cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using a conflict conceptual framework to describe challenges to coordinated patient care from the physicians' and pharmacists' perspective.

Abstract Background In an effort to increase cost-effectiveness of health care and reduce overall costs, patient-centered medical homes have been proposed to spur fundamental changes in the way primary care is delivered. One of the chief principles that describe a patient-centered medical home is that care is organized across all elements of the broader health care system, including community pharmacies. Objectives To identify and describe challenges derived from a conflict management framework to a physician–pharmacist approach to coordinating patient care. Methods A descriptive, exploratory, non-experimental study was conducted in Wisconsin (U.S. State) from June to December, 2011. Data were collected through two rounds of face-to-face interviews with physicians and community pharmacists. The first round involved one-on-one interviews with pharmacists and physicians. The second round brought pharmacist–physician dyads together in an open-ended interview exploring issues raised in the first round. Content analysis was guided by a conflict management conceptual framework using NVivo 10 qualitative software. Results A total of four major themes emerged from the conflict analysis of interviews that illustrate challenges to coordinated patient care: Scarce resources, technology design and usability, insurance constraints, and laws and policy governing patient care. The study findings indicate that both groups of health care professionals work within an environment of conflict and have to negotiate the challenges and strains that exist in the current health care system. Their need to work together, or interdependence, is primarily challenged by scarce resources and external interference. Conclusions Efforts to coordinate patient care through teams of inter-professional health care providers will be more successful if they acknowledge the inherent conflict that exists. Efforts should be made to provide an infrastructure for interdependence and to support interpersonal communication.
Approximation models of feed-forward G/G/1/N queueing networks with correlated arrivals

In this paper we develop approximation models for feed-forward networks of G/G/1/N queues. We use Linear Algebra Queueing Theory (LAQT) techniques to create reduced state space representations for the queue departure processes. Reduced state space departure processes are presented where the first three moments and the correlation decay are mapped to a two state process. A three state process is also presented matching the first five moments and the first three lag autocorrelations. Numerical examples of end-to-end performance for high-speed communications networks with correlated arrival traffic are presented. The results are compared with simulation models and other approximation methods.
Evaluation of a longitudinal medical school evidence-based medicine curriculum: a pilot study.

Background Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is increasingly taught in medical schools, but few curricula have been evaluated using validated instruments.
Escherichia coli Shapeshifters

Published ahead of print 29 March 2013 The views expressed in this Commentary do not necessarily reflect the views of the journal or of ASM.
Application of a 2-D atomic force microscope system to metrology

This paper describes a 2-D atomic force microprobe (AFM) system designed specifically for accurate submicron critical dimension (CD) metrology. The system includes 2-D AFM sensing, 3-D position interferometry with 1.25 nm sensitivity, and a special tip design. Unlike conventional AFM scanning systems, the system operates like a nanorobot moving from point to point under computer control and sensing surfaces without making contact. The system design, operating characteristics, and application to metrology are
Transport and turnover of dopamine- -hydroxylase (EC 1.14.2.1) in sympathetic nerves of the rat.

Axoplasmic transport of dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH), a marker enzyme for catecholamine storage vesicles, was studied in sympathetic nerves of the rat. At 24 h after ligation of the sciatic nerve, there was a marked accumulation of DBH activity in the first 3 mm proximal to the ligature. Immediately distal to the ligature, a slight accumulation took place. Accumulation proximal to the ligature was a linear function of time for at least 6 h; the velocity of transport was calculated as 4.6 mm/h. Local application of 1 ·l of 0.1 M colchicine, caused a rapid increase in DBH activity in superior cervical ganglia. This increase remained linear for 22 h and its rate indicated a turnover time of 12 h for DBH in these ganglia. After application of colchicine to the ganglia, there was a decrease in DBH activity in the submaxillary salivary glands. The initial rate of this decrease was less than the rate of increase in the ganglia and probably reflected the normal turnover of the enzyme. Our results indicated that the turnover time for DBH in salivary glands ranged between 3.6 and 6.3 days.
Simulated MR magnetic field induces steady-state changes in brain dynamics: Implications for interpretation of functional MR studies.

We examined whether a magnetic field comparable to one of the fields produced during MRI induced steady-state changes in brain electrical activity while the field was applied (called a presence effect to distinguish it from evoked potentials). The electroencephalogram was measured from standard scalp locations in the presence and absence of 100-200 μT, 60 Hz, and the effect of the field was evaluated by nonlinear (recurrence analysis) and linear techniques; individual subjects served as their own controls. Using recurrence analysis, changes in brain activity lasting 1 sec (the longest interval considered) were found in 21 of 22 subjects (P < 0.05 for each subject). The presence effect was not detected using linear analysis and was reversible, as indicated by a return of brain activity to baseline levels in all subjects within 2 sec of field offset. The possible role of artifacts or systematic errors was ruled out by studies using electrical phantoms and by analyses of electroencephalograms recorded during sham exposure. It is reasonable to expect that actual scanner magnetic fields also produce nonlinear steady-state perturbations of brain dynamical activity. The effect may influence the picture of brain connectivity inferred in some functional MR studies. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Autologous bone marrow support for submyeloablative chemotherapy dose intensification in canine lymphoma

Abstract We are studying the clinical utility of chemotherapy dose intensification in the submyeloablative range, using autologous bone marrow as support to prevent toxicity. Canine lymphoma (CL) is chemosensitive but relapses frequently, and serves as a comparative model for chemotherapy. We have treated CL using an experimental protocol based on a standard dose CL protocol followed by escalating cyclophosphamide (CXN) with autologous marrow support. The escalation uses cohorts of 3 dogs, beginning at 300 mg/m 2 IV CXN (standard canine dose is 200 mg/m 2 ). Pet dogs with CL receive standard chemotherapy for remission induction, followed by recombinant canine G-CSF (Amgen, Inc.), then marrow is harvested and cryopreserved. Dogs then receive a single high dose of CXN with mesna, and marrow re-infusion on an outpatient basis; oral antibiotics are given until recovery. Three cohorts of escalation are complete with a fourth underway. The current dose of CXN is 500 mg/m 2 . No dog has been hospitalized for treatment-related toxicity. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia but no fever, sepsis, or bleeding have occurred. A schedule effect has been observed, indicating that re-infusion of marrow at 48 and 96 hours post-CXN is more protective than one infusion at 48 hours. Using mesna and autologous marrow, the standard canine CXN dose can be more than doubled. The median remission is approximately 10% longer than that of historical controls.
High throughput physicochemical profiling for drug discovery

The drug development bottlenecks of attrition and development time are being addressed by acquiring a profile of the candidate's physicochemical and physiological properties during early discovery phases. This information assists selection and optimization of pharmaceutical properties in parallel with activity. High throughput methods to measure the properties: solubility, permeability, lipophilicity, pKa, stability and integrity are described and compared in this article. The underlying discovery requirements, needs and application strategies are discussed.
The role of marriage rules in the structure of genetic relatedness

In this work, we take a forward in time approach to compute the probabilities of non-identity by descent for a population consisting of n sections obeying one of a class of marriage rules that is invariant under cyclical relabeling of sections. A perturbation method allows for exact asymptotics using the reciprocal of the section population as a small parameter. The analysis yields relatedness measures that generalize Wright's F-statistics.
Testing for dependence between failure time and visit compliance with interval-censored data

Interval-censored failure-time data arise when subjects miss prescheduled visits at which the failure is to be assessed. The resulting intervals in which the failure is known to have occurred are overlapping. Most approaches to the analysis of these data assume that the visit-compliance process is ignorable with respect to likelihood analysis of the failure-time distribution. While this assumption offers considerable simplification, it is not always plausible. Here we test for dependence between the failure- and visit-compliance processes, applicable to studies in which data collection continues after the occurrence of the failure. We do not make any of the assumptions made by previous authors about the joint distribution of the visit-compliance process, a covariate process, and the failure time. Instead, we consider conditional models of the true failure history given the current visit compliance at each visit time, allowing for correlation across visit times. Because failure status is not known at some visit times due to missed visits, only models of the observed failure history given current visit compliance are estimable. We describe how the parameters from these models can be used to test for a negative association and how bounds on unestimable parameters provided by the observed data are needed additionally to infer a positive association. We illustrate the method with data from an AIDS study and we investigate the power of the test through a simulation study.
CYTOLOGICAL STUDIES OF OEDOGONIUM. II. CHROMOSOME NUMBERS IN TWELVE SPECIES OF OEDOGONIUM

THE NUMBER of validly deser bed species of Oedogonium presently exceeds 475. From this large group chromosome numbers have been determined for only 11 identified species. This, of course, represents insufficient information to determine clearly the limits of cytological diversity that might exist among this large number of species and is totally inadequate to establish group affinities based on chromosome number and morphology. The present investigation was undertaken as a contribution toward the eventual goal of determining the cytological trends within the genus Oedogoninm. The earliest chromosome count in Oedogonium was obtained by van Wisselingh (1908) for Oe. cyathigerum (n = 19). Since this early work, counts
Motor Activity and Screening for Neurotoxicity

Automated measures of motor activity have been used extensively to determine the functional impact of a wide range of chemical exposures, nervous system alterations, and environmental manipulations. The many factors that recommend motor activity for the routine preliminary assessment (screening) of the neurotoxic potential of chemicals include its noninvasive nature, ease of testing, availability of automated test equipment, and objectivity of the data. In this article, measures of motor activity were evaluated for their reliability, sensitivity, efficiency, and specificity. Motor activity measures were shown to be highly reliable both between subjects comprising a control group and across experimental control group replications. The sensitivity of motor activity measures generally is comparable to more sophisticated measures of neurobehavioral integrity, whereas their efficiency is characteristically superior. Although some questions may remain concerning the specificity of motor activity measures, data ...
Bonding interactions in Ag+(O2)n and Ag2+(O2)n clusters: experiment and theory

Abstract Equilibrium methods were used to measure binding energies and entropies for the attachment of up to four O2 ligands to ground-state Ag+( 1 S , 4d10) and for the attachment of up to three O2 ligands to ground-state Ag2+( 2 Σ g , 4d20 σ(5s)1). Bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of the first three O2 ligands from Ag+(O2)n are 6.9, 7.4, and 5.5 kcal/mol for n=1–3, respectively, with the BDE of the fourth ligand estimated to be 4.8 kcal/mol. BDEs of the first and second O2 ligands from Ag2+(O2)n are 4.5 and 4.2 kcal/mol, respectively, with the BDE of the third ligand estimated to be 3.5 kcal/mol. All of the observed attachments of O2 ligands to both the monomer and dimer Ag core ions were within the first solvation shell. Theoretical calculations at the DFT-B3LYP level were done on all of the observed Ag+ and Ag2+ clusters in order to determine the vibrational frequencies and geometries and to examine the origin of the bonding and its variation with core ion coordination. Comparisons are made with the Cu+(H2)n and Cu2+(H2)n systems.
Nb3Sn Conductors for AC Power Transmission: Electrical and Mechanical Characteristics

For several years work has been under way at Brookhaven National Laboratory to develop an ac superconducting power transmission line. The current design considers a flexible, force-cooled cable using Nb3Sn superconducting tapes wound in the form of a double helix [1]. Although Nb3Sn can now be fabricated with the low ac losses required for ac power transmission [2–5], the task of effectively incorporating this compound in a conductor to be wound in a coaxial cable remains. Conductor designs which incorporate a thin Nb tape (∼20 µm thick) reacted to form Nb3Sn layers on each side (∼5 µm each) have been described in a recent review article [2]. The Nb3Sn-Nb-Nb3Sn composite is clad either symmetrically with ∼30 µm of copper on each side or asymmetrically with ∼50 µm copper on one side and ∼20 µm stainless steel on the other. The copper is required for stabilization and the stainless steel provides additional strength which may be required during cable winding, handling, and cooldown.
Milrinone in the treatment of chronic cardiac failure: a controlled trial.

Abstract This study examines the acute hemodynamic response to intravenous and oral milrinone in 12 patients with moderate to moderately severe heart failure. The patients received milrinone or placebo at random in an 8-week double-blind trial. Dosing level and schedule were determined by the hemodynamic results. Acute and chronic plasma samples for milrinone concentration were drawn from patients throughout the study. Milrinone was administered intravenously in successive doses of 25, 50, and 75 μg/kg. This resulted in a 16.5%, 12.5%, and 28.4% peak increase in cardiac index, with a concomitant 24%, 29%, and 38% decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. There were no significant relationships between any of the mean maximal hemodynamic values and milrinone plasma concentration. Six patients received milrinone and six patients received placebo; only five patients completed the blinded phase. There was no significant difference between the groups in exercise capacity, but the conditions of five of the six patients who received placebo deteriorated. In two of the patients who received milrinone the aerobic capacity improved >2 cc/min/kg over baseline, and an additional two patients reported a marked subjective improvement. The results of this study indicate that oral milrinone in the management of patients with chronic cardiac failure would justify larger controlled studies.
On the nearly nonstationary seasonal time series

A time series is said to be nearly nonstationary if some of its characteristic roots are close to the unit circle. For a seasonal time series, such a notion of near-nonstationarity is studied in a double-array setting. This approach not only furnishes a natural transition between stationarity and nonstationarity, but also unifies the corresponding asymptotic theories in a seasonal-time-series context. The general theory is expressed in terms of functionals of independent diffusion processes. The asymptotic results have applications to estimation and testing in a nearly nonstationary situation and serve as a useful alternative to the common practice of seasonal adjustment. Une serie chronologique est dite presque non stationnaire si certaines des racines de son polynǒme caracteristique sont proches du cercle unite. Une telle notion de presque non stationnarite est considered pour une serie chronologique saisonniere. Cette approche permet non seulement une transition naturelle entre stationnarite et non stationnarite, mais aussi unifie les theories asymptotiques correspondantes. La theorie generale est exprimee en termes de fonctionnelles de processus de diffusion independants. Les resultats asymptotiques trouvent des applications a ľestimation et aux tests dans une situation de presque non stationnarite. Ils fournissent aussi une alternative a ľajustement saisonnier habituellement utlise.
TECH PREP AT THE CROSSROADS

A decade has passed since the publication of Parnell's (1985) book The Neglected Majority, which stressed the need to provide a linkage system to better articulate secondary and postsecondary technical education. Initial strides in generating the “tech prep system” have begun to slow down. The slackened pace has resulted from, among other factors, a failure to adequately define the system that constitutes tech prep. This article discusses 11 problems that have proved to be obstacles in moving tech prep forward. The article also offers a model that can be construed as a tech prep product that can be marketed much as a college transfer program is marketed. The product, however, is actually an array of products constituting a system, the contents of which vary from place to place. The model is divided into both secondary and postsecondary components, and each set of components is explained. The secondary component is further explained in terms of a core component and a suggested component. The article also i...
Nonlinear robust industrial robot control

Manufacturing tasks often require short cycle time and consistent quality. To meet these demands, a robot control system must achieve fast and precise robot position control, and/or maintain proper force control at the robot's end-effector. Many control schemes were proposed in the literature for robot position control formulated in either joint or cartesian coordinates. Some robot control schemes were also proposed for hybrid (force and position) control in the cartesian coordinate. Nevertheless, when uncertainties such as modeling errors or unknown external disturbances exist, performance of these schemes substantially degrades. This dissertation proposes a nonlinear robust control methodology for robot control under the influence of uncertainties. The control input consists of a nonlinear part and a linear part. The nonlinear part decouples a robot dynamics and obtains a set of equations in joint or hand coordinates. The linear part utilizes robust servo-mechanism theory to suppress position or force tracking error in each respective coordinate. Based on this nonlinear robust control concept, the following schemes for robust robot control are proposed: (1) A nonlinear robust control scheme for robot position control in joint coordinates. (2) A nonlinear robust control scheme for robot position control in cartesian coordinates. (3) A nonlinear robust control scheme for robot hybrid control in cartesian coordinates. These nonlinear robust control schemes were applied to a two-joint SCARA-type robot through computer simulation. The results demonstrate that these schemes exhibit excellent robustness properties and can achieve satisfactory robot position or force control under severe modeling errors.
Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of right and left ventricular diastolic function in normal neonates.

Abstract Doppler echocardiograms of the tricuspid and mitral valves were recorded along with the electrocardiogram and respiration in 22 normal full-term neonates. A computer-interfaced digitizer pad was utilized to measure the following: peak E and A velocities (cm/s); E and A areas (the components of the total velocity-time integral in the early passive period of ventricular filling [E] and the late active period of atrial emptying [A], respectively) and the 1/3 area fraction (or the proportion of filling in the first 1/3 of diastole). All of the variables of right (tricuspid) versus left (mitral) ventricular filling were significantly different on the 1st day of life. Respective values were peak E velocity (cm/s) 44.6 ± 10.0 (tricuspid) versus 53.2 ± 9.3 (mitral), p Doppler-determined diastolic function in neonates is significantly different for the right and left ventricle, particularly on the 1st day of life. The pattern of right ventricular diastolic function is characterized by a reduction in early passive filling, with a greater dependence on atrial contraction for right ventricular filling. These changes may reflect reduced right ventricular compliance as a result of intrauterine dominance.
The Roles of Individual γ-Carboxyglutamate Residues in the Solution Structure and Cation-dependent Properties of Conantokin-T

Abstract The solution structure of the Ca2+-loaded conantokin-T (con-T), a γ-carboxyglutamate (Gla)-containing 21-residue peptide (NH2-G1EγγY5QKMLγ10NLRγA15EVKKN20A-CONH2,γ = Gla), has been elucidated by use of distance geometry calculations with experimental distances derived from two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy. An end-to-end α-helix was the dominant conformation in solution, similar to that of apo-con-T, except that reorientation of several side chains occurred in the Ca2+-coordinated complex. The most notable examples of this were those of Gla10 and Gla14, which were more optimally positioned for complexation with Ca2+. In addition to the stabilization offered to the α-helix by Ca2+ binding, hydrophobic clustering of the side chains of Tyr5, Met8, Leu9, and Leu12, and ionic interactions between Lys7 and Gla3/Gla10 and between Arg13 and Gla14, along with hydrogen bonding between Gln6and Gla10, were among the side chain interactions likely playing a significant role in maintenance of the α-helical conformation. Docking of Ca2+ in the con-T structure was accomplished using genetic algorithm-molecular dynamics simulation approaches. The results showed that one Ca2+ ion is most likely coordinated by four side chain oxygen atoms, two each from Gla10 and Gla14. Another bound Ca2+ion has as its donor sites three oxygen atoms, two from Gla3 and one from Gln6. To examine the functional roles of the individual Gla residues, a series of variant peptides have been synthesized with Ala substituted for each Gla residue, and several properties of the resulting variants have been examined. The data obtained demonstrated the importance of Gla10 and Gla14 in stabilizing binding of the highest affinity Ca2+ site and in governing the conformational change induced by Ca2+. The critical nature of Gla3 and Gla4 in inhibition of the spermine-induced potentiation of the binding of MK-801 to open ion channels of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor was established, as well as the role of Gla4 in stabilizing the apo-con-T α-helical conformation.
Liver not making hepcidin? Hemochromatosis!

In this issue of Blood, Zumerle et al elegantly demonstrate that hepatocytes are the key site of synthesis of hepcidin, a central regulator of iron homeostasis deficient or aberrantly expressed in hereditary hemochromatosis, β-thalassemia, anemia of inflammation, and other iron-related conditions.1
Glucagon lowers canine biliary cholesterol output at physiologic doses

Pharmacologic doses of glucagon affect canine bile secretion by increasing bile flow while simultaneously decreasing biliary cholesterol output. The present study was performed to determine if physiologic doses of glucagon reduce biliary cholesterol output. Awake dogs received both intravenous 1% sodium taurocholate (50 ml/hr) to stabilize bile flow and somatostatin (12 μg/kg/hr) to suppress endogenous pancreatic hormone release. Suppression was documented by significant decreases in portal plasma glucagon and insulin levels. During experimental trials, dogs received, in addition, glucagon (5 ng/kg/min) infused via a splenic vein catheter. Bile flow significantly decreased during the initial hour of somatostatin infusion but increased significantly only in experimental trials during subsequent glucagon infusion. Biliary cholesterol output showed no change during control studies (N=9), but decreased significantly during glucagon infusion studies (N=11). Biliary phospholipids and bile salts failed to show any changes during glucagon infusion. These data demonstrate that glucagon at physiologic levels influences both the volume and cholesterol content of bile and suggest the mechanism of decreasing cholesterol output must be independent of pathways for influencing bile salt or phospholipid secretion.
African American Identity and a Theory for Primary Cultural Instructional Design

This article is on the strange confluence of culture, identity, learning, and systemic design. We argue that the work of instructional design is, essentially, work on culture and identity. A person's culture and identity fully and inextricably situate their thought, action, and interaction. For this reason, this inherent situatedness of culture and identity must be explored by those who endeavor to do instructional design work. Instructional designers must be able to navigate the complex and treacherous waters of culture and identity in order to create effective and appropriate designs for learning. Here we take on the particular case of African American learners. We argue for the empirically verifiable existence of three identity types of African Americans and we suggest that design work should target learners displaying one of these identity types, referred to here as primary cultural. In this way, this article may be seen as exploring the problem of constructing theory on primary cultural instructional...
Dis-embedded centers and architecture of power in the fringes of the Inka empire: New perspectives on territorial and hegemonic strategies of domination

Empires were expansive polities based on the extraction of resources and economic surplus from subdued territories and people through a range of strategies of domination. Based on research on Oroncota in the Southeastern Inka region, this article presents evidence from architecture, settlement shifts, storage capacity and artifacts distribution, to illustrate the mechanics of dis-embedded Inka imperial centers. As an alternative form of control in the territorial and hegemonic spectrum, this research focuses on the nature and evolution of Inka dis-embedded centers as an alternative form of provincial control based on the use of architecture of power.
Yield and functionality of Cheddar cheese as influenced by homogenization of cream

Cheese milk was standardized (casein-to-fat ratio of 0.7) by blending 0.64% fat milk and 35% fat cream. Cream was homogenized at 0/0 MPa (CO), 3.5/3.5 MPa (H05), 6.9/3.5 MPa (H10) or 10.4/3.5 MPa (H15). Cream homogenization did not influence rennet-clotting time, but it increased rate of curd firming and increased curd firmness of cheese milk. Moisture and salt in moisture phase of cheese increased with homogenization. Moisture (37%) and salt (1.5%) adjusted yield increased 1.42, 3.44 and 3.85% in H05, H10 and H15, respectively, over CO. Homogenized treatment cheeses melted faster with age. Free oil in 1 week old cheeses was lowest in H10 and highest in H05 and increased in all treatments with age. Cheese hardness was not influenced by homogenization but decreased with age. Cheeses with homogenized cream had improved body and texture and flavor. Cream homogenized at 6.9/3.5 MPa was optimal for enhancing Cheddar cheese yield and functionality.
STUDIES OF THE ROLE OF CATALYTIC AND CONFORMATIONAL METALS IN PRODUCING ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY IN YEAST ENOLASE

Abstract Spectrophotometric titrations of yeast apoenolase with magnesium, the metal that produces the highest level of activity, nickel, which produces a very low level, and calcium, which produces no activity, suggest strong binding of 2 mol (1 per subunit) of all three metals at the same sites, called “conformational” sites. About two-thirds of the possible absorbance change in the chromophoric competitive inhibitor 3-aminoenolpyruvate-2-phosphate (AEP) that occurs when it binds to the enzyme in the presence of saturating levels of magnesium is produced when just 2 mol (1 per subunit) of magnesium is added. Since additional “catalytic” metal won't bind unless the AEP does, and the AEP won't bind unless the “conformational” sites are filled with metal, much of the absorbance change in the AEP must be produced by conformational metal. Metals that do not produce enzymatic activity do not produce the absorbance change in AEP whereas metals that permit any level of enzymatic activity produce the same absorbance change that magnesium does-the reaction is “all or none.” Studies of the effect of calcium, nickel, and magnesium on the CD spectrum of apoenzyme-AEP solutions suggest that activating metals produce an asymmetric chromophore in the AEP. This is interprested as indicating the chromophore in AEP bound to enzyme in the presence of an activating metal is a twisted carbon-carbon double bond. Calorimetric studies show the competitive inhibitor 3-phosphoglycerate binds to the calcium- and magnesium-enzyme with about the same change in enthalpy. The substrate or AEP reduces the rate of the apparent reaction of the calcium- or magnesium-enzyme with excess EDTA, suggesting that both substrate and AEP bind to the calcium-enzyme. The interpretation of these data is that the conformational metal plays a crucial role in activating the substrate while the catalytic metal controls the reaction rate. This interpretation is supported by experiments in which an enzyme with one type of conformational metal is reacted in the stopped-flow with catalytic metal and substrate. If an activating metal is the conformational metal, the initial activity is greater.
Myogenic cytodifferentiation of the precardiac mesoderm in the rat

Abstract The contractile cells of the primitive heart are derived from a subpopulation of the lateral plate splanchnic mesoderm. While the formation of the cardiac primordia has been studied in the avian embryo, little is known about this cell population in the mammal. To investigate the distribution and cellular differentiation of the myocardial precursors in the early mammalian embryo, we studied the sequential immunohistochemical appearance of desmin and myosin in whole mounts of rat embryos from the presomite (gestational day 9) through the 6–8 somite, straight heart tube (gestational day 10) stages of early cardiac morphogenesis. In contrast to the chicken, and previous reports in the mouse, our results show that myogenic differentiation of the muscle precursor cells of the heart begins in the presomite embryo prior to formation of the anterior intestinal portal or foregut. In addition, this cell population of the precardiac mesoderm appears as a single crescent-shaped population of cells in continuity across the midline which extends caudally during development and then fuses in the midline to form the primitive heart tube. Unlike skeletal myogenesis, desmin and myosin appear simultaneously and are codistributed throughout this initial period of heart development. These results suggest that myocardial differentiation in the rat is precocious when compared to the chicken and precedes the morphogenetic processes involved in formation of the primitive heart tube. Furthermore, this study provides the first description in the mammal of the spatial distribution of the myogenic precardiac mesoderm.
Social Networks and Health: Impact on Returning Home After Entry into Residential Care Homes

This research extends the study of social network analysis and labeling theories into the context of residential care homes (RCHs). Findings suggest that: (1) when members of intense social networks decide to move elderly persons into RCHs, placement is truly needed and (2) although the likelihood of returning home from RCHs is affected by sociocultural characteristics, the functional and cognitive status of the resident are of primary importance.
Neurotoxicity of halogenated phenylacetylureas is linked to abnormal onset of rapid axonal transport.

Abstract A structure-activity study was performed to investigate the mechanism of neurotoxicity induced in rats by treatment with p -bromophenylacetylurea (BPAU). Phenylacetylurea and 7 derivatives were tested for their ability to induce hindlimb weakness after twice weekly administration in doses of 200 mg/kg, up to a cumulative maximum of 2000 mg/kg. In this test, BPAU and its chloro-analog were about equipotent, but none of the other analogs displayed any evidence of neurotoxicity. Since BPAU toxicity was believed to involve abnormalities in rapid axonal transport, selected analogs were examined in a transport experiment. None of the compounds led to alterations in the maximal rate of rapid anterograde transport, as measured after intraspinal injections of [ 35 S]methionine in rats treated with 400 mg/kg of toxicant, 7 days earlier. However, both BPAU and its chloro- analog caused marked shortening of the delay between isotope injection and transport onset, an effect not seen with either of the two non-neurotoxic analogs tested. It is hypothesized that the accelerated transport onset is a key step in development of the neuropathy, possibly causing organelle abnormalities that interfere with turnaround and recirculation of transported particles.
Metallothionein accumulation in response to cadmium in a clonal rat liver cell line

Abstract RLC cells, a clonal line of cells derived from rat liver, accumulate 109Cd in a unique bound form in response to exposure to Cd2+. Cadmium administration also causes increased incorporation of [35S]cystine into a chromatographically distinct macromolecule. The 109Cd-binding activity and the macromolecule preferentially labeled by [35S]cystine cochromatograph both on gel filtration and ion exchange columns. In addition, the Cd2+ responsive [3H]cystine-labeled moiety of RLC cells cochromatographs in both systems with rat liver [35S]cystine metallothionein labeled in response to Cd2+ challenge in vivo. These data suggest that RLC cells are able to accumulate authentic metallothionein in culture in response to Cd2+ challenge. Time course and concentration data for metallothionein accumulation and labeling with 109Cd and [35S]cystine are presented. RLC cells in culture appear to be able to accumulate Cd2+ into metallothionein at a rate comparable to rat liver tissue in vivo when both systems are maximally activated.
A thrombogenic uterine pack for postpartum hemorrhage.

Background: A low-lying placenta or placenta previa is frequently associated with postpartum hemorrhage from a low implantation site. We describe the successful use of a thrombin-soaked uterine pack for this condition. Case: A 30-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 0-0-2-0, had placenta previa diagnosed by ultrasound at 26 weeks' gestation. A repeat examination at 35 weeks demonstrated a low-lying placenta. The patient had an uncomplicated intrapartum course and was delivered by vacuum extraction, but excessive vaginal bleeding was noted 3 hours after spontaneous delivery of the placenta. Oxytocin, prostaglandin, and uterine curettage failed to control the hemorrhage. In an attempt to avoid laparotomy, we placed a thrombin-soaked uterine pack over the bleeding site. There was minimal vaginal bleeding during the following 8 hours, so the pack was removed. The patient had no further complications and was released 3 days after delivery. Conclusion: A thrombin-soaked uterine pack may successfully control lower uterine segment bleeding following delivery of a patient with a low-lying placenta. This technique offers the obstetrician another treatment option in selected cases of postpartum hemorrhage.
Research utilization: Reaching decision makers

Abstract “Is anyone listening?” is the question behind a decade of radio probing of deep space. It is also the question which haunts many researchers of social policy issues. We introduce our subject with a recent example of a clear response to a research “probe” in youth services policy space. It is also an unusually successful case of researchers “reaching” policy makers.
The impact of loyalty with e‐CRM software and e‐services

E‐service is a critical strategic marketing consideration today for many firms, based largely on the promise of more cost‐effective models of self‐service relative to large (and expensive) call centers for technical support and customer service. The rapidly emerging electronic customer relationship management (e‐CRM) industry provides the primary tools for implementing e‐service. Interestingly, the e‐CRM industry faces the same challenges and strategic marketing considerations as their organizational customers, in that they must deliver exceptional service and support to the companies purchasing/using e‐CRM software. A review of organizational mission/vision statements suggests that e‐CRM companies are generally positioning themselves as exemplars of customer satisfaction provision and relationship management. However, recent industry analysis suggests that their organizational customers generally report low to ambivalent ratings on customer satisfaction measures (our study also supports these findings). This discrepancy could be partly attributed to very little empirical inquiry having appeared to date to assess the efficacy of existing relationship marketing theories within this fast‐moving industry. The current study provides an exploratory investigation that looks at the well‐established (in other marketing settings) relative influences of quality, customer satisfaction, and loyalty in the formation of future purchase intentions and word‐of‐mouth behaviors within the e‐CRM industry. Concludes that e‐CRM marketers must first identify means of increasing the overall level of customer satisfaction within their industry, and then begin to consider moving beyond customer satisfaction toward broader loyalty‐based strategic marketing objectives to support their relationship marketing practices. Practitioner and research implications of the reported study are discussed.
Accessing extended and partially fused hexabenzocoronenes using a benzannulation–cyclodehydrogenation approach

A rapid and efficient approach to prepare extended or partially fused hexabenzocoronene derivatives is described. The method is based on the sequential benzannulation and cyclodehydrogenation (Scholl oxidation) of simple diaryl alkynes. The benzannulation reaction proceeds efficiently on highly congested substrates and with complete regioselectivity. Scholl oxidation of the resulting oligo(arylene)s proceeds without rearrangements and provides either fully fused or specific partially fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon products. The partially fused derivatives are a new class of contorted aromatic systems with high solubility, enhanced visible absorption, and reversible redox processes. The efficiency and specificity of the benzannulation and oxidation reactions are promising for accessing new classes of organic semiconductors and carbon nanostructures.
Activation of CH4, C2H6, and C3H8 by gas-phase Nb+ and the thermochemistry of Nb–ligand complexes

Abstract The kinetic energy dependence of the reactions of Nb+ (5D) with methane, ethane, and propane have been studied using guided ion beam mass spectrometry. It is found that dehydrogenation is efficient and the dominant process at low energies in all three reaction systems. At high energies, products resulting from both C–H and C–C cleavage processes are appreciable. The observation of dihydride and hydrido-methyl niobium cation products provides insight into the reaction mechanisms operating in these processes. The results for Nb+ are compared with those for the first-row transition metal congener V+ and the differences in behavior and mechanism discussed. Modeling of the endothermic reaction cross sections yields the 0 K bond dissociation energies (in electron volts) of D0(Nb–H) > 2.3 ± 0.1, D0(Nb+–2H) = 4.64 ± 0.06, D0(Nb+–C) = 5.28 ± 0.15, D0(Nb+–CH) = 6.02 ± 0.20, D0(Nb+–CH2) = 4.44 ± 0.09, D0(Nb+–CH3) = 2.06 ± 0.11, D0[Nb+–(H)(CH3)] = 4.78 ± 0.11, D0(Nb+–C2H) = 4.34 ± 0.19, D0(Nb+–C2H2) = 2.90 ± 0.06, D0(Nb+–C2H3) = 3.43 ± 0.21, D0(Nb+–C2H4) = 2.8 ± 0.3, D0(Nb+–C2H5) = 2.45 ± 0.12, D0(Nb+–C3H2) = 5.25 ± 0.19, and lower limits for D0(Nb+–C3H3) ≥ 3.76 ± 0.23 and D0(Nb+–C3H5) ≥ 1.4 ± 0.1. The observation of exothermic processes sets lower limits for the bond energies of Nb+ to propyne and propene of 2.84 and 1.22 eV, respectively.
On/off control of a modular DC-DC converter based on active-clamp LLC modules

This paper studies on/off control of a dc-dc system that contains multiple active-clamp LLC resonant modules operating in parallel. The architecture and the on/off control method yield high overall efficiency and fast transient responses. Two converter models are introduced for different purposes: (1) a high-frequency model to determine a gate timing sequence that enables fast on/off control, and (2) an averaged model to assist in the system control loop design. The models and the on/off control method are verified by experiments on a 1 MHz, 24 V-to-3.3 V, 5.5 W active-clamp LLC module prototype. The performance of PI and PID system controllers is analyzed and compared by simulations of a twenty-module system.
Coagulase-negative Staphylococci—Saphrophyte or Parasite?

Etude de la pathogenicite de staphylococcus epidermitis et du staphylocoque dore qui sont des saprophytes de la microflore cutanee mais peuvent parfois diminuer la barriere cutanee dermique et l'immunite de l'hote
Metabolic Cage Isolation Reduces Antipyrine Clearance in Rats

Rats are commonly isolated individually in cages during pharmacokinetic studies. However, isolation-induced changes in drug disposition are not commonly examined. Antipyrine is a marker of hepatic oxidative function and total body water. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of individual housing on antipyrine pharmacokinetics. Rats were individually housed in either standard polycarbonate boxes (n = 8) or metabolic cages (n = 10). On day 1 and day 9 rats were administered a single intravenous bolus injection of antipyrine 20 mg kg-1. Blood samples (100 microL) were obtained before and at 20, 40, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 min following the administration of the dose. Rats remained in their respective cages between evaluations. Serum antipyrine concentrations were determined by capillary electrophoresis. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by model-independent methods. Antipyrine clearance was reduced by 38.4% in rats isolated in metabolic cages for eight days (P = 0.013) while the volume of distribution remained unchanged in both rat groups. These data suggest that the isolation of rats in metabolic cage systems may markedly alter the pharmacokinetics of xenobiotics, thus possibly masking experimental outcome.
Synthesis of [14C] labeled 2‐methoxypyrimidine‐5‐carboxylic acid

A versatile method for 14C labeling of 2-methoxypyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid at the 2-position has been developed after encountering difficulties with traditional approaches to label the carboxyl function. The method developed can also be used for 14C labeling other positions of the pyrimidine ring system. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct molecular NVT simulation of the isobaric heat capacity, speed of sound and Joule–Thomson coefficient

Explicit statistical analogues are given for the isobaric heat capacity, the speed of sound and the Joule–Thomson coefficient in the canonical ensemble. The results can directly serve as rigorous measuring prescriptions in existing molecular NVT simulation codes.
Uptake of radioactive sulfur by chondrosarcomas in man.

SummaryTwo patients with chondrosarcomas Received respectively 6.7 and 2.9 millicuries of S-35 as sodium sulfate. Tissue samples were obtained at operations and at necropsy several days after the injection and were analyzed for S-35 content. The highest concentrations of isotope were found in the chondrosarcomas. Progressively smaller amounts were found in other tissues in the sequence: cartilage, bone marrow, spleen, kidney, skin, liver, bone, adipose tissue, and muscle. Radioautographs indicated maximum concentration in the growing portions of the chondrosarcoma and in those containing abundant ground substance. The findings are discussed in relation to the possibility of diagnostic or therapeutic applications.
Governing public servants

The Foucauldian genre of governmentality studies has provided a number of insightful, historically informed analyses of relevance to organization and management studies. Yet sympathetic criticism h...
Scaling laws in the vortex lattice model of turbulence

The lattice vortex model of the intertial range in turbulence theory is reviewed; the model consists of an array of vortex tubes whose axes coincide with the bonds on a regular lattice, subjected to random stretching and successive scaling, and constrained by conservation laws for energy, specific volume, circulation, helicity, and an energy/vorticity relation. The scaling laws for vorticity are examined in detail, a Hausdorff dimension for the “active” portion of the vortex array is calculated, the origin of intermittency is exhibited, and it is pointed out that the Kolmogorov — 5/3 power law already accounts for intermittency effects.
Heavy quark correlations in e+ e- annihilations

In heavy quark jets the quark mass acts as a regulator of collinear singularities, making the quark momentum an infra-red safe variable in perturbative QCD. This allows a direct comparison of measured heavy hadron momentum spectra with perturbative calculations. We exploit the factorisation of heavy quark fragmentation to derive QCD predictions for momentum correlations between heavy hadrons produced ine+e− annihilations. We study the practical feasibility and model sensitivity of our approach using Monte Carlo simulations. Higher order perturbative corrections and contributions from non-perturbative effects are found to be at the level of 10%.
Self-consciousness moderates the relationship between perceived norms and drinking in college students

The current research examines whether self-consciousness subscales have prognostic value in the relationship between perceived norms and drinking and if that differs among college men and women. Results indicate that self-consciousness moderates gender differences in the relationship between perceived social norms and drinking. A strong positive relationship was found between perceived norms (descriptive and injunctive) and drinking for men relative to women and this was more pronounced among individuals who were lower in public self-consciousness. Similarly, the relationship between perceived injunctive norms and drinking was significantly stronger among men than women and this was more pronounced among individuals who were higher in private self-consciousness or social anxiety. These results highlight the important influence of social factors in salient peer reference groups. This is promising information for future research attempting to identify useful indicators of candidates who would most benefit from social norms interventions. This also underscores the relevance of future norms based interventions using self-consciousness as a potential moderator of intervention efficacy.