cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Balloon tracheoplasty in children: Results of a 15-year experience☆

Strictures of the trachea traditionally have been dilated by antegrade bouginage. This method not only dilates but imparts a shearing force to the wall of the trachea. The resultant trauma may contribute to further scarring and aggravation of the stricture. We report a 15-year experience with 37 patients and 158 tracheal dilatations using balloon catheters that impart only radially directed forces and can be precisely placed and gradually inflated. Various adjunctive techniques have been performed, including: (1) electrocautery of granulation tissue; (2) parenteral and local use of steroids; and (3) intraluminal stenting after dilation. Recent experience indicates that this combination of methods is important in improving patient outcome. The principal indications for balloon tracheoplasty include acquired tracheal stenosis from various causes, and congenital subglottic stenosis. Almost all patients received some immediate benefit from balloon tracheoplasty. Fifty-four percent of the patients achieved long-term improvement (with a minimum follow-up of 2 months). Additionally, 10 of 20 children who had been unable to previously tolerate removal of an indwelling tracheostomy tube proceeded to extubation. We have had poor success in treating bronchial and glottic stenosis. Endoscopically directed hydrostatic balloon tracheoplasty is a safe and effective method for the treatment of tracheal stenosis of varying causes. Multiple dilatations are required that gradually improve the character of the tracheal lumen. In selected cases, the procedure may delay or avoid the need for an open tracheoplasty.
Conformational mobility in 3,6-diketo[8](9,10)anthracenophane

Abstract Methods for the selective deuteration of the title compound are reported. The compound has two enantiomeric conformations with a ΔG ‡ for interconversion of ca. 9 kcal/mole.
Competition and Pay for National Hockey League Players Born in Québec

Prior studies have suggested that salary discrimination may exist in the National Hockey League. In particular, it has been argued that Canadian NHL teams located outside of Quebec discriminate against French Canadian players. The small number of French Canadian players along with the large number of teams located outside of English Canada, however, suggest that discrimination of this form should be observed much less frequently as players’ tenure in the league increases due to the greater likelihood of realizing unrestricted free agency. Although we find evidence that players born inQuebec suffer an earnings penalty on Canadian NHL teams located outside of Quebec, it is not clear that the penalty is eliminated by free agency, which raises questions about the source of the pay gap.
Human dopamine transporter gene variation: effects of protein coding variants V55A and V382A on expression and uptake activities

The human dopamine transporter (DAT, SLC6A3) is an important 15 exon gene for dopamine neurotransmission and dopamine recycling. Common exon 15 variable number tandem repeat variants can be associated with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Rarer single nucleotide polymorphisms produce missense variants including V55A and V382A. We now report studies of the functional influences of these DAT protein-coding variants. In COS cell transient-expression assays, V382A displays about half of the dopamine uptake velocity Vmax and cocaine analog binding Bmax values of wildtype DAT. V382A lowers dopamine's potency in inhibiting cocaine analog binding by six-fold. Cells expressing V382A or mixtures of V382A and wildtype DAT both display reduced plasma membrane and increased perinuclear expression, consistent with dominant effects of V328A on expression. V55A expresses normally but reveals a 1.7-fold-lower Km for dopamine uptake. Individuals with these human DAT protein variants could display altered dopamine systems.
HPA Axis Activation and Neurochemical Responses to Bacterial Translocation from the Gastrointestinal Tract

: Stress can cause migration of indigenous bacterial flora from the gut to the peritoneum, a phenomenon known as bacterial translocation. Destruction of the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria can result in the production of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS), which is the likely cause of sepsis. Exogenously administered LPS can activate the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as well as brain noradrenergic and indoleaminergic systems. Thus, it is possible that activations of these systems associated with laboratory stressors in rats and mice could be attributed to bacterial translocation and LPS production. To test this hypothesis we conducted experiments on the time course of bacterial translocation in response to restraint in mice, while measuring HPA and neurochemical responses. These experiments failed to show good correlations between the occurrence of bacterial translocation and HPA and neurochemical activations, suggesting that the later responses were not linked to bacterial translocation. This conclusion was supported by the observation of normal neurochemical responses to restraint in germ-free mice. In further experiments, translocation of Salmonella typhimurium, a bacterium that readily translocates in unstressed animals, was associated with HPA activation and noradrenergic and indoleaminergic responses, indicating that bacterial translocation can indeed activate the HPA axis and brain amines. However, the above experiments suggest that this is not the mechanism by which restraint activates these systems.
Thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction.

Thrombolytic therapy in AMI restores infarct artery patency, preserves LV function, and decreases hospital mortality. Although hemorrhagic complications including stroke can occur, the incidence of stroke is not increased compared with control groups. Aspirin must be administered as soon as possible to inhibit platelet function, and an adjunctive role for early β-blocker therapy may be important. Acute cardiac catheterization and coronary angioplasty need not be routinely performed in stable patients after tPA therapy, but should be considered in unstable patients. Two trials suggest that aggressive use of coronary angioplasty or bypass graft surgery before hospital discharge to preserve infarct artery patency and to prevent postinfarction ischemia is associated with an important improvement in long-term prognosis. Thrombolytic therapy should be considered standard care for patients whose ischemic chest pain lasts 20 min to at least 6 h in duration and who have an injury current on their ECG unless they are at increased risk for bleeding. The need for and timing of cardiac catheterization, coronary angioplasty, and surgical revascularization after AMI requires further evaluation.
SOBEX: A timesharing data system for sociopharmacological experiments

We are currently examining the effects of various psychoactive drugs on the social behaviors of individuals in a group of six stumptail macaques (Macacca arctoides) (Wilson, Bellarosa, & Bedford, 1977). Existing observational data systems were not adequate for our situation, primarily because they (1) did not permit the direct use of a system having high-speed file access, high-level languages, and sophisticated statistical packages (Fitzpatrick, 1977); (2) presented the observer with lengthy and arbitrary behavior encoding schemes (Sykes, 1977) that could not easily be learned due to the large number of behaviors we continuously sample; (3) did not permit the storage of enough data to recreate an entire observation session (Conger & McLeod, 1977). Our system must retrieve data pertaining to any environmental condition, any dyadic behavioral interactions (who interacts with whom), the duration of particular behavioral episodes, and the temporal relationship between any two behavioral episodes, and thus permit flexibility in the establishment of new data analysis routines. Users must be able to define new behaviors, delete old behaviors, and add observers. An encoding scheme using brief mnemonics was preferable since observers could more easily master the system, enter more behaviors per unit time, and minimize the chances of error. SOBEX Data Logging. To begin an observation session, the observer types in a sentence to the SOBEX monitor (described below) containing the key word, "CREATE" (e.g., "Create a data module"). The SOBEX monitor then runs the SOCIAL subprogram, which requests environmental data (observer name, drug, dose, numbers of drugged animals, room temperature) from the observer and outputs the information as the first five words of the data file. After an appropriate period designed to allow the onset of the drug effect, feeding order data is requested. The number of the animal taking each of 72 monkey chows is entered in the order in which the event occurs. After the last chow is removed, the observer types a "G" to start the session. When the SOCIAL subprogram "sees" a G command,
BiSrCaCuOxide thin films with Tc > 100 K and dc SQUIDs

Abstract We have prepared highly oriented thin films of Bi Sr Ca Cu Oxide by reactive magnetron sputtering on MgO substrates. Deposition of films with a Bi:Sr:Ca:Cu ratio of 2:2:2:4.5 together with long anneals in low oxygen partial pressures at ≈880°C yields films with R=0 as high as 106 K and a large fraction of the 110 K superconducting phase (2223) relative to the 85 K phase (2212) as judged by x-ray diffraction. A dc SQUID was was patterned based on the large (10–20 μm) grains in these films and operated up to 75 K. The detailed noise measurements which we report for this SQUID are the first for any Bi Sr Ca Cu Oxide based SQUID.
Moment analysis for stirred-tank batch adsorption with nonlinear isotherm

Abstract Moments were calculated for the response to a step increase in fluid concentration for isothermal, stirred-tank, two-phase, batch adsorption with nonlinear isotherms and no reaction. The moments were obtained in the Laplace domain after application of a regular perturbation technique for linearizing the system and with approximations based on Laguerre polynomials for the inverse Laplace transforms. The extensive algebraic manipulations required for these calculations were done with aid of a computer symbol-manipulating program. Comparisons between approximate and numerically-calculated moments showed good agreement for a wide range of parameters. For a very large mass of adsorbent, the system manifests linear adsorption, even at high initial concentrations of absorbate. The influence of particle porosity and the effect of concave and convex adsorption isotherms are discussed.
Some Factors Concerning the “Partial Neutralization” of Cream for Buttermaking

Summary 1. A better quality of fresh butter and a more exhaustive churning was secured with a 5 per cent solution of soda ash or sodium bicarbonate, and a 10 per cent solution of a lime than with a stronger solution of these neutralizers. 2. The time required for a complete reaction between the acid in the cream and the neutralizer after its addition, varied with the neutralizers. The soluble neutralizers reacted completely in two minutes; the calcium limes in five minutes; and the magnesium limes in ten to fifteen minutes. 3. The reduction in acidity during pasteurization varied with the neutralizer. The maximum reduction with the soluble neutralizers was 0.75 per cent; with the calcium limes, 0.04 per cent; and with the magnesium limes, 0.058 per cent. The reduction seemed to depend on the solubility of the neutralizer and also upon the formation of carbon dioxide gas which was driven off by heat. 4. No definite rule can be formulated as to the effect the neutralizers had on the time of churning. 5. The use of soda ash increased the fat lost in the buttermilk; while the sodium bicarbonate and the limes gave a more exhaustive churning with the latter more efficient than the former. 6. No one of the neutralizers tried (lime, soda ash or sodium bicarbonate) can be said to produce the best quality of fresh butter. The sodium bicarbonate tended to reduce the score slightly because of a slight bicarbonate flavor which was always present in the butter. 7. The separate neutralizers gave a higher score butter than when two were used together, either separately or mixed before they were added to the cream. 8. When lime and soda ash or sodium bicarbonate were used, the best results were gained by using them separately rather than mixing them, with the lime used first. 9. When soda ash entered into the neutralizer, either by itself or with lime, the butter was of a higher quality at the start but it did not hold up as well in storage as did the butter in which sodium bicarbonate was used as a neutralizer, either by itself or with lime. 10. In each case where rancidity developed after storage, soda ash had been used as the neutralizer. 11. No one lime had an advantage over the others, either for fresh or storage butter, when all were handled properly.
The Effects of Environmental Temperature on Fertility of the Domestic Fowl

Three experiments were conducted to determine the influence of environmental temperature upon the fertility of domestic fowl. It was found that a cold environmental temperature depressed testes growth and delayed spermatogenesis in maturing cockerels. There was also a highly significant difference in the fertility of mature males kept at different environmental temperatures. Males kept at 19 degrees C. had higher fertility than males kept in either 30 degrees or 8 degrees C. The effects of environmental temperature on female fertility was also studied. Fertility was significantly lower in the hens kept at 30 degrees C. than that of similar groups held at an environment of 8 degrees C.
Combined radiotherapy and immunotherapy using CPG oligodeoxynucleotides and indolamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) blockade

Meeting abstracts Pre-clinical and clinical data demonstrate the effectiveness of combining RT and CpG immunotherapy. There is data to suggest that the effectiveness of CpG immunotherapy may be limited by induction of the immunosuppressive enzyme, IDO. We test the efficacy and safety of combining
Harmonic response tests on distribution circuit potential transformers

Experimental data are presented that show the performances of distribution circuit potential transformers operating with nonsinusoidal waveforms. Four standard magnetic voltage transformers designed for 60 Hz power applications and rated from 7.2 kV to 20 kV were tested. Ratio correction factor and phase angle measurements were conducted at rated 60 Hz voltage with harmonic distortion levels at and below 8%. Test results indicate that potential transformers rated up to 20 kV experience errors of less than 5% at harmonic frequencies up to 3500 Hz when operating into typical induction watthour meter burdens. The phase angle response is essentially linear over the frequency range used to test the transformers, with a typical phase angle of about -10 degrees at frequencies of approximately 3 to 3.5 kHz. >
The interactions of bromocriptine and lergotrile with dopamine and α-adrenergic receptors

Bromocriptine and lergotrile, which are clinically used as antiparkinsonian (AP) agents, compete for the binding of H3-dopamine, H3-apomorphine, and H3-haloperidol to striatal membrane sites. Lergotrile has a higher affinity for the H3-dopamine binding to bovine striatal membranes than bromocriptine. Lergotrile and bromocriptine are almost equipotent in competing for the binding of H3-apomorphine to rat striatal membranes, but bromocriptine is more potent in competing for the binding of H3-haloperidol than lergotrile. These results indicate that lergotrile and bromocriptine are mixed putative agonist-antagonist with respect to the postsynaptic dopamine receptors. Lergotrile and bromcriptine at higher concentrations inhibit synaptosomal tyrosine hydroxylase activity, and reverse the apomorphine elicited enzyme inhibition. Thus, these ergot alkaloids behave as mixed agonist-antagonist also with respect to the presynaptic dopamine receptors. Bromocriptine and lergotrile, as well as other tested DH-ergot alkaloids and neuroleptics, compete for the binding of theα-antagonist H3-WB-4101 to rat cerebral cortical membranes. The displacing potencies of the tested DH-ergot alkaloids and of the neuroleptics indicate that they have a high affinity for theα-adrenoreceptors in the CNS.
Temporal variations in air‐sea CO2 exchange near large kelp beds near San Diego, California

This study presents nearly continuous air-sea CO2 flux for 7 years using the eddy covariance method for nearshore water near San Diego, California, as well as identifying environmental processes that appear to control temporal variations in air-sea CO2 flux at different time scales using time series decomposition. Monthly variations in CO2 uptake are shown to be positively influenced by photosynthetically active photon flux density (PPFD) and negatively related to wind speeds. In contrast to the monthly scale, wind speeds often influenced CO2 uptake positively on an hourly scale. Interannual variations in CO2 flux were not correlated with any independent variables, but did reflect surface area of the adjacent kelp bed in the following year. Different environmental influences on CO2 flux at different temporal scales suggest the importance of long-term flux monitoring for accurately identifying important environmental processes for the coastal carbon cycle. Overall, the study area was a strong CO2 sink into the sea (CO2 flux of ca. −260 g C m−2 yr−1). If all coastal areas inhabited by macrophytes had a similar CO2 uptake rate, the net CO2 uptake from these areas alone would roughly equal the net CO2 sink estimated for the entire global coastal ocean to date. A similar-strength CO2 flux, ranging between −0.09 and −0.01 g C m−2 h−1, was also observed over another kelp bed from a pilot study of boat-based eddy covariance measurements.
Work in progress — Streamlining pathways to engineering degrees for military veterans

This paper will focus on the accelerated track for military veterans into bachelor's degrees in engineering. It is important to have contact with the military veteran prior to their arriving on campus to begin their schooling. An initial thorough evaluation of the veterans' training, experiences, and expertise will be conducted with the option of granting academic credit where appropriate. Current policies give little credit for military experience or training. The development of online pre and post assessments and subject based tutorials will be used to accelerate the veteran's entry into the traditional math sequence. The creation of accelerated courses specifically for veterans enrolled in the program will be another aspect used to accelerate degree completion. Veterans may have a base of technical knowledge acquired through the technical nature of their service posts. Assigning them to introductory level courses with traditional freshman and sophomore students does not respect their technical expertise nor challenge their capabilities and accustomed pace. Another aspect of this project is the inclusion of summer internships for participants.
With actions, not just with words.

Abstract Through the generosity of Charles R. Millikan, D. Min., vice president for Spiritual Care and Values Integration, an annual award competition was established at The Methodist Hospital among the resident staff. For the writing competition, residents submitted a poem or essay of 1,000 words or less for the topic, “On Being a Doctor.” A committee of 7 was selected from The Methodist Hospital Education Institute to judge the entries. Criteria for judging were established by this committee. This essay was written by the first place winner.
Validity of the Megargee-Bohn MMPI typology with women incarcerated in a state prison.

This report describes a study of the validity of typing inmates from their MMPI scores using the system developed by Megargee and Bohn. The subjects were female inmates of a state prison. The typology was not a strong predictor of either current or subsequent prison behaviors as derived from inmate records. When the various types were ordered for degree of deviance, however, the resulting validity of the typology appeared to increase. As currently used, the typology appears of limited usefulness with female prisoners of state institutions.
The invitro inhibition of purine nucleotide biosynthesis by 2-β-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide

Abstract A series of C-glycosylthiazoles were tested as inhibitors of purine nucleotide biosynthesis in in vitro cultures of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The thiazole C-nucleoside, 2-β-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide, demonstrated the only significant activity of the series as a specific inhibitor of guanine nucleotide biosynthesis. At concentrations of 10–1000 μM the compound inhibits the activities of the enzymes IMP dehydrogenase and GDP kinase by 50–60% and 30–60%, respectively. The antiviral agent ribavirin demonstrated a similar pattern of enzyme inhibition at the same range of concentrations. The possible relevance of this inhibition to the recently discovered antitumor properties of 2-β-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide is discussed.
Spectral response measurements of two-terminal triple-junction a-Si solar cells

A method of measuring the spectral response of each component junction in a two-terminal triple-junction a-Si solar cell has been developed. The method uses a white bias light and off-the-shelf optical interference filters selected to reduce the bias light encountering each component junction. The a-Si top junction is measured when the cell is biased with wavelengths of 585–1100 nm, the a-Si middle junction is measured when the cell is biased with wavelengths of 350–505 nm and 795–1100 nm and the a-SiGe bottom junction is measured when the cell is biased with wavelengths of 380–670 nm. In turn, the chopped light from a monochromator is used to measure the spectral response of the low-biased junctions. Spectral response curves of the Solarex a-Si/a-Si/a-SiGe triple junction solar cell are presented. In addition, the AMO Isc (short circuit current) of this individual cell type is confirmed to be within ±2% of the Isc obtained when the spectral response of the current limiting junction is integrated with either the AM0 spectral irradiance or that of a closely matched (±10% from 350 nm to 900 nm) X-25 Mark II solar simulator.
Efficacy theory and its utility in arthritis rehabilitation: review and recommendations

Purpose: Self-efficacy, a cognitive construct implicating one's self-perception about one's performance ability, has been found to be a significant predictor of psychological well-being, adherence to prescribed treatments, and pain coping mechanisms of persons with arthritis. Heightened self-efficacy may also ameliorate arthritis-related symptoms of fatigue and depression, and preserve function and prolong physical wellbeing. Methods: To elaborate upon the utility of self-efficacy enhancing strategies as this pertains to ameliorating arthritisrelated disability, this paper examined the related literature on this topic and detailed the outcomes and nature of those selfefficacy enhancing strategies that have been incorporated into arthritis treatment regimens. Results: Despite limitations in the prevailing database, results indicated: (1) self-efficacy is potentially a potent predictor of the overall health status of the person with arthritis; and (2) carefully designed self-efficacy enhancing strategies ar...
A refinement of the random coding bound

An improved pre-factor for the random coding bound is proved. Specifically, for positive dispersion channels, if a certain regularity condition is satisfied, then for any ∊ > 0 a pre-factor of 0(N−½(1−∊+ρ∗w(R))) is achievable for rates above the critical rate, where ρ∗w (R) is related to the slope of the random coding bound at rate R. If the regularity condition is not satisfied, then a pre-factor of 0(N−½) is achievable. Recent work of the authors shows that the former case is nearly the best possible.
Performance-based track geometry and the track geometry interaction map:

AbstractThe track geometry interaction map (TGIM) is proposed as an effective way to evaluate the impact of multiple track geometry parameters on rail safety. Multi-body dynamics software has been ...
Block-Diagonal MIMO Equalization for Polarization-Multiplexed OFDM Transmission With Direct Detection

We propose a novel digital signal processing (DSP)-based multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) equalization algorithm set for polarization-multiplexed orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing transmission with direct detection (POLMUX-OFDM-DD), based on block-diagonal matrix processing. The new methodology significantly reduces legacy zero forcing (ZF)-based equalization complexity, and enables performance gains via efficient minimum mean square error (MMSE) and maximum likelihood (ML) detection. The new block-diagonal MMSE and ML algorithms are experimentally shown to extend transmission distance from 870 to 900 km and beyond 960 km, respectively, in 20-Gb/s standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) POLMUX OFDM quadrature-phase-shift-keying (QPSK)-DD transmission. The new algorithms are highly attractive for future cost-efficient, DSP-based optical metro/access systems.
On lovering's active RC network

It is seen that with an alternative type of functional decomposition, Lovering's network can be used to realize arbitrary transfer impedances and current transfer functions in addition to voltage transfer functions and transfer admittances. It is also seen that by generalizing the network, it is possible to synthesize arbitrary voltage transfer functions, current transfer functions, transfer impedances, transfer admittances or driving-point admittances by using less complicated functional decompositions.
A robust autonomous freeway driving algorithm

This paper introduces a robust prediction- and cost-function based algorithm for autonomous freeway driving. A prediction engine is built so that the autonomous vehicle is able to estimate human drivers' intentions. A cost function library is used to help behavior planners generate the best strategies. Finally, the algorithm is tested in a real-time vehicle simulation platform used by the Tartan Racing Team for the DARPA Urban Challenge 2007.
Eye movements during reading: some current controversies

For many researchers, eye-movement measures have become instrumental in revealing the moment-to-moment activity of the mind during reading. In general, there has been a great deal of consistency across studies within the eye-movement literature, and researchers have discovered and examined many variables involved in the reading process that affect the nature of readers' eye movements. Despite remarkable progress, however, there are still a number of issues to be resolved. In this article, we discuss three controversial issues: (1) the extent to which eye-movement behavior is affected by low-level oculomotor factors versus higher-level cognitive processes; (2) how much information is extracted from the right of fixation; and (3) whether readers process information from more than one word at a time.
The effect of slow wave sleep and REM sleep on regional cerebral blood flow in cats.

Regional cerebral blood flow was measured by means of an autoradiographic technique in unanaesthetized, unrestrained cats during wakefulness, slow wave sleep (S-SW), and rapid eye movement sleep (S-REM). The electrocorticogram, electro-oculogram, and electromyogram from the posterior neck muscles were continuously recorded. All operative procedures were completed at least four days prior to the experiment. Arterial blood samples were obtained immediately prior to the regional cerebral blood flow determination and analysed for PCO2, PO2, pH, and haematocrit. There were no significant differences in these parameters among the three groups. During S-REM there was a significant increase in flow in all twenty-five regions measured which varied from 62 per cent in the cerebellar white matter and sensory-motor cortex to 173 per cent in the cochlear nuclei. During S-SW a significant increase in flow occurred in only ten of the twenty-five regions, and these changes were smaller in magnitude, varying from 26 per cent in the association cortex to 68 per cent in the superior olive. It is postulated that local changes in cerebral metabolism account for the regional cerebral blood flow changes demonstrated.
Cancer preventive properties of varieties of Brassica oleracea: a review

Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and other members of the genus Brassica have been widely regarded as potentially cancer preventative. This view is often based on both experimental testing of crude extracts and epidemiological data. The experimental evidence that provides support for this possibility is reviewed for the commonly consumed varieties of Brassica oleracea. In a majority of cases the biological activities seen in testing crude extracts may be directly related to specific chemicals that have been reported to be isolated from one of these closely related species, thus the chemical evidence further supports the data from testing extracts and epidemiology
The four-celled female gametophyte of Illicium (Illiciaceae; Austrobaileyales): implications for understanding the origin and early evolution of monocots, eumagnoliids,and eudicots

The recent consensus that Amborellaceae, Nymphaeales, and Austrobaileyales form the three earliest-diverging lineages of angiosperms has led comparative biologists to reconsider the origin and early developmental evolution of the angiosperm seven-celled/eight-nucleate (Polygonum-type) female gametophyte. Illicium mexicanum (Illiciaceae; Austrobaileyales) develops a four-celled/four-nucleate female gametophyte. The ontogenetic sequence of the Illicium female gametophyte is consistent with that of all other Austrobaileyales and also with all Nymphaeales and is likely a plesiomorphy of angiosperms. A character analysis based on more than 250 embryological studies indicates that a transition from an ancestrally four-celled/four-nucleate Illicium-like female gametophyte to a seven-celled/eight-nucleate female gametophyte occurred in the common ancestor of the sister group to Austrobaileyales (a clade that includes monocots, eumagnoliids, and eudicots). Comparative analysis of reconstructed ancestral female gametophyte ontogenies identifies specific early stages of ontogeny that were modified during this transition. These modifications generated two important angiosperm novelties-a set of three persistent antipodal cells and a binucleate central cell, which upon fertilization yields a triploid endosperm. Early angiosperms are anatomically quite diverse in these two features, although triploid endosperm, composed of one paternal genome and two maternal genomes, is a conserved feature of the overwhelming majority of angiosperms.
Ligand-Induced Partitioning of Human CXCR1 Chemokine Receptors with Lipid Raft Microenvironments Facilitates G-Protein-Dependent Signaling

Ligand binding to a chemokine receptor triggers signaling events through heterotrimeric G-proteins. The mechanisms underlying receptor-mediated G-protein activation in the heterogeneous microenvironments of the plasma membrane are unclear. Here, using live-cell fluorescence resonance energy transfer imaging to detect the proximity between CXCR1-cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and fluorescence probes that label lipid raft or non-lipid raft microdomains and using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis to measure the lateral diffusion of CXCR1-CFP, we found that interleukin-8 induces association between the receptors and lipid raft microenvironments. Disruption of lipid rafts impaired G-protein-dependent signaling, such as Ca2+ responses and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation, but had no effect on ligand-binding function and did not completely abolish ligand-induced receptor phosphorylation. Our results suggest a novel mechanism by which ligand binding to CXCR1 promotes lipid raft partitioning of receptors and facilitates activation of heterotrimeric G-proteins.
Usage of Recursive in Political Science

The article discusses the term “recursive,” which has multiple uses in the political science literature. The two principle uses are reviewed, with attention to precedent and technical meanings, and examples are provided of mathematical concepts and their application to political science literature. The problem of divergent meaning is addressed through a survey of potential for reconciliation or possible substitute terminology.
The Impact of Sexual Victimization on Personality: A Longitudinal Study of Gendered Attributes

Little is known about how sexual victimization may affect a woman’s self-reported personality ratings. In the present study endorsement ratings of gendered attributes, as measured by the Extended Personal Attributes Questionnaire, were examined over a 3-year span using multiple group latent growth modeling. Differences in the endorsement of gendered attributes between college female non-victims (N = 158) and victims (N = 158) of sexual aggression were tested. Whereas endorsement of communal and positive agentic attributes were stable across time, victims remained consistently less traditionally feminine (i.e., positively communal and nurturing) than non-victims. Victims also appeared to become relatively more self-focused (i.e., negative masculinity) across time than non-victims. This pattern suggests that sexual victimization may have lasting effects on victims’ ability to focus on the nurturing, trusting aspects of relationships; rather they have a preoccupation with their own needs and goals that appears to strengthen with time. Such a pattern sheds insight into how self-processes may contribute to the relationship difficulties often observed in sexual assault victims. Implications of these results for both personality and sexual aggression researchers are discussed.
Judicial scrutiny of gender-based employment practices in the criminal justice system

Abstract Purpose This article examines employment practices of criminal justice agencies within state and federal court decisions that have interpreted sex discrimination claims under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Methods After collecting and analyzing appellate court cases through the LEXIS-NEXIS and WESTLAW databases, the article examines lower state and federal court decisions that have been applied by the U.S. Supreme Court to criminal justice workplaces. Results The findings show that employment practices are valid if the employer can demonstrate: first, the disputed discriminatory action is based on considerations not solely dependent on the plaintiff's gender; and second, such considerations are more than mere pretext, making them justifiable under the circumstances. Conclusions Courts have considered a wide range of employer practices in both law enforcement and corrections agencies at various stages of the employment process, such as hiring, assignment of duties, promotion, discipline, and termination. Title VII is violated when the employers’ adverse employment action is motivated by discriminatory intent and is based on gender stereotypes. Even so, employment actions are legal when employers prove their employment actions are not based on sex stereotypes, but are either business-related or justified by “legitimate,” “important,” or “compelling” interests.
Mrs. Malaprop's Neighborhood: Using Word Errors to Reveal Neighborhood Structure.

Many theories of language production and perception assume that in the normal course of processing a word, additional non-target words (lexical neighbors) become active. The properties of these neighbors can provide insight into the structure of representations and processing mechanisms in the language processing system. To infer the properties of neighbors, we examined the non-semantic errors produced in both spoken and written word production by four individuals who suffered neurological injury. Using converging evidence from multiple language tasks, we first demonstrate that the errors originate in disruption to the processes involved in the retrieval of word form representations from long-term memory. The targets and errors produced were then examined for their similarity along a number of dimensions. A novel statistical-simulation procedure was developed to determine the significance of the observed similarities between targets and errors relative to multiple chance baselines. The results reveal that in addition to position-specific form overlap (the only consistent claim of traditional definitions of neighborhood structure) the dimensions of lexical frequency, grammatical category, target length and initial segment independently contribute to the activation of non-target words in both spoken and written production. Additional analyses confirm the relevance of these dimensions for word production showing that, in both written and spoken modalities, the retrieval of a target word is facilitated by increasing neighborhood density, as defined by the results of the target–error analyses.
Searching for 2D RNA geometries in bacterial genomes

The central dogma of biology, that DNA makes RNA makes protein, was again shown to be outdated with the recent discovery of RNAs that have essential regulatory functions (e.g., metabolite-binding RNAs, transcription regulation) [2, 15]. These finding have stimulated a large effort to search for small, functional RNA motifs (either embedded inside larger messenger RNA molecules or as separate molecules in the cell). For example, it is known that cells make use of a variety of small non-coding RNAs (such as microRNAs) as a mechanism for gene regulation. The very existence of these small motifs in Nature suggests that the functional, artificial RNA molecules developed through (experimental) in vitro selection technology may shed some light on the scope and functional diversity of these small RNA molecules in vivo. The binding and catalytic properties of nucleic acid molecules are conferred by specific sequence and structural motifs. Indeed, recent discoveries show that metabolite-induced RNA conformational changes constitute another form of bacterial gene regulation [12, 20, 21]. Since in vitro selection is a process that simulates evolution, it is reasonable that novel nucleic acid motifs discovered through in vitro selection experiments may have also evolved in the cell, especially since such motifs often target molecules (e.g., ATP, cAMP, antibiotics, etc.) that are prevalent in Nature. The structure of RNA is hierarchical in nature. The primary (1D) structure of an RNA molecule is the oriented, linear ordering of the nucleotides A, C, G, and U. The secondary (2D) structure of the molecule is described by ∗To whom correspondence should be addressed 1In vitro selection is a process that mimics evolution in which a large pool of small, random-sequence RNA molecules is subjected to an iterative process that selects for a specific physical or chemical property; see [19] for a review.
Enhancing Care Coordination Through Patient- and Family-Initiated Telephone Encounters: A Quality Improvement Project

Telehealth activities are often conducted by ambulatory nurses to assist with care coordination; these activities are especially important for children with complex, chronic conditions. This quality-improvement project examines specific components of nursing care delivered to children on the neurology and gastroenterology services through patient-initiated telephone encounters. Metrics and nurse-sensitive indicators explored include the type of services requested, the nurses' ability to resolve patients' concerns while eliminating otherwise unnecessary care, and associated costs with providing this care. The usefulness of a standardized instrument, the care coordination management tool, used in this project is discussed.
Clinical and financial impact of pharmacy services in the intensive care unit: pharmacist and prescriber perceptions.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To compare pharmacist and prescriber perceptions of the clinical and financial outcomes of pharmacy services in the intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN ICU pharmacists were invited to participate in the survey and were asked to invite two ICU prescriber colleagues to complete questionnaires. SETTING ICUs with clinical pharmacy services. METHODS The questionnaires were designed to solicit frequency, efficiency, and perceptions about the clinical and financial impact (on a 10-point scale) of pharmacy services including patient care (eight functions), education (three functions), administration (three functions), and scholarship (four functions). Basic services were defined as fundamental, and higher-level services were categorized as desirable or optimal. Respondents were asked to suggest possible sources of funding and reimbursement for ICU pharmacy services. RESULTS Eighty packets containing one 26-item pharmacy questionnaire and two 16-item prescriber questionnaires were distributed to ICU pharmacists. Forty-one pharmacists (51%) and 46 prescribers (29%) returned questionnaires. Pharmacists had worked in the ICU for 8.3 ± 6.4 years and devoted 50.3 ± 18.7% of their efforts to clinical practice. Prescribers generally rated the impact of pharmacy services more favorably than pharmacists. Fundamental services were provided more frequently and were rated more positively than desirable or optimal services across both groups. The percent efficiencies of providing services without the pharmacist ranged between 40% and 65%. Both groups indicated that salary support for the pharmacist should come from hospital departments of pharmacy or critical care or colleges of pharmacy. Prescribers were more likely to consider other sources of funding for pharmacist salaries. Both groups supported reimbursement of clinical pharmacy services. CONCLUSION Critical care pharmacy activities were associated with perceptions of beneficial clinical and financial outcomes. Prescribers valued most services more than pharmacists. Fundamental services were viewed more favorably than desirable or optimal services, possibly because they occurred more frequently or were required for safe patient care. Substantial inefficiencies may occur if pharmacy services disappeared. Considerable support existed for funding and reimbursement of critical care pharmacy services.
Is Soy Consumption Good or Bad for the Breast

Genistein in soy activates estrogen receptor (ER)-α and ERβ and acts as an estradiol in multiple target tissues. Because estrogens increase breast cancer risk and genistein promotes the growth of ER-positive human breast cancer cells, it has remained unclear whether this isoflavone or soy is safe. Results reviewed here suggest that women consuming moderate amounts of soy throughout their life have lower breast cancer risk than women who do not consume soy; however, this protective effect may originate from soy intake early in life. We also review the literature regarding potential risks genistein poses for breast cancer survivors. Findings obtained in 2 recent human studies show that a moderate consumption of diet containing this isoflavone does not increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence in Western women, and Asian breast cancer survivors exhibit better prognosis if they continue consuming a soy diet. The mechanisms explaining the breast cancer risk-reducing effect of early soy intake or the protective effect in Asian breast cancer survivors remain to be established. We propose that the reduction in risk involves epigenetic changes that result in alterations in the expression of genes that regulate mammary epithelial cell fate, i.e. cell proliferation and differentiation. Lifetime soy consumption at a moderate level may prevent breast cancer recurrence through mechanisms that change the biology of tumors; e.g. women who consumed soy during childhood develop breast cancers that express significantly reduced Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 levels. More research is needed to understand why soy intake during early life may both reduce breast cancer risk and risk of recurrence.
Selectivity Control and Catalyst Design in the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis: Sites, Pellets, and Reactors

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on selectivity control and catalyst design in the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. Chain growth during the FT synthesis is controlled by surface polymerization kinetics that place severe restrictions on our ability to alter the resulting carbon number distribution. Intrinsic chain growth kinetics are not influenced strongly by the identity of the support or by the size of the metal crystallites in supported Co and Ru catalysts. Transport-limited reactant arival and product removal, however, depend on support and metal site density and affect the relative rates of primary and secondary reactions and the FT synthesis selectivity. Diffusion-limited removal of products from catalyst pellets leads to enhanced readsorption and chain initiation by reactive α-olefins. Diffusive and convective transport processes introduce flexibility in the design of catalyst pellets and in the control of FT synthesis selectivity. The model is proposed in the chapter that describes the catalytic behavior of more complex Fe based materials, where several chain termination steps and highly non-uniform and dynamic surfaces introduce additional details into the models required to describe FT synthesis selectivity models.
K+n CHARGE EXCHANGE AT 12 GeV/c

We have measured the differential cross section for the reaction ${K}^{+}n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{0}p$ at 12 $\frac{\mathrm{GeV}}{c}$. We find that (1) the forward amplitude is essentially real, (2) the differential cross section equals that for the reaction ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{0}n$, and (3) the differential cross section agrees well with the predictions of the Regge-pole model of Rarita and Schwarzschild. We have also compiled data on the cross section for the ${K}^{+}n$ charge-exchange reaction as a function of incident momentum, and compared it with that for ${K}^{+}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{0}{\ensuremath{\Delta}}^{++}$. We find that beyond threshold effects these two reactions have the same cross section.
Abstract A59: Developing novel peptide inhibitors to chromosomal cohesion using mRNA display for nanodrug delivery in breast cancer therapy

Several specific molecular networks mediate the cellular proliferation of tumorogenic cells. One signaling pathway of interest is the transition from metaphase to anaphase which is dependent on cleavage of the cohesin protein complex by separase, an endopeptidase. A normal transition allows the protein complex to form, sister chromatid cleavage and the onset of anaphase. However, failure to properly assemble or maintain the integrity of this complex results in the premature separation of chromatids (PCS), mitotic arrest and apoptosis in cultured cells. This research effort will focus on the identification of cohesin Rad21, a proapoptotic protein that is over-expressed in breast cancer cells, mimcs for the induction of apoptosis in the cohesin-disrupted tumors. Using mRNA display, Rad21 mimetopes will be selected to bind a SMC-1 target in the formation of standard cohesin complex assembly. The pool of isolated peptides will be further characterized for their specificity, induction of PCS, mitotic arrest and apopotosis both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, peptides will be conjugated to a RAFT-peptide scaffold drug delivery system to exclusively target rapidly proliferating breast tumor cells. The potential advantages provide an area of promising therapeutics for antitumor effects when coupled with chemotherapy at the point of early detection. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A59.