cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of CT-guided percutaneous drainage of loculated air collections: an institutional experience

The purpose of this study is to describe our experience with the role of CT-guided percutaneous drainage of loculated intra-abdominal collections consisting entirely of gas. An IRB-approved retrospective study analyzing patients with air-only intra-abdominal collections over an 8-year period was undertaken. Seven patients referred for percutaneous drainage were included. Size of collections, subsequent development of fluid, and microbiological yield were determined. Clinical outcome was also analyzed. Out of 2835 patients referred for percutaneous drainage between 2004 and 2012, seven patients (5M, 2F; average age 63, range 54–85) met criteria for inclusion with CT showing air-only collections. Percutaneous drain placement (five 8 Fr, one 10 Fr, and one 12 Fr) using Seldinger technique was performed. Four patients (57%) had recently undergone surgery (2 Whipple, 1 colectomy, 1 hepatic resection) while two (29%) had a remote surgery (1 abdominoperineal resection, 1 sigmoidectomy). Despite the lack of detectable fluid on the original CT, 6 patients (86%) had air and fluid aspirated at drainage, 5 (83%) of the aspirates developed positive microbacterial cultures. Four patients (57%) presented with fever at the time of the initial scan, all of whom had positive cultures from aspirated fluid. Four patients (57%) had leukocytosis, all of whom had positive cultures from aspirated fluid. Although relatively rare in occurrence, patients with air-only intra-abdominal collections with signs of infection should be considered for percutaneous management similar to that of conventional infected fluid collections. Although fluid is not visible on CT, these collections can produce fluid that contains organisms.
A Nano-Cellular Local Area Network Using Near-Field RF Coupling

This paper describes a new type of wireless LAN based on near-field RF coupling. The system exploits the rapid spatial decay of field strength within the near-field to provide high isolation between adjacent cells. We believe that this Nano-Cellular system offers unique advantages for mobile computing in an indoor environment. At the operating frequency of 5.3 MHz, the cell size is approximately that of a single office. Small cells offer several benefits, including the possibility of channel re-use and the ability to provide information about user location. Despite the low operating frequency, the available bit rate of 250kbps is sufficient for many practical applications. The radio wavelength of 60m is sufficiently long to eliminate standing wave problems which often plague indoor UHF and microwave systems. The transceiver uses very little power, and has a simple, low-cost design.
Research on Pipeline Flotation

Equations are proposed for determining the flotation force on the pipe using soil and pipe unit weights and pipe diameter. Equations are also used to estimate the resisting force to pipe flotation from the soil shear strength and pipe diameter. There is no effect of pipe depth on flotation within a range of one-half to two times the pipe diameter. The rate of pipe flotation is affected by the unit weight of pipe and contents. Tests were performed using four cohesive soils with different plasticity indices and short pipe sections of varying diameters. Sealed pipe sections were placed in a tank filled with soil at different water content. The soil unit weight, water content, and cohesive strength were determined. The unit weight of a pipe could be changed by the addition or removal of water. The unit weight of the pipe at the start of flotation was determined for each soil water content. Several pull-out tests were performed.
Regulation of renal function and structure by the signaling Na/K‐ATPase

The Na/K-ATPase as an essential ion pump was discovered more than 50 years ago (Skou (1989) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1000, 439-446; Feraille and Doucet (2001) Physiol. Rev. 81, 345-418). The signaling function of Na/K-ATPase has been gradually appreciated over the last 20 years, first from the studies of regulatory effects of ouabain on cardiac cell growth. Several reviews on this topic have been written during the last few years (Schoner and Scheiner-Bobis (2007) Am. J. Physiol. Cell. Physiol. 293, C509-C536; Xie and Cai (2003) Mol. Interv. 3, 157 - 168; Bagrov et al. (2009) Pharmacol. Rev. 61, 9-38; Tian and Xie (2008) Physiology 23, 205-211; Fontana et al. (2013) FEBS J. 280, 5450-5455; Blanco and Wallace (2013) Am. J. Physiol. Renal Physiol. 305, F797-F812). This article will focus on the molecular mechanism of Na/K-ATPase-mediated signal transduction and its potential regulatory role in renal physiology and diseases.
Logic simulation on vector processors

The performance of three commercial vector computers, the Cray X-MP/48, IBM 3090/400, and Alliant FX/8, for simulating logic circuits at gate level is compared. Experiments that assume zero- and unit-delay models demonstrate that certain key architectural features, especially, the presence of a scalar cache, have an adverse impact on the potential speedup. Consequently, the achievable speedup due to vectorization of simulation code, while still substantial, is less than expected. The results indicate that concurrent operation of multiple CPUs in vector mode in machines such as the Alliant FX/8 might be the most cost-effective speedup technique for logic simulation on current vector processors. >
Identification of a cis-acting sequence required for germ line-specific splicing of the P element ORF2-ORF3 intron

P element transposition in Drosophila melanogaster is limited to the germ line because the third intron (the ORF2-ORF3 intron) of the P element transcript is spliced only in germ line cells. We describe a systematic search for P element sequences that are required to regulate the splicing of the ORF2-ORF3 intron. We have identified three adjacent mutations that abolish the germ line specificity and allow splicing of this intron in all tissues. These mutations define a 20-base regulatory region located in the exon, 12 to 31 bases from the 5' splice site. Our data show that this cis-acting regulatory sequence is required to inhibit the splicing of the ORF2-ORF3 intron in somatic cells.
Characterization of 17 Novel Polymorphic Microsatellite Loci in the Mammal Chewing Louse Geomydoecus ewingi (Insecta: Phthiraptera) for Population Genetic Analyses

Abstract: We report 17 novel microsatellite loci in the parasitic chewing louse Geomydoecus ewingi, a common parasite of the pocket gopher, Geomys breviceps. Thirty-three G. ewingi individuals from 1 geographic locality and 3 pocket gopher hosts (populations) were genotyped at each locus. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 13. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.182 to 0.788. Four to 6 loci per louse population fell outside of Hardy-Weinberg expectations (HWE) and examination of population structure also revealed substantial homozygote excess as well as significant structure among louse populations. These findings are likely the consequence of biological characteristics of the lice (low dispersal abilities, population bottlenecks, etc.), which can result in inbreeding. Notably, when all louse individuals were analyzed together as 1 population, a Wahlund effect was detected, supporting that louse populations are restricted to 1 host individual. The microsatellite markers characterized in t...
Regional variability in the vertical flux of particulate organic carbon in the ocean interior

[1] Carbon transport within sinking biogenic matter in the ocean contributes to the uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere. Here we assess the extent to which particulate organic carbon (POC) transport to the ocean’s interior can be predicted from primary production or export flux. Relationships between POC flux and depth are generally described by a uniform power law or rational decrease with depth, scaled to new or total primary production of POC. While these parameterizations of flux are used in most quantitative biogeochemical models, they are based on data sets from a limited geographic and depth range. We examine these relationships through a review of parameters derived from 14C uptake experiments, regional remote sensing, 234Th studies, nitrogen balances, and sediment trap records. Ocean regions considered include sites studied by the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study, Hawaii Ocean Time-series, and Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study programs and involve observed and radiochemically corrected flux to depth. We demonstrate regional variability in the efficiency of the biological pump to transport organic carbon from surface waters to the ocean’s interior. Commonly applied flux relationships, while representative of some areas of the ocean, generally overestimate flux to depth. We estimate that the fraction of carbon transported as POC to depths greater than 1.5 km ranges between 0.10 and 8.8% (1.1% average) of primary production and between 0.28 and 30% (5.7% average) of export from the base of the euphotic zone. We develop empirical parameterizations of flux to depth using region-specific constants. Using a one-dimensional ocean model, we predict that the residence time of biogenic carbon may vary by up to 2 orders of magnitude depending on the regional efficiency of export and vertical transport.
Metastatic disease to the lungs and pleura: an overview.

The lungs are a common site for metastatic spread of malignancy. Approximately 20%-54% of patients with extrathoracic malignancy have pulmonary metastases at autopsy. The most common primary neoplasms with pulmonary metastases at autopsy include breast, colon, kidney, uterus, and head and neck. Less common primary malignancies including choriocarcinoma, osteosarcoma, testicular tumors, melanoma, and thyroid carcinoma also metastasize to the lungs. The detection of pulmonary metastases, as with other distant metastases, indicates a poor prognosis and directly affects treatment planning. For example, in a large retrospective study of patients with melanoma, median survival was only 7.3 months after development of pulmonary metastases. Evaluation is primarily performed with chest radiography and computerized tomography (CT), although other modalities such as fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) may also play a role. Pulmonary metastases can have a wide spectrum of appearances on imaging, reflecting the route of spread as well as the local behavior of the neoplastic cells.
6α-Flurotestosterone: a nonaromatizable androgen inhibotor of aromatase cytochrome P450

Abstract In an early survey of steroids which might serve as estrogen precursors, Gual et al. reported that 6α-fluorotestosterone is not aromatiz.ed by human placental microsomes. Subsequently, 6α-fluorotestosterone has been used to distinguish between androgen- and estrogen-mediated physiologic effects. We have reexamined the interaction of 6α-fluorotestosterone with human placental and rat ovarian microsomes and with reconstituted purified aromatase cytochrome P450. Under conditions in which testosterone was readily aromatized, no aromatiwtion of 6α-fluorotestosterone was observed using either fluorescence detection of dansyl-estrogens separated by high-performance liquid chromatography or estrogen radioimmunoassay methods. The lack of aromatiwtion is not due to failure of6a-fluorotestosterone to bind to P450arom, because 6α-fluorotestosterone acts as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme, and it exhibits a binding affinity similar to that of testosterone. Moreover, the addition of 6α-fluorotestosterone to human placental microsomes elicits a spectral shift indicative of conversion of the heme from a low to a high spin state as observed for androgen substrates, consistent with its binding to the substrate site. The mechanism by which substitution of a fluorine at the 6α-position interferes with the aromatization reaction remains to be determined, but the inhibitory action on estrogen formation may potentiate the androgenic properties of 6α-fluorotestosterone in vivo due to a lowering of estrogen levels. (Steroids 55:242–246, 1990).
TH-D-230C-01: Mammography QA Workshop I and II

Purpose: to explore the impact of DR mammography on the practice of medical physics. Historical and new methods for providing scheduled and unscheduled mammography services for facilities using DR mammography will be presented. Method and Materials: clinical medical physics services provided for DR mammography facilities from various manufacturers will be presented. Quality control activities approved by the FDA for each individual manufacturer will be compared. The status of a proposed “Alternative Standard” to allow for a more uniform approach to medical physicsmammography services will be reviewed. Case studies will be presented demonstrating methods and cost considerations for providing medical physics services under the “minimum standard” (prescribed by MQSA regulations) and “best practices” model.Results:Medical physics services provided in the “minimum standard” and “best practices” model have implications for the quality and cost of mammography services. Conclusion:Medical physics services may be provided in a professional and valuable manner, using combinations of the minimum standard of practice and the “best practices” model. The professional medical should consider multiple parameters when determining the appropriate model under which to deliver services.
Changes in Serum Thyrotropin (TSH) in Man during Halofenate Administration

Halofenate, a serum lipid-lowering agent which inhibits binding of thyroid hormone tothyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), was administered daily for 14 days to 8 hypothyroid subjects with elevated TSH concentrations as a result of incomplete thyroxine (T4) therapy. Drug administration resulted in mean increases in serum dialyzable fraction T4 (DFT4) of 52% over pretreatment levels (P < 0.01) and in dialyzable fraction triiodothyronine (DFT3) of 26% in 7 subjects (P < 0.01). During halofenate treatment in these 7 subjects, serum TSH concentrations decreased significantly (mean = 39%, P < 0.01) when DFT4 and DFT3 were increased by halofenate. In only two subjects was there a convincing temporal relationship between increased serum absolute free T4 (AFT4) and decreased serum TSH concentrations. Contrary to what would be predicted from the “free hormone hypothesis,” changesin serum TSH concentration in these hypothyroid patients appeared to relate primarily to changes in the free fraction of circulating T4 and T...
Characterization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Homolog of the Melatonin Rhythm Enzyme Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.87)

Abstract Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT, serotonin N-acetyltransferase, EC 2.3.1.87) plays a unique transduction role in vertebrate physiology by converting information about day and night into a hormonal signal: melatonin. Only vertebrate members of the AANAT family have been functionally characterized. Here a putative AANAT from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (scAANAT) was studied to determine whether it possessed the catalytic activity of the vertebrate enzyme. scAANAT is 47% similar to ovine AANAT, but lacks the regulatory N- and C-terminal flanking regions conserved in all vertebrate AANATs. It was found to have enzyme activity generally typical for AANAT family members, although the substrate preference pattern was somewhat broader, the specific activity was lower, and the pH optimum was higher. Deletion of scAANAT reduced arylalkylamine acetylation by S. cerevisiaeextracts, indicating that scAANAT contributes significantly to this process. The scAANAT sequence conformed to the three-dimensional structure of ovine AANAT catalytic core; however, an important structural element (loop 1) was found to be shorter and to lack a proline involved in substrate binding. These differences could explain the lower specific activity of scAANAT, because of the importance of loop 1 in catalysis. Data base analysis revealed the presence of putative AANATs in other fungi but not in the nearly complete genomes of Drosophila melanogaster or Caenorhabditis elegans. These studies indicate that the catalytic and kinetic characteristics of fungal and vertebrate enzymes can be considered to be generally similar, although some differences exist that appear to be linked to changes in one structural element. Perhaps the most striking difference is that fungal AANATs lack the regulatory domains of the vertebrate enzyme, which appear to be essential for the regulatory role the enzyme plays in photochemical transduction.
Integration of a Molecular Viscosity Model and a Continuum EHL Solution for Simulation of Thin Film Lubrication

We present a simulation approach for thin film lubrication that integrates a molecular model of the film thickness-viscosity relationship in thin films with a continuum elastohydrodynamic (EHL) lubricated contact solution. Molecular simulation is used to characterize the effect of film thickness on viscosity in terms of solidification, shear thinning, and oscillation. This relationship is then incorporated into a traditional, continuum EHL solution. Film thickness distributions predicted by this integrated model are evaluated. It is found that the effect of the molecular film thickness-viscosity model is small compared to the increase in viscosity with pressure predicted by the Barus equation.© 2005 ASME
Optical path length fluctuations in the atmosphere

The effect of atmospheric fluctuations on measurements of distance has become increasingly important as laser interferometers become more widely used. The present study evaluates the precision with which dimensions can be monitored by interferometry involving optical path lengths in the open air under good atmospheric conditions. The size and time scale of optical path length fluctuations over distances of one meter, and correlations between fluctuations in nearby optical paths, are measured and analyzed.
An experimental comparison of click position-bias models

Search engine click logs provide an invaluable source of relevance information, but this information is biased. A key source of bias is presentation order: the probability of click is influenced by a document's position in the results page. This paper focuses on explaining that bias, modelling how probability of click depends on position. We propose four simple hypotheses about how position bias might arise. We carry out a large data-gathering effort, where we perturb the ranking of a major search engine, to see how clicks are affected. We then explore which of the four hypotheses best explains the real-world position effects, and compare these to a simple logistic regression model. The data are not well explained by simple position models, where some users click indiscriminately on rank 1 or there is a simple decay of attention over ranks. A 'cascade' model, where users view results from top to bottom and leave as soon as they see a worthwhile document, is our best explanation for position bias in early ranks
Enabling photonic technologies based on electrochromic and photochromic tungsten oxide

We present a preliminary study of all-optical switching devices based on the photo and electrochromic behavior of sputtered and sol-gel based tungsten oxide films. While many questions remain unanswered these films show considerable promise for meeting a variety of switching applications. These switching applications complement the optical memory applications we have previously demonstrated. In the present study we have used 488 nm control light to switch 632 nm data light. The films range from about 100 nm to 900 nm in thickness and can be deposited on various substrates. The switching was characterized using single layer films. The switching time is currently submillisecond with incident control powers of just a few tens of milliwatts of control light using a spot size of about ten microns in diameter.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Parametric and pharmacological studies of midbrain suppression of the hind limb flexion withdrawal reflex in the rat.

Abstract These experiments quantitatively analyzed effects of electrical midbrain stimulation on a nociceptive hind limb flexion reflex in rats anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. We recorded the force of isometric hind limb flexion withdrawal, and related flexor electromyographic (EMG) activity, elicited by noxious heat (42–54°C, 10 sec) applied to the ventral hind paw. Several hind limb flexors including biceps femoris were active during the reflex. Quantified reflex responses to identical noxious heat stimuli delivered every 2 min were constant in magnitude and were reduced or abolished during stimulation (100 msec trains at 100 Hz, 3/sec, 15–325 μA) in the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) or lateral reticular formation (LRF). LRF was significantly more effective than PAG stimulation in suppressing reflex responses. The magnitude of the reflex responses increased with graded increases in the temperature of the noxious heat stimulus. The slope of the temperature-response relationship was significantly reduced during PAG stimulation, whereas it was shifted toward higher temperatures with significantly increased threshold during LRF stimulation. To investigate possible transmitters involved, we tested if PAG- or LRF-evoked reflex suppression was affected following systemic administration of the opiate antagonist naloxone, the serotonin antagonist methysergide, the noradrenergic antagonist phentolamine, or the cholinergic antagonist scopolamine. Naloxone had little effect, while methysergide and phentolamine reduced PAG- and LRF-evoked reflex suppression in about one-half of the cases. Scopolamine largely reduced PAG- and LRF-evoked reflex suppression (in 8 9 and 4 6 rats, respectively). These results indicate that the flexion reflex is under parametrically but not pharmacologically distinct inhibitory midbrain controls.
Role of calcium and adenosine cyclic 3'-5' phosphate in action of adrenocorticotropin.

ALTHOUGH adenosine cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) has been proposed as a mediator through which many hormones exert their physiological effects1, it is also well established that calcium plays a crucial role in hormone release2. Both calcium3,4 and cyclic AMP1,5 have been implicated in the action of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) on the adrenal cortex and although various hypotheses have been advanced concerning their roles in steroid production and release, elucidation of their functions in the adrenal gland is hindered because most studies have been carried out on in vitro systems where the physiological release response cannot be studied. The isolated cat adrenal gland perfused in situ 6 approximates the situation in vivo, yet eliminates the influence of several factors, including the anterior pituitary. In the intact adrenal preparation one can also measure both steroid synthesis and release and can better evaluate the respective effects of cyclic AMP and calcium on these processes.
First-principles thermodynamic framework for the evaluation of thermochemical H 2 O - or CO 2 -splitting materials

We present an analysis of the equilibrium thermodynamics of two-step metal oxide-based water and carbon dioxide-splitting cycles. Within this theoretical framework, we propose a first-principles computational approach based on density-functional theory (DFT) for evaluating new materials for these cycles. Our treatment of redox-based gas-splitting chemistry is completely general so that the thermodynamic conclusions herein hold for all materials used for such a process and could easily be generalized to any gas as well. We determine the temperature and pressure regimes in which the thermal reduction (TR) and gas-splitting (GS) steps of these cycles are thermodynamically favorable in terms of the enthalpy and entropy of oxide reduction, which represents a useful materials design goal. We show that several driving forces, including low TR pressure and a large positive solid-state entropy of reduction of the oxide, have the potential to enable future, more promising two-step gas-splitting cycles. Finally, we demonstrate a practical computational methodology for efficiently screening new materials for gas-splitting applications and find that first-principles DFT calculations can provide very accurate predictions of high-temperature thermodynamic properties relevant to gas splitting.
Infrared energy levels and intensities of carbon dioxide—II

Abstract Energy levels and rotational constants are provided for all carbon dioxide infrared absorption transitions of significance for terrestrial atmospheric transmission. Constants have been recalculated using new FTS measurements in the 4.3 μm region at elevated temperature, new FTS measurements in the 15, 5, and 2 μm regions, precise laser measurements around 10 μm, and high resolution grating spectrometer measurements of isotopically enriched samples. Band centers, band strengths, and coriolis coupling constants are given for some 560 bands.
Spatio-temporal Signal Recovery from Political Tweets in Indonesia

Online social network community now provides an enormous volume of data for analyzing human sentiment about people, places, events and political activities. It is becoming increasingly clear that analysis of such data can provide great insights on the social, political and cultural aspects of the participants of these networks. As part of the Minerva project, currently underway at Arizona State University, we have analyzed a large volume of Twitter data to understand radical political activity in the provinces of Indonesia. Based on analysis of radical/counter radical sentiments expressed in tweets by Twitter users, we create a Heat Map of Indonesia which visually demonstrates the degree of radical activities in various provinces of Indonesia. We create the Heat Map of Indonesia by computing (i) the Radicalization Index and (ii) the Location Index of each Twitter user from Indonesia, who has expressed some radical sentiment in her tweets. The conclusions derived from our analysis matches significantly with the analysis of Wahid Institute, a leading political think tank of Indonesia, thus validating our results.
The poisoning effect of group V triphenyl compounds on the selective hydrogenation of isoprene with palladium(O) on carbon

The hydrogenation of isoprene at 4-34 atm hydrogen pressure and 25/sup 0/C on carbon-supported 5% palladium yielded 2-methyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-butene, and 2-methyl-2-butene at a constant 1:1.2:1.6 ratio until the isoprene was consumed, and then 2-methylbutane was formed. On Lindler catalyst (palladium/lead), the reaction was slower, yielded the same proportions of methyl butenes, and very little methylbutane after the isoprene was consumed. Addition of triphenylphosphine, triphenylarsine, triphenylantimony, and triphenylbismuthine, but not of triphenylamine, decreased the reaction rate and increased the selectivity for methylbutenes, (i.e., the second hydrogenation step was suppressed (N < P < As < Sb < Bi). On the pure palladium catalyst, the reaction rate depended on the hydrogen pressure, but not on the isoprene concentration. In the presence of the poisons, the rate depended on the isoprene concentration and was nearly independent of hydrogen pressure. The poisons appear to modify the active sites rather than blocking them. Graphs and table.
Aorto-Inferior Vena Caval Fistula of Neoplastic Origin Hemodynamic and Coronary Blood Flow Studies

A case report of a 51-year-old man is presented, who spontaneously developed an aorto-vena caval fistula in the region of a mesenchymal tumor involving both the abdominal aorta and vena cava. The disease was manifested clinically by rapidly progressive and massive leg swelling, prominent abdominal and leg veins, a machinery murmur over the abdomen and in the flanks, and a pulsatile abdominal mass, with signs of cardiac enlargement and a high output state. The fistula was demonstrated preoperatively by translunmbar aortography and closed surgically by resection of the tumor en masse, with a part of the vena caval wall and the distal aorta and proximal common iliac arteries. Vascular continuity was restored by lateral suture of the vena cava and by insertion of a bifurcation graft bridging the defect in the aorta and iliac arteries. The patient has been relieved of all clinical manifestations of the fistula to date, 1 year after operation. Preoperative hemodynamic studies revealed certain alterations charac...
INTRASPECIES AND INTERSPECIES TRANSFORMATION REACTIONS IN PNEUMOCOCCUS AND STREPTOCOCCUS.

The efficiency of transformation of pneumococcus and a strain of viridans streptococcus (strain D) to streptomycin resistance is influenced by the species in which the mutation to resistance occurred, as well as by the species in which the mutated gene has been replicated. Pneumococcus and streptococcus strain D transform in higher frequency with DNA that has been replicated in bacteria of the same species than with DNA from the heterologous species. However, the difference between the frequencies of interspecific and intraspecific transformation is much greater with pneumococcus as receptor than with streptococcus. In addition pneumococcus transforms in higher frequency with wholly homologous (pneumococcal) DNA than with DNA from pneumococci that have replicated the streptococcal Smr gene. Pneumococcus is transformed in lower frequency by wholly heterologous (streptococcal) DNA than by DNA from streptococci that have replicated the pneumococcal Smr gene. Streptococcus behaves similarly in that wholly homologous (streptococcal) DNA transforms it more efficiently than when the transforming fragment contains a pneumococcal moiety. Streptococcus is transformed in the same or lower frequency by wholly heterologous (pneumococcal) DNA than by DNA from pneumococci that have replicated the streptococcal Smr gene. When erythromycin resistance was used as genetic marker instead of streptomycin resistance, similar results were found.
Neonatal conductive hearing loss does not compromise brainstem auditory function and structure in rhesus monkeys

The effect of conductive hearing loss on the maturation of the auditory pathway was evaluated using the auditory brainstem response (ABR) in rhesus monkeys. Ten newborn rhesus monkeys were assigned to control (N = 4), unilateral hearing loss (N = 3), or bilateral hearing loss (N = 3) groups. Hearing loss was created by surgically excising a 3 mm section of the external auditory canal and suturing the canal. Auditory brainstem responses to click stimuli were recorded prior to and after the surgical procedure and bi-monthly or monthly for a 14 month follow-up period. Results showed that after surgery all ears developed an estimated 30-50 dB conductive hearing loss which was retained throughout the follow-up period. Contrary to expectations, the latencies of the ABR component waves decreased with age in all ears. When adjusted for hearing level, there were no differences between ears in maturation of the component waves of the ABR. These data suggest that, in primates, a conductive hearing loss does not affect the maturation of those aspects of the auditory pathway reflected in the ABR. Furthermore, the conductive losses were not accompanied by any discernible change in the neuronal sizes of brainstem auditory neurons or the volume of the cochlear nuclei.
Splicing patterns of fibronectin mRNA from normal and osteoarthritic human articular cartilage.

Summary Fibronectin, a large extracellular glycoprotein, mediates the interaction of cells with the extracellular matrix. Heterogeneity in the structure of fibronectin is largely due to the alternative splicing of three exons (IIIB, IIIA and V) during processing of the fibronectin primary transcript. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of synovial joints, is characterized by a progressive loss of the articular cartilage eventually resulting in pain and loss of joint function. In contrast to the loss of most cartilage matrix proteins accompanying this process, osteoarthritic cartilage contains more fibronectin than disease-free cartilage. We examined the splicing patterns of fibronectin mRNA from adult human articular cartilage of normal and osteoarthritic joints by RNase protection (exon IIIA and exon IIIB) and reversed transcription-polymerase chain reaction (exon V) assays to determine whether or not the increased fibronectin content in osteoarthritic cartilage is also associated with differences in the splicing patterns of these three alternatively spliced exons. The results revealed no gross differences in splicing of these exons between the fibronectin mRNA isolated from adult human articular normal and osteoarthritic cartilage. Thus alterations in the structure of cartilage fibronectin do not appear to correlate with the increased level of fibronectin protein associated with osteoarthritis.
Postsynthetic modification at orthogonal reactive sites on mixed, bifunctional metal-organic frameworks.

A series of mixed, bifunctional metal–organic frameworks were synthesized and subsequent postsynthetic modification was demonstrated on the two, orthogonal functional sites. The use of differentially ‘tagged’ ligands combined with postsynthetic modification provides a facile route to a large number of functionally diverse materials.
Lactic dehydrogenase activity in preimplantation rat embryo.

ACTIVITY of lactic dehydrogenase (L-lactate: NAD+ oxidoreductase, E.C, 1.1.1.27) has been determined in the preimplantation mouse embryo1. The one-cell mouse embryo had a lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity nine times greater than the most active adult mouse tissue. This finding, in addition to several other observations, indicates the importance of this enzyme to the early mouse embryo and perhaps to all mammalian embryos. Culture work has shown that the two-cell mouse embryo can develop into a blastocyst in vitro when pyruvate or lactate is present in the medium as the only energy source but not when glucose alone is present2. The optimum concentration of lactate in the medium is 5 × 10−2 moles/l, compared with 5×10−4 moles/l, for pyruvate3. The concentration of lactate is large in the Fallopian tube of the rabbit during the first 3 days after ovulation4.
INSULIN DOES NOT STIMULATE GLYCOGEN AND LIPID SYNTHESIS IN ISOLATED FETAL RAT HEPATOCYTES

We have previously reported differential maturation of insulin sensitivity for glucose metabolism and amino acid uptake in fetal rat hepatocytes. Compared to the adult, insulin binding to liver plasma membrane is double in the fetus (32 ± 0.3 vs. 18 ± 2.4% per 50 μgm membrane protein, p < 0.01) due to a 3 fold increase in receptor number per unit cell surface area. To study further the role of insulin in fetal metabolism, we examined two established insulin-mediated events in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes: glycogen synthase activity and 14C-acetate incorporation into lipid. Viability of both adult (A) and 21 day fetal (F) hepatocytes was documented throughout the experiments. The glucose-6-phosphate dependent form of glycogen synthase (D) was 2.5 fold higher in F (p < 0.01), while the independent form (I) was 50% lower in F compared to A when expressed per mg protein (p< 0.01) . In A, insulin at 10 and 100 ng/ml stimulated both the D and I forms (p < 0.05); %I increased with insulin (p < 0.05). No such augmentations occured in F. At concentrations varying from 0-30 mM, the incorporation of acetate into lipid was higher in A; at a fixed medium acetate (5mM), insulin at 100 ng/ml stimulated acetate incorporation in A (p < 0.025) but not in F. Thus whereas both insulin-mediated events are demonstrable in A they are not present in F despite higher insulin receptor numbers per cell surface area. These results further suggest a dissociation between insulin receptor binding and insulin mediated glucose or lipid metabolism in isolated fetal rat hepatocytes.
Comparison of Microwave ECR and RF Plasmas for Dry Etching of Single Crystal 6H-SiC

Electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma etching of single crystal 6H-SiC has been investigated using a CF4/O2 gas mixture and compared to conventional reactive ion etching (RIE) in a radio frequency (13.56 MHz) reactor. The use of ECR results in higher etch rates, lower levels of bias and smoother etched surfaces than rf-RIE. ECR etch rates exceeding 100 nm/min have been obtained at a substrate bias of-100 V. Etch rate and surface morphology have been studied as a function of pressure, bias and power. Auger electron spectroscopy shows that ECR etching leaves no residues unlike rf-RIE which leaves residues containing Al, F, O and C. The current-voltage and capacitance-voltage measurements of Schottky diodes show that there is far less damage induced by ECR etching compared to rf-RIE.
Political Culture and Corporal Punishment in Public Schools

The use of corporal punishment in public elementary and secondary schools was found to correlate with Sharkansky's political culture index. This is true not only for the simple correlation for which Pearson's r = 0.749 but also for correlations obtained after controlling for region.
The Design of SimpleITK

SimpleITK is a new interface to the Insight Segmentation and Registration Toolkit (ITK) designed to facilitate rapid prototyping, education and scientific activities via high level programming languages. ITK is a templated C++ library of image processing algorithms and frameworks for biomedical and other applications, and it was designed to be generic, flexible and extensible. Initially, ITK provided a direct wrapping interface to languages such as Python and Tcl through the WrapITK system. Unlike WrapITK, which exposed ITK's complex templated interface, SimpleITK was designed to provide an easy to use and simplified interface to ITK's algorithms. It includes procedural methods, hides ITK's demand driven pipeline, and provides a template-less layer. Also SimpleITK provides practical conveniences such as binary distribution packages and overloaded operators. Our user-friendly design goals dictated a departure from the direct interface wrapping approach of WrapITK, toward a new facade class structure that only exposes the required functionality, hiding ITK's extensive template use. Internally SimpleITK utilizes a manual description of each filter with code-generation and advanced C++ meta-programming to provide the higher-level interface, bringing the capabilities of ITK to a wider audience. SimpleITK is licensed as open source software library under the Apache License Version 2.0 and more information about downloading it can be found at http://www.simpleitk.org.
Mass spectroscopic confirmation of the presence of C60 in laboratory-produced carbon dust

Abstract Kratschmer, Fostiropoulos and Huffman recently suggested that substantial quantities of C 60 are present in carbon deposits made by evaporating graphite under 100 Torr He quenching gas. We have directly confirmed the presence of fullerenes in such deposits using a surface-analytical mass-spectroscopic detection technique.
A current-reuse complementary-input chopper-stabilized amplifier for neural recording

This paper presents a current-reuse complementary-input (CRCI) telescopic-cascode chopper stabilized amplifier with low-noise low-power operation. The current-reuse complementary-input strategy doubles the amplifier's effective transconductance by full current-reuse between complementary inputs, which significantly improves the noise-power efficiency. A pseudo-resistor based integrator is used in the DC servo loop to generate a high-pass cutoff below 1 Hz. The proposed amplifier features a mid-band gain of 39.25 dB, bandwidth from 0.12 Hz to 7.6 kHz, and draws 2.57 μA from a 1.2-V supply and exhibits an input-referred noise of 3.57 μV rms integrated from 100 mHz to 100 kHz, corresponding to a noise efficiency factor (NEF) of 2.5. The amplifier is designed in 0.13 μm 8-metal CMOS process.
Shared leadership in enterprise resource planning and human resource management system implementation

Abstract Human resource management systems (HRMS) integrate human resource processes and an organization's information systems. An HRMS frequently represents one of the modules of an enterprise resource planning system (ERP). ERPs are information systems that manage the business and consist of integrated software applications such customer relations and supply chain management, manufacturing, finance and human resources. ERP implementation projects frequently have high failure rates; although research has investigated a number of factors for success and failure rates, limited attention has been directed toward the implementation teams, and how to make these more effective. In this paper we argue that shared leadership represents an appropriate approach to improving the functioning of ERP implementation teams. Shared leadership represents a form of team leadership where the team members, rather than only a single team leader, engage in leadership behaviors. While shared leadership has received increased research attention during the past decade, it has not been applied to ERP implementation teams and therefore that is the purpose of this article. Toward this end, we describe issues related to ERP and HRMS implementation, teams, and the concept of shared leadership, review theoretical and empirical literature, present an integrative framework, and describe the application of shared leadership to ERP and HRMS implementation.
Venture capitalists' decision criteria in new venture evaluation

Abstract What criteria do venture capitalists use to make venture investment decisions? The criteria venture capitalists use to make their venture investment decisions are of interest for several reasons. First, venture capitalists are conspicuously successful in their investment decisions. The success rate of venture capital-backed ventures is significantly higher than the success rate of new ventures generally (Dorsey 1979: Davis and Stetson 1984). A better understanding of the criteria used could lead to a better understanding of the reasons for this success. Second, a better understanding of the criteria for successful new ventures could lead to an improvement in the success rate of new ventures. Although there is no clear agreement on the precise rate, the failure rate among new ventures is generally viewed as significantly higher than the average failure rate (Dun and Bradstreet 1984; Van de Ven 1980; Shapero 1981). Finally, venture capitalists' investment criteria are of enormous import to entrepreneurs seeking venture funding. Such entrepreneurs require a significant infusion of capital in order to grow their businesses, and knowledge of the criteria sought by venture capitalists can aid entrepreneurs in gaining the necessary financing. This study attempts to uncover the criteria used by venture capitalists through semistructured interviews and verbal protocol analysis of venture capitalists' evaluations of actual venture proposals. Sixteen verbal protocols—in which the participants “think aloud” as they review business proposals— were made of venture capitalists' venture evaluation decisions. The findings of this study suggest that venture capitalists screen and assess business proposals very rapidly: the subjects in this study reached a GO/NO-GO decision in an average of less than six minutes on initial screening and less than 21 minutes on proposal assessment. In venture capitalists' initial proposal screening, key criteria identified include fit with the venture firm's lending guidelines and the long-term growth and profitability of the industry in which the proposed business will operate. In the second stage of proposal assessment, the source of the business proposal also played a major role in the venture capitalists' interest in the plan, with proposals previously reviewed by persons known and trusted by the venture capitalist receiving a high level of interest. In addition to the specific criteria identified and how they were used in reaching GO/NO-GO decisions, the findings of this study also were surprising for the lack of importance venture capitalists attached to the entrepreneur/entrepreneurial team and the strategy of the proposed venture during these early stages of the venture evaluation process.
An experimental, comparative investigation of tool use in chimpanzees and gorillas

Studies of ape tool use have been conducted in captivity since the early 1900s and in the wild since the 1960s. Chimpanzees are the most prolific tool users among the apes, and are known to use more tools than any other nonhuman animal. In contrast, reports of gorilla tool use are rare both in wild and captive settings. Studies of the processes involved in tool use learning have been limited in the wild by the lack of ability to control several unpredictable variables, and in captivity by tool use opportunities that are often presented in non-naturalistic contexts. We attempted to address both of these limitations by providing naive subjects with a naturalistic tool use device (built to simulate a termite mound) while housed in a more natural social setting to approximate how learning would occur in the wild. Both gorillas and chimpanzees participated in the experiment to allow comparative analyses of acquisition of tool behaviour and the factors that may affect acquisition. Both species showed low frequencies of interaction with the mound in the baseline condition, before baiting with a food reward. Once baited, chimpanzees both attempted and succeeded to extract the reward more quickly than did gorillas. The number of social group members at the mound was significantly higher for chimpanzees than for gorillas and may have affected skill acquisition. We advocate that comparative approaches to skill acquisition and learning are valuable, but that researchers need to be cognizant of species differences in social structure that may affect results.
Neuroendocrine peptides in the prostate

Circulating androgens are required for normal growth and maintenance of function of the prostate. However, the prostate also contains neuroendocrine peptides, found either in nerve terminals or in prostatic neuroendocrine cells, which are likely to regulate prostate growth or function. The neuronal peptides are likely to participate in the regulation of the synthesis and secretion of prostatic secretory products. While the function of the neuroendocrine cells is undefined, there is evidence for growth-regulating effects of several neuroendocrine cell peptides. Since neuroendocrine differentiation has been correlated with tumor grade and poor prognosis in prostate cancer, the peptide products of the neuroendocrine cells may influence cancer cell replication as well. Recent evidence in other tissues suggests that peptide hormone receptor second-messenger systems may interact with steroid receptors to modulate their actions. These findings raise the possibility that prostatic neuroendocrine peptides may modulate the response of prostate to androgens.
Simplified modelling of an ion linac used for ion implantation

A spreadsheet-based simulation of an ion-implanter linac section has been developed for use by implant process engineers and other users, who are not accelerator physics specialists. The simulation covers longitudinal motion through a two-gap pre-buncher and several three-gap accelerating stages. The effect of a combined electrostatic and magnetic dipole filter on the resulting ion energy spectrum is included. Several simplifications are included in the calculation to allow rapid recalculation. Control parameters equivalent to those on a specific implanter linac allow the model to be tuned in real time much as the physical hardware is tuned, and the result is displayed as an energy spectrum which can be compared directly with spectra taken on the implanter. Calculated results from the model are compared with experimental data. Comparisons are also made with simplified linear approximations, and with numerical integration of gap crossings.