cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“Holy cow! This stuff is real!” From Imagining Ministry to Pastoral Imagination

How do seminarians move from imagining ministry to embodying pastoral imagination? Stories gathered from seminarians in their final year of study show the complexity of shifting from classroom work, which foregrounds theory and intellectual imagination, to more embodied, relational, and emotionally intense engagements of ministry. Stories about learning ministry articulate a process we call the birth of pastoral imagination. New ministers test their use of knowledge acquired in classroom and books within the limits of actual ministry situations. They become overwhelmed by multiple variables in situations where they must make choices and act. These moments of action are fraught with risk and responsibility for the outcomes. Articulation and theological reflection are formative for students learning the practice of ministry. Implications for theological education include making greater “use of knowledge” in ministry practice and “use of practice” in classrooms. Points of crisis in the student stories raise additional questions about how some complications and interruptions to the “birth process” may present tragic consequences.
Temperature and the regulation of enzyme activity in poikilotherms. Regulatory properties of fructose diphosphatase from muscle of the Alaskan king-crab

1. The properties of fructose diphosphatase from skeletal muscle of the Alaskan king-crab (Paralithodes camtschatica) were examined over the physiological temperature range of the animal. 2. King-crab muscle fructose diphosphatase is first activated by Na+ and NH4+ and is then partially inhibited by these cations at concentrations higher than 10mm at 0°, 8° and 15°C. Enzyme activity is stimulated by K+ at 0°C, but is curtailed at 8°C and 15°C, an effect that could render rate independent of temperature. 3. Affinity for substrate increases with decreasing temperature; below the temperature of acclimatization, Km for fructose 1,6-diphosphate increases, resulting in a complex U-shaped temperature–Km curve. 4. King-crab muscle fructose diphosphatase is inhibited by low concentrations of AMP. As with enzymes of other poikilotherms, inhibition by AMP is sensitive to temperature; the enzyme is least sensitive to inhibition by AMP near the temperature of acclimatization. 5. The affinity of fructose diphosphatase for fructose 1,6-diphosphate is enhanced by phosphoenolpyruvate, and this activation is temperature-sensitive; 0.5mm-phosphoenolpyruvate causes a sevenfold decrease in Km for fructose 1,6-diphosphate at 15°C but a 25-fold decrease at 0°C. 6. Phosphoenolpyruvate appears to decrease the affinity of king-crab muscle fructose diphosphatase for AMP at low temperature, whereas at the higher temperature it appears to enhance inhibition by AMP. Phosphoenolpyruvate was not observed to cause a reversal of inhibition of fructose diphosphatase activity by AMP. The identification of phosphoenolpyruvate as an activator of a rate-limiting step in gluconeogenesis permits the suggestion of a coupling of the controlling mechanisms of several steps in the glycolytic and gluconeogenic chains. 7. These findings suggest mechanisms for the maintenance and regulation of control of fructose diphosphatase activity in king-crab skeletal muscle at low temperature and under conditions that favour concomitant activity of phosphofructokinase.
Prospects of nonlinear microscopy in the next decade: an overview

A brief overview of nonlinear microscopy in biomedicine is presented. Some of the main results of the contributions of the Focus Issue are also briefly discussed.
The hydroxyurea-induced small GTP-binding protein SAR modulates γ-globin gene expression in human erythroid cells

Hydroxyurea (HU), a drug effective in the treatment of sickle cell disease, is thought to indirectly promote fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) production by perturbing the maturation of erythroid precursors. The molecular mechanisms involved in HU-mediated regulation of gamma-globin expression are currently unclear. We identified an HU-induced small guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein, secretion-associated and RAS-related (SAR) protein, in adult erythroid cells using differential display. Stable SAR expression in K562 cells increased gamma-globin mRNA expression and resulted in macrocytosis. The cells appeared immature. SAR-mediated induction of gamma-globin also inhibited K562 cell growth by causing arrest in G1/S, apoptosis, and delay of maturation, cellular changes consistent with the previously known effects of HU on erythroid cells. SAR also enhanced both gamma- and beta-globin transcription in primary bone marrow CD34+ cells, with a greater effect on gamma-globin than on beta-globin. Although up-regulation of GATA-2 and p21 was observed both in SAR-expressing cells and HU-treated K562 cells, phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3) kinase and phosphorylated ERK were inhibited specifically in SAR-expressing cells. These data reveal a novel role of SAR distinct from its previously known protein-trafficking function. We suggest that SAR may participate in both erythroid cell growth and gamma-globin production by regulating PI3 kinase/extracellular protein-related kinase (ERK) and GATA-2/p21-dependent signal transduction pathways.
Roles of lipid turnover in transmembrane signal transduction.

ABSTRACT Cells of higher organisms respond to external stimuli with a cascade of intracellular biochemical events initiated by binding of a hormone, growth factor, or neurotransmitter to a specific cell surface receptor. Previously wellcharacterized signal transduction pathways involve cyclic nucleotides as intracellular second messengers. Over the past decade, increasing attention has been focused on other signaling pathways in which membrane lipids serve as second messengers or their precursors. This review describes current understanding of these pathways and points to recent discoveries likely to open new frontiers in the coming decade.
The Gender Binary Meets the Gender-Variant Child: Parents’ Negotiations with Childhood Gender Variance

Until recently, raising a young child as transgender was culturally unintelligible. Most scholarship on transgender identity refers to adults’ experiences and perspectives. Now, the increasing visibility of gender-variant children, as they are identified by the parents who raise them, presents new opportunities to examine how individuals confront the gender binary and imagine more gender-inclusive possibilities. Drawing on Foucault’s notion of “truth regime” to conceptualize the regulatory forces of the gender binary in everyday life, this work examines the strategies of 24 such parents, who represent 16 cases of childhood gender variance. Specifically, I analyze three practices—“gender hedging,” “gender literacy,” and “playing along”—through which these parents develop a critical consciousness about gender binary ideology and work to accommodate their children’s nonconformity in diverse discursive interactions. Taken together, their newfound strategies and perspectives subvert traditional conceptions of ...
Antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures to prevent indwelling venous catheter-related infections.

Abstract Background Chronic indwelling central venous catheters are used commonly for a variety of indications. A predominant limitation of their use is catheter-related infections. Some clinicians believe that bacteremia from an invasive dental procedure could cause catheter-related infections and that antibiotic prophylaxis may prevent this complication. The topic is controversial, in large part because of the lack of clinical trial data supporting this notion. Methods We performed a systematic review to determine the level of evidence to support this practice. We retrieved studies, guidelines, recommendations, case reports, and editorials on prescribing prophylactic antibiotic therapy for indwelling central venous catheters before oral/dental procedures, using a search of PubMed, National Guideline Clearinghouse, and textbooks. Results There were no clinical trials and no documented cases of a catheter-related infection associated with an invasive dental procedure. Despite the lack of evidence, there are numerous recommendations and guidelines available in the literature that support the administration of "dental" prophylaxis. Conclusion There is no evidence to support the administration of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent catheter-related infections associated with an invasive oral procedure in patients with chronic indwelling central venous catheters.
Post-traumatic dynamic hallux varus instability.

Acquired hallux varus secondary to traumatic disruption of the lateral joint structures of the 1st MTPJ is uncommon and has only been reported in the literature once previously.4 We present a case of traumatic hallux varus that is unique since the deformity is dynamic in nature. In our patient the hallux remained reduced on standing weight bearing films, and luxated only during fluoroscopic stress testing. We also describe our surgical correction where a soft tissue anchor alone was utilized to stabilize the joint through repair of the lateral capsule and collateral ligament. One year following the described repair the patient reports no limitations in performing activities of daily living, and complains of only mild pain with recreational activities.
Why the soliton wavelet transform is useful for nonlinear dynamic phenomena

If signal analyses were perfect without noise and clutters, then any transform can be equally chosen to represent the signal without any loss of information. However, if the analysis using Fourier transform (FT) happens to be a nonlinear dynamic phenomenon, the effect of nonlinearity must be postponed until a later time when a complicated mode-mode coupling is attempted without the assurance of any convergence. Alternatively, there exists a new paradigm of linear transforms called wavelet transform (WT) developed for French oil explorations. Such a WT enjoys the linear superposition principle, the computational efficiency, and the signal/noise ratio enhancement for a nonsinusoidal and nonstationary signal. Our extensions to a dynamic WT and furthermore to an adaptive WT are possible due to the fact that there exists a large set of square-integrable functions that are special solutions of the nonlinear dynamic medium and could be adopted for the WT. In order to analyze nonlinear dynamics phenomena in ocean, we are naturally led to the construction of a soliton mother wavelet. This common sense of 'pay the nonlinear price now and enjoy the linearity later' is certainly useful to probe any nonlinear dynamics. Research directions in wavelets, such as adaptivity, and neural network implementations are indicated, e.g., tailoring an active sonar profile for explorations.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The mass spectra of 1,2,4‐oxadiazolines

The fragmentation patterns of seven oxadiazolines (compounds I-VII) were obtained from mass spectral data. Fragmentations a and b (Figure 1) are more important than c. Some of the novel cracking pathways are discussed.
Response latencies of rats during behavioral thermoregulation

The cutaneous thermal stimulation that elicits behavioral thermoregulatory behavior was investigated in these experiments. In Experiment I, rats were placed in a cool environment and allowed to barpress for 3-sec bursts of radiant heat reinforcement. In various phases of the study, rats could earn different intensities of anterior, posterior, or whole-body radiation. Identical response rates were exhibited at each intensity for all exposure conditions; this information, when considered with existing literature on behavioral and neurophysiological studies, suggests that the rat’s thermoregulatory behavior depends on information carried by nonmyelinated fibers that supply thermoreceptors in the skin. Experiment II investigated the hypothesis that cooling of the skin is the stimulus that elicits each thermoregulatory response. Time series measures of skin temperature fluctuations and reaction times (RTs) were obtained. Tails of the RT distributions were shown to conform to exponential probability density functions, and mean RT varied linearly over the domain of reinforcement intensities used. A computer simulation model that describes temperature gradients across layers of skin was employed to estimate temperature fluctuations at the level of the cool receptors. Comparison of simulated skin temperatures with obtained RTs suggests that momentary thermoregulatory behavior is controlled mainly by cooling skin temperature.
Risk factors for proteinuria in HIV-infected and -uninfected Hispanic drug users.

Background Proteinuria may be an early marker of chronic kidney disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with coexisting chronic hepatitis and/or drug use. Minorities are at greater risk of chronic kidney disease. Data are limited about risk factors for proteinuria in Hispanic drug users with and without HIV infection. Study Design A cross-sectional study. Setting & Participants A community-recruited Hispanic cohort to study the role of drug use in HIV-associated malnutrition composed of 4 groups (106 HIV-infected drug users, 96 HIV-uninfected drug users, 38 HIV-infected non–drug users, and 47 healthy controls). Patients on renal replacement therapy were excluded. Predictors HIV infection, chronic hepatitis, history of hypertension or diabetes, and intravenous drug use (never, prior, or current). Outcomes & Measurements The presence of proteinuria was defined as urine dipstick result of 1+ or greater. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for proteinuria. Results Of 287 patients with available data, 24 (8.4%) had proteinuria. In univariate analyses, those with HIV infection; prior, but not current, intravenous drug use; and a history of hypertension or diabetes were more likely to have proteinuria. In multivariate analyses, significant risk factors for proteinuria were HIV infection (odds ratio, 9.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 45.8; P = 0.007); prior, but not current, intravenous drug use (odds ratio, 4.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 15.3; P = 0.01); and history of hypertension or diabetes (odds ratio, 8.2; 95% confidence interval, 3.1 to 21.7; P Limitations The cross-sectional study design makes it difficult to establish the temporal relationship. The number of outcomes in relation to the number of predictors is small. Conclusions HIV and prior intravenous drug use, but not chronic hepatitis or current intravenous drug use, were independently associated with proteinuria in this Hispanic population. Longitudinal studies to assess the development of proteinuria and chronic kidney disease in this high-risk population are warranted.
Development of biomechanical response corridors of the thorax to blunt ballistic impacts

Human responses are critical to understanding injury biomechanics in blunt ballistic impacts, which are defined as 20-200 g projectiles impacting at 20-250 m/s. 13 human cadavers were exposed to three distinct ballistic impacts of the chest to determine force-time, deflection-time and force-deflection responses. Comparisons were made between biomechanical responses for ballistic impacts and those previously reported for lower speed, higher mass impacts. Impact condition B (140 g at 40 m/s) gave the largest peak force 10,602+/-2226 N and deflection 54.7+/-14.6 mm. Impact condition A (140 g at 20 m/s) involved lower impact energy and produced lower peak force 3383+/-761 N and deflection 25.9+/-3.1 mm, as did impact condition C (40 g at 60 m/s), which gave 3158+/-309 N and 20.1+/-7.8 mm. The results indicate each impact condition gives distinctive responses, which differ from those previously reported in the automotive literature for lower speed impacts. This information provides the foundation for future biomechanical research in the area of blunt ballistic impacts, specifically the development of test surrogates and evaluation of protective equipment.
Continuous selective models with mutation and migration.

Abstract The continuous selective model formulated previously for a single locus with multiple alleles in a monoecious population is extended to include mutation and migration. Somatic and germ line genotypic frequencies are distinguished, and the alternative hypotheses of constant mutation rates and age-independent mutation frequencies are analyzed in detail for arbitrary selection and mating schemes. With any mating pattern, if there is no selection, the equilibrium allelic frequencies are shown to be unaffected by the generalizations introduced in this paper. If, in addition, mating is at random, the equilibrium genotypic frequencies are proved to be in Hardy-Weinberg proportions. For both models, the nature of the approach to equilibrium is discussed. Migration is treated in the island model.
AlGaAs/GaAs emitter-down HBT fabricated by MBE overgrowth

A planar emitter-down AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor, has been fabricated by a molecular beam epitaxy overgrowth of the n-GaAs collector on top of the base layer after the base layer was formed by beryllium implantation and rapid thermal annealing. The emitter down transistors fabricated by this process had DC current gains of 20 , and ring oscillators gave a maximum switching speed of 250ps/gate.
Monte Carlo simulation of the dose distribution around 125I seeds.

The Monte Carlo method was used to investigate dose distributions around the 3M Company model 6701 and model 6702 1 2 5I brachytherapy seeds. The transverse axis dose distributions of the two seed models were found to be nearly identical, but the longitudinal axis dose distributions differed significantly. Seed design influences upon dose distributions also were investigated.
240: Acquisition of CMV-specific CD8+ T cell memory during primary CMV infection in lung transplant recipients

reactivation. Methods and Materials: A longitudinal cohort of LTR were recruited from the time of transplantation and followed prospectively for one year. All CMV “at-risk” patients received 5 months antiviral prophylaxis. CMV load was assessed in the blood and BAL at the time of routine bronchoscopic evaluation. At these same time points, QuantiFERON-CMV was used to detect CMV CD8 T-cell immunity in the blood by measuring IFN-g secreted from stimulated T-cells previously exposed to CMV. Results: 250 samples were collected from 49 LTR (CMV D /R-, n 11; D /R , n 21; D-/R , n 9; D-/R-, n 9). As expected CMV-specific T-cell immunity was not detected in any of the CMV D-/RLTR. CMV-specific CD8 T cells could be detected in all CMV ve LTR and although the levels varied between patients, the presence of CMV-specific immunity appeared protective against significant CMV reactivation. In CMV “at-risk” LTR levels of CMV immunity generally increased with time from transplant and this was particularly marked following an episode of CMV reactivation where levels of CMV immunity often reset at a significantly higher level compared with baseline. CMV reactivation episodes were most likely in the CMV mismatched LTR, particularly once antiviral prophylaxis was ceased, and in these patients QuantiFERON-CMV tracked the development of the primary immune response to CMV (median 33wks post-tx). Conclusions: The ability of the QuantiFERON-CMV assay to measure CMV-specific CD8 T-cell function provides significant insights into the dynamics of CMV reactivation and immunity in LTRs, and offers the potential for improved CMV risk stratification and individualised antiviral prophylaxis in the future. Research Funding; Cellestis.
Synthesis of gangliosides by cultured oligodendrocytes

Gangliosides are enriched in the nervous system compared to other tissues. The synthesis of gangliosides by monolayer cultures of isolated oligodendrocytes has not previously been investigated. Cells were labeled with (3H) galactose at preselected times and gangliosides isolated by phase partition, purified, and identified by chromatography. Cultured oligodendrocytes showed selectivity in their synthesis of gangliosides, which was expressed in the type of ganglioside synthesized as well as in the change of incorporation over time in culture. For the first ten days, there was very little incorporation of (3H) galactose in gangliosides, but this was followed by a stimulation of uptake for GM3, GM1/GD3, and GD1 gangliosides, reaching a maximum after approximately 25-30 days in vitro. There was little incorporation into GM2 or trisialogangliosides throughout the life of the cultures. Since oligodendrocytes synthesize extensive membranes during this period, one may speculate that the de novo-synthesized gangliosides are used for membranes.
Explanation and invariance in the special sciences

This paper describes an alternative to the common view that explanation in the special sciences involves subsumption under laws. According to this alternative, whether or not a generalization can be used to explain has to do with whether it is invariant rather than with whether it is lawful. A generalization is invariant if it is stable or robust in the sense that it would continue to hold under a relevant if it is stable or robust in the sense that it would continue to hold under a relevant class of changes. Unlike lawfulness, invariance comes in degrees and has other features that are well suited to capture the characteristics of explanatory generalizations in the special sciences. For example, a generalization can be invariant even if it has exceptions or holds only over a limited spatio-temporal interval. The notion of invariance can be used to resolve a number of dilemmas that arise in standard treatments of explanatory generalizations in the special sciences.
On the formation of coastal polynyas in the area of Commonwealth Bay, Eastern Antarctica

Abstract Antarctica's King George V Land and Adelie Land were first explored by Sir Douglas Mawson and his party during their 1911–1913 expedition. They were astounded by the strength of the katabatic wind, which is so dominant in this area. These strong offshore winds can move the sea ice away from shore, forming coastal polynya, not only in summer but even in midwinter. Poor visibility due to darkness and frequently occurring blowing snow make the study of these polynyas from land-based observations difficult. Recently, coverage of this area by synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery, which has a high resolution of 40 m (pixel size 12.5 m), gave additional insight into the characteristics of these polynyas. This high resolution is needed because the width of the polynya is small (10 km or so). Furthermore, of special importance is the fact that SAR data can be obtained during darkness and overcast conditions. Following original Russian work, we modified a simple model for wind-driven coastal polynyas, using actual meteorological data from our coastal automatic weather stations as input. Using mean monthly data for the stations, we show that coastal polynyas are to be expected in the windiest area (Cape Denison-Port Martin); while to the west (Dumont d'Urville) and east (Penguin Point), the average conditions do not produce them. Here, they occur only during strong and long-lasting storms. Our observational data of the polynyas as viewed from SAR and advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) confirm these findings.
Naphthoquinone inhibitors of Periplaneta americana and Scolytus multistriatus feeding: Ultraviolet difference spectra of reactions of juglone, menadione, and 1,4-naphthoquinone with amino acids and the indicated mechanism of feeding inhibition

Abstract The relative reactivity of 3 naphthoquinones, which are feeding inhibitors for Periplaneta americana and Scolytus multistriatus, with each of 7 amino acids was measured by ultraviolet difference spectroscopy. Juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), menadione(2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) or 1,4-naphthoquinone produced difference spectra immediately upon mixing with cysteine, but not with valine, serine, glutamic acid, arginine, tryptophan or proline in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The Ks values for the reactions indicated that the affinities of 1,4-naphthoquinone (Ks = 4.4 · 10−4M) and juglone (Ks = 8.3 · 10−4M) for cysteine were comparable, but were both approx. 10 times greater than that for menadione (Ks = 3.2 · 10−3M). The extinction coefficient of the complex formed by cysteine with juglone (A = 3.448 · 10−1M) was approx. 2 times greater than that of 1,4-naphthoquinone (A = 1.290 · 10−1M) or menadione (A = 1.176 · 10−1 M). The importance of these results to explaining the mechanism of chemoreception in P. americana and S. multistriatus is discussed.
On the Sufficiency of Autocorrelation Functions as EEG Descriptors

Brain waves or EEG's are the seemingly random voltage fluctuations which appear on the surface of the scalp of humans and animals. The EEG Research Group at the University of Missouri has been interested in finding useful statistics with which to describe an EEG. In the past such calculations as the rms value of the wave, the autocorrelation function, etc., have been used to describe the process. It is convenient to use a stationary random process as a model for the EEG. Because the amplitude distribution of the EEG appears to be Gaussian, it has been suggested that a better model might be the normal stationary random process. This paper describes a test which was made to determine if the normal process is really a good model for the EEG.
Expectation–maximization algorithm for regression, deconvolution and smoothing of shot‐noise limited data

A simple algorithm for deconvolution and regression of shot-noise-limited data is illustrated in this paper. The algorithm is easily adapted to almost any model and converges to the global optimum. Multiple-component spectrum regression, spectrum deconvolution and smoothing examples are used to illustrate the algorithm. The algorithm and a method for determining uncertainties in the parameters based on the Fisher information matrix are given and illustrated with three examples. An experimental example of spectrograph grating order compensation of a diode array solar spectroradiometer is given to illustrate the use of this technique in environmental analysis. The major advantages of the EM algorithm are found to be its stability, simplicity, conservation of data magnitude and guaranteed convergence.
Cerebral blood volume maps of gliomas : comparison with tumor grade and histologic findings

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of magnetic resonance (MR) cerebral blood volume (CBV) maps in the evaluation of gliomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBV maps from 19 patients with histologically proved gliomas were calculated from dynamic MR image sets acquired with echo-planar spin-echo imaging after intravenous injection of gadolinium-based contrast material. RESULTS: The maximum CBV varied from 0.82 to 5.40 in the high-grade group (n = 13) and from 1.01 to 1.21 in the low-grade group (n = 6). The difference was statistically significant. Maximum CBV was associated with mitotic activity and vascularity, but not with cellular atypia, endothelial proliferation, necrosis, or cellularity. CONCLUSION: MR CBV maps provided diagnostic information not available with conventional MR imaging in six cases and offers a functional parameter for assessing glioma grade and regions of focal activity.
Enhanced, multi criteria based site selection to measure mobile source toxic air pollutants

Abstract A multi-criteria-based site selection process that was developed for the Las Vegas near-road study is used to select the most appropriate near-road measurement sites in the Detroit area. The study measures particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters ⩽2.5 μm and mobile source air toxic compounds, and to document the rationale for selecting or rejecting specific sites. An application of this multi-criteria decision analysis may be the recent US Environmental Protection Agency rule requiring the siting of NO2 monitors within 50 m of major roads as well as siting for the measurement of community-wide NO2 concentrations.
Differential acquisition of conditioned suppression in rats with increased and decreased luminance levels as CS + s ☆

Abstract Using a conditioned suppression procedure, it was demonstrated that suppression of responding was substantially enhanced when the CS signaling the occurrence of shock was an increment in luminance level (bright CS), relative to an equivalent decrement in luminance level serving as a signal for shock (dim CS). The results of a pseudoconditioning control procedure illustrated that the differential effectiveness of the bright and dim CSs was dependent upon explicit CS-US pairings. The bright and dim stimuli were found to produce equivalent rates of conditioning when they were used to signal the availability of reinforcing stimuli in an appetitive discrimination procedure. The interpretation considered to be most consistent with the data is associative in nature; rats may be brought into the experimental setting prepared to associate bright light with danger and contraprepared to associate dim light with danger.
Thiols and Disulfides on the Au(111) Surface: The Headgroup−Gold Interaction

How thiols and disulfides bind to gold surfaces to form self-assembled monolayers is a long-standing open question. In particular, determining the nature itself of the anchor groups and of their interaction with the metal is a priority issue, which has so far been approached only with oversimplified models. We present ab initio calculations of the adsorption configurations (dissociative and not) of methanethiol and dimethyl disulfide on Au(111) at low coverage, which are based on density functional theory using gradient-corrected exchange-correlation functionals. A complete characterization of their structure, binding energies, and type of bonding is obtained. It is established that dissociation is clearly favored for the disulfide with subsequent formation of strongly bound thiolates, in agreement with experimental evidence, whereas thiolates resulting from S−H bond cleavage in thiols can coexist with the adsorbed “intact” species and become favored if accompanied by the formation of molecular hydrogen.
Improved combined laparoscopic and minilaparotomy technique to allow for reversal of extensive tubal sterilization

We assessed the efficacy of combined laparoscopic and minilaparotomy for outpatient microsurgical reversal of extensive tubal sterilization in 11 women undergoing the procedure and followed for a mean of 24.7 months. All patients desired reversal of extensive tubal sterilization, and had 4 cm or less of the longer oviduct remaining. The mean operating time was 110 minutes, and the mean total cost was $5067. There were no major complications. Two women were treated for uncomplicated cystitis within 1 month of surgery. Five (45%) of 11 women delivered viable infants; one patient had two ectopic pregnancies. These preliminary data suggest that outpatient combined laparoscopy and minilaparotomy may be effective in patients who desire restoration of fertility after extensive tubal sterilization.
Ground-state expectation value of the metric in the 1 N or semiclassical approximation to quantum gravity

We consider gravity coupled to $N$ conformally invariant scalar fields and compute the effective action to leading order in $\frac{1}{N}$. This approximation turns out to be closely related to semiclassical relativity, where one treats quantum matter interacting with classical gravity. In this approximation we consider two tests of the conjecture that the ground-state expectation value of the metric is flat space. We find evidence that this conjecture is false.
An experiment in learning behavior using computer Assisted Instruction

The present study applies the attributes of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) to a behavioral experiment in verbal concept learning. The hypothesis states that giving the student freedom to acquire information according to his own cognitive style will facilitate his learning. Twenty-four freshman medical students were randomly assigned to two groups. The control group was shown definitions of eleven physiological terms in a set order, while the experimental group was allowed to select, or “structure”, the order in which they saw the terms defined. The groups were carried to a criterion of correctly recalling each term one time. Two-thirds of the subjects in the experimental group showed a desire to structure the terms. However, the two groups showed no statistically significant differences in either the mean number of trials to criterion or in their mean scores on a retention test. The subjects in the experimental group may not have been adequately motivated to become deeply involved in the organizational phase of the learning task. The students' freedom to choose the sequence for presentation of a series of terms apparently did not result in increased efficiency during the rehearsal task. Consequently, CAI tutorial sessions might be more effective if they encourage freedom during the material integration phase rather than during initial acquisition of a rehearsal task.
New classes of Gram-positive selective antibacterials: inhibitors of MRSA and surrogates of the causative agents of anthrax and tuberculosis.

Abstract An antimicrobial phenolic stilbene, (E)-3-hydroxy-5-methoxystilbene, 1 was recently isolated from the leaves of Comptonia peregrina (L.) Coulter and shown to possess inhibitory activity against several Gram-positive bacteria, including isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Mycobacterium bovis BCG, and avirulent Bacillus anthracis (Sterne strain), among others. These results prompted the design and synthesis of two new classes of compounds, phenoxystyrenes and phenothiostyrenes, as analogs of the natural antimicrobial stilbene. These and additional stilbenoid analogs were synthesized using new, efficient, copper-mediated coupling strategies. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) antimicrobial assays were performed on all compounds prepared. These preliminary structure–activity relationship studies indicated that both new classes of synthetic analogs, as well as the stilbenes, show promising activity against Gram-positive bacteria when at least one phenolic moiety is present, but not when absent. The potencies of the phenolic phenoxystyrenes and phenothiostyrenes were found to be comparable to those of the phenolic stilbenes tested.
EXAFS studies of adsorbed copper on carbon-supported platinum

Abstract In situ extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) studies were done on adsorbed copper on carbon-supported platinum in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 + 2 × 10 −3 M Cu ++ at 0.05 V SCE. Data analysis of the nearest coordination shells around the copper is consistent with Cu adsorption on Pt on the on-top position with a CuPt bond length of 2.67 A. The results indicate that copper is also coordinated with three oxygens at a distance of 2.06 A and one sulfur at a distance of 2.37 A. This indicates co-adsorption of bisulfate ions. The bisulfate is probably adsorbed on top of the copper where it facilitates charge transfer from the copper to the platinum and yields the adsorbed Cu + species that have been observed in X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy studies.
Importance of endothelial function in mediating the benefits of lipid-lowering therapy

Trials of lipid lowering by various methods have clearly demonstrated the benefits, clinically and angiographically. Evidence of slowed arterial disease progression and even regression has been convincing but modest, at best. For example, among those treated intensively in the Familial Atherosclerosis Treatment Study (FATS), the mean improvement in proximal stenosis severity was <1% per patient, and only 12% of all lesions showed convincing regression. Despite these modest arterial benefits, the associated reductions in major cardiovascular events have been surprisingly great (24–35% in 3 recent large trials and ≥50% in angiographic trials using combination therapies). The process of plaque disruption helps explain this discrepancy. Disruption can be predicted by a large accumulation of core lipid in the plaque and a high density of lipid-laden macrophages in its thinned fibrous cap. Lesions with these characteristics comprise only 10–20% of the overall lesion population but account for 60–90% of the acute clinical events. Lipid-lowering therapy has beneficial effects on these “high-risk” features of plaque morphology. The composite of data presented here supports the hypothesis that lipid-lowering therapy selectively depletes lipids from this relatively small but dangerous subgroup of fatty lesions, effectively stabilizing them.
Knowing the Answer

“ev’ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin’ is knowin’ what to throw away and knowing what to keep.” (Kenny Rogers) How should one understand knowledge-wh ascriptions? That is, how should one understand claims such as “I know where the car is parked,” which feature an interrogative complement? The received view is that knowledge-wh reduces to knowledge that p, where p happens to be the answer to the question Q denoted by the wh-clause. I will argue that knowledge-wh includes the question—to know-wh is to know that p, as the answer to Q. I will then argue that knowledge-that includes a contextually implicit question. I will conclude that knowledge is a question-relative state. Knowing is knowing the answer, and whether one knows the answer depends (in part) on the question.
Ultrasound biomicroscopy in uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema syndrome.

Abstract PURPOSE: To assess anterior segment anatomy in uveitis-glaucoma- hyphema syndrome. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Nine pseudophakic eyes (nine patients) with complete or incomplete uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema syndrome underwent ultrasound biomicroscopy. RESULTS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed intraocular lens malposition in each case. Of the eight eyes with posterior chamber intraocular lenses, haptics were in contact with the iris pigment epithelium (four eyes) or the pars plicata (three eyes) or prolapsed into the angle recess near a filtration bleb internal ostium (one eye). All other posterior chamber intraocular lens haptics were located in the ciliary sulcus with the exception of two in the capsular bag. Both haptics in the eye with the anterior chamber intraocular lens had eroded into the ciliary body. CONCLUSION: By its ability to detect haptic position, ultrasound biomicroscopy can assist in elucidating the cause of uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema syndrome and in deciding on the course of treatment.
Simulating the hydrologic response of a semiarid watershed to switchgrass cultivation

The conversion of land from existing uses to biofuel cultivation is expected to increase given concerns about the sustainability of fossil fuel supplies. Nonetheless, research into the environmental impacts of biofuel crops, primarily the hydrological impacts of their cultivation, is in its infancy. To investigate such issues, the response of a 1,649 km2 semiarid basin to the incremental substitution of the widely discussed biofuel candidate switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.) for native land uses was modeled using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Median discharges decreased by 5.6–20.6% during the spring and by 6.4–31.2% during the summer, depending on the quantity of acreage converted. These were driven by an increased spring and summer evapotranspiration of 3.4–32.0% and 1.5–18.9%, respectively, depending on the quantity of switchgrass biomass produced. The substitution of switchgrass also resulted in larger quantities of water stress days than in baseline scenarios. The authors encourage the exploration of alternative biofuel crops in semiarid areas to mitigate such negative impacts.
Interaction of relativistic H- ions with thin foils.

The response of relativistic H{sup {minus}} ions to thin carbon foils was investigated for beam energies ranging from 226 MeV to 800 MeV. For the foil thicknesses we have studied, ranging from 15 to 300 {mu}g/cm{sup 2}, an appreciable fraction of the H{sup {minus}} beam survives intact, some H{sup {minus}} ions are stripped down to protons, and the remainder is distributed over the states of H{sup 0}. This experiment is different from the low energy studies in that the projectile velocity is comparable to the speed of light, leading to an interaction time of typically less than a femtosecond. The present results challenge the theoretical understanding of the interaction mechanisms. An electron spectrometer was used to selectively field-ionize the Rydberg states, 9 < n < 17, at beam energies of 581 MeV and 800 MeV. The yield of low-lying states were measured by Doppler tuning a Nd:YAG laser to excite transitions to a Rydberg state which was then field-ionized and detected. A simple model is developed to fit the yield of each state as a function of foil thickness. The simple model is successful in predicting the general features of the yield data. However, the data are suggestive of amore » more complex structure in the yield curves. The yield of a given state depends strongly on the foil thickness, demonstrating that the excited states are formed during the passage of the ions through a foil. The optimum thickness to produce a given state increases with the principal quantum number of the state suggesting an excitation process which is at least pratially stepwise. The results of a Monte Carlo simulation are compared with the experimental data to estimate the distribution of the excited states coming out of a foil. The distributions of the excited states and their dependence on foil thickness are discussed.« less
COOPERATIVE BREEDING IN A POPULATION OF WHITEBROWED SPARROW WEAVERS PLOCEPASSER MAHALI

Summary This paper reports on a three year study describing cooperative breeding and demography of a sampled population of approximately 108 colour-marked White-browed Sparrow Weavers in Zambia. Twenty-seven communal groups with two to 11 individuals in a group made up this population and occupied a l km2 area of mopane woodland. Each group had only a single reproductive pair and the pair-bond appeared strong. Non-reproductives were generally siblings or half-siblings and they contributed a major share of nestling feeding, nest building, intruder chasing and guarding. Groups cooperatively built nests in certain preferred trees and they maintained their nests year round. Feeding range encircled the nesting site and was used almost exclusively by the communal group. Overall population density was relatively stable, and between-year variation in group size was significantly greater than within-year variation. Variation in annual reproductive success among groups was high and correlated positively with size. Mortality rates for nestlings, six-month-olds and juveniles were not correlated significantly with group size. Frequency of disappearance for reproductives of both sexes was correlated negatively with group size.
The Role of Substance Use Initiation in Adolescent Development of Subsequent Substance-Related Problems.

A systematic review was conducted on the role of substance use initiation in subsequent use and substance-related problems among adolescents. Specifically, we examine previous studies to identify w...
The future of primary care: refocusing the system.

Foreword The editors asked several experts to share their perspectives on the crisis in U.S. primary care. Their articles, which address this crisis from six different angles, follow. We also brought the five U.S. contributors together for a roundtable discussion of the problems and potential solutions for training, practice, compensation, and systemic change. A video of the discussion and reader comments can be seen at www.nejm.org. Robust evidence shows that patient care delivered with a primary care orientation is associated with more effective, equitable, and efficient health services. Countries more oriented to primary care have residents in better health at lower costs. Health is better in U.S. regions that have more primary care physicians, whereas several aspects of health are worse in areas with the greatest supply of specialists. People report better health when their regular source of care performs primary care functions well. In addition to features promoting effectiveness and efficiency, ther...
The creation and study of Bose-Einstein condensation in a dilute atomic vapour

I will discuss the work of the JILA/University of Colorado group on the creation and study of Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC) in a gas of very cold rubidium atoms. Over the years, a large number of students and postdocs have contributed to this work, with Eric Cornell and myself as the coleaders of the project. The data reported in this paper were obtained by Mike Anderson, Eric Burt, Jason Ensher, Rich Ghrist, Deborah Jin, Mike Matthews and Chris Myatt. Theoretical contributions have been provided by Murray Holland, Jinx Cooper, Brett Esry and Chris Greene. In the first part of this paper, I will briefly discuss how we create and observe BEC; in the second portion, I will discuss some of the work on BEC that has been carried out at JILA in the past year.
MIC2 analysis in pediatric lymphomas and leukemias

Monoclonal antibodies to the glycoprotein product of the MIC2 gene strongly and reliably stain primitive neuroectodermal tumors and Ewing's sarcomas, and are negative in neuroblastomas and most rhabdomyosarcomas. Therefore, these antibodies are helpful in the diagnosis of small round cell tumors of childhood (SRCT). Lymphomas also are in the differential diagnosis of SRCT, but few have been studied with respect to MIC2 protein expression. In the present study we used the 12E7 antibody to assess MIC2 expression in 82 pediatric non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Forty lymphoblastic, 22 small noncleaved, and 20 large cell lymphomas were studied. Strong immunoreactivity was found in 37 of the 40 (93%) lymphoblastic lymphomas, whereas only one of the 22 (5%) small noncleaved lymphomas was 12E7 positive. Four of the 20 (20%) large cell lymphomas also were immunoreactive. Three 12E7+ lymphoblastic lymphomas were primary in bone and were of B-progenitor lineage; Ewing's sarcoma was included in the initial differential diagnosis of these cases. Evaluation of 125 pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) cases for MIC2 expression showed similar results, with all 36 T-cell ALLs showing strong expression, one of eight B-cell (Burkitt-like) ALLs showing 12E7 expression, and 62 of 81 B-progenitor ALLs showing 12E7 positivity. We conclude that among the SRCTs, MIC2 expression is not limited to Ewing's sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumors, but also shows strong and reliable expression in lymphoblastic lymphomas and related leukemias. MIC2 analysis continues to be helpful in the diagnosis of SRCT, provided that a panel of antibodies is used. In addition, the possibility that MIC2 analysis may aid in the distinction of lymphoblastic lymphomas from small noncleaved lymphomas needs to be further addressed.
Homologies between higher plant and algal 25S cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA.

Abstract Using heat and urea treatment, the degradation products of denatured 25S cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA from jack bean (a higher plant) and Chlamydomonas reinhardi (an alga) were compared. Several specific modes of 25S RNA breakdown are postulated. The results suggest that (1) both higher plant algal 25S RNA may contain homologous endonuclease susceptible regions as judged by the stoichiometry of degradation and (2) that similar secondary structural properties of 25S cytoplasmic RNA have been conserved by evolution in the plant kingdom.
Long-term effects of a controlled smoking program: A 2 1/2 year follow-up

A 2 1/2 year follow-up was conducted on 48 subjects who had participated in acontrolled smoking program. Although some relapse from posttest smoking levels was observed, subjects were still smoking less than at pretest on all dependent variables. Nine percent of the subjects became totally abstinent between posttest and follow-up and an additional 9–36% of participants showed further reductions on measures of nicotine content, number of cigarettes, percentage of the cigarette smoked, and carbon monoxide levels. Consistent with earlier findings, there were no differences between subjects assigned to feedback versus no feedback conditions.