cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Readiness, Reception, and Performance of Students in a Communications Course Delivered Amid the Pandemic.

Objective. To examine pharmacy student readiness, reception, and performance in a communications course amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. First-year pharmacy students (2020 cohort) enrolled in a professional communications course completed a pre- and post-course questionnaire indicating their readiness and changes in reception toward online learning during the pandemic. Student learning performance (midterm and final examination grades) at the end of the course was compared with that of a class which took the same course face-to-face on campus the previous year (2019 cohort). Results. Student preference for face-to-face instruction decreased (difference in means = -1.59; p .05) compared to that of the 2019 cohort. Conclusion. The study demonstrates that students were partly prepared for online learning with the remainder of their maturation to it occurring while the quarter progressed. Remote online learning did not seem to impact student learning (grades) in this communications course during the COVID-19 crisis. Looking past the pandemic, educators and leadership at pharmacy schools and colleges may reassuringly continue to sustain online instruction, where deemed necessary, in their didactic curricula.
Engineering reversible isomerization at the nanoscale via intermolecular interactions

Understanding isomerization in nanoparticles at the atomic level is critical to expanding the diversity of nanomaterials. In this issue of Chem, Xie, Hakkinen, and co-workers describe a new approach to realizing the reversible isomeric transformation of an atomically precise gold nanocluster by engineering intermolecular interactions between cationic surfactants and anionic ligands on the cluster surface.
Antisense Oligonucleotides to mdr1 Increase Adriamycin Susceptibility in Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Breast cancer remains the leading case of death in woman between the ages of 30 and 55 in industrialized societies. In premenopausal women, approximately 40% have estrogen receptor negative disease. While usually being resistant to hormonal manipulation, disease of this type is generally highly susceptible to anthracycline based chemotherapy. Indeed, anthracyclines constitute the single most active group of drugs in this disease. As in other malignancies, P-glycoprotein/mdr1-mediated multi-drug resistance to anthracycline chemotherapy emerges as a selected phenotype after breast cancer has undergone drug exposure. Multi-drug resistant breast cancer presents a therapeutic problem particularly suited to antisense oligonucleotide therapy. In the present study, mdr-antisense oligonucleotide therapy is successfully applied in anthracycline-resistant, p-glycoprotein-positive breast cancer cell lines in order to restore anthracycline responsiveness.
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: Introduction to Physiology and Pathophysiology

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Glucocorticoid hormones exert a multitude of functions that affect virtually every cell in the body. The physiologic significance of glucocorticoids is most remarkable at times of stress, when the HPA is fully mobilized. The same hypothalamic hormone that stimulates the HPA axis, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), also mediates behavioral, autonomic, and neuroendocrine responses to stress in rodents and nonhuman primates. Hyperfunction of CRH neuron appears to underlie a variety of psychiatric, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, metabolic, and reproductive illnesses attributable to stress. Stress and related concepts can be traced as far back as written science and medicine. The stress system coordinates the generalized stress response, which takes place when a stressor of any kind exceeds a threshold. The main components of the stress system are the CRH system and the locus ceruleus-norepinephrine (LC/NE) autonomic system, and their peripheral effectors: the pituitaryadrenal axis and the limbs of the autonomic system.
On the siphon-based characterization of liveness in sequential resource allocation systems

One of the most interesting developments from, both, a theoretical and a practical perspective, in the emerging theory of resource allocation systems (RAS), is the characterization of the non-liveness of many RAS classes through the Petri net (PN)-based structural object of empty, or more generally, deadly marked siphon. The work presented in this paper seeks to develop a general theory that provides a unifying framework for all the relevant existing results, and reveals the key structures and mechanisms that connect the RAS non-liveness to the concept of deadly marked - and in certain cases, empty - siphon. By taking this generalizing approach, the developed results allow also the extension of the siphon-based characterization of non-liveness to broader RAS classes, and provide a clear and intuitive explanation for the cases where the RAS non-liveness cannot be attributed to such a siphon-based construct.
Does CSR reporting destroy firm value? Empirical evidence on GRI aligned European companies

In this paper, we analyse how corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in alignment with the global reporting initiative (GRI) affects the firm value of EUROSTOXX 600 firms. GRI currently provides the most widely applied CSR reporting framework. In contrast to prior studies, we use standardized defined application levels of GRI in order to reduce the effect of subjective aspects. The firm value is measured by Tobin's q. Qur findings show that the highest level of GRI-aligned reporting (GRI A+) has a negative and statistically significant influence on firm value. However, this effect is only statistically significant for smaller or less profitabele firms. These results may reflect the high costs of implementing GRI A+-level reporting for such firms, which may in turn raise doubts among investors concerning the seriousness of a firm's CSR strategy, which chooses to adhere to formal reporting standards instead of allowing the organic growth of a responsibility culture. At least in such cases CSR reporting does indeed distroy firm value.
The evolution of variable stars

Throughout the domain of the H-R diagram lie groupings of stars whose luminosity varies with time. These variable stars can be classified based on their observed properties into distinct types such as β Cephei stars, σ Cephei stars, and Miras, as well as many other categories. The underlying mechanism for the variability is generally felt to be due to four different causes: geometric effects, rotation, eruptive processes, and pulsation. In this review the focus will be on pulsation variables and how the theory of stellar evolution can be used to explain how the various regions of variability on the H-R diagram are populated. To this end a generalized discussion of the evolutionary behavior of a massive star, an intermediate-mass star, and a low-mass star will be presented.
The quantum size effect contribution to heat capacity and the third law of thermodynamics

A number of well-known models for finite solids is examined as to their contributions to very-low-temperature specific heats. It is found that finite sample size and quantum energy spacing lead in every case to specific heats which approach zero very rapidly in a Schottky-like manner, so that one has\(\mathop {\lim }\limits_{T \to 0} \left( {{{\partial S} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\partial S} {\partial T}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\partial T}}} \right)_X \equiv 0\) for any dimensionality, a restriction which is in addition to the third law of thermodynamics.
Epidemiology of Pneumococcal Disease

This chapter focuses on the epidemiology of pneumococcal disease in terms of pathogen characteristics and host risk factors. The clinical manifestations of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection are protean but can be classified into two major categories: invasive infections, where the organism is isolated from a normally sterile body site, such as the bloodstream or central nervous system, and mucosal infections, most often involving the upper respiratory tract. Our understanding of pneumococcal disease epidemiology is further refined through studies of specific strains of S. pneumoniae. Differences in the polysaccharide structure of the pneumococcal capsule have permitted identification of at least 90 serotypes of S. pneumoniae. Pneumococcal polysaccharide and polysaccharide conjugate vaccines protect against disease by inducing serotype-specific antibodies. Vaccination with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine causes a shift in serotypes causing otitis media. The risk and severity of pneumococcal infection is increased for persons with certain chronic medical conditions, including functional or anatomic asplenia, HIV infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, cancer (particularly hematological malignancies), organ or bone marrow transplantation, nephritic syndrome, and hypogammaglobulinemia and for persons taking immunosuppressive medications, such as corticosteroid. In temperate areas, pneumococcal infections are more common during the winter months, when respiratory viral infections are most common. Vaccination promises to have the most profound impact on preventing illness and death from pneumococcal disease since the advent of antimicrobial drug therapy.
Eddy-driven sources and sinks of nutrients in the upper ocean: Results from a 0.1° resolution model of the North Atlantic

[1] A nitrate-based model of new production is incorporated into eddy-resolving (0.1°) simulations of the North Atlantic. The biological model consists of light and nutrient limited production within the euphotic zone and relaxation of the nitrate field to climatology below. Sensitivity of the solutions to the parameters of the biological model is assessed in a series of simulations. Model skill is quantitatively evaluated with observations using an objective error metric; simulated new production falls within the range of observed values at several sites throughout the basin. Results from the “best fit” model are diagnosed in detail. Mean and eddying components of the nutrient fluxes are separated via Reynolds decomposition. In the subtropical gyre, eddy-driven vertical advection of nutrients is sufficient to overcome the mean wind-driven downwelling in the region and fuels a significant fraction of the annual new production in that area. In contrast, eddies constitute a net sink of nutrients in the subpolar gyre. Geostrophic adjustment to deep winter convection through mesoscale processes causes a net flux of nutrients out of the euphotic zone; the magnitude of this sink is sufficient to counterbalance the mean wind-driven upwelling of nutrients over much of the region. On the basis of these simulations it appears that the oceanic mesoscale has major impacts on nutrient supply to, and removal from, the euphotic zone.
Robust controller design: mixed H/sup 2/ performance optimization for linear discrete-time systems

The feedback controller design for linear time-invariant discrete-time systems via minimizing the H/sup 2/-norm of a mixed sensitivity criterion is revisited. By borrowing some of the techniques from signal/image processing, a new approach is presented to tackle the H/sup 2/-norm control problem. Operating in the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) domain, we construct a minimization problem in the l/sup 2/-space to approximate the original H/sup 2/-norm problem. The approximation in such a setting is sufficient for a reasonably small number of DFT-point chosen due to the stability and short-duration characteristics of the matrix elements involved in the design problem. Via the partially block circular structure of the matrices involved in the DFT domain, the l/sup 2/ vector-optimization problem can be efficiently solved through matrix algebraic techniques.
Weaving New Worlds: Southeastern Cherokee Women and Their Basketry

Weaving New Worlds: Southeastern Cherokee Women and Their Basketry. Sarah H. Hill. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1997. 414pp.
Embryology and anatomy of the vagina.

Carcinoma of the cervix uteri may originate in the epithelium of the vaginal portion of the cervix. Female pseudohermaphroditism is absence of the lower portion of the vagina. The original vaginal epithelium is derived from the fused Mullerian ducts. It is replaced during prenatal life by entoderm from the urogenital sinus and/or by ectoderm from the p roctodeum. The Mullerian ducts develop in human embryos of 37 days ovu lation age. The Wolffian ducts induce the formation of the Mullerian du cts. In the embryo the Mullerian ducts approach each other and fuse in the midline to produce the uterovaginal canal. A solid mass of epitherlium derived from the uterovaginal canal and in part from the urogenital sinus is designated the primitive vaginal plate. The replacement of the origianl vaginal epithelium by the definitive epithelium is finished by the 140 mm stage. The definitive vaginal epithelium is derived from the ectoderm of the cloacal membrane and/or proctodeum. The final vaginal epithelium undermines the Mullerian epithelium which disappears. When androgen is introduced into the circulation of a female fetus induced abnormalities include absence of the lower part of the vagina. This involves the abnormal persistence of the urogenital sinus. The growth of the human vagina during prenatal life reflects the action of the hormones of pregnancy. The sharp dip in the growth curve during early postnatal life reflects the lack of these hormones. The relatively large size of the vagina at term is correlated with the descent of the bladder.
Parallel Synthesis of Novel 3-Substituted 1-Ethyl-6-methylpyrimido[4,5-c]pyridazine-5,7(1H,6H)-dione Analogs

A library of novel 1H-pyrimido[4,5-c]pyridazine-5,7-dione analogs was prepared in a parallel fashion via the cyclization of 6-(1-ethylhydrazinyl)-3-methylpyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (4) with α-bromoketones and was then isolated by a two-step purification method with >90% purity. Both the library synthesis and purification method proved suitable for analogs with a high diversity of substitution at the 3-position including various alkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl groups.
Encoding and processing biologically relevant temporal information in electrosensory systems

Wave-type weakly electric fish are specialists in time-domain processing: behaviors in these animals are often tightly correlated with the temporal structure of electrosensory signals. Behavioral responses in these fish can be dependent on differences in the temporal structure of electrosensory signals alone. This feature has facilitated the study of temporal codes and processing in central nervous system circuits of these animals. The temporal encoding and mechanisms used to transform temporal codes in the brain have been identified and characterized in several species, including South American gymnotid species and in the African mormyrid genus Gymnarchus. These distantly related groups use similar strategies for neural computations of information on the order of microseconds, milliseconds, and seconds. Here, we describe a suite of mechanisms for behaviorally relevant computations of temporal information that have been elucidated in these systems. These results show the critical role that behavioral experiments continue to have in the study of the neural control of behavior and its evolution.
Characterization and Safener Induction of Multiple Glutathione S-Transferases in Three Genetic Lines of Rice

Abstract Multiple glutathione S-transferase (GST; EC 2.5.1.18) activity peaks were characterized by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) in three genetic lines of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Root-applied pretilachlor (0.15 μM) inhibited root growth of 5-day-old etiolated seedlings by 67% in Teqing (indica type), 54% in Koshihikari (japonica type), and 34% in Lemont (indica x japonica type). The safener fenclorim (1 μM) prevented the injury caused by pretilachlor in all genotypes. GST activity from 5-day-old untreated or fenclorim-treated seedlings of the three genetic lines was assayed using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), radiolabeled pretilachlor, and radiolabeled fenclorim as substrates. GST activity with each substrate was greater in roots than in shoots of the three genotypes. Treatment with fenclorim increased GST activity in roots and shoots by 20 to 90%. GST activity in all genotypes was greater with CDNB, followed by pretilachlor, and then fenclorim. GST(CDNB) and GST(pretilachlor) activities were greater in Lemont, followed by Koshihikari, and then Teqing. In contrast, GST(fenclorim) activity was greater in Koshihikari and least in Lemont. FPLC elution patterns (MonoQ column) of partially purified GST extracts from untreated and fenclorim-treated seedlings of the three rice genotypes revealed the presence of multiple GST activities. Teqing shoots had six GST activity peaks with fenclorim. Four of them were also active with CDNB and pretilachlor. Koshihikari shoots had six GST activity peaks with pretilachlor. Five of them were also active with fenclorim, but only three were active with CDNB. Lemont shoots exhibited three GST activity peaks with fenclorim, five with CDNB, and seven with pretilachlor. Multiple GST activity peaks using CDNB and pretilachlor as substrates were also present in the roots of Teqing, Koshihikari, and Lemont seedlings. Fenclorim increased the activity of GST peaks conjugating pretilachlor and CDNB more than those active with fenclorim. Induction of GST peaks was more evident in Lemont, followed by Koshihikari, and then Teqing. The differential patterns of GST peaks active toward pretilachlor show that rice japonica lines may be more tolerant to pretilachlor than indica lines.
Lead-iodide-based nanoscintillators for detection of ionizing radiation

Lead-iodide-based PbI2, PbIOH and Pb3O2I2 nanocrystals were synthesized by various chemical and mechanochemical solution methods. The nanocrystals were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), steady-state UV-visible optical absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy, and by photoluminescence lifetime and quantum efficiency measurements. Scintillation tests were performed on the lead-iodide based material exposed to low-level gamma irradiation.
Reinforced cast metals: Part I Solidification microstructure

The solidification process in fibre- and particle-reinforced metals is modified due to solute screening, thermal shielding, heterogeneous nucleation, fluid damping, particle pushing and morphological instabilities at the liquid–solid–fibre boundary. These factors lead to considerable variations in grain size, grain morphology, microsegregation and macro-segregation, and reinforcement distribution in the matrix. This article examines the roles of the above factors in the evolution of solidification microstructure in composites under controlled growth as well as under normal casting conditions. © 1998 Chapman & Hall
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RESPONSIVENESS OF MATERNAL AND FOETAL LYMPHOCYTES TO PHYTOHAEMAGGLUTININ AND TO MICROBIAL ANTIGENS

Summary The response of 105 maternal-foetal lymphocyte pairs to specific and non-specific stimulation were evaluated using a newly defined method of analysis. There were no significant differences in the responses of maternal or foetal lymphocytes to phytohaemogglutinin (PHA) or the various antigens as a function of concentration over the ranges tested. The maternal lymphocytes were stimulated by all of the antigens and responded to PHA three-five times more strongly than to the antigens. The foetal lymphocytes were stimulated by PHA and tetanus toxoid only and were suppressed by streptokinase-streptodornase (SKSD). They responded to stimulation by antigens at a lower level than did the maternal lymphocytes, but they responded at a much higher level to PHA. Unstimulated cultures of foetal lymphocytes incorporated more isotope than did those of maternal lymphocytes in both autologous and AB plasma. The data were cross-classified to determine whether the responses of the foetal lymphocytes varied concordantly with the responses of the maternal lymphocytes in both autologous and AB plasma by the Chi-square test for independence and by rank correlation analysis. There was no significant correlaiton in either plasma to stimulation with the antigens. Thus, the presence of antigen reactive lymphocytes in the circulation of the mother does not mean that the foetus is sensitized to that antigen. Comparison of the lymphocyte responses in autologous plasma with those in AB plasma provided evidence for the presence of circulating immunoregulatory substances. Autologous maternal plasma suppressed the lymphocyte responses to high concentrations of candida and SKSD and stimulated the response to mumps, varicella and tetanus toxoid. Autologous fetal plasma suppressed the lymphocyte responses to candida, varicell and SKSD and stimulated the response to PHA. The responsiveness of maternal lymphocytes to PHA was less in foetal plasma than in autologous maternal or AB plasma.
Les nouveaux marqueurs biologiques de cardiologie (peptide natriurétique de type B et troponine) : intérêt en réanimation

Resume Les patients pris en charge en reanimation presentent de plus en plus de comorbidites et des pathologies intriquees rendant difficile le diagnostic initial et l’evaluation pronostique. Pour faire face a ce probleme, la recherche clinique s’est interessee durant les dernieres annees aux marqueurs biologiques pouvant signer ou eliminer une pathologie et predire la gravite du patient a court et long terme ; le marqueur ideal etant celui qui permettrait aussi de guider la therapeutique. Le Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) et la troponine sont deux marqueurs biologiques myocardiques dont le dosage plasmatique est rapide, facilement accessible en urgence, fiable et peu couteux. Ils repondent a la definition d’un marqueur ideal et ont ete etudies dans de nombreuses pathologies de reanimation. Ainsi, si l’importance du dosage du BNP a ete clairement demontree dans le diagnostic de decompensation cardiaque gauche lors d’une dyspnee aigue, son interet depasse aujourd’hui largement ce cadre pour s’etendre a d’autres pathologies comme l’insuffisance cardiaque diastolique, la defaillance droite, en particulier, dans l’embolie pulmonaire, et le depistage de la dysfonction myocardique liee au sepsis. Sa valeur pronostique est demontree dans de nombreuses situations cliniques et quelques etudes preliminaires semblent lui conferer un role important pour guider la therapeutique. Enfin, du fait de ses proprietes physiologiques, le BNP pourrait avoir un potentiel therapeutique direct. Le dosage de la troponine ne se restreint plus au diagnostic d’ischemie myocardique dont il reste le dosage de reference. Il permet de depister des lesions myocardiques non specifiques pouvant survenir dans tout contexte d’agression aigue, tel que l’embolie pulmonaire et le choc septique, pathologies dans lesquelles son importance pronostique a ete evaluee dans plusieurs etudes. Le BNP et la troponine constituent un moyen rapide et non invasif d’evaluation diagnostique et pronostique de nombreuses pathologies de reanimation. Une approche « multi-marqueurs » (dosage de la troponine et du BNP) semble interessante afin d’augmenter la puissance de ces tests, notamment a visee pronostique.
Effectiveness of osteoporosis therapy among frail, older adults: should we carry out more trials?

Despite the increasing number of treatment options for osteoporosis, healthcare providers continue to face clinical conundrums when deciding if and how to treat frail, older adults. The under-representation of this population in randomized controlled trials makes evidence-based decision-making difficult. Furthermore, frail, older adults have multiple medical comorbidities and other competing factors that impact fracture risk prediction. For clinicians to fully assess the potential risks and benefits of treatment, further studies that include frail, older adults are necessary. However, significant feasibility and ethical considerations may complicate trials in this population. Other complementary methodological approaches have been and will need to be utilized. With further understanding of treatment interactions with comorbidities and improvements in risk prediction models, treatment decisions may be better individualized and treatment rates improved in this population at high risk of fracture.
The use of fundamental green's functions for the solution of problems of heat conduction in anisotropic media☆

Abstract This paper is composed of two parts. The first part presents a short study on the fundamental Green's functions associated with heat conduction in anisotropic and isotropic media. Then by means of these functions and Green's formula, differential equations are transformed into integral equations. In the second part, these integral equations are solved for three specific problems in steady and transient states. The results are then compared with those of exact solutions and are found in good agreement, except for very small values of time. Effects of discontinuities of surface conditions and of boundaries are discussed in great detail. Anisotropic effects and the facility of the method are found to depend mostly on the determinant of conductivity coefficients which characterizes the type of differential equations.
A Probabilistic Model for Stratospheric Soil-Independent Dust Aerosol Detection

We present a simple probabilistic model for dust aerosol detection, analysing MODIS 11.3µm and 12.02µm thermal emissive bands. We introduce a dust aerosol probabilistic visualization, and a feasible extension to classification.
Dynamic analysis of an explosively loaded hinged rectangular plate

Abstract A single degree-of-freedom clastodynamic analysis of the response of a rectangular plate subjected to an explosive blast has been conducted assuming a Navier form of displacement function and a modified Friedlander reflected blast overpressure loading which exponentially decays with time. Closed-form solutions of dynamic displacements, velocities and accelerations of the mid-point of the plate centered above an explosive charge at a specified standoff are obtained. Comparison of the peak displacements from the analysis with the predicted results from the ADINA finite element code indicates excellent agreement for the linear elastic dynamic case. These results also indicate that a nonlinear analysis of the plate should be performed; therefore, some results of elasto-plastic analyses using ADINA are also presented.
Polyamine-dependent gene expression.

The polyamines spermidine and spermine along with the diamine putrescine are involved in many cellular processes, including chromatin condensation, maintenance of DNA structure, RNA processing, translation and protein activation. The polyamines influence the formation of compacted chromatin and have a well-established role in DNA aggregation. Polyamines are used in the posttranslational modification of eukaryotic initiation factor 5A, which regulates the transport and processing of specific RNA. The polyamines also participate in a novel RNA-decoding mechanism, a translational frameshift, of at least two known genes, the TY1 transposon and mammalian antizyme. Polyamines are crucial for their own regulation and are involved in feedback mechanisms affecting both polyamine synthesis and catabolism. Recently, it has become apparent that the polyamines are able to influence the action of the protein kinase casein kinase 2. Here we address several roles of polyamines in gene expression.
Self-surveillance for genetic predisposition to cancer: behaviors and emotions.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To describe the kinds of self-monitoring activities and the emotional responses associated with those activities in patients with a genetic predisposition to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2a (MEN2a) or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). RESEARCH APPROACH Thematic analysis of the transcripts of patient interviews conducted for two previous grounded theory investigations of participation in lifelong surveillance for patients with cancer predisposition syndromes and their family members. SETTING In the original studies, participants were recruited through a high-risk gastrointestinal cancer clinic (for FAP) and pediatric and adult endocrinology clinics (for MEN2a) at two eastern U.S. medical centers and by patient referral. PARTICIPANTS 58 transcripts of interviews with 29 patients; 17 diagnosed with FAP or the variants of Gardner syndrome and attenuated FAP and 12 patients diagnosed with MEN2a. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH Informants participated in two hour-long, in-depth interviews and completed a self-administered sociodemographic questionnaire. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Types of self-surveillance activities. FINDINGS Patients engage in an elaborate set of self-surveillance activities that are grouped into five categories of behavior: Medication Appraisal, Phenotype Tracking, Intake and Output Monitoring, Laboratory and Treatment Recording, and Tracking of Visits. Self-surveillance behaviors are grouped independent of type of syndrome, penetrance, age, or gender of the patient. Each category comprises a variety of behaviors that correspond with treatment recommendations and understanding of the disorder. CONCLUSIONS Self-surveillance may be driven by a combination of anticipation and the need for control and understanding. INTERPRETATION Findings from the study could be used to create an assessment tool to evaluate the extent to which patients are involved in day-to-day self-monitoring. Clinicians may use the categories to better understand patients' knowledge deficits and the emotional impact of enhanced vigilance. Self-surveillance activities performed by patients with MEN2a and FAP also may be performed by patients with other cancer predisposition syndromes.
Behavioural strategies during intermale agonistic interactions in a cockroach

Abstract Intermale interactions of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, were analysed in order to determine what behavioural strategies individuals employ. Longer interactions have a greater tendency to contain escalated (dangerous) acts. The nature of the initial dyad (act of the initiator and response of the other individual) of an interaction changes with the length of the interaction, although there is considerable overlap between the ways in which interactions of different lengths begin. Interaction lengths are non-randomly distributed, with an excess of long and short interactions and a deficiency of interactions of intermediate length. In short interactions the initiator is the probable winner: in intermediate length interactions the initiator and non-initiator win equally often; and in long interactions the non-initiator is the probable winner. Being the first individual to escalate a fight confers an advantage only in very short interactions.
Comparison of characteristics and outcomes by initial study contact (website versus staff) for participants enrolled in a weight management study.

Background Traditional recruitment methods for clinical trials, such as telephone, mail, and print media, are often inefficient, costly, and use large amounts of staff time and resources.Purpose This analysis was conducted to determine whether retention, demographics, and outcomes differed between enrolled participants who responded to recruitment outreach using an Internet-based information and registration system and enrollees whose first contact was with study staff via telephone.Methods We identified potentially eligible participants from Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) databases and mailed brochures inviting them to participate in the Life weight loss maintenance study. We also used employee newsletters, a member-directed website, and messages to employee email distribution lists to publicize the study. All outreach methods contained both a website address and a telephone number through which respondents could register for an information session. The website contained the same information as was p...
Picosecond Time-Resolved Resonance Raman Spectroscopy of Bacteriorhodopsin: Structure and Kinetics of the J, K, and KL Intermediates

Bacteriorhodopsin (BR) is an intrinsic membrane protein that functions as a light-driven proton pump [1]. Light absorption by its all-trans retinal protonated Schiff base prosthetic group initiates a trans → 13-cis isomerization. The first ground-state photoproduct, called J, forms in only 500 fs [2]. J decays to the K intermediate in 3 ps [3] which forms L in about 1 μs. The structural changes of the chromophore that accompany the J to K transition are not well defined. Also, although some studies have suggested the presence of an additional intermediate between K and L called “KL” [4, 5], this transition has not been characterized.
The role of MAP kinases and MAP kinase phosphatase-1 in resistance to breast cancer treatment

Chemotherapy resistance is an important problem often encountered during the course of breast cancer treatment. In order to design rational and efficacious therapies, the molecular mechanisms used by cells to develop resistance must be investigated. One mechanism employed by cancer cells is to alter cell signaling. This review examines the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and their endogenous negative regulators, mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatases (MKPs), in chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer. MAPK signaling is activated in response to both growth factors and cellular stress. MKPs dephosphorylate MAPKs and are part of the dual-specificity family of phosphatases. MAPKs have been shown to be involved in resistance to tamoxifen, and MKPs have been linked to resistance to treatment with doxorubicin, mechlorethamine, paclitaxel, proteasome inhibitors, and oxidative-stress-induced cell death in breast cancer. The role of MKPs in tamoxifen resistance and the elucidation of the mechanisms involved with resistance to standard chemotherapy agents need to be investigated further. Growing evidence suggests that modulating MKP-1 activity could be a viable option to make breast cancer chemotherapy more effective.
Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration diagnosis of supraglottic laryngeal cancer.

Background.Although intraoperative laryngoscopic examination and biopsy of patients who present with locally advanced supraglottic carcinomas remains the standard of care, there are occasions when a more expedited biopsy can be helpful. Methods and Results.We describe a quick diagnostic technique of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of endolaryngeal advanced supraglottic carcinomas, which can be performed in the clinic without any preparation. Ultrasound scanning is performed through the thyrohyoid membrane. The tumor is visualized as an irregular hypoechoic mass. While continuing to visualize the mass, a 21-gange needle attached to a syringe is passed through the contralateral thyrohyoid membrane into the mass. Suction is applied, and the aspirate is sent for cytologic study. Conclusions.When formal intraoperative laryngoscopy and biopsy is not feasible or timely, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy enables a rapid diagnosis and eliminates the cost, side effects, and risks of a direct laryngoscopy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.† Head Neck, 2013
Chylomicron cholesteryl ester metabolism in the perfused rat liver.

Abstract 1. 1. The hepatic metabolism of chylomicron cholesteryl ester was studied by means of the isolated, perfused rat liver. Hepatic uptake of labeled cholesteryl ester was achieved by either injection in vivo or perfusion in vitro with chylomicrons containing doubly labeled cholesteryl oleate. The perfused liver took up cholesteryl esters directly when presented to the liver in the form of whole chylomicrons. The metabolism of chylomicron cholesteryl ester in the isolated perfused liver was similar to the hepatic metabolism previously seen in whole animal studies. Thus, labeled cholesteryl ester was taken up intact by the liver, and was then slowly hydrolyzed within the liver. Very little reesterification of the labeled free sterol occurred during the perfusion. 2. 2. A small amount of intact, unhydrolyzed cholesteryl ester accumulated in the very low density lipoprotein fraction of the perfusate. In contrast, the small amount of labeled cholesteryl ester which accumulated in the higher density ( d > 1.019) perfusate lipoproteins consisted of reesterified labeled cholesterol. The sources of these different kinds of labeled cholesteryl esters could not be precisely determined. 3. 3. Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase activity was present in the perfusate plasma, and was found to decrease during the course of perfusion.
Experimental Study of Spline Wear and Lubrication Effects

The development of a laboratory method for simulating the wear experienced by misaligned splines is described, and typical experimental data are presented. The experimental program involves the use of matched spline specimens subjected to relative oscillatory motion simulating angular misalignment, under the influence of an applied torque. The test specimens are maintained at 250 F, either with or without lubrication, in the presence of dry air, moist air, JP-5 fuel, or JP-6 fuel. The extent of spline wear is quantitatively monitored on a continuous basis. The experimental results obtained with above environments and seven different greases reveal significantly different wear mitigation characteristics for the various greases. Moreover, the influences of the spline environments differ for the different greases. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the Lubrication Conference held in San Francisco, Calif., October 18–20, 1965.
Decadal Response of Global Circulation to Southern Ocean Zonal Wind Stress Perturbation

Abstract A substantial component of North Atlantic Deep Water formation may be driven by westerly wind stress over the Southern Ocean. Variability of this wind stress on decadal time scales may lead to circulation variability far from the forcing region. The Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM), a numerical ocean model, is used to investigate the spatial patterns and the time scales associated with such wind variability. The evolution of circulation and density anomalies is observed by comparing one 80-yr simulation, forced in part by relatively strong Southern Hemisphere westerlies, with a simulation driven by climatological wind. The volume transport anomaly takes about 10 yr to reach near-full strength in the entire Southern Hemisphere; however, in the Northern Hemisphere, it grows for the duration of the run. The Southern Hemisphere Indo-Pacific volume transport anomaly is about twice the strength of that found in the Atlantic. In the thermocline, water exits the southern westerlies belt in a broad f...
Dating, discounting, and the robustness of the Lucas-Sargent proposition

Abstract From recent work by Thomas Sargent and others, it has become well known that, if expectations are formed rationally, monetary stabilization policy will be entirely ineffective in an economy in which the aggregate supply function relates output (relative to capacity) to the difference between the current price level and the value expected one period earlier. This paper considers whether this neutrality proposition holds when the expectation of some future price is compared with the current actual price in the supply equation. It is shown that the proposition remains valid if the future price is appropriately discounted.
Limited joint mobility in power lifters

In this study we compared the flexibility of 10 power lifters with 10 age-matched nonpower lifters as con trols. To do this, we used goniometric measurements, the behind the back reach test, and the sit and reach test. The sit and reach test was the only measurement that showed the flexibility of the power lifters to be greater than that of the nonpower lifters.
Mid-latitude ionospheric scintillation fading of microwave signals

MEASUREMENTS of the amplitude of microwave (1,550 MHz) signals from the NASA ATS-5 geostationary spacecraft were made from December 1973 to July 1974. These data have been analysed for diurnal, geomagnetic and seasonal variations, and also for dependence on the boundary of the high latitude scintillation region in the direction of the Equator.
Juvenile Ascarophis (Spirurida: Nematoda) parasitizing intertidal decapod crustacea in California: with notes on prevalence and effects on host growth and survival

Abstract Specimens of the shore crab, Hemigrapsus oregonensis, and the porcelain crab, Pachycheles rudis, collected in California contained nematodes of the genus Ascarophis (Spirurida) in their hemocoel. The nematodes occurred in capsules located in various regions of the host. The incidence of parasitism ranged from 12.5 to 63.6% over a 2-yr sampling period in Bodega Harbor, California. A description of the third stage juvenile Ascarophis removed from H. oregonensis is given. Data on the distribution of the parasite, its seasonal variation, and its presence in relation to host size and molt cycle are presented. Results indicate that Ascarophis infection decreases the rate of growth and possibly increases mortality among older, larger crabs.
The diurnal cycle of convection, clouds, and water vapor in the tropical upper troposphere

Hourly observations of the 6.7 µm water vapor radiances from geostationary satellites are used to document the diurnal cycle in upper tropospheric water vapor and its relationship to cloud cover and convection. A coherent diurnal cycle in tropical water vapor is observed which lags the variations in cloud cover by approximately 2 hours. The variations in upper tropospheric cloud and water vapor occur (roughly) in phase with changes in deep convection over land, but nearly 12 hours out of phase with those over ocean. This feature is shown to be associated with differences in the vertical structure of land and ocean convection and offers a useful test of convective parameterizations in atmospheric models.
Second-order mathematical theory of computation

In this work we show that it is possible to formalize all properties regularly observed in (deterministic and non-deterministic) algorithms in second-order predicate calculus. Moreover, we show that for any given algorithm it suffices to know how to formalize its 'partial correctness' by a second-order formula in order to formalize all other properties by second-order formulas. This result is of special interest since 'partial correctness' has already been formalized in second-order predicate calculus for many classes of algorithms.
A 46-year-old intravenous drug user with fever.

He has had fever, chills, night sweats, shortness of breath, and productive cough for 3 days. What is the cause?
Ion (Organic Acid and Base) Transporters and Homeostasis: A Review with Reference to its Usefulness as Biomarkers

Organisms are continuously exposed to a great variety of xenobiotics via food and environment. Evolution has equipped the body with a plethora of protecting systems to defend itself against the potentially harmful effects of these compounds. One of the important defense mechanisms include the active extrusion of xenobiotics by commonly shared transport proteins, mainly located in kidney, liver and intestine. An attempt has been made to understand the structural and functional properties of organic anion transporters (OAT1, OAT2, OAT3) and organic cation transporters (OCTN1, OCTN2, OCT1, OCT2, OCT3). These transporters share a predicted 12-transmembrane domain (TMD) structure with a large extracellular loop between TMD1 and TMD2, carrying potential N-glycosylation sites. Conserved amino acid motifs revealed a relationship to the sugar transporter family within the major facilitator superfamily. Following heterologous expression, most OATs transported the model anion p-aminohippurate (PAH). OAT1, but not OA...
Future trends in mental retardation.

In summary, the future of retarded citizen in his or her communty will encompass the full impact of today's key ideologies in human service, the fruits of research and prevention efforts, and a continuing guest to bring equal rights to a group of citizens who have for too long been termed “unequal”. Some current key trends in the care of the mentally retarded strongly suggest that they will envolve into postures towards ideology, prevention, treatment-management, advocacy, and economical approaches which will be oriented along the lines of the nine future trends herein presented. A persisting strong advocacy group of parents, interested professionals, and handicapped citizens themselves will keep pushing back the future horizons of help and hope.
The effects of temperature on the feeding performance of invasive fishes

It has been hypothesized that the effects of the coupling of climate-change and invasive-species phenomena exceed the impact of each separately on ecosystem dynamics and stability. However, very few studies address the interaction between these two most alarming concerns of science and society. Using two Florida invasive fishes, Pteroisvolitansand Cichlasoma urophthalmus, this study attempts to address this synergy by providing empirical evidence that (1) demonstrates how the performance of invasive species responds to environmental-temperature change, and (2) enhances our understanding of the implications of species invasion in the light of the global-climate-change phenomenon. Kinematic analyses revealed the following results:(1) At a given temperature (20°C, 25°C, and 30°C) prey-capture kinematics differed between species;(2) Each species maintained similar excursion and timing kinematics throughout the range of water temperatures;(3) The temperature-independence of the average kinematic values is reinforced by the consistent kinematic profile throughout the temperature range. We propose that more research is needed to corroborate the plausible avenues where the interplay between climate-change and invasive-species phenomena may be demonstrated, including: (1) the temperature-induced effects on physiological and mechanical processes; (2) the likelihood that these physiological effects extend to whole-organism performance; and (3) the resilience of invasive species and their resistance of whole-organism performance to temperature change.
On distinguishing intrinsic and weak-link responses in magnetically-modulated dissipation in high Tc superconductors

It is noted that, contrary to a recent report, magnetic-field modulation of electromagnetic dissipation in superconductors yields both an intrinsic response indicative of the superconducting transition and extrinsic responses indicative of weak links. Ways of distinguishing between these difference responses are also noted.
Multiparameter flow cytometric analysis of the effects of indomethacin on adipocyte differentiation in A31T6 cells

A31T6 proadipocytes, derived from BALB/c-3T3 clone A31, develop responsiveness to differentiation-promoting agents at density-arrest and differentiate into adipocytes, as determined by the accumulation of cytoplasmic lipid droplets. A flow cytometric assay is being employed to monitor the acquisition of aspects of the differentiated phenotype. In this study, the assay is used to monitor both the rate of differentiation, as defined by the appearance of cells containing lipid droplets and the rate of adipocyte maturation, which involves measurement of increases in cytoplasmic lipid in cells already committed to the differentiation programme. Specifically, we show that: 1) treatment with a combination of indomethacin and dexamethasone causes the maximum percentage differentiation in the population, 2) addition of indomethacin in combination with either dexamethasone or insulin increases the rate of differentiation, and 3) indomethacin selectively increases the maturation of adipocytes, measured as an increase in the amount of lipid per cell. The cytometric assay used in these experiments has allowed determination of the effects of indomethacin on aspects of the adipocyte phenotype that cannot be measured by standard techniques.