cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Does Not Impact Career Earnings After Return to Play in National Basketball Association Athletes.

Purpose To quantify the financial impact of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on the remaining career earnings of National Basketball Association (NBA) players. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all NBA players who had an ACL rupture between 2000 and 2019. Players were matched to healthy controls by age, position, body mass index, and player efficiency rating at the time of injury (index year). Player information collected included demographic information, position, team role, draft pick, date of injury, contract length, and earnings during the 3 years before and 7 years after the index year, as well as new contract length and earnings after injury. Results A total of 12 players (22%) did not return to play (RTP). No statistically significant difference in annual earnings was present at any time point between cohorts. When we examined the mean difference in earnings between the first 3 post-index seasons and the 3 pre-index seasons, both the ACL and control cohorts showed increased salaries as players’ careers progressed, without a significant difference in earnings. When comparing cohorts, we found no significant difference in the length and earnings of contracts during the index year. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the length or earnings of the first new contract signed after the index year between cohorts. Additionally, NBA players who were able to RTP after ACL reconstruction were more likely to experience increased earnings if they had greater experience and performance prior to their injury (P Conclusions Our study found that NBA players did not experience diminished earnings after RTP from an ACL reconstruction when compared with matched controls. Furthermore, no differences were seen in lengths of new contracts or in contract earnings between cohorts. Players with greater experience and performance prior to injury were more likely to have increased earnings after ACL reconstruction. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective case-control study.
Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Alters Axon Schwann Cell Units and Promotes Myelination in Unmyelinated Nerve Fibers

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) plays an important role in the development and maintenance of a subset of dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons. We administered high-dose exogenous recombinant human GDNF (rhGDNF) daily to adult rats to examine its effect on unmyelinated axon-Schwann cell units in intact peripheral nerves. In rhGDNF-treated animals, there was a dramatic proliferation in the Schwann cells of unmyelinated fibers, which resulted in the segregation of many unmyelinated axons into a 1:1 relationship with Schwann cells and myelination of normally unmyelinated small axons. This study demonstrates that the administration of high doses of a growth factor to adult rats can change the phenotype of nerve fibers from unmyelinated to myelinated.
Consumer Acceptance of New Convenience Foods: A Case Study of Selected Fresh Produce

Abstract Weekly store level supermarket scan data are used to describe prices and quantities sold of selected fresh vegetables that are available in traditional (regular) and precut packaging. The time period spans the introduction of precuts. Aside from rising prices following their introduction, little similarity is found. Precut carrots and head lettuce gained the most in sales, whereas precut broccoli, cauliflower, and celery item movements have remained very small.
Markov Random Field Linear Regression

This paper outlines the Markov Random Field Linear Regression (MRFLR) algorithm, which combines the transformation-based adaptation and dependency-modeling technique together. The hypothesis is that the adaptation performance can be improved by explicitly modeling the correlations among acoustic parameters and applying such constraints to the transformation-matrix estimation. The correlations are modeled by Markov Random Field, and the incorporation of the correlations is under the Maximum A Posteriori framework. Experimental results show that MRFLR has significant improvement over Maximum Likelihood Linear Regression when only small amounts of adaptation data are available.
A λφ2n Field Theory without Cutoffs

We consider a self-interacting scalar boson field in two-dimensional space-time with self-interaction given by an arbitrary Wick polynomial of even degree in the field. It is shown that the field theory can be constructed in a Hilbert space of physical states. The hamiltonian is a positive self-adjoint operator possessing a physical vacuum. The method of proof consists of imposing and then removing three cutoffs: a box cutoff, an ultraviolet cutoff, and a space cutoff. As the first two are removed the resolvents of the cutoff hamiltonians converge uniformly and this leads to the self-adjointness of the spatially cutoff hamiltonian.
Population-based study of erectile dysfunction and polypharmacy

Study Type – Symptom prevalence (population cohort) Level of Evidence 1b What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? It is known that medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and prescribed medications cause erectile dysfunction (ED). This has been studied at the molecular level and reported in population studies. The present study shows that, after accounting for known medical problems, there is a dose–response relationship, in which worsening degrees of ED are seen when a greater number of medications are taken, regardless if they are prescribed or over the counter. The study can help primary care doctors and urologists to make a differential diagnosis of ED and it can also help improve patient's erectile function by tailoring and curtailing current medication use to maximize therapeutic benefit but minimize ED side effects in men, thus improving health-related quality of life. OBJECTIVE • To study the association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and polypharmacy use in a large, ethnically and racially diverse cohort of men enrolled in the California Men's Health Study (CMHS). PATIENTS AND METHODS • Men from the Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) health plan, enrolled in the CMHS in 2002, had an age range of 45–69 years. ED and comorbidities of these subjects were identified by questionnaire responses. • The number of drugs taken was determined from the year before enrollment through electronic pharmacy records and questionnaire responses. RESULTS • Among the 37 712 (KPSC) subjects, 10 717 (29%) reported moderate or severe ED. • Across all age groups, ED was more prevalent as the number of medications increased. • In men taking 0–2, 3–5,6–9 and ≥10 medications, the percentage of men reporting moderate ED was 15.9, 19.7, 25.5 and 30.9%, respectively (P < 0.001). • With adjustment for age, race, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease and body mass index, men taking >10 drugs were more likely to have ED (odds ratio = 2.32, 95% confidence interval 2.14–2.52) with evidence of a dose–response relationship. CONCLUSION • These data suggest that the number of medications a man takes is associated with worse ED, even after comorbidities have been taken into account.
Winning the standards race

Abstract In markets that have forces encouraging the adoption of a dominant design, the size of a technology's installed base and the availability of complementary goods may be the most important factors determining its success or failure. This article examines the path dependent nature of technology trajectories, and the self-reinforcing effects of installed base and complementary goods. The article posits that firms can greatly influence their installed base and the availability of complementary goods through their distribution, alliance and marketing strategies. Both theory and examples are used to demonstrate how firms can manage the dynamics of technology selection in their favor.
Phosphoheptose isomerase, first enzyme in the biosynthesis of aldoheptose in Salmonella typhimurium.

Abstract Radioactive sedoheptulose 7-phosphate was shown to label specifically the l-glycero-d-mannoheptose residues of the lipopolysaccharide of a transketolase-negative mutant of Salmonella typhimurium. Phosphoheptose isomerase, the first enzyme in the proposed pathway of heptose biosynthesis, was shown to catalyze the reaction: sedoheptulose 7-phosphate → d-glycero-d-mannoheptose 7-phosphate. This enzyme was partially purified and utilized for the enzymatic synthesis of d-glycero-d-manno[14C]heptose 7-phosphate from [14C]sedoheptulose 7-phosphate. These findings support the proposed pathway for the conversion of sedoheptulose 7-phosphate to l-glycero-d-mannoheptose (Eidels, L., and Osborn, M. J. (1971) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 68, 1673–1677).
HOHOKAM FIELD BUILDING

Ongoing research in the Northern Phoenix Basin has determined that the soils of at least five Hohokam agricultural fields were deposited through the diversion of silt-laden floodwaters of Cave Creek onto areas of nonarable sand and cobble desert. The fields are the result of the conscious conversion of nonarable desert lands into agricultural fields. Evidence for the anthropogenic nature of these soils based on the soil, topographic, and pollen records is discussed. The largest of these artificial deposits covers 181,760 m2 and averages approximately 80 cm in depth. The creation of these fields represents a significant gain for prehistoric farmers who were able to create arable land in locations where none previously existed. Similar soil-building technologies have been reported in the ethnographic record, suggesting that there may be a long tradition of field building in the Sonoran Desert.
Applications to Wald, Likelihood Ratio, and Maximum Likelihood Statistics

The breath of this material is similar to that of Reid (1988). Of primary concern will be approximation to densities and distribution functions of maximum likelihood estimators, likelihood ratio statistics, and Wald statistics. Bartlett’s correction for the distribution of likelihood ratio statistics is derived. Approximate ancillarity is also discussed.
Human term placental villi in explant tissue culture III. Comparison of the effects of chicken plasma, sheep plasma, vitamin A, and hydrocortisone in syncytial dissolution

Abstract Human term placental villi explanted into chick plasma clots usually exhibited partial lysis of the syncytiotrophoblastic layer preceded by or in association with neighboring deposits of basophilic material. Identical placental villi explanted into sheep plasma clots exhibited minimal or no syncytial dissolution and total absence of basophilic particles. These findings strengthened prior suggestions that a factor in the chick plasma bore a principal responsibility for these activities. Vitamin A alcohol, a lysosomal labilizing agent, and hydrocortisone, a preserver of lysosomal integrity, failed to alter these activities. This argues against assigning the lysosome a role as a tissue determinant(s) insofar as syncytiolysis and basophilic deposition are concerned.
Declining rates of extracapsular extension after radical prostatectomy: evidence for continued stage migration.

PURPOSE: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening is responsible for a profound clinical stage migration in newly detected prostate cancers. Extracapsular extension (ECE) is an important predictor of outcome after radical prostatectomy (RP). We examined trends in the rate of ECE for cancers detected by PSA screening in 731 RP specimens between 1987 and 1997, when screening became routine urologic practice in the United States. METHODS: The rates of ECE were examined in 311 prostates with nonpalpable (stage T1c) disease and 420 with palpable but clinically localized (stage T2) disease. Specimens were step-sectioned and examined by a senior pathologist. Rates of ECE were compared with respect to time, and logistic regression was used to identify predictors of ECE. RESULTS: The rate of ECE decreased from 81% to 36% during the 10-year observation period. Multivariateanalysis involving clinical tumor stage, preoperative serum PSA level, and Gleason score demonstrated that year of treatment was an indepe...
Effects of various diets on colonic growth in rats

Abstract This study examines the effects of enteral and parenteral feeding on the rate of DNA synthesis and weight of the rat colon. The possible effects of gastrin levels and dietary bulk in causing the observed changes were tested. Three groups of rats were compared. One received nutrition solely by intravenous infusion of an elemental diet, a second group received the same nutrient solution orally, and a third group was fed a standard solid chow diet. Neither intravenous nor oral fluid administration maintained serum or antral gastrin levels, and animals in these groups showed a 25% loss of colonic weight as well as a decline in mucosal DNA synthesis. Because the colon lies beyond the site of nutrient absorption, contact with luminal nutrients cannot explain the observed colonic changes. In additional rats receiving the oral liquid diet, repeated injections of pentagastrin elevated colonic DNA synthesis and weight to levels significantly greater than those observed with the liquid diet alone. The addition of nonabsorbable bulk to the liquid diet also stimulated colonic DNA synthesis and growth without elevating serum or antral gastrin levels. It is concluded that both the hormone gastrin and the physical effects of luminal contents are independently capable of stimulating colonic growth in rats. The absence of these two factors from an elemental diet administered enterally or parenterally may account for the observed loss of colonic weight in these animals.
Encoding processes, rehearsal, and recall requirements

Retention after rapid overt rehearsal was assessed in two experiments. In the first, 20-word lists were presented as four sets of five words alternating with delay intervals. Recall of items from terminal serial positions was higher when delays were either silent or filled with overt rehearsal than when delays were filled with number subtraction. However, overt rehearsal produced the poorest recall of items from early serial positions. Results of a second experiment showed that overt rehearsal did not enhance performance on either a delayed recall or a delayed recognition test. Rehearsal is less effective than other techniques of study and may be totally ineffective unless it is accompanied by additional processing.
Development of activity-based probes for cathepsin X

Cathepsin X is a lysosomal cysteine protease that functions as a carboxypeptidase with broad substrate specificity. Cathepsin X was discovered only recently, and its physiological roles are still not well understood. A number of studies suggest that cathepsin X may be involved in a variety of biological processes, including cancer, aging and degenerative conditions of the brain, inflammation, and cellular communication. Here we present the synthesis and characterization of several activity-based probes (ABPs) that target active cathepsin X. These ABPs were used to label cathepsin X in complex lysates, whole cells, and in vivo. Furthermore, we have developed a method for selectively labeling and visualizing active cathepsin X in vitro and in vivo. Overall, the probes developed in this study are valuable tools for the study of cathepsin X function.
Cloning single-stranded DNA

DNA sequence and expression analyses have greatly benefited from using M13 and pUC derived cloning vectors and their polycloning sites. A chronology of the original concepts and experiments is reviewed.
The complex role of AR signaling after cytotoxic insult: implications for cell-cycle-based chemotherapeutics.

Prostatic adenocarcinomas are dependent on androgen receptor (AR) signaling for growth and progression, in part through the ability of AR to induce G1-S phase cell cycle transition. Hormonal therapies that inhibit AR activity are the first line of intervention for disseminated disease, and are initially quite effective; however, recurrent, incurable tumors ultimately arise with restored AR function. Given the importance of AR in governing the potentiation of this tumor type, there has been a dedicated interest in dissecting the mechanisms by which AR promotes prostate cancer proliferation and survival. Recent studies have challenged the utility of manipulating AR activity to enhance cell death in combination with genotoxic insult. Herein, the role of AR in controlling cell cycle progression and paradoxical roles of AR in survival signals are considered, as are the potential implications of these findings for chemotherapeutic response. Although there is much to be resolved, the present data suggest that kn...
Dietary levels of trans-fatty acids: basis for health concerns and industry efforts to limit use

Dietary trans-fatty acids at sufficiently high levels have been found to increase low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and decrease high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with diets high in cis monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids. The dietary levels of trans-fatty acids necessary to do this appear to be approximately 4% of energy or higher to increase low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and approximately 5% to 6% of energy or higher to decrease high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, compared with control diets essentially trans-free. In response, the food industry is working on ways to eliminate or greatly reduce trans-fatty acids in food products. Current efforts focus on 4 technological options: (1) modification of the hydrogenation process, (2) use of interesterification, (3) use of fractions high in solids from natural oils, and (4) use of trait-enhanced oils. Challenges to the food industry in replacing trans-fatty acids in foods are to develop formulation options that provide equivalent functionality, are economically feasible, do not greatly increase saturated fatty acid content, and meet the regulatory deadline of January 1, 2006.
Neutron Measurements at Nuclear Power Reactors[55]

Abstract Staff from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (operated by Battelle Memorial Institute), have performed neutron measurements at a number of commercial nuclear power plants in the United States. Neutron radiation fields at light water reactor (LWR) power plants are typically characterized by low-energy distributions due to the presence of large amounts of scattering material such as water and concrete. These low-energy distributions make it difficult to accurately monitor personnel exposures, since most survey meters and dosimeters are calibrated to higher-energy fields such as those produced by bare or D 2 O-moderated 252 Cf sources. Commercial plants typically use thermoluminescent dosimeters in an albedo configuration for personnel dosimetry and survey meters based on a thermal-neutron detector inside a cylindrical or spherical moderator for dose rate assessment, so their methods of routine monitoring are highly dependent on the energy of the neutron fields. Battelle has participated in neutron assessments at a number of LWR facilities to characterize neutron radiation fields and to evaluate the responses of plant dosimeters and survey instruments. In these studies, the tissue equivalent proportional counter was used for measuring neutron dose and dose equivalent rates, and multisphere spectrometers were used to measure energy distributions. The use of these instruments in LWR work locations is usually difficult because of extreme environmental conditions such as high temperatures. These studies have confirmed the presence of low-energy neutron fields in most work locations. The studies have also found that albedo dosimeters used at power plants typically overrespond significantly when using a calibration based on californium exposures. Survey instruments also respond highly in typical LWR environments.
Thermal simulation for SOI devices using thermal-circuit models and device simulation

Abstract A methodology combining a thermal-circuit model and device simulation is presented for SOI device simulation including self-heating. The efficiency and accuracy were verified against the rigorous device simulation based on energy balance, Poisson, and heat flow equations. In addition, a simple thermal circuit is proposed to model temperature variation in the SOI silicon film. The temperature distribution in the silicon film obtained from the proposed thermal-circuit model is in good agreement with the rigorous device simulation. In high driving current situations, temperature variation in the SOI silicon film is considerably large. Such a model will provide more useful information than the existing constant-temperature model.
Practical molecular diagnostics in neuropathology: making a tough job a little easier

Neuropathology is a challenging field, in large part because of the consequential decisions that must be made with small biopsy material. This is especially true concerning the most common primary brain tumor, the infiltrative glioma. Fortunately, abundant research has identified specific molecular alterations that are characteristic of gliomas, according to diagnostic class and tumor grade. Such alterations include 1p19q codeletion, EGFR amplification, p16 deletion, and IDH1/2 mutations. Using specific cases as examples, this review illustrates how molecular testing is of great help in avoiding misdiagnoses and enhancing the quality of information provided to clinicians.
Pharmacology I: Effects on Sleep of Commonly Used ICU Medications

Critically ill patients are almost universally administered medications to treat their acute illnesses and to maximize their comfort. The effects of many of these medications on their sleep, however, may be important. It is known that critically ill patients have severely disrupted sleep and that this disrupted sleep has a negative impact on ICU outcomes. This article reviews how some commonly used ICU medications may affect patients' sleep.
Advanced feedback methods in information retrieval

Automatic feedback methods may be used in online information retrieval to generate improved query statements based on information contained in previously retrieved documents. In this study automatic relevance feedback techniques are applied to Boolean query statements. The feedback operations are carried out using both the conventional Boolean logic, as well as an extended logic producing improved retrieval effectiveness. Experimental output is included to evaluate the automatic feedback operations.
Modeling throughput in TCP vegas

This abstract describes a simple and accurate analytic model for the steady state throughput of TCP Vegas, as a function of round trip time and packet loss rate. Such models have previously been developed for TCP Reno. However, several aspects of TCP Vegas need to be treated quite differently from their counterparts in Reno. In particular, TCP Vegas employs an algorithm to detect the incipient stages of congestion in the network and preemptively adjusts the sending rate to avoid losses. The proposed model reflects this behavior, as well as Vegas' new slow start mechanism, and the most important of the innovative congestion recovery mechanisms introduced in TCP Vegas. Initial validations against the ns-2 simulator configured to simulate TCP Vegas are presented.
Cytosolic calcium ion activity in epithelial cells of Necturus kidney

Calcium ions are believed to play an important role in the control of cellular function1, and have recently been implicated in the regulation of sodium and water transport in epithelia2–8. In epithelial cells, as in excitable cells1, low cytosolic free calcium levels may be maintained, in part, by a process of Na–Ca exchange across the plasma membrane5,8–12. In a recent model of transepithelial sodium transport in which a regulatory role for calcium ions was incorporated, it was assumed that cytosolic calcium ion activity of epithelial cells is similar to that of excitable cells13. However, no direct measurements of cytosolic calcium ion activity in epithelial cells in normal transporting conditions have yet been made. We report here the direct measurement with Ca2+-selective microelectrodes of cytosolic calcium ion activity in proximal tubular cells of Necturus kidney. The results indicate that cytosolic calcium ion activity in these cells is ∼10−7 M, and are consistent with the view that a Na–Ca exchange system, located at the basolateral cell membrane, plays a role in maintenance of low cytosolic calcium ion activity.
Localized GABAergic inhibition of dendritic Ca 2+ signalling

Neuronal circuits are defined by synaptic connections between their cellular constituents. In this article, I highlight several recent studies emphasizing the surprising level of precision exhibited by inhibitory GABAergic synapses within the neocortex and hippocampus. Specifically, GABAergic inputs to dendritic shafts and spines of pyramidal cells have a key role in the localized regulation of neuronal Ca(2+) signalling. These findings provide important new insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying the contributions of inhibitory transmission to both normal and abnormal brain activity.
Configuration management in the Nexus distributed operating system

The paper describes the approach taken for configuration management in the Nexus distributed operating system. Nexus uses kernel-level support for monitoring the failure or termination status of distributed components of an application. Periodic user-level messages are not required for status monitoring. Group and dependency relationships between such components can be defined by the programmer for the purpose of configuration monitoring and management. An object belonging to a distributed application can be monitored by its host kernel for system-defined exception conditions. When any of these conditions arise, other objects are notified through signals or messages, as specified by the programmer.
Macular and retinal nerve fiber layer analysis of normal and glaucomatous eyes in children using optical coherence tomography

Purpose To evaluate macular and nerve fiber layer (NFL) thickness in normal and glaucomatous eyes of children 3 to 17 years old using optical coherence tomography (OCT-3). Design Observational cross-sectional study. Methods One hundred fifty-six eyes of 79 patients were enrolled in this institutional study. Fifty-two eyes (33.3%) met criteria for glaucoma and 104 (66.7%) were normal. There were 44 female (55.6%) and 35 male (44.3%) subjects whose ages ranged from 3 to 17 years old (mean 9.5 years, standard deviation 3.5 years, median 9 years). The OCT-3 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, California) was used to obtain a fast macular thickness map as well as a fast retinal NFL map of each eye. Data from specific locations around the macula, as well as total macular volume, was analyzed. Similarly, the retinal NFL scan reports average NFL thickness from specific locations around the optic nerve. Data from the superior temporal and inferior temporal sections was analyzed. Results There was a statistically significant difference in macular thickness and NFL thickness when normal eyes were compared against those with glaucoma, in all quadrants studied (all P values ≤.001). Mean macular volume was 7.01 ± 0.42 mm 3 vs 6.57 ± 0.85 mm 3 for normal vs glaucomatous eyes, respectively ( P Conclusions OCT may prove valuable in the early diagnosis of glaucoma. We have found a difference between normal and glaucomatous eyes in children, similar to that reported in adult studies. Further investigation of OCT testing in children should be considered.
High-contrast gratings as a new platform for integrated optoelectronics

A new concept of dielectric subwavelength grating has emerged. This grating leverages a high contrast in refractive indices for the grating medium and its surroundings. We will discuss how high-index-contrast grating (HCG) can manipulate light to achieve various extraordinary properties. We will discuss various designs to yield broadband, high-reflectivity mirrors for light incident in surface-normal direction and at a glancing angle, ultra high-Q resonators with surface-normal output, planar high focusing power reflectors and lenses, and ultralow loss hollow-core waveguides. The HCG will be a new, promising platform for integrated optics with applications for lasers, filters, waveguides, sensors and detectors.
Perspectives: A Challenging Patriotism

In a time of alarm about the poisoning of electoral politics, public passions inflamed by sophisticated techniques of mass polarization, and fears that the country is losing control of its collecti...
COWPEA POWDERS DRIED WITH METHIONINE: PREPARATION, STORAGE STABILITY, ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES, NUTRITIONAL QUALITY

Cowpea (Vigna sinensis) was soaked, dehulled, ground, supplemented with various levels of DL-methionine, drum dried and the powders evaluated fresh and after storage. Chemical determinations indicated that the protein, amino acid composition, available lysine, methionine retention and thiamine content of the cowpea powders, compared to raw cowpeas, were not appreciably affected by the processing and storage conditions, including 24 wk at temperatures up to 37°C. Fresh and stored powders supplemented with up to 0.6% methionine were evaluated in a traditional main-moin recipe by a taste panel of members from several African countries and well rated in terms of color, flavor, consistency and overall acceptability. Nutritional studies indicated that drum drying eliminated trypsin inhibitors and that methionine supplementation produced a concentration dependent effect on protein quality as gauged by weight gains of rats and PER values, which increased from 1.64 without methionine supplementation to 2.65 at the 0.6% addition 1eveL At the 0.6% level, however, fatty infiltration of rat livers occurred. This was also evident but much less pronounced at a level of 0.4% added methionine. Cowpea powders stored 24 wk showed reductions in PER values but even at 37°C protein quality, as measured by PER, was largely retained in methionine-supplemented powders.
Mechanisms of disease: the role of GRK4 in the etiology of essential hypertension and salt sensitivity

Hypertension and salt sensitivity of blood pressure are two conditions the etiologies of which are still elusive because of the complex influences of genes, environment, and behavior. Recent understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern sodium homeostasis is shedding new light on how genes, their protein products, and interacting metabolic pathways contribute to disease. Sodium transport is increased in the proximal tubule and thick ascending limb of Henle of the kidney in human essential hypertension. This Review focuses on the counter-regulation between the dopaminergic and renin-angiotensin systems in the renal proximal tubule, which is the site of about 70% of total renal sodium reabsorption. The inhibitory effect of dopamine is most evident under conditions of moderate sodium excess, whereas the stimulatory effect of angiotensin II is most evident under conditions of sodium deficit. Dopamine and angiotensin II exert their actions via G protein-coupled receptors, which are in turn regulated by G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). Polymorphisms that lead to aberrant action of GRKs cause a number of conditions, including hypertension and salt sensitivity. Polymorphisms in one particular member of this family-GRK4-have been shown to cause hyperphosphorylation, desensitization and internalization of a member of the dopamine receptor family, the dopamine 1 receptor, while increasing the expression of a key receptor of the renin-angiotensin system, the angiotensin II type 1 receptor. Novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for identifying at-risk subjects, followed by selective treatment of hypertension and salt sensitivity, might center on restoring normal receptor function through blocking the effects of GRK4 polymorphisms.
Adriamycin, BCNU plus cyclophosphamide (ABC) in advanced carcinoma of the head and neck

Forty-four patients with advanced carcinoma of the head and neck were treated with cyclophosphamide, 400 mg/m2 plus BCNU, 100 mg/m2 day 1 followed by adriamycin 40 mg/m2 day 2, with therapy repeated every 4 weeks. Of 31 evaluable patients, there were 1 complete response, and 10 partial responses (35%). Four of 8 patients without prior chemotherapy had complete or partial responses, as did 7 of 23 patients who had received prior chemotherapy. The mean survival for patients with partial responses was 8.8 months, and for patients with stable disease was 7.8 months. The mean time to progression for patients with partial responses was 5.4 months, and for patients with stable disease was 3.2 months. Granulocytopenia was the dose limiting toxicity, and patients with increasing degrees of myelosuppression appeared to have higher quality responses and longer survival. The ABC treatment program is useful in the palliative management of patients with advanced carcinoma of the head and neck.
Glass transition in metallic glasses: A microscopic model of topological fluctuations in the bonding network

Understanding of the structure and dynamics of liquids and glasses at an atomistic level lags well behind that of crystalline materials, even though they are important in many fields. Metallic liquids and glasses provide an opportunity to make significant advances because of its relative simplicity. We propose a microscopic model based on the concept of topological fluctuations in the bonding network. The predicted glass transition temperature, ${T}_{g}$, shows excellent agreement with experimental observations in metallic glasses. To our knowledge this is the first model to predict the glass transition temperature quantitatively from measurable macroscopic variables.
Comparative studies of methanol decomposition on carbide-modified V(1 1 0) and Ti(0 0 0 1)

Abstract The reaction pathways of methanol on V(1 1 0), carbide-modified V(1 1 0), Ti(0 0 0 1), and carbide-modified Ti(0 0 0 1) have been studied using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). On V(1 1 0) and C/V(1 1 0), methanol undergoes complete dissociative adsorption producing a methoxy intermediate for exposures less than 2 L at 100 K. On Ti(0 0 0 1) and C/Ti(0 0 0 1), methanol dissociates to produce methoxy at exposures of 3 L at 100 K. The combination of TPD and AES reveals that the number of methoxy per surface metal atom is 0.13 on C/V(1 1 0) and 0.41 on C/Ti(0 0 0 1) at 100 K. All methoxy species undergo further decomposition on C/V(1 1 0) at higher temperatures. However, a significant fraction (∼39%) of methoxy species undergo recombinatory reaction to produce gas-phase methanol on C/Ti(0 0 0 1). The reaction pathways on the C/V(1 1 0) and C/Ti(0 0 0 1) surfaces are compared with previous studies of methanol on other carbide-modified surfaces, as well as on single crystal VC and TiC surfaces.
Amino acids in the cytoplasmic C terminus of the parathyroid Ca2+-sensing receptor mediate efficient cell-surface expression and phospholipase C activation.

Abstract The C-terminal tail of the calcium receptor (CaR) regulates the affinity of the receptor for ligand, desensitization, and membrane localization. To determine the role of specific amino acids in the bovine parathyroid CaR in mediating signal transduction and cell-surface expression, we transfected truncated and mutated CaR cDNAs into HEK-293 cells. The ability of high extracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]o) to increase total inositol phosphate (InsP) production, an index of phospholipase C (PLC) activation, was determined. Receptor expression was assessed by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. In cells transiently or stably expressing receptors with the C-terminal tail truncated after residue 895 (CaR-(1–895)) or 929 (CaR-(1–929)), raising [Ca2+]o increased InsPs to levels comparable with those of cells expressing wild-type CaRs. There were no PLC responses to high [Ca2+]o (up to 30 mm) in cells expressing CaRs with C-terminal tails of only 3 residues (CaR-(1–866)), even though these receptors were expressed in the membrane. We scanned the residues between Ser866 and Val895 using tandem-Ala and single-site mutagenesis. Two point mutants (His880 → Ala and Phe882 → Ala CaR) showed 50–70% reductions in high [Ca2+]o-induced InsP production. The levels of expression and glycosylation of these mutants were comparable with wild-type CaRs, but both receptors were profoundly retained in intracellular organelles and co-localized with the endoplasmic reticulum marker BiP. This suggested that the signaling defects of these receptors were likely because of defective trafficking of receptors to the cell surface. Modeling of the C-terminal domain of the CaR indicated that His880 and Phe882 are situated in a putative α-helical structure of 15 amino acids between residues 877 and 891 in the C-terminal tail. Our studies support the idea that specific amino acids, and possibly a unique secondary structure in the C-terminal tail, are required for the efficient targeting of the CaR to the cell surface required for PLC activation.
The Dangerous Ingkantos: Illness and Social Control in a Philippine Community1

THE growing liaison between medicine and the social sciences has been marked by increased interest in the relationship between illness and the state of society. Effects of this relationship may be looked for in psychological or physical symptoms of the individual reacting to social influences, or, conversely, as in this paper, attention may be directed to the consequences of individual illness for social organization. Consideration of the pertinence of illness and therapy to problems of social control has occupied a prominent place in the work of Parsons, who has approached the subject in terms of role motivation and performance. Parsons (1951:29) sees a social system as requiring that those in the system are adequately motivated to role performances that may be necessary for maintenance or development of the system. According to Parsons (1951:431), illness can become involved in the "motivated processes of interaction," and he states:
New international business perspectives on Pakistan

What image comes to mind when one thinks of Pakistan? Prior to the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent invasion of Afghanistan, many businesspeople had little information about this ancient land. Recently, Pakistan has come to the world's attention as a powerful ally in the U.S.-led war against terrorism. Situated at the crossroads of the Middle East, Southeast Asia, China, and member nations of the former Soviet Union, Pakistan has long been a leading player in regional political and economic activity. This article presents some new perspectives on Pakistan as a market worthy of a closer look. We survey Pakistan's history and geography, as well as its sociocultural, political-legal, economic, and competitive environments with a view to identifying new opportunities for foreign investors and global marketers. Current business trends and marketing opportunities are discussed, concluding with an outlook for future growth and development. Valuable insights are offered to businesspeople interested in doing business in Pakistan, a little-studied but vitally important newly industrializing country (NIC) and big emerging market (BEM). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Alfred Russel Wallace and the Road to Natural Selection, 1844–1858

Conventional wisdom has had it that the naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace and his colleague Henry Walter Bates journeyed to the Amazon in 1848 with two intentions in mind: to collect natural history specimens, and to consider evidential materials that might reveal the causal basis of organic evolution. This understanding has been questioned recently by the historian John van Wyhe, who points out that with regard to the second matter, at least, there appears to be no evidence of a “smoking gun” variety proving it so. In the present essay the circumstances of Wallace’s interest in the matter are reviewed, and van Wyhe is taken to task with alternate explanations for the facts he introduces in his argument. The conclusion is that Wallace almost certainly did have the second objective in mind when he left for both the Amazon, and the Far East. Keywords: Alfred Russel Wallace, Henry Walter Bates, evolution, natural selection.
Exploiting organizational knowledge in developing IS project cost and schedule estimates: An empirical study

Project management is vital to the effective application of organizational resources to competing demands within and across projects. The effective application of project management, however, is predicated upon accurate estimates of the project budget and schedule. This study assesses primary and supporting activities that exploit knowledge within an organization's memory to develop project schedule durations and budgets. The study further assesses the subsequent impact of predictability on project success. Two hundred and sixteen survey responses from IT professionals with project management responsibilities were analyzed. Results found use of the primary activities of using parametric estimating techniques (use of formal models), bottom-up estimating techniques (formulating estimates at the task level), and the support activities of team reliance, realistic targets, and professional experience all impact the predictability of estimates for project cost and duration. Predictability in turn was found to directly impact project success with regards to meeting cost and duration objectives. While use of analogous estimating techniques (using similar previous projects) was not found to be useful for project managers with more experience, it was used by project managers with less experience in determining predictability.
Factors influencing landscape pattern of the seagrass Halophila decipiens in an oceanic setting

Abstract The scale of landscape pattern formation of an ecological community may provide clues as to the processes influencing its spatial and temporal dynamics. We conducted an examination of the spatial organization of an annual seagrass ( Halophila decipiens ) in an open ocean setting at two spatial scales and growing seasons to identify the relative influence of external (hurricanes) versus internal (clonal growth) factors. Visual surveys of seagrass cover were conducted over 2 years within three replicate 1 km 2 study areas each separated by ∼25 km in an inshore–offshore transect along the southwest coast of Florida at depths between ∼10 and 30 m. A towed video sled allowed observations of seagrass cover of 1 m 2 areas approximately every 6 m over thousands of meters of evenly spaced transects within the study areas (coarse scale). The towed video revealed that 17.5% of the seafloor was disturbed irrespective of location or sample time. Randomly selected 10 × 10 m quadrats within the larger, 1 km 2 study areas were completely surveyed for seagrass cover by divers at 0.625 m 2 resolution (fine scale). The coarse-scale observations were tested using both conventional geostatistics and an application of a time-series technique (Runs test) for scale of seagrass cover contiguity. Fine-scale observations were examined using conventional geostatistics and a least squares approach (cumulative logistic). The coarse-scale observations revealed little scale dependency and indicated that the structure was organized at spatial extents finer than our sample spacing; the cumulative logistic technique revealed potential fine-scale patterns not otherwise discerned. In contrast, surveys of the 10 × 10 m quadrats detected strong scale dependency with multiple small gaps, indicating scale-dependent patterns arising from processes operating at extents generally Halophila decipiens that likely arose from transported seeds. Spatial analysis revealed that the storm led to a shift to greater frequency of H. decipien s, but lower density coverage. Seagrass density remained substantially depressed in all areas a full year following the storm. The short life history of H. decipiens and the apparent existence of a moveable seed bank means that spatial organization of this community is dictated first by large-scale dispersal of plant propagules (hundreds of meters) and then within a growing season, by clonal organization of the seagrass operating over very small distances (m). The two techniques (semivariance and Runs test) led to similar conclusions regarding the organizational scales of seagrass landscape pattern. As with terrestrial examples, this study demonstrates the importance of selecting the appropriate scale for detection of landscape pattern and processes influencing population ecology of a seagrass ecosystem.
Reconsidering gender differences in sexual desire: An update

A nearly universal stereotype holds that men are driven by their sexual impulses or drives while women rarely feel desire. This paper will consider the reported differences in sexual desire between men and women and the biological and social considerations fueling these differences. The effect of menstruation, gestation and lactation on female sexual desire will be briefly reviewed as well as the influence of estrogens and androgens on sexual drive. The suggestion will be made that, while differences in sexual drive and its behavioral expressions certainly exist, these gender differences may be narrowing as women gain political, social, economic and reproductive freedom. Finally, it will be argued that these differences may be precisely what makes sex interesting and meaningful and more than the simple release of biological tension.
Increasing Crop Production Through More Controlled Photosynthesis

Some of the information about photosynthesis and related biosynthesis that might be used to develop strategies for increasing crop yields are discussed. It seems possible that techniques of plant breeding can be used to exploit or improve some of the biochemical characteristics now understood for green plants. There may be specifically designed chemicals--for example, glycidate--that can alter production. Finally, we can use the new knowledge to improve physiological conditions. Each of these techniques can be used to try to improve rate-limiting steps. A particularly good use of plant breeding techniques (including tissue culture with genetic modification) may be in increasing the distribution of photosynthate to desirable chemical products. Greater knowledge of the regulation of biosynthetic pathways in plants may be helpful in carrying out such genetic modifications, although much can be done empirically. Chemicals may be found which can improve yields of desired products by inhibition or stimulation of specific biochemical pathways. Considering costs of application and environmental considerations, this approach may be less desirable than plant breeding. There is a need for plant chemists and physiologists to find ways of increasing photosynthetic efficiency by reducing photorespiration, whether through carbon dioxide enrichment, chemicals, or breeding. We need a better understandingmore » of regulation leading to increased conversion of photosynthate into useful products--conventional ones (seeds, roots, or fruit), whole dry matter, or useful chemicals such as hydrocarbons. Translation of increased photosynthesis into increased nitrogen fixation in legumes and possibly other plants needs to be further utilized. The intensified research activities now under way in these and other areas promise a greater impact of basic plant biochemical research on crop productivity in the future.« less