cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sedimentation behavior of chymotrypsinogen A in the vicinity of the isoelectric point.

Abstract The techniques of velocity and equilibrium sedimentation have been used to determine conditions under which a well characterized protein, chymotrypsinogen A, already observed to exist as a monomer in certain media, will associate. Single, essentially symmetrical, schlieren patterns were observed in survey velocity experiments covering an extended concentration interval in the pH range 6.5 to 9.5, and at ionic strengths 0.002 to 3, in phosphate, Tris, ethylenediaminetetraacetate, and glycine buffers. The salts added to control the ionic strengths were LiCl, NaCl, KCl, and tetramethylammonium chloride. The temperature interval was 5–25°. Increases in the sedimentation coefficient were observed with decreasing ionic strength, suggesting association. The behavior of these coefficients was studied in detail at ionic strengths of 0.002, 0.03, and 0.1 at pH 9.30, which is in the vicinity of the isoelectric point. A value of 2.91 S was found for s020,w. Apparent molecular weights, calculated from equilibrium experiments under the same conditions, showed a marked concentration-dependent increase with decreasing ionic strength. This association is completely reversible, and, within the limits of experimental error, is unaffected by changes in temperature. It is suggested that electrostatic forces may play a significant role in the association at low ionic strength, although hydrogen and hydrophobic bonding cannot be precluded on the basis of present evidence.
The Impact of Research Participation on Adults with Severe Mental Illness

Experiences of adults with mental illness who participated in a 12-month managed care study are summarized. During exit interviews, participants were asked about consent procedures, study purpose, if questions were intrusive or anxiety producing, and concerns about information disclosure. Respondents rated their experience and likelihood of future participation. Almost 38% did not remember the consent procedures. Among those who did, 22.4% reported they lacked adequate detail about the scope of the study. Nearly 3% felt pressured into participating. Although most participants (96%) reported positive experiences, 8.8% became anxious, 16.8% were afraid responses would be disclosed, and 16.7% indicated questions were invasive. Age, race/ethnicity, and gender were not associated with adverse reactions. Symptomatology and perceived inadequacies in consent procedures were significantly, albeit weakly, associated with adverse reactions. Although most participants experienced no distress, rates of adverse responses among persons with mental illness exceeded those of community-based samples. Strategies for minimizing negative reactions are discussed.
Das Herz bei endokrinen Störungen

Hyperthyreosen vermogen die Herztatigkeit sehr stark zu storen, doch sind die Veranderungen weder immer vorhanden noch entwickeln sie sich, wenn vorhanden, stets mit derselben Schnelligkeit und im selben Ausmas. Manchmal bieten Patienten alle Merkmale einer Hyperthyreose, aber keine Zeichen einer Herzbeteiligung auser einer eventuellen unbedeutenden Tachykardie. Andererseits kann bei Patienten mit einer scheinbar geringgradigen Hyperthyreose innerhalb einer sehr kurzen Zeit eine Herzdilatation und eine Herzinsuffizienz mit Stauung auftreten.
Visual object representation: An introduction

What are the computational, behavioral, and neural mechanisms that give rise to object perception? In this review, I present a cognitive neuroscience overview of the literature on object representation. Marr’s (1982) framework for studying complex tasks is used as a guide for the review. This framework involves analyzing a problem on three levels: (1) the computational theory, which asks what is computed and how; (2) the representation and algorithm, which focus on the representations and processes that underlie a computation; and (3) the hardware implementation, which deals with the implementation of the representations and processes. Computational considerations of object recognition raise the importance of the object invariances, which allow viewers to perceive an object as remaining stable despite changes in the retinal image. I then use the invariances to guide my review of the representations and processes involved in human object recognition, Marr’s second level, and of the hardware implementation, Marr’s third level. Throughout the review, my focus is on integrating across disciplines and across the levels of Marr’s framework.
Deterring Tax-Driven Partnership Allocations

How to allocate a partnership’s tax items is the most fundamental issue in subchapter K of the Internal Revenue Code, which governs the taxation of limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, general partnerships, joint ventures, and other unincorporated business entities. The principal concern is that the flexibility afforded to partners under subchapter K could be used to trade tax attributes among the partners. For the past twenty-five years, an extremely lengthy and complex set of regulations, known as the substantial economic effect regulations, has been the government’s primary defense against the trading of tax attributes through partnerships. However, despite their importance, age, length, and complexity, these regulations have not yet been adequately examined in detail. This Article identifies, for the very first time, a number of critical implicit assumptions underlying the substantial economic effect regulations. Most significantly, the Article shows that, unless partners are highly risk averse in seeking the benefits of trading in tax attributes, these regulations should be wholly ineffective. Even if partners are risk averse, the possibility of hedging or tacit agreements among the partners must be considered. Ultimately, whether the substantial economic effect regulations are reasonably effective depends on a number of empirical questions, such as partners’ level of risk adverseness and the transaction costs of hedges and tacit agreements. In addition to identifying the critical implicit assumptions of the substantial economic effect regulations, this Article also makes specific recommendations for the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service to implement in order to make them more effective.
The Future of School Desegregation

The Future of School Desegregation examines the widespread perception that court-ordered school desegregation is dead or, at the very least, that the death knell has sounded. Four forces appear to indicate the end of desegregation cases: recent opinions by the Supreme Court, attitudes of lower court judges, opposition of parents, and the resegregation of our public schools. Yet, we presently lack empirical data to test the effect of these four forces and the validity of the declared death of desegregation litigation. To determine the current status of school desegregation cases, the author conducted two empirical studies covering 189 cases. The analyses clearly demonstrate that the perceived end of desegregation litigation is wrong; rather, the vast majority of cases are pending. The true problem with the future of school desegregation is that we have allowed most cases to languish with their dormant suits. School districts have found that not seeking termination of their school desegregation cases imposes little, if any, costs, while dismissal proceedings would require an examination of how the districts treat minority school children. Unfortunately, languishing school desegregation decrees can be educationally harmful or legally inadequate. The article argues that the party-driven mode of litigation is ineffective in school desegregation and that more active judicial intervention is warranted. For contrary to the popular idea of judge acting as "local superintendents," judges have taken a remarkably minor, passive role.
Black and white with some shades of grey: the diverse responses of inducible metabolic pathways in Escherichia coli.

Summary The metabolic pathways for many sugars are inducible. This process has been extensively studied in the case of Escherichia coli lactose metabolism. It has long been known that gratuitous induction of the lac operon with non-metabolizable lactose analogues generates an all-or-nothing response, where some cells express the lac genes at a maximal rate and others not at all. However, the response to lactose itself is graded, where all cells express the lac genes in proportion to lactose concentrations. The mechanisms generating these distinct behaviours in lactose metabolism have been a topic of many studies. Despite this large body of work, little is known about how other pathways respond to their cognate sugars. An article of Molecular Microbiology investigated the response of eight metabolic pathways in E. coli to their cognate sugars at single-cell resolution. The authors demonstrate that these pathways exhibit diverse responses, ranging from graded to all-or-nothing responses and combinations thereof. Remarkably, they were able to interpret these responses using a simple mathematical model and identify the mechanisms likely giving rise to each.
Dynamics And Morphology Of Cracks In Silicon Nitride Films: A Molecular Dynamics Study On Parallel Computers

Multiresolution molecular dynamics approach on parallel computers has been used to investigate fracture in ceramic materials. In microporous silica, critical behavior at fracture is analyzed in terms of pore percolation and kinetic roughening of fracture surfaces. Crack propagation in amorphous silicon nitride films is investigated, and a correlation between the speed of crack propagation and the morphology of fracture surfaces is observed. In crystalline silicon nitride films, temperature-assisted void formation in front of a crack tip slows down crack propagation.
Brain-derived gangliosides induce cell cycle arrest in a murine T cell line

Gangliosides modulate various T cell effector functions through poorly defined mechanisms. To begin to understand one of their effects, the present study examined how normal brain-derived gangliosides suppress T cell proliferation using the murine T cell line, EL4, as a model. Gangliosides inhibited EL4 cell growth by causing progressive cell cycle arrest. Dephosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) appeared to be the principal mechanism through which this effect was produced. Since okadaic acid could reverse both the growth arrest and pRB dephosphorylation, gangliosides may activate a phosphatase to mediate these events. Taken together, these data have implications for understanding how the local proliferation of T cells exposed to endogenous gangliosides within the brain may be regulated.
Graft reconstruction of inferior vena cava for renal cell carcinoma stage pT3b or greater.

Objectives To review the methods and outcomes for simultaneous radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava (IVC) graft reconstruction at our institution. Renal cell carcinoma has the potential to propagate and invade the IVC, requiring resection and/or reconstruction of the IVC concurrently with radical nephrectomy. Methods A prospective database of patients undergoing simultaneous radical nephrectomy with IVC reconstruction for renal cell carcinoma was queried. The data were collected and analyzed for patients who had undergone IVC graft reconstruction. Results A total of 17 patients were identified from 1999 to 2010, with a median age of 61 years (range 36-77). The tumor was right sided in 14 patients. The median tumor size was 12 cm (range 7.5-23), 15 tumors had clear cell histologic findings, and 16 were high grade. Seven patients had clinical metastasis found on imaging preoperatively, with another 4 having lymph node metastasis on pathologic examination. Of the 17 patients, 11 underwent patch grafting (3 expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and 8 bovine pericardium) and 6 underwent IVC interposition (3 Dacron and 3 expanded polytetrafluoroethylene). Also, 5 and 3 patients underwent cardiopulmonary and venovenous bypass, respectively. The mean estimated blood loss was 4 L, and the mean hospitalization was 7 days (range 5-16). Six patients experienced perioperative complications, with 1 perioperative mortality. Two patients overall developed graft thrombosis. Of the 6 patients initially without metastasis, the recurrence-free and overall survival rate was 50% and 83%, respectively, at a mean of 55 months. Of the 11 patients initially with metastasis, the recurrence-free and overall survival rate was 18% and 45%, respectively, at a mean of 13 months. Conclusions For selected patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and extensive IVC thrombus, resection with patch or interposition grafting of the IVC yields acceptable patency rates, minimal complications related to the graft, and reasonable oncologic results in a high-risk patient population.
Long-term maturation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia treatment results: toward development of a severity-specific treatment algorithm.

Objective To assess the impact of varying approaches to CDH repair timing on survival and need for ECMO when controlled for anatomic and physiologic disease severity in a large consecutive series of CDH patients.
Upper critical field in anisotropic superconductors.

The upper critical field of anisotropic superconductors (Mo/Ni superlattices) exhibits large nonlinearities in their temperature dependence. This behavior is unexpected in light of current theories of upper critical field including surface superconductivity effects.
Adult Height and Menstrual History Among Patients with Classical 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency Adrenal Hyperplasia: Correlation with Growth and Therapy During Development

Study Objective: To assess the outcome variables of menstrual and reproductive history and height among adult females with 21-hydroxylase congenital adrenal hyperplasia based upon parameters of adequacy of glucocorticoid suppressive therapy, parental heights, and growth during infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Design and Participants: Forty-three women and adolescents with 21-hydroxylase deficiency were evaluated using interviews, medical record reviews, and physical examination. Patients were categorized by menstrual regularity into three groups: A—regular menses (n = 15), B—irregular menses (n = 9), and C—regular menses that subsequently became irregular (n = 10). For comparison, a group of nine currently pubertal, premenarchal girls with classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency (group D) were similarly evaluated. Age of diagnosis, growth parameters, hormonal indices, age of puberty and menarche onset, and relative glucocorticoid dosages were compared among the groups. Results: Adult height, corrected for midparental height, was taller in A compared with B and C (p < 0.03), although actual height at age 3 years and at the onset of puberty did not differ. Hormonal indices were least suppressed in B and best suppressed in D. Group C was better suppressed than B during puberty and adulthood. Age at diagnosis, concurrent mineralocorticoid therapy, glucocorticoid or equivalent dosage/M2, skeletal age Z scores, pubertal onset, and menarche age did not differ among the groups. Two women (group A) had normal pregnancies. Conclusion: Although the small numbers preclude significant differences in many of the analyses, there is a definite trend for Group A with the tallest height and regular menses to have had tighter control with lower androgen levels in infancy, childhood, puberty, and during adulthood. Results also suggest that adequate suppression during puberty will permit the onset of regular menses as the group that developed irregular menses after initial regular cycles (C) was better suppressed during puberty than the group that never menstruated regularly. Follow-up of group D, the younger, more recently treated patients, should provide better evidence as to whether tighter control will result in taller adult height and regular menses.
Etanercept plus topical corticosteroids as initial therapy for grade one acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Abstract Clinical diagnosis of grade 1 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) marks the beginning of a potentially progressive and fatal course of GVHD after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, interventional studies to treat early GVHD are lacking. We conducted a single-arm prospective phase II trial to test the hypothesis that treatment of newly diagnosed grade 1 acute GVHD with etanercept and topical corticosteroids would reduce progression to grade 2 to 4 within 28 days. Study patients (n = 34) had a median age of 51 years (range, 10 to 67 years) and had undergone unrelated (n = 22) or related (n = 12) donor HSCT. Study patients were treated with etanercept (.4 mg/kg, maximum 25 mg/dose) twice weekly for 4 to 8 weeks. Ten of 34 patients (29%) progressed to grade 2 to 4 acute GVHD within 28 days. The cumulative incidence of grade 2 to 4 and grade 3 to 4 acute GVHD at 1 year was 41% and 3%, respectively. Nonrelapse mortality was 19% and overall survival was 63% at 2 years. Among a contemporaneous control cohort of patients who were diagnosed with grade 1 acute GVHD and treated with topical corticosteroids but not etanercept during the study period, 12 of 28 patients (43%) progressed to grade 2 to 4 GVHD within 28 days, with a 1-year incidence of grade 2 to 4 GVHD and grade 3 to 4 GVHD of 61% (41% versus 61%, P = .08) and 18% (3% versus 18%, P = .05), respectively. Patients treated with etanercept also experienced less increase in GVHD plasma biomarkers suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (P = .06) and regenerating islet-derived 3-alpha (P = .01) 28 days after grade 1 acute GVHD diagnosis compared with contemporaneous control patients. This study was terminated early because of poor accrual. Future prospective studies are needed to identify patients with grade 1 acute GVHD at risk of swift progression to more severe GVHD and to establish consensus for the treatment of grade 1 acute GVHD. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00726375.
An infrared study of the interaction between adsorbed CO and adsorbed NO on supported Ru and supported Pt

Abstract The interaction between CO and NO adsorbed on 6% Ru-silica and 6% Pt-silica samples at 25 °C has been studied using infrared spectroscopy. When adsorbed CO is slowly displaced from a 6% Ru-silica surface by NO, we observe a new band at 2180 cm−1 in the infrared spectrum. The intensity of the band at 2180 cm−1depended on the relative amounts of CO and NO adsorbed on the surface. In studies made using C13O and N15O, we find that this new surface species contains both C and N atoms and that it is bound to the Ru surface through the N atom; thus, we conclude that the band at 2180 cm−1 is the antisymmetric stretching vibration of a surface isocyanate, Ru-NCO. When CO and NO are both adsorbed on a 6% Pt-silica sample, we do not observe a strong band in the 2200 cm−1 region. A mechanism is proposed for the formation of a surface isocyanate at 25 °C on silica-supported Ru; the failure to observe isocyanate formation on silica-supported Pt is also discussed.
The brightening future of HIV therapeutics

The natural history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been altered through the development of drugs targeting two key viral enzymes, reverse transcriptase and protease. Continued advances from basic science have unearthed many other points of attack in the HIV life cycle that could lead to new classes of HIV therapeutics.
Selective recruitment of bacteria during embryogenesis of an earthworm.

Earthworms of the family Lumbricidae harbor specific and stable populations of Acidovorax-like bacteria within their excretory organs, the nephridia. The symbionts of Eisenia foetida are deposited into the egg capsules during mating and the nephridia of the juveniles are colonized before they hatch. The timing and mechanisms governing bacterial recruitment and colonization are unknown for the earthworm-Acidovorax association. This study examined the process of colonization of the symbiotic organ during development of the embryos within the egg capsules. Bacteria associated with the developing embryos were visualized using in situ hybridization to bacterial cells and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Bacterial cells were associated with earthworm embryos during the earliest stages of development—the ova through to hatching. Three-dimensional examination of stages of development revealed an embryonic duct that recruits the Acidovorax-like symbiont cells. As each segment matures, Acidovorax-like symbiotic bacteria are recruited into this duct, excluding most other bacterial types, and remain there for a period of days prior to migration into the nephridium. After colonization of the nephridial ampulla, the canal remains bacteria-free. In addition to the known Acidovorax-like bacteria, multiple types of bacteria interact with the embryos externally and internally during the full course of development, and ultimately fill the gut lumen near the end of development prior to hatching. Colonization of the correct tissues by specific bacteria during differentiation and maturation of the organs must involve selective host defenses and signaling between the two partners to prevent over growth of nascent tissues.
Social Work Practitioners and Practice Evaluation: How Are We Doing?

Practice evaluation is an important component of evidence-based social work practice. Previous research in this area has concluded that even though social workers receive evaluation training, it remains under-utilized in practice. This study discusses the results of a survey of 134 social workers across different social work settings, positions, and level of preparation, examining incidence and type of evaluation activity, training received, and barriers related to implementing practice evaluation in the practice setting. Results report that the majority of social workers are not involved in evaluation activities beyond collecting basic statistics.
SEM and SAM study of sulfur segregation on a Cu3Au(110) surface

Abstract Sulfur segregation on a heated Cu 3 Au(110) surface has been studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning Auger microscopy (SAM) in an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environment. A special kind of spot contrast in the SEM images is observed as a result of the sulfur segregation. The spots are identified as segregating Au islands induced by the adsorption of sulfur on the surface. The imaging contrast mechanism of these islands is discussed. A kind of contact potential contrast is proposed to explain the SEM image contrast change with the surface sulfur coverage. Using the observed results the segregation processes can be clearly described and previous experimental results can be explained consistently.
Leber's primary optic atrophy with other central nervous system involvement

1. A brief review of the literature on Leber's primary optic atrophy with other central nervous system involvement is here presented. Attention is called to the extreme paucity of such reports in the American literature. 2. Two cases of the disease with other central nervous system involvement are presented and briefly discussed as to nosology and relationship to the heredofamilial group of diseases.
Sequence comparison of two highly homologous phycoerythrins differing in bilin composition

Genes encoding the α and β subunits of class II phycoerythrin from Synechococcus sp. strain WH8103 were cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequences were compared to class II phycoerythrin from Synechococcus sp. strain WH8020 and found to share 92% identity, yet the proteins differ in the bilin isomer (phycoerythrobilin versus phycourobilin) bound to two of the six chromophore attachment sites. Amino acid residues which might contact the bilin at each of the two variable sites were inferred by sequence alignment with phycocyanins. Putative bilin-contacting residues differing between the two phycocrythrins were identified which may determine bilin specificity.
Biogas: A promising renewable technology and its impact on rural households in Nepal

Nepal, one of the least developed countries, is characterized by very low per capita energy consumption. Because of a lack of other commercial sources of energy, the country relies heavily on traditional fuel source, especially firewood. In order to solve the energy problem in rural areas, the country initiated production and distribution of several renewable energy technologies. Among several technologies, biogas has been proved to be viable and emerged as a promising technology. It has been one of the most successful models for the production of clean, environmental friendly, cost effective source of energy and has multiple benefits. In this paper we present the current state and discuss benefits of the biogas technology in Nepal. Improved health, increased crop productivity, saved time for women are some of the major benefits to the users. It provides economic benefit to the country through reduced deforestation and carbon trading. In addition, by reducing green house gas emission, the technology helps in mitigating global warming and climate change. Thus biogas is a renewable, sustainable and clean source of energy that provides multiple benefits; locally and globally. With some exception, cattle dung has been used primarily as an input and the technology is limited to households only. More systematic and comprehensive study supported by research and development is required to use other degradable waste such as municipal waste to produce biogas on a large scale.
Patterns of water potential and photosynthesis of desert sand dune plants, Eureka Valley, California.

This study examined the mode of photosynthesis (C3 or C4), daily and seasonal patterns of xylem water potential, seasonal patterns of field photosynthesis, and the laboratory gas exchange characterisitcs of plants which grow on or in the vicinity of Eureka Dunes, Inyo County, California. The perennial duneendemic Swallenia alexandrae was found to possess the C4 pathway while all other taxa surveyed were C3. Plants which grew on the dunes exhibited: 1) significantly less negative xylem water potentials, 2) dampened seasonal changes in predawn water potentials, and 3) smaller seasonal amplitudes of water potential than plants of the adjoining flats. The minimum water potentials experienced by Swallenia during the hot summer months were a third of those endured by adjacent non-dune Larrea. Non-endemics growing on the dune had more negative xylem water potentals than dune endemics, but still never approached the low values of non-dune plants. The poor moisture retention properties of sand may have selected for moisture-conserving traits (stomatal closure at relatively high water potentials, high water use efficiency) rather than moisture-expending ones (osmoregulation, high leaf conductances) in the endemic perennials. Field measurements of photosynthesis showed that dune-restricted (but not necessarily endemic) plants had high photosynthetic capacities and sustained summer carbon assimilation, the latter being protracted months beyond the last pulse of precipitation. The C3 annual Dicoria canescens ssp. clarkae maintained photosynthetic rates well exceeding those of the C4 Swallenia throughout the summer and may represent a previously undescribed physiological life form in desert plants. Laboratory measurements supplemented the field data and compared the water use efficiencies of two dune endemics. It is suggested that high photosynthetic productivity, high water use efficiency, and carbon allocation to the longitudinal growth of roots and shoots are important physiological adaptations to shifting sand and substrate moisture depletion at Eureka Dunes.
Transmission electron microscopy study of the very early stages of diamond growth on iridium

Abstract The diamond nuclei generated during bias enhanced nucleation (BEN) on iridium were not detected so far by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The aim of the present work was to investigate their earliest appearance after BEN by applying very short growth steps, ranging from 5 s to 1 min. On all the samples with growth step crystalline diamond could be identified unequivocally by HRTEM and reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED). After 5 s the former nuclei have evolved into crystallites of 2 nm thickness and about 10 nm width. At that time the carbon precursor phase which appears amorphous in HRTEM and which was formed by the ion bombardment has largely disappeared. After 10 s no residues are left, which proves that the 1–2 nm-thick amorphous carbon layer is only stable under biasing conditions. The rapid etching of the precursor phase and the simultaneous slow increase in volume of the tiny diamond crystals results in a minimum in carbon coverage several seconds after termination of the BEN process.
Promoting understanding of chemical representations: Students' use of a visualization tool in the classroom

Many students have difficulty learning symbolic and molecular representations of chemistry. This study investigated how students developed an understanding of chemical representations with the aid of a computer-based visualizing tool, eChem, that allowed them to build molecular models and view multiple representations simultaneously. Multiple sources of data were collected with the participation of 71 eleventh graders at a small public high school over a 6-week period. The results of pre- and posttests showed that students' understanding of chemical representations improved substantially (p < .001, effect size = 2.68-. The analysis of video recordings revealed that several features in eChem helped students construct models and translate representations. Students who were highly engaged in discussions while using eChem made referential linkages between visual and conceptual aspects of representations. This in turn may have deepened their understanding of chemical representations and concepts. The findings also suggest that computerized models can serve as a vehicle for students to generate mental images. Finally, students demonstrated their preferences of certain types of representations and did not use all types of three-dimensional models interchangeably. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 38: 821–842, 2001
Measures of cultural competence in nurses: an integrative review.

Background. There is limited literature available identifying and describing the instruments that measure cultural competence in nursing students and nursing professionals. Design. An integrative review was undertaken to identify the characteristics common to these instruments, examine their psychometric properties, and identify the concepts these instruments are designed to measure. Method. There were eleven instruments identified that measure cultural competence in nursing. Of these eleven instruments, four had been thoroughly tested in either initial development or in subsequent testing, with developers providing extensive details of the testing. Results. The current literature identifies that the instruments to assess cultural competence in nurses and nursing students are self-administered and based on individuals' perceptions. The instruments are commonly utilized to test the effectiveness of educational programs designed to increase cultural competence. Conclusions. The reviewed instruments measure nurses' self-perceptions or self-reported level of cultural competence but offer no objective measure of culturally competent care from a patient's perspective which can be problematic. Comparison of instruments reveals that they are based on a variety of conceptual frameworks and that multiple factors should be considered when deciding which instrument to use.
A multi-layer adaptive protection scheme for IP/MPLS-over-WDM networks

In this paper, we propose an adaptive multilayer protection scheme for IP/MPLS-over-WDM networks. The scheme provides protection to two classes of traffic: high-priority traffic and normal traffic. The former requires fast restoration guarantee, while the latter can tolerate slow restoration. The key idea is to dynamically change the protection method for normal connections based on the current network condition so that both high-priority and normal connections experience reduced blocking. Specifically, high-priority connections are always protected with optical layer link-based protection; normal connections are protected with either optical layer path-based protection or IP layer LSP protection based on the current network condition. Simulation results show that the proposed adaptive multi-layer protection scheme can significantly reduce the blocking of both classes of traffic compared with a nonadatpive scheme.
TRACHEID BAR AND VESTURED PITS IN LEGUME SEEDS (LEGUMINOSAE: PAPILIONOIDEAE)

The tracheid bar, a strip composed of vertically oriented large tracheid-like cells (tracheoids), occurs only in the hilum of seeds of papilionoid legumes. An anatomical survey of the bar was made from seeds representing 232 species of 97 genera from 29 of the 31 tribes recognized by Polhill. Seeds were sectioned freehand, coated, then viewed by SEM. The tracheid bar is quite uniform in its general features throughout the subfamily, although differences in size and shape of both the bar and the tracheoids were found. Eight species from tribes considered to be among the primitive elements of the subfamily exhibited three variant forms: horizontal tracheary elements instead of the usual bar (2 species), tracheid bar with subtending but separate vascular bundle (1 species), and the tracheid bar with fused horizontal tracheary elements (5 species). Bordered pits of individual cells in the tracheid bar virtually always lacked a membrane and had smooth, warty, or variously elaborate vestures on the border. This appears to be the first report of vestured pits other than in secondary xylem. With some exceptions, bordered pits tended to be vestured in primitive tribes, warty in intermediate tribes, and smooth or only slightly warty in the most advanced tribes. A TRACHEID BAR occurs only in papilionoid legume seeds. It is a strip of large tracheid-like cells (tracheoids) which are lignified, pitted, and almost always oriented with their long axis perpendicular to the hilar groove. The tracheid bar extends from the micropyle at one edge of the hilum to the ovular bundle which enters the seed at the opposite edge (Fig. 1). These facts were known in the 19th century (Mattirolo and Buscalioni, 1892; Pfaefflin, 1897; Pammel, 1899), although based on a small number of taxa. In this century, numerous light microscope investigations have depicted the hilum only in transectional view, and without much detail of
Cherokee admixture and its estimation by the gene identity method: A critique

A previous application to a Cherokee hybrid population of two methods for measuring admixture proportions by use of gene identity probabilities was examined. The results suggest that neither procedure has been correctly applied, and that underlying statistical difficulties limit their reliability.
Wild-Pigeon-Related Psittacosis in a Family

Three members of a family acquired psittacosis after exposure to a wild pigeon. Each of the patients had pulmonary infiltrates, prominent headache, abdominal complaints, and serologic evidence for infection with Chlamydia psittaci. Of 759 cases of psittacosis reported to the Centers for Disease Control for the period of 1974 to 1981, some 75 (10 percent) were associated with pigeons. Fifty-two of the cases were associated with domestic pigeons and 23 with wild pigeons. Pigeons represent a largely unrecognized reservoir of psittacosis in the United States.
Calcium phosphate phase transformations in serum.

A better knowledge of the pathological calcification mechanisms should provide a rational basis for their control. In the present study, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD, CaHPO4·2H2O) was used as a source of calcium and phosphate ions to investigate the mechanism of formation of more basic and more insoluble calcium phosphates in ultrafiltered serum (u.f.s.). DCPD crystals were suspended in u.f.s. at 37°C by constant stirring; samples were removed periodically for calcium and phosphate analysis and pH measurement. Occasionally, samples of solids were removed for X-ray diffraction. The experiments were carried out both with and without a 5.5% CO2 atmosphere. After initially becoming saturated with DCPD, the u.f.s. composition changed and became saturated with respect to octacalcium phosphate (OCP, Ca8H2 (PO4)6·5H2O). At this point OCP crystals were detected in the solid phase by X-ray diffraction. Further stirring changed the composition so that it became undersaturated with both DCPD and OCP and shifted toward, but did not reach, a value so low as to be saturated with hydroxyapatite (OHAp, (Ca5(PO4)3OH). The presence of CO2 in the atmosphere slowed down, but did not prevent, the above sequence of events. The above results strongly suggest that calcifications, beneficial and pathological, that take place in serum may involve OCP as a precursor, which hydrolyzesin situ to a more basic apatitic product. The results also indicate that direct formation of OHAp in u.f.s. is a very slow process and may occur only rarely. The process appears to be similar in whole serum.
“Sterile Urine” and the Presence of Bacteria

Adult human urine is not sterile. The resident bacterial community may contribute to urinary health and disease in undiscovered ways. Bacterial genomic sequencing and expanded urine culture techniques are major complementary tools for scientific exploration in urologic research.
Do Stocks Really Provide the Highest Return in the Long Run

It is generally believed that in the long-run, stock markets outperform markets for other securities. By and large, this belief in the long-term profitability of equity investment is based on historical experience, especially in the U.S. An interesting, and potentially important, question then involves how universal this experience has been, at least among other major industrial economies. This paper examines the return over 18 years to stock, bond, and convertible bond market portfolios in Japan. It shows that contrary to what one might have expected, and based on risk-adjusted as well as risk-unadjusted measures of performance, the stock market returns have been much poorer than the returns to market portfolios of bonds and convertible bonds.
Insulin induces rapid accumulation of insulin receptors and increases tyrosine kinase activity in the nucleus of cultured adipocytes

To better understand the mechanism by which insulin exerts effects on events at the cell nucleus, we have studied insulin receptors and tyrosine kinase activity in nuclei isolated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation following insulin treatment of differentiated 3T3-F442A cells. Insulin stimulated nuclear accumulation of insulin receptors by approximately threefold at 5 min. The half-maximal effect was observed with 1–10 nM insulin. Following insulin treatment, phosphotyrosine content associated with the nuclear insulin receptor was also increased by twofold at 5 min with a similar insulin concentration dependency. These nuclear insulin receptors differ from the membrane-associated insulin receptors in that they were not efficiently solubilized with 1% Triton X–100. During the same period of time, insulin stimulaced nuclear tyrosine kinase activity toward the exogenous substrate poly Glu4: Tyr1 tenfold in a time-dependent manner reaching a maximum at 30 min. The insulin receptor substrate protein 1 (IRS-1) could not be detected in the nucleus by immunoblotting. However, a nuclear protein with Mr ≈ 220 kDa was tyrosine phosphorylated, and insulin further stimulated this process threefold >30 mins. Surface labeling was performed to determine if the nuclear insulin receptors would emerge from the plasma membrane fraction. Using 1251-BPA-insulin with intact cells, the intensity of nuclear insulin receptor labeling was negligible and not increased throughout 30 min incubation at 37°C. In contrast, there was an increase in labeled receptors in the microsomal fraction following insulin treatment. Taken together, these results indicate that insulin rapidly increases nuclear insulin receptor appearance and activates nuclear tyrosine kinase activity. The insulin-induced accumulation of nuclear insulin receptors cannot be accounted for by internalization of surface membrane receptors. These effects of insulin may play an important role in action of the hormone at the nuclear level. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION IN MICE DURING THORACIC SURGERY: A SIMPLE INEXPENSIVE TECHNIC.

During experiments designed to determine the effect of unilateral thymectomy on the unilateral development of thymic lymphoma in mice (1,2) an apparatus for artificial respiration with positive pressure oxygen in mice was developed. Use of the device permits wide surgical exposure of the thorax and approximates the conditions accomplished by modern anesthesia machines. Because the device decreases the hazard of pneumothorax during experimental surgery on mice and is inexpensive to construct, the apparatus is presented for possible interest to other investigators.The apparatus consists of 3 parts: 1) a flow valve, bubble meter, and high pressure limit assembly; 2) a valve to provide intermittent oxygen flow, and 3) an endotracheal catheter (Fig. 1.)1. Flow valve, bubble meter, and high pressure limit assembly. The regulation of small amounts of oxygen is accomplished by use of a screw clamp on the oxygen supply rubber tubing which leads directly from the reducing valve of a standard oxygen tank. The rate o...
Tension leg platform design optimization for vortex induced vibration

Tension Leg Platform design is a challenging and popular area of research in the offshore oil industry. In order to compete in the International Student Offshore Design Competition (ISODC), a Tension Leg Platform (TLP) was designed. Out TLP design addresses five fundamental areas of technical competency (general arrangement and overall hull/system design, weight, buoyancy and stability, global loading, general strength and structural design, risk assessment) and three specialized areas of technical competency unique to Vortex Induced Vibration (VIV) optimized design (hydrodynamics of motions and loading, fatigue strength, and structural analysis: global and local strength). Our design optimization process begins with a four-caisson, four-pontoon tension leg platform, operating at a depth of 3,000 ft. Hydrostatic and hydrodynamic analysis for design iterations are performed by our own MATLAB script, which calculates the effects of motions due to Vortex Induced Vibration (VIV). Structural analysis addresses fatigue loading from VIV. Our design includes risk-based analysis and conforms to class society rules and regulations. VIV phenomena cause uncontrollable motions of offshore platforms, as well as fatigue damage and failure of components such as cables and risers. The effects of VIV need to be addressed early in the design process to avoid costly platform damage and costly retrofits, such as hydrodynamic strakes for platform tendons.
Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lung: absence of KIT mutations.

BACKGROUND. Primary pulmonary adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACCs) are rare lung neoplasms that are challenging to completely resect and can exhibit poor survival. Adjuvant therapy is often ineffective and identification of a targeted novel therapy would be useful. The objective of the current study was to evaluate KIT expression and KIT-activating mutations. METHODS. Primary salivary gland-type tumors of the lung diagnosed between 1972 and 2002 at the Mayo Clinic were identified and the subset of primary pulmonary ACCs were reviewed. Immunohistochemical study for KIT expression and KIT gene mutations in exons 9, 11, 13, and 17 were performed on paraffin-embedded tissue. RESULTS. Forty-nine patients were diagnosed with primary pulmonary ACC. The majority of ACC cases were predominantly the cribriform type (74.4%). KIT immunoreactivity was evaluated in 34 cases and was found to be present in all but 1 case (97%). No mutations were detected in KIT gene exons 9, 11, 13, and 17 in a subset of 12 cases. CONCLUSIONS. Although KIT expression was found frequently in primary pulmonary ACC, a correlation with KIT-activating mutations was not observed. Cancer 2007. Published 2007 by the American Cancer Society
High-pressure sound velocities and elasticity of aluminous MgSiO3 perovskite to 45 GPa: Implications for lateral heterogeneity in Earth's lower mantle

[1] Brillouin scattering measurements on aluminous magnesium silicate perovskite, arguably the most abundant phase in Earth, have been performed to 45 GPa in a diamond anvil cell at room temperature, using methanol-ethanol-water and neon as pressure transmitting media. The experiments were performed on a polycrystalline sample of aluminous MgSiO3 perovskite containing 5.1 ± 0.2 wt.% Al2O3. The pressure derivatives of the adiabatic bulk (K0S) and shear (μ0S) moduli are 3.7 ± 0.3 and 1.7 ± 0.2, respectively. These measurements allow us to evaluate whether the observed lateral variations of seismic wave speeds in Earth's lower mantle are due at least in part to a chemical origin. Our results indicate that a difference in the aluminum content of silicate perovskite, reflecting a variation in overall chemistry, is a plausible candidate for such seismic heterogeneity.
Effects of Alternative Host Plants on Longevity, Oviposition, and Emergence of Western and Northern Corn Rootworms (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The longevity of adult female western corn rootworms, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, maintained on diets of squash blossoms, sunflower ray florets or inflorescences, and goldenrod inflorescences was significantly reduced compared with beetles maintained on corn ears. However, beetles survived for extended periods on these diets and produced viable eggs. Oviposition rates were inversely proportional to adult longevity so that total oviposition was largely unaffected by diet. By contrast, adult female northern corn rootworms, Diabrotica barberi Smith & Lawrence, showed only minor differences in longevity on the alternative diets. Adult emergence of both species from corn plots previously interplanted with corn, squash, or sunflower in close proximity was similarly distributed among the three parental foods, demonstrating that considerable oviposition occurs where larvae that specialize in corn cannot feed. When emergence was monitored at least 4.5 m away from adjacent host species, significantly more adults emerged from areas previously planted in corn. These results indicate that oviposition near larval food might be directed more by long-range volatiles from corn than by visual or physical attributes of plants within sites. Choice of ovipositional sites and adult foods represents clearly distinct behaviors in female rootworms, and western corn rootworm, in particular, will lay eggs in sites where feeding reduces fitness.