cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of formal community services by elders and their family caregivers 2 weeks following hospital discharge

Early identification of elders who need care following hospitalization might enhance their health and the health of family members who help them with managing their care. The purpose of this study was to: (a) identify pre-discharge predictors of resource use following hospitalization; (b) describe the formal community services used by elders and their family caregivers during the 2 weeks following hospitalization; and (c) determine whether there is a difference in hospital re-admissions between elders who receive community nursing services compared with those who do not receive any services. The sample consisted of 185 elder/caregiver dyads in which the elders were hospitalized for an acute episode of a chronic condition. Both patients and family caregivers were interviewed before discharge and 2 weeks post-discharge. The findings indicate that pre-discharge functional ability and age are statistically significant predictors of home care services used 2 weeks post-discharge. The findings also suggest that elders who receive visiting nurse services are less likely to be re-admitted to the hospital.
Expression profile of Ldh-a in the developing rat Rattus norvegicus testis suggests regulation at the translational level

Expression of Ldh-a and Ldh-c mRNAs was examined in the rat testis. The mRNA levels of both Ldh-a and Ldh-c increase during testicular maturation. In the adult testis, Ldh-a mRNA is expressed maximally in primary spermatocytes. Comparison of the Ldh-a mRNA expression profile with its translation product suggests that this gene is translationally down-regulated during spermatogenesis.
An enhanced multi-term harmonic balance solution for nonlinear period-one dynamic motions in right-angle gear pairs

A nonlinear time-varying dynamic model for right-angle gear pair systems, considering both backlash and asymmetric mesh effects, is formulated. The mesh parameters that are characteristically time-varying and asymmetric include mesh stiffness, directional rotation radius and mesh damping. The period-one dynamic motions are obtained by solving the dimensionless equation of gear motion using an enhanced multi-term harmonic balance method (HBM) with a modified discrete Fourier Transform process and the numerical continuation method. The accuracy of the enhanced HBM solution is verified by comparison of its results to the more computational intensive, direct numerical integration calculations. Also, the Floquet theory is applied to determine the stability of the steady-state harmonic balance solutions. Finally, a set of parametric studies are performed to determine quantitatively the effects of the variation and asymmetry in mesh stiffness and directional rotation radius on the gear dynamic responses.
cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) modified chromatin and nucleosomal core particle.

The influence of cis -diamminedichloroplatinum (II) ( cis -DDP) binding to chromatin in chicken erythrocyte nuclei and the nucleosomal core particle is investigated. The cis -DDP modifications alter DNA-protein interactions associated with the higher order structure of chromatin to significantly inhibit the rate of micrococcal nuclease digestion and alter the digestion profile. However, cis -DDP modification of core particle has little effect on the digestion rate and the relative distribution of DNA fragments produced by micrococcal nuclease digestion. Analysis of the monomer DNA fragments from the digestion of modified nuclei suggests that cis -DDP binding does not significantly disrupt the DNA structure within the core particle, with its major influence being on the internucleosomal DNA. Together these findings suggest that cis -DDP may preferentially bind to the internucleosomal region and/or that the formation of the intrastrand cross-link involving adjacent guanines exhibits a preference for the linker region. Sucrose gradient profiles of the modified nucleoprotein complexes further confirm that the digestion profile for micrococcal nuclease is altered by cis -DDP binding and that the greatest changes occur at the initial stages of digestion. The covalent cross-links within bulk chromatin fix a sub-population of subnucleosomal and nucleosomal products, which are released only after reversal by NaCN treatment. Coupled with our previous findings, it appears that this cis -DDP mediated cross-linking network is primarily associated with protein-protein crosslinks of the low mobility group (LMG) proteins.
ω-Oxidation of fatty acids and the acetylation of p-aminobenzoic acid

Abstract p-Aminobenzoic acid was fed to normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats injected with [ω-14C]labeled and [2-14C]labeled fatty acids. The p-acetamidobenzoic acid that was excreted was hydrolyzed to yield acetate which was degraded. The distribution of 14C in the acetates formed when an [ω-14C]-labeled fatty acid was injected was similar to that when a [2-14C]labeled fatty acid was injected. This contrasts with the finding that in acetates from 2-acetamido-4-phenylbutyric acid excreted when 2-amino-4-phenylbutyric acid was fed, there was a difference in the distributions of 14C, a difference attributable to ω-oxidation of the fatty acid. Acetylation of p-aminobenzoic acid is then concluded to occur in a different cellular environment than that of 2-amino-4-phenylbutyric acid, one in which ω-oxidation is not functional. When 2-amino-4-phenylbutyric acid was fed and [6-14C] palmitic acid injected, rather than [16-14C]palmitic acid, the distribution of 14C in acetate was the same as when [2-14C]palmitic acid was injected. This indicates that the dicarboxylic acid formed on ω-oxidation of palmitic acid does not undergo β-oxidation to form succinyl-CoA. Thus, glucose is not formed via ω-oxidation of long-chain fatty acid.
722. Silencing of Transforming Growth Factor-β Receptor II by RNA Interference Suppresses Extracellular Matrix Production in Rat Hepatic Stellate Cells

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-|[beta]| (TGF-|[beta]|) is a major pro-fibrogenic cytokine that mediates the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and their over-production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, the two key events during hepatic fibrogenesis. Signal transduction of TGF-|[beta]| is initiated by binding of the ligand to TGF-|[beta]| type II receptor (TGF|[beta]|RII). The aim of this study is to reduce ECM production in rat HSC by knocking-down TGF|[beta]|RII with RNA interference (RNAi) strategies. METHODS: Selected siRNA were transfected in a rat HSC line, SBC10, using TransIT TKO transfecting reagent. Real-time RT-PCR was used to determine mRNA levels of TGF|[beta]|RII, procollagen type I (|[alpha]|1) (Procoll-I) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in cells after siRNA or shRNA transfection. shRNA expression cassettes and lentiviral TGF|[beta]|RII shRNA vectors containing the most effective siRNA sequences were generated to test their effects in SBC-10 cells. RESULTS: TGF|[beta]|RII gene expression was reduced to 10.7 |[plusmn]| 4.5 % of controls with siRNAs at 50 nM 48 hrs after transfection. Moreover, mRNA levels of Procoll-I and TIMP-1 were reduced to 52.1 |[plusmn]| 6.6 % and 32.8 |[plusmn]| 5.2 % of controls 48 hrs after the siRNA transfection. Transfection of an shRNA expression cassette in SBC10 cells suppressed mRNA levels of TGF|[beta]|RII, Procoll-I and TIMP-1 by 79%, 23% and 20%, 48 hours after transfection. The lentiviral TGF|[beta]|RII shRNA vector transduction led to a 91-fold increase in shRNA production 5 days after transduction as indicated by real time RT-PCR, which resulted in a 69% reduction in TGF|[beta]|RII mRNA levels, and 25|[ndash]|35% reduction in Procoll-I and TIMP-1 mRNA levels in the transduced cells. GFP expression in the lentiviral TGF|[beta]|RII shRNA vector-transduced cells lasted for 21 days (the length of the experiment), with a transduction rate of 94.3%, as determined by flow cytometry. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrated that the TGF|[beta]|RII gene silencing by RNAi strategies inhibits fibrogenesis in rat HSCs. This novel approach may offer a new molecular therapy for hepatic fibrosis, for which effective treatment is not readily available.
The biosynthesis of alkyl ether bonds in lipids by a cell-free system

Abstract Investigators have found the biological significance and the biosynthetic pathways of ether-linked lipids containing glycerol difficult to determine (1). Despite available knowledge concerning enzymes for the biocleavage (2,3), deacylation (4), acylation (5,6), and phosphorylation (7) of glyceryl ethers, the biosynthesis of the ether bond in these compounds has not previously been demonstrated in a cell-free system. This note describes an active enzyme complex capable of converting intact l- 14 C-labeled fatty alcohols into alkyl glyceryl ethers. The reaction has been demonstrated in whole homogenates and in microsomal-plus-supernatant fractions of transplantable preputial tumors in mice. These tumors are typical of neoplasms containing high quantities of alkyl ether linkages in both neutral- and phospho-glycerides (8).
Late-Holocene paleoenvironmental history of bioluminescent Laguna Grande, Puerto Rico

Abstract Coastal lagoons are valuable natural resources and ecotourism hotspots that are at great risk due to human development and global climate change. In order to protect these resources it is important that we fully understand the paleoenvironmental history of these unique ecosystems and their sensitivity to environmental change. Here we present a multi-proxy (pollen, charcoal, grain-size, dinoflagellate cyst, stable isotope geochemistry, and foraminifera) 3600 cal yr B.P. record of paleoenvironmental change for Laguna Grande, Puerto Rico, which is a particularly unique coastal lagoon as it contains high abundances of the bioluminescent dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense . Sedimentary evidence indicates that the Laguna Grande basin began accumulating sediment ~ 3600 cal yr B.P. coincident with regional sea level rise, but the modern lagoon itself is geologically quite young and did not become fully enclosed until ~ 575 cal yr B.P. due to longshore depositional processes and mangrove swamp development. Foraminifera assemblages suggest a potential breach of a protective barrier ~ 1550 cal yr B.P. perhaps as a result of a tropical storm or tsunami and is coincident with an increase in fire activity. Only two high-energy depositional units (tempestites) could be identified in the lagoon sediments over the last 575 cal yr B.P. indicating minimal impact by tropical storms or tsunamis on the lagoon since isolation from the open ocean. Fossil dinoflagellate cyst concentrations and influxes do not approach modern levels until ~ 200 cal yr B.P. and are currently at the highest levels in the history of the lagoon, indicating the lagoon may have become bioluminescent only recently, perhaps as a result of anthropogenic nutrient additions. Sedimentation rates support this hypothesis indicating a recent tripling of sedimentation rates when compared to millennial-scale sedimentation rates. This study highlights the utility of paleolimnological data in the management and preservation of at-risk coastal lagoon ecosystems.
The effects of diphenylhydantoin, phenobarbital, and diazepam on the penicillin-induced epileptogenic focus in the rat.

Abstract Techniques are described for the injection of minute quantities of penicillin into discrete intracortical loci in freely moving rats. The time course and quantification of the penicillin-induced cortical afterdischarges and seizure activity were determined. 14 C-penicillin was used to test assumptions related to the spread of this agent from the intracortical site of injection. The degree of spread was limited to the ipsilateral hemisphere along the cortical surface and was verified by both scintillation counting and autoradiography. The effects of diphenylhydantoin (30, 60 mg/kg, po), phenobarbital (15, 30 mg/kg, po) and diazepam (15, 30 mg/kg, po) on the penicillin-induced focal seizures were not marked. None of the agents produced a significant decrease in the spiking frequency, the number of afterdischarges, the total amount of afterdischarge activity or the average length of afterdischarge, even though the higher doses of all three compounds produced signs of neurotoxicity.
Slow desorption behavior of one highly resistant aromatic amine in Lake Macatawa, Michigan, USA, sediment.

The desorption behavior of benzidine from Lake Macatawa (Holland, MI, USA) sediment was investigated in this study using batch solvent extraction method. Seven solvents were tested as the extracting reagents: Deionized water (DI), calcium chloride in DI (CaCl2), sodium hydroxide in DI (NaOH), acetonitrile (ACN), a mixture of acetonitrile and ammonium acetate in DI (ACNNH4OAc), methanol (MeOH), and hydrochloric acid in DI (HCl). These solvents are proposed to react with sediment-associated benzidine by different mechanisms (e.g., cation exchange, hydrophobic partitioning, and covalent binding). Three sets of sorption isotherm experiments were conducted separately in these seven solvents with a 7-d, three-week, and two-month contact time. The results demonstrated nonlinear isotherms with Freundlich 1/n values varying from 0.25 to 0.52. The desorption behavior of benzidine in the solvents was evaluated after the sorption of benzidine onto the sediment with same contact times of 7 d, three weeks, and two months. A two-stage model subsequently was applied to simulate the experimental data. The rapidly desorbing rate constants were on the order of one to two per day for ACN, ACN-NH4OAc, and NaOH solvents, and the slowly desorbing rate constants were on the order of 10−5 to 10−4/d. Sequential desorption experiment demonstrated low total extraction efficiency of less than 40%. Both the observed sorption and desorption phenomena suggested that hysteresis and/or mass-transfer limited diffusion may result in the slow desorption behavior observed in this study.
Global attractor of a coupled finite difference reaction diffusion system with delays

Abstract In the study of asymptotic behavior of solutions for reaction diffusion systems, an important concern is to determine whether and when the system has a global attractor which attracts all positive time-dependent solutions. The aim of this paper is to investigate the global attraction problem for a finite difference system which is a discrete approximation of a coupled system of two reaction diffusion equations with time delays. Sufficient conditions are obtained to ensure the existence and global attraction of a positive solution of the corresponding steady-state system. Applications are given to three types of Lotka–Volterra reaction diffusion models, where time-delays may appear in the opposing species.
Elevated total white blood cell count with high blood glucose is associated with poor outcome after ischemic stroke

Increases in total white blood cell (WBC) count and blood glucose level have each been associated with poor outcomes after ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was an added effect of elevated total WBC count with glucose level on outcome after ischemic stroke. A total of 436 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke who were admitted to Suburban Hospital, Bethesda, MD, between June 2000 and December 2002 were included in this study. Nonfasting peripheral WBC count and glucose level were obtained on hospital arrival, along with self- and family member-reported risk factors for stroke and clinical parameters. WBC count and glucose level were dichotomized into 4 groups: increased WBC count with increased glucose level (IW;IG), increased WBC count with normal glucose level (IW;NG), normal WBC count with increased glucose level (NW;IG), and normal WBC count with normal glucose level (NW;NG). Poor outcome was defined as a modified Rankin scale score >/= 2 at hospital discharge. On univariate analysis, patients with IW;IG (n = 53) had worse outcome (P < .001) than patients with NW;NG (n = 210) or elevations in either factor alone. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for stroke severity and other factors, the odds ratios of poor stroke outcomes were 20 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.3-125; P < .001) for the IW:IG group, 3.3 (95% CI = 1.1-14.3; P = .03) for the IW;NG group, and 2.5 (95% CI = 1.1-5.0; P = .03) for the NW;IG group, all compared with the NW:NG group. There may be an added effect of elevated WBC count with hyperglycemia on poor outcome after ischemic stroke. Strict control of inflammatory parameters and glucose may help improve outcome for patients with ischemic stroke.
Live migration of an entire network (and its hosts)

Live virtual machine (VM) migration can move applications from one location to another without a disruption in service. However, applications often consist of multiple VMs and rely on the state of the underlying network for basic reachability, access control, and QoS functionality. Rather than migrating an individual VM, we show how to migrate an ensemble---the VMs, the network, and the management system---to a different set of physical resources. Our LIME (LIve Migration of Ensembles) design leverages recent advances in Software Defined Networking (SDN) for a clear separation between the controller and the data-plane state in the switches. Transparent to the application running on the controller, LIME clones the data-plane state to a new set of switches, and then incrementally migrates the traffic sources (e.g., the VMs). During this transition, both networks deliver traffic and LIME maintains synchronized state. Experiments with our initial prototype, built on the Floodlight OpenFlow controller, suggest that network migration does not have to be a disruptive, middle-of-the-night maintenance event, but can become an integral network management mechanism completely transparent to applications.
Genetic and Biochemical Studies of Phosphatase Activity of PhoR

In Escherichia coli, PhoR is the histidine kinase of the phosphate regulon. It has been postulated that PhoR may function as a phospho-PhoB phosphatase. Experiments with four precise phoR deletion mutants supported this hypothesis and suggested that this activity resides within the histidine phosphorylation domain. This biochemical activity was confirmed by using a separately expressed histidine phosphorylation domain.
Usefulness of the Lymphocyte Concentration as a Prognostic Marker in Coronary Artery Disease

The prognostic utility of the relative lymphocyte concentration was tested in a population-based study of chronic coronary artery disease. This inexpensive, readily available test was found to be significantly related to survival (p = 0.03) in 211 patients followed for a mean of 45 months.
Isolation of three dormancy QTLs as Mendelian factors in rice.

Seed dormancy is a key adaptive trait under polygenic control in many plants. We introduced the chromosomal regions containing the dormancy QTLs qSD1, qSD7-1, and qSD12 from an accession of weedy rice into a nondormant genetic background to examine component genetic effects and their interactions with time of afterripening (DAR). A BC4F2 plant, which was heterozygous for the three loci, was selected to develop the BC4F3 population. Single point analysis detected only qSD7-1 and qSD12 (R2=38–72%) at 10, 30, and 50 DAR in the population. However, multiple linear regression analysis detected genetic effects of the three QTLs and their trigenic epistasis, an environmental effect of DAR (E), and interactions of E with qSD12 and with the qSD1 × qSD7-1 and qSD7-1 × qSD12 epistases. The linear model demonstrates that QTL main effects varied with DAR, and that some epistasis or epistasis-by-DAR interactions partially counteract the main effects. The three QTLs were isolated as single Mendelian factors from the BC4F3 population and estimated for component genic effects based on the BC4F4 populations. Isolation improved estimation of the qSD1 effect and confirmed the major effect of qSD12. The qSD1 and qSD12 loci displayed a gene-additive effect. The qSD7-1, which was further narrowed to a chromosomal region encompassing the red pericarp color gene Rc, displayed gene additive and dominant effects.
Development of Weather-Dependent Flow Requirements for River Temperature Control.

/ Streamflow influences biological processes, habitat, and ecological integrity of streams in a number of vital ways. The establishment of weather-dependent minimum flows is essential to the protection of the aquatic environment and wildlife habitat from the adverse impacts of high water temperatures and to the effective utilization of the assimilative capacity of instream flows. In this study, weather-dependent flow requirements for summer river temperature control are derived from quantitative temperature-flow relationships. Correlation and regression of historical data and an analytical solution to the basic heat balance equation are employed to quantify the impacts of stream flow on river temperatures. Five-year continuous field measurements from the Platte River, Nebraska, USA, are used to illustrate the practical application in water-quality management. The methods and results demonstrate the feasibility of temperature control through streamflow management to meet water temperature standards and protect the aquatic biota by setting the appropriate weather-related minimum river discharges. The flow requirements are evaluated by a comparison with a critical discharge. Information provided in this paper will assist in planning streamflow regulation, design of river and reservoir operations, and application of water-quality criteria in environmental management.KEY WORDS: River discharges; Flow management; Habitat; Water quality; Weather; Wildlifehttp://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/journals/00267/bibs/24n4p529.html</HEA
Quantitative evaluation of the reticuloendothelial system function with dynamic MRI.

Purpose To evaluate the reticuloendothelial system (RES) function by real-time imaging blood clearance as well as hepatic uptake of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPIO) using dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with two-compartment pharmacokinetic modeling. Materials and Methods Kinetics of blood clearance and hepatic accumulation were recorded in young adult male 01b74 athymic nude mice by dynamic T2* weighted MRI after the injection of different doses of SPIO nanoparticles (0.5, 3 or 10 mg Fe/kg). Association parameter, Kin, dissociation parameter, Kout, and elimination constant, Ke, derived from dynamic data with two-compartment model, were used to describe active binding to Kupffer cells and extrahepatic clearance. The clodrosome and liposome were utilized to deplete macrophages and block the RES function to evaluate the capability of the kinetic parameters for investigation of macrophage function and density. Results The two-compartment model provided a good description for all data and showed a low sum squared residual for all mice (0.27±0.03). A lower Kin, a lower Kout and a lower Ke were found after clodrosome treatment, whereas a lower Kin, a higher Kout and a lower Ke were observed after liposome treatment in comparison to saline treatment (P<0.005). Conclusion Dynamic SPIO-enhanced MR imaging with two-compartment modeling can provide information on RES function on both a cell number and receptor function level.
Performance of new criteria for right ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial infarction in patients with pulmonary hypertension due to cor pulmonale and mitral stenosis

Historically, electrocardiographic criteria for right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy has achieved high specificity but low sensitivity. Recently, however, Butler-Leggett et al, have introduced three criteria that attained a 66% sensitivity in a population with RV hypertrophy due to mitral stenosis while maintaining a 95% specificity in an extensive normal control group. Electrocardiographic diagnosis of RV hypertrophy is principally dependent on changes in the QRS complex that may be masked or mimicked by myocardial infarction (MI). This dilemma has been confirmed by documentation of the low specificity of both the Selvester QRS scoring system for MI size estimation (>3 points) and its screening subset (>0 points) in a pure mitral stenosis population. This study introduces the population characterized by RV hypertrophy due to cor pulmonale, which has a mean pulmonary arterial systolic pressure that is higher than the mean for the mitral stenosis population and consequently suggests more severe RV hypertrophy. When compared, the Butler-Leggett criteria for RV hypertrophy are more sensitive in the new population than in the mitral stenosis population (89% versus 60%) and the Selvester QRS scoring system is less specific (12% versus 60%). Three sequential steps are suggested for electrocardiographic analysis: (1) diagnosis of RV hypertrophy using the Butler-Leggett criteria, (2) diagnosis of MI using the Selvester screening criteria in those patients with step 1 negative, and (3) estimation of MI size using the complete Selvester scoring system in patients with step 1 negative and step 2 positive.
Common WISC-III Examiner Errors: Evidence from Graduate Students in Training.

Sixty WISC-III protocols, administered by graduate students in training, were examined to obtain preliminary data on the frequency and types of administration and scoring errors that examinees commit. Results were compared with previous studies that have evaluated examiner errors on the Wechsler scales. In general, the present results were consistent with those of previous studies that have illustrated that a large number of scoring errors are committed by graduate students as well as by other professional groups. The majority of errors committed by participants in this study were general errors. That is, errors were not specific to a particular subtest. The five most frequent errors included failure to query, failure to record responses verbatim, reporting Full Scale IQ incorrectly, reporting Verbal IQ incorrectly, and adding individual subtest scores incorrectly. However, the traditional difficult to score Verbal subtests were not as troublesome for examiners in this study as they were for examiners in previous studies. In addition, significant decreases in the mean number of errors per protocol and in the number of most frequently occurring errors per protocol were noted. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Control Problems for a Class of Set Valued Evolutions

The paper studies controllability problems for the reachable set of a differential inclusion. These were originally motivated by models of control of a flock of animals. Conditions are derived for the existence or nonexistence of a strategy which confines the reachable set within a given bounded region, at all sufficiently large times. Steering problems and the asymptotic shape of the reachable set are also investigated.
Characterization of high-density lipoprotein binding to guinea pig hepatic membranes: effects of dietary fat quality and cholesterol feeding.

The effects of dietary fat quality and cholesterol intake on expression of guinea pig hepatic membrane high-density lipoprotein (HDL) binding sites were studied. Animals were fed semisynthetic diets containing 7.5% (wt/wt) of either corn oil (CO), olive oil (OL), or lard. The cholesterol diet was prepared by incorporating 0.25% recrystallized cholesterol into standard guinea pig chow. Plasma cholesterol levels of guinea pigs on the CO diet were significantly lower (P < .02) than animals on the OL or lard diets. HDL cholesterol levels did not differ between the polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and saturated dietary fat groups. Guinea pigs on the high cholesterol diet had increased total and HDL cholesterol levels compared with animals on the chow diet (P < .01). Initial studies demonstrated that HDL binding to hepatic membranes was temperature-dependent. A threefold increase in binding was observed when assays were performed at 37°C, as compared with 4°C, for all membrane preparations. Dietary fat quality and dietary cholesterol intake significantly altered HDL binding to hepatic membranes with increased HDL binding to membranes of animals fed polyunsaturated fat and the high cholesterol diet. At 37°C, HDL binding to hepatic membranes of CO-fed animals was 26% and 46% higher than for membranes of OL- and lard-fed guinea pigs, respectively. A high cholesterol intake increased HDL binding by 24% at both 4°C and 37°C. Scatchard analysis demonstrated that while membrane affinity for HDL (Kd) was not affected by diet, changes did occur in the total number of HDL binding sites. Bmax values were significantly higher (P < .05) for membranes from cholesterol- and CO-fed guinea pigs. These data demonstrate that in the guinea pig, HDL binding to hepatic membranes is regulated by both dietary fat quality and dietary cholesterol.
Faddeev calculations of muonic-atom collisions: Scattering and fusion in flight.

The Faddeev approach is used to study s-wave scattering and fusion in flight for the muonic-atomic systems p+p\ensuremath{\mu}, d+d\ensuremath{\mu}, t+t\ensuremath{\mu}, d+t\ensuremath{\mu}, and t+d\ensuremath{\mu} in a broad energy range below the n=2 threshold of the target muonic atom. Clear manifestations of near-threshold virtual states in the p+p\ensuremath{\mu} and t+t\ensuremath{\mu} systems are seen, e.g., in large amplifications of the fusion-in-flight reaction rates near zero energy. Peaks and minima (essentially exact zeros for the symmetric systems) in the fusion-in-flight rates are also seen at finite energies. In the case of d+t\ensuremath{\mu}, the fusion-in-flight rate (at liquid-hydrogen density) reaches a value of 3.40\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{6}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ for collisions at 76.3 eV, which may be compared with the rate 1.14\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ at thermal energies. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Automated algorithm for remote sensing of atmospheric aerosols and trace gases using MFRSR measurements

A substantial upgrade of our previously developed MFRSR data analysis algorithm is presented. The new version of the algorithm features an automated cloud screening procedure based on optical thickness variability analysis. This technique is objective, computationally efficient and is able to detect short clear-sky intervals under broken cloud conditions. The performance of the method has been compared with that of AERONET cloud screening algorithm. Another new feature is the adoption of a bimodal gamma distribution as the aerosol particle size model. The size of the fine mode particles and a ratio between optical thicknesses of the two modes are retrievable. The algorithm has been tested on a multi-year dataset from the MFRSR network at the DOE Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program site in Southern Great Plains (SGP). The aerosol optical thicknesses (total, fine, and coarse) obtained from our analysis were successfully compared with the corresponding AERONET almucantar retrievals from a CIMEL sunphotometer colocated with the MFRSR at the SGP Central Facility. Geographical and seasonal variability of aerosol properties has been observed in the multi-instrument dataset from all SGP Extended Facilities for the year 2000. The geographical trends in the fine mode particle size appear to reflect differences in the PM2.5 to PM10 ratios obtained from EPA monitoring data. Long-term temporal variability has been studied on the 1992-1997 dataset from the SGP Central Facility. A significant trend has been detected in coarse mode aerosol optical thickness following the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991, while the fine mode optical thickness exhibits only seasonal variations during that period.
Characterization of the barley chloroplast transcription units containing psaA-psaB and psbD-psbC.

Abstract Four plastid genes, psaA, psaB, psbD and psbC, were localized on the barley plastid genome. PsaA was adjacent to psaB in one transcription unit and psbD was adjacent to psbC in a second transcription unit. The transcription units containing psaA-psaB and psbD-psbC are separated by approximately 25 kbp on the barley plastid genome and are transcribed convergently. Transcripts hybridizing to each transcription unit were characterized by northern blot analysis, S1 protection experiments and primer extension analysis. Two 5.3 kb transcripts hybridize to psaA-psaB. The two transcripts have a common 5' end but differ at their 3' ends by about 26 nucleotides. The transcription unit which contains psbD-psbC also includes trnS(UGA), trnG(GCC), and an open reading frame which codes for a 62 amino acid protein. Six large transcripts ranging from 5.7 kb to 1.7 kb hybridize to the psbD-psbC transcription unit as well as several RNAs of tRNA size. The large transcripts arise from three 5' ends and two clusters of 3' ends. The 3' ends map near trnG(GCC) and trnS(UGA) and could be generated by RNA processing or termination of transcription. Two of the six transcripts hybridize to psbC but not psbD suggesting that translation of psbD and psbC could occur on separate RNAs.
Tunneling photoconductivity computations of multi-quantum well p-i (nano)-n photovoltaic nanostructures by means of the causal Green's function

Abstract We propose a first principles method of calculating the photo-component of tunneling conductivity of a specific superlattice (SL) photovoltaic structure: an InP/InGaAs p-i(SL)-n solar cell. The method we follow is based on the generalized Greenwood–Kubo formulation and on the causal form of the Green's function. The vertical conductivity (along the growth direction of the device), under illumination, involves a group of parameters directly connected to the geometry of the device (hence it is on one's disposal) and the quantum size effects in the quantum wells of the superlattice. The latter is incorporated in the intrinsic region of p-i-n solar cells and bring along the advantage of carrier tunneling, which is possible if thin layers of wide-gap material (InP at 25 A/layer) are grown successively on narrow band-gap material (lattice-matched In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As at 7 nm/layer) to form a sequence of quantum wells.
Micromechanical sensors based on conformational change of proteins

Microcantilevers (MCLs) hold a position as a cost-effective and highly sensitive sensor platform for medical diagnostics, environmental, and fast throughput analysis. One of recently focus in this technology is the development of biosensors based on the conformational change of proteins on MCL surfaces. The surface stress changes due to conformational change of the proteins upon interaction with specific analytes are promising as transducers of chemical information. We will discuss our recent results on several biosensors due to conformational change of proteins. The proteins include glucose oxidase (GOx), organophosphorus hydrolyses (OPH), Calmodulin (CaM), and Horseradish peroxidase (HRP).
Pharmacological disruption of mouse social approach behavior: Relevance to negative symptoms of schizophrenia

Social withdrawal is one of several negative symptoms of schizophrenia, all of which are poorly treated by current therapies. One challenge in developing agents with efficacy against negative symptoms is the lack of suitable preclinical models. The social approach test was used as the basis for developing an assay to test emerging therapies for negative symptoms. NMDA antagonists and dopamine agonists have been used extensively to produce or disrupt behaviors thought to be rodent correlates of positive and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. The aim of these studies was to determine whether sociability of mice in the 3-chamber social approach test could be disrupted and whether this paradigm could have utility in predicting efficacy against negative symptoms. The criteria for such a model were: a lack of response to antipsychotics and attenuation by agents such as the glycine agonist, d-cycloserine, which has been shown to possess clinical efficacy against negative symptoms. Administration of the NMDA antagonists MK-801, PCP, or ketamine did not disrupt sociability. In contrast, Grin1 hypomorph mice displayed a social deficit which was not reversed by atypical antipsychotics or d-serine. d-Amphetamine disrupted sociability without stimulating locomotor activity and its effect was not reversed by antipsychotics. The GABAA inverse agonist, FG-7142, reduced sociability and this was reversed by the GABAA antagonist, flumazenil and dcycloserine, but not by clozapine, or the GABAA benzodiazepine anxiolytic, alprazolam. Based on our criteria, the GABAA model warrants further evaluation to confirm that this paradigm has utility as a preclinical model for predicting efficacy against negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Column studies of denitrification in soil

Abstract Small columns, 2.5 cm dia and of different lengths, were filled with an air-dried. Hanford sandy loam and leached with CaCl2 (0.001 n ) and nitrate (10–100 μg/ml N) for 3 weeks. The average NO3 N concentration of the leachate during the last 12 days of the experiment was used to calculate denitrification rates. The net reaction of NO3− appeared to be zero order with the 50 and 100 μg/ml NO3 N applications with a rate constant of 0.27 μg/ml/h N residence time for columns 5–50 cm long. Nitrate was not completely lost with the lower NO3− N applications; this implies that greater than zero order reactions can also occur. Although N2 gas evolution was not measured, most N was doubtless volatilized since analysis of selected soil samples at the end of the experiment indicated no net assimilation of the NO3 N.
Rupture of silicone-gel breast implants: causes, sequelae, and diagnosis

Silicone-gel-filled breast implants have been widely used for breast augmentation and reconstruction after mastectomy. The rate of implant rupture and its sequelae are not known. We review the frequency, causes, sequelae, and detection of implant rupture. Materials testing of removed implants provides evidence that as implants age in vivo, they weaken and may rupture. Sequelae of rupture include migration of gel accompanied by inflammation and silicone granuloma formation. The role of free silicone gel in relation to idiopathic or atypical connective tissue disease is not clear. Magnetic resonance imaging is substantially more sensitive in the detection of rupture than is mammography or ultrasonography.
Regional brain monoamines and their metabolites after portacaval shunting

Disturbances in brain monoamine neurotransmitter metabolism have been implicated in the development of hepatic encephalopathy produced by portacaval shunting or liver disease. We have measured the content of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, as well as their metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid in nine selected brain areas of rats with portacaval shunts and sham-operated control rats. All substances were measured in single samples using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, after a simple extraction procedure. In shunted rats serotonin content was 26% higher in the raphe nuclei area, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid throughout the brain (by 51 to 137%), suggesting increased serotonin turnover. Norepinephrine content was higher by 26% in the frontal cortex. Dopamine content was unaffected; however its metabolites were higher in a few areas including the caudate and ventral tegmentum. Brain content of the monoamine precursor amino acids tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine was higher throughout the brain in the shunted rats. The results suggest that serotonin metabolism is altered throughout the brain after portacaval shunting, which could be related to some of the characteristic behavioral abnormalities found in this condition. Catecholamine metabolism appears to be more selectively and less extensively affected.
Attractors of strongly dissipative systems

A class of infinite-dimensional dissipative dynamical systems is defined for which there exists a unique equilibrium point, and the rate of convergence to this point of the trajectories of a dynamical system from the above class is exponential. All the trajectories of the system converge to this point as t → +∞, no matter what the initial conditions are. This class consists of strongly dissipative systems. An example of such systems is provided by passive systems in network theory (see, e.g., MR0601947 (83m:45002)).
High-frequency scattering of elastic waves from cylindrical cavities☆

Abstract The scattering of time-harmonic plane longitudinal elastic waves by smooth convex cylindrical cavities is investigated. The exact solution for a circle is evaluated for wavelengths of the same order as the radius, and the geometrical and physical elastodynamics approximations are shown to be inadequate. The application of Watson's transformation exhibits the various diffraction effects and the relative importance of each is assessed. Excellent approximations for the scattered far-field are obtained with a hybrid method, in which an approximation for the surface field is constructed from the creeping wave contributions and this is then used in an integral representation. A generalization, based on the Geometrical Theory of Diffraction, of the hybrid method to cavities of smooth convex cross-section is presented and applied to the specific case of an ellipse. The predictions of the hybrid method compare well with numerical results obtained by an eigenfunction expansion method.
Expansive canonical coordinates are hyperbolic

Abstract Theorem . Let ƒ: X → X be an expansive homeomorphism of a compact metric space onto itself and let ƒ have canonical coordinates. Then there exists a metric compatible with the topology of X with respect to which the canonical coordinates are hyperbolic.
Cost analysis of pro rata and free‐replacement warranties

This article examines the short run total costs and long run average costs of products under warranty. Formulae for both consumer cost under warranty and producer profit are derived. The results in the case of the pro rata warranty correct a mistake appearing in Blischke and Scheuer [5]. We also show that expected average cost to both the producer and the consumer of a product under warranty depends on both the mean of the product lifetime distribution and on its failure rate.
In-session processes of brief motivational interventions in two trials with mandated college students.

OBJECTIVE: Each year, thousands of college students receive mandated intervention as a sanction for alcohol use or alcohol-related behavior. For these mandated students, brief motivational interventions (BMIs) are currently the most efficacious individual intervention. However, little is known about how the technical (therapist behaviors) and relational (e.g., global ratings of therapist empathy) components of BMIs influence client language as well as subsequent change in alcohol use and consequences. METHOD: This study used the Motivational Interviewing Skills Code (MISC 2.0; Miller, Moyers, Ernst, & Amrhein, 2003) to code BMI sessions from 2 randomized clinical trials that facilitated significant reductions in alcohol use (Study 1, n = 91) and alcohol-related consequences (Study 2, n = 158) in mandated students. RESULTS: There were significant relationships among therapist behaviors, global scores, and client language both for and against change, yet there were no links between in-session client language and subsequent changes in alcohol use or problems. In contrast, relational aspects of motivational interviewing (MI; global ratings of therapist MI Spirit and client self-exploration) were most predictive of postsession alcohol use. Mediation models incorporating both technical and relational components revealed that higher levels of client self-exploration mediated the relationship between higher therapist ratings of MI Spirit and reduced drinking at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of considering how both technical and relational components of MI may influence alcohol use in mandated college students and also suggest more exact analyses to better understand this complex relationship. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Patterns and ecological predictors of age-related performance in female North American barn swallows, Hirundo rustica erythrogaster

Life history theory describes the optimization of important trade-offs within an individual’s lifetime and predicts that an individual’s reproductive performance (RP) will improve up until a point of senescence. Despite abundant evidence for this pattern, relatively few studies consider the mechanisms associated with age-related improvements in RP. In this study, we aimed to describe patterns of age-related RP (seasonal fledgling production) in female North American barn swallows (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) using a longitudinal data set to test multiple hypotheses about the social, morphological, and ecological factors underlying this prominent life history pattern. To address these objectives, we used generalized linear mixed models in a three-step series of analyses in which we assessed (1) patterns of female age-related RP; (2) the influence of age on changes in social, morphological, and ecological factors; and (3) whether the changes in RP were concomitant with changes in these factors. We found that (1) females showed patterns of age-related reproduction, in which performance increased in the first 2 years of breeding and decreased thereafter, (2) female tail streamer length increased and the extent of breast coloration increased then decreased significantly with age, and (3) changes in morphological traits did not covary with changes in reproductive performance over time. Our within-individual results highlight the importance of considering explicit links between morphology and reproductive performance that are not easily captured by population-level analyses.
Causal relations among stock returns, inflation, real activity, and interest rates: Evidence from Japan

Previous studies reveal a negative correlation between stock returns and inflation but do not fully specify the relationship or resolve the direction of causality. The possible explanations are (1) that inflation shocks negatively affect real output and the negative relationship among stock returns and thus inflation serves as a proxy for the positive relationship between stock returns and real variables (i.e., inflation predicts real activity) and (2) that unexpected changes in stock prices cause changes in inflationary expectations. The authors apply the state space econometric method to investigate Japanese data concerning the existence and direction of Granger causation among stock returns, inflation, real activity, and interest rates.