cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional reconstruction of tubulin in zinc-induced sheets.

The three-dimensional structure of porcine brain tubulin in planar sheets formed in the presence of zinc has been determined to a resolution of approximately 20 A by electron microscopy and image reconstruction on negatively stained samples. The samples were prepared with a mica floatation technique, which yields tubulin sheets with 36 reciprocal space maxima on lattice lines at 21, 28, 42 and 84 A−1 in Fourier transforms of digitized images. In order to obtain three-dimensional data, sheets were tilted with the goniometer stage of the electron microscope to provide images at various angles between 0 ° and ± 60 °. Transforms of 33 tilted images plus the transform of untilted sheets based on an average of nine untilted images were combined to give the third dimension of reciprocal space (z∗). These data, were expressed in terms of the phases and amplitudes along the z∗ lattice line for each of the 36 maxima observed in untilted samples, as well as five additional lattice lines which have zero-amplitudes in the non-tilted central section of the three-dimensional transform. Home of these zero-amplitudes arise from systematic absences which are due to a 2-fold screw axis relating adjacent protofilaments of tubulin in the zinc-induced sheets. Thus in the three-dimensional reconstructions of the sheets a polarity of the protofilaments is apparent, with adjacent protofilaments aligned in opposite directions to give an antiparallel pattern, in contrast to normal microtubules composed of protofilaments in parallel alignment. Two classes of morphological units, each with a mass corresponding to a molecular weight of about 55,000, are found to alternate along the protofilaments. These distinct morphological units are identified as the α and β subunits of tubulin, confirming the representation of tubulin as an αβ heterodimer. Furthermore, the extensive internal contact between subunits within a dimer can readily be distinguished from the less extensive contact between dimer units. Such differences in contacts were not apparent in the earlier two-dimensional reconstructions. In addition, areas of excluded stain joining one class of subunits to the subunits of the other class in adjacent protofilaments have been resolved for tubulin polymerized in zinc-induced sheets. Of the two classes of subunits one is distinguished by a prominent cleft. Identification of which class of subunits is α and which is β is not yet possible.
Solid-state structure of [(But)2In(μ-Cl)]∞: an unusual saw-tooth polymeric chain

Abstract The solid-state structure of di- tert -butyl indium chloride, [(Bu t ) 2 In(μ-Cl)], has been determined by X-ray diffraction and consists of polymeric [33-In-Cl—] ∞ chains arranged in an unusual saw-tooth pattern motif. The indium atom is in a severely distorted coordination environment approximated as a capped trigonalplanar geometry. The structure of [(Bu t ) 2 In(μ-Cl)] ∞ is compared with [(Me) 2 In(μ-Cl)] ∞ .
Wave propagation in cardiac tissue and effects of intracellular calcium dynamics (computer simulation study)

Computer simulation using Luo-Rudy I1 model of ventricular myocyte showed that intracellular calcium dynamics become irregular in case of high rate stimulation. This causes the transition from stationary to nonstationary spiral wave and its breakup in 2D model of cardiac tissue. Obtained results suggest how ventricular fibrillation may occur due to the abnormalities of intracellular calcium dynamics. The short review of existing cardiac cell models with calcium dynamics is presented.
1518 IMPROVED TECHNIQUE FOR ASSESSING URINARY ACIDIFICATION

Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) loading to evaluate urinary acidification often is poorly tolerated because of severe side effects. Indeed it may produce severe uncompensated metabolic acidosis in infants (J Peds. 1977, 91:263). We have developed an alternate protocol utilizing the intravenous infusion of arginine hydrochloride (HC1) and have studied this in 22 children, of whom 4 had distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA), 2 had proximal renal tubular acidosis (pRTA), 14 had recovered from glomerulonephritis and 2 had no evidence of renal disease. Arginine HC1 was infused over 2.0 to 2.5 hours in a dose equivalent to between 100 to 150 mEq [H+] per m2 SA in patients with RTA or decreased GFR and between 150 to 200 mEq [H+] per m2 in the remainder. This resulted in a systemic acidosis sufficient to separate patients with dRTA from the remainder. In no one with dRTA was urine acidified below pH 5.50, lowest values being seen at 5 to 6 hr after starting the infusion. Urine pH was reduced to between 4.65 and 5.35 in all remaining subjects, values below 5.50 occurring in each within 3 hr of starting the infusion. In no instance did the systemic acidosis become excessive or induce symptoms. The procedure was well tolerated by the patients: the severe nausea, vomiting and cramping abdominal pain frequently associated with NH4C1 loading did not occur. We recommend that arginine HC1, rather than NH4C1 be used to study urinary acidification because of the safety, reliability, and better patient acceptance of the test.
The production of progesterone, androgens and oestrogens by human granulosa cells in vitro and in vivo

Abstract The production of progesterone, androgens and oestrogens by human granulosa cells from healthy and atretic follicles was assessed both in vitro and in vivo. Follicles were determined as healthy or atretic from a knowledge of the follicle diameter, the granulosa-cell number, the status of the oocyte and the concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, androstenedione and oestradiol in antral fluid. Irrespective of whether the cells were from healthy or atretic follicles, the membrana granulosa were found by direct measurement to be capable of producing progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, oestrone and oestradiol in vitro. By indirect measurement these cells were also found to have a similar capacity to produce these steroids in vivo. The relative amounts of the individual steroids produced in vitro varied according to whether the follicle, from which the cells were harvested, was healthy or atretic. Granulosa cells from healthy follicles produced large amounts of oestradiol (> 1 pg/cell/48 h), smaller amounts of androstenedione (⩽ 0.05 pg/cell/48 h) and variable amounts of progesterone (0.7 ± 0.3 pg/cell/48 h). In contrast, as the follicle degenerated, the granulosa cells lost their capacity to produce oestradiol, oestrone and progesterone but maintained their capacity to synthesize the androgens. It is concluded that Steroidogenesis by the human follicle is not rigidly compartmentalized between the theca and granulosa cell-types. Also, it is concluded that the theca cells alone do not determine the level of steroidogenic activity in either developing or atretic follicles. Furthermore, it is suggested that the granulosa cells have a major influence in determining the level of steroid in antral fluid.
Electrical properties of a clonal cell line as determined by measurement of ion fluxes

Abstract The electrical properties of the clonal muscle cell line L6 can be revealed by the measurement of ion fluxes. Under many circumstances, this technique provides a useful alternative to electro-physiology. In myoblasts, sodium uptake through voltage-dependent ionophores can be stimulated by veratridine and inhibited by tetrodotoxin. In myotubes which result from fusion of myoblasts, these voltage-dependent sodium channels appear to increase in number, paralleling the development of the action potential. Furthermore, in myotubes (but not myoblasts) carbamylcholine is able to stimulate a sodium influx through ionophores which are inhibitable by curare (dTC) but not tetrodotoxin (TTX). This demonstrates the presence of acetylcholine receptors on the fused cells. The cells also have a manganese-inhibitable calcium channel which appears to be voltage dependent and may be responsible for the calcium-dependent component of the action potential. Depolarizing concentrations of potassium in the medium stimulate calcium uptake both in the presence and absence of sodium. Veratridine and carbamylcholine also stimulate calcium influx, but both require the presence of sodium. This indicates that the depolarization necessary for opening the calcium channel is dependent upon sodium influx in these latter cases. Myoblasts and myotubes appear to have these channels in about equal numbers.
The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children: A Validity Study with At-Risk Preschoolers

Sixty at-risk children aged 3 years, 0 months to 5 years, 11 months were assessed at two Kentucky Head Start Programs and at the University of Louisville Child Evaluation Center. At-risk status was defined by a delay on one or more areas on the Denver Developmental Screening Test. The children who met the criteria for at-risk were then administered the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC). Data were analyzed by correlating subtest scores with total test scores, which resulted in an indication of internal consistency and, thus, provided partial evidence of the test's construct validity. For both the Mental Processing Scale and the Achievement Scale, evidence of construct validity was found with this sample. Findings were consistent with previous research on the K-ABC. Future areas of research are discussed.
A Syndemic Model of Women Incarcerated in Community Jails

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test whether variations in substance abuse, mental health diagnoses, individual experiences of violence, community experiences of violence, and incarceration history may be reduced to a single underlying syndemic factor for a sample of women incarcerated in three Midwestern U.S. jails. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: Secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study of a medical utilization survey; initial confirmatory factor analysis tested fit of model; modification indexes provided confirmatory fit. 290 women incarcerated in three urban Midwestern U.S. jails. MEASURES: Demographics and variables associated with women's criminal justice experience and sexual health risk were assessed. The analysis included women's mental health, drug dependence, childhood sexual and physical abuse, and partner violence. RESULTS: The final model had four variables with significant pathways: childhood sexual abuse, childhood physical abuse, domestic violence, and mental health diagnoses. The fit of this model was very good (χ(2) (1) = 0.6; CFI = 1.00; standardized RMR = 0.0147), strongly suggesting the intertwined nature of the variables. CONCLUSION: Clarification of the specific components in a syndemic model for this population will allow for the implementation of interventions with the appropriate inclusion of content. In interventions and clinical practice, public health nurses should consider these interrelationships. Language: en
Controlled precipitation of radiation belt electrons

[1] First-order estimates indicate that the lifetime of energetic (a few MeV) electrons in the inner radiation belts (e.g., near L = 2) may be significantly reduced by in situ injection of whistler mode waves at radiated power levels of a few kW at frequencies of a few kHz. Our estimates are based on previously published results concerning the effect on the electron lifetimes of VLF signals from ground-based VLF transmitters operating in the 17–23 kHz range. Waves at lower frequencies (a few kHz) can drive diffusion rates that are higher by a factor of as much as ∼30 and can also be efficiently stored in the magnetospheric cavity, resulting in additional effective enhancement of wave power density of a factor of ∼16. This wave power enhancement is also expected to enhance the MeV electron diffusion rates.
Event-related potentials recorded from young and old adults during a memory retrieval task ☆

Abstract Six healthy old and 8 healthy young subjects each received a series of trials in a memory retrieval task devised by Sternberg (1966). On each trial, the subject received a memory set of 1–4 digits and was then shown a test digit. The subject's task was to press one of two response buttons indicating whether the test digit was a member of the memory set for that trial. Response time (RT) was found to be an increasing, linear function of the number of items held in memory. The slope of the RT function was a composite measure of the time necessary to process each additional item in memory while the intercept was a measure of stimulus encoding and response processes that do not depend on memory set size (see Sternberg 1966, 1969, 1975). We found that the latency of P3 to the test stimulus also increased with increases in memory set size, although the slope of the P3 was less than that for RT. We have suggested that the intercept of the P3 slope reflects the time it takes to encode the test stimulus before the evaluation of the stimulus starts, while the slope reflects the amount of time per digit needed to evaluate the set. We have suggested that the difference between RT and P3 slopes represents the additional time per digit which the subjects waits before making a response, due to low confidence occurring with more difficult task conditions (i.e., when set size = 4). We further suggest that the intercept of the RT-P3 latency slope is a reflection of pure response processes. Time estimates of these processes are made for young and old subjects.
Phase stability of MoSi2 in the C11b and C40 structures at high temperatures

Abstract The phase equilibrium of molybdenum disilicide in arc melt and plasma spray processed samples has been investigated in order to define the phase relationship between α -MoSi 2 (C11 b structure) and β -MoSi 2 (C40 structure) phases. The analysis of solidification microstructures and X-ray diffraction patterns of arc melt processed MoSi 2 -based alloys indicates solidification takes place by primary α -MoSi 2 . Retained β -MoSi 2 phase in plasma spray processed powders exhibits an irreversible transformation to α -MoSi 2 , at T ≈1110 K, with an exothermic enthalpy of transformation of Δ H β – α =0.9±0.1 kJ g-atom −1 atom during heating from room temperature at 0.5 K s −1 . The Mo–Si and MoSi 2 –TiSi 2 equilibria phase diagrams have been used to derive the upper bound of the metastable melting point of the β -MoSi 2 phase T β m ≈2299 K, which is below the experimentally measured melting point of MoSi 2 ( T m =2303 K). The phase stability analysis indicates that the β -MoSi 2 phase is a metastable phase relative to α -MoSi 2 at temperatures below the congruent melting point.
Evidence for stratification of basic, silicic, and hybrid magmas in the Newark Island layered intrusion, Main, Labrador

The Newark Island layered intrusion (NILI), located in the Nain anorthosite complex of Labrador, developed through a complex sequence of fractional crystallization, periodic replenishment of both basic and silicic magmas, and magma mixing. It is subdivided into a lower layered series and an upper hybrid series. Three large transgressive trough structures cut these cumulate rocks at different levels. Each trough is lined by granitic rocks and filled mainly by chilled mafic pillows that grade inward to massive olivine gabbro. Each of these troughs originated as a large feeder dike of granitic magma into the NILI chamber when it was floored by basic magma. This resident basic magma collapsed downward into the granitic feeder and formed chilled pillows. These pillows preserve the compositions of basic magma existing in the chamber at the time of granite replenishment. Pillows in the lowest trough show a wide compositional range and provide a direct record of compositional stratification of a magma chamber related to a layered intrusion.
From Silicon to Science: The Long Road to Production Reconfigurable Supercomputing

The field of high performance computing (HPC) currently abounds with excitement about the potential of a broad class of things called accelerators. And, yet, few accelerator based systems are being deployed in general purpose HPC environments. Why is that? This article explores the challenges that accelerators face in the HPC world, with a specific focus on FPGA based systems. We begin with an overview of the characteristics and challenges of typical HPC systems and applications and discuss why FPGAs have the potential to have a significant impact. The bulk of the article is focused on twelve specific areas where FPGA researchers can make contributions to hasten the adoption of FPGAs in HPC environments.
TARGETING AND TRANSLOCATION OF PROTEINS INTO THE HYDROGENOSOME OF THE PROTIST TRICHOMONAS: SIMILARITIES WITH MITOCHONDRIAL PROTEIN IMPORT

Trichomonads are early-diverging eukaryotes that lack both mitochondria and peroxisomes. They do contain a double membrane-bound organelle, called the hydrogenosome, that metabolizes pyruvate and produces ATP. To address the origin and biological nature of hydrogenosomes, we have established an in vitro protein import assay. Using purified hydrogenosomes and radiolabeled hydrogenosomal precursor ferredoxin (pFd), we demonstrate that protein import requires intact organelles, ATP and N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive cytosolic factors. Protein import is also affected by high concentrations of the protonophore, m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). Binding and translocation of pFd into hydrogenosomes requires the presence of an eight amino acid N-terminal presequence that is similar to presequences found on all examined hydrogenosomal proteins. Upon import, pFd is processed to a size consistent with cleavage of the presequence. Mutation of a conserved leucine at position 2 in the presequence to a glycine disrupts import of pFd into the organelle. Interestingly, a comparison of hydrogenosomal and mitochondrial protein presequences reveals striking similarities. These data indicate that mechanisms underlying protein targeting and biogenesis of hydrogenosomes and mitochondria are similar, consistent with the notion that these two organelles arose from a common endosymbiont.
Seizure-Induced Acute Urate Nephropathy: Case Report and Review

Urate nephropathy is observed primarily in patients treated for malignancy, but several other predisposing conditions are recognized. We report a case in which urate nephropathy complicated status epilepticus and review the literature regarding previous similar cases. In addition, we discuss current views of the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury due to urate nephropathy. This case illustrates the value of carefully examining the urine of patients with acute kidney injury to identify causes that may have a specific treatment.
The shielding power of the rat skull to visible light.

E stato misurato l'ammontare (%) di luce bianca, rossa, verde e blu che riesce ad attraversare il cranio del ratto a diverse eta.
Photodecomposition Rates of Some Dichroic Azo Dyes in Liquid Crystals

Abstract Decomposition rates of ten dichroic trisazo and five monoazo dyes dissolved in liquid crystal hosts were derived by measuring the spectra periodically. The light source was a 1-kW Xenon lamp from which UV radiation had been filtered out. Depending on chemical structure, the rates spanned about two orders of magnitude.
Semantics-empowered text exploration for knowledge discovery

The interaction paradigm offered by most contemporary Web Information Systems is a search-and-sift paradigm in which users manually seek information using hyperlinked documents. This paradigm is derived from a document-centric model that gives users minimal support for scanning through high volumes of text. We present a novel information exploration paradigm based on a data-centric view of corpora, along with a prototype implementation that demonstrates the value in content-driven navigation. We leverage semantic metadata to link data in documents by exploiting named relationships between entities. We also present utilities for gathering user generated navigation trails, critical for knowledge discovery. We discuss the impact of our approach in the context of knowledge exploration.
Conceptual models of interactive knowledge acquisition tools

Workers in artificial intelligence (AI) have developed many interactive programs that assist in the knowledge-acquisition process. Because of the diverse nature of these tools, it is often difficult to understand how each one relates to all the others. This paper describes a taxonomy for knowledge-acquisition aids that is based on the terms and relationships that a given tool uses to establish the semantics of a user's entries. Such semantic assumptions, or conceptual models, have important implications for how a knowledge-acquisition tool is used and to what degree it can assist its users in analysing new applications at the knowledge level. Furthermore, when the conceptual model of a knowledge-acquisition tool can be made explicit, knowledge engineers can use metalevel programs to edit that conceptual model, creating knowledge-acquisition aids that are custom-tailored for particular applications. One such metalevel tool, PROTEGE, has been developed to allow editing of the conceptual models of programs that acquire knowledge for tasks that can be solved via the method of skeletal-plan refinement.
An experimental evaluation of computer graphics imagery

Accurate simulation of light propagation within an environment and perceptually based imaging techniques are necessary for the creation of realistic images. A physical experiment that verifies the simulation of reflected light intensities for diffuse environments was conducted. Measurements of radiant energy flux densities are compared with predictions using the radiosity method for those physical environments. By using color science procedures the results of the light model simulation are then transformed to produce a color television image. The final image compares favorably with the original physical model. The experiment indicates that, when the physical model and the simulation were viewed through a view camera, subjects could not distinguish between them. The results and comparison of both test procedures are presented within this paper.
Initial experiences teaching problem solving to computing freshmen (using robots)

Several Computing Departments have described using robots to illuminate concepts and motivate students in introductory programming courses. We describe an ongoing effort to teach concepts of problem solving to computing freshmen, prior to their initial programming experience.
Functional analysis of bacterial artificial chromosomes in mammalian cells: Mouse Cdc6 is associated with the mitotic spindle apparatus

Bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) provide a well-characterized resource for studying the functional organization of genes and other large chromosomal domains. To facilitate functional studies in cell cultures, we have developed a simple approach for generating stable cell lines with variable copy numbers of any BAC. Here we describe hamster cell lines with BAC transgenes that express mouse Cdc6 at levels that correlate with BAC copy number; show that mouse Cdc6 is regulated normally during the cell cycle, binds chromatin, and is degraded during apoptosis; and report a novel fraction of Cdc6 that associates with the spindle apparatus during mitosis. With RNA interference to assess genetic complementation by BAC alleles, this system will facilitate functional studies on large chromosomal domains at variable copy number in mammalian cell models.
Stimulation of an Artemia salina ATPase activity by eukaryotic messenger RNAs

Summary Several ‘capped’ mRNAs (e.g., 9S globin mRNA) as well as ‘noncapped’ mengo viral mRNA greatly stimulate the activity of a novel ATPase isolated from Artemia salina embryos. Other RNAs tested [tRNAs, initiator Met-tRNA, poly r(U), poly r(A)] are much less stimulatory. The ATPase activity is also stimulated by mRNAs in the presence of 40S ribosomal subunits. However, the other RNAs listed above are inhibitory under the latter conditions. The ATPase activity is strongly stimulated by 40S ribosomal subunits in the absence of mRNAs. It is suggested that the ATPase, described here, might be involved in the binding of natural eukaryotic mRNAs to 40S peptide chain preinitiation complexes, a process known to depend on ATP hydrolysis.
Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 in Both Endochondral and Intramembranous Ossification during Skeletal Regeneration

Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is important during bone development and repair. Because matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13, collagenase-3) plays a role in long bone development, we have examined its role during adult skeletal repair. In this study we find that MMP13 is expressed by hypertrophic chondrocytes and osteoblasts in the fracture callus. We demonstrate that MMP13 is required for proper resorption of hypertrophic cartilage and for normal bone remodeling during non-stabilized fracture healing, which occurs via endochondral ossification. However, no difference in callus strength was detected in the absence of MMP13. Transplant of wild-type bone marrow, which reconstitutes cells only of the hematopoietic lineage, did not rescue the endochondral repair defect, indicating that impaired healing in Mmp13−/− mice is intrinsic to cartilage and bone. Mmp13−/− mice also exhibited altered bone remodeling during healing of stabilized fractures and cortical defects via intramembranous ossification. This indicates that the bone phenotype occurs independently from the cartilage phenotype. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that MMP13 is involved in normal remodeling of bone and cartilage during adult skeletal repair, and that MMP13 may act directly in the initial stages of ECM degradation in these tissues prior to invasion of blood vessels and osteoclasts.
An Overlooked Message: The Critique of Kings and Affirmation of Equality in the Primeval History

The Primeval History in Genesis 2—11 contains symbolic polyvalent narratives with diverse levels of interpretive possibility. One meaningful level of interpretation is to see how the accounts contain a strident critique of kingship, especially the social economic abuses perpetrated by kings. Kings who receive the strident barbs of the author include not only Mesopotamian rulers, but also, by implication, the rulers of Israel and Judah, who likewise abused their powers. This exilic critique of kings is also, in turn, part of the great biblical message affirming human equality and dignity, and it speaks a powerful egalitarian word to any age.
Chromosomes in parthenogenetic miracidia and embryonic cercariae of Schistosomatium douthitti.

Abstract Chromosomes of Schistosomatium douthitti have been studied in miracidial embryos derived from (1) unfertilized eggs in unisexual female mammalian infections and (2) eggs in bisexual mammalian infections. Chromosomes have also been analyzed in cercarial embryos derived from parthenogenetic miracidia. In 168 parthenogenetic miracidial embryos from unisexual mammalian infections, a haploid X set of chromosomes occurred in 160 and a diploid XX set in three; an additional five were probably diploids, although the exact chromosome constitution could not be determined. In 153 miracidial embryos from bisexual mammalian infections the following chromosome constitutions occurred: haploid X in four embryos, diploid XX in 69, diploid XY in 78, triploid XXY in one and triploid XYY in one. Chromosome analyses of cercarial embryos derived from parthenogenetic miracidia gave the following results: of 10 male infections, three were haploid X, six were normal diploid XX, and in embryos from one snail both haploid X and diploid XX cells were observed. All seven female infections were XY diploids and possessed the normal female constitution except for one which was trisomic for the smallest (7) chromosome. It is believed that haploid individuals developed from reduced eggs, and the absence of the haploid Y constitution indicates that the X chromosome is necessary for viability. Possible methods of origin of XX and XY constitutions from parthenogenetic eggs are considered briefly and it is suggested that such diploids arose as a result of meiotic irregularities.
Titan's upper atmosphere - Structure and ultraviolet emissions

An analysis is conducted of the composition and thermal structure of Titan's upper atmosphere, and the relative importance of airglow-excitation processes, on the basis of Voyager 1 UV spectrometer data for solar occultation and airglow. Attention is also given to the Smith et al. (1982) optical depth profiles for the evening terminator, entrance occultation, and asymptotic temperature. A magnetospheric power input figure is obtained that is 25 times smaller than the initial estimate by Strobel and Shemansky (1982).
Surface culture in the mass growth of bacteria

The present study was conducted to determine the feasibility of growing bacteria in quantity on solid media in closed vessels. Five techniques were investigated in the laboratory, including growth on agar, growth on packing in beds, growth on solids in a fluidized bed, growth in foamed medium, and growth on semipermeable membranes. Data obtained from the laboratory experiments were used to scale up these techniques on paper and compare the projected plants with a conventional submerged fermentation production. All the techniques compared unfavourably with submerged culture on the basis of plant and operating costs, operating complexity, equipment complexity, and safety. One technique of surface culture, growth on semipermeable membranes, appears to offer a decided advantage over submerged culture, in that the cell product can be recovered directly as a paste. Further work on this technique is recommended.
A grading scale to evaluate colon cleansing for the PillCam COLON capsule: a reliability study

Background and study aims The PillCam COLON capsule (Given Imaging, Ltd., Yoqneam, Israel) is an emerging technology for colon visualization. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the interobserver agreement of a new grading scale to evaluate colon cleansing for capsule use. Patients and methods Healthy volunteers underwent colon preparation and ingested a PillCam COLON capsule. A RAPID 5 (Given Imaging, Ltd.) video was generated and de-identified, and the colon was divided into five segments. Two cleanliness grading scales were compared: a 2-point scale (adequate and inadequate) and a 4-point grading scale (poor, fair, good, and excellent). For assessment of interobserver variability, two experienced gastroenterologists independently rated the cleansing level for each colon segment and for the entire video. Investigators participated in a calibration session prior to reading the study videos. Results A total of 40 individuals (aged 40 - 74 years) completed the study. A total of 196 colon video segments were evaluated. Per segment, κ values for the 2-point and 4-point scales were 0.754 and 0.619, respectively, representing good interobserver agreement. For the overall grade of the 40 videos, κ values for the 2-point and 4-point scales were 0.647 and 0.44, respectively. Conclusions This new cleanliness grading scale showed good interobserver agreement and may be used with the PillCam COLON capsule to assess preparation quality.
Smoking among parents of pediatric cancer patients and children’s exposure to environmental tobacco smoke:

For 303 children newly diagnosed with cancer, we investigated the prevalence of parental smoking and examined patients' respiratory or pulmonary symptoms according to household smoking status. Results indicated that approximately 45 percent of patients came from households with at least one current parent smoker and 20 percent of current non-smoking parents reported past tobacco use. There was a trend for more patients from smoking households to experience respiratory problems than patients from non-smoking households (p = .068). In conclusion, many patients are at risk for parental smoke exposure and associated health problems if they are continually exposed during therapy. Clinician-delivered interventions to reduce environmental smoke exposure are clearly warranted.
Hypotension and brain injury in premature infants.

To the Editor.— We read the article by Limperopoulos et al1 with great interest. The authors reported that hypotension, as characterized by the 3 most widely used definitions,2–4 was unrelated to early brain injury in high-risk premature infants of ≤30 weeks' gestation. Instead of using their favorite hypotension definition, they should be commended for evaluating all of the blood pressure (BP) thresholds for a possible association with germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage (GM-IVH). The analysis was further strengthened by their use of continuous …
The initial distribution in classical statistical mechanics

This paper presents arguments proving that several kinds of experimental preparation procedures for classical systems lead in certain limits to initial distributions that are functions only of macroscopic variables.
FMRI assessment of load based working memory in blast TBI and associated effects in FDG-PET signal

The incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has increased in recent military combat operations due to increased usage of improvised explosive devices as well as better blast survivability from body armor. Sensitive clinical diagnostic tools for mild traumatic brain injury, including structural neuroimaging, are lacking. Further, there is still little known regarding the long term effects of blast TBI on the structure and functioning of the brain. Although many veterans with blast TBI report long term cognitive changes, these diagnostic methods rarely reveal brain changes that corroborate self-reported difficulties. Integrating multimodal neuroimaging may yield more detailed information about the specific sequelae of blast TBI. Functional activation patterns may provide valuable insight into the behavioral characteristics of the brain following blast injury that help explain the origin of lingering cognitive problems reported by veterans. The present study integrated fMRI indices of behavioral activation during an n-back task with resting state metabolic activation using PET in a sample of veterans with mild (n=20) and moderate (n=15) blast TBI and healthy controls (HC) (n=22). Results showed decreased activation of the working memory network in TBI subjects compared to HCs assessed at higher working memory loads. Additionally fMRI based working memory network activation was compared to baseline FDG-PET datasets which revealed an association between functional assessment of the working memory system and baseline metabolism.
An allele of the crm gene blocks cyanobacterial circadian rhythms

The SasA-RpaA two-component system constitutes a key output pathway of the cyanobacterial Kai circadian oscillator. To date, rhythm of phycobilisome associated (rpaA) is the only gene other than kaiA, kaiB, and kaiC, which encode the oscillator itself, whose mutation causes completely arrhythmic gene expression. Here we report a unique transposon insertion allele in a small ORF located immediately upstream of rpaA in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 termed crm (for circadian rhythmicity modulator), which results in arrhythmic promoter activity but does not affect steady-state levels of RpaA. The crm ORF complements the defect when expressed in trans, but only if it can be translated, suggesting that crm encodes a small protein. The crm1 insertion allele phenotypes are distinct from those of an rpaA null; crm1 mutants are able to grow in a light:dark cycle and have no detectable oscillations of KaiC phosphorylation, whereas low-amplitude KaiC phosphorylation rhythms persist in the absence of RpaA. Levels of phosphorylated RpaA in vivo measured over time are significantly altered compared with WT in the crm1 mutant as well as in the absence of KaiC. Taken together, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that the Crm polypeptide modulates a circadian-specific activity of RpaA.
Self-report as a valid measure of yawning in the laboratory

The validity of self-report for studying yawning in the laboratory was examined. Thirty undergraduate students were assigned to one of two groups. Both groups recorded their own yawns using an Esterline Angus Chart Recorder. One group was given complete privacy, and the other group was videotaped through a two-way mirror. The observed group accurately recorded yawn frequency, yawn duration, and interyawn interval. The unobserved group did not differ from the observed group in recorded yawn frequency. Yawn duration and frequency were uncorrected, and there was no correlation between duration and interyawn interval. Self-report is a valid measure of yawning and may be one of the only ways to study yawns in the laboratory, because it removes any inhibition against yawning in public.
Application of the kirkwood-buff theory of solutions to dilute supercritical mixtures. II. The excluded volume and local composition models

Abstract An expression is developed for the solubility of a heavy solute in a supercritical fluid which is based on Kirkwood-Buff solution theory. The theory provides expressions for the derivatives of the chemical potentials in the fluid phase in terms of the solute-solvent and solvent-solvent distribution functions. These expressions lead to a model for solute solubilities that has improved accuracy. The model allows accurate equations of state for the pure solvent to be used as a result of the introduction of molecular theories. Two models are presented for the solute-solvent and solvent-solvent distribution functions at small intermolecular separtion distances: an excluded volume model and a local composition model. Both models have additional terms that describe the long range structure of the fluid with a distribution function that is a scaled version of the distribution function of the solvent. The assumptions of the models are tested with distribution functions for Lennard-Jones molecules obtained from the Percus-Yevick integral equation. The Percus-Yevick calculations are also used to provide guidance on the functional dependence of the nearest neighbor numbers on state conditions. The excluded volume and local composition models are used to correlate published solubility data for eight solutes in supercritical ethylene and for eleven solutes in supercritical carbon dioxide. The results are compared to correlations of the same data with the Peng-Robinson equation of state. The comparison shows that the local composition model is more accurate than standard methods. The average absolute percent errors in solute mole fractions over 579 data points were 26.4% for the Peng-Robinson equation, 22.6% for the excluded volume model, and 18.4% for the local composition model. The local composition model provides a significant qualitative improvement in the trend of the calculated solubility versus temperature and versus pressure.
A Defect of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Increases Xanthine Oxidase-Derived Superoxide Anion and Attenuates the Control of Myocardial Oxygen Consumption by Nitric Oxide Derived From Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays an important role in the control of myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) by nitric oxide (NO). A NOS isoform is present in cardiac mitochondria and it is derived from neuronal NOS (nNOS). However, the role of nNOS in the control of MVO2 remains unknown. MVO2 in left ventricular tissues from nNOS-/- mice was measured in vitro. Stimulation of NO production by bradykinin or carbachol induced a significant reduction in MVO2 in wild-type (WT) mice. In contrast to WT, bradykinin- or carbachol-induced reduction in MVO2 was attenuated in nNOS-/-. S-methyl-L-thiocitrulline, a potent isoform selective inhibitor of nNOS, had no effect on bradykinin-induced reduction in MVO2 in WT. Bradykinin-induced reduction in MVO2 in eNOS-/- mice, in which nNOS still exists, was also attenuated. The attenuated bradykinin-induced reduction in MVO2 in nNOS-/- was restored by preincubation with Tiron, ascorbic acid, Tempol, oxypurinol, or SB203850, an inhibitor of p38 kinase, but not apocynin. There was an increase in lucigenin-detectable superoxide anion (O2-) in cardiac tissues from nNOS-/- compared with WT. Tempol, oxypurinol, or SB203850 decreased O2- in all groups to levels that were not different from each other. There was an increase in phosphorylated p38 kinase normalized by total p38 kinase protein level in nNOS-/- compared with WT mice. These results indicate that a defect of nNOS increases O2- through the activation of xanthine oxidase, which is mediated by the activation of p38 kinase, and attenuates the control of MVO2 by NO derived from eNOS.
Optical interrogation of neural circuits in Caenorhabditis elegans

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has a compact nervous system with only 302 neurons. Whereas most of the synaptic connections between these neurons have been identified by electron microscopy serial reconstructions, functional connections have been inferred between only a few neurons through combinations of electrophysiology, cell ablation, in vivo calcium imaging and genetic analysis. To map functional connections between neurons, we combined in vivo optical stimulation with simultaneous calcium imaging. We analyzed the connections from the ASH sensory neurons and RIM interneurons to the command interneurons AVA and AVD. Stimulation of ASH or RIM neurons using channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) resulted in activation of AVA neurons, evoking an avoidance behavior. Our results demonstrate that we can excite specific neurons expressing ChR2 while simultaneously monitoring G-CaMP fluorescence in several other neurons, making it possible to rapidly decipher functional connections in C. elegans neural circuits.
Giant Electrocaloric Effect in High-Energy Electron Irradiated P(VDF-TrFE) Copolymers

A direct calorimetry method was developed and used to measure the electrocaloric effect (ECE). A temperature change ΔT of over 20 °C and an entropy change ΔS of over 95 J/(kgK) were procured at 33 °C and 160 MV/m in the high-energy electron irradiated poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) 68/32 mol% copolymers, which were larger than those of terpolymer blends (ΔT = 9 °C, ΔS=46 J/(kgK) at 180 MV/m and room temperature) and our earlier report on P(VDF-TrFE) 55/45 mol% normal ferroelectric copolymer (12 °C and 55 J/(kgK) at 80 °C). We observed that the β value ((8.7±0.6)×107 JmC-2K-1) in the equation of ΔS=1/2βΔD2 derived from ΔS - ΔD2 relation for irradiated copolymers was larger than that of the terpolymer blends ((5.4±0.5)×107 JmC-2K-1). It was also found that the irradiated copolymer showed a sharp depolarization peak at Td< Tm (maximum permittivity temperature), which is frequency independent, in the dielectric constant - temperature characteristics, a larger depolarization value at Td in the thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) - temperature relationship, and a larger volume strain/longitudinal strain ratio over terpolymer blends. The giant ECE in irradiated copolymer is regarded as due to the greater randomness present in the relaxor state. In irradiated copolymers, the long all-trans chains are broken by the high-energy electrons, which make the small sized all-trans sequences more easily reorient along the electric field, more remarkably affecting the permittivity, TSDC, and volume strain.
Effect of Environmental Risk and Externalizing Comorbidity on Internalizing Problems Among Economically Disadvantaged African American Youth.

This study examined effects of racial discrimination, community violence, and stressful life events on internalizing problems among African American youth from high poverty neighborhoods (N = 607; 293 boys; Mage = 16.0 years, SD = 1.44 years). Mediated effects via externalizing problems on these relations were also examined, given the high comorbidity rate between internalizing and externalizing problems. Externalizing problems partially mediated the effect of stressful life events on internalizing problems and fully mediated the effect of racial discrimination for boys but not for girls. Exposure to violence had a significant indirect effect on internalizing problems via externalizing problems. The findings call for greater attention to internalizing problems among African American youth and pathways to internalizing problems via externalizing problems. Language: en
Is a Single-Bladed Knife Enough to Dissect Human Cognition? Commentary on Griffiths et al.

Griffiths, Christian, and Kalish (this issue) present an iterative-learning paradigm applying a Bayesian model to understand inductive biases in categorization. The authors argue that the paradigm is useful as an exploratory tool to understand inductive biases in situations where little is known about the task. It is argued that a theory developed only at the computational level is much like a single-bladed knife that is only useful in highly idealized situations. To be useful as a general tool that cuts through the complex fabric of cognition, we need at least two-bladed scissors that combine both computational and psychological constraints to characterize human behavior. To temper its sometimes expansive claims, it is time to show what a Bayesian model cannot explain. Insight as to how human reality may differ from the Bayesian predictions may shed more light on human cognition than the simpler focus on what the Bayesian approach can explain. There remains much to be done in terms of integrating Bayesian approaches and other approaches in modeling human cognition.