cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A calorimetric investigation of single stranded base stacking in the ribo-oligonucleotide A7.

Abstract Differential scanning calorimetry has been employed to determine the energy change associated with single stranded base stacking in the ribo-oligonucleotide A 7 . A total enthaipy change of 20.3 kcal (mole of heptamer) −1 was measured. This corresponds to 2.9 kcal (mole of adenine) −1 or 3.4 kcal (mole of A-A stack) −1 if one assumes that all six stacking interactions are energetically equivalent. These results represent the first direct determination of this important parameter for a ribo-oligonucleotide. It is noted that the calorimetrically determined value reported here is considerably lower than any of the previously published van 't Hoff enthalpies but is consistent with values that can be derived from other calorimetric data.
Surgical management of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Early and late results

From 1975 through 1993, 178 patients underwent surgical management of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Operations included isolated septa myectomy ( n =95), septal myectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting ( n =41), septal myectomy plus a valve procedure ( n =25), septal myectomy, valve procedure, and coronary artery bypass grafting ( n =14), and mitral valve replacement without septal myectomy ( n =3). Recent myectomy results were monitored with transesophageal echocardiography. After initial myectomy, 32 patients (20%) underwent a second pump run for more extensive myectomy only ( n =22), mitral valve replacement only ( n =5), or both ( n =2). In-hospital mortality was 6% ( n =11) and 4% ( n =6) for patients undergoing septal myectomy or septal myectomy plus coronary artery bypass grafting, respectively. Heart block occurred in 17 patients (10%). Left ventricular outflow tract systolic gradients decreased from a mean of 93 mm Hg to 21 mm Hg after myectomy. Late survival was 86% and 70% at 5 and 10 postoperative years, respectively, and 93% and 79% for patients undergoing septal myectomy alone or septal myectomy plus coronary artery bypass grafting, respectively. Only 3 of 131 in-hospital survivors of septal myectomy or septal myectomy plus coronary artery bypass grafting died late cardiac deaths, for a yearly mortality of 0.6%. However, the 5-year late survival of patients undergoing valve operation plus septal myectomy was 51%, and multivariate testing confirmed the adverse influence on late survival ( p =0.008), as well as adverse influences of increasing age ( p =0.016) and return to cardiopulmonary bypass for mitral valve replacement ( p =0.038). At follow-up 136 patients (94%) had New York Heart Association class I or II symptoms. For patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, septal myectomy alone or in combination with coronary artery bypass grafting produces effective symptom relief, excellent long-term survival, and a low risk of late cardiac death.
Behavioral correlates of vitamin D deficiency

Rats deprived of vitamin D at weaning were compared to control rats on open field, stabilimeter, radial arm maze and spatial reversal tasks in order to test the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency alters behavior and learning. The deficient animals engaged in statistically less open field rearing activity and spent more time each day negotiating the radial maze than did the control rats. These findings are consistent with the known influence of vitamin D on the musculoskeletal system. The deprived rats did not differ from the control animals on the learning measures. This would indicate that vitamin D deficiency may not significantly impair cognitive functions in young adult rats.
The Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrograph

The Otraviolet solar radiation from 1000A up to the atmospheric cutoff at 3000A is of great interest to solar physics. In order to record this spectral region in a form most advantageous to solar physics, the NRL Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrograph was designed with several major goals in mind. Among these were: the most complete spectral coverage possible, and the highest spectral, spatial, and temporal resolution possible. The total spectral coverage of this instrument is about 1000A to 4000A, which provides an overlap with ground based observations.
A unique pathway for sustained neurotrophin signaling through an ankyrin-rich membrane-spanning protein.

A major question in cell biology is how molecular specificity is achieved by different growth factor receptors that activate apparently identical signaling events. For the neurotrophin family, a distinguishing feature is the ability to maintain a prolonged duration of signal transduction. However, the mechanisms by which neurotrophin receptors assemble such a sustained signaling complex are not understood. Here we report that an unusual ankyrin-rich transmembrane protein (ARMS+kidins220) is closely associated with Trk receptor tyrosine kinases, and not the EGF receptor. This association requires interactions between transmembrane domains of Trk and ARMS. ARMS is rapidly tyrosine phosphorylated after binding of neurotrophins to Trk receptors and provides a docking site for the CrkL–C3G complex, resulting in Rap1-dependent sustained ERK activation. Accordingly, disruption of Trk–ARMS or the ARMS–CrkL interaction with dominant-negative ARMS mutants, or treatment with small interference RNA against ARMS substantially reduce neurotrophin-elicited signaling to ERK, but without any effect upon Ras or Akt activation. These findings suggest that ARMS acts as a major and neuronal-specific platform for prolonged MAP kinase signaling by neurotrophins.
Accountable Care Organization Formation Is Associated With Integrated Systems But Not High Medical Spending

Medicare's approximately 250 accountable care organizations (ACOs) care for a growing portion of all fee-for-service beneficiaries across the United States. We examined where ACOs have formed and what regional factors are predictive of ACO formation. Understanding these factors could help policy makers foster growth in areas with limited ACO development. We found wide variation in ACO formation, with large areas, such as the Northwest, essentially empty of ACOs, and others, such as the Northeast and Midwest, dense with the organizations. Key regional factors associated with ACO formation include a greater fraction of hospital risk sharing (capitation), larger integrated hospital systems, and primary care physicians practicing in large groups. Area income, Medicare per capita spending, Medicare Advantage enrollment rates, and physician density were not associated with ACO formation. Together, these results imply that underlying provider integration in a region may help drive the formation of ACOs.
Quality improvement in public health: moving from knowing the path to walking the path.

This issue of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, the second to focus on quality improvement in public health, moves from “knowing the path,” described in the January/February 2010 issue, to actually “walking the path.” The 2010 issue outlined important components of transformation (eg, leadership to give clear vision, breaking down silos, and creating a work environment to sustain continuous quality improvement [CQI]) and set forth an ambitious challenge for adoption of quality improvement (QI) by public health. The foundation of this issue is a series of case studies, addressing not only how public health agencies are conducting QI projects but also how they are sustaining their QI efforts by creating the necessary infrastructure and culture to support CQI. These case studies demonstrate how and under what conditions QI and CQI succeed. Recognizing that many agencies throughout the country are performing exemplary QI work, the local health departments and projects highlighted in these case studies were primarily selected for pragmatic reasons. Many of these agencies are located in North Carolina, which made it easier for the authors to efficiently develop the case studies with little travel and with the necessary relationship building already accomplished. However, several other factors guided the selection of these case studies. North Carolina’s public health system enabled the selection of several rural and smaller agencies to highlight. Most literature to date has focused on urban and larger agencies. It is important to address this gap because there is potentially greater impact for QI in agencies with fewer resources, and there is concern about the feasibility of QI in smaller agencies. Agencies using common QI methods, such as “Lean” and “Model for Improvement,” were pur-
Sterol Biosynthesis Inhibitors: Potential for Transition State Analogs and Mechanism-Based Inactivators Targeted at Sterol Methyltransferase

Sterol biosynthesis inhibitors (SBIs), discovered in the late 1960s and subsequently used commercially to treat ergosterol-dependent fungal diseases, represent a unique drug class targeted at an enzyme in a biosynthetic pathway. To date, few drugs have been commercialized as enzyme inhibitors; yet, prescription of SBIs has emerged as the gold standard for some cases of non-life-threatening antifungal chemotherapy and in crop protection. SBIs are not designed for their structural resemblance to the sterol molecule; they nonetheless can engender a curative effect by interfering with sterol production and homeostasis in the pathogenic organism. The increased use of SBIs in recent years, particularly the azole antifungals, has resulted in the development of resistance to those drugs, necessitating additional work to further our understanding of antifungal resistance and to explore opportunities to develop new enzyme inhibitors and uncover new enzyme targets that can regulate carbon flux in the post-lanosterol/cycloartenol pathway. This article reports general considerations for enzyme mechanism and active-site probes using inhibitors of the C-methylation reaction, including a potential new class of antifungal/antiparasitic agents of phytosterol synthesis tailored as mechanism-based inactivators. These steroid-based compounds prepared with different sterol side chain functionalities are designed to reversibly or irreversibly impair the sterol methyltransferase, an enzyme expressed in pathogenic microbes and plants but not in the human host. The salient aspects of these and related topics directed toward the enzyme recognition of sterol structure, and the inhibitory properties and catalytic competence of a series of specifically modified substrate analogs that affect sterol methyltransferase action are discussed.
Adaptive significance of the age polyethism schedule in honeybee colonies

The adaptive origins of the honeybee's age polyethism schedule were studied by testing whether the schedule for labor inside the nest reflects a compromise between efficiency in locating tasks and efficiency in performing tasks. I checked two predictions of this hypothesis: (1) at each age a worker handles a set of tasks (rather than one task), and (2) the elements of each age's task-set co-occur spatially in the nest (rather than being spatially segregated). Most observations match these predictions, once workers reach the age of 2 days. The unpredicted specialization of 0 to 2-day-old workers on the single task of cell cleaning may reflect an unusual ease in locating work sites for this particular task. There are 5 female castes in honeybee colonies: the queen (reproductive caste), plus 4 age subcastes among the workers (cell cleaning caste, broodnest caste, food storage caste, and forager caste).
Laser Processing of Ion Implanted Silicon

Many of the unique advantages of ion implantation for selective alteration of materials properties are often negated by the necessity for thermal annealing to remove radiation damage resulting from the implantation process. Recent experimental results will be presented which indicate that pulsed ruby lasers provide a new and promising alternative for processing ion implanted silicon. Silicon single crystals implanted with B, P, As, Sb, Cu and Fe were investigated before and after laser annealing utilizing the techniques of ion channeling, ion backscattering, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray Bragg reflection. The mechanisms of laser annealing, crystal regrowth and dopant redistribution were deduced, and it will be shown that a variety of materials alterations can be achieved by controlling the implanted dopant profile and concentration, the dopant species, and the laser parameters. Applications of ion implantation and laser annealing to achieve new materials properties and their use in processing materials is discussed.
Sensing and decoding of visual stimuli using commercial Brain Computer Interface technology

This paper presents experiments using Brain Computer Interface technology and artificial neural networks to identify simple images viewed by a human subject. Electro-encephalograph (EEG) data is collected from subjects viewing images made up of 2×2 black and white squares using Matlab software and the commercially available Emotiv Epoc headset. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are used to map EEG data to a pixel array representing the image the subject is viewing. ANNs emulate a biological brain as an array of interconnected nodes which can be trained to match an arbitrary set of inputs to a given set of outputs. In this way, the neural network can map EEG data to a particular image the subject was viewing, allowing the network to classify new EEG image data from other human subjects.
Reactivity of ACTH and synthetic ACTH peptides with antisera to human calcitonin.

Abstract We studied the reactivity of highly purified pituitary hormones in our human calcitonin (hCT) radioimmunoassay (RIA) which can detect 1 pg of hCT. ACTH at doses of greater than 1 μg of peptide per RIA tube reacted in the hCT assay, as did β-endorphin (βEPH) at a dose of 10 μg per tube. No reactivity was observed with comparable concentrations of all other known pituitary hormones. ACTH also reacted at doses greater than 1 μg per tube with 7 other hCT antisera which recognized differing antigenic determinants in the calcitonin molecule but it was not reactive with 2 antisera against porcine calcitonin or 2 antisera against salmon calcitonin. This slight degree of cross-reactivity of hACTH and βEPH in the hCT RIA cannot account for the presence of immunoreactive CT in pituitary glands. Nevertheless, antisera used for the localization of peptides must be rigorously tested for the existence of cross-reactivities with other possible substances, especially if such antisera detect the peptide in unexpected tissues.
Where should i turn: moving from individual to collaborative navigation strategies to inform the interaction design of future navigation systems

The design of in-vehicle navigation systems fails to take into account the social nature of driving and automobile navigation. In this paper, we consider navigation as a social activity among drivers and navigators to improve design of such systems. We explore the implications of moving from a map-centered, individually-focused design paradigm to one based upon collaborative human interaction during the navigation task. We conducted a qualitative interaction design study of navigation among three types of teams: parents and their teenage children, couples, and unacquainted individuals. We found that collaboration varied among these different teams, and was influenced by social role, as well as the task role of driver or navigator. We also found that patterns of prompts, maneuvers, and confirmations varied among the three teams. We identify overarching practices that differ greatly from the literature on individual navigation. From these discoveries, we present design implications that can be used to inform future navigation systems.
The fusion loops and membrane proximal region of Epstein-Barr virus glycoprotein B (gB) can function in the context of herpes simplex virus 1 gB when substituted individually but not in combination

Among the herpesvirus glycoprotein B (gB) fusion proteins, the hydrophobic content of fusion loops and membrane proximal regions (MPRs) are inversely correlated with each other. We examined the functional importance of the hydrophobicity of these regions by replacing them in herpes simplex virus type 1 gB with corresponding regions from Epstein-Barr virus gB. We show that fusion activity is dependent on the structural context in which the specific loops and MPR sequences exist, rather than a simple hydrophobic relationship.
Henry’s Law Constants of Some Aromatic Aldehydes and Ketones Measured by an Internal Standard Method

Dimensionless Henry’s law constants kH (air−water partition coefficients) for a series of aromatic aldehydes and ketones were measured by using an internal standard method. It was demonstrated that the technique works well for both liquid and solid species. The kH values of these compounds, which usually are difficult to be determined experimentally, are in the order of 10−6 to 10−3. The measurements were carried out under atmospheric pressure and at various temperatures [(273 to 298) K]. The temperature dependence of kH was also studied, and the van’t Hoff parameters were calculated. All the data are reported with the corresponding standard deviations and uncertainties at the 95 % confidence level. The theoretical dipole moments in the gas phase were computed by utilizing Cerius(2) molecular modeling software to justify the discrepancies among the kH values of the isomers. These calculations exhibit linear relationships between the dipole moment and kH within each isomer series.
Electroencephalogram potentials evoked by hemi-retinal stimulation

Als Reaktion auf Reizung der lateralen Gesichtsfeldhalfte wurden evozierte Potentiale der Hirnrinde des Menschen registriert. Reizung der einen Gesichtshalfte erzeugte fruhzeitig ein Maximum der Potentiale der gegenseitigen Hemisphare sowie Phasenumkehr der Potentiale der gleichseitigen Hemisphare.
Gender and race are significant determinants of students' food choices on a college campus.

Abstract Objective To examine the roles of gender and race in students' determinants of food choices on a college campus. Methods A total of 405 college students participated in a survey entitled "Campus Food: You Tell Us!" Chi-square and logistic regression were used to examine associations between demographics and food choice determinants. Results Gender and race appeared to play a significant role in determinants of students' food dislikes. Males were significantly more likely to choose cost, taste, and poor quality over poor nutrition as determinants. White students were significantly less likely to choose cost, inconvenience, and taste over poor nutrition than students of other races. Gender was also a significant factor associated with student preferences for campus dining location and determinants of unhealthful food. Conclusions and Implications Future marketing may be more effective if tailored to gender and race. Nutrition educators should consider addressing taste and convenience when attempting to influence students' food choices.
Classification and evolution of the genus Phymatophaea Pascoe from New Zealand and New Caledonia (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Enopliinae)

Abstract The genus Phymatophaea Pascoe is revised here for the first time. It consists of 22 species, 21 from New Zealand and one from New Caledonia. Ten species are described as new: P. aquila, P. auripila, P. caledonia, P. deirolinea, P. enodis, P. earlyi, P. insula, P. maorias, P. tracheloglaba, and P. watti. Of the 25 nominal species listed in Corporaal's world catalogue 12 are considered valid species: P. atrata Broun, P. breviclava Broun, P. guttigera (Waterhouse), P.fuscitarsis Broun, P. hudsoni Broun, P. longula Sharp, P. lugubris Broun, P. oconnori Broun, P. opacula Broun, P. opilioides (Pascoe), P. pustulifera (Westwood), and P. testacea Broun. Lectotypes are designated for all valid previously published species except: P. breviclava Broun, P. fuscitarsis Broun, and P. opacula Broun, whose primary types are based on holotypes. Twelve new synonymies are proposed, which are as follows: the junior synonym of P. atrata Broun is P. griseipennis Broun; of P. guttigera are P. brevicollis Broun, P. dors...
LHC constraints on NLSP gluino and dark matter neutralino in Yukawa unified models

Abstract The ATLAS experiment has recently presented its search results for final states containing jets and/or b -jet(s) and missing transverse momentum, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 165 pb −1 . We employ this data to constrain a class of supersymmetric SU ( 4 ) c × SU ( 2 ) L × SU ( 2 ) R models with t − b − τ Yukawa unification, in which the gluino is the next to lightest supersymmetric particle (NLSP). The NLSP gluino is slightly (∼10–30%) heavier than the LSP dark matter neutralino, and it primarily decays into the latter and a quark–antiquark pair or gluon. We find that NLSP gluino masses below ∼300 GeV are excluded by the ATLAS data. For LSP neutralino mass ∼200–300 GeV and μ > 0 , where μ is the coefficient of the MSSM Higgs bilinear term, the LHC constraints in some cases on the spin-dependent (spin-independent) neutralino–nucleon cross section are significantly more stringent than the expected bounds from IceCube DeepCore (Xenon 1T/SuperCDMS). For μ 0 , this also holds for the spin-dependent cross sections.
Thermoelectric effects on interface demarcation and directional solidification of bismuth

This paper investigates thermoelectric effects on interface demarcation during directional solidification of bismuth. A complete description of thermo-electric effects is presented and calculations of related thermo-electric coefficients are elucidated. Numerical simulations for directional solidifications in bismuth were carried out by using an in-house computer code - MASTRAPP, in which a non-orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system is adopted and a multi-zone adaptive grid generation scheme is used. Numerical results with and without current pulsing are presented.
tango-95. An electronic structure program for modeling chemisorption

Abstract tango -95, an ab initio electronic structure program based in part on the disco program of Almlof, is described, with emphasis on the two electron integral evaluation. The program was developed largely for calculations on systems containing many metal atoms for heterogeneous catalysis studies. The evaluation of electron repulsion integrals was optimized for systems containing clusters of atoms which model metal surfaces. We show that the McMurchie and Davidson method (J. Comput. Phys., 26 (1978) 218) is appropriate in this context and we describe our implementation of the method for scalar processors. This implementation minimizes memory operations, and also floating point operations for important cases. We also comment on other features of the program such as gradient calculation, convergence algorithms, calculation of correlation energy and parallelization.
Estimation of the parameters of a truncated gamma distribution

This paper deals with the estimation of the parameters of a truncated gamma distribution over (0,τ), where τ is assumed to be a real number. We obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of the maximum likelihood estimator(MLE). The probability of nonexistence of MLE is observed to be positive. A simulation study indicates that the modified maximum likelihood estimator and the mixed estimator, which exist with probability one,are to be preferred over MLE. The bias, the mean square error, and the probability of nearness form a basis of our simulation study.
Gas absorption in a fin‐wall conduit

Gas absorption and pressure drop were studied in a fin-wall conduit; a fin-wall conduit is a rectangular duct with fins placed on two internal walls perpendicular to the axis of flow. Pressure drop data were obtained with the air-water system. Gas absorption data were obtained with the air-ammonia-water system, and were corrected for the expected liquid-phase resistance by the use of oxygen desorption data. The pressure drop per transfer unit is on the order of 0.05 in. of water per transfer unit.
STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS FOR BENZOTRIAZINE DI-N-OXIDES

SR 4233 (3-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine 1,4-dioxide) is a bioreductive agent that selectively kills and radiosensitizes hypoxic mammalian cells in vitro and murine tumors in vivo. In an attempt to better understand the mechanism of action of the drug, and to determine whether a superior analog may exist, 15 benzotriazine-di-N-oxide analogs of SR 4233 have been evaluated to date for the following properties: hypoxic and aerobic toxicity toward CHO cells in vitro, drug-induced stimulation of oxygen consumption by incubation with respiration-inhibited cells, and acute LD50 evaluated in BALB/c mice. We noted several correlations between these biological properties of the drugs and some of their physicochemical characteristics. Both the hypoxic cytotoxicity and stimulation of oxygen consumption by respiration-inhibited cells were positively correlated with E1/2, the polarographic half-wave reduction potential, and a measure of electron affinity. The air-to-nitrogen differential cytotoxicity reached a maximum (corresponding to SR 4233) and then declined with increasing E1/2. The acute LD50 of each analog in mice decreased with increasing E1/2. One new compound, SR 4482, was found to be more toxic to hypoxic cells in vitro, but less toxic to mice, than SR 4233. It is similar in structure to SR 4233, but lacks any substituent in the 3-position of the triazine ring. This promising drug may represent a member of a new subseries of 1,2,4-benzotriazines with different structure-activity relationships.
Double-chamber electrode for spectrochemical determination of chlorine and other halogens

Abstract A double-chamber, graphite electrode, suitable for d.c. arc determination of halogens by means of the alkaline earth halide bands, is described. An upper chamber holds the alkaline earth compound and an interconnected, lower chamber holds the halogen compound. This arrangement assures that there will be an abundance of alkaline earths in the arc by the time the halogen is volatilized from the lower chamber, and thereby promotes maximum emission of the alkaline earth halide bands.
Whither Poverty? Social Disorganization Theory in an Era of Urban Transformation

Abstract Although Shaw and McKay (1942) viewed poverty as the most seminal community characteristic related to crime rates, the systemic model of social disorganization theory has been concerned less with the effects of poverty than with mobility and heterogeneity. In fact, theoretically, the role of poverty in the systemic model has remained underdeveloped. Yet, recent empirical findings have suggested that poverty is a strong predictor of neighborhood crime rates, and some findings suggest that poverty conditions the effects of heterogeneity and mobility in directions counter to predictions made by contemporary social disorganization theory. These findings provide the basis for developing a new understanding of the effects of poverty within a systemic model. This paper presents a review of the role of poverty within the contemporary social disorganization model and suggestions for further theoretical development.
Hydrogen broadening of vibrational-rotational transitions of ammonia lying near 6450 Å

The hydrogen broadened half-widths of four ammonia vibrational-rotational transitions near 6450 A have been measured. The average value of the hydrogen broadening coefficient is 0.101 ± 0.004 cm-1 atm with no apparent quantum number dependence.
Three-dimensional terrain display for UAV applications

With the battle proven success of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's), the future of these tactical systems is boundless. Although typically employing onboard visible, infrared, or electro-optical imaging subsystems for reconnaissance and flight operations, one of the challenges facing the application of UAV's is adequate situational awareness supporting remote flight operations. This becomes especially true during missions that need to be conducted during low or zero visibility conditions. With this in mind, a need has been identified to provide the UAV community with a method of providing a real-time, three- dimensional terrain data presentation along with enhanced mission planning as part of the integrated ground operations and control system. Integration with a color moving map presentation provides a total solution for UAV mission planning, navigation, and overall situational awareness. Combined, this information leads a more successful mission.
Dual-use decision making: relational and positional issues

Debates about dual-use research often turn on the potential for scientific research to be used to benefit or harm humanity. This dual-use potential is conventionally understood as the product of the magnitude of the harms and benefits of dual-use research, multiplied by their likelihood. This account, however, neglects important social aspects of the use of science and technology. In this paper, I supplement existing conceptions of dual-use potential to account for the social context of dual-use research. This account incorporates relational and positional concerns that feature in the success or failure of dual-use. I then defend this account against foreseeable objections.
Regulation of macrophage accessory functions by interactions involving lymphokines and endotoxin

It is important to reemphasize the observation that two distinct regulatory molecules, colony-stimulating factor (CSF) and interferon, can directly influence macrophage accessory functions. CSF stimulates macrophages to secrete interleukin 1 (IL1) whereas interferon induces a conversion to Ia antigen expression. Either directly or indirectly these functions can also be influenced by a combination of lymphokines and bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). As is the case with effector functions, it is apparent that specific regulatory molecules exist which function to amplify the influence of microbial products on macrophage accessory activities.
Transfinite interpolation over implicity defined sets

In a general setting, the transfinite interpolation problem requires constructing a single function f(x) that takes on the prescribed values and/or derivatives on some collection of point sets. The sets of points may contain isolated points, bounded or unbounded curves, as well as surfaces and regions of arbitrary topology. All such closed semi-analytic sets may be represented implicitly by real valued functions with guaranteed differential properties. Furthermore, such functions may be constructed automatically using the theory of R-functions. We show that such implicit representations may be used to solve the general transfinite interpolation problem using a generalization of the classical inverse distance weighting interpolation for scattered data. The constructed interpolants may be used to approximate boundary value and smoothing problems in a meshfree manner.
Neuromuscular disease and the pulmonologist.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The heterogeneous nature of neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) continues to promote slow but steady advances in diagnosis, classification, and treatment. This review focuses on the updates in the general management and treatment of NMDs, with emphasis on key updates in muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, mitochondrial myopathy, spinal muscular atrophy, and hereditary neuropathies. RECENT FINDINGS Current research shows that improvements in morbidity and mortality in various NMDs may be possible. Key components include advances in identification and classification of individual NMDs; attention to anesthetic and surgical risks; aggressive pulmonary care; and implementations of a proactive, multidisciplinary, standard-of-care approach. Innovative molecular and pharmaceutical therapeutic options are being investigated in many of these disorders, but unfortunately no new intervention has borne out. SUMMARY Important advances were made in the last year in the field of neuromuscular disease. However, because of their heterogeneous nature and rarity, diagnosis and treatment of these disorders either as a single disorder or as a group continue to be both a clinical and a research challenge. It is of utmost importance that clinicians and researchers be aware of these disorders to aid in identification and treatment.
Effect of Inhaled Methacholine on Inspiratory Flow

One hundred consecutive outpatients with symptoms suggestive of asthma who came to the Pulmonary Function Laboratory for a methacholine challenge test were studied. In addition to the forced expiratory maneuvers, forced inspiratory maneuvers were performed before and after the maximal response to methacholine. In 24 patients, the methacholine challenge suggested that they had asthma (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV 1 ] decrease ≥20 percent). Six of these 24 patients also had a decrease in maximal forced inspiratory flow (FIFmax) ≥20 percent and nine had a decrease in forced inspiratory flow at 50 percent of vital capacity (FIF50) ≥20 percent, suggesting that bronchoconstriction can cause decreased inspiratory as well as expiratory flows. In 76 patients, the methacholine challenges were "negative" (FEV 1 decrease ≤20 percent), suggesting that they did not have asthma. Nevertheless, in 11 of these 76 patients the FIFmax decrease was 2:20 percent, and in 14 patients the FIF50 decrease was ≥20 percent, suggesting that intermittent central airway obstruction is responsible for these patients' symptoms.
Junction site analysis of chimeric CYP21A1P/CYP21A2 genes in 21-hydroxylase deficiency

BACKGROUND: Chimeric CYP21A1P/CYP21A2 genes, caused by homologous recombination between CYP21A2 (cytochrome P450, family 21, subfamily A, polypeptide 2) and its highly homologous pseudogene CYP21A1P (cytochrome P450, family 21, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 pseudogene), are common in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). A comprehensive junction site analysis of chimeric CYP21A1P/CYP21A2 genes is needed for optimizing genetic analysis strategy and determining clinical relevance. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive genetic analysis of chimeric CYP21A1P/CYP21A2 genes in a cohort of 202 unrelated 21-OHD patients. Targeted CYP21A2 mutation analysis was performed, and genotyping of chimeric CYP21A1P/CYP21A2 genes was cross-confirmed with Southern blot, RFLP, and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analyses. Junction sites of chimera genes were determined by sequencing the long-PCR products amplified with primers CYP779f and Tena32F. An updated bioinformatics survey of Chi -like sequences was also performed. RESULTS: Of 100 probands with a chimeric allele, 96 had a chimera associated with the severe classic salt-wasting form of CAH, and the remaining 4 carried an uncommon attenuated chimera with junction sites upstream of In2G (c.293–13A/C>G), which is associated with a milder phenotype. In addition to 6 of 7 reported chimeras, we identified a novel classic chimera (CH-8) and a novel attenuated chimera (CH-9). Attenuated chimeras explained prior genotype–phenotype discrepancies in 3 of the patients. Sequencing the CYP779f/Tena32F amplicons accurately differentiated between classic and attenuated chimeras. The bioinformatics survey revealed enrichment of Chi -like sequences within or in the vicinity of intron 2. CONCLUSIONS: Junction site analysis can explain some genotype–phenotype discrepancies. Sequencing the well-established CYP779f/Tena32F amplicons is an unequivocal strategy for detecting attenuated chimeric CYP21A1P/CYP21A2 genes, which are clinically relevant.
America's Forgotten Founder: John Dickinson and the American Revolution

Although John Dickinson was one of the central figures in the American Founding, he is virtually unknown by scholars. This article makes a case for his importance and claims that the reason for his absence from the scholarship is the confusion surrounding his political thought and action. Until now, no work has explained the apparent contradiction of his vigorous advocacy of American rights, his refusal to support the Declaration of Independence, and his subsequent military service on the side of the Rebels. The argument here is that the seeming contradictions resolve and Dickinson's position in the Revolution is consistent and comprehendible when situated in the tradition of Quaker political thought.
Nucleolin Is Required for RNA Polymerase I Transcription In Vivo

Eukaryotic genomes are packaged with histones and accessory proteins in the form of chromatin. RNA polymerases and their accessory proteins are sufficient for transcription of naked DNA, but not of chromatin, templates in vitro. In this study, we purified and identified nucleolin as a protein that allows RNA polymerase II to transcribe nucleosomal templates in vitro. As immunofluorescence confirmed that nucleolin localizes primarily to nucleoli with RNA polymerase I, we demonstrated that nucleolin allows RNA polymerase I transcription of chromatin templates in vitro. The results of chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments established that nucleolin is associated with chromatin containing rRNA genes transcribed by RNA polymerase I but not with genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II or III. Knockdown of nucleolin by RNA interference resulted in specific inhibition of RNA polymerase I transcription. We therefore propose that an important function of nucleolin is to permit RNA polymerase I to transcribe nucleolar chromatin.
Impact of Manifold Design on Heat Exchanger Efficiency

The impact of manifold design on single-phase heat exchanger effectiveness is studied using the NTU-Effectiveness method. Manifolds are devices that redistribute the internal flow stream of a heat exchanger from one to several passages. Two manifold types are identified: collector box and direct split designs. The particular application considered is that of a gas fired forced air heating system. A general enhancement analysis is performed which covers four different combinations of performance and objective criteria. Three cases involve increasing the heat exchanger effectiveness while constraining either the internal flow head loss, the internal mass flow rate, or their product. The other case involves reducing the required heat exchanger flow length while constraining the heat transfer rate. Familiar convection correlations are then incorporated into the enhancement analysis to predict general trends and behavior when the main tube is split into several smaller tubes. Analytical estimates of improved effectiveness are presented for three operating conditions of an actual heat exchanger which possesses a manifold. Experimental data acquired from the gas-to-gas heat exchanger are compared to numerical predictions of its performance without a manifold (baseline design). The analytical equations developed closely predict the improvement in heat exchanger effectiveness.
Learning in dynamic temporal domains using contextual prediction entropy as a guiding principle

Temporal sequence learning facilitates the near-term prediction of future events, a skill that is essential in order for intelligent agents to function in a dynamic world. Agents acting in real-time dynamic environments must anticipate the movement of other agents/objects to avoid collisions and capture prey, anticipate the consequences of certain sequences of actions, etc. Classical (Pavlovian) conditioning clearly demonstrates this basic capability, however the neural mechanisms which mediate it are not currently understood. Further, contemporary methods in machine learning and neural modeling either reduce the problem to a simple Markov Decision Problem (in which state-augmentation is avoided altogether or becomes problematic in terms of combinatorial state explosion), or employ learning mechanisms that do not reflect simple human abilities in terms of fast, adaptive learning. Short term memory is particularly adept at the rapid acquisition of knowledge at the cost of some level of error and the likely possibility that the validity of the learned knowledge may be very short. Humans use short term memory to rapidly adapt to changing environments, retaining the ability to adapt to completely new environmental conditions. Machines operating autonomously in dynamic or hostile environments must be designed with similar capabilities. This work presents a novel short-term-memory-based machine learning model that exhibits the biologically relevant characteristics of on-line, rapid, adaptable learning while avoiding the combinatorial state explosion of traditional Markov-based approaches. The model is based on associative hindsight learning of salient event outcomes together with the appropriate selection of context that predicts those events. The model employs an entropy measure of predictive utility to both isolate highly predictive rules governing the environment and prune away those rules that are not useful. Based on the success of this model in both synthetic and game-playing environments, extensions to basic reinforcement learning models are suggested that provide closer alignment with established experimental findings in the field of animal learning behavior.
Efficacy of wedge resection with phenolization in the treatment of ingrowing toenails.

Background: Ingrowing toenail is a common condition treated by general surgeons. Our aim was to analyze the effectiveness of wedge resection with phenolization in the surgical treatment of ingrowing toenails. Methods: We retrospectively audited 100 patients who underwent wedge resection with phenolization for the treatment of ingrowing toenail between January 2000 and June 2004 by a single surgeon. We reviewed all charts and attempted to contact all patients for a telephone interview to assess patient satisfaction. Outcome measures were: 1) recurrence rate, 2) duration of analgesic use, 3) postoperative complications including wound infection, 4) time to return to normal activities, and 5) satisfaction with the procedure. Results: A total of 168 wedge resection with phenolization procedures were performed on 100 patients. There was only one recurrence (0.6%). Two patients (2%) had wound infection and were treated with oral antibiotics. The average time for a single wedge resection with phenolization proce...
Ebooks: An Alternative to Paper Books for Online Students?

This program evaluation researched ebooks as a source of literature for students attending online schools. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators participated in focus groups, surveys, and interviews so as to determine the effectiveness of providing ebooks to online students. It was found that while students enjoyed browsing ebooks from their school-provided desktop computers, reading ebooks to completion was difficult to enjoy without a portable, digital reading device. Recommendations included providing tablets to allow ebook downloads and adopting an ereading pedagogy.
Pediatric residency training in child abuse and neglect in the United States.

BACKGROUND. Child abuse and neglect are leading public health problems with significant morbidity and mortality. Previous studies indicate that physicians often lack knowledge and confidence in addressing child abuse and neglect. OBJECTIVES. Our goal was to assess the child abuse and neglect curricula in pediatric residency programs as reported by chief residents and to identify levels of preparedness of residents to address child abuse and neglect on graduation. We analyzed variables related to preparedness. METHODS. A 28-item survey was sent to chief residents of all 203 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–accredited pediatric residency programs in the United States from 2004–2005. We performed descriptive, bivariable, and multivariable analyses. RESULTS. The response rate was 71%. Most programs taught didactics on physical and sexual abuse, but only 54% included domestic violence. Ninety-three percent of respondents rated their didactics as useful or very useful. Forty-one percent of programs required mandatory clinical rotations in child abuse and neglect, 57% offered elective rotations, and 25% offered no rotations at all. Respondents rated the levels of preparedness of graduating residents to address child abuse and neglect as: very well (12%), well (54%), somewhat well (28%), or not well (6%). Preparedness was significantly associated with didactic usefulness, number of hours of didactics, total number of inpatient cases of child abuse and neglect seen, percent of residents completing mandatory rotations, number of sexual abuse cases during mandatory rotation, number of physical abuse cases during mandatory rotation, and length of mandatory rotation. CONCLUSIONS. Mandatory clinical experiences in child abuse and neglect improve the preparedness of graduating residents to identify and evaluate patients for child abuse and neglect. Perhaps residency training in child abuse and neglect should be a required subspecialty rotation with more explicit curricular content than in the current mandates.
Within‐species variation in the development of ultrasonic signaling of preweanling rats

The development of litter and individual differences in the rate of ultrasonic signaling of neonatal rats was studied. Systematic variations among litters and individuals emerged, without differential treatment. These differences were not correlated with variations in general development as indexed by body weight. Two experiments using a cross-fostering design showed that litter differences developed independently of variations in postnatal environment. These results indicate that the variations among litters in ultrasound rate have a prenatal, possibly genetic, etiology and may represent reliable indicants of response to environmental stress.
Mining and integration of pathway diagrams from imaging data

Motivation: Pathway diagrams from PubMed and World Wide Web (WWW) contain valuable highly curated information difficult to reach without tools specifically designed and customized for the biological semantics and high-content density of the images. There is currently no search engine or tool that can analyze pathway images, extract their pathway components (molecules, genes, proteins, organelles, cells, organs, etc.) and indicate their relationships. Results: Here, we describe a resource of pathway diagrams retrieved from article and web-page images through optical character recognition, in conjunction with data mining and data integration methods. The recognized pathways are integrated into the BiologicalNetworks research environment linking them to a wealth of data available in the BiologicalNetworks' knowledgebase, which integrates data from >100 public data sources and the biomedical literature. Multiple search and analytical tools are available that allow the recognized cellular pathways, molecular networks and cell/tissue/organ diagrams to be studied in the context of integrated knowledge, experimental data and the literature. Availability: BiologicalNetworks software and the pathway repository are freely available at www.biologicalnetworks.org. Contact: baitaluk@sdsc.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.