cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytology of the life cycle of morchella

Various stages of the morel life-cycle are studied cytologically. Photomicrographic evidence demonstrates that the average number of nuclei per cellular compartment in vegetative hyphae of Morchella is 10–15 and that hyphal fusions are quite frequent. The resting structures, the sclerotia, are actually pseudosclerotia which form from the repeated branching and enlargement of terminal hyphae from either primary (homokaryotic) or secondary (heterokaryotic) hyphae. Photomicrographs also depict the development of fruiting body primordia. Photomicrographs of ascus development demonstrate autogamy rather than de novo heterokaryon formation by hyphal fusion in the subhymenial layer of the fruiting body. For the first time a comprehensive life-cycle diagram of the morel is introduced.
The cost and cost-effectiveness of nursing services in health care

This article examines the literature on cost-effectiveness in nursing, and considers the relationship between this literature and decision-making in health care systems. Researchers have attempted to examine costs and benefits of nurse staffing and nursing interventions for decades. There are strong literatures for some topics, such as advanced practice nursing, clinical practices, occupational health nursing, and workplace training. However, there are gaps in the literature on the cost-effectiveness of nurse staffing patterns, the use of agency personnel, and changes in organizational structure. A review of 6 major health care management textbooks finds few references to cost-effectiveness analysis, suggesting that health care leaders have little education regarding how to conduct or evaluate economic studies. The agenda for nursing research on cost-effectiveness is daunting. Research must be based on large, representative samples; provide clear, compelling results; discuss the importance of both costs and benefits in decision-making; and be published in highly-visible journals.
Natural history study of hereditary multiple exostoses.

Hereditary multiple exostosis (EXT) is an autosomal dominant disorder in which the clinical hallmark is the growth of bony protuberances from long bones and which can cause a variety of orthopedic deformities. This study sought to further delineate the natural history of EXT. In addition, since previous studies have suggested that there are deviations from Mendelelian expectations in EXT, including incomplete penetrance and a skewed sex ratio, we attempted to confirm or refute these suggestions. Both portions of the study were carried out through retrospective review of 43 affected probands and 137 of their affected relatives. Data are presented concerning frequency and severity of complications of EXT including short stature, sequelae of exostoses, occurrence of malignant degeneration of exostoses, and problems in pregnancy and delivery of affected females. Only 2.8% of the total affected population had experienced exostosis-related malignancy, an estimate which is considerably less than earlier reports would suggest. Penetrance was 100%. There was an excess of males within the entire affected population (104:76) and within identified probands (28:15). However, the male to female ratio was unskewed in nuclear families (probands, affected sibs, and parents). The excess of males appears to be related to males having more severe and more frequent complications of EXT than having any primary genetic origin. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An algorithm for mesh simplification applied to fracture hydrology

Numerically generated discrete fracture networks are used to simulate the flow of water through rock fractures. The fractures are modeled as random assemblages of conductive elements in a nonconductive matrix. Because large numbers of fractures often are needed to represent fractured rock adequately, minimizing the required computer time and memory is crucial. For steady-state flow, any portion of the mesh that is linked to the rest of the mesh by only one point is a dead end and does not contribute to water flow. The removal of such dead-end clusters simplifies the mesh and therefore speeds up computation, without changing its response. An algorithm for removing these dead ends is described in detail. Its effectiveness is discussed with regard to the connectivity of a network.
Peak Power Reduction in Hybrid Energy Systems with Limited Load Forecasts

Hybrid energy systems, which consist of a load powered by a source and a form of energy storage, find applications in many systems, e.g., the electric grid and electric vehicles. A key problem for hybrid energy systems is the reduction of peak power consumption to ensure cost-efficient operation as peak power draws require additional resources and adversely affect the system reliability and lifetime. Furthermore, in some cases such as electric vehicles, the load dynamics are fast, not perfectly known in advance and the on-board computation power is often limited, making the implementation of traditional optimal control difficult. The authors aim to develop a control scheme to reduce the peak power drawn from the source for hybrid energy systems with limited computation power and limited load forecasts. The authors propose a scheme with two control levels and provide a sufficient condition for control of the different energy storage/generation components to meet the instantaneous load while satisfying a peak power threshold. The scheme provides performance comparable to Model Predictive Control, while requiring less computation power and only coarse-grained load predictions. For a case study, the authors implement the scheme for a battery-supercapacitor-powered electric vehicle with real world drive cycles to demonstrate the low execution time and effective reduction of the battery power (hence temperature), which is crucial to the lifetime of the battery.
Structure, function and transforming potential of the epidermal growth factor receptor

Article synthese considerant les donnees recentes concernant les mecanismes et les consequences biologiques de l'action du recepteur de l'EGF (Facteur Croissance Epidermique). Il presente une analyse particuliere de la transformation cellulaire
Impact of pattern reconfigurable antennas on Interference Alignment over measured channels

In recent years, it has been shown that concentrating interference and desired signal into separate spaces using Interference Alignment (IA), can achieve the outer bound of the degrees of freedom for the interference channel. However, the non-orthogonality of signal and interference space limits sum capacity performance. In this paper, we present the notion that by using reconfigurable antenna based pattern diversity, the optimal channel can be realized in order to maximize the distance between the two subspaces, thereby increasing sum capacity. We experimentally validate our claim and show the benefits of pattern reconfigurability using real world channels, measured in a MIMO-OFDM interference network. We quantify the results with two different reconfigurable antenna architectures. We show that an additional 47% gain in chordal distance and 45% gain in sum capacity were achieved by exploiting pattern diversity with IA. We further show that due to optimal channel selection, the performance of IA can also be improved in a low SNR regime.
Radiosensitivity of the Longheaded Flour Beetle

A dose of gamma irradiation of 10 krad to eggs of Latheticus oryzae Waterhouse prevented the development of adults; a dose of 5 krad to larvae prevented development. Some adults emerged from pupae treated with 7 doses ranging from 5 to 100 krad, but longevity was greatly reduced except for those from pupae treated at 5 krad. Adult males were sterilized by a dose of 20 krad, and adult females by a dose of 10 krad. The longevity of treated adults was significantly reduced; none survived as long as 3 wk after exposure to 20 krad.
Behavioral self-control and smoking reduction: A study of self-initiated attempts to reduce smoking

Self-initiated attempts to reduce smoking are common experiences that have received little attention from researchers. Through a structured interview procedure, this investigation sought to determine which factors and methods, especially behavioral self-control methods, are critical to successfully self-reduced smoking. Forty-eight college students (24 “successful” and 24 “unsuccessful”) were interviewed about their attempts to self-control smoking. The results indicate that successful smoking reducers (1) used more techniques for longer periods of time and (2) used self-reinforcement and problem-solving procedures more frequently than did unsuccessful smoking reducers.
Products of the reaction of selenite with intracellular sulfhydryl compounds

The usual first step in the intracellular metabolism of exogenous selenite is its chemical reaction with glutathione to form selenodiglutathione (1). We have investigated whether selenite also reacts intracellularly with other SH compounds. HeLa cells were exposed to [75Se]selenite and lysed with SDS. Cellular proteins and nucleic acids were precipitated with trichloroacetic acid, and the acid-soluble fraction was analyzed by ion-exchange thin-layer chromatography (ion-exchange TLC) and autoradiography. In control cells, the major [75Se]-containing species detected can be identified by its mobility as selenodiglutathione. Two other species were detected, which can be identified as selenodimercaptoethylamine and the mixed selenotrisulfide of mercaptoethylamine and glutathione. In contrast, in cells that were depleted of glutathione (by treatment with buthionine sulfoximine), very little, if any, selenodiglutathione was detected. However, new [75Se]-containing species were detected, which can be identified as selenodicysteine and the mixed selenotrisulfide of cysteine and glutathione. The same species were detected when [75Se]selenite was added to the acid-soluble fraction of a cell extract (as opposed to living cells), confirming that these compounds can be formed by nonenzymatic reactions.
Facial trauma from a rigid infant pacifier face shield. A patient report and review of pacifier safety.

Intraoperative findings included a sharp, clean, slicing laceration that ran along the lower border of both nasal alar cartilages, joining under the columella and lifting up all the soft tissues over the nasal tip (Figures 1 and 2). No damage to the cartilage or tissue loss was evident. Under magnification, careful reapproximation of the tissues was accomplished with excellent primary repair. The etiology of this dcookiecutterd incision was recognized the next day when a caretaker brought in a pacifier found at the accident scene that was encrusted
On Laws and Ends: A Response to Hattab and Menn

From the topics discussed by Hattab and Menn, I examine two of special importance. The first is that of active powers: does the Cartesian natural world contain any, or is the aparent efficacy of natural agents always to be referred to God? In arguing that it is, I consider, following Hattab, Descartes' characterization of natural laws as “secondary causes.” The second topic is that of ends. Menn argues, and I agree, that in late Aristotelianism Aristotle's own conception of an “art in things” has been abandoned. The point is reinforced when one considers the general divine ends which must be invoked in cases of aborted action. In them no individual agent attarns its end. Yet Nature as a whole continues to act toward ends. I suggest that those general ends, to which Suarez, for example, refers, may have served later philosophers, especially Malebranche, in combining the Cartesian notion of law with a teleological interpretation of nature that Descartes, for his part, rejected.
The Role Functionalist Theory of Absences

Functionalist theories have been proposed for just about everything: mental states, dispositions, moral properties, truth, causation, and much else. The time has come for a functionalist theory of nothing. Or, more accurately, a role functionalist theory of those absences (omissions, negative events) that are causes and effects.
Structure–function and regulation of ADAMTS-13 protease

ADAMTS-13, a plasma reprolysin-like metalloprotease, cleaves von Willebrand factor (VWF). Severe deficiency of plasma ADAMTS-13 activity results in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), while mild to moderate deficiencies of plasma ADAMTS-13 activity are emerging risk factors for developing myocardial and cerebral infarction, pre-eclampsia, and malignant malaria. Moreover, Adamts13(-/-) mice develop more severe inflammatory responses, leading to increased ischemia/perfusion injury and formation of atherosclerosis. Structure-function studies demonstrate that the N-terminal portion of ADAMTS-13 (MDTCS) is necessary and sufficient for proteolytic cleavage of VWF under various conditions and attenuation of arterial/venous thrombosis after oxidative injury. The more distal portion of ADAMTS-13 (TSP1 2-8 repeats and CUB domains) may function as a disulfide bond reductase to prevent an elongation of ultra-large VWF strings on activated endothelial cells and inhibit platelet adhesion/aggregation on collagen surface under flow. Remarkably, the proteolytic cleavage of VWF by ADAMTS-13 is accelerated by FVIII and platelets under fluid shear stress. A disruption of the interactions between FVIII (or platelet glycoprotein 1bα) and VWF dramatically impairs ADAMTS-13-dependent proteolysis of VWF in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that FVIII and platelets may be physiological cofactors regulating VWF proteolysis. Finally, the structure-function and autoantibody mapping studies allow us to identify an ADAMTS-13 variant with increased specific activity but reduced inhibition by autoantibodies in patients with acquired TTP. Together, these findings provide novel insight into the mechanism of VWF proteolysis and tools for the therapy of acquired TTP and perhaps other arterial thrombotic disorders.
Insight into the mechanism of the asymmetric addition of alkyl groups to aldehydes catalyzed by titanium-BINOLate species.

The asymmetric addition of alkyl groups to aldehydes catalyzed by BINOLate−titanium complexes has become the testing grounds to evaluate the potential of new BINOL-based ligands. We have investigated the mechanism of this reaction and report our findings here. Model systems for the open form of the catalyst, (BINOLate)[Ti(O-i-Pr)3]2, based on mono-oxygen-alkylated BINOL ligands have been examined. Comparison of the reactivity and enantioselectivity of the mono-alkyl BINOL derivatives with those of BINOL indicate that the open form of the catalyst, (BINOLate)[Ti(O-i-Pr)3]2, is not active in the asymmetric addition reaction. Several BINOLate−titanium complexes have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. These include the dinuclear (BINOLate)Ti(O-i-Pr)2·Ti(O-i-Pr)4, which contains a bridging naphtholate and isopropoxy group, trinuclear (BINOLate)Ti(O-i-Pr)2·[Ti(O-i-Pr)4]2, and trimeric [(BINOL)Ti(O-i-Pr)2]3. The solid-state and solution structures reported here indicate that (BINOLate)T...
Regulation of metabolism of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol by kidney tissue in vitro by dietary calcium.

IT is now recognized that hydroxylated metabolites of vitamin D (that is, cholecalciferol) function as effectors of the physiological actions originally attributed to the unaltered vitamin1. The activation of vitamin D by specific hydroxylation reactions and sequestration of the resultant metabolites by target tissues represents a hormonal control loop which is feed-back sensitive. 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol (25-HCC) and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-DHCC) have been shown to be participants in the control loop, vitamin D being first metabolized in the liver to 25-HCC2 which in turn is hydroxylated in the C-1 position to 1,25-DHCC in the kidney3,4. The metabolically active form in the intestine appears to be 1,25-DHCC5,6.
A Comparison of Four Clustering Methods Using MMPI Monte Carlo Data

Monte carlo procedures were used to generate data sets that resembled MMPI psychotic (8-6), neurotic (1-3-2), and personality disorder (4-9) pat terns. Lorr's clumping method, inverse factor analy sis, average linkage, and Ward's method were the clustering methods compared. The solutions were found to vary in terms of misclassifications and coverage. The clustering solutions also varied as a function of different optional parameters associated with each method.
A trinucleotide can promote metal ion-dependent specific cleavage of RNA

Abstract Nucleotide sequence and metal ion requirements for Mn(2+)-dependent self-cleavage of an RNA 31 nucleotides long [Dange, V., Van Atta, R. B. & Hecht, S. M. (1990) Science 248, 585-588] were examined by analysis of the site-specific cleavage activity of substitution and deletion mutants as well as complexes assembled from fragments of this RNA. A complex of UUU and GAAACp allows specific cleavage between G and A at 37 degrees C and pH 7.5. Additional nucleotides flanking the oligonucleotides in the minimal complex are not necessary for the cleavage reaction to take place but can affect the rate of the reaction. The 2'-OH groups of uridine residues do not participate in catalysis since both poly(U) and poly(dU) can promote the specific cleavage reaction in trans. Cd2+ ions can also promote the specific cleavage reaction and Mg2+ ions (which are inactive alone), under certain conditions, can enhance the Mn(2+)-induced cleavage of RNA.
REACTIONS OF MONKEYS TO EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED INFLUENZA VIRUS A INFECTION : AN ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIVE ROLES OF HUMORAL AND CELLULAR IMMUNITY UNDER CONDITIONS OF OPTIMAL OR DEFICIENT NUTRITION.

1. Macaca mulatta monkeys on a normal diet have proved resistant to intranasal but not to intratracheal inoculation of influenza virus. 2. Neutralizing antibodies appeared 8 to 10 days after inoculation with either living or heat-inactivated virus. The antibodies were noted to be still present as long as 9 months after infection with living virus. 3. A specific granulopenic leucopenia characteristically followed primary influenza virus inoculation, regardless of altered conditions of diet, exposure, and route of inoculation, but it was not observed in monkeys previously infected with the same virus, all of which invariably survived. 4. Nutritional deficiency and exposure to cold increased the susceptibility of monkeys on intranasal instillation of the virus; the leucopenia was profound and fatalities frequently occurred even though neutralizing humoral antibodies developed as promptly and in relatively the same titer as under optimum nutritional conditions.
Hyperkalemia suppresses the renal adaptation to chronic respiratory acidosis.

A 48-year-old Hispanic man was admitted for resection of a squamous cell cancer of the lung. He had been known to have moderate chronic renal insufficiency for about 3 years, with stable serum creatinine levels (265 I'mollL [-3 mg/dL)). On admission he had a hyperchloremic, hyperkalemic metabolic acidosis without hypercapnia and a positive urine anion gap (UNa + UK UCI) of 51 (Table 1). Creatinine clearance was 21 mLimin. The urine sediment showed three to five RBCs per high-power field and a few tubular cells but no cellular casts. Renal ultrasound revealed normal-sized kidneys without evidence of hydronephrosis. Medication on admission included trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, acetaminophen, and diphenylhydantoin, of which only the latter was continued for a seizure disorder attributed to alcohol abuse. The preoperative cortisol levels were normal, 11 ng/dL in the morning and 22 ng/dL shortly after noon. The plasma renin activity was 1.6 ng/ mLih (normal, 1 to 3.0) and the plasma aldosterone was 4 ng/ dL (normal, 4 to 20), when the serum potassium was 5.8 mmol/L. Therefore, a diagnosis of type IV, generalized distal renal tubular acidosis (RTA) was made. No further work-Up of the cause of the renal insufficiency was performed preoperatively. The patient underwent tumor removal with resection of the right middle and lower lobes. His postoperative course was complicated by sustained hypercapnia and acidemia in addition to persistent hyperkalemia (Fig 1; Table 1). He remained euvolemic and his BP (150/90) and pulse rate (80 beats/min) were stable. Throughout the preoperative and postoperative course the patient received parenteral nutrition. He was always euglycemic and ketones in urine and blood remained negative. After more than three days of hypercapnia (postoperative day 4), plasma total CO2 did not increase, suggesting inadequate renal
Nitrogen fertilization strategies in a short-rotation sycamore plantation

Abstract This study evaluates the effect of different nitrogen fertilization regimes in an American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) plantation on tree growth, fertilizer recovery by the trees, and nitrate leaching from the soil with the objective of determining the optimum application regime. A total of 450 kg N ha−1 was added as urea over a 3 year period at the following rates: a single dose shortly after planting (O1); 150 kg N ha−1 applied once every year (AE); applications of 50 kg N ha−1 three times per year (P); annual doses that increased with tree growth (AB: 50, 150, and 250 kg N ha−1). Aboveground biomass production, N accumulation in biomass, and soil solution chemistry were measured between 1989 and 1992 in three replicate plots per treatment and compared with those in unfertilized control plots. The O1 fertilization was inefficient because growth benefits were short-lived and were associated with excessive NO3 leaching losses in the first year. Multiple fertilizer applications generally resulted in better growth, while soil solution NO3 levels depended on the actual rate and frequency of fertilization. Nitrate leaching was greatest in the AE plots. The AB treatment, in which annual N additions increased commensurate with tree size, was optimum in terms of enhancing stem biomass production and reducing potential groundwater contamination. The reduction in fertilizer use efficiency and the increase in NO3 leaching in the third year indicate that the input of 250 kg N ha−1 exceeded tree N retention capacity and should have been reduced to approximately one-half that rate. Increasing the frequency of fertilization from once per year to three times per growing season also decreased NO3 leaching losses (i.e. improved N recovery) without measurable benefits to biomass production, and may therefore not be cost-effective in commercial operations.
Localization in One Dimensional Random Media:A Scattering Theoretic Approach

We use scattering theoretic methods to prove exponential localization for random displacement models in one dimension. The operators we consider model both quantum and classical wave propagation. Our main tools are the reflection and transmission coefficients for compactly supported single site perturbations. We show that randomly displaced, non-reflectionless single sites lead to localization.
Biosynthesis and metabolism of L-ascorbic acid in virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia L.).

Detached leaves of Parthenocissus quinquefolia L., Vitaceae convert d-glucose to l-ascorbic acid with conservation of the carbon chain sequence and with retention of the hydroxymethyl group at carbon 6. l-Ascorbic acid is cleaved between carbons 4 and 5. The C4 fragment is converted to l-tartaric acid. The C2 fragment, possibly glycolaldehyde, recycles into products of hexose phosphate metabolism. During the metabolic period a relatively high portion of carbon-1 of l-ascorbic acid, as compared with carbon-4, was released as CO2. These studies demonstrate the usefulness of Virginia Creeper for yeararound research on ascorbic-acid metabolism and tartaric-acid biosynthesis in Vitaceae-type plants.
Rapid Dosage Titration of Levetiracetam in Children

Study Objective. To report our experience with rapid titration of levetiracetam regimens in children and adolescents who were unresponsive to or intolerant of other antiepileptic drugs. Methods. A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients with childhood epilepsy who underwent a rapid titration to full doses of levetiracetam in 2 weeks or less. Data regarding demographics, disease characteristics, previous use of antiepileptics, levetiracetam dosage titration schedule, and clinical outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results. Eight children (seven girls, one boy) aged 19 months-17 years were identified. The levetiracetam dosage was titrated to full maintenance doses over 2–14 days (mean 10 days). All patients demonstrated greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency, with six patients (75%) becoming seizure free. Only one patient experienced a clinically significant adverse event. Conclusion. Rapid dosage titration of levetiracetam is feasible and well tolerated in children who require rapid escalation to therapeutic doses.
A New Technique for Simulating the Operation of Multiple Assigned-Energy Generating Units Suitable for Use in Generation System Expansion Planning Models

A new technique is presented for probabilistically simulating the operation of power systems which includes multiple assigned-energy units (e.g., conventional hydroelectric and, under certain circumstances, both nuclear units and cogeneration units). Within the context of probabilistic simulation, the new technique is completely rigorous. Statistical cumulants are used to represent equivalent load. The new technique has been successfully applied in an advanced technology evaluation and expansion model???the TVA TARANTULA model. This application has been accomplished with-out sacrificing other simulation capabilities such as: random partial outages, maintenance based on LOLP and load forecast uncertainty, and the ability to aggregate (without loss of rigor) groups of many small units for the purpose of computational expediency. A description is provided of tests performed to evaluate the new technique. Probabilistic simulation is a load duration oriented technique for simulating the operation of electric power systems. The technique is particularly amenable both to power systems consisting entirely of demand-energy units and to rigorous simulation of the random forced outage effects of these units. In this paper a demand-energy unit is defined as any generating unit which serves consumer load upon demand???provided the unit is available to do so and the dispatcher calls on it to operate. Demand-energy units include coalfired units, oil-fired units, gas turbines, and nuclear units early in the refueling cycle. Certain types of generating resources are unable to serve load upon demand (even if they are available to do so) because the supply of energy is limited.
Drug-drug, drug-dietary supplement, and drug-citrus fruit and other food interactions: what have we learned?

the mechanistic basis of these interactions, (2) issues to con- sider in the interpretation of study results, and (3) recent labeling examples to illustrate the translation of study results to information useful for patients and health care providers.
The occurrence of panic and obsessive compulsive symptoms in women with postpartum dysphoria: a prospective study

Objective: This study investigated the prevalence of panic and obsessive compulsive symptoms in a sample of postpartum women who endorsed high levels of dysphoria on a self-report depression measure. Method: A community-based sample of 788 postpartum women with self-reported depressive symptomatology completed an interview assessing major depression, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Results: An estimated 11% of the sample reported difficulties with panic attacks, 8% reported difficulties with obsessions, and 9% reported difficulties with compulsions. The most common panic symptoms included heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, and parasthesis. The most common content areas of obsessive compulsive symptoms were concerns about imminent disaster, compulsive cleaning behavior, and compulsive checking behavior, which were often related to fears concerning the newborn child. Comorbid depression and panic disorder was diagnosed in 1% of this sample, and comorbid depression and obsessive compulsive disorder was diagnosed in 2.4% of this sample. Conclusion: Postpartum panic and obsessive compulsive symptoms are common experiences that should be considered in treatment planning for women reporting dysphoria after they give birth.
Intrinsic antibiotic resistance in Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Abstract Isolates of Bradyrhizobium japonicum . native to soils of South Carolina, were obtained from the nodules of eight soybean cultivars grown in field soils with no history of inoculation with antibiotic-resistant bradyrhizobia. A 3-year study screened the native bradyrhizobial populations occupying 6880 nodules for intrinsic resistance to five antibiotic combinations. The sequence of resistance to the antibiotics by the wild-type bradyrhizobia was streptomycin > streptomycin + neomycin > streptomycin + rifampicin > kanamycin + rifampicin = kanamycin + nalidixic acid. Hence, intrinsic resistance to several antibiotics was the norm for B. japonicum isolated from South Carolina soils.
Cerebrovascular reactivity and cerebral autoregulation in normal subjects

Abstract Background Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) testing with CO2 challenge is used clinically as a measure of cerebrovascular reserve. However it is not known whether CVR measures the same physiological process as spontaneous cerebral autoregulation (CA). Purpose To compare CVR with CA in healthy volunteers, using continuous monitoring of cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) and arterial blood pressure (ABP). Methods We prospectively studied CVR and CA in 18 healthy volunteers. CVR was assessed using mean CBFV changes after 5% CO2 inhalation. CA was determined by transfer function analysis to derive the phase shift between spontaneous ABP and CBFV fluctuations at 0.1 Hz. Results CO2 inhalation produced a significant decrease in phase shift from 37.9 ± 13.8° to 21.0 ± 7.2° ( p R = − 0.50, p = 0.03), but not between CVR and baseline CA ( R = 0.22, p = 0.4). Conclusion We showed a decrease in spontaneous CA after vasodilatation. However, the lack of correlation between baseline CA and degree of CVR suggests that cerebrovascular reserve and CA are based in part on distinct physiological mechanisms. Further studies are needed to determine which of these parameters is most useful to guide treatment decisions in pathological states.
An inverse ocean modeling system

Abstract The implementation of a system for variational assimilation of data into ocean models is described. The system is modular: the ocean dynamics may be changed by replacing subroutines for the tangent-linear forward model and for the adjoint model. The assimilation is `weak': the ocean dynamics need not be satisfied exactly. An iterative algorithm within the system enables the solution of nonlinear assimilation problems. There is a suite of diagnostics including posterior error statistics, term balances and array assessment. The system has been in development for over a decade, and has been used in conjunction with a variety of oceanic, atmospheric and coupled models, with real data in quantity. The algorithms used in these applications, and the particular scientific assumptions and results, have been reported elsewhere. The emphasis in this article is on the implementation. This is a considerable challenge, both in the scale and complexity of the calculations, over and above those of the underlying ocean model. The vehicle for this presentation is a `toy' model, defined by a single nonlinear equation of motion. Code for real models is available at an anonymous ftp site. Components of the code are matched here in detail to stages of the assimilation algorithm and the diagnostics. Options are given for preconditioning, parallelization, memory management and other performance issues. Resource requirements, from computing speed through preconditioning effort to algebraic derivation, are also discussed in detail. Several applications are reviewed with the emphasis, again, on implementation.
Formation Of Multilayer SiO2 - SiOx Heterostructures by Control of Reaction Pathways in Remote PECVD

We have deposited thin films of silicon dioxide, SiO2, and amorphous silicon, a- Si, by remote Plasma-Enhanced Chemical-Vapor Deposition (Remote PECVD), and have extended this process to the deposition of silicon suboxides, SiOx, 0<x<2. Heterostructures, comprised of alternating layers of SiO 2, and SiOx, x∼1, have been deposited by electronically controlling the flow of charged particles from the plasmageneration region into the deposition chamber, without interrupting the flow of process gases. We discuss the electrical properties of these heterojunction structures.
REVIEW OF CHAOS COMMUNICATION BY FEEDBACK CONTROL OF SYMBOLIC DYNAMICS

This paper is meant to serve as a tutorial describing the link between symbolic dynamics as a description of a chaotic attractor, and how to use control of chaos to manipulate the corresponding symbolic dynamics to transmit an information bearing signal. We use the Lorenz attractor, in the form of the discrete successive maxima map of the z-variable time-series, as our main example. For the first time, here, we use this oscillator as a chaotic signal carrier. We review the many previously developed issues necessary to create a working control of symbol dynamics system. These include a brief review of the theory of symbol dynamics, and how they arise from the flow of a differential equation. We also discuss the role of the (symbol dynamics) generating partition, the difficulty of finding such partitions, which is an open problem for most dynamical systems, and a newly developed algorithm to find the generating partition which relies just on knowing a large set of periodic orbits. We also discuss the importance of using a generating partition in terms of considering the possibility of using some other arbitrary partition, with discussion of consequences both generally to characterizing the system, and also specifically to communicating on chaotic signal carriers. Also, of practical importance, we review the necessary feedback-control issues to force the flow of a chaotic differential equation to carry a desired message.
Reproducible Community Dynamics of the Gastrointestinal Microbiota following Antibiotic Perturbation

Shifts in microbial communities are implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of gastrointestinal diseases, but we have limited understanding of the mechanisms that lead to altered community structures. One difficulty with studying these mechanisms in human subjects is the inherent baseline variability of the microbiota in different individuals. In an effort to overcome this baseline variability, we employed a mouse model to control the host genotype, diet, and other possible influences on the microbiota. This allowed us to determine whether the indigenous microbiota in such mice had a stable baseline community structure and whether this community exhibited a consistent response following antibiotic administration. We employed a tag-sequencing strategy targeting the V6 hypervariable region of the bacterial small-subunit (16S) rRNA combined with massively parallel sequencing to determine the community structure of the gut microbiota. Inbred mice in a controlled environment harbored a reproducible baseline community that was significantly impacted by antibiotic administration. The ability of the gut microbial community to recover to baseline following the cessation of antibiotic administration differed according to the antibiotic regimen administered. Severe antibiotic pressure resulted in reproducible, long-lasting alterations in the gut microbial community, including a decrease in overall diversity. The finding of stereotypic responses of the indigenous microbiota to ecologic stress suggests that a better understanding of the factors that govern community structure could lead to strategies for the intentional manipulation of this ecosystem so as to preserve or restore a healthy microbiota.
Metabolic studies with human growth hormone in dwarfism and acromegaly.

Human growth hormone failed to cause nitrogen retention in 4 primordial dwarfs. In 3 of 4 other children, there was a small but distinctly positive nitrogen balance. The primordial dwarfs were not completely refractory to human growth hormone since it caused an increase in the level of plasma unesterified fatty acid and an increase in urinary calcium excretion. In 4 adult patients with acromegaly, human growth hormone was ineffective as an anabolic agent. It did, however, cause an increase in the urinary excretion of calcium. Since 2 of the 4 subjects had clinically inactive disease, it is proposed that the tissues of these subjects had responded maximally to endogenous HGH and subsequently maintained this response. The administration of androgen resulted in nitrogen retention, indicating different sites or mechanisms of deposition of protein.
No effect of omeprazole on pH of exhaled breath condensate in cough associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux

Endogenous airway acidification evaluated as pH in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) has been described in patients with chronic cough. Proton pump inhibitors improve gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR)-associated cough. We examined pH levels in EBC and capsaicin cough response in 13 patients with chronic cough (mean age 41 years, SD 9) associated with GOR before and after omeprazole treatment (40 mg/day for 14 days) and its relationship with clinical response. Omeprazole abolished symptoms associated with GOR. Patients with chronic cough had an EBC pH of 8.28 (SD 0.13) prior to treatment but this did not change with omeprazole treatment. There was a significant improvement in the Leicester Cough Questionnaire symptom scores from 80.8 points (SD 13.2) to 95.1 (SD 17) (p = 0.02) and in a 6-point scale of cough scores, but there was no change in capsaicin cough response. An improvement in GOR-associated cough was not associated with changes in EBC pH or capsaicin cough response. These parameters are not useful markers of therapeutic response.
How to treat transmission line effects when testing high speed devices with a high performance test system

State-of-the-art digital ASICs have even faster clock rates and signal transition times; testing these devices may cause problems regarding delivering the signals to the device under test (DUT) and precisely measuring the response of the DUT. Transmission-line techniques have to be applied to the tester-to-DUT interconnection in order to maintain signal fidelity. The author illustrates how to implement this critical signal path in a high-speed test system to get high-precision timing and level measurements, particularly for CMOS devices. The solution suggested to embed a CMOS device in a transmission-line environment is the resistive divider. The operating principle of the resistive divider is to apply a definable DC load to the DUT. This maintains signal fidelity, as the signal is fed into a parallel terminated system. Therefore no reflections occur. >
Impact of pharmacy experience, GPA, age, education, and therapeutic review on knowledge retention and clinical confidence

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacy work experience, pre-pharmacy grade point average, age, level of education, and additional therapeutic review on knowledge retention of second-year pharmacy students. The secondary objective was to assess the correlation of knowledge retention with clinical confidence. Methods In a cross-sectional study of second-year pharmacy students, two surveys were administered. Demographic information and clinical confidence related to 18 primary therapeutic topics and 20 general subtopics were elicited. An assessment was then administered to evaluate retention of knowledge. All questions were based on concepts covered earlier in the therapeutics curriculum. Results A total of 116 students (26 males and 90 females) were included in the analysis. GPA, total work experience, average hours worked, prior work experience, and therapeutic discussion had a significant correlation with knowledge retention as determined by examination performance. Regression analysis revealed a correlation between GPA, average hours worked, confidence in evaluating patient laboratory values, and examination performance. Clinical confidence in the primary topics of angina, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dermatitis, and over-the-counter gastroesophageal reflux disease medications had significant correlation with knowledge retention ( p p p Conclusion Pharmacy work experience, pre-pharmacy GPA, participation in extracurricular therapeutic discussions, and interpretation of patient laboratory information were predictive factors for retention of knowledge. Clinical confidence of second-year pharmacy students did not correlate with knowledge retention.
Response of unionid mussels to dam removal in Koshkonong Creek, Wisconsin (USA)

Dam removal is a potentially powerful tool for restoring riverine habitats and communities. However, the effectiveness of this tool is unknown because published data on the effects of dam removal on in-stream biota are lacking. We investigated the effects of a small dam removal on unionid mussels in Koshkonong Creek, Wisconsin (USA). Removal of the dam led to mortality both within the former impoundment and in downstream reaches. Within the former reservoir, mortality rates were extremely high (95%) due to desiccation and exposure. Mussel densities in a bed 0.5 km downstream from the dam declined from 3.80 ± 0.56 mussels m )2 in fall 2000 immediately after dam removal to 2.60 ± 0.48 mussels m )2 by summer 2003. One rare species, Quadrula pustulosa, was lost from community. Mortality of mussels buried in deposited silt was also observed at a site 1.7 km below the dam. Silt and sand increased from 16.8 and 1.1% of total area sampled in fall 2000 to 30.4 and 15.9%, respectively, in summer 2003. Total suspended sediment concentrations in the water column were always higher downstream from the reservoir than upstream, suggesting that transport and deposition of reservoir sediments likely contributed to downstream mussel mortality. Thus, while benefits of the dam removal included fish passage and restoration of lotic habitats in the former millpond, these changes were brought about at some cost to the local mussel community. Pre-removal assessments of potential ecological impacts of dam removal and appropriate mitigation efforts should be included in the dam removal process to reduce short-term negative ecological effects of this restoration action.
Group Versus Individual Administration Affects Baseline Neurocognitive Test Performance

Background: Computer-based tests are widely used for the purpose of documenting baseline neurocognitive function, and athletes are often tested in groups. At present, there is limited research on the effects of administering these tests in a group versus individual setting.Hypothesis: Athletes assessed with neurocognitive tests in groups would show decreased performance compared with those assessed individually.Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods: High school athletes completed preseason baseline neurocognitive tests either in groups in their school or individually in a private neuropsychological clinic (with no significant between-group differences in sex, history of concussion, and attention deficit disorder/learning disability). All athletes completed the ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test battery on 1 occasion, which yielded scores in the area of verbal memory, visual memory, motor processing speed, reaction time, and symptom scores.Results: A...
Differences in functional status of Hispanic versus non-Hispanic White elders: data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

Objectives:Fewnational studies have focused specifically on the functional status of Hispanic elders. We examined the prevalence of functional limitations and disabilities among Hispanic and Black elders compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Methods:We analyzed seven measures of functional limitations, disabilities, and dependencies. Logistic regressionwas used to examine racial and ethnic group differences adjusting for age, gender, and education. Results:Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanics tended to report greater instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) dependencies and cognitive disabilities. Blacks were more likely to have activities of daily living (ADL) and IADL dependencies and require use of assistive devices compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Further adjustment for respondent status reduced differences between groups, but these models may overadjust for functional status differences. Discussion:Given the projected growth of minority elders, policymakers and planners will need to consider r...
The possible contribution of anti-Gal to Graves' disease.

Anti-Gal is a natural antibody specific for the α-galactosyl epitope. Previous studies suggested that Graves' disease (GD) patients had elevated anti-Gal titers compared to normal controls, but tit...
Anticancer Polymeric Nanomedicines

Polymers play important roles in the design of delivery nanocarriers for cancer therapies. Polymeric nanocarriers with anticancer drugs conjugated or encapsulated, also known as polymeric nanomedicines, form a variety of different architectures including polymer‐drug conjugates, micelles, nanospheres, nanogels, vesicles, and dendrimers. This review focuses on the current state of the preclinical and clinical investigations of polymer‐drug conjugates and polymeric micelles. Recent progress achieved in some promising fields, such as site‐specific protein conjugation, pH‐sensitive polymer‐drug conjugates, polymer nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy, stimuli‐responsive polymeric micelles, polymeric vesicles, and dendrimer‐based anticancer nanomedicines, will be highlighted.
Function and Ultrastructure of Platelets of Neonates: Enhanced Ristocetin Aggregation of Neonatal Platelets

We have investigated platelet morphology and function in human maternal-newborn pairs. Fibrinogen concentration and factor-VIII activity in plasma were also determined. Our results showed that, compared to maternal platelets, neonatal platelets were poorly responsive to adenosine diphosphate, adrenaline and collagen. Uptake of labelled serotonin by neonatal and maternal platelets was the same, but release of the radioactivity was reduced in the former. Phagocytic activity of neonatal platelets, demonstrated with latex particles, was similar to that of maternal platelets. Although the ultrastructure of neonatal platelets approximated that of maternal platelets, immature appearing platelets were occasionally found in the neonatal samples. An unanticipated finding was that platelet aggregation induced by ristocetin was more vigorous in neonatal than in maternal platelet-rich plasma samples. Furthermore, neonal -lasma, which had lower fibrinogen and factor-VIII content than maternal plasma, facilitated maternal platelet aggregation by ristocetin and showed a greater ability than maternal plasma to promote ristocetin-induced aggregation of platelets of a patient with von Willebrand's disease. These results indicate that the plasma of neonates contains large quantities of the ristocetin-dependent platelet aggregation factor (RAF), probably more than is in maternal plasma, despite the higher levels of factor-VIII procoagulant activity in the latter. Thus, in the newborn, there is a clear dissociation between factor-VIII clotting activity and the RAF activity.
Creating the costliest orphan. The Orphan Drug Act in the development of Ceredase.

The FDA recently approved Ceredase™, a new treatment for Gaucher's disease, under the provisions of the Orphan Drug Act. Ceredase™ is unusually expensive, but there are no satisfactory alternative therapies. It appears likely that Ceredase™would not have become available without the protection of the Orphan Drug Act, but its expense and the lack of information about its long-term effects on health raise questions about whether the ODA provides appropriate incentives to develop cost-effective technologies.