cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Near real-time single-beat myocardial infarction detection from single-lead electrocardiogram using Long Short-Term Memory Neural Network

Abstract This study proposes a novel Long Short-Term Memory Neural Network (LSTM) architecture for the diagnosis of myocardial infarctions from individual heartbeats of single-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs). The proposed model is trained using an unbiased patient split approach and validated using 10-fold cross-validation over 148 myocardial infarction and 52 Healthy Control patients from the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt diagnostic ECG Database to generate an inter-patient classifier. We further demonstrate why special care must be taken when generating the training and testing datasets by exploring the effects of various data-split techniques that could mask the occurrence of overfitting and produce misleadingly high testing metrics of the model's performance. A thorough assessment of these results is provided using several standard metrics for different data split methods to show their tendency to overfitting, data leakage, and bias introduced from previously seen heart beats during the training phase. The design achieves near real-time diagnosis of 40 ms while providing an accuracy of 89.56% (with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) of ± 2.79%), recall/sensitivity of 91.88% ( ± 3.13% 95%CI), and a specificity of 80.81% ( ± 9.62% 95%CI). The fast processing makes the model readily deployable on currently existing mobile devices and testing instruments. The achieved performance makes the proposed method a new research direction for attaining real-time and unbiased diagnosis. While, the modular architectural design of the LSTM network structure, which is amenable for the inclusion of other ECG leads, could serve as a platform for early detection of myocardial infarction and for the planning of early treatment(s).
The GET FIT trial (NCT01635413): A randomized controlled trial of strength training versus Tai Ji Quan for fall prevention among female cancer survivors.

12059Background: Women with cancer are significantly more likely to fall than women without cancer but there are not yet any evidence-based fall prevention strategies that specifically target cance...
Evaluation of tumor mutational burden in small early hepatocellular carcinoma and progressed hepatocellular carcinoma

While researchers know that tumor mutational burden (TMB) is low in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), prior studies have not investigated TMB in cirrhosis, small early HCC and progressed HCC. HCC (n = 18) and cirrhosis (n = 6) cases were identified. TMB was determined by a 1.7 megabase, 409-gene next-generation sequencing panel. TMB values were defined as the number of nonsynonymous variants per megabase of sequence. There was no significant difference between cirrhosis versus small early HCC or between cohorts when stratified by size, early versus progressed, differentiation or morphology. There was a significant difference between cirrhosis and small early HCC versus progressed HCC (p = 0.045), suggesting TMB may be related to HCC progression. TMB similarities in small early HCC and background cirrhosis suggest TMB is not a useful tool for diagnosing small early HCC. Additional study is needed to address TMB in histological and molecular subsets of HCC.
Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Clinical Practice: A Review.

Importance In clinical practice, neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) is rarely used despite being an effective treatment modality able to downstage tumors and facilitate breast-conserving surgery. Observations Using data from studies conducted since 2000, we provide readers with a critical in-depth review on clinical aspects related to the application of NET in the treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive/ERBB2 (formerly HER2)-negative breast cancer. This includes an overview of patient-selection criteria, regimen choice, treatment duration, evaluation of response by imaging, interpretation of pathology after treatment, and surgical considerations. Areas of controversy include the use of gene-expression tests for patient selection, treatment of premenopausal women, surgical management of the axilla after NET, and adjuvant systemic therapy decision-making, including the use of chemotherapy. Conclusions and relevance NET is an optimal treatment modality for a considerable proportion of postmenopausal women diagnosed with HR-positive tumors. The treatment landscape for HR-positive breast cancer is evolving, with novel agents and the growing use of gene expression profiling to define treatment selection. As such, it is likely that NET use will increase and the practical considerations outlined here will become more important.
Bacterial Burden Declines But Neutrophil Infiltration and Ocular Tissue Damage Persist in Experimental Staphylococcus epidermidis Endophthalmitis

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), including Staphylococcus (S) epidermidis are responsible for ~70% of all post-surgical endophthalmitis, a potentially blinding eye infection. However, the pathobiology of CoNS endophthalmitis is limited to epidemiological and clinical case studies with few experimental studies. Here, we report both in vitro and in vivo models to study the pathobiology of S. epidermidis endophthalmitis in mice. We found that S. epidermidis is rapidly cleared from mouse eyes and a relatively higher dose (i.e., 107 CFU/eye) was needed to cause endophthalmitis. Our time-course study revealed that bacterial load peaked at 24h post-infection followed by a gradual decline up to 72h. A similar time-dependent decrease in levels of inflammatory mediators and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expression was also observed. In contrast, neutrophil infiltration continued to increase up to 72h coinciding with significant retinal tissue damage and loss of visual function. In vitro, S. epidermidis induced the activation of various inflammatory signaling pathways (i.e., NF-kB, ERK and P38) and the production of both cytokines and chemokines in mouse BMDMs, human RPE and retinal Muller glia. Altogether, we show that bacterial burden is reduced in S. epidermidis endophthalmitis while tissue damage and visual function loss continues. Thus, our study provides new insights into the pathogenesis of CoNS endophthalmitis.
The separation of radiating and non-radiating near-field pressure fluctuations in supersonic jets

Abstract Conventional analysis infers the jet noise source characteristics from either the turbulent fluctuations in the mixing layer, the near-field pressure fluctuations, or the far-field radiated sound. It is generally accepted that the first two techniques include both the radiating and non-radiating noise sources while the last senses only the radiated sound. Understanding of the characteristics of the non-radiating and radiating fluctuations helps to shed light on the noise source mechanisms. For this purpose, a quantitative analysis is introduced in this study to separate the radiating from the non-radiating near-field fluctuations. The analysis uses a high-fidelity unsteady jet flow and noise simulation for an internally mixed dual-stream nozzle. Based on the predicted far-field acoustic pressure on a virtual microphone array, a simple beamforming method is used to derive the equivalent wavepacket-like noise sources on a conical surface outside the jet mixing layer. These radiating noise sources are compared with the total near-field pressure fluctuations to examine their different characteristics. Wavepacket-like noise sources are filtered with the POD (Proper Orthogonal Decomposition) at discrete frequencies. Although the two equivalent noise sources show different amplitude distributions and phase velocities, they agree favorably with the Mach wave radiation theory as well as with the near-field turbulence. Both reproduce well the noise radiation pattern in terms of the phase, wavelength, radiation direction and noise levels when inserted into the wave equation.
Undifferentiated (Anaplastic) Carcinoma and Secondary Tumors

Unlike most thyroid carcinomas, undifferentiated carcinoma (anaplastic carcinoma) is an extremely aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. It generally occurs in elderly patients where it presents as a large, firm mass that infiltrates extrathyroidal tissues. For most undifferentiated carcinomas, surgical resection is not an effective treatment and only palliative therapies are used. Consequently, the pathologist may be called upon to establish the diagnosis of undifferentiated carcinoma by fine needle aspiration (FNA) to guide the clinical management (Figure 11.1).
Modeling of Stable Tearing with Crack Tunneling in Specimens of Different Thickness

Stable tearing with crack tunneling in ductile materials has been commonly observed, but a quantitative understanding of the 3D complicated crack tunneling phenomena is very limited. In particular, the correlation between the driving force and fracture toughness during stable tearing with crack tunneling has not been well evaluated. In the current study, modeling efforts have been made to simulate stable tearing events with crack tunneling and slanting under remote tension in A2024-T3 plate specimens of two thickness values (2.286mm and 6.35mm). It is observed that values of CTOD, stress constraint and the Lode stress parameter vary in the specimen thickness direction. For the thinner specimen, a higher stress constraint and a lower CTOD in the midsection of the crack front are found, and the critical CTOD decreases approximately linearly with an increasing constraint and is weakly dependent on the Lode stress parameter. The variations of CTOD, the stress constraint and the Lode parameter in the two plate specimens in the thickness direction are very similar, but the magnitudes of these parameters near the midsection of the crack front increase significantly in the thicker specimen. The approximate linear correlations in the two specimens between constraint and CTOD are not identical, probably due to the coupled effects of constraint and the Lode stress parameter in this midsection region of the crack front.
Pivotal Role of Computers and Software in Mass Spectrometry – SEQUEST and 20 Years of Tandem MS Database Searching

Advances in computer technology and software have driven developments in mass spectrometry over the last 50 years. Computers and software have been impactful in three areas: the automation of difficult calculations to aid interpretation, the collection of data and control of instruments, and data interpretation. As the power of computers has grown, so too has the utility and impact on mass spectrometers and their capabilities. This has been particularly evident in the use of tandem mass spectrometry data to search protein and nucleotide sequence databases to identify peptide and protein sequences. This capability has driven the development of many new approaches to study biological systems, including the use of "bottom-up shotgun proteomics" to directly analyze protein mixtures. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.
Approximate Volumetric Reconstruction from Projected Images

A significant problem in planning of volumetrically prescribed localized treatments is the mathematical impossibility to determine the exact three dimensional shape and volume of a target object from its projected images. Reconstruction accuracy also varies with viewing angle, depending on the convexity and aspect ratios of the target object. In response to this problem, we are developing a robust and efficient technique for approximate volumetric reconstruction, which (A) uses no prior information of the shape and volume of the target, (B) does not require exact silhouettes, (C) accepts arbitrary number of images, (D) produces solid object and measure of its volume, (E) provides confidence measure of the reconstruction and drawing of silhouettes, (F) is robust, fast and easy to implement. Preliminary tests suggest that fairly convex objects can be reconstructed from four views, and typically six views with table rotation allow us to reconstruct fine details as small as 1 mm. The method is applicable for any X-ray guided volumetric treatment. Pilot applications will be planning of radiosurgery of arterioveneous malformations (AVMs) and radio-frequency ablation of soft tissue lesions.
Strategy in the telecommunications market: The effects of liberalization and competition

Abstract This article identifies some of the ways in which firms in the telecommunications industry have attempted to cope with deregulation, drawing upon the experience already evident since liberalization began a few years ago. The author argues that certain types of market conditions provide particular problems for firms, to which they must respond if they are to remain prosperous. A matrix describing four market types is offered as a facsimile of the competitive conditions now found in the telecommunications industry, and examples are given from the UK. Economic, technological and political factors affect the strategic behaviour which firms must follow, but in different ways and at different times.
Freudenthal Triangulation F of \( \mathbb{G}^n \), Part II

The present section is a continuation of the study of the Freudenthal triangulation F which was initiated in Section 6. We have already developed a set of representation and replacement rules for F. Nevertheless, herein, we shall develop others, in fact, for each n-simplex we shall have n+1 representations, only one of which is from iFn. Although it might seem that one is enough, there is no doubt that the overall development is immensely enhanced with the additional representations. In this section we study features of F that are more conveniently examined in the presence of the alternative representations.
Arrays of WSi superconducting nanowire single photon detectors for deep-space optical communications

We have developed 64-pixel free-space-coupled arrays of WSi SNSPDs as a pathfinder for the ground detector in a deep-space optical communication system. Our receiver prototype was used to close a real-time deep-space optical communication link at 47 Mbps.
Water on the Move

Water has the ability to dissolve many substances, but detailed insights into the fundamental processes underlying even the dissolution of common ions can be hard to come by. In his Perspective, [Klein][1] highlights the report by [Kropman and Bakker][2], who have measured experimentally the dynamics of solvation shells surrounding halide ions. He also discusses the report by [ Geissler et al .][3], who propose a new mechanism for the autoionization of water based on an analysis of trajectories generated by first principles molecular dynamics. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/291/5511/2106 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/291/5511/2118 [3]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/291/5511/2121
Reduced receptor binding by a human interferon-gamma fragment lacking 11 carboxyl-terminal amino acids.

Treatment of recombinant human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) with either 1) the arginine-specific proteases clostripain or submaxillaris protease or 2) the broadly specific enzyme pronase produced a stable fragment with m.w. of 15,500. Structural analysis showed that the cleavage occurred between residues 129 and 130 and thus produced a fragment lacking only 11 carboxyl-terminal amino acids. The fragmented and untreated molecules showed identical amino-terminal amino acid sequences and were equally reactive with either polyclonal or monoclonal anti-IFN-gamma. IFN-gamma lacking carboxyl-terminal amino acids displayed a 1000- to 2000-fold reduction in its capacity to bind to cellular IFN-gamma receptors at 4 degrees C. Functionally the fragment showed a 50-fold reduction in its ability to induce antiviral activity in fibroblasts and a 10-fold reduction in its ability to induce Fc receptors on the human histiocytic lymphoma cell line U937. These results thus suggest that the carboxyl terminus of human IFN-gamma contributes significantly to the formation of the receptor-binding site of the molecule.
Preemption, the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act, and the USDA: a case study using iatrogenic abortion due to BoHV-1 vaccines in pregnant cows

Three major vaccine manufacturers in the United States currently sell multivalent vaccines containing modified live bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) for use in pregnant cattle. The first of these products entered the US market in 2003. Yet it has been known since the early 1960 s that vaccinal BoHV-1 causes abortion in cattle. The products became popular as they can be used year-round, regardless of pregnancy status in herds. Abortifacient effects have been considered to be minimal, provided initial vaccination is done during the previous 12 months using specific vaccine products and in accordance with label directions. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in BoHV-1 can be used to resolve whether post-vaccination outbreaks of abortion in cattle herds are iatrogenic (Fulton et al.; Vaccine. 2013; 31(11):1471-1479). We tested tissues from 10 abortion episodes (2010–2014) where an apparent association existed between recent use of modified live BoHV-1 and abortion 1–3 months later. Products were used on or off label in individual outbreaks. All 10 episodes had SNP patterns consistent with those of commonly-used modified live BoHV-1 strains (O’Toole et al.; Vet Pathol. 2014, In press ). In spite of this, it is likely such products will remain on the market. This is due the absence of meaningful post-marketing surveillance of suspect adverse reactions in animals by the USDA, compounded by the courts’ interpretation of the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act of 1913 [Lynnbrook Farms v. SmithKline Beecham Corp., 79 F.3d 620 (7th Cir.)]. Interesting differences exists between the handling of adverse vaccinal reactions in human patients through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), and similar reactions in animals following use of federally licensed vaccines.
Beyond Occam's Razor: Process-Oriented Evaluation

Overfitting is often considered the central problem in machine learning and data mining. When good performance on training data is not enough to reliably predict good generalization, researchers and practitioners often invoke "Occam's razor" to select among hypotheses: prefer the simplest hypothesis consistent with the data. Occam's razor has a long history in science, but a mass of recent evidence suggests that in most cases it is outperformed by methods that deliberately produce more complex models. The poor performance of Occam's razor can be largely traced to its failure to account for the search process by which hypotheses are obtained: by effectively assuming that the hypothesis space is exhaustively searched, complexity-based methods tend to over-penalize large spaces. This talk describes how information about the search process can be taken into account when evaluating hypotheses. The expected generalization error of a hypothesis is computed as a function of the search steps leading to it. Two variations of this "process-oriented" approach have yielded significant improvements in the accuracy of a rule learner. Process-oriented evaluation leads to the seemingly paradoxical conclusion that the same hypothesis will have different expected generalization errors depending on how it was generated. I believe that this is as it should be, and that a corresponding shift in our way of thinking about inductive learning is required.
The Timing of Perinatal Copper Deficiency in Mice Influences Offspring Survival

Copper is an essential metal during development. Female Swiss Webster mice were fed a modified AIN-76A diet low in copper (0.3 mg Cu/kg and 43 mg Fe/kg; -Cu). One-half the mice received copper in their drinking water (20 mg Cu/L; +Cu). Female mice were mated to normal males and offered the -Cu or +Cu treatments starting at gestational d 13. Treatments did not affect litter size or pregnancy outcome. For three litters of +Cu mice, 26/26 offspring born were weaned on postnatal d 21 (P21). For three litters of -Cu dams, 0/26 pups survived beyond P13. The -Cu dams kept on treatment for this 3-wk period were killed and compared biochemically with +Cu dams and to nonpregnant females that were kept on the +Cu or -Cu treatment and fed the same diet for 3 wk. Compared with +Cu dams, -Cu dams had 48% lower hematocrits, 89% lower plasma ceruloplasmin activities, 45% lower liver copper level, and > 2-fold higher liver iron concentration. The -Cu, nonpregnant female mice did not differ in any of these copper status indicators from the +Cu dams or nonpregnant, +Cu females. When -Cu treatment was delayed until embryonic d 19, all -Cu pups survived weaning. Additional studies should be conducted to establish the human copper requirement for perinatal development and determine whether the 11 and 44% extra copper intakes recommended for pregnancy and lactation in the new United States recommended dietary allowance are sufficient.
Conditioned suppression as a psychophysical technique for the cat

A modified conditioned suppression paradigm coupled with a new training apparatus has been applied to gathering sensory data in the cat. The method excels in that training, data collection, and reliability are quickly achieved and it can be used with subtle stimulus changes.
On-chip laboratory suite for testing of free-standing metal film mechanical properties, Part II -Experiments

Abstract In this paper, we demonstrate the fabrication of electrostatically loaded, free-standing Al–0.5 wt.%Cu thin-film samples, realizing a near-zero compliance support post. We measure Young’s modulus E = 74 GPa using cantilevers, in good agreement with grain texture measurements. We measure residual stress σR ranging from 30 to 60 MPa using fixed–fixed beams and find that processing induces significant plastic straining, which leads to residual stress values significantly less than the as-deposited value. Strength of this alloy is at least 172 MPa if the film is not severely strained, and the material exhibits no room-temperature fatigue up to 1 billion cycles at this stress level. Notched devices that have been subjected to process-induced plastic straining of ∼4% are weaker and fatigue logarithmically with the number of cycles. We compare deformation processes on the samples using ex situ TEM. The mechanism for the high strength value is attributed to the grain size and the thin surface oxide which constrain dislocation glide, while fatigue of the highly strained material is associated with the appearance of persistent slip bands.
Acetylcholine-induced receptor-controlled ion flux investigated by flow quench techniques

Abstract Using a quench flow technique with membrane vesicles, the acetylcholine receptor-controlled transmembrane ion flux and the inactivation of the receptor with acetylcholine were measured in the msec time region. The ion flux was followed by influx of radioactive tracer ion and the inactivation was followed by an ion flux assay of receptor pre-incubated with ligand. The measurements covered a concentration range to complete saturation of the active state of the receptor with ligand, and were consistent with a minimal model previously proposed on the basis of experiments with carbamylcholine. The ion translocation rate at saturation with acetylcholine is about twice that at saturation with carbamylcholine and this reflects a more favored channel opening equilibrium for acetylcholine.
Analysis of the active-site mechanism of tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase I: a member of the phospholipase D superfamily.

Abstract Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase I (Tdp1) is a member of the phospholipase D superfamily that hydrolyzes 3′-phospho-DNA adducts via two conserved catalytic histidines—one acting as the lead nucleophile and the second acting as a general acid/base. Substitution of the second histidine specifically to arginine contributes to the neurodegenerative disease spinocerebellar ataxia with axonal neuropathy (SCAN1). We investigated the catalytic role of this histidine in the yeast protein (His432) using a combination of X-ray crystallography, biochemistry, yeast genetics, and theoretical chemistry. The structures of wild-type Tdp1 and His432Arg both show a phosphorylated form of the nucleophilic histidine that is not observed in the structure of His432Asn. The phosphohistidine is stabilized in the His432Arg structure by the guanidinium group that also restricts the access of nucleophilic water molecule to the Tdp1–DNA intermediate. Biochemical analyses confirm that His432Arg forms an observable and unique Tdp1–DNA adduct during catalysis. Substitution of His432 by Lys does not affect catalytic activity or yeast phenotype, but substitutions with Asn, Gln, Leu, Ala, Ser, and Thr all result in severely compromised enzymes and DNA topoisomerase I-camptothecin dependent lethality. Surprisingly, His432Asn did not show a stable covalent Tdp1–DNA intermediate that suggests another catalytic defect. Theoretical calculations revealed that the defect resides in the nucleophilic histidine and that the pKa of this histidine is crucially dependent on the second histidine and on the incoming phosphate of the substrate. This represents a unique example of substrate-activated catalysis that applies to the entire phospholipase D superfamily.
Financial development and productive efficiency: A panel study of developed and developing countries

This paper uses a stochastic production frontier for panel data to investigate the effect of financial development on productive efficiency. Three panels of a number of countries in different stages of development are used along with eight alternative measures of financial development pertaining to the monetary sector, financial intermediaries, and equity markets. The results indicate that in general the more developed the financial intermediaries sector and equity markets, the higher the productive efficiency. In particular, financial deepening reduces productive inefficiency in both developed and developing countries, although the effect is larger in the former.
Image analysis combined with visual cytology in the early detection of recurrent bladder carcinoma

BACKGROUND Early detection of recurrent transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC) is important to permit early treatment, which produces maximal preservation of the bladder and maximum survival. METHODS This retrospective cohort study attempted to determine the period of time over which urinary DNA image analysis combined with visual cytology is useful in the early detection of recurrent TCC of the bladder. The authors believe this study is unique in that it measured the effectiveness of this test (image analysis plus visual cytology combined) at varying times before clinical diagnosis of recurrence was made. The cohort was comprised of 175 urologic patients from urologic practices across the U.S. Data, collected between January 1991 and February 1994, included cystoscopy, biopsy, DNA image analysis, and visual cytologic reports. RESULTS Sixty patients in the cohort were found to have active TCC whereas 115 patients had a history of, but no active, disease during the follow-up period. As expected, the sensitivity and specificity of DNA image analysis in combination with visual cytology, and DNA image analysis alone, were greatest when urinary samples were obtained close to the time of diagnosis. In general, the longer the interval from the combined tests to the time of diagnosis, the lower the sensitivity. The combined tests had predictive value up to 3 months prior to clinical diagnosis when any detectable cytologic abnormality was considered positive. At the optimal cutoff points as determined from receiver operating characteristic curves, sensitivity increased when DNA image analysis was supplemented with visual cytology. CONCLUSIONS The combination of DNA image analysis and visual cytology provides a better method for the early detection of recurrent TCC than DNA image analysis alone. This test potentially may be useful in providing information regarding bladder tumor recurrence up to 3 months prior to clinical evidence of disease. Cancer 1998;82:1738-48. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Heat relaxation of drawn polyoxymethylene

Abstract The shrinkage of drawn bulk polyoxymethylene was studied by wide-angle and small-angle X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy as a function of the amount of draw. Upon heating, the drawn material shrinks nearly instantaneously; the rtained strain increases with draw ratio. Small-angle patterns, including circuler, ellipsoidal, four-, six-, and two-point patterns, show various degrees of reversibility which decrease with increasing elongation especially above 100% draw. Wide-angle pole figures indicate changes in chain orientation distribution for samples drawn between 10 and 200% (the maximum examined). Deformation occurs primarily by several micronecking processes as well as lamellar and molecular slip. Morphological changes during shrinkage take place in all of the structural units formed by drawing. In addition to changes in spherulite dimensions, lamellar slip occurs, short fibrils disappear, and large diameter fibrils as well as lamellae normal to the draw direction form.
Neuroendocrine abnormalities in fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder of unknown etiology characterized by chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain and symptoms such as fatigue, poor sleep, gastrointestinal complaints, and psychologic problems that are similar to those experienced by patients with hormone deficiencies. This review summarizes the available data on the neuroendocrine function in fibromyalgia, including data on hormone secretion, circadian phase, and autonomic nervous system function. Studies suggest that there may be lower activity of a number of hypothalamic-pituitaryperipheral gland axes and altered autonomic nervous system function in patients with fibromyalgia. These reductions in activity are mild to moderate and do not result from alterations in circadian rhythms. The reduced hormonal and autonomic responses appear to reflect an impairment in the hypothalamic or central nervous system response to stimuli rather than a primary defect at the level of the pituitary gland or the peripheral glands. A combination of multiple, mild impaired responses may lead to more profound physiologic and clinical consequences as compared with a defect in only one system, and could contribute to the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Modified potential-induced-breathing model of potentials between close-shell ions.

We have developed a simple ab initio model for the calculation of the thermoelastic properties of ionic compounds. The model is based on the Gordon-Kim-type electron-gas theory with spherically symmetric relaxation of ionic charge densities. The relaxation is controlled by a spherically averaged potential due to the total crystal charge density. The potential is self-consistent with the charge distribution, and contains Coulomb, exchange, and correlation contributions. We find that this potential yields anions that are slightly smaller than those stabilized by a point-ion Coulomb potential only. In the case of MgO, this results in a zero-pressure density that differs from experiment by less than 1%, a significant improvement over models that include only point-ion stabilization potentials. Further, the calculated equations of state and B1-B2 phase-transition pressures of NaCl, KCl, MgO, CaO, and SrO are in equally good agreement with data. The calculated equation of state and structure of the more covalent and less symmetric ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ stishovite is only slightly less accurate.
Self-administration of mixtures of fenfluramine and amphetamine by rhesus monkeys.

Abstract Previous research with psychostimulants has suggested a negative relationship between both potency and efficacy as a reinforcer and serotonergic potency, particularly relative to dopaminergic potency. The present experiment was designed to examine the relationship between the serotonergic activity and efficacy as a reinforcer by allowing rhesus monkeys (n = 5) to self-administer amphetamine mixed with a serotonin releaser, fenfluramine. Additionally, the role of 5-HT2 receptors in the interaction between amphetamine and fenfluramine was investigated using ketanserin, a selective 5-HT2 receptor antagonist. Amphetamine and fenfluramine were combined in ratios of, respectively, 1:1 to 1:10 on a mg/kg basis and made available for self-administration under a progressive-ratio schedule of reinforcement. Amphetamine (0.0056–0.1 mg/kg/injection) functioned as a positive reinforcer with sigmoidal or biphasic dose–response functions. The addition of fenfluramine to amphetamine decreased the maximum responding, at least at the highest dose ratio (1:10, amphetamine/fenfluramine), in all monkeys. When measured after the pretreatment of ketanserin (1.0–3.0 mg/kg, i.m.), the self-administration of the mixture of amphetamine and fenfluramine at a ratio of 1:10 decreased in three monkeys and was unaffected in the fourth. These results support the notion of a negative influence of increased serotonergic neurotransmission on reinforcing efficacy of drugs that act via monoamine systems. However, the involvement of 5-HT2 receptors in the interaction between the serotonergic system and the reinforcing efficacy still remains equivocal.
Production of Tritium from Bombardment of He 4 with 2.2-GeV Protons

The cross section for the reaction $p+\mathrm{He}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\mathrm{H}}^{3}+2N+X\ensuremath{\pi}$ was measured at 2.2 GeV using radiochemical techniques. The measurement gave a value of 30.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.6 mb. This result is discussed in the context of previous measurements of cross sections for simple reactions with He and other nuclei.
Boundary value problems for differential equations in Hilbert spaces involving reflection of the argument

Soit H un espace de Hilbert reel, α un nombre reel, et f: [−1,1]×H×H→H une application donnee. On etudie des theoremes d'existence et d'unicite pour les problemes aux valeurs limites : −xi6(t)+αXi5(t)+f(t, x(t), x(−t))=e(t), x(−1)=x(1)=0 et −x″(t)+f(t, x(t), x(−t))=e(t), x(−1)−hxi5(−1)=0, x(1)+hxi5(1)=0 ou h, k≥0, h+k>0, t dans [−1,1] et e dans L 1 ([−1,1], H)
Listening for Reduced Forms

The TESOL Quarterly invites readers to submit short reports and updates on their work. These summaries may address any areas of interest to Quarterly readers. Authors' addresses are printed with these reports to enable interested readers to contact the authors for more details.
Ca and Mg isotope constraints on the origin of Earth's deepest δ13C excursion

Abstract Understanding the extreme carbon isotope excursions found in carbonate rocks of the Ediacaran Period (635–541 Ma), where δ 13 C of marine carbonates ( δ 13 C carb ) reach their minimum ( - 12 ‰ ) for Earth history, is one of the most vexing problems in Precambrian geology. Known colloquially as the ‘Shuram’ excursion, the event has been interpreted by many as a product of a profoundly different Ediacaran carbon cycle. More recently, diagenetic processes have been invoked, with the very negative δ 13 C values of Ediacaran carbonates explained via meteoric alteration, late-stage burial diagenesis or growth of authigenic carbonates in the sediment column, thus challenging models which rely upon a dramatically changing redox state of the Ediacaran oceans. Here we present 257 δ 44 / 40 Ca and 131 δ 26 Mg measurements, along with [Mg], [Mn] and [Sr] data, from carbonates of the Ediacaran-aged Wonoka Formation (Fm.) of South Australia to bring new isotope systems to bear on understanding the ‘Shuram’ excursion. Data from four measured sections spanning the basin reveal stratigraphically coherent trends, with variability of ∼1.5‰ in δ 26 Mg and ∼1.2‰ in δ 44 / 40 Ca. This Ca isotope variability dwarfs the 0.2–0.3 ‰ change seen coeval with the Permian–Triassic mass extinction, the largest recorded in the rock record, and is on par with putative changes in the δ 44 / 40 Ca value of seawater seen over the Phanerozoic Eon. Changes in both isotopic systems are too large to explain with changes in the isotopic composition of Ca and Mg in global seawater given modern budgets and residence times, and thus must be products of alternative processes. Relationships between δ 44 / 40 Ca and [Sr] and δ 26 Mg and [Mg] are consistent with mineralogical control (e.g., aragonite vs. calcite, limestone vs. dolostone) on calcium and magnesium isotope variability. The most pristine samples in the Wonoka dataset, preserving Sr concentrations (in the 1000s of ppm range) and δ 44 / 40 Ca values inherited from an originally aragonitic polymorph, have δ 13 C carb of - 8 ‰ to - 7 ‰ , thereby providing strong geochemical evidence that extremely negative δ 13 C carb values are primary products of the Ediacaran surface environment.
Target localization in multipath environment through the exploitation of multi-frequency array

In this paper, we propose a multi-frequency array structure that achieves accurate target localization in a multipath environment. The use of multi-frequencies enables decorrelation in the array to operate direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation for coherent arrival paths, whereas the spatial filtering of the signals makes the paths separable for robust range estimation. Multi-frequency radar techniques are then applied for range estimation of each path. The target position is identified by the shortest range coupled with its DOA.
Beam-breakup suppression in a multistage klystronlike free-electron laser: Linear detuning.

Beam-breakup (BBU) suppression due to BBU mode detuning is analyzed. The BBU growth equation with linear detuning is solved by the WKB approximation and saddle-point calculations, and an asymptotic formula for BBU growth amplitude is evaluated, which shows substantial saturation in BBU growth for appropriate detuning. Theoretical results are confirmed by comparison with numerical BBU simulations.
The marketing of gathered food as an economic strategy of women in Northeastern Thailand

Gathered food is traditionally important in the diet of many societies. As socio-cultural patterns change, however, these items may be used for other purposes, thus triggering further change. This paper examines the impact of an emerging economic strategy: marketing gathered food in northeastern Thailand. The women in our sample who marketed gathered food reported earning more money than the non-vendors. Their contribution to family income was more significant than their husbands', and greater than the combined earnings of other family members. Vendors used their earnings to meet social and religious obligations as well as basic household needs. The paper discusses the effects of the sale of gathered food items traditionally used for home consumption on women's time allocation patterns and household nutrition.
A comparative study on gene expression of calpains, calpastatin, cathepsin D, and proteasome in tissues of fed and fasted rabbits

Abstract Molecular mechanisms underlying changes in muscle protein turnover are not fully understood. In this study, effects of fasting on mRNA concentrations encoding several proteinases in skeletal muscle were investigated. Proteinases included calpains I and II, cathepsin D, and proteasome. We also examined effects of fasting on the calpain small subunit, calpastatin, and on β-actin mRNAs for comparative purposes. Fasting increased mRNAs encoding all proteinases, calpain small subunit, and calpastatin in skeletal muscle but reduced β-actin mRNA. This effect was most pronounced for cathepsin D. To determine whether the changes observed in skeletal muscle occurred in other tissues, we examined effects of fasting on proteinase mRNA concentrations in liver, lung, and kidney. Fasting either had no effect or reduced proteinase, calpastatin, and calpain small subunit mRNA concentrations in these tissues. Fasting reduced β-actin mRNA concentration in all tissues. Therefore, proteinase gene expression in skeletal muscle differs from other tissues during fasting. Despite the changes in calpain mRNA concentrations in muscle, changes in calpain activities were not detected. This suggests that either calpain synthesis was concomitantly reduced or calpain turnover was increased during fasting. Differences in calpain mRNA concentrations were detected among tissues and these were related to differences in calpain concentrations and activities among tissues. We conclude that calpain and other proteinase genes are co-regulated in muscle in a manner that differs from other tissues, and that fasting-dependent changes in muscle calpain mRNA serve to maintain calpain concentrations at fixed levels at a time when muscle protein synthesis is reduced or calpain stability is reduced. Finally, we conclude that differences in calpain mRNAs among tissues underlie the differences in tissue calpain concentrations and activities.
Structure of mixed group IB metal trimers

Abstract The structures of all mixed group IB trimers have been calculated in the diatomics-in-molecules (DIM) approximation. The optimum trimer geometries correspond to bent structures in C 2 or C 2 v symmetry. All trimers are bound with respect to dissociation to an atom plus a diatomic. The structures can all be characterized as having an “obtuse” structure with a bond angle greater than 60°. The structure of the trimer is controlled by the atom which forms the strongest diatomic bonds. This is confirmed by calculations on the possible linear structures. The most stable linear structure has the atom which forms the strongest diatomic bonds in the central position.
Metrical weight consistency in Korean partial reduplication

Korean possesses a rich onomatopoeic and mimetic vocabulary that may be augmented by partial reduplication and/or suffixation. This augmented category, which is referred to as partial extension in Jun (1993), is semantically characterised by a lengthening, or temporal extension of the base form:
Characterization of a cDNA encoding a type I starch branching enzyme produced in developing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) kernels

Summary This report describes the characterization of a 2.8 kb full-length cDNA, coding for a starch branching enzyme I, denoted SBEI-2, which is produced in the wheat endosperm. The deduced SBEI-2 sequence predicted an 832 residue long precursor protein with a 61 amino acid long transit peptide at the amino terminus. A molecular mass of 87.4 kDa was calculated for the mature form of SBEI-2, which showed high sequence similarity (≫82 percnt;) to SBEI characterized from rice and maize. All conserved amino acids at the catalytic site of amylolytic enzymes were preserved on SBEI-2, and the protein was active as a branching enzyme when produced in Escherichia coli . Analysis of SBEI gene expression during wheat kernel development showed that accumulation of 2.8 kb SBEI gene transcripts was highest around 15 days after anthesis.
Antagonism of the antinociceptive effect of nitrous oxide by inhibition of enzyme activity or expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the mouse brain and spinal cord

Abstract Previous studies have implicated nitric oxide (NO) in the antinociceptive response to the anesthetic gas nitrous oxide (N 2 O). The present study was conducted to confirm this NO involvement using pharmacological and gene knockdown and knockout strategies to inhibit the supraspinal and spinal production of NO. Antinociceptive responsiveness to 70% N 2 O was assessed using the acetic acid (0.6%) abdominal constriction test in NIH Swiss mice following intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) or intrathecal (i.t.) pretreatment with the NOS-inhibitor l -N G -nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN) directed against neuronal NOS (nNOS). Experiments were also conducted in mice homozygous for a defective nNOS gene (nNOS −/− ). Mice that were pretreated i.c.v. or i.t. with L-NAME (1.0 µg) both exhibited 80–90% reduction in the magnitude of the N 2 O-induced antinociceptive response. Mice that were pretreated i.c.v. or i.t. with nNOS AS-ODN (3 × 25 µg) exhibited a 60–80% antagonism of the antinociceptive response. Compared to wild-type mice, nNOS knockout mice showed a 60% reduction in N 2 O-induced antinociception. These findings consistently demonstrate that transient or developmental suppression of nNOS expression significantly reduces antinociceptive responsiveness to N 2 O. NO of both supraspinal and spinal origin, therefore, plays an important role in the antinociceptive response to N 2 O.
A buoyant source in the lower of two, homogeneous, stably stratified layers

A point source of buoyancy is located at a specified elevation within the lower of two, homogeneous, stably stratified layers. A turbulent buoyant plume is formed above the source, and it impinges on the layers' interface. Depending on the strength of the source, its position below the interface and on the density difference of the two layers, it is conjectured that either: (1) a central portion of the impinging plume flow will penetrate and continue upward into the far field of the upper layer as a buoyant plume, the outer portion of the flow penetrating but then dropping down toward the interface because of negative relative buoyancy; or (2) none of the impinging plume flow will penetrate the upper layer (indepth) because of its being uniformly of negative relative buoyancy. Associated with these possible conditions will be an effective horizontal outflow of fluid at the interface. The paper derives and solves a set of model equations for these plume-interface interactions, and the results are applied to a generic heat transfer problem related to fires in enclosures.
The effect of pyruvate transport inhibitors on the regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase in the perfused rat heart.

Abstract The effect of the mitochondrial pyruvate transport inhibitors, α-cyanocinnamate and α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate, on the regulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex was investigated in the isolated perfused rat heart. Metabolic flux through pyruvate dehydrogenase was monitored by measuring 14 CO 2 production from [1- 14 C]pyruvate infused into the heart. A stepwise increase in the concentration of the inhibitor in the influent perfusate effected a stepwise reduction of the flux through the enzyme complex at all pyruvate concentrations tested. However, the magnitude of the α-cyanocinnamate-insensitive flux through pyruvate dehydrogenase increased markedly as the infused pyruvate concentration was elevated. The inhibition of pyruvate decarboxylation in the heart was nearly completely reversed following cessation of the inhibitor infusion. α-Cyanocinnamate was nearly 10 times more potent than α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate as an inhibitor of the flux through pyruvate dehydrogenase. Maximally inhibiting levels of α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate caused an increase in the ratio of the active form of pyruvate dehydrogenase to the total extractable enzyme complex from a value of 0.5 at 1 m m infused pyruvate (in the absence of the inhibitor) to a value of near unity. This result indicated that the intramitochondrial pyruvate concentration was severely depleted by the infusion of the inhibitor and that the enzyme complex was interconverted to its active form under these conditions. Removal of the inhibitor from the perfusion medium again lowered the ratio of the active/total pyruvate dehydrogenase to near its original level of 0.5 and restored the original flux through the enzyme complex indicating that mitochondrial pyruvate transport has been restored. The results of this study indicate that α-cyanocinnamate and its derivatives are effective inhibitors of pyruvate transport in the perfused heart and that carrier-mediated pyruvate transport can be an important parameter in the regulation of the activation state and the metabolic flux through the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex in the heart.
Bitterness in brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea L. var. gemmifera): The role of glucosinolates and their breakdown products

The bitterness associated with certain cultivars of Brussels sprouts has been shown to be linked to the presence of the glucosinolates, sinigrin and progoitrin. Whereas the former compound is bitter per se, the bitterness associated with the latter compound is due to its decomposition product, the goitrogen (-)5-vinyloxazolidine-2-thione. A method is described for the screening of cultivars of this, and other, Brassica vegetables for potential bitterness.