cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A nuclease-resistant RNA aptamer specifically inhibits angiopoietin-1-mediated Tie2 activation and function

Tie2 is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is expressed predominantly in the endothelium and plays key roles in both physiological and pathological angiogenesis. The ligands for Tie2, the angiopoietins (Ang), perform opposing functions in vascular maintenance and angiogenesis; Ang1 regulates vascular quiescence, while Ang2 is thought to promote vascular destabilization and facilitate angiogenesis. However, the mechanisms responsible for these differences are not understood. To begin to elucidate the molecular differences between the angiopoietins, we previously developed a specific RNA aptamer inhibitor of Ang2. Here, we used the same iterative in vitro selection process, termed SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment), to screen a library of 2′-fluoro-modified ribonucleotides for Ang1-binding aptamers. After nine rounds of selection, we identified a single clone, ANG9-4, that bound with high affinity to human Ang1 (Kd 2.8 nM) but not Ang2 (Kd > 1 μM), demonstrating specificity for Ang1. ANG9-4 blocked Ang1-mediated Tie2 phosphorylation and downstream Akt activation. Moreover, ANG9-4 inhibited Ang1-induced endothelial cell survival. Together, these findings demonstrate the feasibility of developing an Ang1-inhibitory aptamer. ANG9-4 and its derivatives may provide useful tools for elucidating the biology of Ang1 and for treating certain angiogenic diseases.
Effects of acute and chronic hypoxia on nitric oxide–mediated relaxation of fetal guinea pig arteries

Abstract Objective: These studies tested whether fetal artery reactivity is sensitive to both acute changes in oxygen levels (in vitro) and chronic changes (in utero). Study Design: Pregnant guinea pigs near term were exposed to either normoxia or hypoxia (12% oxygen) for 4 or 7 days. The effect of decreasing PO 2 in vitro (acute hypoxia) on relaxation in response to acetylcholine, A23187, sodium nitroprusside, and 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine monophosphate was measured in isolated carotid arteries from normoxic fetuses. In separate experiments relaxation in response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside of endothelially intact and denuded fetal arteries from fetuses exposed to normoxic conditions and long-term (4 and 7 days) hypoxic conditions was measured in the presence and absence of nitro-L -arginine (10 –4 mol/L). Results: Acute hypoxia inhibited endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine and A23187, increased sensitivity to sodium nitroprusside, but had no effect on relaxation in response to 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Chronic hypoxia (4 but not 7 days) inhibited maximal relaxation of arteries in response to acetylcholine but not relaxation of arteries in response to sodium nitroprusside with respect to relaxation seen in arteries from normoxic fetuses. Nitro-L -arginine attenuated the differences between normoxic and hypoxic fetuses in acetylcholine response. Conclusion: Hypoxia may alter relaxation of fetal arteries by decreasing the availability of oxygen for nitric oxide production and causing vascular adaptations related to altered nitric oxide release. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:105-11.)
Effects of monoclonal antibodies to bovine and Paracoccus denitrificans cytochromes c on reactions with oxidase, reductase and peroxidase.

Abstract The effects of monoclonal antibodies to bovine and Paracoccus denitrificans cytochromes c (Kuo, L.M. and Davies, H.C. (1983) Mol. Immunol. 20, 827–838) in the reactions of the cytochromes c with cytochrome c oxidase, reductase and peroxidase were studied. Spectrophotometric assays were employed, under conditions where binding of cytochrome c to the enzymes appears to be rate-limiting. Less than stoichiometric amounts of antibodies to P. denitrificans cytochrome c added to the cytochrome rendered some of it nonoxidizable or nonreducible by the P. denitrificans membrane-bound electron transport system and decreased the rate constant with the remaining cytochrome c . The antibodies appear to affect both electron transport reactions (blocking effects) with the oxidase and reductase and binding effects (effects on rate constants) and to distinguish between the two. Different ratios of antibody site to cytochrome c gave different extents of blocking of the reductase as compared with the oxidase reaction. Differences were also apparent in the effect of these antibodies on the reaction of yeast peroxidase and the oxidase with the P. denitrificans cytochrome c . Antibodies to bovine and P. denitrificans cytochromes c had considerably less effect on the reactions of the bovine cytochrome with bovine oxidase and reductase. One antibody was inhibitory to the oxidase reaction with bovine cytochrome c , but not to that with the reductase. Also, an antibody which inhibited the oxidase reaction had no effect on the reaction with yeast peroxidase. The data give evidence that the interaction areas on cytochrome c for oxidase and reductase and peroxidase are not identical, although they may be nearby.
Pluto's structure and composition suggest origin in the solar, not a planetary, nebula

The four explanations for Pluto's large rock/ice ratio, (1) formation in the inner solar system, (2) volatile loss during accretion, (3) volatile loss during the large-body impact that created Charon, and (4) formation as a large, ice-poor outer solar system planetesimal, are considered. It is shown that only the last two explanations are feasible, and that the depletion of water ice in Pluto is so severe that both explanations may be necessary.
Construct and Predictive Validity of the Core Phonics Survey: A Diagnostic Assessment for Students with Specific Learning Disabilities.

The factor structure of the CORE Phonics Survey was analyzed using a sample of 165 students in upper elementary school with specific learning disabilities. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to identify the hypothesized constructs of the CORE Phonics Survey and predictive validity of the CORE Phonics Survey to predict students' success in word level reading and oral reading fluency one year later. The results of the analyses indicated the two-factor model representing two latent variables, alphabetic knowledge and decoding skills, provided the most appropriate fit to the given data, indicating that the hypothesized two factors of the CORE Phonics Survey demonstrate construct validity. The two constructs of CORE Phonics Survey significantly predicted students' fluency and decoding abilities as measured by norm-referenced assessments one year later. The practical implications and limitations of the present study are discussed.
Analysis of the 5′ flanking sequences from the human protein kinase p58 (PITSLREβ1)-encoding gene

Abstract The p58 (PITSLREβ1) protein kinase (PK) is a member of a large supergene family related to the master mitotic protein kinase, p34cdc2. This PK is also a member of a sub-family itself, with at least six additional related PITSLRE PK isoforms expressed by alternative splicing and promoter utilization from three duplicated genes. Minimal overproduction of the PITSLREβ1 PK in Chinese hamster ovary cells results in a late mitotic delay, suggesting that this PK's function may be related to the cell cycle [Bunnell et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87 (1990) 7467–7471]. Further studies using structural and functional mutants have shown that PITSLRE PKs are involved in signaling apoptosis. The gene encoding the PITSLREβ1 PK has previously been isolated and structurally characterized [Eipers et al., Genomics 13 (1992) 613–621]. Here we characterize the minimal essential promoter for this gene. Analysis of a 1.18-kb stretch of DNA located upstream from the PITSLREβ1 start codon demonstrates that significant cat gene expression can be driven by a construct containing this sequence. Deletion studies of this DNA fragment have defined a minimal promoter that extends 144 bp 5′ of the previously mapped transcription start point (tsp), and 521 bp 5′ of the start codon. This region of PITSLREβ1 DNA does not contain canonical TATA-box sequences or G + C-rich sequences associated with many promoters, yet it has approximately 20% of the promoting activity when compared to the SV40 early promoter. This suggests that this DNA sequence is a relatively strong basal promoter of a previously uncharacterized type.
Modeling the oxidation-induced fragmentation of soot aggregates in laminar flames

While the formation and growth of soot particles has received much attention, the subsequent destruction of the particles is less well understood. Soot particles are destroyed though two parallel processes: oxidation and fragmentation. Oxidation is the removal of mass from particles due to chemical reactions with molecular oxygen and hydroxyl radicals. Fragmentation is the break-up of large aggregates into smaller aggregates. Here, a new model for fragmentation inspired by previous experimental investigations is proposed and formulated within the Hybrid Method of Moments (HMOM). With the formulation, the rate of particle loss due to oxidation is closed, resolving a long-standing problem with the Method of Moments. Less important, secondary unclosed terms are introduced, and models for these terms are proposed. The oxidation and fragmentation models are validated using a set of laminar premixed methane flames and then applied to a series of laminar counterflow diffusion acetylene flames. The role of fragmentation is distinctly different in the two flame types. In the premixed flames, fragmentation only occurs in lean flames with a high oxygen concentration. In the diffusion flames, fragmentation is virtually absent, for soot passes through an OH radical layer and is completely oxidized before reaching high oxygen concentrations.
MOLECULAR MODELING IN DYE CHEMISTRY : STUDIES INVOLVING TWO DISPERSE DYES

The equilibrium geometries of C.I. Disperse Yellow 86 and C.I. Disperse Red 167 are predicted using semi-empirical and mechanical methods. All semi-empirical geometry optimizations involve MNDO, MINDO/3, AM1. and PM3 Hamiltonians implemented in MOPAC, and CNDO and INDO Hamiltonians implemented in ZINDO for self-consistent field energy calculations. MOPAC optimizations use a Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno func tion minimizer, while ZINDO optimizations employ a Newton-Raphson search minimiza tion technique. All semi-empirical optimizations are initiated from an identical starting structure that has been optimized with an augmented MM2 mechanical forcefield in conjunction with a conjugate gradient minimizer algorithm. When the predicted structures of the two disperse dyes are compared to x-ray crystal structures, PM3 and AM1 give the best correlations between predicted and experimental values for atomic and hydrogen bond lengths. MINDO/3 gives the closest predictions of the improper torsion angle asso ciat...
Cholinergic and nitrergic regulation of in vivo giant migrating contractions in rat colon.

The aim of this study was to characterize in vivo rat colonic motor activity in normal and inflamed states and determine its neural regulation. Circular muscle contractions were recorded by surgica...
Nitrogen Availability for Sugarbeet affected by Tillage System and Sprinkler Irrigation Method

Many shank-type strip tillage (ST) implements band fertilizer below the seed without incorporating crop residue into the soil, potentially aff ecting N availability. Sprinkler irrigation method may also aff ect N availability due to its infl uence on water and NO 3 –N movement in soil. A fi eld study was conducted at Sidney, MT, to determine if sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) petiole NO 3 –N concentration and soil available (i.e., mineral) N distribution diff er under (i) conventional tillage (CT) and ST systems and (ii) mid-elevation spray application (MESA) and low energy precision application (LEPA) irrigation methods. Mid-season petiole NO 3 –N concentration was lower with ST than with CT in 1 of 3 yr. In-season mineral N concentration in the top 45 cm of soil was lower with ST than with CT. Postharvest mineral N was 10% lower with ST than with CT. Th ere were few measurable eff ects of irrigation method except that in-season mineral N in the top 45 cm of soil was 10% greater with LEPA than with MESA. Root yield and sugar production were reported to be similar with the two tillage systems. It was concluded that diff erences in petiole NO 3 –N concentration and soil mineral N content were not suffi cient to justify altering N application rate based on the tillage systems or irrigation methods evaluated. However, there were indications that NO 3 –N leaching may be reduced by combining LEPA, with which irrigation water is applied between alternating crop rows, with strip tillage, where N is banded beneath the crop row.
GEOGRAPHIC AND SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF RABIES IN SKUNKS, FOXES AND BATS IN TEXAS

The geographic and seasonal distributions of the pathobiocenoses formed by rabies virus, the biotic provinces of Texas, and skunks, foxes and bats were described using synoptic mapping and enumeration by calendar month. Autocorrelation functions with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the skunk pathobiocenose for lag periods up to 36 mo in length. The geographic distributions were fundamentally different, but all overlapped. The skunk and fox pathobiocenoses were associated with provincial ecotones. The distribution of the bat pathobiocenose was urban. The nature of the autocorrelation functions for the skunk pathobiocenose indicated that this disease association may be spreading throughout the state from an epicenter in the Texan biotic province.
Maximum tree: a consistent estimator of the species tree

We propose a model based approach to use multiple gene trees to estimate the species tree. The coalescent process requires that gene divergences occur earlier than species divergences when there is any polymorphism in the ancestral species. Under this scenario, speciation times are restricted to be smaller than the corresponding gene split times. The maximum tree (MT) is the tree with the largest possible speciation times in the space of species trees restricted by available gene trees. If all populations have the same population size, the MT is the maximum likelihood estimate of the species tree. It can be shown the MT is a consistent estimator of the species tree even when the MT is built upon the estimates of the true gene trees if the gene tree estimates are statistically consistent. The MT converges in probability to the true species tree at an exponential rate.
Safety of Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Patients with Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Although shown to be safe in many other lung disorders, the safety of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in critically ill patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains unproven. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the safety of BAL in patients with ARDS. There were 438 patients with ARDS at our institution during the study period. Of these, 110 underwent FOB and BAL for either research or clinical purposes. Data were collected at baseline, at 5-min intervals during the procedure, and 1 h after the procedure. We did not detect any statistically or clinically significant changes in PaO2/FlO2, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, peak inspiratory pressure, or static thoracic compliance after the procedure. A small decrease in SaO2 occurred after BAL. Although this change was statistically significant, the magnitude was not of clinical importance. Five patients (4.5%) had transient arterial oxygen desaturation to < 90% during FOB and one patient (0.9%) experienced desaturation to < 80%. There were no prolonged episodes of severe hypoxemia. No serious bleeding occurred. One pneumothorax developed during the procedure. No deaths occurred that were related to the procedure. We conclude that FOB and BAL can be performed safely and are reasonably well-tolerated in patients with ARDS.
Dehydrogenase activity of lactic streptococci.

Abstract Single-strain cultures of Streptococcus lactis, Streptococcus diacetilactics , and Streptococcus cremoris were incubated in nonfat milk medium at temperatures of 21, 30, and 38C for 14 and 36 hr. At the end of the incubation period, the quantities of ethanol and acetaldehyde produced by each culture were determined by means of a gas-liquid chromatographic technique. A significant difference in ethanol production was noted between strains within a species. Higher levels of acetaldehyde were generally retained by organisms which produced lower levels of ethanol. Addition of 100ppm of acetaldehyde to newly inoculated cultures resulted in marked increases in the level of ethanol at the end of the incubation period. The three species were also capable of reducing propanal to n -propanol.
Do Complication Rates Differ by Gender After Metal-on-metal Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty? A Systematic Review.

Background Although metal-on-metal (MoM) bearing surfaces provide low rates of volumetric wear and increased stability, evidence suggests that certain MoM hip arthroplasties have high rates of complication and failure. Some evidence indicates that women have higher rates of failure compared with men; however, the orthopaedic literature as a whole has poorly reported such complications stratified by gender.
Working conditions and adverse pregnancy outcome : A meta-analysis

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the association between working conditions and adverse pregnancy outcomes by performing a meta-analysis of published studies. Data Sources: We searched the English-language literature in MEDLINE through August 1999 using the terms standing, posture, work, workload, working conditions, shift, occupational exposure, occupational diseases, lifting, pregnancy complications, pregnancy, small for gestational age (SGA), fetal growth retardation (FGR), preterm, and labor. Methods of Study Selection: We included observational studies evaluating the effect of one or more of the following work-related exposures on adverse pregnancy outcome: physically demanding work, prolonged standing, long work hours, shift work, and cumulative work fatigue score. Outcomes of interest were preterm birth, hypertension or preeclampsia, and SGA. We conducted a meta-analysis based on 160,988 women in 29 studies to evaluate the association of physically demanding work, prolonged standing, long working hours, shift work, and cumulative work fatigue score with preterm birth. Also analyzed were the associations of physically demanding work with hypertension or preeclampsia and SGA infants. The data were analyzed using the Peto-modified Mantel-Haenszel method to estimate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Tabulation, Integration, and Results: Physically demanding work was significantly associated with preterm birth (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.16, 1.29), SGA (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.30, 1.44), and hypertension or preeclampsia (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.30, 1.96). Other occupational exposures significantly associated with preterm birth included prolonged standing (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.13, 1.40), shift and night work (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.06, 1.46), and high cumulative work fatigue score (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.33, 1.98). We found no significant association between long work hours and preterm birth (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.92, 1.16). Conclusion: Physically demanding work may significantly increase a woman’s risk of adverse pregnancy outcome.
Children’s Intellectual and Emotional–Behavioral Adjustment at 4 Years as a Function of Cocaine Exposure, Maternal Characteristics, and Environmental Risk

The authors examined 223 children at age 4 years for the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure, exposure to other substances, maternal and environmental risk factors, and neonatal medical problems on IQ, externalizing problems, and internalizing problems. Regression analyses showed that maternal verbal IQ and low environmental risk predicted child IQ. Cocaine exposure negatively predicted children's overall IQ and verbal reasoning scores, but only for boys. Cocaine exposure also predicted poorer short-term memory. Maternal harsh discipline, maternal depressive symptoms, and increased environmental risk predicted externalizing problems. In contrast, only maternal depressive symptoms predicted internalizing problems. These findings indicate that early exposure to substances is largely unrelated to subsequent IQ or adjustment, particularly for girls.
Taming Griffiths' Singularities in Long Range Random Ising Models

We study long range random Ising models and develop modified high temperature and strong magnetic field expansions that give decay of truncated correlation functions and uniqueness of Gibbs states, in spite of the presence of Griffiths' singularities.
Morphological stability of a vicinal face induced by step flow

Abstract For growth from a supersaturated solution, the linear stability with respect to step bunching of a step train forming a vicinal face is considered accounting for both capillarity and anisotropy of interface kinetics. It is found that the step motion with respect to a stagnant solution provides stabilization at sufficiently large wavelengths for which the typical diffusion rate is comparable to the rate of incorporation of the crystallizing species at the steps, i.e., to the kinetic coefficient. Since capillarity can stabilize the interface against short wavelength perturbations, the combined action of both kinetic anisotropy and capillarity provides complete linear stability at sufficiently high growth rates.
Stereoregulation and stereoregular polymers

The discovery of methods for regulating stereoisomerism in polymer synthesis, and thereby controlling polymer properties, is one of the most significant recent developments in polymer science. Polypropylenes and propylene copolymers are the outstanding products resulting already. This review includes both European and American contributions from the beginning of the idea. It emphasizes researches on polymerization of vinyl ethers and of 1-olefms which have been most important in development of the basic concepts of stereoregulation. The review is based in part upon a paper presented at the Canadian Polymer Forum in Ottawa in September 1965.
Conformal Field Theory on a (Super)Riemann Surface

Abstract A universal description of string dynamics is given in terms of the response of the world-sheet stress tensor to external sources and changes in global surface geometry. The formalism treats all string theories with equal ease, and provides a geometric picture of supersymmetric string dynamics. Partition functions for flat spacetime backgrounds are constructed by this method and used to illustrate the factorization of the S-matrix at the boundary of moduli space. The properties of the S-matrix in the vicinity of the boundary arise naturally as consequences of conformal field theory.
Characterization measures of ensemble systems using a meta-learning approach

In a decision making process, we are usually oriented to take into consideration all the relevant features (characteristics) involved in a specific problem. In Machine Learning, for instance, a decision is made through the use of a learning algorithm and the characterization process is represented by the corresponding datasets. In this context, classification algorithms can be applied, individually or through the use of ensemble systems (combination of classification methods), in the decision-making process. The concept of ensemble systems has emerged in the last decades as a strategy for combining independent classifiers (components), aiming to provide a decision that is potentially more effective than any single component. However, the design of the ensemble structure is not an easy task and it can have an important impact in the performance of these systems. In this paper, we investigate the use of meta-learning on the selection of the best configuration parameters (learning strategy, size and individual classifiers) for homogeneous structures of ensemble systems. The main aim of this analysis is to assess the effect of using meta-learning in the design of efficient and robust ensemble systems.
Improving the Density of Jammed Disordered Packings Using Ellipsoids

Packing problems, such as how densely objects can fill a volume, are among the most ancient and persistent problems in mathematics and science. For equal spheres, it has only recently been proved that the face-centered cubic lattice has the highest possible packing fraction \({\varphi}={\pi}{/}\sqrt{18}{\approx}0.74\) . It is also well known that certain random (amorphous) jammed packings have φ ≈ 0.64. Here, we show experimentally and with a new simulation algorithm that ellipsoids can randomly pack more densely—up to φ= 0.68 to 0.71for spheroids with an aspect ratio close to that of M&M9s Candies—and even approach φ ≈ 0.74 for ellipsoids with other aspect ratios. We suggest that the higher density is directly related to the higher number of degrees of freedom per particle and thus the larger number of particle contacts required to mechanically stabilize the packing. We measured the number of contacts per particle Z ≈ 10 for our spheroids, as compared to Z ≈ 6 for spheres. Our results have implications for a broad range of scientific disciplines, including the properties of granular media and ceramics, glass formation, and discrete geometry.
The IgG2a/IgA produced by the murine T560 B lymphoma that arose during a graft-versus-host reaction is polyreactive and somatically mutated.

In mice undergoing a graft-versus-host (GVH) reaction, donor T cells responding to the host's MHC antigens induce polyclonal activation of the host's B cells and secretion of their antibodies and autoantibodies. T560, a CD5 B lymphoma that arose in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) of a (BIO ± B10.H2aH4bpWts) F, hybrid mouse that had been injected with parental B10.H2aH4h splenocytes, is of particular interest because it produces switched, heavily mutated, but, nevertheless, polyreactive immunoglobulin. T560 bears and contains IgG2a but switches to IgA spontaneously. The T560 Ig variable region is encoded by a V186.2-related Vh gene, juxtaposed to DFL 16 and JhI, and by a Vk gene of the Vk 4/5 group juxtaposed to Jkl. Both Vh and Vk are heavily mutated. The IgA binds to polystyrene, top-azophenyl-phosphorylcholine (PC)-conjugated keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) (PC-KLH), to 2,4,6 trinitrophenylated (TNP)-KLH and to human TNF-α but not to KLH, human TNF-a, or any of several other Ags tested. Hapten...
Clinical Accuracy of Estimated Fetal Weight in Term Pregnancies in a Teaching Hospital

AbstractObjective: To evaluate whether clinical characteristics alter the accuracy of clinical estimation of fetal weight (EFW) in term pregnancies in a teaching hospital.Methods: Secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort study of patients presenting for labor at term. Clinical EFW was performed using Leopold maneuvers. A Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (r) was used to evaluate the linear relationship between clinical EFW and actual birth weight (BW). Body mass index (BMI), gestational age, fetal station, and admission diagnosis were evaluated with respect to their impact on clinical EFW. The primary outcome was an absolute error between clinical EFW and actual BW >500 g.Results: Of 3797 patients, 941 (24.8%) had an absolute error in clinical EFW exceeding 500 g. The overall correlation between clinical EFW and actual BW was weak (r = 0.4). There was a significant trend of improved accuracy of clinical EFW with increasing gestational age; however, BMI, fetal station, and admission diagnosis did...
An Investigation of Scheduling Policies in a Dual‐Constrained Manufacturing Cell*

In previous group scheduling studies, labor has essentially been ignored by assuming that enough labor is assigned to each machine in the cell. In reality, however, management usually does not have the resources to employ a laborer at each machine in the cell (i.e., machines need to share labor). Both labor scheduling and group scheduling heuristics need to be administered to manage the cell effectively. This study develops and examines scheduling procedures for a dual-constrained (i.e., machine and labor) manufacturing cell. Eleven decision rules are developed and tested under 16 different experimental conditions. The experimental factors used are interarrival time distribution, cell load, setup-to-run-time ratio, and transfer-to-run-time ratio. Results show that interarrival time distribution and cell load have the greatest impact on the performance of the cell. This suggests that effective production planning aimed at reducing job arrival variation and leveling the cell load can substantially improve cell performance. Among the experimental factors, setup and transfer-to-run-time ratio factors had the strongest influence on the rankings of the decision rules. These rankings were fairly robust across all experimental conditions and performance measures. The results also indicated that the inclusion of labor as a contraint in the cell had a significant impact on the performance of several group scheduling heuristics. Finally, it was shown that the best performing decision rules consider both transfer time and subfamily setup times.
Judgment Deferred: Reappraisal of Rehabilitation Counseling Movement toward Licensure Parity.

Fifteen years have passed since an analysis of the position of rehabilitation counselors in the national counselor licensure movement by Tarvydas and Leahy. This article addresses the question of h...
Meaning of Caring to 7 Novice Physical Therapists During Their First Year of Clinical Practice

Background and Purpose: Caring has been identified as a rules-based approach to good patient care, as a core value in physical therapist professional behavior, as a part of experienced and expert practice, as a virtue, and as a moral orientation. Previous research showed that experienced and expert female physical therapists value compassion and caring in clinical practice. However, little is known about how novice physical therapists care for their patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of caring from the perspectives of novice physical therapists. Subjects: Seven novice physical therapists (with less than 1 year of clinical experience) working in either an outpatient or an inpatient facility were recruited. Methods: A qualitative method (phenomenology) was used, with data being obtained from retrospective interviews of the novice physical therapists regarding their experiences in the clinic. Results: Three common themes relating to the nature of caring emerged: learning to care (with the following subthemes: barriers to caring, the “difficult” patient, finding a balance, and time constraints), patients as subjects, and the culture of the clinic. Discussion and Conclusion: The novice physical therapists in this study expressed difficulty in dealing with difficult patients, with time management, and with balancing their professional and personal lives. However, despite the barriers to caring, many of these participants viewed caring not just as a rules-based approach but as a core value and, in some cases, a moral orientation that guided their first year of clinical practice. The findings suggest that caring requires certain skills and attitudes that accrue over time and that physical therapist education programs should integrate learning experiences (including clinical experiences) throughout the curriculum that foster caring behaviors in order to prepare students for the first-year transition in the clinic. In addition, experienced clinicians should appreciate how their clinic's culture and their behaviors can help model caring attitudes in novice physical therapists.
Geometry, optimization and control in robot coordination

Motion coordination is an extraordinary phenomenon in biological systems and a powerful tool in man-made systems; although individual agents have no global system knowledge, complex behaviors emerge from local interactions. This talk focuses on robotic networks, that is, group of robots that communicate and coordinate their motions to perform useful tasks. Example tasks are how to respond to service requests in an environment, how to deploy sensor nodes in locations of interest, and how to partition an environment among cooperating agents. For these tasks, we propose a comprehensive collection of adaptive and distributed algorithms, including a novel a novel deployment and partitioning algorithm with minimal communication requirements. Our approach integrates concepts from queuing and stochastic analysis, geometric optimization, and nonlinear stability theory.
The Office of Technical Services: A New Deal Idea in the Cold War

An emphasis on developing technology for use in World War II produced a body of German and American scientific knowledge that some U S policymakers believed could stimulate America's postwar economy New Dealers, in particular, believed that the government should organize, evaluate, and declassify this body of knowledge and facilitate its transfer to American industry, especially to small businesses that had limited resources for research and development The debate to create a government agency that was to have, as its primary mission, the communica tion of scientific and technical information to the general public was, however, also shaped by cold war politics and this circumstance had significant impact on the later role of that agency.
Growing Bacillus subtilis tendrils sense and avoid each other

Growing tendrils of aflagellate hag mutants of Bacillus subtilis were found to show an avoidance response when colonizing a semi-solid medium, suggesting a tip-to-tip communication mechanism between colonies. There may be a second sensing mechanism involved in shaping the morphology of tendrils. Tendril growth in B. subtilis was dependent on and possibly shaped by the release of surfactin, a biosurfactant. Transposon mutagenesis yielded two mutants with ‘touching’ tendrils, and each had a disrupted gspA gene that encodes a putative glycosyltransferase. Tendrils of gspA mutants, unlike the parental strain, were unresponsive to tendril tip growth by surfactin, suggesting disruption of intercellular signaling. Tendril sensing and avoidance could be physiologically relevant in habitats, such as plant roots, where some limiting nutrient might induce this type of multicellular behavior, promoting avoidance of previously explored areas by sibling colonies.
Case report no. 25. Acute monocytic leucemia

Abstract In this case symptoms appeared in the mouth as one of the first signs of acute monocytic leucemia, and the patient's chief complaint while in the hospital was the swollen and ulcerated gums and the marked fetor oris which increased with the progress of the disease.
MRI-safe robot for targeted transrectal prostate biopsy: animal experiments.

Objectives To study the feasibility and safety of using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-safe robot for assisting MRI-guided transrectal needle placement and biopsy in the prostate, using a canine model. To determine the accuracy and precision afforded by the use of the robot while targeting a desired location in the organ. Materials and Methods In a study approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, six healthy adult male beagles with prostates of at least 15 × 15 mm in size at the largest transverse section were chosen for the procedure. The probe portion of the robot was placed into the rectum of the dog, images were acquired and image-to-robot registration was performed. Images acquired after placement of the robot were reviewed and a radiologist selected targets for needle placement in the gland. Depending on the size of the prostate, up to a maximum of six needle placements were performed on each dog. After needle placement, robot-assisted core biopsies were performed on four dogs that had larger prostate volumes and extracted cores were analysed for potential diagnostic value. Results Robot-assisted MRI-guided needle placements were performed to target a total of 30 locations in six dogs, achieving a targeting accuracy of 2.58 mm (mean) and precision of 1.31 mm (sd). All needle placements were successfully completed on the first attempt. The mean time required to select a desired target location in the prostate, align the needle guide to that point, insert the needle and perform the biopsy was ∼ 3 min. For this targeting accuracy study, the inserted needle was also imaged after its placement in the prostate, which took an additional 6–8 min. Signal-to-noise ratio analysis indicated that the presence of the robot within the scanner bore had minimal impact on the quality of the images acquired. Analysis of intact biopsy core samples indicated that the samples contained prostatic tissues, appropriate for making a potential diagnosis. Dogs used in the study did not experience device- or procedure-related complications. Conclusions Results from this preclinical pilot animal study suggest that MRI-targeted transrectal biopsies are feasible to perform and this procedure may be safely assisted by an MRI-safe robotic device.
Linear and Nonlinear Tuning of Parametrically Excited MEMS Oscillators

Microelectromechanical oscillators utilizing noninterdigitated combdrive actuators have the ability to be parametrically excited, which leads to distinct advantages over harmonically driven oscillators. Theory predicts that this type of actuator, when dc voltage is applied, can also be used for tuning the effective linear and nonlinear stiffnesses of an oscillator. For instance, the parametric instability region can be rotated by using a previously developed linear tuning scheme. This can be accomplished by implementing two sets of noninterdigitated combdrives, choosing the correct geometry and alignment for each, and applying ac excitation voltages to one set and proportional dc tuning voltages to the other set. Such an oscillator can also be tuned to display a desired nonlinear behavior: softening, hardening, or mixed nonlinearity. Nonlinear tuning is attained by carefully designing combdrive geometry, flexure geometry, and applying the correct dc voltages to the second set of actuators. Here, two oscillators have been designed, fabricated, and tested to prove these tuning concepts experimentally
Nutritional requirements of the nematophagous fungus Hirsutella rhossiliensis

Six natural media were examined for growth and sporulation of six isolates of the nematophagous fungus Hirsutella rhossiliensis , using solid and/or liquid culture. Twenty carbohydrates, 19 nitrogen (N) compounds, and nine vitamins were also tested for their effects on growth, sporulation, and spore germination of a further three isolates (ATCC46487, OWVT-1 and JA16-1). Variations in nutritional requirements existed among the fungal isolates. In general, V-8 juice agar (VA), cornmeal agar and potato dextrose agar were good media for growth, and malt extract agar, VA and yeast dextrose agar were good for sporulation of all six isolates. Glycogen was the best and sucrose, inulin, D- ( + ) - trehalose and soluble starch were also good carbon (C) sources for growth and spore germination of the three isolates ATCC46487, OWVT-1 and JA16-1 in both liquid and solid culture. None of the isolates utilized D- ( + )xylose as a C source. L- sorbose, D- ribose, citric acid and D- fructose were poor for growth of all is...
Critical Issues: Reading and the New Literacy Studies: Reframing the National Academy of Sciences Report on Reading

This article is a reflection on the recent report from the National Academy of Sciences, Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children. This report, typical of many recent discussions of early reading instruction, centers on psycholinguistic aspects of reading having to do with phonological awareness, decoding, word recognition, and literal comprehension. I seek to reframe the report from the perspective of the New Literacy Studies, an interdisciplinary effort that takes a sociocultural approach to language and literacy. My approach is to stress tensions internal to the report itself as pressure points around which one could imagine a different sort of report being written, one more in the spirit of the New Literacy Studies. I take up issues such as whether or not there is a consensus in the reading field; the nature of the “literacy crisis”; relationships among reading, poverty, racism, and culture; whether or not technology leads to higher literacy demands; learning to read as against learning conte...
Theoretical bases of convolution technique in gradient estimation of average quality index of electronic circuits

A theoretical study of the convolution technique in Average Quality Index (AQI) gradient estimation of electronic circuits is presented. In this study, we use the novel theory of circuit class, which allows evaluating the performance of convolution technique over a large number of realistic circuits. The advantages of the convolution technique in nondifferentiable density function of circuit parameters are demonstrated. In addition, the optimal range of the control parameter in convolution technique is obtained for practical applications. The theoretical results confirm the results reported in the related literature.
Early experience with videothoracoscopic hydrodissection pleurectomy in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion

Parietal pleurectomy is our preferred procedure for management of malignant pleural effusion. However, the morbidity of a major thoracotomy has precluded all but highly selected patients from the conventional (open) procedure. Recently, we have been able to perform parietal pleurectomy by means of a video-assisted, thoracoscopic technique. We have retrospectively analyzed the results of this procedure performed on 11 patients between March 1993 and February 1995. These patients ranged in age from 40 to 87 years of age, with a mean age of 61.5 years. Primary tumors were non-small cell lung cancer (5), breast cancer (4), mesothelioma (1), and unknown (1). There was one operative mortality (9.1%). All were relieved of symptoms of pleural effusion. Median survival was 128 days. Early experience indicates we are accomplishing an operation equivalent to that formerly performed by "open" technique. If continued results are similar to our initial experience, we will be able to offer this superior palliation of malignant pleural effusion to a wider range of patients.
Cordyceps cardinalis sp. nov., a new species of Cordyceps with an east Asian-eastern North American distribution.

Cordyceps cardinalis, a pathogen of lepi- dopteran larva, is described as a new species from the southern Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States and from southeastern Japan. It is mac- roscopically similar to both C. militaris and C. pseu- domilitaris, however, microscopic, cultural and molec- ular evidence support it being a phylogenetically dis- tinct species. Cordyceps cardinalis is most similar to C. pseudomilitaris in the microscopic characters of non- disarticulating ascospore morphology and its host af- finity for lepidopteran larvae, which contrast with the characters of C. militaris. Aspects of morphology, host association, phylogeny and biogeography are discussed. ing lepidopteran pupae but with the potential to at- tack multiple stages and hosts from more than one order of arthropods (Kobayashi 1941, Mains 1958). A number of macroscopically similar species, which either had been considered conspecific with C. mili- taris, close relatives, or simply had gone unnoticed among large collections from a variety of hosts and life-cycle stages, have been described (Kobayashi 1982, Mains 1947, Hywel-Jones 1994). Some exam- ples include Cordyceps washingtonensis Mains from lepidopteran pupae (Mains 1947), C. rosea Kobayasi & Shimizu from lepidopteran larvae (Kobayasi & Shi- mizu 1982), C. roseostromata Kobayasi & Shimizu from coleopteran larvae (Kobayasi & Shimizu 1983), and C. pseudomilitaris Hywel-Jones & Sivichai from lepidopteran larvae (Hywel-Jones 1994). In the ex- ample of C. pseudomilitaris, Hywel-Jones (1994) not- ed its macroscopic similarity to C. militaris but also recognized diagnostic differences between the two species. Cordyceps pseudomilitaris possesses nondisar- ticulating ascospores in contrast to C. militaris, which produces ascospores that disarticulate into partspores at the septations. The anamorph of C. militaris is a Lecanicillium Gams & Zare (5 Verticillium Nees), whereas C. pseudomilitaris mainly produces simple, unbranched phialides that give rise to a single coni- diogenous cell and conidium (Hywel-Jones 1994), a morphology that is more appropriately accommodat- ed in the recently described taxon Simplicillium Gams & Zare (Zare and Gams 2001). Finally, C. pseudomi- litaris is known only from lepidopteran larvae of un- determined familial affinity whereas C. militaris most frequently is collected from pupae of a number of different families of moths. Recent molecular data for C. pseudomilitaris supported its distinction from C. militaris (Artjariyasripong et al 2001) and that these characters may be informative in recognizing unique and possibly cryptic species of the C. militaris complex.
Public health, pharmacy, and the Prevention Education Resource Center (PERC).

Curricular reform and demands for such are a common and much needed phenomenon in the Association and our academy. Hours to spare for varying courses are difficult to distribute among so many worthy but differing options. It is my contention that not near enough attention in our programs has been devoted to incorporating public health components, or clinical prevention and population health, into both our pre-pharmacy and/or pharmacy curricula. In addition, there is a need to share collectively what good things we are doing in our programs within and external to the academy. Most notably, Healthy People 2010 1 has called for enhanced attention to be placed on education efforts to enhance clinical prevention and population health by including an objective “to increase the proportion of schools of medicine, schools of nursing and health professional training schools whose basic curriculum for healthcare providers includes the core competencies in health promotion and disease prevention.” Calls have been made to move our collective health professions from: “the current treatment-oriented focus to a prevention-oriented focus.”2(p478) There are also many examples of where a public health focus has been shared in an interdisciplinary fashion. One such groundbreaking example is the initiation, deliberation, and outcomes of the Healthy People Curriculum Taskforce.
Rad26p regulates the occupancy of histone H2A–H2B dimer at the active genes in vivo

Recently, we have demonstrated a predominant association of Rad26p with the coding sequences but not promoters of several GAL genes following transcriptional induction. Here, we show that the occupancy of histone H2A–H2B dimer at the coding sequences of these genes is not altered following transcriptional induction in the absence of Rad26p. A histone H2A–H2B dimer-enriched chromatin in Δrad26 is correlated to decreased association of RNA polymerase II with the active coding sequences (and hence transcription). However, the reduced association of RNA polymerase II with the active coding sequence in the absence of Rad26p is not due to the defect in formation of transcription complex at the promoter. Thus, Rad26p regulates the occupancy of histone H2A–H2B dimer, which is correlated to the association of elongating RNA polymerase II with active GAL genes. Similar results are also found at other inducible non-GAL genes. Collectively, our results define a new role of Rad26p in orchestrating chromatin structure and hence transcription in vivo.