cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Breast cancer-specific gene 1 interacts with the mitotic checkpoint kinase BubR1

The abnormal expression of breast cancer-specific gene 1 (BCSG1) in malignant mammary epithelial cells is highly associated with the development and progression of breast cancer. A series of in vitro and in vivo studies performed in our laboratory and others have demonstrated that BCSG1 expression significantly stimulates proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of breast cancer cells. However, currently little is known about how BCSG1 exerts its oncogenic functions. To elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying the effects of BCSG1 in breast cancer cells, we used a yeast two-hybrid system to screen for proteins that could associate with BCSG1. Through this screening, we identified the mitotic checkpoint protein BubR1 as a novel binding partner of BCSG1. The specific association of BCSG1 with BubR1 in breast cancer cells was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays. Intriguingly, experiments conducted in four different cell lines all showed that exogenous expressions of BCSG1 consistently reduce the cellular levels of the BubR1 protein without affecting BubR1 mRNA expression. The tendency of endogenous BCSG1 expression coinciding with lower BubR1 protein levels was also observed in seven out of eight breast cancer cell lines. We further showed that the reducing effect of BCSG1 on BubR1 protein expression could be prevented by treating BCSG1-transfected cells with MG-132, a selective 26S proteasome inhibitor, implying that the proteasome machinery may be involved in the BCSG1-induced reduction of the BubR1 protein. Accompanied with a reduction of BubR1 protein level, BCSG1 expression resulted in multinucleation of breast cancer cells upon treatment with spindle inhibitor nocodazole, indicating an impaired mitotic checkpoint. Taken together, our novel findings suggest that BCSG1 may accelerate the progression of breast cancer at least in part by compromising the mitotic checkpoint control through inactivation of BubR1.
Application of health information to hazardous air pollutants modeled in EPA's Cumulative Exposure Project.

Relatively little is known about the spectrum of health effects, and the scope and level of ambient air concentrations of those pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act as "hazardous air pollutants". The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) Cumulative Exposure Project uses currently available emissions inventories, from a variety of source types, and an atmospheric dispersion model to provide estimates of ambient concentrations for 148 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) in over 60,000 census tracts for the year 1990. This paper uses currently available hazard information for those pollutants and provides a database of potential regulatory threshold concentrations of concern, or "benchmark concentrations," and a methodology for prioritizing and characterizing the quality of the data. In order to demonstrate application of the database and prioritization scheme to outputs from the Cumulative Exposure Project, comparisons were made with the maximum modeled concentration of each individual hazardous air pollutant across the census tracts. Of the 197 benchmark concentrations for cancer and non-cancer (long- and short-term exposures) effects compiled for the study, approximately one half were exceeded with a predominance of exceedance of cancer benchmarks. While the number of benchmark concentrations available to fully characterize potential health effects of these pollutants was limited (approximately 80 percent of HAPs identified as cancer concerns had benchmark concentrations for cancer and 50 percent of all HAPs had non-cancer benchmark concentrations) and there was greater uncertainty in derivation of maximum modeled air concentrations than other levels, the comparison between the two was a useful approach for providing an indication of public health concern from hazardous air pollutants.
Perceptions of Civilian Review: Exploring the Differences in Reviewed and Non-Reviewed Officers

Officers of the Philippine National Police were surveyed to examine whether their experiences with the civilian review board, the People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB), influence their perceptions about the board's integrity and legitimacy. This study examined two groups: officers who had cases processed by the board (reviewed group) and officers who had never had complaints heard against them before the board (non-reviewed group). In addition, the satisfaction of both groups with the process as well as their overall satisfaction were examined. The findings support the contention that the experience of being reviewed may shape or alter officers' perceptions about civilian review. In addition, there may be a tendency for police officers to mistrust a completely civilian review, but it appears that such mistrust may be overcome by the board's exercise of fairness, objectivity, and thoroughness in its processes.
Thrombin-sensitive surface protein of cultured chick embryo cells.

THROMBIN, a serine protease with great specificity, is a potent mitogen for resting chick embryo fibroblasts in culture1–3. So far only a limited number of peptide bonds in a few native proteins have been found to be sensitive to proteolysis by thrombin, namely four Arg–Gly bonds in fibrinogen4 and a few arginyl and lysyl bonds in actin5. It is likely therefore that the number of fibroblast surface proteins susceptible to this protease will also be limited, whereas with trypsin many surface proteins are attacked. Thus thrombin may be an excellent probe for studies of the role of changes in cell surface composition during mitogenesis or cell-cell interaction. A large, external transformation sensitive (LETS) protein6–10, postulated10,11 to be involved in cellular growth control, is insensitive to thrombin2. This observation led to the conclusion that the removal of LETS is not a necessary condition for cell growth when a protease is used to stimulate growth.
Efficient 3D volume segmentation of MR images by a modified deterministic annealing approach

This paper presents the results of applying the deterministic annealing (DA) algorithm to simulated magnetic resonance image segmentation. The applicability of this methodology for 3-D segmentation has been rigorously tested by using the simulated MRI volumes of normal brain at the Brain Web [8] for the 181 slices and whole volume of different modalities (T1, T2, and PD) without and with various levels of noise and intensity inhomogeneities. With proper thresholding of the clusters formed by the modified DA almost zero misclassification was achieved without the presence of noise. Even up to 7% addition of noise and 40% inhomogeneity, the average misclassification rates of the voxels belonging to white matter, gray matter, and cerebrospinal fluid were found to be less than 5% after median filtering. The accuracy, stability, global optimization and speed of the DA algorithm for 3-D MR image segmentation could provide a more rigorous tool for identification of diseased brain tissues from 3-D MR images than other existing 3-D segmentation techniques. Further inquiry into the DA algorithm shows that it is a Bayesian classifier with the assumption that the data to be classified follow a multivariate normal distribution. The characteristic of being a Bayesian classifier guarantees its achievement of global optimization.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Do perioperative antibiotics decrease implant failure

Purpose To execute an evidence-based review answering the following question: “Among patients receiving dental implants, do those who receive perioperative antibiotic therapy, compared with those who do not, have a decreased likelihood of implant failure?” Materials and Methods We performed a literature review. The primary predictor variable was an antibiotic regimen, which was grouped into 3 categories: a single preoperative dose, a single preoperative dose and multiday postoperative therapy, and no antibiotic therapy. The primary and secondary outcome variables were implant failure and postoperative infection, respectively. Results Eight studies meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Two studies assessed the effect of a single preoperative antibiotic dose and reported a reduction in implant failure by 1.3% to 2% compared with no antibiotics use. Two studies compared the effect of pre- and postoperative antibiotics and no antibiotic use and found a 4.2% decrease to 1.1% increase in the failure rates when antibiotics were used. Four studies considered the effect of different antibiotic regimens. Only 2 studies found a statistically significant reduction in implant failure (2.5% to 5.4%) when a single preoperative antibiotic dose was used in conjunction with multiday treatment, compared with postoperative multiday treatment only. Four studies analyzed the rate of postoperative infection, which was 0.6% to 3% when no antibiotics were used, 0.6% when preoperative antibiotics alone were used, and 0.8% to 1% when preoperative and postoperative antibiotics were given. Conclusion A single dose of preoperative antibiotic therapy may slightly decrease the failure rate of dental implants. However, the current data do not support the routine use of postoperative antibiotics, which can be tailored by the clinician to the patient's specific needs.
Comparison of TSVCIS voice at 8000 and 12000 bps VERSUS CVSD at 16000 bps

In this paper a novel technique for implementing heavily bit error protected 8 and 12 kilobits per second (kbps) voice coder (vocoder) based on a 2.4 kbps vocoder specified in Tactical Secure Voice Cryptographic Interoperability Specification (TSVCIS) is compared to the current 16 kbps Continuously Variable Slope Delta Modulation (CVSD) used in several legacy military radios and the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS). TSVCIS voice significantly outscored CVSD in terms of quality, using the Mean Opinion Score (MOS) and Diagnostic Acceptability Measure (DAM), and intelligibility, from the Diagnostic Rhyme Test (DRT). These tests show that TSVCIS voice delivers significantly higher quality and intelligibility than CVSD when transmitted over noisy communication channels.
An atmospheric energy analysis of the impact of satellite lidar winds and TIROS temperatures in global simulations

A study of the effects on forecast accuracy of adding wind-profiler data is conducted. An observing system simulation test is employed that assumes a sufficient concentration of aerosols to provide global wind profiles (a best case scenario). The simulated data for the series of five day forecasts are produced from a twenty day integration utilizing the ECMWF model, which is also employed to produce the verification forecast for the five day period.
Vertical economies in electric power: evidence on integration and its alternatives

Abstract The restructuring of the electric power industry raises questions about the possible sacrifice of economies previously secured by integrating generation with downstream transmission and distribution. This study utilizes a data set of U.S. electric utilities that differ widely in their degree of vertical integration in order to model, estimate, and measure such economies. Cost savings from vertical integration are found to be quite substantial for all but the smallest utilities and are largest for those that are nearly fully integrated. The study goes on to investigate alternatives to, sources of, and determinants of vertical integration. Among other findings, it appears that some holding companies achieve economies comparable to those from vertical integration.
NIR reflectance method to determine moisture content in food products

Moisture content (MC) is an important quality factor that is measured and monitored, at various stages of processing and storage, in the food industry. There are some commercial instruments available that use near infrared (NIR) radiation measurements to determine the moisture content of a variety of grain products, such as wheat and corn, with out the need of any sample grinding or preparation. However, to measure the MC of peanuts with these instruments the peanut kernels have to be chopped into smaller pieces and filled into the measuring cell. This is cumbersome, time consuming and destructive. An NIR reflectance method is presented here by which the average MC of about 100 g of whole kernels could be determined rapidly and nondestructively. The MC range of the peanut kernels tested was between 8% and 26%. Initially, NIR reflectance measurements were made at 1 nm intervals in the wave length range of 1000 nm to 1800 nm and the data was modeled using partial least squares regression (PLSR). The predicted values of the samples tested in the above range were compared with the values determined by the standard air-oven method. The predicted values agreed well with the air-oven values with an R2 value of 0.96 and a standard error of prediction (SEP) of 0.83. Using the PLSR beta coefficients, five key wavelengths were identified and using multiple linear regression (MLR) method MC predictions were made. The R2 and SEP values of the MLR model were 0.84 and 1.62, respectively. Both methods performed satisfactorily and being rapid, nondestructive, and non-contact, may be suitable for continuous monitoring of MC of grain and peanuts as they move on conveyor belts during their processing.
Estimation of transmission dynamics of the Ceratomyxa shasta actinospore to the salmonid host

SUMMARY Transmission dynamics of the actinospore stage of Ceratomyxa shasta to the salmonid host were investigated under field and laboratory conditions. The number of parasites transmitted and the transmission rate were compared between 2 different exposure durations and also among different water velocities, by means of field exposures. Under laboratory conditions, the number of parasites transmitted and the transmission rates were compared across a broader range of water velocities and also at different water temperatures. Transmission rate was not constant over time as the number of parasites transmitted increased non-linearly between the 2 exposure durations. Transmission was also inversely related to water velocity and there was a threshold to transmission between 0·2–0·3 m s �1 . Lastly, transmission rate increased with water temperature up to 18 °C then decreased at 23 °C. These experiments provide a range of values of transmission that will be incorporated into an epidemiological model to simulate the effectiveness of different management strategies. Additionally, these experiments provided novel information on the effects of environmental conditions (i.e. water velocity and water temperature) on the transmission dynamics between the salmonid host and the actinospore stage.
Physical illness and psychopathology

The writer discusses the relationship between physical illness and psychiatric disorders. He points out the relativity of the “psychosomatic” and “somatopsychic” concepts and the dynamic interactio...
Acute lymphocytic leukemia in adults: a retrospective study and analysis of current management options

Objective To examine current therapeutic modalities for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in adults, analyze prognostic variables, and offer treatment recommendations. Design We reviewed our experience with 90 adult patients with ALL examined at the Mayo Clinic between 1982 and 1992 and used it as a background for discussion of prognostic factors and management options in adult patients with ALL. Material and Methods The pretreatment characteristics of patients, types of induction chemotherapy, and postremission treatment, including bone marrow transplantation (BMT), were analyzed for prognostic significance for each of three outcomes: complete remission (CR) rate, duration of CR, and overall survival of patients. Results Of the 90 study patients, 80 had received induction chemotherapy. Overall long-term survival for treated patients was 25%. None of the 10 patients younger than 18 years of age underwent BMT, and their long-term survival was 80%. Of the other 70 patients, who were 18 years old or older, 42 (60%) had a CR with induction chemotherapy. Of these 42 patients, 31 did not undergo BMT, and their long-term survival was less than 13%. BMT was done in six patients during a first CR (with 100% survival), in four during a later CR (with 50% survival), and in six with disease (with 17% survival). The median age of patients who received chemotherapy was 50 years (range, 19 to 87) and that of patients who underwent BMT was 34 years (range, 18 to 46). Overall, age was the only significant prognostic factor. Conclusion With our application of current chemotherapy, the outcome in adult patients (18 years old or older) with ALL was dismal. The results were considerably better in patients younger than 18 years of age or in those who underwent BMT as post-remission therapy. Comprehensive assessment of our experience and that in the literature, however, did not resolve issues about current management. Participation of patients in comparative trials is critical for determining the best therapy for ALL in adults.
Micro-robotic deposition guidelines by a design of experiments approach to maximize fabrication reliability for the bone scaffold application.

Abstract This work aims to facilitate the transition of micro-robotic deposition (μRD) technology from the research bench to a mass manufacturing environment. The bone scaffolding application is targeted; however, the evaluation process developed is applicable to multiple colloidal material systems, length scales, and structure architectures. A design of experiments (DoE) approach is used to develop statistical correlations between three manufacturing treatments (material calcination time, nozzle size, and deposition speed) and defined reliability metrics. All three selected treatments have a significant effect on structure quality. A longer material calcination time improves the deposition of internal features. Logically, a larger nozzle size decreases structural defects. However, an unexpected result is revealed by this study. Higher deposition speeds are shown to either significantly improve or have no effect on structure quality, permitting a decrease in manufacturing time without adverse consequences.
Forms of soil organic nitrogen in a Pactola soil as seen by pyrolysis/gas chromatography/atomic emission detection (Py–GC/AED)

Abstract In this study, soil organic nitrogen (SON) forms from a Pactola forest soil were investigated by using pyrolysis–cryogenic gas chromatography/atomic emission (Py–GC/AED). The samples were taken at different soil depths of 0–12 cm, 12–25 cm and 25–38 cm and separated into particle-size fractions. Each fraction was analyzed by Py–GC/AED at 300, 400 and 500 °C consecutively. The main N-structures found in pyrolysates were ammonia, acetonitrile, hydrogen cyanide, pyridine and pyrrole. Ratios of acetonitrile and hydrogen cyanide to pyridine and pyrrole decreased with soil depth. Acetonitrile and hydrogen cyanide had positive correlations with total organic N (TON) down the soil profile. A decrease of the optimal pyrolysis temperatures of soil samples with increasing soil depth was observed for acetonitrile and hydrogen cyanide. In the surface soil samples, there was no correlation found for both pyridine and pyrrole with TON. But with depth, the correlation coefficient increased and reached to 0.912 for pyridine, and 0.875 for pyrrole at the depth of 25–38 cm. The increased correlation coefficients of pyridine and pyrrole with TON in combination with the low shifts of the optimal pyrolysis temperatures of the soil samples down the soil profile for acetonitrile and hydrogen cyanide indicated clear differences in N-structures between different soil layers.
A mechanism for resource allocation among sympatric heteromyid rodent species

Laboratory feeding experiments were conducted with Dipodomys ordii and Perognathus flavus in an attempt to discover a mechanism which might result in seed size selection. There was no marked difference in the proportions of four seed types collected whether the rodents foraged in the presence or absence of one another. However, analysis of the variability in weight of each of the seed types collected by the two species showed that when alone, the larger kangaroo rat was less effective at harvesting all of a uniformly distributed mixture of seeds. When in the presence of one another both species could harvest enough of the mixed, uniformly distributed seed to coexist indefinitely, but when the food source was presented as four large clumps the kangaroo rat's foraging effectiveness increased tremendously so that the pocked mouse was almost entirely unable to harvest any seed. These data, in light of mobility differences between large and small heteromyids, suggest a mechanism whereby the larger, more mobile kangaroo rats forage for the most readily available (large or clumped) seeds over a relatively large area. The smaller pocket mice, by virtue of their relative efficiency in harvesting seeds can utilize the less detectable seeds which are energetically too demanding for the larger kangaroo rats to harvest. Behavioral dominance of the larger animals may help prevent the smaller from utilizing the most readily available seeds. The patterns of seed size and foraging site selection described in the literature may be easily accounted for by this difference in foraging strategy.
Endotracheal Tube: Friend or Foe? Bacteria, the Endotracheal Tube, and the Impact of Colonization and Infection

The microbiology of the endotracheal tube culture plays a role in diagnosing a variety of diseases in the newborn intensive care unit, including subglottic stenosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Bacterial production of a biofilm that coats the endotracheal tube acts as a reservoir for infection, prevents eradication, and may play a role in the development of subglottic stenosis. The diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia is limited by the CDC definition as well as currently available diagnostic methods. Biomarkers could aid in differentiating colonization from infection, but are not available to most clinicians. The etiology of ventilator-associated pneumonia is often polymicrobial. Failure to differentiate colonization from infection results in unnecessary prescription of antibiotics, which could contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Measures to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia have been described, primarily in the adult population.
Tensile properties of injection molded long fiber thermoplastic composites

This paper deals with the mechanical performances of a new class of injection molded long fiber composites based on PP and PBT matrices. Effects of material parameters such as fiber concentration, breakage, orientation, and matrix composition are analyzed. The critical fiber length, l, of the PP long fiber composite, evaluated from the pull-out length of the tensile fracture surface, was found to be much higher than those previously reported. Tensile strength calculated from the measured ll and fiber length distribution in the molded samples was found to be in agreement with the measured values. From this work it is concluded that higher mechanical performances of the long fiber reinforced thermoplastics will be attained by the injection molding process to further reduce fiber breakage.
Self-reported job burnout among female human service professionals.

A sample of 135 female human service professionals completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Staff Burnout Scale for Health Professionals (SBS), along with measures of job satisfaction, role stress, self-esteem, alienation, and locus of control. Principal components factor analysis of this battery indicates considerable covariation of self-reported burnout with job dissatisfaction and perceived role stress, and moderate overlap with more general feelings of alienation and low self-esteem. Item factor analysis of the 22 MBI items resulted in two independent factors, one defined by the Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization items, the other by the Personal Accomplishment items. Item factoring of the SBS produced one large factor which was highly correlated with the MBI exhaustion-depersonalization factor. Implications of these findings for the construct validity of the MBI and SBS are discussed.
Maxillary Ameloblastoma with Orbital Invasion: A Clinicopathologic Study

A 72-year-old white man presented to Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary with proptosis of the right eye. Computerized tomography (CT) scan revealed a mass which filled the right maxillary sinus and invaded the orbital and middle cranial cavities. Six years earlier, the patient had excision of an ameloblastoma of the right maxillary antrum. The tumor recurred, requiring maxillectomy, local radiotherapy and finally exenteration. Ameloblastoma is a relatively rare epithelial tumor arising from embryonal tooth elements. It is locally invasive and recurrent but rarely metastasizes and extension to the orbit is extremely unusual. The clinical features, histopathologic findings and treatment of this tumor are discussed. Differential diagnosis of jaw tumors, which may invade the orbit, is reviewed.
Aspect-related microclimatic influences on slope forms and processes, northeastern Arizona

[1] Climate is a major control on geomorphology, yet the effects of aspect-related differences in microclimate have been little studied. We examined several 60–100-m-deep canyons in semiarid northeastern Arizona, where rock type and structure are essentially constant, but where field data and a high-resolution digital elevation model reveal consistent morphologic and microclimatic differences between asymmetric north- and south-facing sideslopes. Cliffs account for 29% of the vertical relief of south-facing slopes but only 2.5% of north-facing slopes. Excluding cliffs, south-facing slopes are 1–3° steeper than north-facing slopes and have significantly less weathered bedrock. We monitored air, surface and subsurface temperatures and soil moisture at 0.5-h intervals at four locations over 1 year. South-facing slopes were 1.4–5.6°C warmer and soil moisture tension at 10-cm-depth averages at least 78 kPa lower (drier) than on north-facing slopes. The dominant rock type in the study area, Morrison formation sandstone, weathers primarily by clay hydration. These sandstones form disaggregated mantles where weathering exceeds erosion but also maintain steep slopes and cliffs where little weathered. South-facing slopes were too dry during most of the instrumented year for significant clay expansion, whereas the north-facing bedrock slope was moist all year. Cliff growth thus occurs preferentially on warmer and drier slopes, where weathering is reduced. Small north-facing cliffs (typically <3 m) could have formed during the Holocene but cliffs up to 70 m high on southerly aspects require more time to form and likely persisted or expanded under cooler and wetter late Pleistocene climates.
Sex stereotypes: Issues of change in the 1970s

A sample of 128 college males and females rated a typical and desirable man or woman on 54 items taken from the Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ). Comparisons of the ratings of a typical man versus a typical woman yielded significant differences (p<.01) on 53 of the 54 items. Thus, stereotypes of the sexes apparently remained strong during the 1970s. Comparisons of the ratings of a desirable man versus desirable woman yielded significant differences on only 12 of the 54 items. These results are interpreted as reflecting a difference between stereotypes (of the typical person) and attitudes (about desirable characteristics). While atttitudes may have changed in the 1970s, stereotypes remained remarkably stable.
A research agenda for geriatric emergency medicine.

Objectives: The Research Agenda Setting Process (RASP), part of the American Geriatric Society's (AGS's) project “Increasing Geriatric Expertise in Surgical and Related Medical Specialties,” was designed to define a research agenda for the geriatrics aspects of participating specialties. This paper presents a summary of the research agenda for emergency medicine. Methods: The RASP was developed by the AGS in conjunction with experts from the participating specialty organizations. A “content expert” (CE) for each specialty developed a Medline search strategy in conjunction with RAND Health librarians. The CE reviewed the search to identify papers that were germane to research in the emergency care of older patients. The CE and a senior writing group member drafted a paper that synthesized the current literature and suggested areas for further research. A panel consisting of AGS members and emergency physicians with geriatrics expertise reviewed this paper. The research agenda was further refined at a two-day retreat. Two senior geriatricians reviewed the resulting paper. Results: The Medline search for emergency medicine resulted in a list of 3,348 articles; 299 articles were pertinent and reviewed. The search for trauma resulted in a list of 1,838 articles; 133 were reviewed. Research agenda items were defined for multiple topics within geriatric emergency medicine and trauma. Conclusion: A research agenda for geriatric emergency medicine has been developed, using a combination of review of current literature and expert opinion.
Pharmacogenetics: theRx perspective

Pharmacogenetics is changing the way medicines are discovered, developed and delivered to patients. In this article, we present the ‘prescription’ perspective – how the results of pharmacogenetic research will help minimize the risk of costly adverse drug reactions and treatment failures, by providing predictive tools to enable healthcare providers to prescribe the right medicine for the right patient. We discuss the challenges of this research and its clinical application; its implications for drug development; evolving concepts of informed consent; related ethical, legal and social issues; changing definitions of ‘genetic testing’; and the creation of an international Pharmacogenetics Working Group.
Validity of Macroscopic Concepts for Fluids on a Microscopic Scale

By Fourier decomposition of the appropriate fluctuation it is possible within the regime of linear response to extend the concept of both thermo-dynamic quantities and transport coefficients to their dependence on both wavelength and frequency. Experimentally these generalized macroscopic properties are accessible through neutron diffraction and, as examples, the dependence of the sound speed on wavelength and the diffusion coefficient on time are discussed. Through the molecular dynamics computer method the dependence of the viscosity on wavelength is calculated and applied with spectacular success to predict the dependence of the friction coefficient on the size of a Brownian particle all the way to atomic dimensions. On the other hand, the dielectric constant continuum concept, as applied to a charge or dipole in a cavity, generally fails to predict even the correct field at large distance from the charge. Avoiding the introduction of a cavity cures that problem, but the generalized dielectric constant fails badly in predicting the field at shorter distances from the charge.
Energy Allocation Patterns of the California Grassland Annuals Plantago Erecta and Clarkia Rubicunda

Allocation models for annual plants predict that reproductive yield is maximized by an instantaneous switch from vegetative to reproductive growth. The switch is timed so that final reproductive yield is equal to the vegetative mass at the time of the switch, provided vegetative and reproductive growth efficiencies are equal. Measured allocation patterns for Plantago erecta and Clarkia rubicunda show a gradual shift from vegetative to reproductive growth in both species. This graded pattern results in a 5.5% decrease in reproductive yield for Plantago relative to the theoretical maximum. The timing of that graded pattern appears optimal.
RNA AIDS DNA.

Experiments based on the requirement for immunoglobulin gene transcription provide new insights into the elusive role played by AID in immunoglobulin class switching and hypermutation.
Twenty-Year Survival After Coronary Artery Surgery An Institutional Perspective From Emory University

Background— Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery has been performed frequently for symptomatic coronary atherosclerotic heart disease for more than 30 years. However, uncertainty exists regarding the relationship between long-term survival after CABG and readily available clinical correlates of mortality. Methods and Results— We studied outcome at 20 years by age, sex, and other variables in 3939 patients who had CABG surgery from 1973 to 1979 in the Emory University System of Healthcare. Twenty-year survival, freedom from myocardial infarction, and freedom from repeat CABG were 35.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 33.9% to 37.3%), 66.6% (95% CI, 64.6% to 68.6%), and 59.1% (95% CI, 56.9% to 61.5%). Multivariate correlates of late mortality were age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.46 per 10 years), female sex (HR, 1.21), hypertension (HR, 1.44), angina class (HR, 1.07 per class increase of 1), prior CABG (HR, 1.72), ejection fraction (HR, 1.07 per 10-point decrease), number of vessels diseased (HR, 1.11 per 1...
The Site of Mormon Political Theology 1

Abstract Mormon political theology must reconcile two distinct projects: the care for the Church's concrete, temporal existence in the World, and the welcoming of the future Kingdom of God on earth. Because of this duality, political theology finds itself highlighting the distinction between the World and the Kingdom of God and at the same time pointing out common ground and attempting to establish peace between the Church and the World. The alleged contradictions of Mormon political thought are, according to this conception, to be understood not as confrontations between idealism and brute reality (or “utopianism” and “assimilation”), but rather as the bringing together of the two goals of Mormon political reflection, pursued by two sides of political theology. These two sides, apologetic and prophetic political theology, are distinguished not by their political content, but rather by their particular kinds of political rhetoric.
The computation of the post-stall behavior of a circulation controlled airfoil

The physics of the circulation controlled airfoil is complex and poorly understood, particularly with regards to jet stall, which is the eventual breakdown of lift augmentation by the jet at some sufficiently high blowing rate. The present paper describes the numerical simulation of stalled and unstalled flows over a two-dimensional circulation controlled airfoil using a fully implicit Navier-Stokes code, and the comparison with experimental results. Mach numbers of 0.3 and 0.5 and jet total to freestream pressure ratios of 1.4 and 1.8 are investigated. The Baldwin-Lomax and k-epsilon turbulence models are used, each modified to include the effect of strong streamline curvature. The numerical solutions of the post-stall circulation controlled airfoil show a highly regular unsteady periodic flowfield. This is the result of an alternation between adverse pressure gradient and shock induced separation of the boundary layer on the airfoil trailing edge.
Carbon tetrachloride biodegradation in a fixed-biofilm reactor and its kinetic study

Kinetics of Carbon Tetrachloride biodegradation are evaluated in a continuous-flow fixed-biofilm reactor with controlled initial redox potential. The column was seeded with a mixed culture of indigenous microorganisms Pseudomonas cepacia and Providencia stuartii . The fixed biofilm reactor exhibited 98%–99.9% biodegradation of CT introduced into the reactor at an initial concentration of about 200 μg/l for retention times of 1 to 4 days respectively. Four models were employed to evaluate the kinetics of CT biodegradation. These included: Eckenfelder (1989), Arvin (1991), Bouwer and McCarty (1985) and a biphasic model. Comparison of calculated results with observed results between these models agreed very closely to each other (0.968 2
Integrating Prolog and CADcAM to produce an intelligent CAD system

A discussion is presented of system issues in integrating an artificial intelligence system with a conventional computer-aided design system. Two different schemes for integration, and experience in implementing a combined VM/PROLOG and CADAM, are described. Both Prolog and CADAM are separately interactively systems, and it was necessary to provide an interactive interface to each, and to be able to move between them. Since CADAM is not reentrant, a coroutining relationship was required. It was necessary to specify a Prolog form for drawings and to be able to transform drawings in the CADAM workspace in Fortran array form into Prolog clauses, representing the same information and residing in the Prolog workspace, and vice versa. The problems of linking to CADAM, and of storage management in a VM virtual machine had to be dealt with. Finally, error recovery had to be considered. Examples of the use of the system are presented, including examples of CAD graphics, and the setting of goals, with the corresponding system responses. The main practical application area was the design and manufacture of assemblies made of sheet metal and extrusions, such as components of aircraft. Several application programs, implemented using the intelligent CAD system, are described.
Online Resources for Shoulder Instability: What Are Patients Reading?

Background: Evaluations of the medical literature suggest that many online sites provide poor-quality information. The purpose of our study was to investigate the value of online resources for patient education about shoulder instability. Methods: Three search terms (“shoulder instability,” “loose shoulder,” and “shoulder dislocation”) were entered into three Internet search engines. Three orthopaedic residents independently gauged the quality and accuracy of the information with use of a set of predetermined scoring criteria, in addition to noting whether or not four potential surgery options were mentioned. The readability of the web sites was evaluated with use of the Flesch-Kincaid score. Results: Eighty-two unique web sites were evaluated. Quality and accuracy were significantly higher with use of the term “shoulder instability” compared with the term “loose shoulder” (quality, p < 0.001; accuracy, p = 0.001). However, the reading level was significantly more advanced for the “shoulder instability” web sites (p < 0.001). Quality was significantly higher on web sites with reading levels above the eighth grade level (p = 0.001) (88% of web sites). Only twenty-three sites (28%) mentioned surgical options for shoulder instability, and of these, only eight mentioned thermal capsulorrhaphy as a primary treatment. Conclusions: Online information regarding shoulder instability is often inaccurate and/or at an inappropriately high reading level. The quality of information is highly dependent on the specific search term used. Clinicians need to be aware of the information that is available online and should help direct patients to proper sites and guide Internet search terms.
Effects of induced molting on the well-being of egg-laying hens

Induced molting in egg-laying hens is an important method for maximizing hen egg production and quality as well as hen health in commercial settings; however, there is growing societal concern over its effects on hen well-being. Using individual hens as their own controls, this research examined the behavior of hens subjected to different treatments of induced molting under premolt, molt, and postmolt conditions. Cage pecking increased in fast-induced subjects and aggression increased in fast-induced and nonfast-induced subjects during the molt. Gakel calling and several aspects of its acoustic structure were much higher during the molt condition in fast-induced subjects only. These data suggest that nonfast-induced molting treatments provide an effective method for inducing molting in hens and improving their well-being by minimizing discomfort due to food deprivation. In addition, these data further support that gakel vocalizations in hens may serve as an effective indicator for assessing well-being in ...
Host ranges of North American isolates of Penicillium causing blue mold of bulb crops

Single isolates of four Penicillium species belonging to series Corymbifera (Penicillium allii, Penicillium hirsutum, Penicillium tulipae, Penicillium venetum) plus an isolate of Penicillium polonicum, all from North American sources, were inoculated individually into Crocus sativus (crocus), Allium sativum (garlic), Allium cepa (onion), Allium stipitatum (ornamental onion), Iris hollandica (iris), Ornithogalum umbellatum (grass lily), and varieties of Gladiolus (gladiolus), Tulipa (tulip) and Narcissus (daffodil). All isolates were pathogenic to garlic and onion (but none to ornamental onion), and all but P. polonicum to Tulipa, although virulence varied considerably. Additionally, P. hirsutum was pathogenic to Crocus, Gladiolus and Iris; P. tulipae to Narcissus, Crocus, Ornithogalum and Iris; P. venetum to Gladiolus, Ornithogalum and Iris; and P. polonicum to Iris. Nomenclature and taxonomy of series Corymbifera are summarized, the above results compared to similar investigations in Europe, and management implications provided.
Interferometer for phase measurements in phase-shift masks

The etch depth of phase shift masks is typically measured by means of profilometry and the expected phase shift is calculated from a knowledge of the refractive index at the lithographic wavelength of interest. In the case of masks utilizing deposited films the index may differ from values for bulk materials and commonly varies to some degree with method of deposition. The interferometer offers a method for the measurement of phase directly and, hence, for a means to obtain refractive index values for phase shift films on quartz blank substrates. Arrangements are described for direct phase measurements using visible, 632.8 nm, and UV, 257 nm, radiation.
Pro-opiomelanocortin peptides and the adrenal gland

The adrenal gland regulates a number of essential biological functions through production of steroids and catecholamines. Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides have been implicated in all aspects of generating, maintaining, and functioning of the adrenal glands. An appreciation for the roles of POMC-derived peptides with respect to the adrenal has been gained from experiments in vitro, and in vivo in different animal models which surgically, pharmacologically, or genetically decrease or increase the amount of POMC peptides available. We recently produced a mouse model with a deletion of the entire coding region of the POMC gene, thus lacking all POMC-derived peptides, from all sources, and at all times. Here we will summarize and discuss the results of traditional in vivo studies on the role of POMC peptides in adrenal development, maintenance, and function in the context of findings in a mouse model genetically lacking all POMC-derived peptides.
Urinoma: An unusual case of emesis in a brain-injured child

The evaluation of acute emesis in a multiple-trauma paediatric patient with severe traumatic brain injury can present a difficult but not unusual problem in the rehabilitation unit. The differential diagnosis will be discussed in a paediatric case in which emesis was related to a urinoma, secondary to ureteropelvic disruption, compressing the duodenum. We present a case of a 6-year-old Caucasian girl with severe brain injury who developed emesis while in rehabilitation. An X-ray of the abdomen revealed a shadow over the right psoas. Subsequently mild compression of the duodenum was diagnosed by computerized tomography, and ultrasound demonstrated a large fluid collection inferior to the right kidney. A large volume of urine was drained and a catheter placed. Pyelogram revealed apparent disruption of the right ureteropelvic junction, which was confirmed intraoperatively. The kidney was removed secondary to severe parenchymal abnormalities. The emesis subsequently resolved. Differential diagnosis of acute o...
Performance analysis of Reed-Solomon codes in a slightly dispersive optical PPM system

Uncoded and coded optical pulse position modulation (PPM) systems are compared for both direct and heterodyne detection. Simulations of these systems with different code rates are included, and the gains obtained in the coded cases are reported. By using Reed-Solomon codes, it is seen that the performance of a coded system is improved over an uncoded system in direct detection. As the code rate is reduced, the system performance gets better. Among the three different code rates tested, the code rate of 1/3 seems to be the best choice. The same applies to the heterodyne detection system. When Reed-Solomon codes are applied to a heterodyne system, it is observed that the efficiency of the system improves. >
Use of a wetland index to evaluate changes in riparian vegetation after livestock exclusion

A method was developed to characterize ecological integrity of riparian sites based on the abun- dance of hydric species. This wetland index can be calculated with species data, or with community type data as performed here. Classified riparian community types were used to describe vegetation at 14 livestock exclosures and adjacent grazed areas. Community type wetland index values were generated and used to calculate site wet- land index values. It was hypothesized that removal of livestock would result in higher wetland index values because of release from herbivory and decreased physical disturbance of vegetation, streambanks, and soil. The wetland index for exclosures was about 12% higher than grazed sites; differences were statistically significant (p < 0.01) based on paired t-tests. The increase in hydric vegetation after livestock exclusion may have contribu- ted to the greater bank stability (p = 0.002) and smaller width-to-depth ratio (p = 0.005) in exclosures. Chal- lenges were encountered in using community types to describe and compare site vegetation, which could be avoided with species data collection. The wetland index can be a tool to monitor sites over time, compare sites with similar environments, or compare sites for which environmental differences can be accounted. (KEY TERMS: riparian; ecology; monitoring; wetland indicator; livestock exclosures.)
Unclear prognosis for the autogenous tooth transplant.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Evaluation of the prognosis and causes of failure in 182 cases of autogenous tooth transplantation. Kim E, Jung JY, et al. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2005;100(1):112-9. Level of Evidence 4 Purpose/Question What is the success rate of autogenous tooth transplantation where the teeth are root treated at the time of transplantation and donor site preparation is simulated on a CT-generated model? Source of Funding Not stated Type of Study/Design Case series with 2 internal statistical comparisons
Stressing the stepchild: assessing right ventricular contractile reserve in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Diminished right ventricular contractile reserve may improve prognostic assessment of PAH http://ow.ly/GVHsg