cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunophenotyping of subtypes of B-chronic (mature) lymphoid leukemia : a study of 242 cases

BACKGROUND The French-American-British group's proposal for the classification of chronic lymphoid leukemias is unique at this time. Testing, expanding, and adding to the theory by immunophenotyping will help to additionally characterize this group of diseases. METHODS Peripheral blood samples from 242 patients with chronic lymphoid leukemias were analyzed for immunologic evaluation of the following subtypes: typical chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 189; CLL with pleomorphic lymphocytes (CLL-pleo), 19; CLL of mixed cell type (CLL/PL), 20; prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL), 22; hairy cell leukemia (HCL), 10; HCL-variant, 1; and splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes, 1. RESULTS The phenotype of CLL and CLL-pleo was weak surface immunoglobulin (SIg) with positive results of mouse rosettes (MR+), CD5+, and CD22-. Of PLL and HCL, it was strong SIg, MR-, CD5-, and CD22+. By analyzing the four markers and accepting the relevant results of two or more as sufficient for diagnosis, all cases (100%) of CLL, CLL-pleo, PLL, and HCL were diagnosed. CLL/PL showed the phenotype of CLL in 66.67% and of PLL in 33.33% of patients. The frequency of cases with weak fluorescence in decreasing order was CLL, CLL-pleo, CLL/PL, and PLL and HCL. The same sequence applied to the mean percentage of mouse rosette-forming cells and CD5 cells, but the sequence was reversed for CD22 cells. CONCLUSIONS SIg intensity, MR, CD5, and CD22 constitute the minimum number of immune markers for the differential diagnosis of the subtypes of chronic lymphoid leukemia. The frequency of the four markers among the subtypes suggested that CLL and CLL-pleo have identical phenotypes and that the five subtypes follow a continuous range of B-cell differentiation from early mature (CLL and CLL-pleo) to late mature pre-plasma cell stages (PLL followed by HCL), with CLL/PL of intermediate maturity.
Site-selective reactions: Remodelling by diversity and design.

Bioactive molecules frequently contain several very similarly reactive functional groups and it can thus be difficult to cause one to react selectively. Now, two separate studies present complementary approaches to this desirable goal.
Inactivation of Endotoxin by Serum: A Phylogenetic Study

In an attempt to elucidate the nature of the endotoxin-altering reaction, normal sera from animals of different phylogenetic levels were tested for capacity to inactivate endotoxin from Escherichia coli. Inactivation was assayed quantitatively by reduction in capacities of endotoxin to be precipitated by homologous antiserum and to kill mice, and by changes in its immunodiffusion pattern. Sera from species of Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Amphibia, Osteichthyes, and Chondrichthyes were shown to have similar capacities to inactivate endotoxin, whereas sera from cyclostomes and hemolymphs from crustaceans altered endotoxin only slightly or not at all. In general, the qualitative nature of the endotoxin-altering reaction by these sera was similar in that the reaction was inhibited by calcium (100 [tmoles/ml) and, excepting carp and turtle sera, it was heat stable (56 C for 30 min). Inactivation was greater when endotoxin was incubated with serum at 37 C rather than at 3 C or 26 C. It is postulated that an endotoxin-altering mechanism similar to that of human serum originated phylogenetically between hagfish and shark.
Structure of service level agreements (SLA) in IT outsourcing: The construct and its measurement

The increased reliance of companies on IT outsourcing has turned management attention to a set of skills of managing relationships with service providers. While some recent studies have shown that the contracting ability to effectively manage relational exchanges can improve various dimensions of organizational performance, there has been relatively little analysis of how firms strategically use contracts to successfully manage their interfirm relationships. As an extension of past studies emphasizing the importance of the contract and service level agreements (SLA), the study develop an inclusive and conceptually sound framework for structuring SLA in IT outsourcing arrangements drawing upon control theory. Along with a careful description of measurement development as well as rigorous statistical validations, it contributed to instrument development for a set of 11 first-order SLA contractual factors and their relationships with three second-order substantive factors. The results of the study are framed as a tool for benchmarking SLA structuring efforts as well as a foundation for the future study of managing IT outsourcing relationships. The study suggests empirically testing of (1) the complementarity or substitutability between formal contract and relational governance, (2) institution based trust as an initial trust building mechanism, and (3) IT outsourcing success from a contractual perspective as potential areas of future research using the results of the study.
Comparative Analysis of Photograph-Based Clinical Goniometry to Standard Techniques

Background Assessment of joint range of motion (ROM) is an accepted evaluation of disability as well as an indicator of recovery from musculoskeletal injuries. Many goniometric techniques have been described to measure ROM, with variable validity due to inter-rater reliability. In this report, we assessed the validity of photograph-based goniometry in measurement of ROM and its inter-rater reliability and compared it to two other commonly used techniques.
Chemical characterization of phosphoribosylamine, a substrate for newly discovered trifunctional protein containing glycineamide ribonucleotide synthetase activity

Abstract PRA has been characterized for the first time using 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Incubation of [1-13C]ribose-5-phosphate with NH3 results in the production of 38:62 α:β anomeric mixture of PRA, α,β ribose-5-phosphate and variable amounts of dimeric materials. NMR studies at various pHs allowed determination of the pH independent K equi = 0.95 ± 0.14 m −1 for this reaction. In addition, using magnetization transfer NMR methodology the rate of conversion of α to β PRA was determined to be 44 sec−1 at 37°C (pH 8.0). The rates of formation (from ribose-5-phosphate and NH3) and degradation of PRA were also measured using E. coli GAR synthetase (recently cloned, overproduced and purified to homogeneity) as a trap. Determination of these rates allowed an independent and accurate measurement of K equi = 2.7 m −1 . In addition, in close agreement with early studies of Nierlich and Magasanik (1), the half life of PRA at 37°C and pH 7.5 was determined to be 35 sec. Characterization of the chemical stability of PRA and Kequi for ribose-5-phosphate, NH3 with PRA will now allow detailed kinetic analysis of the newly discovered trifunctional protein containing GAR synthetase activity in addition to AIR synthetase and GAR transformylase activities. Comparison of the properties of the 110 kd GAR synthetase and an independently isolated 54 kd GAR synthetase are reported. Experiments are underway to investigate the possibility that unstable intermediates such as PRA are not released into solution, but that the transfer is mediated by specific protein-protein interactions between GAR synthetase and PRPP amidotransferase.
A Mechanism for Coupling Exit from Mitosis to Partitioning of the Nucleus

Exit from mitosis must not occur prior to partitioning of chromosomes between daughter cells. We find that the GTP binding protein Tem1, a regulator of mitotic exit, is present on the spindle pole body that migrates into the bud during S phase and mitosis. Tem1's exchange factor, Lte1, localizes to the bud. Thus, Tem1 and Lte1 are present in the same cellular compartment (the bud) only after the nucleus enters the bud during nuclear division. We also find that the presence of Tem1 and Lte1 in the bud is required for mitotic exit. Our results suggest that the spatial segregation of Tem1 and Lte1 ensures that exit from mitosis only occurs after the genetic material is partitioned between mother and daughter cell.
The control of posture in newly standing infants is task dependent

The postural sway patterns of newly standing infants were compared under two conditions: standing while holding a toy and standing while not holding a toy. Infants exhibited a lower magnitude of postural sway and more complex sway patterns when holding the toy. These changes suggest that infants adapt postural sway in a manner that facilitates visually fixating on and stabilizing the toy in their hand. When simply standing, infants exhibited postural sway patterns that appeared to be more exploratory in nature. Exploratory sway patterns may allow infants to learn the affordances of their new standing posture. These results demonstrate that newly standing infants are capable of task-dependent postural control.
Stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of pedogenic carbonates, Ajo Mountains, southern Arizona: implications for paleoenvironmental change

Abstract In this study we compare the stable-isotope composition of late Holocene pedogenic carbonate from a late Holocene soil developed on the pediment below the Ajo Mountains in southern Arizona (USA) with measurements of the δ 18 O of the soil water throughout the seasonal cycle and with δ 18 O and δ 13 C measurements on older, dated soils. The comparison with the soil-water composition shows that the pedogenic carbonate is forming in equilibrium with highly evaporated soil water at the highest summer temperatures. The δ 13 C of the carbonate apparently reflects equilibrium with CO 2 of an isotopic composition consistent with the present mixture of C3 desert shrubs and CAM cactus. Comparison with glacial-period soil carbonates shows that there has been little change in the δ 18 O, but that the δ 13 C was about 4.5‰ heavier. Independent evidence indicates that glacial-period summer temperatures were probably much cooler, and that the δ 18 O of precipitation was also lighter. The increase in the carbonate-water fractionation factor with decreasing temperature probably counteracted the decrease in the δ 18 O of precipitation, producing little net change in the δ 18 O of the soil carbonate. We attribute the decrease in the δ 13 C to replacement of a glacial-period C4 grassland by Holocene C3/CAM desert shrubs and succulents. This replacement was probably in response to an increase in temperature and reduction in summer precipitation at the end of the last glacial period. The δ 13 C of older soil carbonates indicates that landscape was dominated by grassland for most of the past 700 ka and that the present vegetation likely represents a relatively brief anomaly.
Generation and characterization of Lhx9‐GFPCreERT2 knock‐in mouse line

LHX9 is a LIM-homeodomain transcription factor essential for the development of gonads, spinal cord interneurons, and thalamic neurons to name a few. We recently reported the expression of LHX9 in retinal amacrine cells during development. In this study, we generated an Lhx9-GFPCreER(T) (2) (GCE) knock-in mouse line by knocking-in a GCE cassette at the Lhx9 locus, thus inactivating endogenous Lhx9. Lhx9(GCE) (/+) mice were viable, fertile, and displayed no overt phenotypical characteristics. Lhx9(GCE) (/) (GCE) mice were all phenotypically female, smaller in size, viable, but infertile. The specificity and efficacy of the Lhx9-GCE mouse line was verified by crossing it to a Rosa26-tdTomato reporter mouse line, which reveals the Cre recombinase activities in retinal amacrine cells, developing limbs, testis, hippocampal neurons, thalamic neurons, and cerebellar neurons. Taken together, the Lhx9-GCE mouse line could serve as a beneficial tool for lineage tracing and gene manipulation experiments. genesis
Identification and kinetic analysis of the interaction between Nck-2 and DOCK180.

Nck-2 is a newly identified adapter protein comprising three N-terminal SH3 domains and one C-terminal SH2 domain. We have identified in a yeast two-hybrid screen DOCK180, a signaling protein implicated in the regulation of membrane ruffling and migration, as a binding protein for Nck-2. Surface plasmon resonance analyses reveal that the second and the third SH3 domains interact with the C-terminal region of DOCK180. The interactions mediated by the individual SH3 domains, however, are much weaker than that of the full length Nck-2. Furthermore, a point mutation that inactivates the second or the third SH3 domain dramatically reduced the interaction of Nck-2 with DOCK180, suggesting that both SH3 domains contribute to the DOCK180 binding. A major Nck-2 binding site, which is recognized primarily by the third SH3 domain, has been mapped to residues 1819–1836 of DOCK180. Two additional, albeit much weaker, Nck-2 SH3 binding sites are located to DOCK180 residues 1793–1810 and 1835–1852 respectively. Consistent with the mutational studies, kinetic analyses by surface plasmon resonance suggest that two binding events with equilibrium dissociation constants of 4.15±1.9×10−7 M and 3.24±1.9×10−9 M mediate the binding of GST-Nck-2 to GST fusion protein containing the C-terminal region of DOCK180. These studies identify a novel interaction between Nck-2 and DOCK180. Furthermore, they provide a detailed analysis of a protein complex formation mediated by multiple SH3 domains revealing that tandem SH3 domains significantly enhance the weak interactions mediated by each individual SH3 domain.
Photon emission during intraband tunneling through quantum well structures

Abstract Radiative transitions associated with intraband electron tunneling through DC biased quantum well structures are analyzed theoretically. Spontaneous emission and stimulated emission of photons within the quantum well structure are calculated and estimates are made of the radiative transition rate in comparison with the damping loss. The absence of an inherent long wavelength emission cutoff is in contrast with interband transition devices and suggests applications of intraband transition devices as far infrared or microwave sources.
Comparison of nuclear Bragg scattering with Mössbauer spectroscopy for the measurement of hyperfine interactions

Fourier analysis of the time evolution of the nuclear Bragg scattering from the (7, 7, 7) reflection in α-hematite (57Fe) excited by synchrotron radiation was used to extract values of Zeeman splitting of the ground and 14.413-keV states of57Fe in the crystal magnetic field. The results so obtained apparently do not agree with the corresponding values obtained from Mossbauer spectroscopy on α-hematite. Possible reasons for the discrepancy are discussed.
Neighbor dislodgement and burrow-filling activities by male Uca musica terpsichores: a spacing mechanism

Uca musica terpsichores males sometimes dislodge their neighbors and fill in their burrow entrances with sand. Field observations and marking of individual burrows were used to determine the frequency of this activity as well as the sex and behavior patterns of the actors involved. Burrow filling is performed only by adult males which will display later on in the low-tide period. It is directed toward neighbors of both sexes. However, significantly more male neighbors were dislodged (46%) than female neighbors (28%) for distances up to 25 cm from the aggressor's burrow. For both sexes, the frequency of burrow filling increased significantly the closer they burrowed to displaying males. From these results, it is suggested that burrow filling is a primary means by which U. musica terpsichores males establish and maintain their territories, which they use for display purposes. A description of the burrow-filling behavior is also given.
ATTITUDES TOWARD PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE '

Personality test scores (psychoticism, neuroticism, and extraversion) were not associated with attitudes toward physician-assisted suicide in a sample of 50 undergraduate students. Language: en
ON THE EFFECT OF NONHOMOGENEOUS FLOW FIELDS ON THE ORIENTATION DISTRIBUTION AND RHEOLOGY OF FIBER SUSPENSIONS

The influence of nonhomogeneous flow fields on the orientation distribution and rheology of fiber suspensions is investigated. The Stokes-Burger model is used to approximate the forces and moments on the fiber for the subsequent calculation of fiber angular velocities for nonhomogeneous cases where the velocity gradients vary over the fiber length. For simple shear flows, an analytical solution based on the Stokes-Burgers model is derived. Fiber angular velocities are compared to previously published results. An iterative numerical technique is developed to calculate the otherwise indeterminate fiber angular velocities for other nonhomogeneous flows, such as non-isothermal Hele-Shaw flows. The value of shear is derived for which the angular motion of the fiber in a quadratic velocity field is identical to that in a linear shear flow. Subsequently, numerical solutions for orientation distribution functions are presented for cases where analytical solutions for distribution functions are not obtainable. The rheological properties are then studied, using the orientation tensor description, for nonhomogeneous flow fields where the fiber motion can be approximated by that in a shear flow, the equivalent shear rate obtained from the numerical scheme.
[4Fe4S]2+ Clusters Exhibit Ground-State Paramagnetism

Two proteins involved in nitrogen fixation contain ferredoxin-type [4Fe4S] clusters that exist in paramagnetic ground state upon oxidation, a property never observed since the discovery of ferredoxins 50 years ago. This unique characteristic suggests a specific coupling in these clusters necessary for nitrogen fixation and implies an evolutionary connection between the clusters in the two proteins.
Power spectrum estimation with partially known autocorrelation function

It is shown that the use of exact values of the autocorrelation in place of their estimates at one or more lags may lead to two opposite effects on the variance of the corresponding nonparametric power spectrum estimator. The use of the exact values can increase the variance within some frequency bands while reducing it within other bands along the Nyquist interval. The location and the width of these different bands is primarily a function of the lag numbers at which the autocorrelation is known. >
VECTOR AUTOREGRESSION: A CRITICAL TOOL IN THE ARSENAL OF SALES RESPONSE MODELING

This research applies vector autoregression to estimate a system composed of market share and relative advertising expenditures of the seven major competitors in the U. S. replacement passenger tire market between 1972 and 1983. The results of the study suggest that a company's market share in this market cannot be predicted from its relative advertising expenditures.
Use of CVD Ain Films as Protective Coatings in MoSi2 Composites

In many fiber reinforced composite systems, protective coatings on the fibers are required in order to protect the fiber from reaction with the matrix, to modify the mechanical properties of the fiber-matrix interface, or to protect the fiber during processing steps such as chemical vapor infiltration. We have developed techniques for coating single crystal sapphire fibers with thin AIN layers, using CVD from an organometallic precursor in a cold wall reactor. Side by side tests of coated and uncoated fibers introduced into a MoSi2 matrix, either by hot isostatic pressing or by reactive vapor infiltration (RVI), indicate that the coating inhibits both fibermatrix interdiffusion and volatilization of the fibers by HC1 produced in the RVI process.
Lidar Observations of Sierra-Wave Conditions

Abstract Early in 1967 a series of observations using pulsed ruby lidars were made near Independence, Calif.; the objective was to investigate the value of lidar for studying air motion in the Sierra wave, with special reference to indications of turbulence. Although no intense wave activity occurred, appreciable wave motions were observed, both in what appeared to the eye to be clear air and in air where the particulate matter was sufficiently concentrated as to be visible as clouds. Interruptions in the smooth laminar flow in the clear air were observed, and measurements were made of the length, amplitude and height of waves shown by clouds. With previously existing techniques, only limited observation of such phenomena have been possible. It is thus concluded that lidar observations are of considerable value in studying wave motion, even in the absence of visible clouds. There is also a possibility that lidar could indicate the presence of turbulence by revealing the breakdown of wave motion or the pre...
Influence of Ozone on the Oxidation of Flowable Dental Compomer Restorative Material

This research examines the resilience of polymerized compomer dental restorative to the oxidation effects of ozone (O3), with exposure times of 60, 180, 1320, and 2880 minutes. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) is used to observe the release of elemental strontium from the polymer into the aqueous medium, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is used to record the deterioration of the polymer surface and underlying areas of the compomer material, and a microbalance is used to track the mass loss. Ozone can impact a dental polymer in three scenario’s: first is a single disinfections treatment in situ (mouth), second is a multiple treatments in situ, and the third is the immersion of a dental implant that contain the compomer in a disinfecting chamber for cleansing purposes.
Cascade Impactors for Aerosols: Improved Data Analysis

In a cascade impactor each stage collects some particles which are outside its assumed range of sizes and fails to catch some particles which are within its assumed range. This difficulty exists in all non-ideal size-classifying instruments and is designated as a problem in “cross-sensitivity.” A general theory for making a first-order correction was first described by O. Preining and is adapted specifically to cascade impactors in this work. A discussion of the method of making the correction and an application to real and hypothetical aerosols are presented.
Midfoot Sprains in Collegiate Football Players

We studied midfoot sprains in collegiate football players to define and document incidence, mechanisms, injury patterns, and disabilities. Twenty-three athletes with 24 injuries from 1987 through 1991, with a mean followup of 30.8 months, were identified for the study. The injuries occurred in 4% of the football players per year with offensive linemen incurring 29.2% of the injuries. The location of maximal tenderness on physical examination was an important prognostic indicator such that injuries with medial and global midfoot tenderness to palpation had the longest time loss from participation and time until full healing. Lateral midfoot sprains required short periods of disability, and players were able to return to participation with the use of an orthosis. Nineteen athletes with 20 injuries responded to a questionnaire. Four players reported residual functional problems. Only 1 of these players had to modify his recreational activities because of pain. The other players remained very active with only mild complaints of pain after high-demand activities. Midfoot sprains were associated with acute disability that required prolonged restriction from competition, but for most players the long-term residual problems were minor.
Delay Sensitive Smoothed Round Robin (DS2R2) Scheduler for Light-trail and SLiT Networks

We propose Delay Sensitive Smoothed Round Robin scheduling algorithm for provisioning services over light- trail and SLiT networks. Compliance to latencies of services such as PWE3, VoD, Voice and data and good efficiency are observed.
New preorganized γ-amino acids as foldamer building blocks.

An asymmetric synthesis of two new diastereomeric γ-amino acids is described. Both molecules contain a cyclohexyl ring to limit conformational flexibility about the Cα–Cβ bond; they differ in having cis vs trans stereochemistry on the ring. Residues derived from the cis γ isomer are shown to support helical secondary structures in α/γ-peptide oligomers.
Vitamin D: Two Dihydroxylated Metabolites Are Required for Normal Chicken Egg Hatchability

When hens are raised to sexual maturity from hatching with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] as their sole source of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), fertile eggs appear to develop normally but fail to hatch. When hens receive a combination of 1,25(OH)2D3 and 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24,25(OH)2D3], hatchability equivalent to that with hens given vitamin D3 is obtained. These results suggest a biological role for 24,25(OH)2D3 not previously recognized.
The vaccine search goes on.

The article discusses the development of a vaccine for HIV. Background is given on the invention and function of vaccines. A history of attempted HIV vaccines is provided, noting the reasons for each vaccine's failure. Also discussed are the possibilities for future research, including studies into the behavior of HIV in order to discover new strategies for vaccine development.
A link between mergers and consumer confidence

Researchers have put forth several explanations as to why mergers underperform in the short-term horizon as well as over the long-term horizon. This study examines the relationship between consumer confidence and the success of mergers. The results show that high consumer confidence, as measured by the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index, is statistically significant and negatively related to bidder firm average abnormal returns, providing evidence in support of the performance over-extrapolation hypothesis and the hubris hypothesis.
Non-perturbative contributions in models with a non-analytic behavior at infinite N

Abstract It is argued that the approach to the crossover region from weak couplings is signaled by the turn on of sizable tunneling effects. Numerically, this amounts to the necessity to include in the asymptotic weak coupling series terms which vanish in the Poincare sense. In the one-plaquette model previously studied by Wadia it is shown that the conceptual picture advocated by Callan, Dashen and Gross works in a quite satisfactory manner. The emerging approach seems to be generalizable to any number of dimensions.
Convergence of basis pursuit de-noising with dynamic filtering

Causal inference of dynamically changing signals is a vital task in many applications, including real-time image processing and channel estimation. Over the past few years, many algorithms have been proposed to accomplish this task, but extremely few algorithms have any theoretical guarantees on stability, convergence or performance. In this work we use results from the sparsity-based signal processing literature to demonstrate some basic bounds for one particular algorithm: basis pursuit de-noising with dynamic filtering (BPDN-DF). We show for what parameter ranges the algorithm remains stable for, and provide some guarantees on the steady-state approximation error.
Kinetic Studies of Calcium Binding to the Regulatory Site of Troponin C from Cardiac Muscle

Abstract We have studied the kinetics of the structural transitions induced by calcium binding to the single, regulatory site of cardiac troponin C by measuring the rates of calcium-mediated fluorescence changes with a monocysteine mutant of the protein (C35S) specifically labeled at Cys-84 with the fluorescent probe 2-[4′-(iodoacetamido)anilino]naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid. At 4°C, the binding kinetics determined in the presence of Mg2+ was resolved into two phases with positive amplitude, which were completed in less than 100 ms. The rate of the fast phase increased linearly with [Ca2+] reaching a maximum of ∼590 s−1, and that of the slow phase was approximately 100 s−1 and did not depend on Ca2+ concentration. Dissociation of bound Ca2+ from the regulatory site occurred with a rate of 102 s−1, whereas the dissociation from the two high affinity sites was about two orders of magnitude slower. These results are consistent with the following scheme for the binding of Ca2+ to the regulatory site: where the asterisks denote states with enhanced fluorescence. The apparent second-order rate constant for calcium binding is Kok1 = 1.4 × 108M−1 s−1. The two first-order transitions occur with observed rates of k1 + k−1 ≈ 590 s−1 and k2 + k−2 ≈ 100 s−1, and the binding of Ca2+ to the regulatory site is not a simple diffusion-controlled reaction. These transitions provide the first information on the rates of Ca2+-induced conformational changes involving helix movements in the regulatory domain.
Direct Observation of K α Hypersatellites in Heavy-Ion Collisions

In this paper it is demonstrated that 30-MeV oxygen ions bombarded on Ca produces a $K\ensuremath{\alpha}$ spectrum consisting of hypersatellite lines. $K\ensuremath{\alpha}$ hypersatellites are $1s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2p$ transitions in an atom with two $1s$ electron vacancies in the initial state.
Average case complexity of multivariate integration for smooth functions

Abstract We study the average case complexity of multivariate integration for the class of smooth functions equipped with the folded Wiener sheet measure. The complexity is derived by reducing this problem to multivariate integration in the worst case setting but for a different space of functions. Fully constructive optimal information and an optimal algorithm are presented. Next, fully constructive almost optimal information and an almost optimal algorithm are also presented which have some advantages for practical implementation.
Tracers and modeling

The major tracer activity of the last four years was the completion in 1983 of a survey of the North and Tropical Atlantic begun in 1981 as part of the Transient Tracers in the Ocean (TTO) project (Brewer, et al., 1985). An early set of papers (Brewer et al., 1983, and Swift, 1984) discussed evidence from these observations for the freshening of the North Atlantic due to cessation of overflow across the Iceland-Scotland ridge in the period between Geosecs and TTO. Broecker et al. (1985a) examined observations further south within the deep Northeastern Atlantic and showed that there was no change of nutrient contents in this region during the same time span, consistent with their conclusion that there is no ventilation of this region from the north. Kawase and Sarmiento (1985 and 1986) used the TTO data to produce a series of nutrient and salinity maps and property-property plots on density surfaces in the thermocline and middepth waters. Of particular interest in these studies is the evidence from silica-salinity observations of strong cross-isopycnal mixing and advection in the equatorial region.
Patterns of care for immediate and early delayed breast reconstruction following mastectomy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze factors associated with immediate or early (up to 4 months) postmastectomy reconstruction and to update and extend knowledge of patterns of care for reconstruction, using data from a large, population-based surveillance program. Methods: Procedures included analysis of data for 27,703 women diagnosed with breast carcinoma who underwent mastectomy in the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program between 1998 and 2000. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the odds of selecting immediate or early reconstruction while simultaneously considering independent variables. Results: Results of multivariate analyses showed that, for those women who underwent reconstruction, the proportion of black women was approximately one-third less than that of white women (odds ratio, 0.64; 95 percent CI, 0.55 to 0.74). Women who chose reconstruction were between two and four times more likely [odds ratio range, 2.27 (95 percent CI, 2.04 to 2.52) to 3.56 (95 percent CI, 2.53 to 4.58)] to be younger compared with those women aged 65 years and older, and were nearly 75 percent more likely to be diagnosed at the in situ stage compared with those diagnosed at later stages. Women choosing reconstruction were significantly less likely to live in Iowa and Seattle/Puget Sound and more likely to live in Detroit and Atlanta compared with women in San Francisco/Oakland, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Utah, and were significantly less likely to have never married or be widowed compared with married women. Women undergoing reconstruction were more than twice as likely to have had mastectomy with removal of the uninvolved contralateral breast. Conclusions: Results of this study updated previous research and showed that immediate or early reconstruction is used by a small but increasing proportion of women diagnosed with breast carcinoma who undergo mastectomy. Previous knowledge was extended by showing that use of reconstruction is most strongly associated with patient age and removal of the uninvolved contralateral breast and, to a lesser magnitude (but still significantly), with race, stage, marital status, and geographic location.
Thyroid hormones reversibly suppress somatostatin secretion and immunoreactivity in cultured neocortical cells.

Abstract Thyroid hormone effects on brain somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SRIF-LI) were studied in an in vitro model system. Serum was removed from the nutrient culture medium of fetal day-18 rat cerebral cortex cells maintained in primary, long-term, dispersed monolayer culture. Chronic administration of either T3 or T4 in serum-free medium was associated with suppressed release of SRIF-LI into the culture medium (36–43 h accumulation), cell content of peptide and acute release in response to potassium-induced depolarization. Suppression was dose-dependent with an IC50 of less than 1 nM for T3. The most dramatic effects were observed for K+-induced release. Thirty-five to 50% suppression was typically observed with T3 at a near maximum dose (3 nM). Reverse T3 and diiodotyrosine were less potent and effective than T3. TRIAC and diiodothyronine also possessed significant suppressive activity. T3 suppression of release depended on duration of pretreatment. Administered for less than 16 h, T3 failed to significantly suppress K+-induced release, but significant suppression was observed for pretreatment periods of 16 h or longer. Indirect fluorescent immunohistochemical examination revealed a reduction in the number of cells positively stained for SRIF-LI in T3-treated dishes relative to controls. Upon removal of T3 and subsequent recovery in serum supplemented medium for 24 h, T3-treated and control cells exhibited similar levels of SRIF-LI release and cell content. T3-treated and control cells incorporated [3H] leucine into trichloracetic acid precipitable counts to similar extents. Dexamethasone and several sex steroids failed to modify the effects of T3 and did not independently influence SRIF-LI levels. Acute cycloheximide administration did not reverse T3 effects. The data indicate that primary brain cell cultures may be useful models to examine direct peripheral hormone actions on nervous tissue. Thyroid hormones suppress SRIF-LI levels in a dose, time and structure-dependent manner, which appears to be reversible. The findings are consistent with a possible integration of peripheral hormone and brain peptide physiology.
Peter's anomaly: why early detection is important

Peter's anomaly is a rare congenital anomaly. Healthcare providers only have a small ‘window of opportunity’ to diagnose the anomaly after birth and save the sight of a child. In this case, a 9-day-old African American presented to the paediatric primary care clinic for a well-child examination. His initial vision check in the newborn nursery had revealed no abnormalities of the eyes. As the paediatric nurse practitioner was performing his physical examination, she assessed the absence of the red reflex and referred the infant to the appropriate specialist. A child's sight was saved. The most important message from this case is that primary care practitioners must perform complete physical examinations of newborns, including the basic assessment of the infant's eyes.
Orbitofrontal neurons infer the value and identity of predicted outcomes

The best way to respond flexibly to changes in the environment is to anticipate them. Such anticipation often benefits us if we can infer that a change has occurred, before we have actually experienced the effects of that change. Here we test for neural correlates of this process by recording single-unit activity in the orbitofrontal cortex in rats performing a choice task in which the available rewards changed across blocks of trials. Consistent with the proposal that orbitofrontal cortex signals inferred information, firing changes at the start of each new block as if predicting the not-yet-experienced reward. This change occurs whether the new reward is different in number of drops, requiring signalling of a new value, or in flavour, requiring signalling of a new sensory feature. These results show that orbitofrontal neurons provide a behaviourally relevant signal that reflects inferences about both value-relevant and value-neutral information about impending outcomes.
Binuclear manganese(II) complexes in biological systems

The paper reports calculations on binuclear manganese(II) clusters related to those found in biological systems. B3LYP/6-311g(d,p) density functional theory (DFT) calculations are carried out specifically on a set of clusters that derive from the X-ray crystal structure of DNA polymerase β [Batra, V. K. et al., Structure 14, 757–766 (2006)]. Issues investigated are: (a) the relative energy of the lowest and highest spin states (antiferromagnetic (low spin/broken symmetry = LS/BS) or ferromagnetic); (b) the Mn(II)–Mn(II) distance; (c) the effect of water versus CH3OH (a sugar analogue) as a direct Mn ligand; and (d) the effect of the kind of oxygen bridge (mono-oxygen, single-oxygen from a carboxylate or phosphate, or a two-oxygen bridge from a carboxylate), on the geometry and energy. It was found generally that the antiferromagnetic state is lower in energy, that the Mn(II)–Mn(II) distance (which varies from 2.91 to 3.57 A in the series studied) is longer for ferromagnetic states than for the correspondi...
Political economics of agri‐biotechnology

Genes, Trade, and Regulation: The Seeds of Conflict in Food Biotechnology by Thomas Bernauer Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, USA 229 pages, $39/£27 ISBN 0691113483 ![][1] Political economics explains national and international policy as the result of political pressures exerted by interest groups. The underlying assumption is that politicians maximize their own welfare, for example by engaging in vote‐seeking behaviour to get re‐elected. The standard results of this are that more focused and cohesive groups have greater political influence, and that an increase in benefits accruing to or costs borne by any group catalyses that group to exert greater pressure. Political economics successfully explains agricultural subsidies in developed countries, for example, as the outcome of a political process in which organized, cohesive farm lobbies extract substantial payments from heterogeneous consumers whose cost is relatively small on a per‐capita basis. It is much more difficult to explain the controversy surrounding genetically modified (GM) foods due to the lack of clear scientific evidence, politicization of issues, public involvement and international tensions. In Genes, Trade, and Regulation , Thomas Bernauer does a masterful job of articulating the complicated nuances of political economics and of applying them accessibly to biotechnology … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
What do we know about relapse in pathological gambling

The study of pathological gambling and its treatment is in a nascent stage. To date, no consistent definition of relapse to gambling exists, and only a few empirical studies have evaluated the phenomenon of relapse directly in this patient population. Perspectives on relapse to drug and alcohol use appear relevant to the study of pathological gambling, and relapse to gambling is reviewed within the larger context of addictive disorders. The application of psychological, biological, environmental, and treatment factors are described as they may relate to relapse among pathological gamblers.
Measuring Fast Shear Strengths Along Slickensided Surfaces in the Bromhead Ring Shear

Fast and slow ring shear tests were performed in the Bromhead ring shear device to examine the effect of the displacement rate on the shear strength measured along slickensided discontinuities in Rancho Solano Fat Clay. For each test, initial drained shearing was performed at a displacement rate of 0.018 mm/min, fast shearing was performed at a rate of 44.5 mm/min, and drained shearing was recommenced at a displacement rate of 0.018 mm/min. Significant variations in measured post-peak shear strengths were observed, and problems with the pore pressure response in the soil surrounding the slickensided plane are discussed. As a result of these problems, it was concluded that fast Bromhead ring shear tests may not be suitable for evaluating the effects of fast shearing on the strengths of slickensided surfaces.
Heterogeneous function of ryanodine receptors, but not IP3 receptors, in hamster cremaster muscle feed arteries and arterioles

The roles played by ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) in vascular smooth muscle in the microcirculation remain unclear. Therefore, the function of both RyRs and IP3Rs in Ca2+ signals and myogenic tone in hamster cremaster muscle feed arteries and downstream arterioles were assessed using confocal imaging and pressure myography. Feed artery vascular smooth muscle displayed Ca2+ sparks and Ca2+ waves, which were inhibited by the RyR antagonists ryanodine (10 μM) or tetracaine (100 μM). Despite the inhibition of sparks and waves, ryanodine or tetracaine increased global intracellular Ca2+ and constricted the arteries. The blockade of IP3Rs with xestospongin D (5 μM) or 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (100 μM) or the inhibition of phospholipase C using U-73122 (10 μM) also attenuated Ca2+ waves without affecting Ca2+ sparks. Importantly, the IP3Rs and phospholipase C antagonists decreased global intracellular Ca2+ and dilated the arteries. In contrast, cremaster arterioles displayed only Ca2+ waves: Ca2+ sparks were not observed, and neither ryanodine (10–50 μM) nor tetracaine (100 μM) affected either Ca2+ signals or arteriolar tone despite the presence of functional RyRs as assessed by responses to the RyR agonist caffeine (10 mM). As in feed arteries, arteriolar Ca2+ waves were attenuated by xestospongin D (5 μM), 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (100 μM), and U-73122 (10 μM), accompanied by decreased global intracellular Ca2+ and vasodilation. These findings highlight the contrasting roles played by RyRs and IP3Rs in Ca2+ signals and myogenic tone in feed arteries and demonstrate important differences in the function of RyRs between feed arteries and downstream arterioles.
Real-time Descartes: a real-time specification language

Real-time Descartes is a formal language for specifying real-time software, which is an extension of the executable Descartes specification language. Many formal specification techniques have been proposed to conceptualize real-world semantics of the inherently complex nature of real-time systems. Descartes as one of the specification languages based on the functional model has the advantages of easy constructibility and comprehensibility. Real-time Descartes makes effective use of the advantages of the finite state machine (FSM) model, the assertional model, and the process model while overcoming the disadvantages of the functional model. Easy constructibility and comprehensibility of Real-time Descartes will lessen the burden from software developers and reduce the understanding gap among participants. >
Flow conveying and diagnosis with carbon nanotube arrays

Dense arrays of aligned carbon nanotubes are designed into strips, nanowicks, as a miniature wicking element for liquid delivery and potential microfluidic chemical analysis devices. Liquid wicks away along the nanowicks spontaneously. This delivery function of nanowicks enables novel fluid transport devices to run without any power input, moving parts or external pump. Flow around the opaque nanotubes can be detected either directly or indirectly. Direct signals of the flow come out of dyed liquid or from the liquid–air interface; indirect signals are detected through observing surface-tension-induced deformation and dislocation of the nanotubes. Here we show that flow progression around and inside nanowicks is sensitive to liquid properties. Different flow progression leaves different traces of liquid. These traces not only allow liquid diagnosis any time after sampling, but also enable analysis of flow at a nanoscale resolution with scanning electron microscopy.
Study of Glass Surfaces by Generation of Electrostatic Charges

A reproducible method for developing electrostatic charges by rubbing glass surfaces with a platinum electrode was developed as a quantitative approach to the study of glass surfaces. The charge-producing characteristics of glass surfaces were correlated with glass compositions as well as with the conditions of formation of the glass surfaces and their subsequent histories. The sign and magnitude of charges generated on glass surfaces arose primarily from the ions removed from the surface films. The charge development characteristics of glass interfaces seem to yield some indications of the atomic arrangements at glass interfaces.
Age-related sensitivity to nicotine for inducible atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation

The influence of nicotine in modulating vulnerability to atrial tachycardia and fibrillation (AT/AF) remains ill defined. The isolated hearts of six young (2–3 mo) and six old (22–24 mo) male Fisch...
Specific Reaction Parametrization of the AM1/d Hamiltonian for Phosphoryl Transfer Reactions: H, O, and P Atoms

A semiempirical AM1/d Hamiltonian is developed to model phosphoryl transfer reactions catalyzed by enzymes and ribozymes for use in linear-scaling calculations and combined quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical simulations. The model, designated AM1/d-PhoT, is parametrized for H, O, and P atoms to reproduce high-level density-functional results from a recently constructed database of quantum calculations for RNA catalysis (http://theory.chem.umn.edu/Database/QCRNA), including geometries and relative energies of minima, transition states and reactive intermediates, dipole moments, proton affinities, and other relevant properties. The model is tested in the gas phase and in solution using a QM/MM potential. The results indicate that the method provides significantly higher accuracy than MNDO/ d, AM1, and PM3 methods and, for the transphosphorylation reactions, is in close agreement with the density-functional calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2p) level with a reduction in computational cost of 3-4 orders of magnitude. The model is expected to have considerable impact on the application of semiempirical QM/MM methods to transphosphorylation reactions in solution, enzymes, and ribozymes and to ultimately facilitate the design of improved next- generation multiscale quantum models.