cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Domain-Specific Stabilization of Photoreceptor Membrane Guanylyl Cyclase by Adenine Nucleotides and Guanylyl Cyclase Activating Proteins (GCAPs)†

In photoreceptor outer segments, particulate guanylyl cyclase (RetGC) is stimulated at low intracellular Ca2+ concentrations by guanylyl cyclase activating protein (GCAP), a Ca2+-sensitive activator, to resynthesize light-depleted cGMP. In washed outer segment membranes, we find that GCAP-stimulable RetGC is rapidly inactivated at physiological temperatures (30-37 degrees C). Under the same conditions, RetGC remains competent for stimulation by S-100 protein preparations or Mn2+/Triton X-100, indicating that the cyclase catalytic domain remains functional. GCAPs and adenine nucleotides protect against inactivation. Protection by GCAPs is independent of Ca2+ concentration, suggesting that there is a Ca2+-independent interaction between GCAP and RetGC. Protection by ATP (EC50 = 150 microM) is not due to phosphorylation, since the nonhydrolyzable analogue adenylyl imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) protects equally well. In addition to their roles in protection, ATP and AMP-PNP also slowly stimulate cyclase activity. In parallel with the functional change in RetGC at physiological temperatures, we also observe a structural change. A 62-kDa intracellular fragment of RetGC-1 becomes more sensitive to cleavage by trypsin after preincubation at 30 degrees C unless ATP, AMP-PNP, or GCAP is present. Adenine nucleotides and GCAPs thus protect RetGC structurally, as well as functionally.
Promoting scholarship for graduate education.

Abstract Fostering the scholarly contributions and achievements of graduate students is an important component of the graduate nursing faculty role. This article describes a graduate nursing curriculum designed to ensure the development of the necessary skills to allow graduates to make meaningful contributions to the nursing literature. Teaching strategies and learning activities for accomplishing this goal are included. The expectations for scholarly written work is set forth in the orientation to the curriculum at the beginning of the first semester or term. As the issue of role development in advanced nursing practice is discussed, the role of scholarship is shown to be a necessary component of advanced nursing practice roles — educator, consultant, researcher. The authors believe that the time to reinforce the rudiments of scholarly writing and publication is during graduate educational programs while students can be guided by a faculty member knowledgeable and experienced in the process.
Infrared extinction properties of nanostructured and conventional particles

Brass flakes and carbon-based particulates are effective obscurants in the infrared (IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum; however, they are toxic and can cause respiratory problems and environmental concerns. There is a need to develop or identify nontoxic IR obscurants. This research was conducted to determine the potential of nanostructured particles as IR obscurants. Three commercial nanostructured particles were compared with two conventional particles and common obscurants. Experiments involved dispersing a known mass of particles into a particle chamber and measuring the IR transmission through the chamber with a Fourier transform infrared analyzer and the mass concentration with filter samplers. The size distribution of the aerosolized particles was also measured with an aerodynamic particle sizer spectrometer. From the measured data, the mean values of the mass extinction coefficient, σm, and volume extinction coefficient, σv, for the spectral bands of interest (i.e., 3–5 μm and 8–12 μm) we...
Similarities between the reactions of dioxygen and alkenes with palladium(0): Relevance to the use of benzoquinone and molecular oxygen as stoichiometric oxidants in palladium-catalyzed oxidation reactions

Abstract Bathocuproine-coordinated palladium(0) complexes, (bc)Pd0(alkene) (bc = 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) undergo facile oxygenation in the presence of molecular oxygen to produce the η2-peroxopalladium(II) complex, (bc)PdII(O2). The same Pd(0)-alkene complexes undergo self- and cross-exchange reactions with exogenous alkenes. Mechanistic studies highlight distinct similarities between the oxygenation and alkene-substitution reactions: kinetic studies reveal that both reactions proceed via an associative addition/substitution pathway, and electronic effects reveal that the transition states for both reactions feature removal of electron density from (i.e., oxidation of) the palladium(0) center. These results have important implications for the reactivity of dioxygen and benzoquinone (an electron-deficient alkene) as stoichiometric oxidants in palladium-catalyzed oxidation reactions.
Leptonic polarization asymmetries at e + e - colliders in E 6 theories

We examine the left-right and azimuthal polarization asymmetries of lepton pairs produced ine+e− ande−e− interactions as probes of new physics resulting fromE6 theories. The asymmetries are calculated and compared for the processese+e−→µ+µ−,e+e−→e+e−,e−e−→e−e−, ande+e−→L+L− whereL is either anE6 exotic, mirror, or fourth generation heavy lepton. Our results show that lepton polarization asymmetries can be used to easily distinguish differentE6 models and can be used to distinguish among possible new heavy leptonsL.
On the existence of a nucleotide-binding regulatory site on brain hexokinase.

Abstract Binding of ADP to rat brain hexokinase provided protection against inactivation of the enzyme by glutaraldehyde or by chymotryptic digestion. Graphical analysis of the inactivation experiments was, in both cases, consistent with the existence of a single ADP binding site and a Kd ≈ 3mM for the hexokinase-ADP complex. Both Cibacron Blue F3GA and tetraiodofluorescein, previously found to have a general affinity for nucleotide binding sites, were competitive (vs. ATP) inhibitors of the enzyme, suggesting that they bound only to the site occupied by the nucleotide substrate, ATP. While alternate interpretations cannot be excluded, it is felt that these results are most consistent with the view that there is a single nucleotide binding site on the enzyme. They thereby may serve to stimulate a search for alternative explanations for the complex inhibitory pattern of ADP which had previously been attributed to the existence of two ADP binding sites on the enzyme (J. Ning, D.L. Purich, and H.J. Fromm, J. Biol. Chem. 244 , 3840–3846 (1969).
Accelerating the dynamic time warping distance measure using logarithmetic arithmetic

This paper describes an application-specific embedded processor with instruction set extensions (ISEs) for the Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) distance measure, which is widely used in time series similarity search. The ISEs in this paper are implemented using a form of logarithmic arithmetic that offers significant performance and power/energy advantages compared to more traditional floating-point operations.
Transgenic salmon: a final leap to the grocery shelf?

Despite being caught up in regulatory proceedings for 15 years or more, AquAdvantage salmon, the first animal genetically engineered (GE) for food purposes, continues to raise concerns. Are any of these concerns scientifically justified?
From cognitive science to cognitive neuroscience to neuroeconomics

As an emerging discipline, neuroeconomics faces considerable methodological and practical challenges. In this paper, I suggest that these challenges can be understood by exploring the similarities and dissimilarities between the emergence of neuroeconomics and the emergence of cognitive and computational neuroscience two decades ago. From these parallels, I suggest the major challenge facing theory formation in the neural and behavioural sciences is that of being under-constrained by data, making a detailed understanding of physical implementation necessary for theory construction in neuroeconomics. Rather than following a top-down strategy, neuroeconomists should be pragmatic in the use of available data from animal models, information regarding neural pathways and projections, computational models of neural function, functional imaging and behavioural data. By providing convergent evidence across multiple levels of organization, neuroeconomics will have its most promising prospects of success.
A Nanoscale Interface Improves Attachment of Cast Polymers to Glass

A novel interface was prepared on glass slides that stabilizes several cast polymers against delamination under conditions necessary for the study of cell surface interactions. This interface was synthesized by deposition of zirconium tetra(tert-butoxide) from the vapor phase onto the glass followed by mild thermolysis, which gives a surface-bound zirconium oxide coating. This oxide coating improved attachment of polymer coatings cast from formic acid or methylene chloride. Nylon, polyurethane, and polyhydroxybutyrate/polyhydroxyvalerate coatings were stable against delamination from the oxide-coated glass following sonication in ethanol for more than 30 min or immersion in water at pH 8 for at least 48 h.
The transforming growth factor-βbgr/SMAD signaling pathway is present and functional in human mesangial cells

The transforming growth factor-βbgr/SMAD signaling pathway is present and functional in human mesangial cells. Background Transforming growth factor-βbgr (TGF-βbgr) signals through a unique set of intracellular proteins, called SMADs, that have been characterized mainly in transient overexpression systems. Because several models of glomerulosclerosis suggest a role for TGF-βbgr in the extracellular matrix accumulation, we sought to characterize the role of SMAD proteins in mediating TGF-βbgr1 responses in a more physiological system using nontransformed human mesangial cells. Methods Endogenous SMAD expression and its modulation by TGF-βbgr1 were evaluated by Western and Northern blot analyses. Phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 was determined by both phospholabeling and immunoblot. SMAD function and its role in type I collagen transcription were investigated in cotransfection experiments using promoter-luciferase reporter gene constructs. Results Cultured human mesangial cells express Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 proteins. TGF-βbgr1 down-regulated Smad3 mRNA and protein expression, respectively, after 4 and 24 hours of treatment, whereas Smad2 and Smad4 were less affected. Both Smad2 and Smad3 were phosphorylated in response to TGF-βbgr1 beginning at 5 minutes, with maximal phosphorylation at 15 minutes, and decreasing phosphorylation by 2 hours. Smad2/3 and Smad4 coimmunoprecipitate only after TGF-βbgr1 treatment. The activity of a transiently transfected, TGF-βbgr–responsive construct, p3TP-Lux, was stimulated 3.6-fold by TGF-βbgr1. Overexpressed wild-type Smad3 increased basal luciferase activity, which was further stimulated by TGF-βbgr1. A dominant negative mutant form of Smad3 lacking the C-terminal serine phosphoacceptor sites (Smad3A) inhibited TGF-βbgr1–induced luciferase activity. TGF-βbgr1 also increased the activation of an α2(I) collagen promoter-luciferase reporter construct transfected into mesangial cells. This activation was inhibited by cotransfection with the Smad3A mutant. Conclusions Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 are present and activated by TGF-βbgr1 in human mesangial cells. The SMAD pathway is functional in these cells and appears to be involved in TGF-βbgr1–induced type I collagen gene transcription. These findings raise the possibility that SMAD signaling plays a role in glomerular matrix accumulation.
Spontaneous Intestinal Perforations in Extremely Low Birthweight Infants: Pathogenesis and Diagnosis. † 854

Spontaneous non-necrotizing intestinal perforations (S-Perf) have recently been recognized as an entity distinct from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) but their etiology and most effective diagnostic approach remains unclear. To define factors involved in etiology we performed a case control study of 17 ELBW infants (<1000 grams) with S-Perf and controls matched according to birth weight, gestational age, and date of birth, and also performed a retrospective review of intestinal perforations due to NEC (S-Perf vs NEC-Perf) in 318 consecutive infants born on our service. S-Perf occurred in 5.3% of infants between 450 and 1000 grams (mean wt 656 g, GA 25.3 wks) with the mean time of perforation 12.9 days. All infants presented with abdominal distension and or discoloration with 88% having little or no intraluminal gas on x-ray. Free air occurred in 12%. Because x-ray findings were non-specific diagnosis was made by non-ionic contrast studies showing leak (7%) or obstruction (93%), ultrasound evidence of ascites or meconium containing fluid at paracentesis (100%).
SATELLITE‐ENHANCED PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS EXPERIMENTS

Users of future generation wireless information services will have diverse needs for voice, data, and potentially even video communications in a wide variety of circumstances. For users in dense, innercity areas, low power personal communications services (PCS) technology should be ideal. Vehicular- based users travelling at high speeds will need high-power cellular technology. For users in remote or inaccessible locations, or for applications that are broadcast over a wide geographic area, a satellite technology would be the best choice. Packet data networks provide an excellent solution for users requiring occasional small messages, whereas circuit switched networks provide more economical solutions for larger messages. To provide ubiquitous personal communications service, it is necessary to capitalize on the strength of each wireless technology and network to create one seamless internetwork including both current and future wired and wireless networks. As an initial step in exploring the opportunities afforded by the merging of satellite and terrestrial networks, Bellcore and JPL conducted several experiments. These experiments utilized Bellcore's experimental personal communications system (including several messaging applications with adaptations to wireless networks), NASA's advanced communications technology satellite (ACTS), JPL's ACTS mobile terminal, and various commercial data networks (such as the wireline Internet and the RAM wireless packet data network). Looking at loss of bits, packets and higher layer blocks (over the satellite-terrestrial internetworks with mobile and stationary users under various conditions) our initial results indicate that the communication channel can vary dramatically, even within a single network. We show that these conditions necessitate powerful and adaptive protocols if we are to achieve a seamless internetworking of satellite and terrestrial networks.
Continuous ethanol fermentation of Zymomonas mobilis using soy flour as a protective agent

From the analysis of steady state data, an increase of 81.6% in ethanol concentration and fermentor productivity was obtained due to the addition of soy flour to a continuous culture ofZymomonas,mobilis. The function imparted by yeast extract and soy flour seems to differ. Some morphological changes ofZymomonas mobilis associated with different concentration levels of yeast extract and soy flour were also observed.
Veterans affairs and academic medical center affiliations: the north Texas experience.

Objective The authors review the more than 30-year history of the academic affiliation between the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and the Mental Health Service at the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System.
Conserved quantities and the inverse problem of reflection seismology

We show that the time-dependent wave equation in both one and two spatial dimensions possesses quantities which are globally conserved. We show how these conserved quantities can be used to determine the characteristic impedance, the rock density and the elastic constant of the rock. We also demonstrate that the conserved quantities possess the capability of determining and/or bracketing the unknown component of the direct pressure response, which is required to begin downward continuation algorithms. Further, we demonstrate that the conserved quantities are always available irrespective of the source structure in time. Numerical instability, arising if the “filtering” due to the source structure is too harsh, can then be controlled to a degree by demanding that the conserved quantities be indeed conserved.
Incorporation of environment and feed quality into a net energy model for beef cattle

Abstract The California net energy system has gained wide acceptance as a method for predicting rates of gain in growing and finishing beef animals. Researchers at the University of Kentucky, in co-operation with agricultural scientists in two regional research projects, NC-114 and S-156, have developed an interactive model that enhances the usefulness of the net energy system by including skeletal size, feed quality, temperature and relative humidity to determine feed intake and utilisation. Basically, the intake based on feed availability, nutrient composition, potential skeletal size and heat loss potential. After the feed is consumed, it is utilised according to the productive status of the animal, i.e. growth, lactation, foetal development, etc., using a modified form of the net energy system to predict weight change. The model allows a researcher to easily modify environment, feed, breed characteristics and productive status so as to evaluate their influence on the performance of the animal.
Evaluating Ecological Condition Using Soil Biogeochemical Parameters and Near Infrared Reflectance Spectra

Rapid, repeatable assessment of ecological condition is critical for quantitative ecosystem monitoring. Soils provide a sensitive, integrative indicator for which sampling and analysis techniques are well defined. We evaluated soil properties as indicators of ecological condition (subjectively classified into minimally/moderately/severely degraded based on vegetative, hydrologic and edaphic cues) at 526 sites within Ft. Benning military installation (Georgia, USA). For each sample, we measured 17 biogeochemical parameters, and collected high-resolution diffuse reflectance spectra using visible/near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (VNIRS). VNIR spectra have been related to numerous soil attributes - we examine them here for diagnosing integrated response (i.e., ecological condition). We used ordinal logistic regression (OLR) and classification trees (CT) to discriminate between condition categories using both sets of predictors (biogeochemistry and spectra). Sixteen biogeochemical parameters were significantly different across condition categories; however, multivariate models greatly improved discrimination ([calibration, validation] accuracy of [69%, 66%] and [96%, 73%] for OLT and CT models, respectively). Important predictors included total C, total P, and Mehlich K/Ca/Mg. VNIR spectra further improved discrimination ([calibration, validation] accuracy of [74%, 70%] and [96%, 75%] for OLR and CT models, respectively). While spectra were comparably effective at discriminating minimally degraded sites, they were significantly more effective at discriminating severely degraded sites. Error rates across confounding factors suggest that watershed of origin and landscape position were the only important confounders, likely due to imbalanced sampling. We conclude that multivariate diagnosis improves accuracy, and that VNIR spectroscopy, which yields substantial cost and logistical improvements over conventional analyses, provides an effective tool for rapid condition diagnosis.
Isla evangelista-a story of church and state: Puerto Rico's faith-based initiatives in drug treatment

This article describes the debates leading to Puerto Rico's Mental Health Law of 2000, which defined addiction as a spiritual and social problem rather than a mental disorder, in order to trace three competing approaches to addiction in Puerto Rico: evangelist, biomedical, and harm-reductionist. Highlighting the ways in which the evangelist approach of Puerto Rican street ministries challenges the individualism underlying US faith-based initiatives and the punitive approach of the US War on Drugs, this article concludes that the virtues of the evangelist approach to addiction would be best supported by public funding for biomedical and harm-reduction approaches within a pluralistic system of treatment for addiction.
New standards for compilation and review engagements: some implications for real-estate developers

The Accounting and Review Services Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants recently issued three authoritative pronouncements relating to the compilation and review engagements of the CPA. These standards apply to all certified public accountants (CPAs) performing such compilation and review engagements. Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services numbers 9–11 affect parts of their practice that will be of interest to real-estate developers, who generally do not receive audited financial statements. Instead, they normally receive compilations (which focus on the form of the financial statements and provide no assurances of the conformity of the financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles) or reviews (which use inquiries and analytical procedures to provide limited assurances that the financial statements conform with generally accepted accounting principles). The new standards require CPAs to be much more rigorous in preparing compilations and reviews, which will force developers to provide CPAs with additional information, and almost certainly to pay higher fees, given the extra time and documentation involved. The purpose of this paper is to summarize these new standards and to highlight their impact on real-estate developers.
Modeling the statistics of image features and associated text

We present a methodology for modeling the statistics of image features and associated text in large datasets. The models used also serve to cluster the images, as images are modeled as being produced by sampling from a limited number of combinations of mixing components. Furthermore, because our approach models the joint occurrence image features and associated text, it can be used to predict the occurrence of either, based on observations or queries. This supports an attractive approach to image search as well as novel applications such a suggesting illustrations for blocks of text (auto-illustrate) and generating words for images outside the training set (auto-annotate). In this paper we illustrate the approach on 10,000 images of work from the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco. The images include line drawings, paintings, and pictures of sculpture and ceramics. Many of the images have associated free text whose nature varies greatly, from physical description to interpretation and mood. We incorporate statistical natural language processing in order to deal with free text. We use WordNet to provide semantic grouping information and to help disambiguate word senses, as well as emphasize the hierarchical nature of semantic relationships.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Drug therapy in Alzheimer disease: an update for the oral health care provider

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurologic disorder that manifests as memory loss, personality changes, global cognitive dysfunction, and functional impairment. As the United States population continues to age, the prevalence of AD will rise. Accordingly, oral health care providers will be more likely to treat patients affected by this disease; therefore, it is necessary to understand the pharmacologic agents used for the management of AD. This article provides an update of the available drug therapies for AD and discusses their implications on the oral and dental health of patients.
Variability in the Costs of Institutional Review Board Oversight

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown wide differences between institutions in economies of scale with regard to the costs of institutional review board (IRB) oversight of research. In this study, the authors explored variability among IRB costs, taking into account organizational size, components of the costs of oversight, and protocol type. METHOD: The authors conducted a survey of academic medical centers to collect information on resource utilization associated with IRB oversight in 2002. They used national cost weights to assign a cost to each type of resource used, and summed weighted resource utilization for IRB costs. Descriptive statistics were generated for costs over all, tertile of protocol volume, cost component, and type of review. They also determined where the greatest cost variability is found. RESULTS: IRB costs per protocol reviewed are highly variable both overall and within tertiles of volume. Higher-volume institutions have lower costs, which is indicative of economies of scale. However, not all components of IRB costs (e.g., board time) are subject to economies of scale. Expedited reviews of protocols are not less expensive at low-volume institutions. CONCLUSIONS: IRB costs for oversight are highly variable, and only some of the variation may be attributable to economies of scale. Given such wide variation in costs, the authors conclude that some institutions are conducting reviews in a manner that is inefficient or of low quality. Future work is needed to determine specific practices in reviews, and what leads to the best quality and most efficient oversight and review system.
NOCTURNAL THYROTROP IN SURGE IN NORMAL CHILDREN

A nocturnal surge in serum thyrotropin ( TSH) occurs in adults between late afternoon and midnight. To determine if a similar TSH surge occurs in children, we studied 32 children, ages 4 to 18 years, who were normal in height and weight. Samples for TSH were drawn through an indwelling catheter hourly for 24 hours in older children or 1500 to 0400 in smaller children. Serum TSH was measured by a 3-site mouse monoclonal IRMA( Serono Diagnostics, Inc.), which has a sensitivity less than 0.3 μU/ml. The nocturnal TSH surge was calculated as the percent increase in the nighttime TSH (3 consecutive values with highest mean) over the daytime TSH (3 consecutive values with lowest mean). The time of peak was the mid-time point of the highest 3 values at night. Values shown are mean ± SE; * p < .001, compared with age 4-8. These data indicate that infants of Kallmann's fathers have the gonadotropin and sex steroid surge shown for normal infants. We conclude that either our infants do not have Kallmann's syndrome, or the neonatal surge remains intact despite protential later loss of gonadotropin release.
Regression of Multicomponent Sticking Probabilities Using a Genetic Algorithm

A genetic algorithm (GA) was developed for the purpose of regressing composition-dependent aggregation kernels from time series of experimentally measured component or size distributions. The GA evolves initially random populations of kernel models in accordance with the principles of microevolution. To test the robustness of the GA, functionally diverse kernelssincluding one describing the shear-mediated aggregation of blood cellsswere constructed. The stochastic time evolution of their corresponding aggregation processes were then simulated under physiological conditions via Monte Carlo. The GA successfully regressed the kernels underlying these “gold standard” datasets swhere we employ the term in the sense of a “trusted reference” s from these simulation results, reproducing the multicomponent kernels to a maximum relative deviation of less than 9% over their entire composition ranges. Finally, ramifications of these cases pertinent to experimental design are considered, including the effects of extreme initial population ratios for multicomponent aggregation experiments with extreme population ratios.
Cluster-level feedback power control for performance optimization

Power control is becoming a key challenge for effectively operating a modern data center. In addition to reducing operation costs, precisely controlling power consumption is an essential way to avoid system failures caused by power capacity overload or overheating due to increasing high-density. Control-theoretic techniques have recently shown a lot of promise on power management thanks to their better control performance and theoretical guarantees on control accuracy and system stability. However, existing work over-simplifies the problem by controlling a single server independently from others. As a result, at the cluster level where multiple servers are correlated by common workloads and share common power supplies, power cannot be shared to improve application performance. In this paper, we propose a cluster-level power controller that shifts power among servers based on their performance needs, while controlling the total power of the cluster to be lower than a constraint. Our controller features a rigorous design based on an optimal multi-input-multi-output control theory. Empirical results demonstrate that our controller outperforms two state-of-the-art controllers, by having better application performance and more accurate power control.
Silicon Carbide Die Attach Scheme for 500°C Operation

Single crystal silicon carbide (SiC) has such excellent physical, chemical, and electronic properties that SiC based semiconductor electronics can operate at temperatures in excess of 600°C well beyond the high temperature limit for Si based semiconductor devices. SiC semiconductor devices have been demonstrated to be operable at temperatures as high as 600°C, but only in a probe-station environment partially because suitable packaging technology for high temperature (500°C and beyond) devices is still in development. One of the core technologies necessary for high temperature electronic packaging is semiconductor die-attach with low and stable electrical resistance. This paper discusses a low resistance die-attach method and the results of testing carried out at both room temperature and 500°C in air. A 1 mm2 SiC Schottky diode die was attached to aluminum nitride (AlN) and 96% pure alumina ceramic substrates using precious metal based thick-film material. The attached test die using this scheme survived both electronically and mechanically performance and stability tests at 500°C in oxidizing environment of air for 550 hours. The upper limit of electrical resistance of the die-attach interface estimated by forward I-V curves of an attached diode before and during heat treatment indicated stable and low attach-resistance at both room-temperature and 500°C over the entire 550 hours test period. The future durability tests are also discussed.
Co-option of an oral-aboral patterning mechanism to control left-right differentiation: the direct-developing sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma is sinistralized, not ventralized, by NiCl2.

Summary Larval dorsoventral (DV) and left–right (LR) axial patterning unfold progressively in sea urchin development, leading to commitment of the major embryonic regions by the gastrula stage. The direct-developing sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma has lost oral–aboral differentiation along the DV axis but has accelerated vestibular ectoderm development on the left side. NiCl2 radializes indirect-developing sea urchins by shifting cells toward a ventral fate (oral ectoderm). We treated embryos of H. erythrogramma and the indirect-developing H. tuberculata with NiCl2. H. tuberculata was ventralized exactly like other indirect developers, establishing that basic patterning mechanisms are conserved in this genus. H. erythrogramma was also radialized; timing, dosage response, and some morphological features were similar to those in other sea urchins. Ectodermal explant and recombination experiments demonstrate that the effect of nickel is autonomous to the ectoderm, another feature in common with indirect developers. However, H. erythrogramma is distinctly sinistralized rather than ventralized, its cells shifting toward a left-side fate (vestibular ectoderm). This geometric contrast in the midst of pervasive functional similarity suggests that nickel-sensitive processes in H. erythrogramma axial patterning, homologous to those in indirect developers, have been redeployed, and hence co-opted, from their ancestral role in DV axis determination to a new role in LR axis determination. We discuss DV and LR axial patterning and their evolutionary transformation.
Logical observable entities

We show how finite-state machines can standardize the protocol used by a component object to notify other interested objects of its state changes, resulting in a more effective use of static types to constrain both parties, and a more efficient dissemination of information. The enhanced component specification is called a logical observable entity, or LOE. We address two key issues in effectively applying such a strategy: how to extend subtyping to consider the state machines, and how to ensure some kind of compliance between the state-machine specification and its implementation. This leads to an unusual subtyping predicate for LOEs on the one hand, and a prototype code generation strategy on the other.
A comparison of methods of assay of the lactogenic hormone.

IN 1928 STRICKER AND GRUTER (1) showed that the injection of anterior pituitary extracts stimulated abundant milk secretion in the rabbit at the end of pseudopregnancy. Since that time numerous investigators have reported that milk secretion can be initiated in laboratory mammals by the injection of various exacts of the pituitary (for review see Turner, 1). For the assay of galactin Gardner and Turner (3) suggested a method based upon the induction of increasing degrees of lactation in pseudopregnant rabbits from mere duct lactation (+), to the type of lactation observed in parturient animals (+ + + +). Riddle and Baucher (4) first showed that pituitary preparations were capable of producing proliferation of the pigeon crop gland. Following this discovery several methods of assay based upon pigeon and dove crop gland responses have been described (see Riddle and Bates, 5, for review).
CHANGES IN BRAIN LIPIDS DURING AGING

In the mammalian central nervous system, Lipids comprise over half of the total dry weight. Almost all of the Lipids in the CNS are found in membranes of cells. These brain Lipids are constantly being synthesized, replacing other lipid molecules in the membranes. Neurons and glia seem to have a characteristic lipid profile. Different types of membranes accumulate different types of Lipids. As a result of changes in numbers of neurons and glia with age and other factors, a continuous change in lipid composition and particularly in the acyl groups of the brain Lipids has been observed with age. In primates, the lipid content rises during development, remains relatively constant during maturity, and then falls during aging. Marked decreases in the rate of brain lipid metabolism with increasing age have also been reported.
Continuous-Wave Operation of a Frequency-Tunable 460-GHz Second-Harmonic Gyrotron for Enhanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

The design, operation, and characterization of a continuous-wave (CW) tunable second-harmonic 460-GHz gyrotron are reported. The gyrotron is intended to be used as a submillimeter-wave source for 700-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance experiments with sensitivity enhanced by dynamic nuclear polarization. The gyrotron operates in the whispering-gallery mode TE11, 2 and has generated 16 W of output power with a 13-kV 100-mA electron beam. The start oscillation current measured over a range of magnetic field values is in good agreement with theoretical start currents obtained from linear theory for successive high-order axial modes TE11, 2,q. The minimum start current is 27 mA. Power and frequency tuning measurements as a function of the electron cyclotron frequency have also been carried out. A smooth frequency tuning range of 1 GHz was obtained for the operating second-harmonic mode either by magnetic field tuning or beam voltage tuning. Long-term CW operation was evaluated during an uninterrupted period of 48 h, where the gyrotron output power and frequency were kept stable to within ±0.7% and ± 6 ppm, respectively, by a computerized control system. Proper operation of an internal quasi-optical mode converter implemented to transform the operating whispering-gallery mode to a Gaussian-like beam was also verified. Based on the images of the gyrotron output beam taken with a pyroelectric camera, the Gaussian-like mode content of the output beam was computed to be 92% with an ellipticity of 12%.
Estimating the impact of Medicare part D on the profitability of independent community pharmacies.

BACKGROUND: Medicare Part D provides insurance coverage for prescription drugs to elderly and disabled consumers. Part D accounted for 24% of prescriptions dispensed by independent pharmacies in the first year of the program (2006). To date, the impact of Part D on independent pharmacies has been explored only in small, qualitative, or non-peer-reviewed studies. OBJECTIVE: To develop preliminary estimates of the impact of Part D on independent pharmacies’ profitability. METHODS: A financial model was built to examine the impact of Part D on pharmacy profitability. A key input value was the gross margin percentage for Part D; the midpoint of estimates reported in the literature was used as the base-case input value. The remaining model inputs were derived from 2 non-peer-reviewed published sources: (a) the National Community Pharmacist Association (NCPA)’s survey of independent pharmacies, which provided financial data for the year prior to Part D implementation (2005); and (b) IMS Health national market research data, which provided information about changes in prescription drug utilization from 2005 to 2006. Model estimates represented a “typical” independent pharmacy, defined using mean values for financial measures in 2005 as reported by NCPA. The model examined the impact of Part D on the proportion of prescriptions reimbursed by other sources (private third-party insurance, Medicaid, and cash payments by patients); pharmacies’ overall prescription gross margin; the number of Part D-induced prescriptions; the number of prescriptions lost to mail-order pharmacies; and net income before taxes. Key values and assumptions were subjected to one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: The model indicated that implementation of Part D resulted in a mean (SD) 22% (4%) decrease in net income before taxes. This change was primarily the result of an absolute 0.7% decline in the gross margin for all prescriptions. The lower overall gross margin resulted from lower reimbursement on Part D prescriptions. In the typical independent community pharmacy, Part D induced an increase in utilization of an estimated 427 prescriptions but 229 prescriptions were lost to mail-order pharmacies. The results were most sensitive to Part D reimbursement rates. Even under the most optimistic assumptions, Part D decreased net income. However, even under the least favorable assumptions, the typical independent pharmacy remained profitable. CONCLUSION: Part D reduced the profitability of the typical independent pharmacy by an estimated mean (SD) 22% (4%) in 2006. This reduction resulted primarily from the lower Part D reimbursement rates.
Quantitation by gas chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectrometry of cyclophosphamide, phosphoramide mustard, and nornitrogen mustard in the plasma and urine of patients receiving cyclophosphamide therapy.

Cyclophosphamide, the widely used antitumour drug, is not itself toxic, but must be converted by microsomal metabolism to active metabolites. Despite an early understanding of the requirement for metabolic activation, the drug was used clinically for more than 10 years before the structures of any of its hepatic metabolites were elucidated. When the metabolites were finally isolated and identified, their characterisation rested heavily on mass spectral analysis (Bakke, Feil and Zaylskie, 1971; Colvin, Padgett and Fenselau, 1973; Struck et al., 1971). Subsequently mass spectrometry has been used in conjunction with stable-isotope labels to study the mechanism of alkylation of cytotoxic metabolites (Colvin et al., 1976) and for experiments with metabolic switching (Jarman et al., this volume pp. 85–95). Methodology has also been reported for assaying these cytotoxic metabolites using stable-isotope-labelled internal standards (Jardine et al., 1975, 1976; Jarman et al., 1975). In this report we will review the application of this methodology to assays of cyclophosphamide, phosphoramide mustard and nornitrogen mustard in blood and urine of patients, as well as in decomposition and protein-binding studies.
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level may be increased in patients with valvular disease. Recent studies have suggested that in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement, an increased preoperative BNP is associated with a worse operative outcome. Little is known about the perioperative value of BNP in patients undergoing mitral valve (MV) surgery. We measured the preoperative and postoperative BNP levels in this population and analyzed the impact of the increased BNP level on surgical outcome. METHODS: From March 2004 to February 2005, 42 patients (mean age 64 +/- 12 years, 18 [42%] male) were enrolled in a prospective study. All patients underwent surgery for severe mitral regurgitation. The mean ejection fraction was 49 +/- 13%, and 26 (62%) patients presented with atrial fibrillation (AF). RESULTS: The median preoperative and postoperative BNP levels were 108 (9.7 to 995) and 357 (143 to 904) pg/mL, respectively (p = 0.002). Heart failure (p = 0.03), atrial fibrillation (AF) (p = 0.01), and ejection fraction (p = 0.01) were associated with an increased preoperative BNP level. In a multivariate analysis, the only independent predictor of the increased BNP level was AF (p = 0.01). In a univariate analysis, the preoperative BNP level was a significant predictor for inotropic support (p < 0.001), ventilation time (p = 0.003), intensive care unit (ICU; p = 0.01), and hospital length of stay (p = 0.02). In the multivariate analysis, BNP was not a predictor of these variables. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative plasma BNP level presents with a high individual variability in patients with MV regurgitation. AF was the only independent predictor of an increased preoperative BNP level. The preoperative BNP level was not a predictor of surgical outcome. Further studies are required to confirm these findings and evaluate the potential role of this marker for patient selection.
Use of deep autochthonous resources by zooplankton: Results of a metalimnetic addition of 13C to a small lake

Resources in lakes are vertically partitioned due to stratification and trophic interactions. Metalimnetic phytoplankton could be an important resource for zooplankton that either reside in the metalimnion or migrate through this layer. However, it is difficult to estimate metalimnetic resource use, especially using isotope approaches, because surface and deep phytoplankton often have similar isotopic compositions. To overcome this limitation, we experimentally enriched the metalimnetic dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) 13C pool in Peter Lake to enhance the isotopic separation between metalimnetic phytoplankton and other resources. Metalimnetic d13CDIC peaked at 73.2% after the isotope addition and maintained an average enrichment of 34.5% above epilimnetic d13C-DIC for 62 d. Combining hydrogen and carbon stable isotope values, we estimated the epilimnetic, metalimnetic, and terrestrial resource use by zooplankton, using a Bayesian mixing model that accounted for uncertainties in both consumers and sources. We also measured diel vertical migration and net ecosystem production with in situ bottle incubations over the course of the experiment. Metalimnetic resource use was minor (0–8%) for zooplankton that either resided in the epilimnion of the lake during the day or migrated there at night. For consumers that resided in the metalimnion, metalimnetic phytoplankton accounted for 18– 21% of zooplankton isotope composition. The most important resource for all zooplankton was terrestrial organic matter (56–73% of consumer mass), regardless of habitat. This experiment indicates that, in lakes like Peter Lake, metalimnetic autochthonous resources are of minor importance to zooplankton relative to epilimnetic autochthonous and allochthonous resources.
The reaction of the psoralens with deoxyribonucleic acid

Psoralen photochemistry is specific for nucleic acids and is better understood at the molecular level than are all other methods of chemical modification of nucleic acids. These compounds are used both for in vivo structure analysis and for photochemotherapy since they easily penetrate both cells and virus particles. Apparently, natural selection has selected for membrane and virus penetrability during the evolution of these natural products. Most cells are unaffected by relatively high concentrations of psoralens in the absence of ultraviolet light, and the metabolites of the psoralens have thus far not created a problem. Finally, psoralens form both monoadduct and cross-links in nucleic acid helices, the yield of each being easily controlled by the conditions used during the photochemistry.
Tables of the Expected Value of 1/X for Positive Bernoulli and Poisson Variables

(1954). Tables of the Expected Value of 1/X for Positive Bernoulli and Poisson Variables. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 49, No. 265, pp. 169-177.
Package Model for Efficient Simulation, Design, and Characterization of High Performance Electronic Systems

As bit rates are approaching 10 Gbps with ever-increasing requirement for package performance, multi-layer FC-BGA package are gradually becoming a de facto for high performance system. Since the signal frequency is now in the range of noise generated by power plane resonances, it presents a major challenge to model the complex interaction between signal traces and power/ground planes. Any attempt to segment the package into smaller pieces to simplify the computation may compromise the accuracy, diminishing the resonance effect. Conversely, full package model created from field solver is impractical and too expensive to generate. This paper presents a methodology to unify signal and power integrity into a single simulation model derived from conventional signal and power integrity models. The proposed method utilizes piece-wise modeling approach to dissect the package structures into component models and unify them into a single simulation circuit. The proposed approach can be extended to full system simulation, resulting in fast computation for design space exploration where massive simulations are necessary
Cortical stimulation for the rehabilitation of patients with hemiparetic stroke: a multicenter feasibility study of safety and efficacy

Object In this prospective multicenter study the authors hypothesized that investigational epidural cortical stimulation (CS) delivered concurrently with rehabilitation therapy may enhance motor recovery following stroke. Methods Patients who had suffered their index stroke ≥ 4 months previously were randomized into 6 weeks of rehabilitation therapy with or without CS. Cortical stimulation, targeted by functional imaging, was delivered at ~ 50% of motor movement threshold. Primary outcome measures were Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer (UEFM [a measure of neurological and motor function]) and Arm Motor Ability Test (AMAT [a measure of activities of daily living]) scores. The primary study end point was 4 weeks following rehabilitation therapy. Results A total of 24 patients, 12 per group, completed the treatment protocol. The mean interval since the patients' index stroke was 33 months (range 4–100 months). There were no deaths or cases of neurological deterioration; 1 acute postoperative seizure occurred unrela...