cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Autofluorescence in a Case of Acute Posterior Multifocal Placoid Pigment Epitheliopathy Mimicking Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease: Case Report and Review of Literature

Purpose: To report a case of acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE) with exudative retinal detachment, simulating acute Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease and to review relevant imaging literature.Methods: Ophthalmologic examination, laboratory evaluation, fluorescein angiography, and B-scan ultrasonography performed at baseline, as well as spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus autofluorescence performed upon initial presentation and at 5-day, 1-month, and 3-month follow-up.Results: OCT demonstrated outer retinal hyperreflectance and subretinal fluid in the acute phase that disappeared 5 days later. Choroidal thickening was noted on OCT and ultrasonography. Retinal pigment epithelium lesions were hypoautofluorescent acutely but became hyperautofluorescent later in the disease course.Conclusions: At presentation, there can be considerable overlap in both clinical and imaging findings in APMPPE mimicking acute VKH, making it difficult to differentiate thes...
Case report of bilateral adrenal leiomyoma with review of literature

Adrenal leiomyomas (AL)s are rare benign tumors; only 16 cases have been reported overall including the adult population, three of which had bilateral involvement [1]. In the paediatric age group, only four cases have been reported, two being bilateral [1, 2]. ALs are usually asymptomatic. They can be associated with immunodeficiency. We report a paediatric case of bilateral large multilobed AL. The literature on paediatric ALs has also been reviewed.
Variegated left ventricular electrical activation in response to a novel quadripolar electrode: Visualization by non-invasive electrocardiographic imaging

Improving response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) remains challenging. Appropriate candidates may be identified by the presence of left ventricular (LV) conduction delay. An additional determinant may be the electrical effect elicited by LV pacing, which may vary among and within individuals. However, this is little explored, reflecting the lack of means for both easily altering lead position in any individual patient and of rapidly assessing its electrical effects. However, the advent of both multipolar LV electrodes and non-invasive single-beat electroanatomic mapping potentially resolves these challenges. These were investigated here. Results confirmed wide variations in electrical responses to LV pacing. In any individual patient, different pacing configurations elicited different electrical effects. Conversely, any one stimulation vector produced different effects in different patients. Thus, the reaction of electrical substrate to LV pacing is inconsistent. This observation introduces an added level of complexity in the understanding CRT electrical action. Attention to this factor may influence response to electrical resynchronization therapy.
Correlation of angiographic morphology and clinical presentation in unstable angina.

Abstract Objectives. This study sought to correlate angiographically detected complex lesions and intracoronary thrombus with the severity of clinical presentation in unstable angina (UA). Background. Unstable angina is usually related to acute thrombosis superimposed on a disrupted plaque. Complex and thrombotic lesions are more prevalent in UA and have been associated with a worse prognosis. The highest levels of the Braunwald classification of UA (III = rest angina within 48 h of presentation; C = postinfarction angina; and c = angina refractory to maximal medical therapy) can be used to assess the severity of clinical presentation, but they have not been directly correlated with thrombotic and complex lesions. Methods. We conducted a prospective study of 284 patients with UA who underwent cardiac catheterization. A single angiographer with no knowledge of the clinical classifications interpreted all angiograms. Culprit lesions identified in 200 patients were classified as simple or complex. Complex lesions included the categories complex morphology, intracoronary thrombus (ICT) or total occlusion. Lesions were also quantitatively analyzed, and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow was assessed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses of the angiographic findings were performed controlling for all cardiac risk factors, previous angioplasty or bypass surgery and multivessel disease, and we sequentially compared Braunwald classes III, C and c with classes Results. Class III was associated with complex lesions (p = 0.04) and decreased TIMI flow (p = 0.03). Class C angina correlated with complex lesions (p = 0.04), ICT (p = 0.005) and decreased TIMI flow (p = 0.03). Class c angina was associated with ICT (p = 0.02). The degree of stenosis by quantitative angiography was not associated with any particular Braunwald class. Conclusions. Recent rest pain and refractory or postinfarction UA, or both, are strongly associated with the general category of complex lesions and specifically with angiographically detected ICT and decreased TIMI flow. (J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:519–25)
Listening: To Thine Own Self Be True

This collaborative self-study examines the impact of taking a listening stance in the collegial relationships and practices of three early-career teacher educators within a small, private liberal arts institution. We consider the consequences of a listening stance on students' experiences of our practices and their education program. In addition, we explore how our individual histories influence our practices, our efforts to model listening, and our collegial relationships. Data sources include our journaling and in-class observations, feedback gathered from students on anonymous questionnaires and through focus-group discussions, and regular conversations with colleagues. Our findings illuminate the paradoxical nature of modeling a listening stance with pre-service teachers as listening to a multiplicity of voices challenged our ability to remain true to self in the midst of others' expressed needs and imperatives.
Out-of-Plane (Diaphragm) Compliances of Circular-Axis Notch Flexible Hinges with Midpoint Radial Symmetry

A small-displacement analytical model is proposed for the out-of-plane compliances of notch flexure hinges with circular longitudinal axis and midpoint radial symmetry that function as monolithic joints in flexible mechanisms. The hinges are constructed from several serially connected segments with small and constant out-of-plane width, variable in-plane thickness, and are subjected to coupled bending and torsion. The six compliances of a symmetric notch hinge are obtained as linear combinations of compliances defining the segments that form one half of the full flexible hinge. The general analytical model is applied to the circular-axis, right circularly corner-filleted hinge design whose compliances are validated by finite element simulation. A comparison is performed between the out-of-plane and the in-plane compliances of this flexure hinge. The right circularly corner-filleted configuration is also compared to the circular-axis, constant-thickness flexure hinge with respect to the out-of-plane static...
Use of the case method to show the link between health and economic development in rural Malawi

Abstract Background The link between economic development and health is well established, but not necessarily straightforward. We explored the economic effect of investing in health-care infrastructure in Neno, Malawi. We documented findings in a teaching case that is one of the open-access Cases in Global Health Delivery on Harvard Business Publishing. The cases show value-based health-care delivery and improve students' understanding of strategy and management in health care. Methods We did background research on Malawi's history, health system, and economy. We interviewed 40 informants in Neno, including leaders of Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (APZU) and its founding organisation (Partners In Health), Ministry of Health administrators, hospital staff, villagers, and business owners. We reviewed quantitative data to assess indicators of development and documented changes in Neno's economy. We investigated the management decisions APZU made, while supporting the government in building a hospital and scaling up clinical and social programmes across Neno. We piloted the case in the Global Health Delivery intensive programme at Harvard. Findings The case discussion tested students' ability to assess synergies between APZU's work and the local economy, including population and employment growth, improved public infrastructure, improved patient outcomes, and increased government investment in the district. Students also assessed challenges related to the shifting political landscape in Malawi, APZU budget cuts, reduced staff morale, and the Malawian currency devaluation. Interpretation Students gained a greater understanding of how investment in health-care infrastructure leads to economic development. Funding Harvard Medical School, Harvard Global Health Institute.
Peracute sodium toxicity in free-ranging black-bellied whistling duck ducklings.

From 23 to 25 July 2002, 98–103 newly hatched black-bellied whistling ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis) were observed alive at an inland saline lake (La Sal Vieja) in Willacy County, Texas (USA). Seventy-one (71%) died after showing signs indicative of sodium toxicity within 5 hr of entering the water; some died within minutes. Six carcasses were sent to the United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center (Madison, Wisconsin, USA) for analysis, and brain sodium levels of all ducklings were above 2,000 parts per million wet weight. More black-bellied whistling duck ducklings are likely to have been affected, but they were not observed after hatching.
Intramolecular hydrogen bonding and intermolecular dimerization in the crystal structures of imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid derivatives

Diamide and amide-ester derivatives of imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid form reliable hydrogen-bonding motifs in the solid state. The crystal structures of symmetrically substituted and dissymmetrically substituted diamides as well as amide-ester combinations were analyzed in order to identify the intermolecular hydrogen-bonding patterns. An intramolecular seven-membered hydrogen-bonded conformation forms in all derivatives where the possibility existed due to the functionality present. The motifs observed for the diamides include intermolecular NH···O and NH···N hydrogen-bonded dimers, with the exceptions to these motifs occurring in compounds having benzylamine substituents. The amines with a higher classification (i.e., 3° > 2° > 1°) in the dissymmetrically substituted diamides are the intramolecular hydrogen bond donors in the solid state, consistent with the capacity of the alkyl group to stabilize developing carbocation character resulting from bond polarization. The amide-ester derivatives also form...
creating effective citizens: unique opportunities for gifted education through the social studies

Social studies is dedicated to creating the next generation of effective citizens. To this aim, social studies educators embrace curricular goals that include civic competence, higher-order thinking, discipline integration, real-world applications, leadership skills, cooperative learning, research skills, content knowledge, and an understanding of the changing world. An ideal way to meet these curricular goals is through the implementation of service learning within the social studies curriculum. Service learning is particularly appropriate for the gifted student, as it meets both the students' cognitive and affective needs.
Teaching Social Justice and Encountering Society The Pink Triangle Experiment

Professors can involve students in social problems through the use of dynamic classroom pedagogy. This approach is demonstrated by presenting data based on student responses to an exercise in which they were given the opportunity to take on a stigmatized role. Students were asked to wear a pink triangle pin symbolizing support for gay rights and reflected upon their thoughts, feelings, biases, and the reactions of others. Papers were analyzed according to Helm's (1990) theory of identity and Goffman's (1964) work on stigma. Many students were able to advance through stages of identity development and move toward more open and positive ways of thinking about others. This study joins with the strong legacy of sociologists who have advocated using the classroom as the basis for doing experiments in the field, which would provide students with a deeper intellectual and moral understanding of social problems.
Electrokinetic soil processing : complicating features of electrokinetic remediation of soils and slurries : saturation effects and the role of the cathode electrolysis

Abstract Electrokinetic soil processing is an emerging technology for decontamination of certain radionuclides, heavy metals, or organic species from soils or slurries. Tests reveal that the process efficiencies in partially saturated kaolinite samples (without contaminants) are high, since water supplied at the anode eventually flushed across the specimens and saturated the deposits. Consolidation settlements are expected in the vicinity of anodes in fine-grained soils, even when both electrodes allow ingess or egress of the water. Uranyl ion at 1000 pCi/g could be effectively removed from kaolinite but the removal efficiency decreased close to the cathode due to the high pH in this region. A yellow uranium hydroxide precipitate was collected at the cathode. Thorium ion, even at 300 pCi/g, could not be efficiently removed throughout the cell because of its high adsorptive capacity, facile hydrolysis, and the precipitation of insoluble hydroxide. Methods are required to prevent hydroxide ion formation by ...
Technical Services and Collection Development for Children's Libraries

What has technical services to do with collection development for children's collections—or any other kind of collections for that matter? Isn't technical services what happens after selection decisions and other collection development plans are complete? Don't the technical services staff simply execute the decisions? These questions are familiar to any technical services librarian who ventures across the invisible line into the world of material selection and collection development, and onto the toes of subject specialists, bibliographers, reference or children's specialists, who inhabit that world. They rule their domain with clearly defined credentials supporting their hegemony, largely ignoring the mundane concerns of their technical services colleagues.
A Tale of Two Enclosures Self and Society as a Setting for Utopias

Utopian thinking, and utopias as a genre, flourished as forms of the imaginary until recently. The emergence of the genre, with Thomas More, emphasizing spatial arrangement and with Louis-Sebastien Mercier invoking future orientation, I argue, is illuminated by placing them next to the economic enclosures of their time. (I treat the connection of enclosures and utopias as both a literary conceit and as an elective affinity.) Their utopias, however, closed off both the individual and time from the capitalist changes around them, allowing for little or no variation or expression of self. Thus, their imagined virtuous societies actually sought to foreclose the future and other spaces. The paradox is that capitalist development, with its admitted inequities and horrors, favored an expansive self and vital societies, which carry with them their own virtues. In spite of the ameliorative tendencies of utopias, their limitations, that is, their closed-mindedness, slowly but surely discredited the genre itself. It...
Sex Recognition of Female-like Sneaker Males in the Comanche Springs Pupfish, Cyprinodon Elegans

In mating systems with alternative reproductive tactics, female mimicry may allow some males to avoid aggression from larger territorial males and garner matings. However, selection is predicted to favour the territorial males' ability to discriminate against female mimics as they may usurp fertilizations in a male's territory and potentially eat eggs fertilized by the territory owner. I tested whether territorial males were able to recognize female-like sneaker males in the natural population of Comanche Springs pupfish, Cyprinodon elegans. Results of a field study conducted at Balmorhea State Park, Balmorhea, TX, U.S.A., revealed that territorial males behaviourally discriminate size and sex of conspecifics. They were more aggressive to large males than to sneaker males. However, territorial males also directed more aggressive behaviours towards sneaker males than similarly sized females. As sneaker males garner little aggression when a large male intruder is also present, they will potentially gain opportunities to spawn if large males commonly intrude into males' territories. These results suggest that aggression towards sneaker males is context dependent and that the social environment may have important evolutionary fitness consequences for both territorial males and sneaker males.
Postrenal transplant erythrocytosis; A review of 53 patients.

Postrenal transplant erythrocytosis: A review of 53 patients. Review of a large renal transplant experience revealed a 17.3% incidence of post-transplant erythrocytosis. The influence of kidney source, pretransplant hematocrit, duration of pretransplant dialysis, renal transplant function, acute rejection, transplant renal artery stenosis, urinary tract obstruction, smoking, diabetes, retention of native kidneys, splenectomy, parathyroidectomy, immunosuppression, hypertension, and liver enzyme abnormalities on the development of erythrocytosis in 53 recipients was determined. Comparison was made with 49 control recipients matched for kidney function, time after grafting, age, and sex. Erythrocytosis occurred 3 to 90 months after transplantation and persisted for 1 to over 84 months. Risk factors for the development of erythrocytosis were smoking, diabetes, and a rejection free course. In contradistinction to previous smaller series, erythrocytosis occurred in patients with good renal function (serum creatinine 1.62 ± 0.43 mg/dl) without prominence of graft rejection, transplant artery stenosis or obstruction. Despite therapeutic phlebotomy, 11 thromboembolic events occurred in 10 of the 53 patients with erythrocytosis, but in none of the controls (P Erythrocytose post-transplantation renale: Revue de 53 malades. La revue d'une grande serie de transplantations renales a revele une incidence de 17,3% d'erythrocytoses post-transplantation. L'influence de l'origine du rein, de l'hematocrite pretransplantation, de la duree en dialyse avant transplantation, de la fonction renale du greffon, du rejet aigu, d'une stenose de l'artere renale du transplant, de l'obstruction urinaire, du tabac, du diabete, de la conservation des reins propres, de la splenectomie, de la parathyroidectomie, de l'immunosuppresion, de l'hypertension, et des anomalies des enzymes hepatiques sur le developpement de l'erythrocytose chez 53 receveurs a ete determinee. La comparaison a ete faite avec 49 receveurs controles, identiques pour leur fonction renale, leur duree depuis la greffe, l'age, et le sexe. L'erythrocytose est survenue 3 a 90 mois apres transplantation et a persiste de 1 a 84 mois. Les facteurs de risque de developpement de l'erythrocytose etaient le tabac, le diabete, et l'absence de rejet. En contradiction avec des etudes anterieures plus petites, l'erythrocytose est survenue chez des malades avec une bonne fonction renale (creatininemie 1,62 ± 0,43 mg/dl) sans predominance de rejet du greffon, de stenose de l'artere du transplant, ni d'obstruction. Malgre des phlebotomies therapeutiques, 11 accidents thrombo-emboliques sont survenus chez 10 des 53 malades avec une erythrocytose mais chez aucun des controles (P
Exchangeability of Potassium in Heated Fine-Grained Micaceous Minerals

Samples of several naturally fine-grained micaceous minerals were heated at 450°C for 24 hr (after the effects of other temperatures and heating periods were evaluated with the < 2 μm fraction of Grun-dite) and then characterized in terms of their release of K to NaCl-NaTPB (sodium tetraphenylboron) solutions and other potentially related properties.
Enabling Vehicular Applications using Cloud Services through Adaptive Computation Offloading

There is growing interest in embedding new class of applications in vehicles to improve the user driving experience. However, the limited computational and storage resources in vehicles brings about a challenge of running computation and data intensive tasks of such applications in the vehicle's on-board unit (OBU). Moreover, embedded applications may not be easily updated by replacing hardware as upgrades in the vehicle OBUs can only happen over each vehicular life-cycle, which is of the order of 10-15 years. The advent of connectivity of vehicles to the Internet offers the possibility of offloading computation and data intensive tasks from the OBU to remote cloud servers for efficient execution. In this paper, we propose a novel architecture for bringing cloud-computing to vehicles where applications embedded in the vehicle OBU can benefit from remote execution of tasks provided as services in the cloud. We design a framework to identify and adaptively manage offloading of computation and data intensive tasks from the vehicle OBU to the cloud during application run-time. Through experimental evaluation using a preliminary prototype implementation of two computer vision applications that use our framework, we show that our approach can provide at least 3x reduction in the end-to-end application response time.
Effect of exogenous estradiol applied at different embryonic stages on sex determination, growth, and mortality in the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) occurs in three orders of reptiles. Several studies have examined the ability of estradiol to produce female hatchlings incubated at a male-producing temperature. The results of these experiments support the idea that estradiol could be used as a powerful tool in the conservation of endangered species with TSD by manipulating hatchling sex ratios. However, these experiments have concentrated on the mechanism of determination. This experiment was designed to test the efficacy of various dosages of estradiol applied at two different stages to alter the hatchling sex ratio as well as determining the potential use of such manipulation for conservation efforts by monitoring egg mortality and hatchling growth. The leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) exhibits TSD and reaches reproductive maturity in less than one year, making it an excellent model for evaluating the long-term effects of estradiol. The results demonstrate that estradiol has a dose-dependent effect on the hatchling sex ratio while only high dosages applied at the later stage of development showed increased mortality. Estrogen-determined females grew at the same rate as temperature-determined females and have produced viable hatchlings. Estradiol treatment of eggs from endangered species may provide a method of insuring female offspring when the TSD pattern is unknown or equipment for controlled incubation is unavailable.
Surgery after downstaging of unresectable hepatic tumors with intra-arterial chemotherapy

Background: This retrospective study was performed to assess the outcome among patients who underwent hepatic resection or tumor ablation after hepatic artery infusion (HAI) therapy downstaged previously unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC).
Second crystal form of dinitrito(1,10‐phenanthroline)copper(II)

The crystal structure of a second form of green [Cu(NO2)2(phen)], where phen is 1,10-phenanthroline (C12H8N2), containing six-coordinate copper(II) with a distorted tetragonal [CuIIN2O4] core is reported. The first form had a crystal symmetry of C2/c [Breneman et al. (1999). Acta Cryst. C55, IUC9900158], while the form reported here is Pbcn. The nitrito ligands are bonded to the central copper through both O atoms, with short Cu—O bond distances of 1.987 (3) A and longer Cu—O bond distances of 2.410 (4) A. Both nitrito groups are significantly displaced from the plane defined by the 1,10-phenanthroline and the square-planar arrangement of the ligands around the CuII atom.
Flt-3 ligand inhibits growth of human ovarian tumors engrafted in severe combined immunodeficient mice.

Abstract Objective. The current study evaluated the effects of Flt-3 ligand (FL) on the growth of human malignant ovarian tumors engrafted in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice with particular attention directed at FL's effect on the host natural killer (NK) cell response against ovarian cancer xenografts. Methods. Equal portions of surgical specimen-derived human ovarian carcinomas were engrafted subcutaneously (SC) into SCID mice. Mice were placed into one of two treatment groups 7 days after the day of implantation. Group 1 received placebo injections SC from Day 1 to Day 20 and group 2 received FL at 10 μg/day SC from Day 1 to Day 20. NK cell depletion was performed on three additional mice from group 2 starting on Day 0 using anti-asialo GM1. Serial tumor volumes were measured. On Day 21, mice from each group were sacrificed, and tumors and spleens were evaluated. Data analysis included χ 2 tests, Student t tests, and analyses of variance when appropriate. Results. FL resulted in tumor growth delay compared with control ( P = 0.036). When NK cell activity was depleted prior to FL administration, no tumor growth delay was observed. Spleens from FL-treated mice were larger ( P Conclusion. FL treatment resulted in an antitumor response against human ovarian cancer engrafted in SCID mice and this inhibition appears to be largely host NK cell mediated. The tumor inhibition seen in this model is similar to that previously seen using syngeneic tumors grown in an immunocompetent animal model. Results from this model can potentially be extrapolated to treatment of human ovarian cancer patients.
A Just-in-Time Approach to Intelligent Decision Support Systems

This paper introduces a new approach to intelligent decision support system that utilizes a just-in-time concept of system knowledge management. The paper identifies the problems encountered while ...
Identification and embryonic expression of a highly conserved Meis-linked gene

Using a comparative genomics approach we have identified a novel and previously undescribed gene in zebrafish, zgc:154061, which we have temporarily named meis2 linked gene (m2lg). This gene is located directly downstream of the zebrafish meis2.2 gene. M2lg and its vertebrate orthologs are organized in a convergently transcribed manner with respect to the Meis2 gene in all species we have examined (meis2.2 in zebrafish). During zebrafish development, transcripts of m2lg are observed in every cell of the embryo from the earliest stage through the shield stage indicating this gene is a maternal transcript since its expression precedes the activation of the zygotic genome at the midblastula transition. Expression of m2lg gradually decreases from its peak value at 0 hours past fertilization (hpf) until 8 hpf and then is observed to be activated again at 12 hpf as determined by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Western blots show that the protein is translated and expressed as early as 2 hpf and is present in significant amounts until 12 hpf. Immunohistochemistry on 48 hpf zebrafish embryo cross-sections show that the protein is present and is highly localized to the retinal area and the optic nerve.
On-chip reliability monitors for measuring circuit degradation

Front-end-of-line reliability issues such as Bias Temperature Instability (BTI), Hot Carrier Injection (HCI), and Time Dependent Dielectric Breakdown (TDDB) have become more prevalent as electrical fields continue to increase in scaled devices. The rapid introduction of process improvements, such as high-k/metal gate stacks and strained silicon, has lead to new reliability issues including BTI in n-type devices. Precise measurements of the circuit degradation induced by these reliability mechanisms are a key aspect of robust design. This article will review a number of unique test chip designs pursued by circuit designers that demonstrate the benefits of utilizing on-chip logic and a simple test interface to automate circuit aging experiments. This new class of compact on-chip sensors can reveal important aspects of circuit aging that would otherwise be impossible to measure, and can lead us down the path to real-time aging compensation in future processors.
Cultured bilayered skin allograft for vaginal construction.

Abstract Objective This is the first report of live human cultured bilayered skin allograft (taken from another person) (LHCBSA) to line a dissected space to create a vagina. Case A 19-year-old with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH syndrome) of vaginal and uterine agenesis had a space dissected and lined with LHCBSA. Although the lining devitalized within 2 weeks, there was a rapid ingrowth of vaginal mucosal cells from the vaginal dimple with an excellent long-term result. Conclusion This is the first report that LHCBSA is able to stimulate vaginal mucosal cell growth for a neovagina. It is possible that it might stimulate other surface tissue lining to cover adjacent raw areas such as bladder or esophagus.
Magnetic Resonance Contrast Agents for Liver Imaging

Intravenous contrast agents are important in the performance of liver magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. These agents differ in their physical properties. These differences can be exploited to optimize imaging protocols based on indications for examination. Institutional protocols should be designed to take advantage of the variety of available contrast agent types. Important contrast agent properties including relaxivity and biodistribution are discussed in this article. Practitioners administering contrast agents for MR imaging should be familiar with potential safety issues and establish rational safety guidelines based on available data. Precautions in at-risk populations are discussed, and sample institutional guidelines are provided.
The yeast pheromone-responsive Gα protein stimulates recovery from chronic pheromone treatment by two mechanisms that are activated at distinct levels of stimulus

The pheromone response ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae is mediated by a receptor-coupled heterotrimeric G protein. The βγ subunit of the G protein stimulates a PAK/MAP kinase cascade that leads to cellular changes preparatory to mating, while the pheromone-responsive Gα protein, Gpa1, antagonizes the Gβγ-induced signal. In its inactive conformation, Gpa1 sequesters Gβγ and tethers it to the receptor. In its active conformation, Gpa1 stimulates adaptive mechanisms that downregulate the mating signal, but which are independent of α-βγ binding. To elucidate these potentially novel signaling functions of Gα in yeast, epistasis analyses were performed using N388D, a hyperadaptive mutant form of Gpa1, and null alleles of various loci that have been implicated in adaptation. The results of these experiments indicate the existence of signaling thresholds that affect the yeast mating reaction. At low pheromone concentration, the Regulator of G Protein Signaling (RGS) homologue and putative guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activating protein, Sst2, appears to stimulate sequestration of Gβγ by Gpa1. Throughout the range of pheromone concentrations sufficient to cause cell cycle arrest, Gpa1 stimulates adaptive mechanisms that are partially dependent on Msg5 and Mpt5. Gpa1-mediated adaptation appears to be independent of Afr1, Akr1, and the carboxy-terminus of the pheromone receptor.
Comparison of physicians' decisions regarding estrogen replacement therapy for menopausal women and decisions derived from a decision analytic model.

Abstract Decisions regarding estrogen replacement therapy were obtained from 50 physicians for 12 cases representing menopausal women with systematically varying levels of cancer risk, fracture risk, and symptom severity. Their decisions were compared with a decision analytic model for which each physician provided needed quantities—subjective probabilities, utilities of various outcomes, and weightings of the importance of the outcome categories. The majority of observed decisions were not to treat. By contrast, the decision analysis based on physician-provided estimates indicated that the optimal strategy was either to treat or a toss-up. Sensitivity analysis showed that these conclusions would hold over all possible utilities, over all plausible probabilities of cancer, and so long as symptom relief and fracture prevention were also considered as treatment objectives. The increased probability of early detection of cancer by regular follow-up was systematically incorporated into the decision analysis but apparently neglected in unaided clinical judgment, which follows the principle of minimizing the most important risk, regardless of its probability.
Bilateral renal hypoplasia with oligomeganephronia

Abstract A patient with clinical, laboratory, and biopsy findings of bilateral renal hypoplasia with oligomeganephronia is presented, and the differential diagnosis of small kidneys in children is discussed.
DATA ADJUSTMENT FOR NON-REACTIVE BATCH OR STEADY-STATE PROCESSES

An analytical method was developed to adjust inconsistent process data by a least-sum-of-squares technique to “best” meet all material balance constraints. One complete data set composed of “M” stream flow rates with “N” components in each stream was used from either batch or steady-state non-reactive processes to define an unconstrained sum-of-squares adjustment function Derivatives of the unconstrained sum-of-squares adjustment function with respect to each variable were set to zero yielding a set of non-linear algebraic equations. The entire non-linear set was solved by converging on only M— 2 search variables as compared to conventional methods requiring N(M — 1) — 1 search variables.
Ashkenazi Jewish Screening in the Twenty-first Century

Ashkenazi Jewish genetic screening has expanded significantly in the past 4 decades. Individuals of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish (AJ) descent are at increased risk of having offspring with particular genetic diseases that have significant morbidity and mortality. In addition, there are some disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, for which northern European Caucasians are at comparable risk with those of an AJ background. Carrier screening for many of these Jewish genetic disorders has become standard of care. As technology advances, so does the number of disorders for which screening is available. Thus, we need to continue to be cognizant of informed consent, test sensitivity, confidentiality, prenatal diagnosis, preimplantation genetic screening, and public health concerns regarding testing.
Use of colloidal ruthenium particles in the electrochemical reduction of benzene by solvated electrons

Abstract Ruthenium colloidal particles prepared by the decomposition of a ruthenium acid sulfite complex increased the electrochemical reduction of benzene from 45% to 60% at room temperature and 10 psig of hydrogen. The reduction was carried out in a 21 mole % ethanol - 79 mole % hexamethylphosporamide. The significant increase in the percent of benzene reduced was accompanied by an apparent current efficiency of 98%. Comparison with analogous experiments employing colloidal platinum particles indicates that the above increase in benzene reduction can be attributed to direct catalytic hydrogenation by the ruthenium.
Measuring up: Academic performance of Canadian immigrant children in reading, mathematics, and science

Using the Canadian sample from the Programme for International Student Assessment, this study examined the effects of student and school characteristics on academic achievement of immigrant and non-immigrant students. No differences were found in mathematics achievement, but non-immigrant students outperformed immigrant students in both reading and science achievement. At the student level, there was more gender equity in academic achievement among immigrant than non-immigrant students. Socioeconomic inequity was related to fathers among immigrant students but to both mothers and fathers among non-immigrant students. Home language had weaker effects among immigrant than non-immigrant students. At the school level, teacher-student ratio, teacher morale, and academic pressure were predictors for immigrant students, whereas disciplinary climate for non-immigrant students. Non-immigrant students demonstrated tremendous regional differences that were absent among immigrant students.
Non-specific immunosuppression by Cryptococcus neoformans infection

Cryptococcus neoformans-infected animals were found to be immunosuppressed when tested by a variety of assays for immune competence. Primary humoral immune responses and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to sheep erythrocytes were suppressed in animals which had been infected for two weeks. Lymphocyte proliferation (LP) assays to sRBC stroma were also significantly diminished at two weeks of infection. Spleen cells of infected mice suppressed the LP response of sRBC immunized, normal mice in vitro. At least a part of the suppression could be attributed to a nylon wool non-adherent cell. Suppressor cells continued to be present in spleen cell suspensions following treatment with anti-T cell serum or anti-immunoglobulin and complement. When infected spleen cells were separated by adherence to plastic, both the adherent and non-adherent fractions exhibited suppressive activity. Incubation of infected spleen cells in tissue culture for 48 hr resulted in the elaboration of soluble immunosuppreessive factors into the tissue culture medium. These data indicated that immune suppression in cryptococcosis can occur as a result of infection with Cryptococcus neoformans, and that at least one mechanism involved is the induction of adherent and non-adherent suppressor cells in the spleens of infected mice.
The role of PTEN signaling perturbations in cancer and in targeted therapy

The PTEN tumor suppressor was discovered by its homozygous deletion and other mutations in cancer. Since then, PTEN has been shown to be a non-redundant, evolutionarily conserved phosphatase whose function affects diverse cellular progresses such as cell cycle progression, cell proliferation, chemotaxis, apoptosis, aging, muscle contractility, DNA damage response, angiogenesis and cell polarity. In accordance with its ability to influence multiple crucial cellular processes, PTEN has a major role in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases such as diabetes, autism and almost every cancer examined. This review will discuss the diverse ways in which PTEN signaling is modified in cancer, and how these changes correlate with and might possibly affect the action of targeted chemotherapy.
In silico molecular comparisons of C. elegans and mammalian pharmacology identify distinct targets that regulate feeding

Phenotypic screens can identify molecules that are at once penetrant and active on the integrated circuitry of a whole cell or organism. These advantages are offset by the need to identify the targets underlying the phenotypes. Additionally, logistical considerations limit screening for certain physiological and behavioral phenotypes to organisms such as zebrafish and C. elegans. This further raises the challenge of elucidating whether compound-target relationships found in model organisms are preserved in humans. To address these challenges we searched for compounds that affect feeding behavior in C. elegans and sought to identify their molecular mechanisms of action. Here, we applied predictive chemoinformatics to small molecules previously identified in a C. elegans phenotypic screen likely to be enriched for feeding regulatory compounds. Based on the predictions, 16 of these compounds were tested in vitro against 20 mammalian targets. Of these, nine were active, with affinities ranging from 9 nM to 10 µM. Four of these nine compounds were found to alter feeding. We then verified the in vitro findings in vivo through genetic knockdowns, the use of previously characterized compounds with high affinity for the four targets, and chemical genetic epistasis, which is the effect of combined chemical and genetic perturbations on a phenotype relative to that of each perturbation in isolation. Our findings reveal four previously unrecognized pathways that regulate feeding in C. elegans with strong parallels in mammals. Together, our study addresses three inherent challenges in phenotypic screening: the identification of the molecular targets from a phenotypic screen, the confirmation of the in vivo relevance of these targets, and the evolutionary conservation and relevance of these targets to their human orthologs.
Selective adsorption of sterically hindered phenols through a single-point binding mechanism

There are growing demands for improved selectivity in industrial separations. Although preorganized three-point binding systems can achieve these selectivities, supramolecular systems are seldom economical for the bulk separations of low-valued chemicals. In this study, we examined the potential of a one-point hydrogen-bonding mechanism to confer selectivity to the adsorption of phenolic species encountered in the industrial synthesis of the antioxidant, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol (butylated hydroxytoluene, BHT). The adsorption of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol from hexanes onto an acrylic ester sorbent was observed to have a 270-fold lower affinity and a 2.4 kcal/mol less favorable adsorption enthalpy compared to adsorption of the unbutylated species p-cresol. To provide mechanistic explanations for the observed adsorption behavior, we performed infrared spectroscopic and molecular-modeling studies with a small molecule analogue of the acrylic ester sorbent. These small molecule binding studies indicate that the phenolic hydroxyl of p-cresol forms a strong hydrogen bond with an appropriate accepting site, while the bulky tert-butyl groups sterically hinder hydrogen bonding for 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol.
Long-Term Effect of Uninephrectomy on Serum Creatinine Concentration and Arterial Blood Pressure

Medical records of patients having unilateral nephrectomies done between 1953 and 1978 at a university hospital were reviewed after 5 to 30 years of follow-up to determine if this procedure causes insidious renal insufficiency. Forty patients (selected from 571) ranging in age from 20 to 72 years met the following criteria for inclusion in the study: (1) subject over 20 years of age at nephrectomy; (2) initial serum creatinine concentration less than 1.6 mg/dL; (3) normal arterial blood pressure (
The effects of β-endorphin (β-END) on cardiovascular and behavioral dynamics in conscious rats

β-Endorphin (β-END) a product of the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) has been demonstrated to play a role in the regulation of metabolic and autonomic responses. Recent studies have suggested the involvement of the endogenous opioid system in cardiovascular control. Previous studies conducted in our laboratory using anesthetized animals investigated the actions of β-END and other POMC derived peptides on sympathetic and cardiovascular dynamics. In this study, we determined both the acute and chronic effects of β-END on cardiovascular and behavioral dynamics in conscious unrestrained rats using radio-telemetry. Animals were instrumented with a radio-telemetry transmitter in the abdominal cavity and the attached catheter inserted into the femoral artery for recording of cardiovascular dynamics and activity. They were subsequently implanted with intracerebroventricular (ICV) cannulas. The acute ICV administration of β-END significantly increased the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) compared to controls. The cardiovascular responses returned toward control levels after 2 h. In contrast, the chronic infusion of β-END significantly decreased the MAP and HR during both the active and inactive phase. Chronic β-END administration also decreased physical activity. Food intake was increased initially and later declined and water consumption followed a similar pattern. We conclude that in the conscious unrestrained animal the acute administration of β-END increases MAP and HR while the chronic infusion of β-END decreases MAP, HR, physical activity, and stimulate a short-term increase in food and water intake.
Characterization of temperature-sensitive mutants of yeast by a photomicrographic procedure.

Abstract Approx. 1 000 temperature-sensitive mutants of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated on the basis of their inability to form a colony at 36 °C. The mutants were analysed for growth rate, viability, and change in morphology at the non-permissive temperature using a photomicroscopic technique. The mutants were sorted into classes by computer according to their growth pattern at the non-permissive temperature, and their recovery at the permissive temperature after exposure to the non-permissive temperature. A large variety of diverse phenotypes were found. This approach can be used as a simple and economical screening procedure to isolate specific classes of mutants. Mutants defective in protein synthesis, mutants with an altered morphology, mutants that lyse, and mutants with certain defects in the cell division cycle are easily identified by this approach.
Nonlinear Control Methods for High-Energy Limit-Cycle Oscillations

Limit-cycle oscillations, as they appear in high-performance e ghter aircraft, remain an area of scrutiny by the aerospace community. Tools for the simulation and prediction of the onset for limit-cycle oscillations have maturedsignie cantly.Surprisingly,lessprogresshasbeenmadeinactivecontrolmethodologiesfortheseinherently nonlinear dynamic phenomena. Even in the cases where it is known that limit-cycle oscillations may be observed in particular e ight regimes, and active control methodologies are employed to attenuate response, there are very few analytical results that characterize the stability of the closed-loop system. In part, this may be attributed to the dife culty in understanding the nature of the contributing nonlinear structural and nonlinear aerodynamic interactions that account for the motion. Recent progress made by the authors in the derivation, development, and implementation of nonlinear control methodologies appropriate for a class of e utter problems is reviewed. Both analytical and experimentalresultsaresummarized. Directionsforfuture study and, in particular,remaining technical barriers that must be overcome, are summarized.
Increment core analysis of declining Norway maples, acer platanoides

Abstract A regression model was able to predict decline classes on the basis of crown density, small dead limbs and crown shape. The filtering of increment core data revealed three growth trends. One growth trend, termed responsive, generally followed fluctuations in climate. A second, termed nonresponsive, decreased over the time regardless of climatic fluctuations. A less common type, intermediate, showed no change in growth over the 20-year study period. The responsive growth trend was associated with the most healthy appearing trees. This early stage of decline was generally found in trees which had been subjected to root injuries following a drought stress period. Trees with advanced decline today had significantly reduced growth rates 15–20 years ago, indicating that Norway maple decline is a long-term multiple stress process.