart, navel and genital area), derived both from Asian ‘chakra’ and Western psychosomatic theories. Results of the study support the proposed concept of the differentiation of patterns of symptoms by individuals in response to various emotion-keyed commercials. Moreover, various symptoms for various commercials were found to be related to two dependent advertising variables: 1) attitude toward the ad and 2) the ad's ability to make one want to try the product. Finally, implications for future research are drawn.
Glycoprotein VI-dependent and -Independent Pathways of Thrombus Formation in Vivo

The role of the collagen receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI) in arteriolar thrombus formation was studied in FcRγ-null mice (FcRγ–/–) lacking platelet surface GPVI. Thrombi were induced with severe or mild FeCl3 injury. Collagen exposure was significantly delayed and diminished in mild compared with severe FeCl3 injury. Times to initial thrombus formation and vessel occlusion were delayed in FcRγ–/– compared with wild-type mice after severe injury. Platelet accumulation in wild-type mice was decreased after mild compared with severe injury. However, there was little difference between platelet accumulation after severe or mild injury in FcRγ–/–. These data indicate a significant role for GPVI in FeCl3-induced thrombus formation. Pretreatment of wild-type mice with lepirudin further impaired mild FeCl3-induced thrombus formation, demonstrating a role for thrombin. Laser-induced thrombus formation in wild-type and FcRγ–/– was comparable. Collagen exposure to circulating blood was undetectable after laser injury. Normalized for thrombus size, thrombus-associated tissue factor was 5-fold higher in laser-induced thrombi than in severe FeCl3-induced thrombi. Thus, platelet activation by thrombin appears to be more important after laser injury than platelet activation by GPVI-collagen. It may thus be important when considering targets for antithrombotic therapy to use multiple animal models with diverse pathways to thrombus formation.
SU-E-T-38: Are the Calculation Methods for Determining Tissue-Maximum Ratios from Percent Depth Dose Valid for Flattening Filter-Free Photon Beams?

Purpose: The calculation methods used to determine tissue‐maximum ratio (TMR) from percent depth dose (PDD) were derived by considering differences between TMR and PDD such as the geometry and field size. Phantom scatter factors or peak scatter factors are used to correct dosimetric variation due to field size differences. This relation matches well when the photon beam is flat. However, validity of this equation for flattening filter‐free (FFF) photon beams has never been evaluated. This study aims to evaluate the validity of the equation for FFF beams. Methods:Measured TMR's of 6FFF and 10FFF beams (TrueBeam, Varian) were compared to calculated TMR's. The TMR's were calculated from PDD's using scatter factors both from BJR Supplement 25 and from our own measurements. The same methods were repeated for standard flat 6MV and 10MV beams to confirm the soundness of the measurements and calculations. Results: for the flat beams, the calculated and measured TMR's agree within 1.2% over all field sizes and depths. For the FFF beams, differences are minimal up toa depth of 10 cm for all field sizes. For field sizes less than 20 cm, no noticeable differences are found down to 30 cm depth. The calculated and measured TMR's start to deviate around 15 cm depth for field sizes larger than 20 cm. Differences increase with depth and field size, resulting indeviations up to 3.2%. Conclusions: For field sizes smaller than 20 cm and depths shallower than 15 cm, traditional calculation models for TMR are acceptable for FFF beams; however, beyond those limits, the models start to deviate from measurement. We believe this is due to decreased lateralscatter of the FFF beam. For clinical FFF beams, TMR should either be measured directly, or a new calculation model should be developed.
Predictive factors of hospitalization in adults with pediatric-onset SCI: a longitudinal analysis.

Predictive factors of hospitalization in adults with pediatric-onset SCI: a longitudinal analysis
Vitamin D and Minerals: How Much for Preterm Infants During a Multivitamin Shortage?

The case of an infant born prematurely who developed necrotizing enterocolitis and required parenteral nutrition for several months during a nationwide IV pediatric multivitamin shortage is presented. Metabolic bone disease commonly occurs in preterm infants receiving parenteral nutrition because of the failure to attain third-trimester, in utero, mineral accretion rates. The purpose of this case report is to review the relationships between vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus for maintaining mineral homeostasis and bone development. Many questions remain to be answered regarding optimal mineral and vitamin D requirements of the preterm infant with suspected metabolic bone disease.
A Study of Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication of Rough Surfaces

The surface roughness is modeled with sinusoidal functions of small wavelength compared to the contact zone
Occurrence of 210Po and Biological Effects of Low-Level Exposure: The Need for Research

Background: Polonium-210 (210Po) concentrations that exceed 1 Bq/L in drinking-water supplies have been reported from four widely separated U.S. states where exposure to it went unnoticed for decades. The radionuclide grandparents of 210Po are common in sediments, and segments of the public may be chronically exposed to low levels of 210Po in drinking water or in food products from animals raised in contaminated areas. Objectives: We summarized information on the environmental behavior, biokinetics, and toxicology of 210Po and identified the need for future research. Methods: Potential linkages between environmental exposure to 210Po and human health effects were identified in a literature review. Discussion: 210Po accumulates in the ovaries where it kills primary oocytes at low doses. Because of its radiosensitivity and tendency to concentrate 210Po, the ovary may be the critical organ in determining the lowest injurious dose for 210Po. 210Po also accumulates in the yolk sac of the embryo and in the fetal and placental tissues. Low-level exposure to 210Po may have subtle, long-term biological effects because of its tropism towards reproductive and embryonic and fetal tissues where exposure to a single alpha particle may kill or damage critical cells. 210Po is present in cigarettes and maternal smoking has several effects that appear consistent with the toxicology of 210Po. Conclusions: Much of the important biological and toxicological research on 210Po is more than four decades old. New research is needed to evaluate environmental exposure to 210Po and the biological effects of low-dose exposure to it so that public health officials can develop appropriate mitigation measures where necessary.
Disposition and Pharmacokinetics of L-N6-(1-Iminoethyl)Lysine-5-Tetrazole-Amide, a Selective iNOS Inhibitor, in Rats

The metabolism, pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and excretion of L-N6-(1-iminoethyl)lysine-5-tetrazole-amide (L-NIL-TA), a selective inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, were investigated in rats. [14C]L-NIL-TA is extensively metabolized after either oral or IV administration with a minor amount (<1%) excreted as the prodrug. L-NIL-TA is metabolized via a single hydrolysis pathway to form the active drug, L-N6-(1-iminoethyl)lysine (L-NIL). The oxidative deamination of 2-amino group of L-NIL forms a 2-keto metabolite (M5), which further loses carbon dioxide to yield a carboxylic acid metabolite (M6). Acetylation of L-NIL and M5 resulted in the formations of metabolites M7 and M4, respectively. Complete recovery of the radioactive dose was achieved after either oral (91.2% in urine and 4.66% in feces) and IV (99.3% in urine and 5.11% in feces) administration. L-NIL-TA-related material was extensively distributed to the tissues, with the highest concentration of radioactivity being found in muscle. Maximal concentration of radioactivity was reached between 0.5 and 1 h post-dose in the majority of tissues, with the exception of muscle and skin where the maximal concentrations were achieved at 8 h post-dose. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 93:1229–1240, 2004
Generalized multicomponent systems under cannibalization

Using the theory of Hirsch, Meisner, and Boll, we study the consequences of interchanging parts within a generalized coherent structure. This procedure has been termed “cannibalization.” The theory of cannibalization is extended to the case where each component can operate at several levels of partial performance and a representation theorem is derived, which expresses the state of a system as a function of the number of working parts at each level. The stochastic theory of these systems is then investigated.
Activation of purified guanylate cyclase by nitric oxide requires heme comparison of heme-deficient, heme-reconstituted and heme-containing forms of soluble enzyme from bovine lung

Abstract Bovine lung soluble guanylate cyclase was purified to apparent homogeneity in a form that was deficient in heme. Heme-deficient guanylate cyclase was rapidly and easily reconstituted with heme by reacting enzyme with hematin in the presence of excess dithiothreitol, followed by removal of unbound heme by gel filtration. Bound heme was verified spectrally and NO shifted the absorbance maximum in a manner characteristic of other hemoproteins. Heme-deficient and heme-reconstituted guanylate cyclase were compared with enzyme that had completely retained heme during purification. NO and S -nitroso- N -acetylpenicillamine only marginally activated heme-deficient guanylate cyclase but markedly activated both heme-reconstituted and heme-containg forms of the enzyme. Restoration of marked activation of heme-deficient guanylate cyclase was accomplished by including 1 μM hematin in enzyme reaction mixtures containing dithiothreitol. Preformed NO-heme activated all forms of guanylate cyclase in the absence of additional heme. Guanylate cyclase activation was observed in the presence of either MgGTP or MnGTP, although the magnitude of enzyme activation was consistently greater with MgGTP. The apparent K m for GTP in the presence of excess Mn 2+ or Mg 2+ was 10 μM and 85–120 μM, respectively, for unactivated guanylate cyclase. The apparent K m for GTP in the presence of Mn 2+ was not altered but the K m in the presence of Mg 2+ was lowered to 58 μM with activated enzyme. Maximal velocities were increased by enzyme activators in the presence of either Mg 2+ or Mn 2+ . The data reported in this study indicate that purified guanylate cyclase binds heme and the latter is required for enzyme activation by NO nitroso compounds.
Osteopoikilosis: A Benign Condition With the Appearance of Metastatic Bone Disease

Case Report A 37-year-old woman with a history of migraines and gastritis presented to the emergency department with 1 day of right adnexal pain. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the pelvis performed to evaluate the pelvic pain showed a fluid-filled structure in the right adnexa, indicating a possible tubo-ovarian abscess. The patient was subsequently admitted to the hospital for treatment with antibiotics. Incidentally found on CT imaging were diffuse sclerotic foci (Fig 1) throughout the visualized spine and pelvis, suggesting asymptomatic metastatic disease. Physical examination was only significant for right lower quadrant tenderness, corresponding to the CT findings. There was no lymphadenopathy, mass, or obvious tenderness of her spine and pelvis. Initial laboratory results showedanormalcompletebloodcountandserumchemistries, including calcium of 9.8 mg/dL, and alkaline phosphatase of 63 U/L, and normal CA125 level. CT imaging of the chest showed diffuse blastic-appearing lesions throughout the skeleton without notable lymphadenopathy or mass. A nuclear bone scan was found to be normal, without evidence of any blastic metastatic lesions (Fig 2). The patient was ultimately given the diagnosis of osteopoikilosis, a rare benign condition of the bone.
Notes on pogonophoran terminology and phylogeny

The applicability of two terms introduced by Webb in the description of the posterior extremity of Pogonophora, “anchor” and “sucker” are discussed. It is proposed they be replaced by posterior ext...
Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) of chlorine effects on ELUMO of disinfection by-product: Chlorinated alkanes

Chlorinated Alkane (CA) is one of the major classes of Disinfection By-Products (DBPs) in chlorinated drinking water. Multi-multivariate regression methods have been used to develop Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models between the Energy of the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (ELUMO) and three molecular descriptors: namely, number of chlorine (NCl), number of carbon (NC) and the Energy of the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (EHOMO). Among different linear QSAR models, the most robust model is ELUMO=-0.1474NCl-0.003766NC+1.9528EHOMO+1.0664 (N=30, R2=0.956, F=188.498, RMSE=0.00762, P=0.000). The model is validated by using internal and external cross validation techniques. The model uncertainties are also quantified through the Bootstrapping and the Taylor methods. Among all the molecular descriptors, number of chlorine (NCl) contributes to the most to the ELUMO of chlorinated alkanes.
Physcomitrella patens arabinogalactan proteins contain abundant terminal 3- O -methyl- l -rhamnosyl residues not found in angiosperms

A biochemical investigation of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) in Physcomitrella patens was undertaken with particular emphasis on the glycan chains. Following homogenization and differential centrifugation of moss gametophytes, AGPs were obtained by Yariv phenylglycoside-induced precipitation from the soluble, microsomal membrane, and cell wall fractions. Crossed-electrophoresis indicated that each of these three AGP fractions was a mixture of several AGPs. The soluble AGP fraction was selected for further separation by anion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatography. The latter indicated molecular masses of approximately 100 and 224 kDa for the two major soluble AGP subfractions. The AGPs in both of these subfractions contained the abundant (1,3,6)-linked galactopyranosyl residues, terminal arabinofuranosyl residues, and (1,4)-linked glucuronopyranosyl residues that are typical of many angiosperm AGPs. Unexpectedly, however, the moss AGP glycan chains contained about 15 mol% terminal 3-O-methyl-L: -rhamnosyl residues, which have not been found in angiosperm AGPs. This unusual and relatively nonpolar sugar, also called L: -acofriose, is likely to have considerable effects on the overall polarity of Physcomitrella AGPs. A review of the literature indicates that the capacity to synthesize polymers containing 3-O-methyl-L: -rhamnosyl residues is present in a variety of bacteria, algae and lower land plants but became less common through evolution to the extent that this sugar has been found in only a few species of angiosperms where it occurs as a single residue on steroidal glycosides.
Ordered inference using observed confidence levels

Statistical inference on the ordering of the elements of a mean vector is an important issue in many applied problems, particularly in biostatistical applications. Some common ordering models include simple, tree and umbrella orderings. Many statistical methods have been developed to detect these orderings within the normal model, and outside the normal model using nonparametric methods. Estimates as well as confidence regions have also been developed for the mean vector under constraints imposed by these ordering models. In order to attempt to distinguish between ordered models, multiple testing procedures are usually required to control the overall error rate of the sequence of tests. This paper shows how observed confidence levels allow for the exploration of very general ordering models without the need for specialized asymptotic theory or multiple testing methods. The proposed methods are applied to several examples.
Representing and using metacommunication to control speakers' relationships in natural-language dialogue

Abstract This paper is a report on a new theory and representation of dialogue, called Dialogue Structures. One of the marks of intelligent behavior among humans is the ability to use metaknowledge for making decisions. When two interactants engage in a dialogue, one necessary job is to use metacommunication to manage the relationship between the interactants. We identify and represent structural patterns that provide metaknowledge about the relationship of the interactants, also providing the usual representation of the content of natural language utterances. This paper presents an analysis “by hand” applying the theory to actual dialogues between human speakers. It explains a working program that implements the theory and presents dialogues produced by human users interacting with the program. The theory is so robust that, as a by-product, it interprets indirect requests correctly.
Behavioral effects of organophosphate in man.

(1976). Behavioral Effects of Organophosphate Pesticides in Man. Clinical Toxicology: Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 391-405.
Correcting for Diffusion in Carbon‐14 Dating of Ground Water

It has generally been recognized that molecular diffusion can be a significant process affecting the transport of carbon-14 in the subsurface when occurring either from a permeable aquifer into a confining layer or from a fracture into a rock matrix. An analytical solution that is valid for steady-state radionuclide transport through fractured rock is shown to be applicable to many multilayered aquifer systems. By plotting the ratio of the rate of diffusion to the rate of decay of carbon-14 over the length scales representative of several common hydrogeologic settings, it is demonstrated that diffusion of carbon-14 should often be not only a significant process, but a dominant one relative to decay. An age-correction formula is developed and applied to the Bangkok Basin of Thailand, where a mean carbon-14-based age of 21,000 years was adjusted to 11,000 years to account for diffusion. This formula and its graphical representation should prove useful for many studies, for they can be used first to estimate the potential role of diffusion and then to make a simple first-order age correction if necessary.
Genotype and rearing environment affect honeybee perception and foraging behaviour

We tested the effects of larval and preforaging rearing environment on the foraging behaviour and sucrose response thresholds of honeybees, Apis mellifera L., derived from high and low pollen-hoarding strains. Bees were reared as larvae and as preforaging adults in colonies containing high and low pollen-hoarding strains, then cofostered in unrelated common wild-type colonies from which to forage. Genotype, but not rearing environment, had strong effects on the likelihood to forage for pollen or nectar, the size of pollen or nectar load, and the concentration of sugar in the nectar they collected. Genotype and rearing environment affected adult wet weights and sucrose concentration response threshold, as measured with the proboscis extension response assay. Bees from the high pollen-hoarding strain were more sensitive to conditions of the rearing environment than were bees of the low strain. High- and low-strain bees produced different colony environments that affected developmental, behavioural and physical traits of the individuals they reared. This demonstrates how genotype and colony environment correlate and affect phenotype.
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 2 Regulates Hepatic Lipid Metabolism

In mammals, the liver integrates nutrient uptake and delivery of carbohydrates and lipids to peripheral tissues to control overall energy balance. Hepatocytes maintain metabolic homeostasis by coordinating gene expression programs in response to dietary and systemic signals. Hepatic tissue oxygenation is an important systemic signal that contributes to normal hepatocyte function as well as disease. Hypoxia-inducible factors 1 and 2 (HIF-1 and HIF-2, respectively) are oxygen-sensitive heterodimeric transcription factors, which act as key mediators of cellular adaptation to low oxygen. Previously, we have shown that HIF-2 plays an important role in both physiologic and pathophysiologic processes in the liver. HIF-2 is essential for normal fetal EPO production and erythropoiesis, while constitutive HIF-2 activity in the adult results in polycythemia and vascular tumorigenesis. Here we report a novel role for HIF-2 in regulating hepatic lipid metabolism. We found that constitutive activation of HIF-2 in the adult results in the development of severe hepatic steatosis associated with impaired fatty acid β-oxidation, decreased lipogenic gene expression, and increased lipid storage capacity. These findings demonstrate that HIF-2 functions as an important regulator of hepatic lipid metabolism and identify HIF-2 as a potential target for the treatment of fatty liver disease.
From Where to What: Metadata Sharing for Digital Photographs with Geographic Coordinates

We describe LOCALE, a system that allows cooperating information systems to share labels for photographs. Participating photographs are enhanced with a geographic location stamp -- the latitude and longitude where the photograph was taken. For a photograph with no label, LOCALE can use the shared information to assign a label based on other photographs that were taken in the same area. LOCALE thus allows (i) text search over unlabeled sets of photos, and (ii) automated label suggestions for unlabeled photos. We have implemented a LOCALE prototype where users cooperate in submitting labels and locations, enhancing search quality for all users in the system. We ran an experiment to test the system in centralized and distributed settings. The results show that the system performs search tasks with surprising accuracy, even when searching for specific landmarks.
Reduction in Reactive Oxygen Species Production by Mitochondria From Elderly Subjects With Normal and Impaired Glucose Tolerance

OBJECTIVE Aging increases the risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes. It has been proposed that increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by dysfunctional mitochondria could play a role in the pathogenesis of these metabolic abnormalities. We examined whether aging per se (in subjects with normal glucose tolerance [NGT]) impairs mitochondrial function and how this relates to ROS generation, whether older subjects with IGT have a further worsening of mitochondrial function (lower ATP production and elevated ROS generation), and whether exercise reverses age-related changes in mitochondrial function. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Mitochondrial ATP and ROS production were measured in muscle from younger individuals with NGT, older individuals with NGT, and older individuals with IGT. Measurements were performed before and after 16 weeks of aerobic exercise. RESULTS ATP synthesis was lower in older subjects with NGT and older subjects with IGT versus younger subjects. Notably, mitochondria from older subjects (with NGT and IGT) displayed reduced ROS production versus the younger group. ATP and ROS production were similar between older groups. Exercise increased ATP synthesis in the three groups. Mitochondrial ROS production also increased after training. Proteomic analysis revealed downregulation of several electron transport chain proteins with aging, and this was reversed by exercise. CONCLUSIONS Old mitochondria from subjects with NGT and IGT display mitochondrial dysfunction as manifested by reduced ATP production but not with respect to increased ROS production. When adjusted to age, the development of IGT in elderly individuals does not involve changes in mitochondrial ATP and ROS production. Lastly, exercise reverses the mitochondrial phenotype (proteome and function) of old mitochondria.
A Test of Alternative Models of Expectancy Theory

The inconsistent findings of prior studies in expectancy theory are examined with reference to various logical and methodological issues. A comprehensive test of the theory is proposed in broadening the base of the behavioral alternatives available to the individual in the work situation. A method is suggestedfor incorporating negative as well as positive instrumentalities and acts. Nine alternative models are tested, including the expectancy variables, additive, multiplicative, and combined versions. The findings of the study do not support the theory as a predictor of effort and performance, and provide moderate support to the theory as a predictor of total job satisfaction. None of the predictor models is found to be superior to any of the others. The findings confirm those of other recent studies, and suggest that the theory may explain only a limited portion of behavior on the job.
Blockade of Release of Growth Hormone by Brain Norepinephrine Depletors

Previous studies have shown that reserpine (1 mg/kg ip) completely blocks insulininduced growth hormone (GH) release. The possibility that the suppressive action of this drug on GH secretion might be due to its catecholaminedepleting action was investigated in the present experiments. α-Methyldopa (300 mg/kg ip), amethyl- m-tyrosine (300 mg/kg ip), or tetrabenazine (15 mg/kg ip), like reserpine, were effective in suppressing the release of GH induced by 2 U/kg of insulin. Guanethidine (30 mg/kg ip) and tyramine (15 mg/kg ip) were without effect. The blockade of GH release induced by reserpine (1 mg/kg ip) was reversed by iproniazid (150 mg/kg sc). After reserpine treatment (1 mg/kg ip), the release of growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) from the hypothalamus induced by insulin (2 U /kg ip) was abolished. From these experiments it is concluded that: 1. The reduction of stores of brain norepinephrine impairs GH release; 2. brain amines might play a role in the release of hypothalamic neurohumoral transmit...
Enhancement of advanced range telemetry (ARTM) channels via blind equalization

The Joint Services Advanced Range Telemetry (ARTM) Program at Edwards Air Force Base has been evaluating FQPSK-B for possible upgrades to the existing telemetry equipment. It has been found in the wideband channel sounding experiments sponsored by ARTM that the in-flight fading channel can be modeled as a 3-ray multipath channel. Delay spread for a typical in-flight channel is in the order of 300 nanoseconds. Furthermore, the pre-flight channel is characterized by much more severe multipath, in which the delay spread is in the order of microseconds covering one or more symbols when the FQPSK-B transceiver operates at a rate of millions of symbols per second. This adverse channel condition inevitably causes tremendous distortion in the received signals due to severe inter-symbol interference (ISI) from the multipath. This paper provides an assessment of the potential ability of blind equalization to reduce the FQPSK-B system susceptibility to degradation caused by dynamic frequency selective fading in the aeronautical telemetry environment. In particular, a blind equalizer applique that can be inserted prior to the demodulator without knowledge of the received signal such as carrier frequency, symbol timing and sequence, etc, is proposed. Since it is desired that the equalizer applique operate independently of the carrier frequency and given that the modulation of interest is constant envelope (PCM-FM or FQPSK-B), we have selected the constant modulus algorithm (CMA) cost function for implementation. Extensive tests on both simulated and recorded FQPSK-B data transmitted over different ARTM channels have been conducted and the blind equalizer structure has shown substantial improvements, even on the difficult ARTM pre-flight channels. The CMA adapts the equalizer coefficients to minimize the deviation of the output envelope from an arbitrary constant level. This paper depicts the pre-flight and in-flight channel conditions using time and spectral domain measurement. It quantifies the benefit of the blind CMA tapped delay line equalizer. Due to the extensive signal processing requirements associated with the very high sampling rate (100 MHz) of the FQPSK-B system, hardware implementation complexity is very high. Complexity reduction issues regarding the implementation of the CMA using field programmable gate array (FPGA) are also presented.
A novel approach to medicine training for psychiatry residents.

A unique rotation was developed to address limited outpatient internal medicine training in psychiatric residency by the University of California, Davis, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, which provides medical care to patients with mental illness. The number of patients seen by the service and the number of psychiatric consults was determined from electronic records for the 2005–2006 academic year. Evaluations by psychiatry residents completing the rotation were reviewed. Three internist-psychiatrists and one family medicine-psychiatrist provided supervision. A total of 1,255 patients were treated during the 2005–2006 academic year. The quality of the educational experience was positive, with an overall rating of 4.43 on a scale from 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest. Training psychiatry residents in internal medicine can be better integrated into their psychiatry education in a creative fashion when the teaching and supervision is provided by jointly trained attendings in internal medicine/psychiatry or family medicine/psychiatry. The success of the rotation contributed to the development of a combined internal medicine and psychiatry residency program.