cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Pharmaceutical Firm Enticements on Physician Prescribing Patterns: There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

We examined the impact on physician prescribing patterns of pharmaceutical firms offering all-expenses-paid trips to popular sunbelt vacation sites to attend symposia sponsored by a pharmaceutical company. The impact was assessed by tracking the pharmacy inventory usage reports for two drugs before and after the symposia. Both drugs were available only as intravenous preparations and could be used only on hospitalized patients. The usage patterns were tracked for 22 months preceding each symposium and for 17 months after each symposium. Ten physicians invited to each symposium were interviewed about the likelihood that such an enticement would affect their prescribing patterns. A significant increase in the prescribing pattern of both drugs occurred following the symposia. The usage of drug A increased from a mean of 81 ± 44 units before the symposium to a mean of 272 ± 117 after the symposium (p (Chest 1992; 102:270–73)
Genotoxicity of fluoroquinolines and methyiquinolines

Quinoline in the presence of microsomal activation exhibits mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and induces unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in rat hepatocytes. Structure-activity studies were performed to determine those positions on quinoline critically associated with its genotoxicity. In assays performed to determine the ability of 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-methylquinoline to induce UDS, only 4- and 8-methylquinoline produced a positive response. This represents an improved correlation for these methylquinolines with tumorigenic activity as compared to that previously observed with mutagenic activity in S. typhimurium TA100. The complete isomeric series of fluoroquinolines were evaluated as mutagens in S. typhimurium TA100 and for their potential to induce UDS in rat hepatocytes. The only isomers that did not exhibit significant mutagenic activity were 2- and 3-fluoroquinoline. Among these isomeric fluoroquinolines 5-, 6-, 7- and 8-fluoroquinoline are capable of inducing UDS. No significant effect on UDS was observed for 2-, 3- or 4-fluoroquinoline. These data indicate that positions 1-3 in quinoline are critical sites associated with its genotoxicity.
Chemical Aspects of Propranolol Metabolism: 1,1-Diethoxy-3-(1-naphthoxy)-2-propanol and Related Ring-Closure Products cis- and trans-4-Ethoxy-3-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran

□ 1,1-Diethoxy-3-(1-naphthoxy)-2-propanol (V), the diethyl acetal of an important aldehyde intermediate in the metabolic N-deal-kylation of propranolol, was prepared from compound X, the product of the reaction of the lithium salt of methyl methylsulfinylmethyl sulfide with 2-(l-naphthoxy)-acetaldehyde. Compound X, as a mixture of three diastereomeric α-hydroxydithioacetal derivatives, when treated with ethyl orthoformate afforded the desired acetal V as well as two ring-closure products, the dihydronaphtho[l,2-b]pyrans VI and VII. Compounds VI and VII were characterized on the basis of mass spectral and 1H- and I3C-NMR data. The stereochemistry of these compounds was assigned on the basis of the 300-MHz 1H-NMR spectra of their acetate esters (XI and XII).
The anachronistic anarchist

Rejetant les objections anti-philosophiques, anti-rationnelles et anti-scientifiques opposees a P. Feyerabend, l'A. montre que la cle pour la comprehension de l'oeuvre du penseur provocateur et anarchiste reside dans sa critique de la methode scientifique et dans sa defense du pragmatisme realiste developpe par Peirce
Tissue oxygen tension during regional low-flow perfusion in neonates.

Abstract Objective: We examined cerebral cortical and peripheral organ tissue Po 2 values in a neonatal piglet model of regional low-flow perfusion. Methods: Twenty-one neonatal piglets were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass, were cooled to 18°C, then underwent either deep hypothermic circulatory arrest or regional low-flow perfusion at 20 or 40 mL/(kg × min) for 90 minutes. Regional low-flow perfusion was carried out by advancing the aortic cannula into the proximal innominate artery. Tissue mean Po 2 and Po 2 distribution were measured in the cerebral cortex, liver, small bowel, and skeletal muscle through the principle of oxygen-dependent quenching of phosphorescence. Measured quantities were compared by analysis of variance or the Fisher exact test. Results: During regional low-flow perfusion, axillary and femoral arterial pressures, respectively, were 55 ± 15 and 8 ± 4 mm Hg at 40 mL/(kg × min) and 37 ± 10 mm Hg ( P =.04) and 17 ± 5 mm Hg ( P =.08) at 20 mL/(kg × min). Venous saturations were 95% ± 6% at 40 mL/(kg × min) and 84% ± 6% at 20 mL/(kg × min) ( P =.03 at 15, 30, and 45 minutes). Cortical Po 2 was similar to prebypass values during regional low-flow perfusion at 40 mL/(kg × min) (53 ± 5 mm Hg) but declined during reperfusion and recovery. Cortical Po 2 was lower than before bypass during low-flow perfusion at 20 mL/(kg × min) (38 ± 7 mm Hg) but increased during reperfusion. Po 2 in liver and bowel was less than 10 mm Hg during low-flow perfusion at both 20 and 40 mL/(kg × min). Fraction of oxygen distribution with Po 2 lower than 15 mm Hg was less during perfusion at 40 mL/(kg × min) than at 20 mL/(kg × min) ( P =.001). Three of 6 piglets that received a 40-mL/(kg × min) flow rate had significant upper torso edema, metabolic acidosis, and an unstable recovery period, whereas zero of 6 piglets that received a 20-mL/(kg × min) flow rate did. Conclusions: In a piglet model, regional low-flow perfusion at 20 mL/(kg × min) resulted in lower cortical tissue oxygenation but better recovery than did perfusion at 40 mL/(kg × min). Neither flow rate adequately oxygenated organs in the lower torso. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003;125:472-80
On the nature of the response functions in rate-independent plasticity

The consequences of a work inequality used by Naghdi and Trapp [1, Q. J. Mech Appl. Math. 28, 25 (1975).] for rate independent elastic-plastic continua are examined. It is shown that the following two conditions are necessary and sufficient for the satisfaction of the work inequality: (i) the yield function in a certain space (which is referred to here as the Σ space) is convex and further the yield function in the stress and strain spaces can be derived from it; (ii) the rate of change of the variables which represent the inelastic response of the material is proportional to the gradient of this yield function. The introduction of the new Σ space is a natural result of studying the rate of energy dissipation during the inelastic processes. The main impact of this work is the fact that it reduces the specification of the constitutive equations for rate independent elastic-plastic materials to two scalar valued functions&the strain energy function ψ and a scalar valued function \gf from which the yield function g in the strain space, as well as the rate of change of the variables which represent the inelastic response of the material, can be determined. The results of this paper, which are valid for a very wide class of elastic-plastic materials, extends the work of Naghdi and Trapp, [2 J. Appl. Mech. 42, 61 (1975).] and Casey and Naghdi [3, Q. J. Mech. Appl. Math. 37, 231 (1984).] who showed that the work inequality implies the convexity of the yield surface in the stress space for a special class of constitutive equations (i.e. those for which the stress response depends only on the difference between the GreendashSt Venant strain and the “plastic” strain). Conditions under which the elastic region in strain space is convex are also elucidated.
A large, consistent plasma proteomics data set from prospectively collected breast cancer patient and healthy volunteer samples

Variability of plasma sample collection and of proteomics technology platforms has been detrimental to generation of large proteomic profile datasets from human biospecimens. We carried out a clinical trial-like protocol to standardize collection of plasma from 204 healthy and 216 breast cancer patient volunteers. The breast cancer patients provided follow up samples at 3 month intervals. We generated proteomics profiles from these samples with a stable and reproducible platform for differential proteomics that employs a highly consistent nanofabricated ChipCube™ chromatography system for peptide detection and quantification with fast, single dimension mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Protein identification is achieved with subsequent LC-MS/MS analysis employing the same ChipCube™ chromatography system. With this consistent platform, over 800 LC-MS plasma proteomic profiles from prospectively collected samples of 420 individuals were obtained. Using a web-based data analysis pipeline for LC-MS profiling data, analyses of all peptide peaks from these plasma LC-MS profiles reveals an average coefficient of variability of less than 15%. Protein identification of peptide peaks of interest has been achieved with subsequent LC-MS/MS analyses and by referring to a spectral library created from about 150 discrete LC-MS/MS runs. Verification of peptide quantity and identity is demonstrated with several Multiple Reaction Monitoring analyses. These plasma proteomic profiles are publicly available through ProteomeCommons. From a large prospective cohort of healthy and breast cancer patient volunteers and using a nano-fabricated chromatography system, a consistent LC-MS proteomics dataset has been generated that includes more than 800 discrete human plasma profiles. This large proteomics dataset provides an important resource in support of breast cancer biomarker discovery and validation efforts.
TUNNEL SURVEY AND TUNNELING MACHINE CONTROL

An outline of the survey work necessary for the construction of a large tunnel project such as the San Francisco Bay area Rapid Transit System is presented. In the second part of the paper, a method for shield or tunneling machine control by laser and double target is described. This method has proven successful during the driving of the tunnels of the BART system both by hand and machine methods.
Health Care Reform and Behavioral Health: The Journey Ahead

Linda Rosenberg, CEO of the National Council for Community Behavioral Health, recently published an excellent overview of the future of behavioral health care reform in the United States (Rosenberg...
Reynolds number scaling of coherent vortex simulation and stochastic coherent adaptive large eddy simulation

In view of the ongoing longtime pursuit of numerical approaches that can capture important flow physics of high Reynolds number flows with fewest degrees of freedom, two important wavelet-based multi-resolution schemes are thoroughly examined, namely, the Coherent Vortex Simulation (CVS) and the Stochastic Coherent Adaptive Large Eddy Simulation (SCALES) with constant and spatially/temporarily variable thresholding. Reynolds number scaling of active spatial modes for CVS and SCALES of linearly forced homogeneous turbulence at high Reynolds numbers is investigated in dynamic study for the first time. This dynamic computational complexity study demonstrates that wavelet-based methods can capture flow-physics while using substantially fewer degrees of freedom than both direct numerical simulation and marginally resolved LES with the same level of fidelity or turbulence resolution, defined as ratio of subgrid scale and the total dissipations. The study provides four important observations: (1) the linear Reynolds number scaling of energy containing structures at a fixed level of kinetic energy, (2) small, close to unity, fractal dimension for constant-threshold CVS and SCALES simulations, (3) constant, close to two, fractal dimension for constant-dissipation SCALES that is insensitive to the level of fidelity, and (4) faster than quadratic decay of the compression ratio as a function of turbulence resolution. The very promising slope for Reynolds number scaling of CVS and SCALES demonstrates the potential of the wavelet-based methodologies for hierarchical multiscale space/time adaptive variable fidelity simulations of high Reynolds number turbulent flows.
Rat karyotyping by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH): localization of oncogene c-raf to 4q42, retinoblastoma antioncogene to 15q12, and mitochondrial D-Loop-like sequences to the Y chromosome

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has been used to karyotype the rat genome with long interspersed repetitive elements (LINEs). Two-color FISH experiments were used to localize the rat c-raf oncogene to 4q42 and the rat retinoblastoma anti-oncogene to 15q12. In addition, sequences similar to the rat mitochondrial origin of replication (D-loop-like sequences) have been found to be concentrated among repetitive element sequences on the Y chromosome. This report extends hybridization-based karyotype technology to the rat, thus facilitating the application of FISH to rat gene mapping.
Preliminary crystallographic study of glycosylated recombinant human renin.

Abstract Single crystals of glycosylated recombinant human renin have been obtained using the hanging-drop vapor diffusion method with polyethylene glycol and sodium chloride as coprecipitants. The crystals belong to the cubic space group P2 1 3 with a = 143.0 A and contain two molecules of renin in the asymmetric unit. A self-rotation function study using 5.5 A data shows the orientation of a non-crystallographic 2-fold axis relating these two monomers.
Considering teaching's consequences

Abstract The development of reflection is a concern to many teacher educators and the consideration of consequences is an important aspect of critical reflection. In this paper we report the results of a study that looked at if and how computer conferencing can be used to help prospective teachers become aware of the consequences of action. The findings indicate that as students of teaching discuss diverse educational issues within a structured computer conferencing activity they explore, explain, and justify their positions and interpretations by considering the consequences of action. Four ‘levels’ of consequences were apparent in the students' discussions. In addition, questions framing the discussions influence the consequences addressed.
Isothermal transient startup of a starved flow modular co-rotating twin screw extruder

A model for flow start-up of a Newtonian liquid in an initially empty modular self-wiping co-rotating twin screw extruder is developed. The changes of length of fill in front of the die and kneading disc block elements and output flow rate with time were predicted for various modular screw configurations. Experiments were also carried out on a laboratory modular machine with windows to verify predictions. Generally, good agreement with the flow analysis was found.
Asymptotically optimal model selection method with right censored outcomes

Over the last two decades, nonparametric and semi-parametric approaches that adapt well-known techniques such as regression methods to the analysis of right censored data, e.g. right censored survival data, have become popular in the statistics literature. However, the problem of choosing the best model (predictor) among a set of proposed models in the right censored data setting has received little attention. We develop a new cross-validation-based model selection method to select among predictors of right censored outcomes such as survival times. The proposed method considers the risk of a given predictor based on the training sample as a parameter of the full data distribution in a right censored data model. Then, the doubly robust locally efficient estimation method or an ad hoc inverse probability of censoring weighting method, as presented by Robins and Rotnitzky and later by van der Laan and Robins, is used to estimate this conditional risk parameter based on the validation sample. We prove that, under general conditions, the proposed cross-validated selector is asymptotically equivalent to an oracle benchmark selector based on the true data generating distribution. The method presented covers model selection with right censored data in prediction (univariate and multivariate) and density/hazard estimation problems.
Numerical process simulation for tool and process design in bulk metal forming

Abstract Global competition requires that manufacturing industry utilizes practical and proven CAD, CAM and CAE techniques for rapid and cost effective process design and die manufacture. Thus, numerical simulation of bulk metal forming processes is increasingly applied to eliminate forming defects, predict and optimize process variables, and to predict stresses in dies for preventing premature die failure. This paper reviews the latest state of technology and describes several successful applications. Ongoing developments and future trends are also discussed.
New media and technology use in corporate sport sponsorship: performing activational leverage from an exchange perspective

With rights fees increasing and leverage costs far exceeding initial sponsorship investments, companies need to find alternative ways to reach their target market and communicate effectively and efficiently. Corporate sponsors often implement and utilise new media and technology in order to engage consumers, develop brand awareness, and provide unique content opportunities. The purpose of this article is twofold. First, to provide a review of exchange theory as it relates to activational leverage of corporate sponsorship. Second, the article will highlight three categories of new media and technology corporate sponsors can utilise when conducting activational leverage of their brands: The article will focus on how in-venue devices and smartphone applications, social media, and stadium technology can be used from an exchange perspective to actively leverage corporate sponsorships and enhance relationship marketing in sport.
Reusable and Extensible Fault Tolerance for RESTful Applications

Despite the simplicity and scalability benefits of REST, rendering RESTful web applications fault-tolerant requires that the programmer write vast amounts of non-trivial, ad-hoc code. Network volatility, HTTP server errors, service outages- -- all require custom fault handling code, whose effective implementation requires considerable programming expertise and effort. To provide a systematic and principled approach to handling faults in RESTful applications, we present FT-REST- -- an architectural framework for specifying fault tolerance functionality declaratively and then translating these specifications into platform-specific code. FT-REST encapsulates fault tolerance strategies in XML-based specifications and compiles them to modules that reify the requisite fault tolerance. To validate our approach, we have applied FT-REST to enhance several realistic RESTful applications to withstand the faults described in their FT-REST specifications. As REST is said to apply verbs (HTTP commands) to nouns (URIs), FT-REST enhances this conceptual model with adverbs that render REST reliable via reusable and extensible fault tolerance.
High-throughput confirmation of differential display PCR results using reverse Northern blotting.

Abstract Nylon filter arrays spotted with differential display PCR (DD-PCR) clones and hybridized with radiolabeled cRNA generated from the source RNA pool (reverse Northern blot) provide a high-throughput means to screen clones for artifacts. Reverse Northern blots also confirm differential gene expression in parallel and require modest quantities of the source RNA pool. We describe a strategy to screen multiple candidates from DD-PCR by high-throughput ligation and transformation, followed by reverse Northern blotting. Purification of re-amplified DD-PCR clones and fabrication of nylon arrays was facilitated by a batch-processing protocol using the widely available Biomek® laboratory robot and Bioworks™ scripts (available from the authors). A strategy to screen out DD-PCR product artifacts of an inappropriate size was also employed. Using these approaches, we identified several mRNAs that are differentially expressed in response to venlafaxine, fluoxetine or desipramine antidepressant treatment in rat C6 glioma cell lines and are candidates for full length clone isolation using 5′-RACE. Such an approach provides a rapid means to eliminate the high percentage of false positive clones from DD-PCR and enables independent confirmation of differential gene expression patterns generated by various experimental conditions.
Ribozyme Ablation Demonstrates That the Cardiac Subtype of the Voltage-sensitive Calcium Channel Is the Molecular Transducer of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-stimulated Calcium Influx in Osteoblastic Cells

Abstract 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3(1,25(OH)2D3) stimulates transmembrane influx of Ca2+ through L-type voltage-sensitive Ca2+channels (VSCCs) in ROS 17/2.8 osteoblastic cells. Ca2+influx modulates osteoblastic activities including matrix deposition, hormone responsiveness, and Ca2+-dependent signaling. 1,25(OH)2D3 also regulates transcript levels encoding VSCCs. L-type VSCCs are multisubunit complexes composed of a central pore-forming α1 subunit and four additional subunits. The α1 subunit is encoded by one gene in a multimember family, defining tissue-specific subtypes. Osteoblasts synthesize two splice variants of the α1Ccardiac VSCC subtype; however, the molecular identity of the 1,25(OH)2D3-regulated VSCC remained unknown. We created a ribozyme specifically cleaving α1C mRNA. To increase target ablation efficiency, the ribozyme was inserted into U1 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) by engineering the U1 snRNA expression cassette, conferring the ribozyme transcript with stabilizing stem-loops at both sides and the Sm binding site that facilitates localization into nucleoplasm. After transfection of ROS 17/2.8 cells with U1 ribozyme-encoding vector, stable clonal cells were selected in which the expression of α1C transcript and protein were strikingly reduced. Ca2+ influx assays in ribozyme transfectants showed selective attenuation of depolarization and 1,25(OH)2D3-regulated Ca2+responses. We conclude that the cardiac subtype of the L-type VSCC is the transducer of stimulated Ca2+ influx in ROS 17/2.8 osteoblastic cells.
ACTION OF SYNTHETIC DETERGENTS ON THE METABOLISM OF BACTERIA

A study of the effects of synthetic detergents and wetting agents on respiration and glycolysis of Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms has led to the following conclusions. 1. All the cationic detergents studied are very effective inhibitors of bacterial metabolism at 1:3000 concentration, and several are equally active at 1:30,000. Few of the anionic detergents inhibit as effectively as the cationic compounds. 2. Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms are equally sensitive to the action of the cationic detergents. On the other hand, all the anionic detergents included in our studies selectively inhibit the metabolism of Gram-positive microorganisms. 3. The inhibitory action of both types of detergents is influenced markedly by hydrogen ion concentration. Cationic detergents exhibit their maximum activity in the alkaline pH range, and the anionic, in the acid range. 4. Studies of homologous series of straight chain alkyl sulfates and sulfoacetates (C(8) to C(18)) demonstrate that maximum inhibition is exerted by the 12, 14, and 16 carbon compounds (lauryl, myristyl, and cetyl). 5. It has been observed that three lauryl esters of amino acids are powerful inhibitors of bacterial metabolism. To our knowledge, the effects on bacterial metabolism of such cationic detergents (without the quaternary ammonium structure) have not been studied previously. Our results demonstrate that other cationic detergents can exhibit an inhibitory activity comparable to quaternary ammonium compounds. 6. Certain detergents stimulate bacterial metabolism at concentrations lower than the inhibiting values. This effect has been found more frequently among the anionic detergents.
Kirchhoff theory: Scalar, vector, or dyadic?

The superior nature of the Franz formula as compared to that of Stratton and Chu is pointed out. A connection between the two distinct formulas is shown. The compactness of the dyadic version of Franz' formula is emphasized.
An improved method for the concentration of rotaviruses from large volumes of water.

Abstract A microporous filter method for the concentration and reconcentration of rotaviruses from large volumes of water was developed. This method allows for the processing of large volumes of water with high recoveries of rotaviruses. Averages of 49% and 41% of seeded viruses were recovered from 20 and 400 l of water, respectively. Of the various eluents evaluated, a mixture of 10% tryptose phosphate broth and 3% beef extract at a pH value of 10.0 was found to give the greatest elution efficiency. The use of the positively charged 1MDS filters allowed for the processing of waters without the need for pH adjustments. An overall recovery of 35% was obtained from 400 l when hydroextraction was used as a secondstep concentration procedure.
Pseudopotentials and quasicrystals.

Etude par les methodes du pseudopotentiel des proprietes electroniques d'un metal quasicristallin
Tail Pumping by the Black Phoebe

Abstract Black Phoebes (Sayornis nigricans) persistently pump their tails vertically while perched but the functional causes are unknown. I address four hypotheses about the function of this behavior in this species: (1) tail pumping aids in balance, (2) tail pumping enhances foraging, (3) tail pumping is a signal to territorial intruders, and (4) tail pumping is a signal to potential predators. The balance (mean ± SE; unstable substrates: 0.23 ± 0.024 pumps/sec, stable substrates: 0.22 ± 0.019 pumps/sec), foraging (non-foraging individuals: 0.28 ± 0.036 pumps/sec, foraging individuals: 0.20 ± 0.026 pumps/sec) and intruder (pre-playback trial: 0.20 ± 0.025 pumps/sec, House Finch [Carpodacus mexicanus] control trial: 0.26 ± 0.029 pumps/sec, Black Phoebe experimental trial: 0.17 ± 0.036 pumps/sec) hypotheses did not significantly explain tail pumping behavior. Tail pumping rates increased during predator sound playback (pre-playback trial: 0.23 ± 0.009 pumps/sec, House Finch trial: 0.26 ± 0.016 pumps/sec, C...
Increase in Nuclear Thyroid and Glucocorticoid Receptors and Growth Hormone Production during the Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesis Phase of the Cell Growth Cycle

We have previously described a significant increase in cellular DNA and nuclear T3 receptor concentration in S phase cultures of GC cells, a rat pituitary cell line that produces GH. We have now measured GH production and some aspects of GH regulation in asynchronous cells and in cultures that were synchronized in early S phase by 25-h treatment with 2 mM thymidine (dT). Cellular DNA and both cellular and medium GH increased significantly at the end of dT treatment and for 3-6 h after removal of dT (S phase). Pulse-labeling experiments with [3H]leucine followed by specific immunoprecipitation of rat GH suggested that an S phase-associated 87% increase in GH could be attributed predominantly to a 101% increase in the GH synthesis rate. The relative GH synthesis rate (GH synthesis divided by total protein synthesis) increased from 0.85% to 1.70% during the S phase. Since cortisol (115 nM) augmented GH production in both asynchronous and S phase cultures, studies of glucocorticoid receptor concentration were also carried out. In comparison with asynchronous cultures, a significant increase in glucocorticoid receptor was identified in the nuclear fraction but not in the cytosol of cultures synchronized in the S phase. Studies with cells grown in media which were selectively depleted or repleted with T3 and/or cortisol and experiments with the glucocorticoid antagonist 17 alpha-methyltestosterone suggested that T3 was primarily responsible for augmented GH during the S phase and that cortisol modulated the amplitude of this response. Our studies suggest that increases in DNA, nuclear receptors for T3 and glucocorticoids, and GH synthesis occur in GC cell cultures synchronized in the S phase. We conclude that the GH production rate observed in asynchronous cultures may be an integrated value for all phases of the cell cycle, each of which may have a distinctive rate of hormone synthesis.
Characterization of the FMO protein from the aerobic chlorophototroph, Candidatus Chloracidobacterium thermophilum

Candidatus Chloracidobacterium (Cab.) thermophilum is a recently discovered aerobic chlorophototroph belonging to the phylum Acidobacteria. From analyses of genomic sequence data, this organism was inferred to have type-1 homodimeric reaction centers, chlorosomes, and the bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) a-binding Fenna–Matthews–Olson protein (FMO). Here, we report the purification and characterization of Cab. thermophilum FMO. Absorption, fluorescence emission, and CD spectra of the FMO protein were measured at room temperature and at 77 K. The spectroscopic features of this FMO protein were different from those of the FMO protein of green sulfur bacteria (GSB) and suggested that exciton coupling of the BChls in the FMO protein is weaker than in FMO of GSB especially at room temperature. HPLC analysis of the pigments extracted from the FMO protein only revealed the presence of BChl a esterified with phytol. Despite the distinctive spectroscopic properties, the residues known to bind BChl a molecules in the FMO of GSB are well conserved in the primary structure of the Cab. thermophilum FMO protein. This suggests that the FMO of Cab. thermophilum probably also binds seven or possibly eight BChl a(P) molecules. The results imply that, without changing pigment composition or structure dramatically, the FMO protein has acquired properties that allow it to perform light harvesting efficiently under aerobic conditions.
Effects of reduced ATP content on hepatic responses to glucagon

Abstract Expression of the glycogenolytic action of glucagon in liver requires ATP for cAMP formation and for several subsequent phosphorylation reactions. To assess the extent to which ATP availability is rate-limiting to this hormonal action, responses to glucagon of intact liver and of liver with marked reductions in ATP content induced by ethionine were examined in female Wistar rats in vivo and in vitro. Compared to values in quick-frozen liver samples from control rats, basal hepatic ATP was 75% lower and cAMP, two fold higher in rats treated with ethionine. Activation of glycogen phosphorylase and inactivation of glycogen synthetase, phosphorylation reactions which require ATP and are initiated by cAMP, were also evident in basal liver samples from ethionine-treated rats. These hepatic alterations were associated with portal glucose and insulin levels which were significantly lower and portal glucagon levels which were four fold higher than values in controls. In ethionine-treated rats, glucose infusion decreased hepatic cAMP content and phosphorylase activity and increased synthetase activity. This and other observations suggested that the higher cAMP and the altered enzyme activities seen in vivo after ethionine administration were mediated by the hyperglucagonemia and/or by other endogenous glycogenolytic stimuli, and accordingly implied that liver remained responsive to such stimuli despite reduced ATP. Pharmacologic doses of exogenous glucagon clearly increased cAMP in vivo and in vitro in livers with decreased ATP. However, the lower ATP of liver exposed to ethionine was associated with a significantly blunted cAMP response to maximal glucagon stimulation. By contrast, alterations in phosphorylase and synthetase activities were not similarly blunted, suggesting that the smaller increases in cAMP seen in liver with reduced ATP content were adequate for the expression of these actions of the hormone. It is concluded that the actions of glucagon to increase cAMP and to activate phosphorylase and inactivate synthetase are not abolished by marked reductions in hepatic ATP.
A Summary of the Applications to Date of RELU-TRAN, a Microeconomic Urban Computable General Equilibrium Model

RELU-TRAN (Regional Economy Land Use and Transportation) is a spatial computable general equilibrium (CGE) model treating endogenous road congestion, housing and labor markets, and real-estate development consistent with microeconomic theory. The model has been calibrated and used for the Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Paris Region, and is currently being implemented for the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. In the Chicago application the model has been used: (i) to examine the impact of an increase in the price of gasoline on travel and location patterns; (ii) to study how travel time, gasoline consumption and automobile emissions would evolve over time as the area grows in population and land area and as employment continues to disperse into the suburbs; (iii) to evaluate the effects of cordon tolling; and (iv) of road congestion versus a tax on gasoline. The main findings from these applications of RELU-TRAN are reviewed in this paper. The recent application to the Greater Paris region was aimed to study the effects of projected growth and of planned rail investments on concentrating jobs in growth poles around the City of Paris.
Homocysteine and vascular disease

The discovery of hyperhomocysteinemia as a major factor in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis offers new strategies and opportunities for prevention and treatment.
Mycosis fungoides palmaris et plantaris.

I read with interest the article by Resnick et al,1in which the authors attempt to group cases of limited acral cutaneous T-cell lymphoma into a single entity entitled "mycosis fungoides palmaris et plantaris." While this is certainly an admirable goal, I must object to the inclusion of several of their cases under such a designation, including a case report we published.2 Mycosis fungoidesis defined as a neoplastic proliferation of CD4+T-helper cells by most groups studying cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.3-5Our case was that of a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma limited to an extremity for longer than 30 years, which was characterized by CD8+, CD30+, CD4-lymphocytes. This is not an immunophenotype that would ordinarily be seen in mycosis fungoides. In addition, almost half of all reported cases of Woringer-Kolopp disease (pagetoid reticulosis) are CD8+, CD4-T-cell lymphomas. These cases are neoplasms derived from a different population of
On the singular behavior of linear acoustic theory in near-sonic duct flows

The propagation of sound in a converging-diverging duct containing a quasi-one-dimensional steady flow with a high subsonic throat Mach number is studied. The behavior of linearized acoustic theory at the throat of the duct is shown to be singular, and the explicit form of the singularity is determined for two special types of area variation. Numerically computed results showing the development of the singularity are presented. The singularity implies that linearized acoustic theory is invalid for sound propagating through a throat carrying a near-sonic flow.
The Possibility of Knowledge

Some of the most challenging philosophical questions about human knowledge take the form of asking how knowledge of a certain kind is possible. Even when they are not explicitly expressed in those words, what lies behind such philosophical questions are certain considerations that seem to imply that it is not possible for anyone to have any knowledge of the kind in question. Quassim Cassam focusses on the role of such "obstacles" and on what needs to be done in the face of
Cytokine pattern in aneurysmal and occlusive disease of the aorta.

Background. Prominent inflammatory infiltrates of macrophages and T-lymphocytes are found in both aortic occlusive disease (AOD) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). These cells secrete different cytokines that might affect matrix turnover through modulation of matrix metalloproteinase expression. A different cytokine pattern might account for the evolution of AOD vs AAA. Materials and Methods. Six different cytokines were examined to determine whether AOD and AAA could be characterized by unique cytokine patterns. AOD (n = 8) and AAA (n = 8) tissues were collected and serially treated with salt, dimethyl sulfoxide, and urea buffers to extract the soluble matrix or cell-bound cytokines. Levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-γ were measured by immunoenzymatic methods. Additionally, RNA levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ were measured. Results. AAA tissue contained higher levels of IL-10 compared to AOD tissue (P < 0.05). Higher levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 were found in AOD (P < 0.05). mRNA levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ did not differ between the diseases. Aortic tissues contained large amounts of matrix or cell-bound cytokines. Conclusions. AAA is characterized by greater levels of IL-10 while IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 are higher in AOD. Targeted deletion of these cytokines in animal models might help in identifying their role in the progression of AAA.
Determination of major and trace elements in bones by simultaneous PIXE/PIGE analysis

Simultaneous PIXE/PIGE was used to determine the concentration of 20 elements including N, O, F, Na, Mg, P, Ca (PIGE) and Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ba, Pb (PIXE) in a number of animal and human rib samples, marrow, and the IAEA CRM Animal Bone (H-5). Samples and standards were bombarded with 2.5 and 4.0 MeV external proton beams. The minimum detection limits for most of the minor and trace elements ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 ppm. The sample preparation procedure for the nondestructive instrumental analysis of bone is discussed in detail. The analysis method is fast, nondestructive and offers selective analysis of the cortical and cancellous surface of the same bone sample.
Isolated Langerhans cell histiocytosis in an adult with central diabetes insipidus: case report and review of literature.

ABSTRACT Objective To report a rare case of central diabetes insipidus caused by isolated Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) infiltration of the pituitary gland. Methods We present a case report and review of the pertinent medical literature. Results A 49-year-old man was referred for evaluation of polyuria and polydipsia. Evaluation revealed the presence of central diabetes insipidus. Intranasal administration of desmopressin helped resolve symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed mild thickening of his pituitary stalk and an area of definite fullness in the posterior aspect of the sella. A pituitary biopsy was then performed, and pathologic examination revealed the diagnosis of LCH. A thorough investigation (chest radiography, a skeletal study, and liver function tests) did not disclose any extracranial lesions. During radiosurgery with the CyberKnife, a single dose of 8 Gy was directed at the posterior aspect of the pituitary and the infundibulum. After radiosurgery, the patient had symptomatic improvement, and at 7 months after radiosurgery, the desmopressin requirements were reduced. Conclusion This patient had LCH, manifesting with diabetes insipidus and a sellar mass. Central diabetes insipidus is seen in 5% to 15% of all patients with LCH and can be a presenting feature in 5% of such patients. Our case was unique in that LCH was confined only to the sella, an uncommon initial manifestation for this disorder. Treatment included desmopressin replacement and radio-surgery to the solitary lesion. As demonstrated in this case, patients with LCH and diabetes insipidus who undergo radiotherapy can have symptomatic improvement and reduction in the dose of desmopressin replacement. (Endocr Pract. 2006;12:660-663)
Development of a Valid Volleyball Skills Test Battery

Abstract To overcome the deficiencies of traditional volleyball skills tests, a study was initiated to develop a valid volleyball skills test battery.
Studies of Inhibition of Magnesium Corrosion

The corrosion of pure magnesium in aqueous solutions of various pH has been studied. The reaction product is a porous layer consisting mainly of in the absence of inhibitors, but films formed in solutions containing are composed of substances which could not be identified. The reaction in inhibitor‐free solutions proceeds by the formation and dissolution of a primary film, possibly an oxide, followed by precipitation of a film of . In solutions the reaction product is thicker and probably denser because the periodate decreases its dissolution rate, and the over‐all metal removal rate is less by a factor of 10 at pH 9–10.
Further evidence of plasma membrane material in skim milk.

Abstract Membrane fragments and microvillus like sacs were concentrated from bovine skim milk by differential centrifugation into a fraction resting on the casein pellet. The ratios of the free cholesterol, lipid phosphorus, and triglyceride contents of the fraction were similar to those for plasma membrane of the lactating cell. Assays for marker enzymes of Golgi apparatus (lactose synthetase), rough endoplasmic reticulum (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-cytochrome c reductase), and plasma membrane (glycosyl hydrolase) demonstrated the presence of only the latter. Suspension and recentrifugation of the membrane fraction produced a supernatant and a second (purified) membrane fraction resting as fluff on a second small casein pellet. Lipid analyses revealed that triglyceride with traces of free cholesterol and phospholipid were released from the original membrane fraction to the second supernantant. The relative content of these three lipid classes in conjunction with the enzyme assays provided further evidence for the co-identity of skim milk membrane material and plasma membrane of the lactating mammary cell.
Nasal cavity area in term infants determined by acoustic rhinometry

The present study was undertaken to determine whether a modification to commercially available acoustic rhinometry (AR) instrumentation might allow equipment designed for use in adults to determine accurately the nasal cavity configuration of infants and children. The standard wave tube was replaced with a version having a narrow (0.312-cm 2 ) internal diameter (ID). Before use with neonates, the accuracy of this instrument was evaluated using the nasal cavity of a full-term infant cadaver. Acoustic nasal area curves were compared to area measurements of polyvinylsiloxane nasal casts and direct volume measurements of the specimen. AR correlated well with nasal cast data (r=.88) for total nasal cavity area
A g/sub m/-Boosted Current-Reuse LNA in 0.18/spl mu/m CMOS

Demand for fully-integrated RF circuits offering low power consumption continues to grow, along with a strong desire for high performance. In this paper a design that enhances the performance of the common-gate LNA is detailed. The noise performance is improved through the use of a gm-boosting technique, while the gain performance is improved using current-reuse techniques. The proposed solution alleviates the issues related to the common-source-common-source current-reuse topologies. The technique is validated with a design in 0.18 mum CMOS, with a 5.4 GHz LNA which achieves >20 dB of gain, <3 dB NF and consumes only 2.7 mW of power.
Gaining Perspective with the Educational Consultation Research Base Ecological Considerations and Further Recommendations

The purpose of this article is to examine the efficacy of educational consultation across three categories of studies: field-based survey research, outcome studies, and process investigations. Also, an attempt is made to broaden the focus of research studies by suggesting that a full range of ecological factors be included in the analysis. The paper concludes with several specific recommendations to guide future investigations.
Enabled plays key roles in embryonic epithelial morphogenesis in Drosophila

Studies in cultured cells and in vitro have identified many actin regulators and begun to define their mechanisms of action. Among these are Enabled (Ena)/VASP proteins, anti-Capping proteins that influence fibroblast migration, growth cone motility, and keratinocyte cell adhesion in vitro. However, partially redundant family members in mammals and maternal Ena contribution in Drosophila previously prevented assessment of the roles of Ena/VASP proteins in embryonic morphogenesis in flies or mammals. We used several approaches to remove maternal and zygotic Ena function, allowing us to address this question. We found that inactivating Ena does not disrupt cell adhesion or epithelial organization, suggesting its role in these processes is cell type-specific. However, Ena plays an important role in many morphogenetic events, including germband retraction, segmental groove retraction and head involution, whereas it is dispensable for other morphogenetic movements. We focused on dorsal closure, analyzing mechanisms by which Ena acts. Ena modulates filopodial number and length, thus influencing the speed of epithelial zippering and the ability of cells to match with correct neighbors. We also explored filopodial regulation in cultured Drosophila cells and embryos. These data provide new insights into developmental and mechanistic roles of this important actin regulator.
SEEDLING RECRUITMENT IN ORYZOPSIS HYMENOIDES: ARE DESERT GRANIVORES MUTUALISTS OR PREDATORS?

Granivorous animals that cache as well as consume seeds may actually serve as mutualists to their plant resources. Seeds of Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides), a perennial bunchgrass in North American deserts, are consumed by various desert granivores and dispersed by seed-caching heteromyid rodents. We used a three-way factorial design at a western Nevada site to selectively exclude or allow access to experimental plots by granivorous rodents and seed harvester ants, and to subsequently follow the fate of radio- labeled Indian ricegrass seeds introduced to the plots. In addition to the presence or absence of rodents or ants, the third experimental treatment factor was to allow "initial caching" of the radiolabeled seeds by single Merriam's kangaroo rats (Dipodomys merriami), which were confined to certain plots for one night. Both rodents and ants larder-hoarded seeds in their burrows, but seedlings rarely established from larders. Only rodents also placed seeds in scatterhoards: shallowly buried surface caches distributed about an animal's home range. Following initial caching by a kangaroo rat, the number of seedlings established from scatterhoards was significantly greater (usually by more than an order of magnitude) than those from seeds unharvested by either type of granivore. With no initial caching, rodents reduced seedling recruitment from unharvested seeds but facilitated compensatory seedling recruitment from scatterhoards. Seeds harvested by ants seldom established seedlings. We used a seed fate model to estimate that, on average, rodents and ants harvested 96% and 7%, respectively, of seeds to which they had exclusive access, and that the probability of seedling establishment for a seed harvested by a rodent was an order of magnitude greater than from a seed harvested by an ant and slightly greater than for an unharvested seed. The predicted rank order of seedling recruitment among nine experimental treatments based on expected effects of rodent seed caching closely matched the observed ranking pattern, indicating that rodents determined seedling recruitment patterns of Indian ricegrass. Because rodents harvested such a large majority of seeds and their caches enhanced seedling es- tablishment, they played a central role in the population dynamics of Indian ricegrass.