cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Narcolepsy in African Americans.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Although narcolepsy affects 0.02-0.05% of individuals in various ethnic groups, clinical presentation in different ethnicities has never been fully characterized. Our goal was to study phenotypic expression across ethnicities in the United States. DESIGN/SETTING Cases of narcolepsy from 1992 to 2013 were identified from searches of the Stanford Center for Narcolepsy Research database. International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Third Edition diagnosis criteria for type 1 and type 2 narcolepsy were used for inclusion, but subjects were separated as with and without cataplexy for the purpose of data presentation. Information extracted included demographics, ethnicity and clinical data, HLA-DQB1*06:02, polysomnography (PSG), multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) data, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypocretin-1 level. PATIENTS 182 African-Americans, 839 Caucasians, 35 Asians, and 41 Latinos with narcolepsy. RESULTS Sex ratio, PSG, and MSLT findings did not differ across ethnicities. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score was higher and age of onset of sleepiness earlier in African Americans compared with other ethnicities. HLA-DQB1*06:02 positivity was higher in African Americans (91.0%) versus others (76.6% in Caucasians, 80.0% in Asians, and 65.0% in Latinos). CSF hypocretin-1 level, obtained in 222 patients, was more frequently low (≤ 110 pg/ml) in African Americans (93.9%) versus Caucasians (61.5%), Asians (85.7%) and Latinos (75.0%). In subjects with low CSF hypocretin-1, African Americans (28.3%) were 4.5 fold more likely to be without cataplexy when compared with Caucasians (8.1%). CONCLUSIONS Narcolepsy in African Americans is characterized by earlier symptom onset, higher Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, higher HLA-DQB1*06:02 positivity, and low cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin-1 level in the absence of cataplexy. In African Americans, more subjects without cataplexy have type 1 narcolepsy.
Comparative Ontogensis of Structure-Function Relations in Cerebral and Cerebeller Cortex

Publisher Summary This chapter surveys several types of investigations carried out in the past few years on the morphological and electrophysiological properties of cerebral and cerebellar cortical neuronal organizations during postnatal ontogenesis in the kitten. The major objective in these studies has been to characterize electrocortical activities in terms of their probable morphological substrates. The data obtained on the time-course of cerebral and cerebellar cortical development indicate that the fundamentally different patterns of neuronal morphogenesis in these structures satisfactorily account for the different electrographic characteristics of evoked potentials observed in immature cerebral and cerebellar cortex. Fundamentally different postnatal ontogenetic patterns are observed in feline cerebral neocortex and cerebellar cortex. Elaboration of axodendritic synaptic pathways in superficial neocortical neuropil precedes the development of axosomatic and axodendritic pathways in the cortical depths. An inverse morphogenetic pattern is seen in cerebellar cortex where axodendritic synaptic pathways involving Purkinje cell spiny branchlets exhibit delayed development with respect to deep-lying synaptic organizations.
A feature selection algorithm based on graph theory and random forests for protein secondary structure prediction

Protein secondary structure prediction problem is one of the widely studied problems in bioinformatics. Predicting the secondary structure of a protein is an important step for determining its tertiary structure and thus its function. This paper explores the protein secondary structure problem using a novel feature selection algorithm combined with a machine learning approach based on random forests. For feature reduction, we propose an algorithm that uses a graph theoretical approach which finds cliques in the nonposition specific evolutionary profiles of proteins obtained from BLOSUM62. Then, the features selected by this algorithm are used for condensing the position specific evolutionary information obtained from PSI-BLAST. Our results show that we are able to save significant amount of space and time and still achieve high accuracy results even when the features of the data are 25% reduced.
Fever and antipyresis

Whether fever represents a beneficial or harmful response to infection has been debated for hundreds of years. The issue is clouded by a common misunderstanding that fever is the reason an individual with infection feels ill: often once the elevated body temperature abates, the patient feels better. It is assumed therefore that reducing the fever would improve the patient’s condition and shorten their illness. From there, it is only a short step to conceive of the fever as the illness itself. Although this logical fallacy remains attractive to medical personnel and patients, what evidence exists that fever is harmful or beneficial to the course of an infectious illness? At first glance, studies to answer the question seem simple to perform. Unfortunately, however, to investigate the problem directly is virtually impossible, because every method available to reduce fever has secondary metabolic consequences: antipyretics affect the body in many ways, and even physical methods — such as sponging with cold water — result in a wide range of responses, including shivering and stimulation of the adrenal–cortical axis. We thus must seek other lines of evidence — ranging from teleology and comparative zoology through detailed clinical observation of defined cases to molecular biology. Perhaps the most powerful arguments to support a beneficial effect of fever on infection come from teleology and genetics. Fever is established as a phylogenetically ancient host
Amphetamine abuse in emergency department patients undergoing psychiatric evaluation

Abstract Background Amphetamine abuse accounts for numerous Emergency Department (ED) visits and is often associated with psychiatric disease, with many patients requiring involuntary psychiatric hold placement. It is a common practice in EDs to obtain a urine drug screen (UDS) as part of the "medical clearance" process for psychiatric patients. However, the prevalence of amphetamine-positive UDS in ED patients with psychiatric disease is unknown, as is the relationship of the UDS test to the final patient disposition. Objectives The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of amphetamine-positive UDS in ED patients undergoing psychiatric evaluation, and whether amphetamine-positive UDS is associated with involuntary psychiatric hold placement. Methods This was a retrospective study of adult patients seen in a single urban university ED who had a psychiatric evaluation and a UDS over a 1-year period. Eligible patients had results of the UDS, placement of involuntary holds, past psychiatric history, chief complaint, insurance status, and demographic information recorded. Regression analysis was performed, adjusting for the listed covariates, to evaluate the independent association of amphetamine-positive UDS and involuntary psychiatric hold placement. Results A total of 1207 patients were included for analysis. Amphetamine-positive UDS were found in 14.8% of patients. Multivariate analysis showed no association of a psychiatric hold due to presence of amphetamines on UDS (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55–1.05, p =0.1). The only significant factor in placement of an involuntary hold was a past psychiatric history (adjusted OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–2.7, p =0.005). Conclusions The prevalence of amphetamine-positive UDS was high in the study population; however, there was no independent association of amphetamine-positive UDS with involuntary psychiatric hospitalization.
Climate variability and phytoplankton composition in the Pacific Ocean

[1] The effect of climate variability on the phytoplankton community was assessed for the tropical and sub-tropical Pacific Ocean between 1998 and 2007 using an established biogeochemical assimilation model. The tropical and sub-tropical phytoplankton communities exhibited a wide range of responses to climate variability, from radical shifts in the Equatorial Pacific, to changes of only a couple of phytoplankton groups in the North Central Pacific, to no significant changes in the South Pacific. In the Equatorial Pacific, climate variability represented by ENSO dominated the variability of phytoplankton. Here, nitrate, chlorophyll and all of the 4 phytoplankton types (diatoms, cyanobacteria, chlorophytes and coccolithophores) were strongly correlated (p < 0.05) with the Multivariate El Nino Southern Oscillation Index (MEI). During La Nina events, diatoms increased and expanded westward along the cold tongue (correlation with MEI, r = −0.87, p < 0.05), while cyanobacteria concentrations decreased significantly (r = 0.69, p < 0.05). El Nino produced the reverse pattern, with cyanobacteria populations increasing while diatoms plummeted. In the North Central Pacific, the MEI was significantly correlated with diatoms (r = −0.40) and chlorophytes (r = −0.43). Ocean biology in the South Pacific was not significantly correlated with MEI. The phytoplankton composition from the assimilation model was compared to that from a new empirical algorithm using satellite data. Despite differences in the absolute concentration, the relative abundance from the model and the satellite-derived approach showed a similar shift in phytoplankton community in the Equatorial Pacific. These results highlight the spatially variable nature of the relationship between phytoplankton community structure and climate variability within the Pacific Ocean.
The IGF-1/PI3K/Akt Pathway Prevents Expression of Muscle Atrophy-Induced Ubiquitin Ligases by Inhibiting FOXO Transcription Factors

Skeletal muscle size depends upon a dynamic balance between anabolic (or hypertrophic) and catabolic (or atrophic) processes. Previously, no link between the molecular mediators of atrophy and hypertrophy had been reported. We demonstrate a hierarchy between the signals which mediate hypertrophy and those which mediate atrophy: the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt pathway, which has been shown to induce hypertrophy, prevents induction of requisite atrophy mediators, namely the muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases MAFbx and MuRF1. Moreover, the mechanism for this inhibition involves Akt-mediated inhibition of the FoxO family of transcription factors; a mutant form of FOXO1, which prevents Akt phosphorylation, thereby prevents Akt-mediated inhibition of MuRF1 and MAFbx upregulation. Our study thus defines a previously uncharacterized function for Akt, which has important therapeutic relevance: Akt is not only capable of activating prosynthetic pathways, as previously demonstrated, but is simultaneously and dominantly able to suppress catabolic pathways, allowing it to prevent glucocorticoid and denervation-induced muscle atrophy.
Survey of emergency medicine resident debt status and financial planning preparedness.

Objectives Most resident physicians accrue significant financial debt throughout their medical and graduate medical education. The objective of this study was to analyze emergency medicine resident debt status, financial planning actions, and educational experiences for financial planning and debt management. Methods A 22-item questionnaire was sent to all 123 Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education-accredited emergency medicine residency programs in July 2001. Two follow-up mailings were made to increase the response rate. The survey addressed four areas of resident debt and financial planning: 1) accrued debt, 2) moonlighting activity, 3) financial planning/debt management education, and 4) financial planning actions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results Survey responses were obtained from 67.4% (1,707/2,532) of emergency medicine residents in 89 of 123 (72.4%) residency programs. Nearly one half (768/1,707) of respondents have accrued more than 100,000 dollars of debt. Fifty-eight percent (990/1,707) of all residents reported that moonlighting would be necessary to meet their financial needs, and more than 33% (640/1,707) presently moonlight to supplement their income. Nearly one half (832/1,707) of residents actively invested money, of which online trading was the most common method (23.3%). Most residents reported that they received no debt management education during residency (82.1%) or medical school (63.7%). Furthermore, 79.1% (1,351/1,707) of residents reported that they received no financial planning lectures during residency, although 84.2% (1,438/1,707) reported that debt management and financial planning education should be available during residency. Conclusions Most emergency medicine residency programs do not provide their residents with financial planning education. Most residents have accrued significant debt and believe that more financial planning and debt management education is needed during residency.
Effects of actinomycin D analogs on nucleolar phosphoprotein B23 (37,000 daltons/pI 5.1)

Abstract Localization of protein B23 in HeLa cells after treatment with actinomycin D and its analogs was studied using indirect immunofluorescence. Bright nucleolar fluorescence was observed in control HeLa cells. After treatment with actinomycin D (250 ng/ml) for 2 hr, a uniform nucleoplasmic fluorescence was observed. Similar results were obtained with the actinomycin analogs, actinomycin Z5 and actinomycin K2T. Only after a much longer incubation (24 hr) with actinomycin 4-4′-gly was nucleoplasmic fluorescence observed. Actinomycin D, actinomycin Z5, and actinomycin K2T inhibited [ 3 H]uridine incorporation into the trichloroacetic acid insoluble fraction of HeLa cells with IC 50 values of 9.5 ± 3.2, 59.1 ± 19.6 and 1423.3 ± 212.2 ng/ml respectively. No inhibition of [ 3 H]uridine incorporation was observed using actinomycin 4-4′-gly (2000 ng/ml, 2-hr incubation). The order of potency for the loss of nucleolar fluorescence and the concurrent increase in nucleoplasmic fluorescence was actinomycin D > actinomycin Z5 > actinomycin K2T > actinomycin 4-4′-gly, which correlated with the order of their IC 50 values for inhibition of [ 3 H]uridine incorporation. Studies of the effects of actinomycin D and its analogs on RNA synthesis and localization of protein B23 indicated that there is a direct relationship between the B23 “translocation” from nucleolus to nucleoplasm and the inhibition of RNA synthesis. At 45–55% inhibition of RNA synthesis, both nuclear and nucleolar B23 immunofluorescence were observed. At 75–85% inhibition, only a uniform nucleoplasmic fluorescence was observed.
A more efficient and economical approach for monoclonal antibody production

We describe here an efficient, economical way to produce monoclonal antibodies in tissue culture flasks. Hybridoma cells are cultured in horizontal tissue culture flasks until 90% confluent, and then the flasks are filled with culture medium and placed in a standing position and left in the incubator for 3–4 weeks until most of the cells have died. At this time, the culture fluid is harvested for antibodies. With this method, which involves only a single cell plating and one change of medium, the yield of antibodies from one tissue culture flask is 6- to 9-fold higher than is obtained by the usual method of sequential replating and harvesting of cells and media. This approach therefore saves labor as well as costly materials, and minimizes risk of contamination.
Membrane fluidity and myotonia: Effects of cholesterol and desmosterol on erythrocyte membrane fluidity in rats with 20,25-diazacholesterol-induced myotonia and on phospholipid liposomes

Previous spin-label and electromyographic experiments with rats fed 20,25-diazacholesterol, an inhibitor of the biosynthetic conversion of desmostero[ to cholesterol, demonstrated an increased erythrocyte membrane fluidity and myotonia, a prolonged muscle contraction upon stimulation. The current studies with rats showed normal erythrocyte fluidity in animals fed 20,25-diazacholesterol but maintained on a high-cholesterol diet and no myotonia. Studies of model membrane systems composed of phospholipid vesicles containing desmosterol, cholesterol, or both demonstrated that desmosterol increased membrane lipid fluidity relative to cholesterol, suggesting that in 20,25-diazacholesterol-induced myotonia, in which desmosterot accounts for 85% of the plasma sterol, the increased membrane fluidity previously observed in erythrocytes and sarcolemma m this animal model of human congenital myotonia may be due to desmosterol.
Correlating structure and thermodynamics of hydrophobic–hydrophilic ion pairs in water

The hydration structure and thermodynamics associated with the ion pairing between ahalide anion and the tetramethyl ammonium cation in water are investigated by moleculardynamics simulations. Correlating the potential of mean force and different energy termswith the structure of the ion pair as a function of the interionic distance providesmolecular level insight into recent experiments that shows increased affinity between alarger anion and the hydrophobic cation.
The Itô and Stratonovich integrals for stochastic differential equations with poisson white noise

The relationship between the Ito and the Stratonovich integrals used for solving stochastic differential equations with Gaussian white noise is well known. However, this relationship seems to be less clear when dealing with stochastic differential equations driven by Poisson white noise. It is shown that there is no difference between the Ito and the Stratonovich integrals used to define the solution of stochastic differential equations with Poisson white noise. This result is in disagreement with findings of some previous publications but in agreement with the classical definition of the Ito and Stratonovich integrals. Intuitive considerations, arguments based on the theory of stochastic integrals with semimartingales, and examples are used to prove and demonstrate the claimed equality of the Ito and Stratonovich integrals.
Desquamative Interstitial Pneumonitis Associated with Monomyelocytic Leukemia

We report two cases of desquamative interstitial pneumonitis (DIP) associated with chronic monomyelocytic leukemia. The coexistence of these two diseases may have implications for the origin of pulmonary alveolar macrophages and for the pathogenesis of DIP. Desquamative interstitial pneumonitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates in patients with hematologic malignancy.
Dependence of Thermal Stresses on Substrate Thickness During Wet Processing of Large Coated Optics

Mathematical modeling methods were used to estimate the stress response of oxide coatings to wet cleaning at elevated temperature. Results indicate that substrate thickness strongly affects the thermal stress response of the thin film material. An oxide coating on a thin substrate generally exhibits either tensile or compressive stresses during elevated temperature processing, depending on the mismatch in coefficient of thermal expansion between substrate and coating. In the case of a thick substrate, however, the thin film coating is likely to exhibit both compressive and tensile stresses during its processing history. These results suggest that special consideration be paid to geometry in the selection of small-scale witness/test material to model the response of large optics to thermal processing.
Comparison of Temperature Measurements by an Aural Infrared Thermometer With Measurements by Traditional Rectal and Axillary Techniques

Objective: To compare temperatures obtained with glass-mercury axillary and aural infrared thermometers with temperatures obtained with glass-mercury rectal thermometers. Design : Blind comparison with criterion standard. Setting : Well-baby neursery at a private teaching hospital. Patients : Convenience sampling of 200 term newborn infants. Intervention : Temperatures were measured simultaneously with glass-mercury rectal and axillary thermometers for a 3-minute period by one investigator. In a blinded fashion, a second investigator obtained three aural temperatures by using two tympanic membrane thermometers. One tympanic membrane thermometer reported infants' rectal-equivalent temperatures, and a second reported oral-equivalent temperatures. Reults : Temperatures obtained with glass-mercury rectal and axillary thermometers for the population were similar (37°±0.4° C vs 36.8°±0.3° C, respectively), but 25% of measurements at these two sites differed by >0.3° C. Oral-equivalent tympanic membrane temperatures were more accurate than rectatequivalent temperatures in predicting an infant's glass-mercury axillary and rectal temperatures (75% of oral-equivalent temperatures vs fewer than 50% of rectal-equivalent temperatures were within 0.3°C of either glass-mercury rectal or axillary measurements). Conclusions : Temperatures obtained with glass-mercury axillary and rectal thermometers are similar in most cases. However, temperatures obtained with tympanic membrane thermometers either in the rectal-equivalent mode or in the oral-equivalent mode did not accurately reflect an infant's rectal or axillary temperature. We believe that tympanic membrane temperatures should not be substituted for rectal or axillary temperatures in assessments of newborn infants.
Membrane-bound choline-O-acetyltransferase in rat hippocampal tissue is anchored by glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol

Abstract In an earlier study, we presented evidence to suggest that some of the particulate choline-O-acetyltransferase (ChAT) in rat hippocampal tissue might be linked to membranes by a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. In the present report, we attempted to determine if any of this GPI-anchored ChAT might be intracellular. Internalization of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) fromBacillus thuringiensis into rat hippocampal synaptosomes by the DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) freeze/thawing procedure caused an increase in cytosolic and a decrease in membrane-bound ChAT. Incubation of a plasma membrane enriched subcellular fraction at 16°C relative to 4°C led to a conversion of the membrane-bound, amphiphilic ChAT into hydrophilic ChAT. This conversion was blocked by zinc, an inhibitor of GPI-PLC. The cytosolic fraction of ChAT immunoreacted on western blots with an antibody directed against the cross-reacting determinant (CRD) of the GPI anchor. We suggest that some of the membrane-bound ChAT in rat hippocampal tissue is GPI-anchored intracellularly; also, that an endogenous GPI-PLC-like enzyme acts to release it into the cytosol.
Diffraction of waves by circular obstacles with variable impedance boundary conditions

The scattering of plane time-harmonic waves by a circular cylinder with a variable boundary impedance is solved by a boundary integral equation approach. This method clearly is numerically superior to the standard separation of variables approach in this case. A particular example of a Gaussian distribution of boundary impedance is considered and numerical results are given.
Response and survival in advanced carcinoma without severe antitumor drug toxicity.

5-FU is a useful, fairly predictable drug for the palliation of advanced colonic carcinoma. When used with caution, subjective improvement can be expected in more than half the patients and objective remissions in a sixth to a quarter. Toxic side-effects can be kept to a minimum by evaluating the patient carefully before each dose of the drug.
"Humanities are the Hormones:" Osler, Penfield and "Neuroethics" Revisited.

Every scholar desires to be read carefully and critiqued constructively. I am grateful to my colleagues who have written commentaries on A Leg to Stand On: Sir William Osler and Wilder Penfield's “...
Risk of Childhood Cancers Associated with Residence in Agriculturally Intense Areas in the United States

BackgroundThe potential for widespread exposure to agricultural pesticides through drift during application raises concerns about possible health effects to exposed children living in areas of high...
Experimental Assessment of Wireless Construction Technologies

Wireless technology offers a first efficient avenue to communicate data within a construction site in real time. This paper presents the integrated wireless site (IWS) concept that is based on a meshed communication network that not only reaches almost every location of a site but is also connected to the World Wide Web. Lessons learned from installing and evaluating wireless mobile and fixed video devices during ongoing construction are shared. The relevance of this study to both practitioners and researchers are the experimental field data that assert technical feasibility as well as a series of benefits such as reduced non-value-added activities, quick response to safety hazards, and automatic as-it-was-built for documentation and training. Equally important was the finding that the success of this technology in the long run depends on trust, collaboration, and information sharing among participants. Expanding the IWS by incorporating a semantic network that integrates individual equipment, tools, specialty devices, and construction personnel promises to provide the necessary incentives for a revolutionary change in the way construction resources communicate.
Acute myocardial infarction after a negative dobutamine stress echocardiogram

Acute myocardial infarction is a rare complication of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). We described angiographic findings of a patient who developed acute inferior ST segment elevation myocardial infarction 2 h after a normal dobutamine stress echocardiogram. The patient failed thrombolysis and underwent coronary angiography, which showed 60% stenosis of proximal right coronary artery with a complex ulcerated lesion and intracoronary thrombus. These findings suggest that myocardial infarction following DSE does not necessarily occur in patients with severe obstructive coronary artery disease. High shear stress may result in destabilization of a complex plaque with subsequent thrombotic occlusion, despite the absence of a flow-limiting lesion at the time of DSE.
Target ionization and projectile charge changing in 0.5 – 8 − MeV / q Li q + + He ( q = 1 , 2 , 3 ) collisions

Target ionization and projectile charge changing were investigated for 0.5{endash}8-MeV/q Li{sup q+}+He (q=1,2,3) collisions. Cross sections for the single and double ionization of He associated with no projectile charge change (direct ionization), single-electron capture, and single-electron loss were measured using coincidence techniques and compared to existing experimental and theoretical results. Total cross sections for single-electron capture (for Li{sup 1,2,3+}) and single-electron loss (for Li{sup 1,2+}) were also obtained. For a given incoming projectile charge state the double-to-single target ionization ratios R vary strongly with the outgoing reaction channel. For direct ionization, R is nearly independent of the incident projectile charge state and can be described by the semi-empirical scaling rule of Knudsen {ital et al.} [J. Phys. B {bold 17}, 3545 (1984)]. However, for ionization associated with single-electron loss and single-electron capture by the projectile, R depends quite strongly on the incident charge state of the projectile. These ionization ratios R are interpreted in terms of theoretical formulations involving electron-nucleus interactions and electron-electron interactions. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Predicted versus Measured Production Differences Using Summer Air Conditioning for Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract Predicted summer production losses were made for Holstein cows in three widely separated locations in the United States where field investigations of air conditioning for dairy barns have been completed. These losses, based on a functional relationship developed from Missouri Climatic Laboratory data and local climatological data, were compared to the measured losses at each location. Correlation of losses for Holstein cows varied from excellent in northern Ohio to good in southern Louisiana and central Missouri. Variations due to hotter- or cooler-than-normal summer seasons and level of production were reasonable at all locations. Establishment of the strong link between laboratory production data and commercial herd production enables projection of expected production losses for cows in any area having adequate climatological records. Predicted losses, in turn, allow economic evaluation of environmental control or modification alternatives.
Estimation, sensitivity, and generalization in parameterized retrieval models

In this work we investigate three important aspects of parameterized retrieval models: estimation, sensitivity, and generalization. Since all parameterized models, even those based on heuristics, have inherent uncertainty, we study these issues using statistical tools.
Hydrogen bonding: Methodology and applications to complexes of HF and HCl with HCN and CH3CN

A detailed investigation has been made of the methodological dependence of computed structures, binding energies, and some vibrational properties of selected hydrogen-bonded complexes. Structures and vibrational frequencies have been computed using four different levels of theory: HF/6-31G(d), HF/6-31+G(d, p), MP2/6-31G(d), and MP2/6-31+G(d, p). Correlation energy effects on computed binding energies and the basis set dependence of these energies have been evaluated using the Dunning correlation-consistent polarized valence double-, triple-, and truncated quadruple-split basis sets (cc-pVXZ, with X = D for double, T for triple, and Q for truncated quadruple), and these same basis sets augmented with diffuse functions on nonhydrogen atoms (cc-pVXZ+). The results of these studies suggest that the methodology of MBPT(4) = MP4/cc-pVTZ+ electronic energies without the counterpoise correction computed at MP2/6-31+G(d, p) geometries is an appropriate theoretical model for investigating complexes RCN HX, with R = H or CH3 and X = F or Cl. This model has been applied to investigate the structures, binding energies at absolute zero, binding enthalpies at room temperature, and vibrational frequencies of these complexes. Trends are noted, and comparisons are made with available experimental data. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Modified czochralski growth of nonlinear optical organic crystals

Abstract Czochralski technique is very little utilized for organic nonlinear optical materials. In this paper a modified Czochralski crystal growth system for the growth of benzil (C6H5CO COC6H5) single crystals has been used. Single crystals of benzil (10×10×20 mm3) of optical quality have been grown successfully by this technique. Angle tuned second harmonic generation of Nd:YAG laser radiation at λ=1.06μm with a conversion efficiency n = I 2ω I ω = 0.4% has been demonstrated. We also used a Nd:YAG pulse laser to measure the radiation damage threshold as 159MW/cm2 (c-axis) and 239MW/cm2 (a-axis) under the conditions that laser pulse width is 10 ns.
Dictionaries in the mind

Abstract How lexical knowledge is acquired, and how it is organized in memory for rapid retrieval during language use, are central questions for congitive psychologists. Research into these questions has revealed interesting differences and similarities between the subjective dictionaries in our heads and the objective dictionaries on our shelves. The differences might be reduced in the future by publishing dictionaries as computer programs.
T-2 toxin decreases logarithmic growth rates of tobacco callus tissues.

T-2 toxin, a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium tricinctum, decreases logarithmic growth rates of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) pith callus tissues. Toxin concentrations as low as 0.003 μm will decrease growth rates; a concentration of 0.081 μm will halt growth completely. Additional exogenous cytokinin will reduce the inhibition by toxin only when the initial cytokinin and toxin concentrations are quite low (about 0.01 μm). When inhibited tissues are transferred to media lacking toxin, they assume the faster, control rates almost immediately. Maximal yields of tissue (yields at the point at which no sugar was detected in the medium) are not affected by toxin concentrations of 0.01 to 0.036 μm.
Dynamic Analysis of Nonlinear Anti-Resonance Vibration Machine Based on General Finite Element Method

The operation principle of anti-resonance vibration machine was analyzed. The dynamic model of anti-resonance vibration machine with nonlinear spring was established. A new method for solving nonlinear equation based on general finite element method was put forward, the solution was compared with numerical solution, the validity of the solving method was validated. Then the affection of nonlinear and dynamics parameters to the amplitude stabilization was analyzed. the conclusion can be drown as: when the anti-resonance frequency ratio is 1~2,increase the nonlinear of spring can improve the amplitude stabilization, when the anti-resonance ratio is bigger than 3,there is less affection to the amplitude stabilization by nonlinear of spring. The amplitude stabilization can be improved by increasing anti-resonance frequency ratio.
Role of sendai virus fusion-glycoprotein in target cell susceptibility to cytotoxic T cells

IN mice, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are generated in vivo or in vitro against virally-infected syngeneic cells1–4. The specificity of killing requires that the target cells possess both viral gene product(s) and H–2K and/or D gene products which are identical to those on the effector cells5. Target cells coated with non-infectious (ultraviolet-inactivated) Sendai virus are also specifically lysed by syngeneic virus-specific CTLs6. We show here that it is primarily the fusion glycoprotein of the Sendai virus envelope which is essential for the formation of the target antigen on cells coated with ultraviolet-inactivated Sendai virus.
Re-Clarifying the Measurement of Death Attitudes

An alternative analysis of data reported by Durlak and Kass [1] indicates that, contrary to their conclusion, four of the fifteen death-attitude scales in their study are not complex, but can be co...
High Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography: An Emerging Tool for Small Animal Cancer Research

Dedicated high-resolution small animal imaging systems have recently emerged as important new tools for cancer research. These new imaging systems permit researchers to noninvasively screen animals for mutations or pathologies and to monitor disease progression and response to therapy. One imaging modality, X-ray microcomputed tomography (microCT) shows promise as a cost-effective means for detecting and characterizing soft-tissue structures, skeletal abnormalities, and tumors in live animals. MicroCT systems provide high-resolution images (typically 50 microns or less), rapid data acquisition (typically 5 to 30 minutes), excellent sensitivity to skeletal tissue and good sensitivity to soft tissue, particularly when contrast-enhancing media are employed. The development of microCT technology for small animal imaging is reviewed, and key considerations for designing small animal microCT imaging protocols are summarized. Recent studies on mouse prostate, lung and bone tumor models are overviewed.
W6S8 inorganic clusters with organic TTF derivative ligands : in pursuit of multidimensional conductive networks

A series of new molecular cluster complexes with TTF derivative ligands attached to an inorganic W6S8 core were prepared, namely W6S8(PEt3-nTTFn)6 (n = 1, 2). By incorporating two useful structural motifs (the well-known π−π stacking geometry of TTF molecules and the high symmetry of octahedral clusters) into one network structure, we constructed multidimensional networks. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed intercluster TTF π-contacts in one and two dimensions, for W6S8(PEt2TTF)6 and W6S8(PEtTTF2)6, respectively. The redox properties of W6S8(PEt2TTF)6 were studied by cyclic voltammetry. Mid- and far-IR and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) characterizations were performed on both the W6S8(PEt2TTF)6 cluster and its oxidized product, which helped to elucidate the identity of the poorly crystalline oxidized product. Four-point contact electrical conductivity measurements were performed on a pressed pellet of the oxidized powder product W6S8(PEt2TTF)6·xPF6 (x ≈ 5) with σRT ≈ 1 × 10-4 S cm-...
Urethral wash cytopathology for monitoring patients after cystoprostatectomy with urinary diversion

BACKGROUND Urethral wash cytopathology (UWC) has been recommended for monitoring patients after cystoprostatectomy with preservation of the penile urethra and urinary diversion. The rationale has been that early detection of urethral neoplasms (recurrences) would allow for urethrectomy to be performed before an invasive tumor developed and thus prevent or delay disease progression. Negative results of UWC would spare the patient a major surgical procedure. The authors analyzed the clinical and pathologic records of patients undergoing cystoprostatectomy with urinary diversion and preservation of the penile urethra to determine the cytohistologic correlations and to document the effect of UWC monitoring on the rate of disease progression. METHODS All cases of men undergoing a cystoprostatectomy with urinary diversion and preservation of the penile urethra over a 12-year period at the study institution were included. Records were reviewed to determine the degree of risk associated with the pathologic findings at surgery and to document the presence or absence of disease progression for each individual. The pathologic specimens of all cases monitored with UWC were reviewed separately by both authors to establish cytohistologic correlations. Standard statistical methods were applied. RESULTS Of 176 patients, urethral recurrence and disease progression occurred in both high-risk and low-risk groups. Among the 48 individuals monitored with UWC, 13 had a positive diagnosis, and 10 of these 13 had been subsequently treated with urethrectomy. Among 128 patients not monitored with UWC, 16 underwent urethrectomy. Patients in both groups had recurrent urethral neoplasms. Most lesions were focal carcinomas in situ occupying the paraurethral glands. One individual in each group had no further disease progression, even though the urethral tumor was invasive. Urethrectomy was found to have no statistically significant association with the rate of disease progression, regardless of whether the procedure resulted from a positive UWC or was provoked by patient/clinician concern. When groups were compared on the basis of monitoring with UWC, there was no statistical difference in the rate of disease progression between those monitored with UWC and those who were not. Within the monitored group, however, the cytopathologic interpretations of UWC were statistically significant; patients with positive findings were found to have the highest rate of disease progression, and those with negative findings experienced the lowest (P < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Both monitoring with UWC and urethrectomy might benefit selected individuals, but neither method appeared to have a statistically significant effect on disease progression in a nonrandomized group of patients. A positive UWC was associated with a high likelihood of disease progression and could justify more intensive follow-up for progressive disease at other sites. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2003;99:352–6. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Estimation of catecholamines in urine by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

Abstract A new method for simultaneous assay of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine in urine is described. All four compounds can be determined quantitatively down to 10 ng/ml or less with a relative standard deviation of approximately 5%. The procedure is based on the combination of liquid-solid extraction, cation exchange chromatography, and controlled-potential electrochemistry. The high sample throughput and few critical reagents make this approach suitable for routine clinical measurement of urinary catecholamines. Representative data are tabulated which illustrate the normal variation of conjugated and free catecholamines.
Theory of hydrogen diffusion and reactions in crystalline silicon.

In recent years, the behavior of hydrogen in crystalline silicon has been the object of intense experimental interest, but understanding has been limited by the absence of reliable theoretical calculations. Here we use state-of-the-art techniques to investigate systematically the properties of H in Si: stable configurations, migration paths, charge-state effects, cooperative interactions, etc. The calculations are based on local-density-functional theory, using ab initio pseudopotentials, in a supercell geometry. The results are used to scrutinize and supplement existing understanding of the observed phenomena. A novel mechanism for H-induced damage is proposed.
Breakdown of Dieldrin in the Soil by a Micro-organism

SEVERAL soil micro-organisms isolated from soil contaminated with pesticides have been reported to be active in the degradation of dieldrin—one of the most stable and hazardous insecticidal contaminants in the environment1. The part played by these microorganisms in detoxifying this insecticide, however, could not be determined, because none of the metabolites was identified to indicate the levels of toxicity to various biological systems. We have now isolated and chemically identified the chief products of degradation involved with one of the micro-organisms.
Adenine nucleotide levels of erythrocytes from exercised hypertensive rats.

Abstract Adenine nucleotide levels were elevated in erythrocytes from sedentary renal hypertensive rats. Adenine nucleotide levels in erythrocytes from renal hypertensive rats subjected to chronic exercise were not significantly different from levels in erythrocytes from sedentary normotensive and exercised normotensive rats.
Radiative lifetimes and collisional deactivation rates of levels in the 4p 4 5p configuration of singly ionized krypton

The radiative lifetimes of the levels of the Kr ii 5p configuration have been measured by a transient-decay technique. Excitation is obtained with threshold-energy electrons. Decay rates were measured over the range of gas pressures, 0.02 to 1.0 torr, indicating a de-excitation cross section for collisions with the krypton background gas of ~ 10−14 cm2 at 385°C. Lifetimes of the unperturbed 5p levels range from 7.7 to 10.2 ns; for the unperturbed 5p′ levels the range is 6.0 to 8.9 ns. The error in the measured lifetimes is estimated to be less than 5%. The lifetimes are generally found to agree with intermediate-coupling calculations within 20%. They are also compared with recent beam-foil measurements.
Riociguat (BAY 63–2521) and Warfarin: A Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Interaction Study

Riociguat (BAY 63-2521) and warfarin are likely to be used concomitantly to treat pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this double-blind, crossover, clinical pharmacological study in 30 healthy volunteers was to investigate potential pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions between the 2 drugs. Healthy volunteers took 2.5 mg of oral riociguat or matching placebo 3 times daily for 10 days. A single oral dose of warfarin sodium (25 mg) was given 21 days before the study and on the seventh day of riociguat/placebo treatment. Twenty-one participants valid for safety analysis reported 89 treatment-emergent adverse events, all of mild or moderate severity. No serious adverse events occurred. The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events considered to be drug-related were dyspepsia, headache, flatulence, nausea, and vomiting. Twenty-two participants were valid for pharmacodynamic/pharmaco-kinetic analysis. Riociguat (2.5 mg 3 times daily) had no pharmacodynamic interaction with warfarin. Steady-state plasma levels of riociguat did not affect prothrombin time, factor VII clotting activity, or the pharmacokinetics of warfarin. The single dose of warfarin led to a slight decrease (16%) in maximum concentration of riociguat in plasma, which is not likely to be clinically relevant. Clinical studies will confirm the finding here that combined use of riociguat with warfarin will not require dose adaptation.
Examining the effects of political information and intervention stages on public support for military interventions: A panel experiment

This study examines the formation and continuity of public support for military interventions as a function of political information levels and intervention stages using a panel experiment. The results demonstrate that politically informed individuals express less support for a military intervention at the beginning of that intervention compared to uninformed ones. However, as the intervention proceeds and casualties are incurred, the support of politically uninformed people decreases at a higher rate than does the support of the politically informed. As such, politically informed individuals demonstrate more stable levels of support across intervention stages. In addition, success or failure of an intervention at a certain stage interacts with the level of political information. Most notably, a decrease in support is significantly more pronounced among politically uninformed individuals compared to informed ones under deteriorating intervention conditions. Nevertheless, as the duration of the intervention gets longer, the level of support drops even with improving prospects while the impact of political information disappears. I also find that policy-specific information has a greater effect on public support for military interventions compared to general political information.
Potato yield response and nitrate leaching as influenced by nitrogen management

Nitrogen management for irrigated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)is important from both a production and environmental standpoint. Nitrogen deficiency can limit yield, while excessive N can leach to groundwater. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of early-season N management on irrigated 'Russet Burbank' potato yield, N recovery, and NO 3 -N leaching. A 2-yr experiment was conducted on a Hubbard loamy sand (Udorthentic Haploborolls), using four N treatments and a 0 N control. Total N applied was 270 kg N ha -1 ; the portion applied at planting was 0, 45, 90, and 135 kg N ha -1 , with the remainder applied in equal quantities at emergence and hilling. In 1991, increasing the amount of N applied at planting did not affect total yield, but significantly increased the yield of non-marketable tubers. In 1992, total yield again was not affected, but the yield of smaller tubers significantly increased and the yield of larger tubers decreased as the proportion of N applied at planting increased. During 1991, when heavy leaching occurred, an average of only 33% of applied N was recovered by the crop. In contrast, during 1992, when fewer leaching events occurred, recovery of N averaged 56%. In both growing seasons, the amount of NO 3 -N leached increased linearly as the proportion of N applied at planting increased. The strategy of reducing N application at planting for irrigated Russet Burbank potato can reduce the potential for NO3-N leaching, increase N uptake, and improve marketable yield.