cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional Validation of the Gallus Chick's Response to the Maternal Food Call1

The term functional validation has been used to describe situations in which fully developed behaviours require appropriate environmental support during an early sensitive period if the initial level of responsiveness is to be maintained. The primary objective of the present study was to determine if an age-related decline in responsiveness to the maternal feeding call occurred in Gallus chicks and, if so, whether or not brief exposure to the call during an early responsive period would maintain responsiveness beyond that period. A decline in responsiveness to the call was observed beyond three days of age in dark-reared chicks. Exposure to the call for 7.5 min before three days of age was adequate to maintain responsiveness at five days of age.
Further validation of the epinephrine pathophysiology rat model of Takotsubo syndrome

The pathophysiology of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), the reversible cardiomyopathy affecting mainly the left ventricle, with primarily apical and midventricular "ballooning" and basal hypercontractility, continues to be elusive. Many etiological hypotheses have been advanced with a pivotal recent one, which has attributed the TTS to a switch of the function of the beta-2 adrenergic receptors from the canonical cardiostimulatory to cardiodepressant mode, engendered by large doses of epinephrine administration. This worthy animal model has not been explored to its fullest, and thus the author of this viewpoint proposes a series of essential experimental enhancements, in order for the model to provide additional indirect insights, pertaining to the pathophysiology of TTS in humans.
Origin of directional tear in blown films of ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymers and ionomers

Blown films of ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymers and ionomers can exhibit pronounced directional tear, meaning that a tear can propagate with much less resistance in a particular direction. However, films blown from the same resin can exhibit different preferred tear directions, which depend on the process conditions. Through wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering, we demonstrate that this directional tear behavior is a direct result of the orientation of the lamellar polyethylene crystallites in these films; tears propagate more readily between lamellae than through lamellae, as previously recognized for low-density polyethylene homopolymer. Unlike polyethylene homopolymer, however, an increase in the blowup ratio during the film processing of ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymers and ionomers leads to a 90° rotation of the lamellae that form upon subsequent crystallization. The lamellar rotation arises from a change in the orientation of the row nuclei that form after the melt is inflated and produces a consequent rotation of the preferred tear direction.
Activated transcription via mammalian amino acid response elements does not require enhanced recruitment of the Mediator complex

It is unclear whether Mediator complex in yeast is necessary for all RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription or if it is limited to genes activated by environmental stress. In mammals, amino acid limitation induces SNAT2 transcription through ATF4 binding at an amino acid response element. ATF4 is the functional counterpart to the yeast amino acid-dependent regulator GCN4 and GCN4 recruits Mediator during transcriptional activation. Consistent with enhanced SNAT2 transcription activity, the present data demonstrate that amino acid limitation increased SNAT2 promoter association of the general transcription factors that make up the preinitiation complex, including Pol II, but there was no increase in Mediator recruitment. Furthermore, siRNA knockdown of eight Mediator subunits caused no significant decrease in SNAT2 transcription. The estrogen-dependent pS2 gene was used as a positive control for both the ChIP and the siRNA approaches and the data demonstrated the requirement for Mediator recruitment. These results document that activation of the SNAT2 gene by the mammalian amino acid response pathway occurs independently of enhanced Mediator recruitment.
Deciphering a schizophrenic's disguised communication: a task for clinical supervisory conference.

Abstract As the relationship between Judy and her nursing student drew to a close, Judy talked more and more clearly about her feelings toward her mother. When she had previously made excuses for her mother, upon being disappointed or feeling angry, she began to deal more openly with the effects her mother's behaviour had upon her. In evaluating the session presented above, the nursing student verbalized her concern that the short term nature of their relationship would probably make it impossible for her to help Judy to resolve any of her deep-seated conflicts and ambivalence toward her mother and their past relationship. At this point her clinical teacher asked her to view the goal of nursing therapy as making communication with another person in the present here and now more rewarding. Arieti states that "understanding the past does not in itself shift the balance to make pathology unrewarding and healthy functioning rewarding". (15) The nursing student offered Judy the opportunity to be understood about matters which were currently active. This was a gratifying experience for Judy and provided her with a sense of mastery that she previously lacked. The student added that in her last few meetings with Judy her diminished anxiety was noticeable and her sense of power amplified. Such changes might easily be attributed to the support, consideration and corrective feedback the nursing student contributed. The nursing student acknowledged at the termination of her final supervisory conference the satisfaction she felt in realizing that prior to her intervention with this patient, Judy had been essentially incommunicado—cut off from relatedness by virtue of her disordered communication. In this student's efforts to establish real communication with Judy, even though the student's academic schedule limited their relationship to a short term one, Judy had the experience of being understood and moved a few steps closer to transcending the loneliness she faced because of her disguised communication. B этoй клиничeкoй cтaтьe oпиcывaютcя впeчaтлeния aвтopoв пpи пoпыткe иcпoльзoвaть пpoцecc нaблюдeния нa coвeщaнияx мeжy пpeпoдaвaтeлями пcиxиaтpичecкoгo yxoдa зa бoльными и cтyдeнтaми-мeдcecтpaми, c цeлью пpoникнyть в нeпoнятнyю cфepy cooбщeния y мoлoдoй жeнщины, cтpaдaющeйcя cooтвeтcтвyющим coвeщaниeм мeждy cтyдeнтoм и ee клиничecким пpeпoдaвaтeлeм. Дaнныe paзгoвopoв мeждy cтyдeнтoм-мeдcecтpoй и бoльным пpивoдятcя дocлoвнo, чтoбы дaть читaтeлю бaзy, нa кoтopoй мoжнo oбocнoвaть тeopeтичecкнe зaключeния. Oпиcaния coвeщaний мeждy cтyдe нтoм и пpeпoдaвaтeлeм яpкo иллюcтpиpyют пpoцecc coтpyдничecтвa, блaгoдapя кoтopoмy дocтигaeтcя пoнимaниe мoлoдoгo бoльнoгo, cтpaдaющeгo шизoфpeниeй.
Necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections

Necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections are severe bacterial infections resulting in rapid and life-threatening soft tissue destruction and necrosis along soft tissue planes.
Discovery of a 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate simulating factor in amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum.

Abstract An enzyme degradable substance in an amoebae extract from Dictyostelium discoideum has been observed to exhibit properties of 3′,5′-guanosine monophosphate (cyclic GMP). This is the simplest differentiating system yet shown to contain cyclic GMP.
AUTORADIOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION OF IODIDE-125 IN THE THYROID EPITHELIAL CELL.

At short time intervals after injection of iodide-125 to mice, the concentration of inorganic iodide-125 in the thyroid epithelial cells of some follicles was much higher than in the lumen of the follicle or in blood vessels as demonstrated by autoradiographic methods. This finding in both binding and propylthiouracil-blocked thyroid glands suggests that the basal cell membrane is responsible for iodide concentration. The persistence of an autoradiographic image over the follicular cells for at least 5 min after iodide-125 injection suggests that the apical cell membrane exerts some control over the passage of radioiodide from the cell into the follicular lumen. (auth)
Adjunctive aripiprazole in treatment-resistant bipolar depression

Background. There are limited management options for treatment-resistant depression in bipolar disorder (BD) patients.Method. Open adjunctive aripiprazole was administered to outpatients with treatment-resistant depression assessed with the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for BD (STEP-BD) Affective Disorders Evaluation, and followed with the STEP-BD Clinical Monitoring Form.Results. Thirty BD (11 type I, 15 type II, 4 NOS) patients (mean age 44.4 ± 17.0 years, 70% female) on a mean of 3.2 ± 1.6 other psychotropic and 2.3 ± 1.6 nonpsychotropic prescription medications received aripiprazole for a mean duration of 84 ± 69 days, with a mean final dose of 15.3 ± 11.2 (range 2.5–40) mg/day. Fourteen patients (47%) discontinued aripiprazole; due to inefficacy in 5/30 (17%), patient choice in 3/30 (10%), and adverse effects in 6/30 (20%). Aripiprazole yielded improvement in Clinical Global Impression–Severity (CGI–S, 4.4 ± 1.1 to 3.8 ± 1.2, p < 0.01), with 8/30 (27%) patients responding (CGI–S improvemen...
Local Catholicism as Transnational War Experience: Everyday Religious Practice in Occupied Northern France, 1914–1918

The Great War is not a historical episode that easily lends itself to studying the subtleties of religious belief systems. Believers on opposite sides claimed that they were engaged in a just war of defense against aggression. They argued that God was on their side, and they prayed for victory of their nation—even if that meant the destruction of their fellow believers who were now considered the enemy. Despite Catholic claims to internationalism and universalism, the overwhelming majority of Catholic bishops and prominent clerics in the public sphere devoted themselves to national causes. Clerical nationalism seemed to overwhelm Christian fellowship, and the clerical nationalist paradigm often served as scholarly shorthand for the experience of religion during the war, especially for long-term studies of Christianity and war. The implacable hostility between French and German Catholic bishops became a convenient symbol of European national enmity in an age of total war.
Representations of Blocks Associated to Induced Modules of Restricted Lie Algebras

Let (L, [p]) be a finite dimensional restricted Lie algebra over an algebraically closed field F of characteristic p ≧ 3, and x e L* be a linear form. In this article we investigate the structure and representation theory of those blocks of the reduced enveloping algebra u(L,x) that are associated to irreducible modules of the form u(L, x) ⊗ u(K,x|k)Fλ.
Dim nocturnal illumination alters coupling of circadian pacemakers in Siberian hamsters, Phodopus sungorus

The circadian pacemaker of mammals comprises multiple oscillators that may adopt different phase relationships to determine properties of the coupled system. The effect of nocturnal illumination comparable to dim moonlight was assessed in male Siberian hamsters exposed to two re-entrainment paradigms believed to require changes in the phase relationship of underlying component oscillators. In experiment 1, hamsters were exposed to a 24-h light-dark-light-dark cycle previously shown to split circadian rhythms into two components such that activity is divided between the two daily dark periods. Hamsters exposed to dim illumination (<0.020 lx) during each scotophase were more likely to exhibit split rhythms compared to hamsters exposed to completely dark scotophases. In experiment 2, hamsters were transferred to winter photoperiods (10 h light, 14 h dark) from two different longer daylengths (14 h or 18 h light daily) in the presence or absence of dim nighttime lighting. Dim nocturnal illumination markedly accelerated adoption of the winter phenotype as reflected in the expansion of activity duration, gonadal regression and weight loss. The two experiments demonstrate substantial efficacy of light intensities generally viewed as below the threshold of circadian systems. Light may act on oscillator coupling through rod-dependent mechanisms.
Nonlinear transverse modes of large-aspect-ratio homogeneously broadened lasers: II. Pattern analysis near and beyond threshold.

Complex order-parameter equation descriptions of pattern evolution in large-aspect-ratio two-level and Raman lasers are derived systematically as solvability conditions in a multiple-scales asymptotic expansion of the original Maxwell-Bloch laser equations in powers of a small parameter. These amplitude equations, although strictly valid near threshold for lasing, are shown to capture the essential features of pattern instability and evolution well beyond lasing threshold. A technical difficulty that can arise in the Raman laser, namely, subcriticality of the bifurcation near the critical wave number, is not addressed in the present paper and the order-parameter equations as derived are valid only when this situation does not arise. Analytical expressions for long-wavelength phase instabilities of the underlying traveling-wave pattern, which appears as the natural nonlinear lasing mode when the detuning of the laser from the gain peak is positive, are obtained from the coefficients of a Cross-Newell phase equation. Phase and amplitude instability boundaries, when computed via the original laser equations, the complex order-parameter equations and the phase equation, are shown to be consistent for all cases studied with the exception of the case when a subcritical bifurcation approaches the critical wave number ${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{c}}$.
Sequence effects on the relative thermodynamic stabilities of B-Z junction-forming DNA oligomeric duplexes

Circular dichroism (CD) and ultraviolet absorption techniques were employed in characterizing the sequence-dependent thermodynamic stabilities of B-Z junction-forming DNA duplexes. The Watson strand of the duplexes has the general sequence (5meC-G)4-NXYG-ACTG (where N = A or G and XY represents all permutations of pyrimidine bases). Duplexes were generated by mixing stoichiometric amounts of the complementary strands. Circular dichroism studies indicate that each duplex is fully right-handed at low salt (e.g., 115 mM Na+) but undergoes a salt-induced conformational transition to a structure that possesses both left- and right-handed conformations at high salt (4.5 M Na+), and hence a B-Z junction. Optical melting studies of the DNA duplexes at fixed DNA concentration with total Na+ concentration ranging from 15 mM to 5.0 M were determined. A nonlinear dependence of the melting temperature (Tm) on [Na+] was observed. Thermodynamic parameters at Na+ concentrations of 115 mM and 4.5 M with a wide range of DNA concentrations were determined from UV optical melting studies via construction of van't Hoff plots. A change of a single dinucleotide within these duplexes significantly affected the helix stabilities. The experimentally obtained free energies for the duplex to single-strand transitions were in close agreement with predicted values obtained from two different methods.
“Not as bad as it could have been”: Assessing and mitigating harm during research interviews on sensitive topics

Research on sensitive subjects such as perinatal loss places participants at particular risk for psychological distress. Although authors have discussed strategies for minimizing distress during interview research, less is known about the ways participants communicate and investigators respond to psychological pain incurred during the interview itself. Therefore, we describe both verbal and nonverbal indicators of distress during a phenomenological study on perinatal loss. We also offer suggestions for interviewers on ways to minimize participants' discomfort. We believe this account will help other researchers identify and reduce respondent distress during their own research.
Effects of aggregation on the phosphorescence of phenyl alkyl ketones in 77 k rigid glass solutions

Abstract The concentration dependence of the 77 K phosphorescence of propiophenone and acetophenone in methylcyclohexane and isopentane glasses implies extensive solute aggregation, arising from partial phase separation. Rationales for the observation of multiple emissions that are based on matrix rigidity dependent rates of conformational relaxation of the triplet state should be viewed with a great deal of caution when aliphatic hydrocarbon glasses are used.
Intracellular recording of action potentials by nanopillar electroporation

Arrays of vertical nanopillar electrodes can be used for both intracellular and extracellular recording with excellent signal strength and quality, and minimal damage to the cells.
Three-dimensional Euclidean distance transformation and its application to shortest path planning

In this paper, we present a novel method to obtain the three-dimensional Euclidean distance transformation (EDT) in two scans of the image. The shortest path can be extracted based on the distance maps using the minimum value tracing. The EDT is obtained correctly and efficiently in a constant time for arbitrary types of images, including the existence of obstacles. By adopting the new dynamically rotational mathematical morphology, we not only guarantee the collision-free in the shortest path, but also reduce the time complexity dramatically.
Effect of tetrahydroaminoacridine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, on cognitive performance following experimental brain injury

An emerging literature exists in support of deficits in cholinergic neurotransmission days to weeks following experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). In addition, novel cholinomimetic therapeutics have been demonstrated to improve cognitive outcome following TBI in rats. We examined the effects of repeated postinjury administration of a cholinesterase inhibitor, tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA), on cognitive performance following experimental TBI. Rats were either injured at a moderate level of central fluid percussion TBI (2.1+/-0.1 atm) or were surgically prepared but not delivered a fluid pulse (sham injury). Beginning 24 h after TBI or sham injury, rats were injected (IP) daily for 15 days with an equal volume (1.0 ml/kg) of either 0.0, 1.0, 3.0, or 9.0 mg/kg THA (TBI: n = 8, 8, 10, and 7, respectively, and Sham: n = 5, 7, 8, 7, respectively). Cognitive performance was assessed on Days 11-15 after injury in a Morris water maze (MWM). Analysis of maze latencies over days indicated that chronic administration of THA produced a dose-related impairment in MWM performance in both the injured and sham groups, with the 9.0 mg/kg dose producing the largest deficit. The 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg doses of THA impaired MWM performance without affecting swimming speeds. Thus, the results of this investigation do not support the use of THA as a cholinomimetic therapeutic for the treatment of cognitive deficits following TBI.
Transient Green’s Function Behavior for a Prestressed Highly Elastic Half-Space

A plane-strain study of a prestressed isotropic compressible neo-Hookean half-space subjected to shear and normal surface loads is performed. The loads are either stationary and applied for an instant, or travel at an arbitrary constant speed. The transient process is viewed as the superposition of infinitesimal deformations upon large, and exact expressions for the displacements, within and upon, the half-space are obtained, These, and the associated wave patterns, demonstrate the anisotropy induced by prestress. The wave speeds themselves are sensitive to prestress; in particular, Rayleigh waves disappear beyond a critical compressive prestress. A critical tensile prestress also exists, beyond which a negative Poisson effect occurs.
Stage‐ and region‐dependent responses of chick wing‐bud mesenchymal cells to retinoic acid in serum‐free microcultures

Retinoic acid (RA) has been shown to affect skeletal patterning in vivo in both developing and regenerating limbs. Regional differences in RA concentrations alone cannot account for the region-specific cell behaviors involved in limb-skeletal morphogenesis. The present study explores a role for regional differences in signal interpretation in RA's effects along the anteroposterior and proximodistal axes of stage 21–22 and 23–24 chick wing-buds. Mesenchymal cells isolated from specific limb regions were grown in chemically defined medium and exposed to 5 or 50 ng/ml of RA for 4 days in high-density microtiter cultures. Previous studies showed that RA's effects on chondrogenesis and growth in such cultures differed depending on the position along the limb's proximodistal axis from which the cells were isolated. The present study is the first to show that such differences in RA-responsiveness also exist along the limb's anteroposterior axis, especially in the distal subridge mesenchyme. The region-dependent relationships between RA's effects on growth and chondrogenesis suggest that RA affects these two behaviors through different mechanisms. The regional differences in the responsiveness of these cells to exogenous RA are discussed with respect to their correspondence to the in vivo patterns of expression of RA-binding proteins, RA-receptors, and other patterning-related genes. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Outcomes from Referring Batterer Program Participants to Mental Health Treatment

A quasi-experimental study was conducted to investigate the impact of referral to supplemental mental health treatment for batterer program participants who screened positive for mental health problems. The principal outcome measure was re-assault reported during a periodic 12-month follow-up with female partners (n = 308). Batterer program completion and other abuse indicators were also considered. Mandatory court referral to mental health treatment produced no significant improvement in batterer program completion, re-assault and other abuse indicators. These results may be influenced by the low compliance to the referral, since the select number of men who did comply with a mental health evaluation (n = 48 of 148) and those who received treatment (n = 28 of 148) did better than those who did not. Simplified referral procedures or integrated treatment services might prove to be a more effective approach.
Ulcerative colitis of 28 years’ duration with recovery

This patient suffered with ulcerative colitis for 28 years. The etiology of the disease remained undetermined until material for examination was aspirated directly from the ulcers and immediately examined on a warmstage microscope. The routine stool examinations were unreliable and misleading. The liver, although a common secondary site of amebic infection, resisted pathologic amebic invasion. The generalized eczema of the skin as well as the acute dermatitis of the scalp with temporary loss of hair may be attributed to the effect of the parasite or its toxins. It is of interest to note that the intravenous administration of sodium iodide controlled the diarrhea for a period of five months. This would suggest its use in the more protracted cases of amebiasis where the parasites have migrated to the liver and other organs and where the use of emetine is contraindicated. This case also shows that an amebic infection of the colon may for a short period of time spontaneously regress to a state of practically normal roentgenologic findings.
Computational validation of the EPR™ combustible gas control system

Abstract During a postulated severe accident in a pressurized water reactor which involves the melting of the reactor core, hydrogen is released into the containment. In order to limit the pressure and temperature loads in case of a possible combustion of hydrogen and to prevent a challenge to the containment integrity, the EPR™ containment is equipped with a combustible gas control system. The multi-step approach for analytically validating the performance of this system is presented. The starting point for the analysis is a study of a large number of core melt accidents using a lumped-parameter code, which yields the release characteristics from the primary circuit into the containment. Based thereupon, a set of representative scenarios and bounding scenarios is selected for numerical calculations with a lumped-parameter code, and a smaller subset is then chosen for an additional in-depth analysis with computational fluid dynamics codes. Together, these calculations yield the detailed distribution of hydrogen in the containment, the depletion of hydrogen by recombiners, and the risk of the occurrence of potentially hazardous combustion modes. For cases where flame acceleration after hydrogen ignition cannot be ruled out by simple criteria, additional calculations with a dedicated computational fluid dynamics combustion code demonstrate that a transition from deflagration to detonation in the containment can be excluded. It is also shown that the temperature and pressure loads remain within the acceptable limits. Furthermore an in-depth analysis of the individual recombiner performance and methods for optimizing hydrogen depletion by the arrangement of the recombiners in the containment is presented. The potential impact of an early activation of the spray system on the hydrogen risk is also discussed.
Effect of selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 on temporary focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) is the inducible isoform of COX but its involvement in ischemic neuronal injury is unclear. The effect of selective inhibition of COX2 was evaluated by intraperitoneal administration of NS-398, a selective COX2 inhibitor, before and after 2 h of temporary focal ischemia in rats. After 4 h of reperfusion, the infarct volume and the hemispheric concentration of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a major substance produced by COX2, were assessed. The infarct volume was unchanged by NS-398 administration. There was no difference in PGE2 levels between the ischemic and the contralateral hemispheres in the control group. However, PGE2 concentration significantly decreased in the ischemic hemisphere in the NS-398 group. The results are consistent with the previous observation that COX2 is induced in peri-ischemic areas and suggests that COX2 has a significant role in peri-ischemic pathophysiology.
Diffusion tensor imaging of mouse brain stem and cervical spinal cord.

Abstract In vivo diffusion tensor imaging measurements of the mouse brain stem and cervical spinal cord are presented. Utilizing actively decoupled transmit/receive coils, high resolution diffusion images (117 μm × 59 μm × 500 μm) were acquired at 4.7 T within an hour. Both brain stem and cervical spine displayed clear gray-white matter contrast. The cervical spinal cord white matter showed similar tissue characteristics as seen in the thoracic cord. The coherent fiber orientation in the white matter was observed in both the brain stem and the cervical spinal cord. The results may serve as a reference for future inter-lab comparison in mouse brain stem and cervical spine diffusion measurements.
Thomas E. Kreis, 1952–1998

Thanks to Ira Mellman for supporting material, and to Susan Scales, Andrew Whitney and John Heuser for the photograph.
Parasite virulence, host life history, and the costs and benefits of sex

The widespread existence of sexual reproduction is widely considered to be one of the most pressing anomalies for evolutionary theory. One possible solution is that coevolution between hosts and parasites might favor sexual over asexual reproduction (the Red Queen hypothesis), provided infection is genotype specific and highly virulent. This requirement for high virulence has been seen as a limitation of the theory. In the present study, I solve for the cost of sex per reproductive time step of the host, as well as the minimum virulence required to select for sex. The results show that the cost of sex per time step increases with increases in the host's mortality rate, reaching twofold in annual host species. The results also show that high virulence is not required to select for sexual reproduction, especially in long-lived organisms. These findings might help to explain the paucity of parthenogenesis in organisms having long generation times.
Transcriptional mapping of the ribosomal RNA region of mouse L-cell mitochondrial DNA

The map positions in mouse mitochondrial DNA of the two ribosomal RNA genes and adjacent genes coding several small transcripts have been determined precisely by application of a procedure in which DNA-RNA hybrids have been subjected to digestion by S1 nuclease under conditions of varying severity. Digestion of the DNA-RNA hybrids with S1 nuclease yielded a series of species which were shown to contain ribosomal RNA molecules together with adjacent transcripts hybridized conjointly to a continuous segment of mitochondrial DNA. There is one small transcript about 60 bases long whose gene adjoins the sequences coding the 5'-end of the small ribosomal RNA (950 bases) and which lies approximately 200 nucleotides from the D-loop origin of heavy strand mitochondrial DNA synthesis. An 80-base transcript lies between the small and large ribosomal RNA genes, and genes for two further short transcript (each about 80 bases in length) abut the sequences coding the 3'-end of the large ribosomal RNA (approximately 1500 bases). The ability to isolate a discrete DNA-RNA hybrid species approximately 2700 base pairs in length containing all these transcripts suggests that there can be few nucleotides in this region of mouse mitochondrial DNA which are not represented as stable RNA species.
Clinical Laboratory Analysis of Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Variable Region Genes for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Prognosis

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia affecting adults in the western world. The clinical course of CLL is highly variable: cases that express mutated immunoglobulin heavy chain variable regions (IgVH) typically have a more indolent clinical course compared with those with unmutated IgVH. The use of the VH3-21 variable region has also been found to confer a poor prognosis, independent of mutation status. Here we describe an assay for the identification of the expressed VH segment and its mutation status in CLL. This test uses whole blood-derived RNA and PCR primers annealing to the leader regions and the joining region segments. This approach allows more accurate determination of the IgVH mutation status relative to using framework region specific VH primers. An additional primer specific for the leader region of the VH3-21 segment is described and is shown to be necessary to identify this diagnostically important variable region. We successfully analyzed 99 of 103 samples, including five expressing the VH3-21 variable region. Approximately 5% of cases had complement determining region 3 sequences similar to previously reported cases, and overrepresentation of the VH1-69 segment was observed among unmutated cases. These results confirm the proper functioning and high success rate of this valuable prognostic for CLL designed for the use in a clinical laboratory setting.
Optical properties and electronic structures of the intermetallic compounds AuGa2 and PtGa2.

The electronic structures of ${\mathrm{AuGa}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{PtGa}}_{2}$ have been studied with use of spectroscopic ellipsometry and the dielectric functions have been determined in the 1.2--5.5-eV region. Both compounds show interband absorption at low photon energies (1.3 eV). The interband absorption for ${\mathrm{AuGa}}_{2}$ is strong at about 2 eV while that for ${\mathrm{PtGa}}_{2}$ shows a broad structure in the range 2.5--4.5 eV, with a shoulder at 3.3 eV. The observed interband features in ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}}_{2}$ can be interpreted in terms of self-consistent relativistic band-structure calculations using the linear augmented-plane-wave method. The interband contribution to the imaginary part of the dielectric function ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}}_{2}^{\mathit{b}}$ has been calculated including the effect of the electric dipole matrix elements. The overall agreement is good between the band calculations and the ellipsometry results in the 1.2--5.5-eV region for both the magnitude and the positions of the structures. Below 1.2 eV the calculational results for both compounds show interband absorption, which is also qualitatively suggested by the ellipsometry results.
Hormonal correlates of acne and hirsutism

Acne is a multifactorial disorder reflecting the role of infection, abnormal keratinization and immunologic reaction, as well as hormonal influences, on the pilosebaceous unit. Clinical studies have correlated elevated levels of androgens, originating in both the adrenal glands and ovaries, with acne. These include total and free testosterone, Δ4-androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate, and low levels of sex hormone binding globulin. The pathogenesis of acne initiation in childhood has been linked to rising serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Hirsutism has been more directly correlated with increased levels of serum androgens, notably free testosterone. Underlying causes of elevated androgens in both disorders include very rare tumors, partial or late-onset forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, developmental adrenal abnormalities and, most commonly, polycystic ovary syndrome. Early acne treatment may include topical benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, and tretinoin. More severe disease can be treated systemically (with antibiotics and/or isotretinoin). Very-low-dose corticosteroids can be used to eliminate the adrenal component of hyperandrogenism. Oral contraceptives, especially those that contain low-androgenic progestins, can reduce excessive androgens from any source and specifically suppress the ovary in polycystic ovary syndrome. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, with or without estrogen supplementation, and systemic or topical antiandrogens may play a more important role in the future.
Hepatic damage in neonatal rat due to E. coli endotoxin.

Liver from neonatal rats injected with LD50E. coli endotoxin was studied by light and electron microscopy. By 2 hr, there was margination and migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Single cell necrosis was seen after 8 hr. At 16 hr, there were numerous necrotic foci in the mid-zonal region of hepatic lobules, as well as accumulation of microvesicular fat. Necrosis and fatty change of hepatocytes were more extensive at 24 hr. Microvesicular fat accumulation may be related to alterations in fatty acid or oxidative metabolism. However, the pattern of mid-zonal damage in these animals is not typical of failure of oxidative metabolism and suggests that other mechanisms are involved.
Cross-layer Optimal Decision Policies for Spatial Diversity Forwarding in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

In order to adapt to the time-varying nature of wireless channels, various channel-adaptive schemes have been proposed to exploit inherent spatial diversity in wireless ad hoc networks where there are usually alternate forwarding nodes available at a given forwarding node. However, existing schemes along this line are designed based on heuristics, implying room for performance enhancement. Thereby, to seek a theoretical foundation for improving spatial diversity gain, we formulate the selection of the next-hop relay as a sequential decision problem and derive a general "Optimal Stopping Relaying (OSR)" framework for designing such spatial-diversity schemes. As a particular example, assuming Rayleigh fading channels, we implement an OSR strategy to optimize information efficiency (IE) in a protocol stack consisting of Greedy Perimeter Stateless Routing (GPSR) and IEEE 802.11 MAC protocols. We present an analysis of the algorithm for a single node. In addition, we perform extensive simulations (using QualNet) to evaluate the end-to-end performance of the proposed forwarding strategy. The results demonstrate the superiority of OSR over other existing schemes.
Effect of oxygen abstraction on the peroxidase-luminol-perborate system: relevance to the HRP enhanced chemiluminescence mechanism.

Abstraction of oxygen from the HRP enhanced chemiluminescence system has no significant effect on the chemiluminescence generated. It is, therefore, proposed that in the peroxidase-luminol-perborate system at pH 7.3, chemiluminescence is generated by a direct reaction of diazaquinones with hydrogen peroxide and not, as generally assumed, from the reaction of luminol radicals with the molecular oxygen.
Should Taxonomic Levels be Considered in Developing Examinations

This study investigates the relationship between cognitive taxonomic levels of multiple choice questions and student performance on basic medical sciences material. Parallel questions were developed testing the same factual information but at different taxonomic levels. First year medical students answered these questions as part of their diagnostic examinations. The results show that when content is held constant students perform as well on simple level questions, i.e., recall, as on more complex ones, i.e., interpretation and problem-solving. Also there was no relationship between student-ranking and performance on the different types of items. Several explanations of these results and recommendations are discussed.
Characterization of PKIγ, a Novel Isoform of the Protein Kinase Inhibitor of cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase

Attempts to understand the physiological roles of the protein kinase inhibitor (PKI) proteins have been hampered by a lack of knowledge concerning the molecular heterogeneity of the PKI family. The PKIgamma cDNA sequence determined here predicted an open reading frame of 75 amino acids, showing 35% identity to PKIalpha and 30% identity to PKIbeta1. Residues important for the high affinity of PKIalpha and PKIbeta1 as well as nuclear export of the catalytic (C) subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase were found to be conserved in PKIgamma. Northern blot analysis showed that a 1.3-kilobase PKIgamma message is widely expressed, with highest levels in heart, skeletal muscle, and testis. RNase protection analysis revealed that in most tissues examined PKIgamma is expressed at levels equal to or higher than the other known PKI isoforms and that in several mouse-derived cell lines, PKIgamma is the predominant PKI message. Partial purification of PKI activities from mouse heart by DEAE ion exchange chromatography resolved two major inhibitory peaks, and isoform-specific polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant PKIalpha and PKIgamma identified these inhibitory activities to be PKIalpha and PKIgamma. A comparison of inhibitory potencies of PKIalpha and PKIgamma expressed in Escherichia coli revealed that PKIgamma was a potent competitive inhibitor of Calpha phosphotransferase activity in vitro (Ki = 0.44 nM) but is 6-fold less potent than PKIalpha (Ki = 0.073 nM). Like PKIalpha, PKIgamma was capable of blocking the nuclear accumulation of Flag-tagged C subunit in transiently transfected mammalian cells. Finally, the murine PKIgamma gene was found to overlap the murine adenosine deaminase gene on mouse chromosome 2. These results demonstrate that PKIgamma is a novel, functional PKI isoform that accounts for the previously observed discrepancy between PKI activity and PKI mRNA levels in several mammalian tissues.
Fergus William Campbell - 30 January 1924--3 May 1993.

Born in Glasgow and trained in medicine, Fergus Campbell became associated with the Physiological Laboratory in Cambridge in 1953. Rising through the ranks he gained a personal chair in Neurosensory Physiology before retiring in 1991. He concentrated his research efforts, which were aided by his great skill as an experimentalist, on human vision and was most closely identified with the Fourier theory of vision. Fergus Campbell is remembered by his many post-doctoral collaborators from all over the world for his personal kindness and his inordinate fondness for disputatious conversation.
The trouble with for-loop invariants

In this paper we discuss some of the problems in constructing and utilizing loop invariants for For-loops. Another kind of assertion, the loop post-invariant, is offered as an alternative to the loop invariant in designing, documenting and proving the correctness of For-loops.
Task coordination in human prehension.

Abstract Movement patterns may be complex in the sense of being composed of separable component tasks. These components may be coordinated at some level by the voluntary motor system, in order to combine tasks into appropriate actions. This study describes the use of task interference methods and phase transition curves (PTCs) to quantify task interference in tasks that may have two components. Comparison of the effects of task interference on the different components suggests how these may be coordinated during normal movements. These techniques can be applied to the coordination of hand transport and grasp aperture components in the reaching and grasping movements that people make in order to pick things up. Five subjects made cyclical movements that involved either composite reaching or just the transport or grasp component in isolation, according to condition. The cyclical movements were “perturbed” by requiring a rapid transport or grasping response to an auditory signal by the contralateral hand. Th...
Candidate gene selection in pharmacogenomics: biology leads the way.

James W Watters & Howard L McLeod† †Author for correspondence Departments of Medicine, Genetics, and Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine and the Siteman Cancer Center, St Louis, MO, USA †Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Ave, Campus Box 8069, St. Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA Tel: +1 (0)314 747 2060; Fax: +1 (0)314 362 3764; E-mail: hmcleod@ im.wustl.edu ‘There is a need for a more informed way to select candidate genes, so that only those candidates with the highest chance of showing association are analyzed in precious patient samples’
Experimental and analytical results of tangential blowing applied to a subsonic V/STOL inlet

Engine inlets for subsonic V/STOL aircraft must operate over a wide range of conditions without internal flow separation. Experimental and analytical investigations were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of tangential blowing to maintain attached flow to high angles of attack. The inlet had a relatively thin lip with a blowing slot located either on the lip or in the diffuser. The height and width of these slots was varied. Experimentally determined flow separation boundaries showed that lip blowing achieved higher angle of attack capability than diffuser blowing. This capability was achieved with the largest slot circumferential extent and either of the two slot heights. Predicted (analytical) separation boundaries showed good agreement except at the highest angles of attack.
The Impact of a Palliative Care Program in a Rural Appalachian Community Hospital: A Quality Improvement Process

Background: Hospital inpatient palliative care consultation services (PCCSs) provide high-quality, comprehensive care for seriously ill patients and their families. The objective of the Palliative ...
Changes in the carotid pulse which occur with age and hypertension.

Abstract The carotid pulse wave was recorded in normal subjects of various ages and in hypertensive and atherosclerotic patients, using a water-filled transducer with improved performance characteristics. The feasibility of analyzing such waves by electronic data processing has been demonstrated. The changes in the carotid pulse wave occurring with age are similar to those found in hypertension but are of lesser degree. The wave contains two systolic maxima, the first related temporally to peak aortic flow and the second to maximum aortic pressure. With increasing age or hypertension, the second maximum and the incisura rise in relation to the first systolic maximum. Similar changes can be induced with agents which increase total peripheral resistance, whereas opposite changes are produced by vasodilator drugs. It is suggested that the changes observed in the carotid pulse wave are a reflection primarily of central arterial distensibility. The potential usefulness as well as the limitations of the method are discussed.
Illustration of stress/strain behavior and yarn fragmentation in a pseudo-hybrid composite system

Abstract To study the stress/strain behavior and the fragmentation of fibers in a hybrid composite in tensile loading, a model strand was constructed with cotton yarns as the low-elongation component and polyester yarns as the high-elongation component. The effect of interfacial shear strength on the performance of a hybrid composite was simulated by varying the twist multiplier of the strands. It was observed that a strand with a lower twist level was more likely to show a typical hybrid stress/strain behavior and a multi crack fragmentation pattern. The same was found for strands with the highest twist levels but with cotton contents between 22 and 33%.
Ultrasound criteria for severe in-stent restenosis following carotid artery stenting.

Purpose In-stent restenosis (ISR) is a known complication following carotid artery stenting (CAS). However, ultrasound criteria determining ISR are not well established. We evaluated alternative ultrasound velocity criteria for >70% ISR in our institution. Methods Clinical records of 256 patients undergoing 282 consecutive CAS procedures over a 42-month period were reviewed. Follow-up ultrasounds were available for analysis in 237 patients. Selective angiograms and repeat interventions were performed for >70% ISR. Ultrasound criteria including peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and internal carotid to common carotid artery ratios (ICA/CCA) were examined. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for PSV (200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 cm/s), EDV (70, 80, 90, 100 cm/s), and CCA/ICA (3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5). Results Twenty-two carotid angiograms were performed and 18 lesions had confirmations of >70% ISR in 11 patients including prior CEA in five patients and neck irradiation in two patients. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) was analyzed for PSV, EDV, and CCA/ICA ratio. For 70% or greater angiographic ISR, PSV > 300 cm/s correlated to a 94% sensitivity, 50% specificity, 90% positive predictive value (PPV), and 67% negative predictive value (NPV); EDV > 90 cm/s correlated to an 89% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% PPV, and 67% NPV; and ICA/CCA > 4 had a 94.4% sensitivity, 75% specificity, 94% PPV, and 75% NPV. A significant color flow disturbance was detected in one patient who did not meet the aforementioned ultrasound velocity criteria. Further statistical analysis showed that an EDV of 90 cm/s provided the best discriminant value. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that PSV > 300 cm/s, EDV > 90 cm/s, and ICA/CCA > 4 correlated well with >70% ISR. Although still rudimentary, these velocity criteria combined with color flow patterns can reliably predict severe ISR in our vascular laboratory. However, due to the relatively infrequent cases of severe ISR following CAS, a multicentered study is warranted to establish standard post-CAS ultrasound surveillance criteria for severe ISR.
Principal Leadership for Special Education: An Ethical Framework

Current federal policies have changed leadership practices in schools and ushered in an era of public accountability for the educational performance of all students, including students who have disabilities. In this discussion, a former special education director reflects on changes in professional practice and comments on the administration of programs for students who have disabilities with reference to principals' leadership in special education. A framework for guiding ethical leadership and decision-making in education (Shapiro & Stefkovich, 2005) is applied to dilemmas faced by school principals as they respond to the realigned imperatives of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act.