cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lecture recording system in anatomy: possible benefit to auditory learners.

The literature reports that using Learning Recording Systems (LRS) is usually well received by students but that the pedagogical value of LRS in academic settings remains somewhat unclear. The primary aim of the current study is to document students' perceptions, actual pattern of usage, and impact of use of LRS on students' grade in a dental gross and neuroanatomy course. Other aims are to determine if students' learning preference correlated with final grades and to see if other factors like gender, age, overall academic score on the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT), lecture levels of difficulty, type of lecture, category of lecture, or teaching faculty could explain the impact, if any, of the use of LRS on the course final grade. No significant correlation was detected between the final grades and the variables studied except for a significant but modest correlation between final grades and the number of times the students accessed the lecture recordings (r=0.33 with P=0.01). Also, after adjusting for gender, age, learning style, and academic DAT, a significant interaction between auditory and average usage time was found for final grade (P=0.03). Students who classified themselves as auditory and who used the LRS on average for fewer than 10 minutes per access, scored an average final grade of 16.43 % higher than the nonauditory students using the LRS for the same amount of time per access. Based on these findings, implications for teaching are discussed and recommendations for use of LRS are proposed. Anat Sci Educ 6: 376–384. © 2013 American Association of Anatomists.
Pluripotent Chromatin State

Recent studies highlighting the primacy of the transcription factor network have led some researchers to question what role, if any, chromatin plays in pluripotent cells. Part of the answer may lie in its now well-established function in buffering transcriptional noise.
Cerebral palsy: MR findings in 40 patients.

PURPOSE We used MR to retrospectively analyze the brains of patients suffering from cerebral palsy, our aim being to determine MR9s role in the assessment of brain damage and the relationship of pre-, peri-, and post-natal events to cerebral palsy. METHODS Forty patients (aged 1 month to 41 years) underwent MR scanning and findings were correlated with clinical histories in all cases. RESULTS Review of MR scans of 11 patients who had been born prematurely revealed findings of periventricular white matter damage, indicative of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (82%), the chronology of which was difficult to determine. Among 29 patients who had been born at term, three major patterns emerged: (1), gyral anomalies, suggestive of polymicrogyria, consistent with mid-second trimester injury; (2), isolated periventricular leukomalacia reflecting late second- or early third-trimester injury; and (3), watershed cortical or deep gray nuclear damage, consistent with late third-trimester, perinatal or postnatal injury. In 16 (55%) of 29 patients born at term, MR findings of intrauterine brain damage were observed; in over half of these cases MR revealed developmental anomalies, which is nearly twice the rate reported in prior studies employing CT. CONCLUSIONS Our results support a growing consensus that cerebral palsy in term infants is often the result of prenatal factors, and less commonly related to the perinatal period.
Similarities between the antABC-Encoded Anthranilate Dioxygenase and the benABC-Encoded Benzoate Dioxygenase of Acinetobacter sp. Strain ADP1

Acinetobacter sp. strain ADP1 can use benzoate or anthranilate as a sole carbon source. These structurally similar compounds are independently converted to catechol, allowing further degradation to proceed via the β-ketoadipate pathway. In this study, the first step in anthranilate catabolism was characterized. A mutant unable to grow on anthranilate, ACN26, was selected. The sequence of a wild-type DNA fragment that restored growth revealed the antABC genes, encoding 54-, 19-, and 39-kDa proteins, respectively. The deduced AntABC sequences were homologous to those of class IB multicomponent aromatic ring-dihydroxylating enzymes, including the dioxygenase that initiates benzoate catabolism. Expression of antABC in Escherichia coli, a bacterium that normally does not degrade anthranilate, enabled the conversion of anthranilate to catechol. Unlike benzoate dioxygenase (BenABC), anthranilate dioxygenase (AntABC) catalyzed catechol formation without requiring a dehydrogenase. In Acinetobacter mutants, benC substituted for antC during growth on anthranilate, suggesting relatively broad substrate specificity of the BenC reductase, which transfers electrons from NADH to the terminal oxygenase. In contrast, the benAB genes did not substitute for antAB. An antA point mutation in ACN26 prevented anthranilate degradation, and this mutation was independent of a mucK mutation in the same strain that prevented exogenous muconate degradation. Anthranilate induced expression of antA, although no associated transcriptional regulators were identified. Disruption of three open reading frames in the immediate vicinity of antABC did not prevent the use of anthranilate as a sole carbon source. The antABC genes were mapped on the ADP1 chromosome and were not linked to the two known supraoperonic gene clusters involved in aromatic compound degradation.
Statin Therapy and Hemodialysis Vascular Access—Were We Bringing a Knife to a Gunfight and Were Hoping to Win?

Vascular access dysfunction is a major contributor to end stage renal disease patient morbidity, and the cost of maintaining it is staggering. Any intervention able to improve the vascular access maturation rate and/or patency would be significant progress. Based on the anti-inflammatory and vascular beneficial effects demonstrated in non-end stage renal disease patients, we were hoping that statin use might provide the much needed improvement in the hemodialysis vascular access outcome. The reality proved disappointing. The statins failed to improve every aspect of hemodialysis vascular access studied. The present editorial discusses the current data regarding the effect of statins on vascular access and attempts to explain their lack of success.
Estimating Reading Growth Using Intermittent CBM Progress Monitoring

This study addressed three basic questions involving the amount of measurement needed to obtain valid estimates of reading growth. Participants were 41 students with learning disabilities from Grades 3 to 8, monitored across 10 weeks using curriculum-based measurement (CBM) of words read correctly (WRC). We compared growth slopes based on measurements taken weekly, every 2 weeks, every 3 weeks, every 4 weeks, and every 9 weeks to an estimate of “true slope.” Results showed that frequency of progress monitoring could be significantly reduced without detracting from the validity of growth estimates. However, validity was negatively affected by minimizing the number of WRC scores collected at each measurement occasion and by employing only one rather than four scores to estimate baseline.
Templating synthesis of ordered mesoporous carbon particles

This research reports the synthesis of spherical ordered mesoporous carbon particles using mesoporous silica particles as a template. The silica particles with ordered cubic and lamellar mesostructures were synthesized from an aerosol-assisted self-assembly process using block copolymer surfactants as the structural directing agent. Infiltrating the pores of the silica particles with a sucrose solution followed by carbonization, and silica removal results in mesoporous carbon particles with replicated mesostructures. The particles were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and nitrogen sorption techniques.
Estimation of C-S-H content in a blended cement paste using water adsorption

A new technique for measuring the quantity of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) in hydrated, blended cement pastes containing class F fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, or silica fume is based on water adsorption. The rate of C-S-H formation was determined to be logarithmic in all pastes.
Acoustic niche partitioning in two cryptic sibling species of Chrysoperla green lacewings that must duet before mating

Cryptic species may seem identical to us, but not to each other. The Chrysoperla carnea group of green lacewings has species-specific substrate-borne duetting songs that maintain reproductive isolation among its cryptic species. We propose that sympatric species of the group will partition acoustic niche space so as to minimize mating mistakes. Sibling species pairs could therefore occupy abutting regions of acoustic space without hybridizing in nature. One species pair, Chrysoperla plorabunda and C. adamsi, are not only closest relatives, but are also the most acoustically similar among sympatric congeners. Using F1 hybrids as a surrogate taxon occupying acoustic space between the parents, we tested the hypothesis that this space cannot support an additional species. Focusing on a critical song feature, volley period, we confirm firstly that the hybrid song occupies unfilled signal space between the parents. Secondly, we show that song discrimination is strong between parents, but weaker between parents and hybrids. Thirdly, each parent has the ability to respond to the other’s signal in a narrow region of overlap. Finally, preference functions for hybrids broadly overlap those of parents. These acoustic tests confirm that a species of this intermediate song phenotype could not persist.
Perceptions of Consensual Amorous Relationship Polices (CARPs)

Personal relationships between faculty and students are often viewed as private matters but some colleges have attempted to address the ethical and legal implications of such relationships by creat...
The Epidemiology of Viral Infections in Dogs and Cats

Understanding the epidemiology of an infectious disease is a prerequisite to be being able to suggest the most appropriate methods for prevention and control of the disease. This article reviews some important epidemiologic concepts.
Second-order closure modeling of diffusion in the atmospheric boundary layer

A method for calculating turbulent diffusion in the planetary boundary layer is developed based on Donaldson's second-order closure approach. The resulting partial differential equation for the turbulent mass flux has a hyperbolic character for early times when the plume scale is small compared with the ambient turbulent scale, with a smooth transition to a parabolic, gradient-diffusion-type character when the plume scale is large. Calculations are compared with available estimates from the literature for different values of Rossby number and Richardson number in the ambient atmosphere. Comparison of model predictions with laboratory simulation of diffusion in a free convection, mixed layer is good, with the model able to predict the maximum concentration rising from the ground as observed.
Prenatal diagnosis of the split hand anomaly: how early is early?

A case of split hand anomaly detected by transvaginal sonography at 18 weeks of gestation is reported in which the diagnosis was difficult to establish. Different aspects of this pathology are discussed. Sonographic diagnosis of hand anomalies may be difficult to establish, even with experience. The ideal timing for the prenatal detection of this anomaly remains to be determined. Copyright © 1996 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Etch pits on single crystals and bicrystals of niobium

Abstract Three types of etch pit were observed on single crystals and bicrystals of niobium. The relationship between the shape of the pits and the orientation of the etching surface was established and discussed on the basis of the surface energy concept. It was demonstrated that misorientations of tilt boundaries can be determined in bicrystals using the etch pit technique.
Distribution of mitochondrial NADH fluorescence lifetimes: steady-state kinetics of matrix NADH interactions.

The lifetimes of fluorescent components of matrix NADH in isolated porcine heart mitochondria were investigated using time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Three distinct lifetimes of fluorescence were resolved: 0.4 (63%), 1.8 (30%), and 5.7 (7%) ns (% total NADH). The 0.4 ns lifetime and the emission wavelength of the short component were consistent with free NADH. In addition to their longer lifetimes, the remaining pools also had a blue-shifted emission spectrum consistent with immobilized NADH. On the basis of emission frequency and lifetime data, the immobilized pools contributed >80% of NADH fluorescence. The steady-state kinetics of NADH entering the immobilized pools was measured in intact mitochondria and in isolated mitochondrial membranes. The apparent binding constants (KDs) for NADH in intact mitochondria, 2.8 mM (1.9 ns pool) and >3 mM (5.7 ns pool), were on the order of the estimated matrix [NADH] (∼3.5 mM). The affinities and fluorescence lifetimes resulted in an essentially linear rel...
Whole organ retrieval in laparoscopic resection of urologic malignancies

Endoscopic resection for malignant disease carries the inherent risks for intracorporeal dissemination. The association between tumour spillage during surgery with local recurrence demands minimizing opportunities for this to occur. The goal of tissue removal through a limited trocar site using morcellation techniques may compromise complete removal of the specimen. Whole organ delivery of adrenal, renal and bladder specimens through the trocar site or an extended incision minimizes the risk of tumour dissemination, and has not been associated with a significant increase in morbidity or pain in our experience. Placement of the kidney into an organ entrapment sack immediately following resection should theoretically reduce the chances of tumour cell shedding during the removal of the specimen. Illustrative cases dependent on surgical approach and specimen size are presented.
Cardiopulmonary responses to continuous positive airway pressure in acute asthma

The effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on expiratory flow, arterial blood gas tensions, cardiovascular status, and dyspnea were studied in 21 patients with acute asthma. Therapy consisted of the following CPAP sequence: 30 minutes at 5 cm H2O, 20 minutes at 0 cm H2O, 30 minutes at 7.5 cm H2O, and 20 minutes at 0 cm H2O. Six control patients were fitted with a CPAP mask but given no positive-pressure therapy. Significant reductions in respiratory rate occurred from a baseline of 22.0 +/- 1.0 to 19.8 +/- 3.8 breaths/min at CPAP 5 cm H2O and to 19.4 +/- 4.3 breaths/min at CPAP 7.5 cm H2O (P < .05). No significant change occurred in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, or arterial blood gas tension with either level of CPAP. Dyspnea, as assessed by a breathlessness score, improved during CPAP therapy (P < .05). These levels of CPAP were tolerated without deleterious side effects. In comparison, the control group showed no change in heart rate, respiratory rate, or breathlessness score during the study period. These data show that application of CPAP in acute asthma reduces respiratory rate and dyspnea with no untoward effects on gas exchange, expiratory airflow, or hemodynamics.
Peak-tree: a new approach to image simplification

We define a peak of an image I at the grey level g to be a connected region of pixels pij with the grey values g(pij) greater than or equal to g. The peaks form a tree structure, called the peak-tree (Pi) (I). It generalizes the notion of the grey-level histogram of I and partially captures the spatial distribution of grey values in the image. Thereby, it opens up new methods for simplifying an image as illustrated here. We give an efficient O(NV) algorithm for constructing the peak-tree, where N equals #(pixels in I) and V equals #(distinct grey levels in I).© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
5 S ribosomal RNA is contained within a 25 S ribosomal RNA that accumulates in mutants of Escherichia coli defective in processing of ribosomal RNA

A temperature-sensitive mutant strain of Escherichia coli defective in two RNA processing enzymes, RNase III and RNase E (rnc. rne), fails to produce normal levels of 23 S and 5 S rRNA at the non-permissive temperature. Instead, a molecule larger than 23 S is produced. This molecule, designated 25 S rRNA, can be processed in vitro to produce p5 rRNA. These findings further our understanding of the overall processing events of ribosomal RNA which take place in the bacterial cell.
Chronic treatment with valproate decreases the hypothermic response to clonidine

Abstract Treatment with lithium (the prototype of an antimanic agent) attenuates responsiveness to the α 2 -agonist clonidine in animal models. Valproate is now used to treat mania. The effect of treatment with this drug on responses mediated by an α 2 -agonist have yet to be reported. The authors assessed the effect of a 14-day course of orally administered valproate on the rat's hypothermic response to clonidine. Treatment with valproate decreased this response.
Clearance of polychlorinated biphenyl atropisomers is enantioselective in female C57Bl/6 mice.

Changes in the enantiomeric composition of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can not only be used to investigate environmental and biological transport processes, but also have human health implications because of enantiospecific adverse health effects. To further understand differences in the disposition of PCB atropisomers in vivo, the present study investigates the toxicokinetics of PCB atropisomers in female C57Bl/6 mice after oral administration of a mixture of several PCBs, including racemic PCBs 91, 95, 132, 136, 149, 174, and 176. On the Chirasil-Dex column, an enrichment of the second eluting atropisomers was generally observed, whereas only the first eluting atropisomers E1-PCB 95, (−)-PCB 132, and (−)-PCB 149 had half-lives that were distinctively longer compared to the second eluting atropisomers. The bioavailability normalized clearance of first eluting atropisomers in blood was faster compared to that of second eluting atropisomers. The opposite trend was observed for the accumulation factors...
Development and validation of SIMS: An instrument for measuring quality of life of adults with sickle cell disease

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the assessment of quality of life (QOL) issues, particularly in chronic debilitating conditions. Several instruments have been developed, tested, and validated in the general population and in other chronic diseases; however, few studies have examined QOL issues in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). We developed Sickle Cell Impact Measurement Scale (SIMS), an instrument for measuring the QOL of adults with SCD. The 142-item multi-dimensional SIMS questionnaire was developed using 4 validated instruments and additional questions based upon recommendations of patient focus groups. The SIMS was self-administered to 106 SCD and 45 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients over 4 sites. SIMS was evaluated on measures of both internal consistency and construct validity. Item reduction was performed based on results of factor analysis. The SIMS achieved good internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient reported of 0.86, and distinguished between patients with SCD and RA. Overall, QOL did not differ significantly among SCD and RA patients. However, SCD patients scored higher in both physical and social domains, which was expected and reflected the differences in the pathophysiology of each disease. The SIMS is a reliable, valid, and responsive questionnaire, which functions well as a discriminative instrument for the measure of health-related QOL (HRQOL) of adults with SCD. The SIMS is currently being administered to adults with SCD across several centers for further validation to become a disease-specific, global QOL instrument. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sexual Adjustment After Hysterectomy

The impact of hysterectomy or oopborectomy is not limited to problems of altered body image and depression. Uterus removal, compounded by the possible loss of estrogen and androgens, alters sensations and reactions that had been part of a woman's sexual response. Sexual and marital adjustment after hysterectomy depends on anticipatory guidance regarding decreased libido, physical changes, loss and grief reactions, and the possible complications of cancer therapy. Nurses can affect outcomes through straightforward counseling and education.
Similarities Between Effects of Adenosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate and Guanosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate on Liver and Adrenal Metabolism

The 3′,5′-monophosphates of adenosine (cyclic AMP) and guanosine (cyclic GMP) both produced glucagon-Hke responses when added to a perfusate recirculating through isolated rat livers. They stimulated hepatic glucose output, glycogenolysis, lactate uptake and urea production, and the induction of tyrosine aminotransferase. Enhanced glycogenolysis was associated with increased activity of phosphorylase and lowered activity of the active form of UDPglucose-glycogen transferase. The effects of either nucleotide were quantitatively similar at equimolar concentrations, and when given in combination in submaximally stimulating amounts they additively increased hepatic glucose output. Since the effects of cyclic GMP were obtained in the absence of any change in tissue levels of cyclic AMP, it is unlikely that they were secondary to alterations in cyclic AMP metabolism. In rat adrenal quarters, cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP stimulated steroidogenesis similarly to ACTH. The dose responses of steroidogenesis to the nucl...
Attitudes of Domestic Violence Shelter Workers Toward Mandated Reporter Laws: A Study of Policy Support and Policy Impact

In order to examine attitudes in the field of domestic violence toward mandated reporter laws, a survey was administered to domestic violence shelter workers. The respondents overwhelmingly supported the mandate to report abuse of a child. However, a mandate to report child witnessing of domestic violence was opposed by a slight majority. When compared with the group opposing the mandate, the group in support perceived more frequent occurrence of a report's positive impact and less frequent occurrence of a report's negative impacts. These results have implications for advocacy efforts that are focused on mandated reporter laws.
Effect of exposure on the mechanical properties of Gamma MET PX

The effect of a service environment exposure on the mechanical properties of a high Nb content TiAl alloy, Gamma MET PX , was assessed. Gamma MET PX, like other TiAl alloys, experiences a reduction of ductility following high temperature exposure. Exposure in Ar, air, and high-purity oxygen all resulted in a loss of ductility with the ductility reduction increasing with oxygen content in the exposure atmosphere. Embrittling mechanisms, including bulk microstructural changes, moisture induced environmental embrittlement, and near surface effects were investigated. The embrittlement has been shown to be a near-surface effect, most likely due to the diffusion of oxygen into the alloy.
Social assets and mental distress among the homeless: exploring the roles of social support and other forms of social capital on depression

This paper explores the role of social capital in mediating the effects of stressors on depression among a disadvantaged population. Utilizing a survey of 155 homeless people in a mid-sized southern U.S. city, the authors address the relevance of social capital for quality of life. The paper provides a critical test of whether social support and other forms of social capital matter when monetary and human capital is extremely limited. Under these resource-restricted circumstances does social capital add to our understanding of the distress process or does it merely restate the well established relationship between social support and quality of life outcomes? Various forms of social capital are measured: religious social capital, group participation, social trust, and bridging social capital along with a commonly used measure of social support -- perceived strong tie support. Findings suggest that social capital matters for even the most resource poor populations. In addition, social capital variables add significantly to the variance explained in depressive symptomatology over and above that traditionally explained by perceived social support.
Asymmetric synthesis of all the known phlegmarine alkaloids.

The asymmetric synthesis of all four of the known natural phlegmarines and one synthetic derivative has been accomplished in 19−22 steps from 4-methoxy-3-(triisopropylsilyl)pyridine. Chiral N-acylpyridinium salt chemistry was used twice to set the stereocenters at the C-9 and C-2′ positions of the phlegmarine skeleton. Key reactions include the use of a mixed Grignard reagent for the second N-acylpyridinium salt addition, zinc/acetic acid reduction of a complex dihydropyridone, and a von Braun cyanogen bromide N-demethylation of a late intermediate. These syntheses confirmed the absolute stereochemistry of all of the known phlegmarines.
Interspecific Competition of a New Invasive Mosquito, Culex coronator, and Two Container Mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae), Across Different Detritus Environments

The mosquito Culex coronator (Dyar and Knab) (Diptera: Culicidae) has undergone rapid range expansion in the United States since 2003, with its historical distribution in the southwest expanding eastward to the Atlantic coast. Although Cx. coronator nominally use small natural aquatic habitats for development, the use of containers (e.g., tires) makes it potentially important as container invasive. To determine the potential ecological effects of Cx. coronator on resident container species, we conducted a laboratory experiment to assess its competitive ability with two common tire-inhabiting species, Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae). Larvae were reared under a factorial design with each species alone and in combination (Cx. coronator + Ae. albopictus, Cx. coronator + Cx. quinquefasciatus) across three different resource environments (leaf detritus only, animal detritus only, animal + leaf). Mosquito performance (survival, adult male and female mass, and development time) was measured for each species across treatments. Female Cx. coronator developed slowest when grown with Ae. albopictus, or when grown with leaves only regardless of species combinations; similar patterns emerged for males although species effects were restricted to mass. Few differences were evident in performance for male and female Cx. coronator across detritus environments when grown with Cx. quinquefasciatus. Cx. quinquefasciatus did not vary in mass or development time in the presence of Cx. coronator compared with when grown alone. Ae. albopictus female mass was 15% lower in the presence of Cx. coronator. Survival of Cx. coronator was highest in animal and leaf detritus containers, although survival was generally lower when larvae were grown with Ae. albopictus. These findings suggest that the performance of Cx. coronator is similar to that of Cx. quinquefasciatus but it suffers in the presence of Ae. albopictus under some resource environments.
New copper phthalocyanine oligomers for high dielectric constant polymer films

We report here the synthesis of two new oligomeric copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) derivatives by esterification of the corresponding carboxylic acids with tri(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether. The solubility of these derivatives in N,N′-dimethylformamide (DMF) enabled us to perform dielectric studies with poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) P(VDF-TrFE), acting as the host polymer matrix. The highest room temperature dielectric constant achieved is 94 at 100 Hz, compared with 12 for the base polymer host matrix. Thermogravimetric analyzes of the polymer films showed that they are thermostable at 100°C for a long period of time. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the films have also been analyzed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Food reinforcement and delay discounting in zBMI-discordant siblings

Abstract Objective: The interaction of food reinforcement and the inability to delay gratification are related to adult energy intake and obesity. This study was designed to test the association of sibling pair differences in relative reinforcing efficacy of food and delay discounting on sibling pair differences in zBMI scores of same-gender zBMI-discordant siblings. Design and methods: We tested main and interactive relationships between delay discounting and relative reinforcing efficacy of food on zBMI discordance in 14 zBMI-discordant biological sibling pairs (6 female pairs) using a discordant sibling study design. Results: Sibling pair differences in relative reinforcing efficacy of food were associated with sibling pair differences in zBMI ( p = 0.046); this effect was moderated by delay discounting ( p 0.002). Sibling pairs with greater differences in relative reinforcing efficacy and delay discounting had greater differences in zBMI. Conclusions: The combination of greater sibling pair differences in delay discounting and relative reinforcing efficacy is associated with greater discordance in zBMI in adolescent sibling pairs.
Recession Watch: Boost the developing world.

Directing finance into sustainable infrastructure in the poorest countries helps the whole world, says Jeffrey Sachs. Can science thrive during an economic downturn? In a series of seven Commentaries, introduced on page 957, specialists in policy-making, history, economics and innovation offer advice that might help. Jeffrey Sachs says that now's the time for developed nations to invest in the developing world to ensure environmental sustainability. Ian Taylor cautions against spending too much on blue-skies research: it's time to concentrate on ideas with immediate application. Eric Rauchway is encouraged by the scientific fallout from US government efforts to counter the Great Depression. In Japan too, the recession-spurred 'lost decade' of the 1990s resulted in a boost to basic science funding, as Atsushi Sunami and Kiyoshi Kurokawa explain. John Browning's advice to recent startups: sell whatever you can and cut costs drastically. Noreena Hertz sees an opportunity for global capitalism to become more egalitarian. And John Geanakoplos tells economists and governments how to avoid the next recession: collateral is king, and governments need to regulate how loans are issued with that in mind. More on http://www.nature.com/recessionwatch and http://www.nature.com/podcast .
Concentration and temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibilities in lithium vanadium oxide bronzes in the cryogenic region

Abstract A series of β-phase lithium vanadium oxide bronzes, LixV2O5, ranging in lithium content from x = 0.25 to x = 0.49, have been measured by the Gouy method from 1.2°K to 300°K. Although the data above 60°K can be represented by laws of the Curie-Weiss type with negative Weiss temperatures, below 60°K the effective magnetic moment defined by (χT) 1 2 rapidly goes to zero as T approaches zero. Over the entire range of temperature studied the μeff vs. T curve can be calculated from a ligand-field model in which V4+ levels are split by the combined effect of axial distortion and spin-orbit coupling to yield a lowest-lying nonmagnetic Γ6(E) state. As lithium content increases, the spin-orbit coupling constant is observed to increase from 0.012 eV to 0.021 eV, the electron localization to decrease from 0.9 to 0.6, and the axial distortion to remain essentially unchanged at about 0.007 eV. A discontinuous transition from localized to collective electron behavior is predicted at x = 0.37, but no such discontinuity appears in the magnetic behavior. However, there are observed small inflections in the χ−1 vs. T curve in the range 7–10°K when x exceeds 0.35, which suggest incipient antiferromagnetic ordering, but these inflections are not evident in the μeff vs. T curve. When x exceeds 0.35, a small break also appears in the χ−1 vs. T curve at 170°K. As supported by DTA measurements, imperceptible structure changes may be occurring which the system adopts to avoid a metallic transition.
A short stay or 23-hour ward in a general and academic children's hospital: are they effective?

Objective We evaluated the usefulness of a short stay or 23-hour ward in a pediatric unit of a large teaching hospital, Westmead Hospital, and an academic Children's hospital, The New Children's Hospital, to determine if they are a useful addition to the emergency service. Methods This is a descriptive comparison of prospectively collected data on all children admitted to the short stay ward at Westmead Hospital (WH) during 1994 and the short stay ward at the New Children's Hospital (NCH) during 1997-98. These hospitals service an identical demographic area with the latter (NCH) a tertiary referral center. The following outcome measures were used: length of stay, appropriateness of stay, rate of admission to an in-hospital bed, and rate of unscheduled visits within 72 hours of discharge. Adverse events were reported and patient follow-up was attempted at 48 hours after discharge in all cases. Results The short stay ward accounted for 10.3% (Westmead Hospital) and 14.7% (New Children's Hospital) of admissions, with 56% medical in nature, 30% surgical, and the remainder procedural or psychological. Admission patterns were similar, with asthma, gastroenteritis, convulsion, pneumonia, and simple surgical conditions accounting for most short stay ward admissions. The short stay ward increased hospital efficiency with an average length of stay of 17.5 hours (Westmead Hospital) compared to 20.5 hours (New Children's Hospital). The users of the short stay ward were children of young age less than 2 years, with stay greater than 23 hours reported in only 1% of all admissions to the short stay ward. The rate of patient admission to an in-hospital bed was low, (4% [Westmead Hospital] compared to 6% [New Children's Hospital]), with the number of unscheduled visits within 72 hours of short stay ward discharge less than 1%. There were no adverse events reported at either short stay ward, with parental satisfaction high. The short stay ward was developed through reallocation of resources from within the hospital to the short stay ward. This resulted in estimated savings of $1/2 million (Westmead Hospital) to $2.3 million (New Children's Hospital) to the hospital, due to more efficient bed usage. Conclusion This data demonstrates the robust nature of the short stay ward. At these two very different institutions we have shown improved bed efficient and patient care in a cost-effective way. We have also reported on greater parental satisfaction and early return of the child with their family to the community.
Ionization and Attachment Coefficients in n-Alkyl Chloride Gases

WE have measured ionization coefficients in the five n-alkyl chloride gases, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and amyl chloride, using an experimental apparatus similar to that described by Geballe and Harrison1. Despite the fact that these gases contain a halogen atom, they exhibit no detectable electron attachment to form negative ions. The present work constitutes part of an experimental programme for measuring ionization and attachment coefficients in a large variety of electronegative gases. We hope that such data will serve as a guide for the correlation of these coefficients, important to an understanding of the electrical breakdown of gases, with molecular structure.
High-dimensional MRI data analysis using a large-scale manifold learning approach

A novel manifold learning approach is presented to efficiently identify low-dimensional structures embedded in high-dimensional MRI data sets. These low-dimensional structures, known as manifolds, are used in this study for predicting brain tumor progression. The data sets consist of a series of high-dimensional MRI scans for four patients with tumor and progressed regions identified. We attempt to classify tumor, progressed and normal tissues in low-dimensional space. We also attempt to verify if a progression manifold exists--the bridge between tumor and normal manifolds. By identifying and mapping the bridge manifold back to MRI image space, this method has the potential to predict tumor progression. This could be greatly beneficial for patient management. Preliminary results have supported our hypothesis: normal and tumor manifolds are well separated in a low-dimensional space. Also, the progressed manifold is found to lie roughly between the normal and tumor manifolds.
613 PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Three children, ages 7 to 48 months, with severe neurological deficits, incapable of adequate oral intake, received percutaneous gastrostomies assisted by endoscopy. This recently developed technique has yet to receive notice in the pediatric literature. This procedure which we have used in patients at risk for surgery and general anesthesia, is well tolerated and easily mastered by a trained endoscopist. Endoscopy was first performed to be certain that there were no obstructive lesions. The stomach was then inflated with air and at the point of maximum transillumination on the anterior abdominal wall, (which had been surgically prepped) lidocaine was injected. A plastic Medicut catheter was plunged through the wall and into the stomach. A long nylon thread was passed through the sheath into the stomach and was grasped by the endoscopic forceps. The thread was then pulled out of the mouth, leaving one end still emerging from the abdominal wall. The end from the mouth was tied to a specially prepared Malecot catheter which was then pulled in retrograde fashion, into the stomach so that the end of it emerged from the abdominal wall. The gastrostomy was used the following day. The procedure averaged 11 minutes, compared to 57 minutes with the standard surgical gastrostomy. We believe this technique may be used by our pediatric colleagues who manage such patients.
Estimation of probability of events from imperfect Bernoulli trials

In many experiments, Bernoulli trials are conducted to estimate the probability of an event of interest. The outcomes of the trials are usually known without error, that is, we known with certainty that an event occurred or not. Estimation of the probability of the even then proceeds along lines that can be found in standard textbooks on probability. The problem gets a bit more complicated if the data obtained in a Bernoulli experiment carry uncertainty about the event of interest. We call such trials imperfect Bernoulli trials as opposed to perfect trials when the outcomes of the experiment are known without error. The probability estimation in the case of imperfect trials must be modified to take into account the uncertainties. A complete Bayesian procedure is developed for this purpose. It provides an update formula for the posterior density of the probability of interest as data from new trials are obtained. The work on this program has been motivated by studies in neurophysiology where large sets of patch-clamp recordings of synaptic currents are processed to estimate the probability of a synaptic event. As example, we present application of the methodology to simulated synaptic currents.
CD39 modulates IL-1 release from activated endothelial cells.

Abstract The activation of endothelial cells (EC) and monocyte–macrophages (Mφ) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is considered an important element of the vascular injury observed in endotoxemia. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) β release from Mφ in response to LPS, appears to be mediated by the autocrine/paracrine release of ATP via P2X7 receptor activation. In EC, similar nucleotide-mediated signaling pathways may be influenced by high levels of expression of CD39, the vascular nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPDase; ENTPD I). To determine whether CD39 modulates ATP-mediated release of IL-1 from EC, we stimulated human EC with LPS and measured levels of ATP secretion and IL-1 release. LPS triggered ATP secretion from EC that was soon followed by IL-1α release. Overexpression of CD39 following infection with recombinant CD39 adenoviral vectors (AdCD39) abrogated the initial phase of ATP secretion and inhibited IL-1α release; comparable results were obtained with soluble NTPDase. These data demonstrate that CD39/NTPDase modulates IL-1α release from LPS stimulated human EC.
Polymorphisms within the C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Promoter Region Are Associated with Plasma CRP Levels

Elevated plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammation-sensitive marker, have emerged as an important predictor of future cardiovascular disease and metabolic abnormalities in apparently healthy men and women. Here, we performed a systematic survey of common nucleotide variation across the genomic region encompassing the CRP gene locus. Of the common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified, several in the CRP promoter region are strongly associated with CRP levels in a large cohort study of cardiovascular risk in European American and African American young adults. We also demonstrate the functional importance of these SNPs in vitro.
Case Studies for Reverse Engineers

Case studies are an empirical method with established design principles for conducting scientific investigations. The topic of this half-day tutorial was to give an introduction to case studies as an empirical research method. Our goal is to bring attention to this method as an option in the pantheon of empirical methods.
DELETION OF TP53 EXON-1 IN HUMAN EPITHELIAL OVARIAN-CANCER

In ovarian cancer, allelic loss within 17p 13.1-13.3, which contains the tumor suppressor TP53, occurs with a frequency of 66%, and mutations within conserved TP53 exons are reported in approximately 50% of cases. We examined DNA from 26 Stage III/IV ovarian carcinomas and 7 non-malignant ovaries by Southern blot hybridization and PCR for gene rearrangement or deletion within the,TP53 locus. Deletion specifically involving loss of the transcription-regulatory exon 1/intron 1 region on at least one allele was detected in 24/26 (92%) cases, and 0/7 noncancerous ovaries. Immunocytochemical analysis confirmed absence of expression of mutant p53 protein in those tumors where loss of the exon 1 region involved both alleles.
The use of radiation therapy in the geriatric population.

As the medical community has developed increasingly effectual treatments for illnesses and conditions that once claimed the lives of ounger patients, including heart disease, diabetes, and infectious diseases, we have seen the average life expectancy in the United States rise significantly. Such welcome news is accompanied, however, by an increase in the incidence of diseases more prevalent in the elderly population, including cancer. We are therefore faced more frequently with the clinical problem of how best to approach the care of the elderly cancer patient.
American female expatriates and the civil rights act of 1991 : Balancing legal and business interests

I Businesses must comply with Title VII while recognizing that some countries l will still find it hard to accept women as managers. A merican multinational companies are facing a growing list of conflicting realities as they staff their international divisions. Primary/ among them is that managers currently based in the United States are reluctant to accept transfers to foreign posts. Meanwhile, an increasing number of managers in any organization are women, many anxious to attain greater status in the firm and interested in accepting positions that will offer visibility and challenge. This interest is legally protected under the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1991. At the same time, companies with operations in many parts of the world must still deal with local mores, customs, and laws. And those local traditions and preferences often difFer from-if they are not in total contrast to-American practices. Reconciling these facts while meeting staffing needs adds to the challenges faced by globally oriented companies.
Insertion, Conductivity, and Structures of Conjugated Organic Oligomers in Self-Assembled Alkanethiol Monolayers on Au{111}

Alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayers on Au{111} are used for the two-dimensional matrix isolation of conjugated organic thiolates, studied for their potential to act as molecular wires. The conjugated organic molecules are inserted from dilute solution into boundaries between structural domains and at substrate step edges of preassembled n-alkanethiolate monolayers so as to preserve the order of the initial alkanethiolate lattice. In contrast, when both molecules are codeposited from a single solution, the structure of the assembled monolayer shows no ordered molecular lattice of the alkanethiol component. Scanning tunneling microscopy measurements on the isolated conjugated component molecules show them to have enhanced conductivity compared to neighboring alkanethiolates.
On-line query system

An interactive query system which is based on a library of on-line manuals and which provides answers quickly to users' questions stated in unrestricted English can alleviate many of the informational problems of the users of today's complex computing systems. In addition to providing relevant information to users when and where they need it, on-line manuals make it possible to insure that the latest manual updates have been made for all users. This project is involved in the development of such a system.
Extrusion characteristics of thermoplastic melts containing fluoropolymers

This paper investigates the influence of fluoropolymers on the extrusion characteristics of three different thermoplastic melts. The presence of a small amount of fluoropolymer reduced the pressure drops, extrudate swell, and retarded the onset of surface defects in linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), while little or no effect was found in polystyrene (PS) and polyamide 12 (PA 12). Among the fluoropolymers investigated in this study, vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (VDF-HFP) copolymer was the most effective additive in reducing the pressure drop and extrudate distortion of LLDPE, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) intermediate, and tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene (TFE-HFP) copolymer exhibited the least effectiveness. Contact angle measurements on the die surface indicated that all fluoropolymers preferentially deposit on the die surfaces during the extrusion of LLDPE and PS blends with small amounts of fluoropolymers.