cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circular dichroism studies: II. The far ultraviolet circular dichroism of cytochrome c

Abstract The circular dichroism spectra of the ferri- and ferrocytochromes c derived from horse, beef, chicken, and turtle hearts have been measured over the wavelength range of 240-185 mμ. The spectra in this wavelength region of the ferri and ferro forms appear to be the same within experimental error and indicate that no gross conformational differences appear to exist between the oxidized and reduced forms. The upper limit of the apparent helix content has been estimated to be about 17% with a lower limit in the neighborhood of 10%. The presence of circular dichroism bands characteristic of α-helix conformations are observed along with bands characteristic of β structure. These data strongly suggest the presence of a small but real helical segment (s) in cytochrome c .
Parallel Simulation of High Reynolds Number Vascular Flows

Publisher Summary The chapter provides an overview of the governing equations, time advancement scheme, and spectral element method. The chapter describes boundary condition treatment for simulating transition in bifurcation geometries. The chapter also presents parallel considerations and performance results, and provides results for transitional flow in an arteriovenous graft model. The simulation of turbulent vascular flows presents significant numerical challenges. Because such flows are weakly turbulent, they lack an inertial subrange that is amenable to subgrid-scale (SGS) modeling required for large-eddy or Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations. The only reliable approach at present is to directly resolve all scales of motion. While the Reynolds number is not high, the physical dissipation is small. Weakly turbulent blood flow—such as the one that occurs in post-stenotic regions or subsequent to graft implantation—exhibits a much broader range of scales than does its laminar counterpart, and thus requires an order of magnitude increase in spatial and temporal resolution, making fast iterative solvers and parallel computing necessities.
Review of Intellectual Property, Human Rights and Development: The Role of NGOs and Social Movements by Duncan Matthews

As the self-disclosing title of his book suggests, Professor Duncan Matthews addresses the interplay of various intellectual property governance vectors in the context of specific developing countries: Brazil, India and South Africa. As such, the book is one of the first extended academic inquiries into the dynamics of NGOs and social movements within global intellectual property legal regimes. In this book review, I first situate this book within the scholarship of NGOs, then describe and assess its significance to the fields of intellectual property law and global governance.
National Trends in Followup Imaging after Pyeloplasty in Children in the United States

Purpose: Radiographic followup after pyeloplasty for the correction of ureteropelvic junction obstruction is not well defined in children. We characterize trends in frequency and modality of postoperative imaging after open and minimally invasive pediatric pyeloplasty.Materials and Methods: Using the MarketScan® database, we identified patients 0 to 18 years old undergoing pyeloplasty between 2007 and 2013. Followup imaging was classified as functional (diuretic renography, excretory urography) or nonfunctional (ultrasound, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging). We excluded patients with less than 24 months of postoperative enrollment in MarketScan. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine associations between demographic variables and imaging use patterns.Results: We identified 926 patients with a mean ± SD followup of 3.6 ± 1.3 years, of whom 30% underwent minimally invasive pyeloplasty. Overall 5.9% of patients had no postoperative imaging available. Within the first 6...
Position error modeling using gaussian mixture distributions with application to comparison of tracking algorithms

In this paper Gaussian mixtures are used to model the distribution of position error in tracking algorithms. An expectation maximization algorithm is constructed to estimate parameters of a k-component Gaussian mixture based on a sample set obtained from a tracking simulator. The modeling and parameter estimation approach is applied to position error data generated by several tracking algorithms including multi-target multi-sensor joint probabilistic data association and particle filters. The Gaussian mixture model yields significantly better likelihood of position error compared to the single Gaussian distribution. It is further shown how the mixture models can be used to efficiently compare tracking algorithms in terms of the root mean squared position error.
Discovering relationships between modularity and cost

While much has changed in product modularity research in the 18 years since the independence axiom, some basic questions remain unanswered. Perhaps the most fundamental of those questions is whether increasing modularity actually saves money. The goal of the research behind this paper was to clearly define the fundamental relationship between product modularity and product cost. Our previous work in modular product design provided a complete package of a product modularity measure and a modular design method. The “best” measure was created and verified after correcting common performance problems among the seven measures, finally subtracting the averaged relationships external to modules from the averaged relationship within modules. After comparing and finding better design elements among four representative modular design methods, the “best” method was developed that includes product decomposition, multi-component reconfiguration and elimination, and an extended limiting factor identification. The “best” method/measure package quickly yields redesign products with higher modularity. To seek out relationships between product life-cycle modularity and product life-cycle cost, modular product design experiments were implemented for four off-the-shelf products using the new measure/method package applied to increase both functional and retirement modularity. The modularity data recorded for each redesign included retirement modularity, manufacturing modularity and assembly modularity. Each redesign’s life-cycle cost was also obtained based on several classical cost models. The cost data recorded for each redesign included retirement cost, manufacturing cost, and assembly cost. The best relationships came from the retirement viewpoint. However, there is not a significant relationship between any life-cycle modularity and any life-cycle cost unless there are significantly large modularity changes. Life-cycle modularity-cost relationships are more likely to exist in data pools generated from that life-cycle redesign viewpoint. The beginning of modular redesign, where greater modularity improvements are seen, is more effective at reducing costs. Cost savings depend the appropriateness of the modularity matrix’s product architecture representation from a cost savings viewpoint.
Environmental factors modulate the effect of the APOE genetic polymorphism on plasma lipid concentrations: ecogenetic studies in a Mediterranean Spanish population.

To investigate APOE gene--environment interaction effects on plasma lipid concentrations, we conducted a cross-sectional study in a Mediterranean Spanish population consisting of 396 men and 513 women aged 18 to 66 years. The frequency of the epsilon 4 variant was 0.071 (95% confidence interval 0.059, 0.082), confirming the lower frequency of this allele in Southern Europe. In general, the carriers of the epsilon 2 variant had lower concentrations (P <.05) of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), carriers of the epsilon 3 variant had intermediate concentrations, and carriers of the epsilon 4 variant had higher concentrations (P <.05) in both sexes, even after multivariate adjustment for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, physical activity, marital status, and education. However, when the homogeneity of allelic effects according to environmental factors was tested, significant interaction terms were found. In women, an important interaction between alcohol consumption and the APOE polymorphism in determining LDL-C concentrations was found (P <.003). LDL-C concentrations in female drinkers with the epsilon 2 variant were significantly lower (P <.014) than in nondrinkers with the epsilon 2 variant. Likewise, in female drinkers with the epsilon 4 variant, LDL-C concentrations were also significantly (P <.010) lower than in nondrinkers with the epsilon 4 variant. Moreover, in female drinkers, LDL-C concentrations did not differ between carriers of the epsilon 4 and the epsilon 3 variants, and in nondrinkers, LDL-C concentrations did not differ between carriers of the epsilon 2 and the epsilon 3 variants. We also found a statistically significant interaction effect (P <.001) between the APOE polymorphism and physical activity in determining high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in men. Our results indicate that environmental factors are important modulators of the effect of the APOE polymorphism on plasma lipid concentrations.
AB INITIO STUDY ON THE POTENTIAL ENERGY HYPERSURFACE OF FC(O)O

The equilibrium structure, vibrational spectra, and adiabatic ionization potential for FC(O)O+ have been investigated using high-levels of ab initio theory. Methods included second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2), the singles and doubles configuration interaction (CISD) method, quadratic configuration interaction method including single and double excitations (QCISD), and singles and doubles coupled-cluster theory which incorporates a perturbational estimate of the effects of connected triples excitation [CCSD(T)]. The CCSD(T) method is found to yield quite accurate results for FCO+, which is used as a calibrant for FC(O)O+. At the highest level of theory, CCSD(T)/6–311 + G(3df)//CCSD(T)/6–311G(2df), the adiabatic ionization potential for FC(O)O+ is predicted to be 287.4 kcal mol−1 (12.5 eV).
Thermal Effects on Office Productivity

A field study was conducted to investigate the associations between indoor thermal conditions and productivity for computer workers in an insurance company. Thermal environment conditions and produ...
Labor Education in the Time of Dismay

Notably absent from the discourse on labor union revitalization is a reevaluation of the strategic role of labor education. Using ethnographic methods, the authors elucidate four dimensions of a Freireian-based labor education program, characterized as (1) where rank-and-file unionists teach, (2) where shared experience is the basis for knowledge, (3) where programming involves a dialectical process of action and reflection, and (4) where participants convene in a collectively determined cultural context. Moreover, the authors address reservations to Freireian pedagogy and describe how the adoption of Freireian programming alters the role of labor educators. Finally, the authors hypothesize that Freireian pedagogy complements several contemporary recommendations for arresting the decline in union representation.
A theory of the effects of head-group structure and chain unsaturation on the chain melting transition of phospholipid dispersions.

We have developed statistical mechanical descriptions of the effects of head-group structure and acyl chain unsaturation on the chain melting phase transition of aqueous dispersions of bilayers containing glycerophosphocholines and glycerophosphoethanolamines. The theoretical framework is an extension of the model of Jacobs et al. [Jacobs, R. E., Hudson, B. S., & Andersen, H. C. (1975) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72, 3993]. There are several systematic trends in the experimental transition data for various types of phospholipids. Assumptions about the physical origins of these trends were incorporated into statistical mechanical models, which were used to calculate transition temperatures and enthalpies. The extent to which the calculated results of a model reproduce the experimental trends is taken as a measure of the validity of the assumptions on which the model is based. We found that the gross differences among the transition temperatures of phospholipids with two saturated chains, two trans-unsaturated chains, two cis-unsaturated chains, and one cis-unsaturated and one saturated chain can all be explained in terms of the effect of the double bonds on molecular shape and the subsequent effect of shape on the ability of molecules to pack together into a low-energy state at high density. The dependence of transition temperature on the location of the double bond in cis-unsaturated molecules can be understood on the same basis. The differences between the transition temperatures of glycerophosphocholines and glycerophosphoethanolamines with the same hydrocarbon chains can be explained in terms of a larger intermolecular attraction (or smaller repulsion) for the latter than for the former. These differences depend on the presence or absence of unsaturation in the hydrocarbon chains in a way that is consistent with the postulate that hydrogen bonding between glycerophosphoethanolamines is responsible for the differences.
Religion as a Meaning‐Making Framework in Coping with Life Stress

This article explores how religion, as a meaning system, influences coping with adversity. First, a model emphasizing the role of meaning making in coping is presented. Next, religion as a meaning system is defined, and theory and research on the role of religion in the coping process are summarized. Results from the author's study of 169 bereaved college students are then presented to illustrate some of the pathways through which religious meaning can influence the coping process in making meaning following loss. Findings indicate that associations between religion and adjustment vary across time since loss, and that these associations are mediated by meaning-making coping. Finally, implications for individual and societal well-being and suggestions for future research are discussed.
On the sensitivity of ASL MRI in detecting regional differences in cerebral blood flow

Arterial-spin-labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a noninvasive tool to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) and is increasingly used as a surrogate for baseline neural activity. However, the power of ASL MRI in detecting CBF differences between patient and control subjects is hampered by inter-subject variations in global CBF, which are associated with non-neural factors and may contribute to the noise in the across-group comparison. Here, we investigated the sensitivity of this technique and proposed a normalization strategy to better detect such a difference. A "model" situation was employed in which two visual stimuli (i.e. cross fixation and flashing checkerboard) were presented to two groups of subjects to mimic "control" and "patient" groups (N=7 for each group), respectively. It was found that absolute CBF (aCBF) in the occipital lobe in the checkerboard group was 26.0% greater compared to the fixation group, but the level of significance was modest (P=.03). In contrast, when normalizing the CBF with whole-brain CBF or CBF in a reference region [termed relative CBF (rCBF)], the statistical significance was improved considerably (P<.003). For voxel-based analysis, the rCBF indices correctly detected CBF differences in the occipital lobe in the across-group comparison, while aCBF failed to detect any significant cluster using the same statistical threshold. We also performed Monte Carlo simulation to confirm the experimental findings and found that the power improvement was most pronounced when signal-to-noise-ratio is moderate and the underlying CBF difference was small. The simulation also showed that, with the proposed normalization, a detection power of 80% can be achieved using a sample size of about 20. In summary, rCBF is a more sensitive index to detect small differences in CBF, rather than the much-sought-after aCBF, since it reduces data noise caused by inter-subject variations in global CBF.
Community-associated MRSA: What makes them special?

While infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were traditionally restricted to the hospital setting, novel MRSA strains emerged over the last two decades that have the capacity to infect otherwise healthy people outside of the hospital setting. These community-associated (CA-)MRSA strains combine methicillin resistance with enhanced virulence and fitness. Interestingly, CA-MRSA strains emerged globally and from different backgrounds, indicating that the "trade-off" between maintaining sufficient levels of methicillin resistance and obtaining enhanced virulence at a low fitness cost was achieved on several occasions in convergent evolution. However, frequently this process comprised similar changes. First and foremost, all CA-MRSA strains typically carry a novel type of methicillin resistance locus that appears to cause less of a fitness burden. Additionally, acquisition of specific toxin genes, most notably that encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), and adaptation of gene expression of genome-encoded toxins, such as alpha-toxin and phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs), further contributed to the evolution of CA-MRSA. Finally, the exceptional epidemiological success of the USA300 CA-MRSA clone in particular may have been due to yet another gene acquisition, namely that of the speG gene, which is located on the arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME) and involved in detoxifying harmful host-derived polyamines.
Involvement of the period gene in developmental time-memory: effect of the perShort mutation on phase shifts induced by light pulses delivered to Drosophila larvae.

Phases of circadian locomotor activity rhythms of adult Drosophilareared in constant darkness have been shown to be set by a light stimulus delivered as early as the first-instar larval stage. This implies that a circadian clock functions continuously throughout postembryonic development. The clock genes period (per) and timeless (tim) are expressed cyclically in the larval central nervous system of Drosophila, and daily oscillations of per expression persist throughout metamorphosis in a group of cells, which gives rise to the pacemaker cells underlying locomotor activity rhythms of adults. Therefore, PER and TIM cyclings in these neurons may be responsible for the phenomenon of “larval time-memory.” In the absence of any evidence for the involvement of these genes in such a developmental clock, and because circadian-pacemaker functions are underanalyzed in terms of the functions during development, the authors tested the time-memory of a fast-clock period mutant. They show that dark-reared perSmutant in...
Three-Phase Multiple-Conductor Circuits

During the past year the subject of power transmission by multiple-conductor circuits has received considerable attention. The formulas and estimating curves given in the paper may therefore be of interest at this time. Formulas are developed for the inductance and capacitance to neutral per phase and the approximate corona starting voltage of perfectly transposed, multiple-conductor, three-phase transmission lines having any number of conductors per phase. For certain special arrangements of the conductors, curves are given for the 60-cycle reactance, capacity susceptance, and corona starting voltage. These curves show the effect of variations, throughout their practical range, in conductor diameter, spacing between phases and between conductors of the same phase. Two, three, four and five conductors per phase are considered. A comparison is made of multiple- and single-conductor circuits with respect to charging current, voltage at no load, power which can be carried with the same voltage drop, and stability.
Mental health planning and Model Cities: "Hamlet" or "Hellzapoppin".

Several crucial issues arise from the growth of the community mental health center movement. These are particularly evident when mental health agencies confront complex, rapidly moving planning situations in the inner city. Model Cities provides an important challenge, and the response of mental health agencies raises questions concerning both the will and the ability to enter the mainstream of community issues.
Reproductive effort in cotton grass tussock tundra

Eriophorum vaginatum ssp. spissum is a dominant plant species of undisturbed cotton grass tussock tundra in Alaska. It also quickly invades and dominates recently disturbed sites. The hypothesis tested in this research was that the success of E. vaginatum on disturbed sites might be achieved through a higher allocation of biomass to reproductive structures relative to other tundra species. Reproductive allocation of tundra plants in general also was compared with plants of the temperate zone. The results indicate that E. vaginatum is about average among the common tundra species in terms of total reproductive allocation, allocation to seeds, and the proportion of total reproductive allocation that is accounted for by viable seeds. Tundra species, on a relative basis, allocate less biomass to all reproductive structures than temperate species but not necessarily less biomass to the output of viable seeds.
LASER SAFETY THRESHOLDS FOR CETACEANS AND PINNIPEDS

An increase in the use of oceanographic lidar has raised concern over laser safety for marine mammals. We were able to address some of these concerns by combining information about current laser safety standards, retinal damage mechanisms for humans, and research on eye anatomy for humans, cetaceans, and pinnipeds. To estimate the irradiance at the retina, the image size at the retina and pupil diameter must be known. We estimate the smallest spot size using retinal resolution or visual acuity for six species of cetaceans and five species of pinnipeds. A sensitivity ratio was calculated for each species using the ratio of the irradiance at the retina of the marine mammal to the irradiance at the retina of humans. The sensitivity ratio was used to suggest exposure limits for the various species. Because the human eye is more sensitive than either the cetacean or pinniped eye, we conclude that laser energies that are eye-safe for humans will also be safe for marine mammals, and higher laser irradiances may be permissible if illumination of humans is avoided.
Effects of exposure of DNA to methyl mercury on its activity as a template-primer for DNA polymerases.

Abstract A previous publication [Frenkel, Cain, and Chao, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.127, 849–856 (1985)] described the observation that double-stranded DNA which was briefly exposed to methyl mercury (MeHg) and purified to remove free methyl mercury was transcribed at a higher rate by RNA polymerase II from wheat germ. The specificity of this phenomenon has now been investigated by examining the activity of this MeHg-exposed DNA as a template-primer for DNA polymerases. DNA synthesis by the bacteriophage T4-induced DNA polymerase was higher with the MeHg-exposed DNA as a template-primer than with control DNA. In contrast, the rate of DNA synthesis by E. coli DNA polymerase I was lower with the MeHg-exposed DNA as template-primer. With both enzymes (as well as with RNA polymerase II), after denaturation of the MeHg-exposed and control DNAs the differences in template activity were either eliminated or markedly reduced. The enzymes are thus able to detect a MeHg-induced alteration in DNA. In contrast, circular dichroism, a physical method that is sensitive to conformational changes in DNA, did not detect any difference between the MeHg-exposed and control DNAs.
Fast Three-Dimensional Vortex Method for Unsteady Wake Calculations

References Saad, Y., and Schultz, M. H., "GMRES: A Generalized Minimal Residual Algorithm for Solving Nonsymmetric Linear Systems," Journal of the Science of Statistical Computations, Vol. 7, No. 3, 1986, pp. 856-869. Wigton, L. B., Yu, N. J., and Young, D. P., "GMRES Acceleration of Computational Fluid Dynamics Codes," AIAA Paper 84-1494-CP, 1984. Sankar, L. N., and Tang, W., "Numerical Solution of Unsteady Viscous Flow past Rotor Sections," AIAA Paper 85-0129, Jan. 1985. Hixon, R., and Sankar, L. N., "Application of a Generalized Minimal Residual Method to 2D Unsteady Flows," AIAA Paper 92-0422, Jan. 1992. Steger, J. L., "Implicit Finite Difference Simulation of Flow about Arbitrary Two-Dimensional Geometries," AIAA Journal, Vol. 18, No. 2, 1980, pp.159-167.
Communicative contexts of the LEN facial expression of pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina)

We have investigated the contexts of the LEN (lips forward–ears back–neck extended) or pucker, a species-specific facial expression of Macaca nemestrina, in four breeding groups. Using the behavior sampling method we recorded all LENs, associated behavior, and the identities of the individuals involved. Of 401 LENs initiated, 62% were directed to the observer, who never responded to them in any way. Infants and dams directed more LENs to the observer than did sires or other females. The average intraspecific LEN rate was 0.82 per monkey-hour, including LENs given in reciprocation. Excluding LENs given in reciprocation, sires LENned significantly more often to females and dams than to infants, and significantly more than females and dams LENned to them. Of LENs directed to conspecifics, 21% were reciprocated, 34% were followed by distance reduction, and 16% led to both. Reciprocating LEN responses occurred more often to LENs initiated by sires. Although primarily affiliative, some LENs occurred in agonistic contexts, suggesting a possible appeasing function or rejection of a LEN’s social invitation. Aggression preceded 8% of conspecific LENs, and 15% of LENs were responded to by visual aggression. No response followed 47% of LENs. Affirming the conclusions of others, LENs are often directed by males to females before mating. LENs directed at cradled infants suggest that maternal LENs serve more than a summoning function. LENs directed to people by M. nemestrina usually seem to be inviting interaction or attention, but LENs by dams seem to reflect concerns over their infants. We speculate that at the most basic level the LEN emphasizes that the sender’s gaze is fixed on the receiver. We propose that the LEN may have evolved in this quiet rainforest species to facilitate coordination of social activity when silence or stealth is advantageous.
A short description of the collections of The New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY)

An overview of the phanerogamic and cryptogamic collections accumulated by The New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY) since its foundation in 1891 is presented. Appended are a list of herbaria incorporated into NY, a list of collectors who have deposited their original herbaria or significant parts thereof at NY, a list of the taxonomic groups particularly well represented at NY, and a list of papers published since 1963 about the NY collections.
Can multiple tidal inlets be stable

Abstract The gorge stability of inlets connecting the same bay to the ocean is analysed. The basic premise is that when the tidal maximum of the bottom shear stress in an inlet is larger than the equilibrium shear the inlet is in a scouring mode and when smaller than the equilibrium shear stress the inlet is in a shoaling mode. The tidal maximum of the bottom shear stress equals the equilibrium shear stress when the inlet is in equilibrium with the hydraulic environment. An inlet is called stable when after a small change, the cross-sectional area returns to its equilibrium value. Using a linearized lumped-parameter model for the flow in the inlets, it is shown that for a two-inlet bay system neither of the two inlets can be stable. This implies that when assuming the inlets to be in equilibrium with the hydraulic environment, a small change in the cross-sectional area of one or both of the inlets will result in the closure of one or both of the inlets. Starting with the results for the two-inlet bay system arguments are presented that suggest a similar conclusion holds for multiple inlets, i.e. ultimately, all inlets will close or, at best, one will remain open.
Use of microchip electrophoresis and a palladium/mercury amalgam electrode for the separation and detection of thiols

This paper describes the use of microchip electrophoresis, a palladium decoupler, and a downstream mercury/palladium (Hg/Pd) amalgam working electrode to separate and detect a mixture of thiols. While it is known that palladium forms an amalgam with mercury that enables the selective detection of thiols at a low potential, previous reports have used mercury/gold (Hg/Au) amalgam electrodes and there are no reports of using Hg/Pd electrodes for this purpose. The ability to use a Hg/Pd electrode greatly simplifies the fabrication procedure when a Pd decoupler is used to integrate microchip electrophoresis with electrochemical detection. A detailed comparison was made between the use of Hg/Au and Hg/Pd detection electrodes, with the Hg/Pd electrode having a similar performance in terms of voltammetry, sensitivity, and limit of detection. The resulting palladium decoupler and Hg/Pd electrode were used along with a lengthened serpentine channel to result in the separation and detection of a mixture containing homocysteine, cysteine, glutathione, and N-acetylcysteine. Finally, a microchip device that integrates on-chip pumping and injection valves with the Pd decoupler and Hg/Pd electrode was used to separate and detect glutathione from lysed red blood cells.
Improving Inferences from Multiple Methods.

The use of multiple methods can result in an inferential challenge, though there are strategies to strengthen our inferences.
Medical care from childhood to adulthood in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes mellitus comprises a heterogeneous group of diseases that have in common the development of macro- and microvascular complications. It is now possible to identify subjects at high risk of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, especially in the patient's family members. Preventive interventions are quickly becoming available, and can help delay the onset of the disease and thereby reduce complications in these subjects. Furthermore the correct etiological diagnosis of diabetes is fundamental in providing the best treatment for the patient. Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) syndrome should be suspected in cases of a subtle onset of diabetes and autosomal dominant inheritance. Mitochondrial DNA mutations should be considered when a diabetic patient also suffers from deafness or if there is a family history of this combination in the mother side of the family. Atypical diabetes has to be identified by the physician to avoid mistakes when the patient enters the non-insulin-dependent phase. In the case of Wolfram's syndrome a gene analysis for each family member should be performed to identify heterozygote subjects. Recently, many discoveries in genetics help us better understand the pathogenesis of the diseases and diagnose the monogenic form of diabetes more easily. If all family members are followed in the same center, clues from the family history are readily available for differential diagnosis and preventive interventions can be established more effectively.
Subspecialty emergency room as alternative model for otolaryngologic care: Implications for emergency health care delivery

Abstract Purpose A dedicated otolaryngology emergency room (ER) represents a specialized surgical evaluation and treatment setting that may be an alternative triage pathway for acute otolaryngologic complaints. We aim to characterize practice patterns in this setting and to provide insight into the epidemiology of all-comer, urgent otolaryngologic complaints in the United States. Methods and methods Electronic medical records were reviewed for all patients who registered for otolaryngologic care and received a diagnosis in the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary ER between January 2011 and September 2013. Descriptive analysis was performed to characterize utilization and diagnostic patterns. Predictors of inpatient admission were identified using multivariable regression. Geocoding analysis was performed to characterize catchment area. Results A total of 12,234 patient visits were evaluated with a mean age of 44.7. Auditory and vestibular problems constituted the most frequent diagnoses (50.0%). The majority of patients were discharged home (92.3%). Forty-three percent of patients underwent a procedure in the ER; the most common procedure was diagnostic nasolaryngoscopy (52%). Predictors of inpatient admission were post-operative complaint (odds ratio [OR] 7.3, P Conclusion In this report, we investigate practice patterns of a dedicated otolaryngology emergency room to explore an alternative to standard acute otolaryngologic health care delivery mechanisms. We identify key predictors of inpatient admission. This study has implications for emergency health care delivery models.
Maculatin: An isomer of uvedalin epoxide from Polymnia maculata

The isolation of a new germacranolide, maculatin IIc or IId, from Polymnia maculata Cav. is reported.
Environmental importance of the107Ag(n,γ)108Agm reaction in nuclear power reactors, and new 327-1327-1327-1and Iγ measurements

127-year108Agm is an (n,γ) activation product of107Ag and is produced in nuclear power reactors. Due to the wide range of reported values for the oγ0 cross section of the107Ag(n,γ)108Agm reaction new measurements were made—resulting in a oγ0 value of 0.477±0.033 barn, and an Iγ value of 0.80±0.15 barn. The environmental importance of the110Agm and108Agm radionuclides is discussed.
Effects of a combined deficiency of vitamins E and B6 on blood picture of rat.

SummarySprague-Dawley rats deficient in both vit. E and B6 exhibited a greatly increased peripheral neutrophil count. Supplementation of the diet with either of these vitamins prevented this increase. The B6-deficient rats exhibited a slight lymphopenia which was not affected by vit. E. None of the animals developed anemia.
The Macroeconomic Impact of Privatization

Privatization programs can generate substantial sums. This paper argues that, as a general rule, the proceeds of privatization should be treated as financing (and so put "below the line") and not as revenue. Unlike taxation, privatization never reduces private sector wealth. In exceptional cases, it may reduce the propensity to invest, and depress aggregate demand as a tax increase would. Given the difficulty of predicting when this will occur, and its exceptional nature, the receipt of proceeds from privatization does not, in most cases, warrant a relaxation of the stance of fiscal policy to maintain aggregate demand.
In vitro Analysis of Gravitropic Mutants of Pea

Summary The root growth of gravitropic pea (Pisum sativum L.) mutants has been compared in vitro to the parent line to quantify their gravitropic responses. Aseptic culture systems have been developed to allow the analysis of root growth both in the presence and absence of the shoot. The roots of both mutants showed a preference for horizontal/gravinegative growth and, thus, were not truly agravitropic. Mutant roots isolated in liquid culture showed the same growth potential as the roots of the normal pea. The application of basally applied abscisic acid and indole acetic acid to isolated roots in agar culture inhibited root elongation but only in normal peas and could not restore a positive graviresponse in the mutants. Only asymmetrically applied auxin or replacement of the mutant root cap with one from a normal pea root was effective in restoring a positive graviresponse.
Re-imagining CS1/CS2 with Android using the Sofia framework (abstract only)

Android has seen increased use in introductory CS courses to motivate and excite students about their programming assignments, but using the standard Android libraries as a GUI platform in CS2 presents numerous challenges and using it in CS1 is nearly impossible. This workshop introduces participants to Sofia, the Simplified Open Framework for Innovative Android Applications, developed by the Web-CAT team at Virginia Tech. Sofia abstracts out many of the advanced concepts normally required to develop interesting applications, using a unique approach to event handling, binding GUI elements to Java code, and user interaction. The goal is to allow students to focus entirely on using Java programming skills to solve problems in the application domain, instead of writing monotonous glue code typically required to construct an Android application. Laptop optional.
Multiple Synapse Formation in the Motor Cortex Opposite Unilateral Sensorimotor Cortex Lesions in Adult Rats

Unilateral damage to the forelimb region of the sensorimotor cortex (FLsmc) in adult rats has previously been found to result in dendritic growth and synaptogenesis in layer V of the contralateral motor cortex. The neuronal growth appears to be mediated in part by lesion-induced changes in the use of the forelimbs. Whether these neuronal changes involve alterations in the structure and/or configuration of synaptic connections in layer V has not previously been investigated. The present study used stereological measures to characterize structural alterations in axonal processes and synaptic connections using electron micrographs generated in a previous study of the motor cortex contralateral to FLsmc lesions. Of primary interest were synapses formed by multiple synaptic boutons (MSBs), which have recently been found to be a major component of experience-related neocortical plasticity, and synapses with perforated postsynaptic densities (PSDs), which are putatively associated with enhanced synaptic efficacy. In comparison with sham-operated rats, there was an increase in the proportion and ratio of synapses to neurons formed by MSBs and in synapses with perforated PSDs at 30 days after the lesions. Furthermore, perforated synapses formed by MSBs were markedly increased at 18 and 30 days after the lesion in comparison with sham-operated rats. Preceding these synaptic structural changes (at 10 days postlesion), myelinated axons were reduced in volume fraction and volume per neuron in comparison with sham-operated rats but returned to normal levels at subsequent time points. These results are consistent with a lesion-induced degeneration and subsequent sprouting of axons. Together, these data indicate that a major restructuring of synaptic connectivity occurs in the cortex opposite FLsmc lesions in adult animals. This lesion-induced restructuring may be guided by ongoing changes in the use of the forelimbs.
Kinetics of Removal of Carbonyl Sulfide by Aqueous Monoethanolamine

The kinetics of the reaction between carbonyl sulfide and aqueous monoethanolamine (MEA) were studied over a range in temperature (298−348 K) and amine concentrations (5−20 wt %) using a wetted-sph...
Biosynthetic studies of human ovarian arrhenoblastomatous tissue in vitro. II. Formation of androgens from dehydroisoandrosterone sulfate.

Virilizing ovarian arrhenoblastomatous tissue was simultaneously incubated with 3H-dehydroisoandrosterone sulfate and 14C-progesterone with and without the addition of human menopausal urinary gonadotropin, human chorionic gonadotropin and adrenocorticotropin. A small and indeterminant yield of testosterone was obtained from dehydroisoandrosterone sulfate while androstenedione was obtained from both substrates in a yield of 0.1 to 0.7%. An ancillary incubation using polycystic ovarian tissue was also performed. Similar results were obtained with the exception that no testosterone was recovered. The influence of gonadotropins and adrenocorticotropin on the conversions of these substrates to androstenedione was inconclusive. No sulfurylated products were noted.
Respiratory outcomes of the surfactant positive pressure and oximetry randomized trial (SUPPORT)

Objective To explore the early childhood pulmonary outcomes of infants who participated in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Surfactant Positive Airway Pressure and Pulse Oximetry Randomized Trial (SUPPORT), using a factorial design that randomized extremely preterm infants to lower vs higher oxygen saturation targets and delivery room continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) vs intubation/surfactant. Study design The Breathing Outcomes Study, a prospective secondary study to the Surfactant Positive Airway Pressure and Pulse Oximetry Randomized Trial, assessed respiratory morbidity at 6-month intervals from hospital discharge to 18-22 months corrected age (CA). Two prespecified primary outcomes—wheezing more than twice per week during the worst 2-week period and cough longer than 3 days without a cold—were compared for each randomized intervention. Results One or more interviews were completed for 918 of the 922 eligible infants. The incidences of wheezing and cough were 47.9% and 31.0%, respectively, and did not differ between the study arms of either randomized intervention. Infants randomized to lower vs higher oxygen saturation targets had a similar risk of death or respiratory morbidity (except for croup and treatment with oxygen or diuretics at home). Infants randomized to CPAP vs intubation/surfactant had fewer episodes of wheezing without a cold (28.9% vs 36.5%; P P P Conclusion Treatment with early CPAP rather than intubation/surfactant is associated with less respiratory morbidity by 18-22 months CA. Longitudinal assessment of pulmonary morbidity is necessary to fully evaluate the potential benefits of respiratory interventions for neonates.
Low-volume oral colonoscopy bowel preparation: Sodium phosphate and magnesium citrate

Abstract Background: Low-volume oral colonoscopy preparations are easier to tolerate and are gaining popularity at the expense of large-volume lavage solutions. The aims of this two-part study were to compare two oral colonoscopy bowel preparations, sodium phosphate (NaP) and magnesium citrate (Mg), and to assess the effects of timing and dilution of NaP. Methods: Part 1 included 300 ambulatory patients randomized to receive NaP or Mg on the day before colonoscopy. Patients completed a questionnaire before colonoscopy. The endoscopist, blinded to the type of bowel preparation, rated bowel cleansing and recorded the presence of any rectosigmoid aphthous ulcers. In part 2, a total of 297 patients received NaP diluted into 3 doses 10 minutes apart the evening before and the morning of the day of colonoscopy. This group was compared with the group in part 1 that received NaP in two separate single doses entirely the day before colonoscopy. Results: NaP and Mg were well tolerated. When preparations were taken the day before colonoscopy, Mg achieved better bowel cleansing ( p p p Conclusions: When taken entirely the day before colonoscopy, Mg is superior to NaP. Taking NaP the evening before and morning of colonoscopy improved bowel cleansing compared with taking it entirely the day before. Dilution of NaP reduces vomiting. NaP induces rectosigmoid aphthous ulcers more often than Mg. (Gastrointest Endosc 2002;56:89-94.)
An automatic and accurate x-ray tube focal spot/grid alignment system for mobile radiography: system description and alignment accuracy.

Purpose: A mobile radiography automatic grid alignment system (AGAS) has been developed by modifying a commercially available mobile unit. The objectives of this article are to describe the modifications and operation and to report on the accuracy with which the focal spot is aligned to the grid and the time required to achieve the alignment. Methods: The modifications include an optical target arm attached to the grid tunnel, a video camera attached to the collimator, a motion control system with six degrees of freedom to position the collimator and x-ray tube, and a computer to control the system. The video camera and computer determine the grid position, and then the motion control system drives the x-ray focal spot to the center of the grid focal axis. The accuracy of the alignment of the focal spot with the grid and the time required to achieve alignment were measured both in laboratory tests and in clinical use. Results: For a typical exam, the modified unit automatically aligns the focal spot with the grid in less than 10 s, with an accuracy of better than 4 mm. The results of the speed and accuracy tests in clinical use were similar to the resultsmore » in laboratory tests. Comparison patient chest images are presented--one obtained with a standard mobile radiographic unit without a grid and the other obtained with the modified unit and a 15:1 grid. The 15:1 grid images demonstrate a marked improvement in image quality compared to the nongrid images with no increase in patient dose. Conclusions: The mobile radiography AGAS produces images of significantly improved quality compared to nongrid images with alignment times of less than 10 s and no increase in patient dose.« less
Qualitative differences in protozoan colonization of artificial substrates

The purpose of these experiments was to determine if there were major qualitative differences in the colonization process at different points in a lake at approximately the same point in time given that the lake was subjected to influent streams, outfalls, seiches, and currents. Another way of phrasing this problem: Is the protozoan fraction of the biota of a lake repeatedly distributed throughout the ecosystem in a manner that allows minimal and reliable sampling? In order to approach this problem, sets of artificial substrates made of polyurethane foam were positioned at various points in Douglas Lake, Michigan (area: ca 13 km2) in relation to major lake currents, influent streams and outfalls. The artificial substrates were examined principally during the summer of 1972. Some stations were sampled in October after fall overturn, and samples of natural substrate material were taken from under ice cover in March 1973. The analysis of data shows a marked similarity among samples.
Indirect estimation of spinal cord conduction velocity in man.

Abstract A method is described for deriving an indirect estimate of the velocity of impulse propagation in the spinal cord of intact man. The estimate is computed from measurements of motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity in the limbs, F-wave latencies, and the latencies of somatosensory evoked potentials. The mean estimated spinal cord conduction velocity in normal subjects was found to be 55.1 m/sec, with a standard deviation of 9.9. This method appears to have potential application in the electrophysiological evaluation of patients with myelopathic disorders.
Influence of dorsal hippocampal lesions and MMP inhibitors on spontaneous recovery following a habituation/classical conditioning head–shake task

The present investigation combined a classical conditioning paradigm with a head-shake response (HSR) habituation task in order to evaluate the importance of dorsal hippocampal neural plasticity to spontaneous recovery. In the first experiment animals exhibited rapid HSR habituation (air stimulus to the ear) and an 85% level of spontaneous recovery following a 24 h inter-session interval. The addition of a brief tone prior to the air stimulus produced a similar pattern of habituation during the first session, but the level of spontaneous recovery was reduced (44%) during Session II. In a second experiment dorsal hippocampal lesioned rats placed on this tone/HSR paradigm responded with an 87% level of spontaneous recovery during Session II; while neocortex lesioned control rats indicated significantly reduced levels of spontaneous recovery (55%). In a third experiment bilateral injections of a general MMP inhibitor, FN-439, into the dorsal hippocampus resulted in high levels of spontaneous recovery (81%); while control rats injected with artificial cerebrospinal fluid displayed a significant attenuation of spontaneous recovery (45%). Finally, animals bilaterally injected with a specific MMP-3 inhibitor into the dorsal hippocampus indicated very similar results to those obtained following FN-439 injection. These findings indicate that animals prepared with dorsal hippocampal lesions, or injections with an MMP inhibitor, revealed an impaired association between the tone and air stimulus thus maximum spontaneous recovery was present 24 h later. Thus, it appears that the dorsal hippocampus influences habituation by conserving responses and reducing spontaneous recovery when a temporally contingent signaling cue is present.