cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
962-63 Stress-only Tc99m-Sestamibi Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in Patients with a Low Probability of CAD: Short-term Follow-up of a Streamlined Perfusion Imaging Protocol

Traditional scintigraphic assessment of CAD and ischemia has required a comparison of stress to resting images. In the setting of a high quality normal stress image, there is conceptually low yield from rest imaging; however no data are available to support this concept ad to relate the use of this type of imaging protocol to outcomes. To investigate this type of protocol, we prospectively evaluated 70 patients, mean age 49 ± 11 years (56% women), who had a low-to-moderate pre-test probability of CAD (23 ± 22%, based on Diamond-Forrester criteria prior to stress testing), SPECT imaging was performed following the injection of 20 mCi Tc99m-sestamibi at peak stress. Rest imaging was only performed in the setting of abnormal or equivocal stress images. Of the 70 patients, 83% had treadmill testing; 17% pharmaco-logic stress. In the patients undergoing treadmill testing, mean exercise time was 10 ± 3 minutes and the maximum predicted heart rate achieved was 93 ± 2%. Chest pain symptoms occurred in 11 patients (16%). In 68 patients, the stress images were interpreted as normal and rest imaging was not performed: in 2 patients stress images were abnormal. Short-term follow-up (5.6 ± 2 months, range 1,5–11 months) was obtained in 68 of 70 patients (97%): among the 66 patients with normal stress-only images, there were no deaths, myocardial infarction, or revascularization; one hospitalization for chest pain resulted in catheterization demonstrating non-critical CAD. Both patients with abnormal stress-only images were subsequently found to have significant angiographic CAD. Hence, in patients selected for a low pre-test probability of CAD, a stress-only protocol will result in the need for few sets of resting images, optimizing camera usage and throughput, with potential cost savings. In the absence of information provided by resting images, a normal stress-only SPECT sestamibi image in this setting is associated with a benign short-term outcome, similar to that reported for a full stress-rest sestamibi protocol.
Regionalism, Regime Transformation, and PRONASOL: The Politics of the National Solidarity Programme in Four Mexican States

Political change in Mexico since the crisis of 1994 has been characterised by the breakdown of centralised hierarchies and the dispersion of power across geographical regions. We examine the changing relations between regional officials of the National Solidarity Programme (PRONASOL) and local PRI politicians in four Mexican states: Puebla, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, and Baja California. Although PRONASOL was dismantled after 1994, the influence of anti-poverty bureaucrats has varied across geographic regions, depending on whether they had been authorised to engage in grass-roots mobilisation and/or party politics under Salinas. We emphasise the importance of regional politics in transitions from dominant-party regimes, and the impact of conflicts within the political hierarchies of the old regime.
Follicle-stimulating hormone interacts with exoloop 3 of the receptor.

Abstract The human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor consists of two distinct domains of ∼330 amino acids, the N-terminal extracellular exodomain and membrane-associated endodomain including three exoloops and seven transmembrane helices. The exodomain binds the hormone with high affinity, and the resulting hormone/exodomain complex modulates the endodomain where receptor activation occurs. It has been an enigma whether the hormone interacts with the endodomain. In a step to address the question, exoloop 3 of580KVPLITVSKAK590 was examined by Ala scan, multiple substitution, assays for hormone binding, cAMP and inositol phosphate (IP) induction, and photoaffinity labeling. We present the evidence for the interaction of FSH and exoloop 3. A peptide mimic of exoloop 3 specifically and saturably photoaffinity-labels FSH α but not FSH β. This is in contrast to photoaffinity labeling of FSH β by the peptide mimic of the N-terminal region of the receptor. Leu583 and Ile584 are crucial for the interaction of FSH and exoloop 3. Substitutions of these two residues enhanced the hormone binding affinity. This is due to the loss of the original side chains but not the introduction of new side chains. The Leu583 and Ile584 side chains appear to project in opposite directions. Ile584 appears to be so specific and to require flexibility and stereo specificity so that no other amino acids can fit into its place. Leu583 is less specific. The improvement in hormone binding by substitutions was offset by the severe impairment of signal generation of cAMP and/or inositol phosphate. For example, the Phe or Tyr substitution of Leu583 improved the hormone binding and cAMP induction but impaired IP induction. On the other hand, the substitutions for Ile584 and Lys590abolished the cAMP and IP induction. Our results open a logical question whether Leu583, Ile584, and Lys590 interact with the exodomain and/or the hormone. The answers will provide new insights into the mechanisms of hormone binding and signal generation.
Optimal Placement of PZT Transducers for Passive Vibration Control of Planar Composite Structures

In this paper, an attempt is made to determine the electric potential that would be generated in the piezoelectric vibration absorber using finite element piezoelectric analysis to determine optimal location for damping of first mode. Optimal placement of piezoelectric vibration absorber for passive vibration control of a cantilever composite plate is investigated. Finite element piezoelectric modal analysis is performed. Models based on placing piezoelectric vibration absorbers at five different locations on the surface of the plate and incorporating piezoelectric properties are built. Modal analysis is used to find the electric potential developed in the piezoelectric vibration absorber. The location that yields the highest amount of electric potential would be the best location for the vibration absorber. First bending mode of the cantilever composite plate is aimed for damping. Results of the analysis are verified with an experimental testing of the composite plate with piezoelectric vibration absorber firmly attached to the plate. A good agreement is found between the analytical and experimental results. Further, a resistive shunt circuit is designed for the passive damping of the first mode and attached to the vibration absorber in which the electric potential developed would be dissipated as heat to obtain passive vibration compensation. The experiment also demonstrates that a damping of 6 percent is obtained in the first mode and a great amount of damping is achieved in the second and third modes too.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Electrons and magnetic fields in the lunar plasma wake

[1] Earth's Moon, lacking both a global magnetic field and any significant atmosphere, presents an ideal location to study plasma flow past a solar system body in one of its simplest incarnations. Despite its relative simplicity, however, the lunar wake interaction displays a rich array of physics, with both fluid and kinetic aspects. We present a new study of the lunar wake, using measurements from Lunar Prospector (LP) to determine the magnetic field, electron density and temperature, and electrostatic potential. We use these data and Wind key parameter data to characterize the wake near the Moon. At 85–115 km above the Moon we observe a “classical” wake signature, with enhanced magnetic fields in the central wake and reduced fields near the boundary. The magnetic signature at these altitudes responds clearly to changes in solar wind parameters, while that at 20–45 km depends mainly on crustal fields. We also observe an ambipolar potential drop across the wake boundary (resulting in central wake potentials of about −300 V relative to the solar wind) and greatly reduced electron density and increased electron temperature in the wake. The wake morphology, in terms of both electron parameters and magnetic fields, is well described by self-similar solutions for plasma expansion into a void and the resulting diamagnetic current system, but only if Kappa functions are used to describe the solar wind electron distributions.
Functional Interaction between Paramyxovirus Fusion and Attachment Proteins

Paramyxovirinae envelope glycoproteins constitute a premier model to dissect how specific and dynamic interactions in multisubunit membrane protein complexes can control deep-seated conformational rearrangements. However, individual residues that determine reciprocal specificity of the viral attachment and fusion (F) proteins have not been identified. We have developed an assay based on a pair of canine distemper virus (CDV) F proteins (strains Onderstepoort (ODP) and Lederle) that share ∼95% identity but differ in their ability to form functional complexes with the measles virus (MV) attachment protein (H). Characterization of CDV F chimeras and mutagenesis reveals four residues in CDV F-ODP (positions 164, 219, 233, and 317) required for productive interaction with MV H. Mutating these residues to the Lederle type disrupts triggering of F-ODP by MV H without affecting functionality when co-expressed with CDV H. Co-immunoprecipitation shows a stronger physical interaction of F-ODP than F-Lederle with MV H. Mutagenesis of MV F highlights the MV residues homologous to CDV F residues 233 and 317 as determinants for physical glycoprotein interaction and fusion activity under homotypic conditions. In assay reversal, the introduction of sections of the CDV H stalk into MV H shows a five-residue fragment (residues 110–114) to mediate specificity for CDV F-Lederle. All of the MV H stalk chimeras are surface-expressed, show hemadsorption activity, and trigger MV F. Combining the five-residue H chimera with the CDV F-ODP quadruple mutant partially restores activity, indicating that the residues identified in either glycoprotein contribute interdependently to the formation of functional complexes. Their localization in structural models of F and H suggests that placement in particular of F residue 233 in close proximity to the 110–114 region of H is structurally conceivable.
Disease and family contributors to adaptation in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile diabetes

Objective. Research in the areas of pediatric rheumatology and pediatric chronic illness has emphasized comprehensive models of adaptation involving risk and resistance factors. This study examined adaptation, within this framework, among a large sample of children with chronic illness and children without chronic illness. Methods. A comprehensive battery of adaptation measures was administered to a sample of 107 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, 114 children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and 88 healthy controls. Results. Medical diagnosis was associated with mothers' depression and a composite measure of parental (mother and father) distress and passive coping. Children's emotional and behavioral functioning was not related to medical diagnosis, but mothers' depression and parental distress were associated with child behavior problems. Conclusion. Because parental distress was associated with child functioning, interventions to ameliorate parental distress may have beneficial effects on the children's behavior and on parents' reactions to their children.
Potential application of Raman spectroscopy for determining burial duration of skeletal remains

Raman spectroscopy was used to study trends in chemical composition of bones in a burial environment. A turkey bone was sectioned and buried for short intervals between 12 and 62 days. Buried sections were analyzed using Raman microspectroscopy with 785 nm excitation. The results indicate that chemical changes in bone due to soil bacteria are time-dependent. Spectroscopic trends within buried bone segments were correlated to burial duration. A preliminary model was constructed using peak integration of Raman bands. Data collected within buried bone segments fit very well in this model. The model constructed is sensitive to changes in bone composition in a scale of days. This study illustrates the great potential of Raman spectroscopy as a non-destructive method for estimating the burial duration of bone for forensic purposes.
Comparison of three types of light-curing devices

Shortened curing times for light activated composites have been sought for many years. This study was conducted to compare diametral tensile strengths (DTS) of four composites cured with three light curing devices: halogen lamp, argon laser and plasma arc. Twelve samples were made for each composite and light curing device for a total of 192 samples. Diametral tensile strengths were measured on the Instron testing machine and statistical analysis performed using ANOVA and Fisher PLSD. Results indicate there wee no statistical differences in the DTS of the composites tested as a result of the curing light source. The Plasma Arc curing light was able to produce statistically equal diametral tensile strengths in 3 and 6 seconds as compared to the argon laser in 10 seconds and the halogen light in 40 seconds. Supported in part by Dental Medical Diagnostics.
Exploring parallelism in short sequence mapping using Burrows-Wheeler Transform

Next-generation high throughput sequencing instruments are capable of generating hundreds of millions of reads in a single run. Mapping those reads to a reference genome is an extremely compute-intensive process that takes more than a day on a modern computer even when the accuracy of the results is traded off to speed up the execution. In this work, we explore various data distribution strategies for parallel execution of three state-of-the-art mapping tools, namely Bowtie, BWA and SOAP2, that are based on the Burrows-Wheeler Transformation. We report on the performance of these strategies and show that the best strategy depends on the input scenario as well as the relative efficiency of the tools in the indexing and matching steps of the mapping process. The parallelization strategies investigated in this paper are general and can easily be applied to different mapping algorithms. With the availability of parallel execution methods, it will be possible to carry out more intensive computations that cannot be accomplished in a reasonable time using sequential tools, including mapping with larger mismatch tolerance.
Cross-pinning for added retention.

M odern instruments and materials, together with advancements in the understanding of the gnathologic mechanism, have allowed dentists to restore to function teeth that were previously thought to be unrestorable. One technical development that has contributed greatly to this goal is the use of pins to gain a better grasp of the remaining tooth structure. There are pinning systems available today to help retain silver amalgam, silicate cement, resin, and gold restorations. The purpose of this discussion on pins is to present some indications for cross-pinning gold restorations and to describe a technique. Cross-pinning is a method of using pins to add retention by placing them through gold restorations in a direction other than the path of draw of these restorations.
Ethnic differences in past hysterectomy for benign conditions.

Background Hysterectomy for a benign condition is common, particularly in the underserved. The objective was to determine if ethnic differences could be explained by known risk factors. Methods A phone survey was conducted at random on 15,160 women, ages 40–55, from seven US cities. Subjects were 49.9% Caucasian, 28.1% African American, 12.3% Hispanic, and 9.8% Asian American. Results Ethnicity was associated with past hysterectomy (odds ratio [OR]: Caucasian = 1.0, African American = 1.66; confidence interval [CI] = 1.46–1.88, Hispanic = 1.64, CI = 1.29–2.07; Asian American = 0.44, CI = 0.34–0.56), after adjustment for age, education, fibroids, body mass index, marital status, smoking, geographic site, and country of education. Conclusion Because the highest rates occurred in the disadvantaged African American and Hispanic subgroups, and could not be explained by known risk factors, disparity in the form of overuse in these disadvantaged groups may exist.
Quantum Monte Carlo study of the metal-insulator transition for a hydrogen lattice

Abstract The metal-insulator transition (Mott transition) for atomic hydrogen on an ordered lattice at zero degrees kelvin is estimated by the diffusion Monte Carlo algorithm with simple variational trial wave functions to occur at an interatomic separation of 4.4 Bohr radii.
The effect of a coronal shock wave on the solar wind ionization state

In connection with studies of solar wind ionization state freezing, it is shown that, by using a Lagrangian approach of following individual fluid parcels, the techniques used previously for calculating ionization state variations in a steady state case can be extended straightforwardly to time-varying flows. The specific ionization state calculations presented are for a relatively simple picture of time-dependent coronal flow, based on a well-known model of a self-similar shock wave propagating through the corona. Time-dependent ionization effects for the sudden transition between two otherwise steady flows are likely to be limited to a narrow range of gas parcels which, having been shocked within the coronal freezing-in radius, pass a fixed interplanetary observer in an interval of a few tens of minutes. The amplitude of any rise in interplanetary ionization temperature associated with the coronal shock is likely to be considerably smaller than the jump in electron temperature that actually occurs in the corona.
Measurement of surface stress during epitaxial growth of Ge on arsenic terminated Si(001)

Using a simple optical technique, we have measured the change in surface stress of Si(001) during the adsorption of a monolayer of arsenic and during the epitaxial growth of germanium with arsenic as a surfactant. Tensile surface stress increases nearly linearly with arsenic coverage until it attains a value of 1400 ± 100 dyn/cm at a full monolayer. During germanium deposition on an arsenic terminated surface, (compressive) surface stress increases at a rate of −1270 dyn/cm per ML (monolayer) between 3 and 8 or 9 ML, the known critical film thickness for defect formation; the stress per monolayer found above 10 ML is substantially smaller.
Biosynthesis of 4-14C- and 7α-3H-labeled 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one and 7α-3h-3β, 20α-dihydroxypregn-5-ene

Abstract A procedure is described for the preparation of 4-14C- and 7α-3H-labeled 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one and 7α-3H-3β, 20α-dihydroxypregn-5-ene. The method employs the soluble 20αhydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from human placentae. The radioactive 20α-hydroxysteroids free of any 20β-epimers are recovered in greater than 40% yield after partition column chromatography. The radiochemical purity of the products has been demonstrated using countercurrent distribution.
Critical flicker fusion perimetry and the adaptation level of the eye.

MOST scientists concerned with the physiology of vision agree that the temporal resolution of the cone system is greater than that of the rod system. In only a few of the experimental studies, however, is the evidence convincing that exclusively rods or exclusively cones were indeed functioning over some appropriate range of stimulus environments. Colour visibility, small stimulus fields, and widely discrete levels of adaptation have been tried with only indifferent success. Moreover, the cone system is reported only to be generally faster, not always so. Many of the studies find that the rods sometimes resolve light pulses at higher frequencies than do the cones. Our predictive knowledge of this whole problem is poor. We can probably safely assert only that a small dim stimulus in the retinal periphery will be less adequately resolved than a similar stimulus in or near the fovea, while, on the contrary, a large bright stimulus will be better resolved in the periphery. There is some additional evidence for an annulus of high resolution at about 10° from the fovea.
Overexpression of the human manganese superoxide dismutase (Mnsod) Transgene prevents irradiation apoptosis of 32D cl 3 hematopoietic progenitor cells by stabilization of the mitochondria

Abstract Subclones of 32D cl 3, 32D-Bcl-xl, 1F2 and 2C6 which demonstrate overexpression of the human MnSOD transgene had increased radioresistance and decreased apoptosis compared to 32D cl 3. Comet assay demonstrated that DNA strand breaks were repaired in all cell lines by 30 minutes (mins) following 200, 400 or 600 cGy, and all had increased migration of Bax and SAP kinases p38 and Jnk1 to the mitochondria 3 hrs after irradiation. Only 32D cl 3 had increased cytochrome-C release, caspase-3 biochemical activity, and poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activation at 6 hrs. At 6 hrs, 10.6% of 32D cl 3 cells showed a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential compared to 2.9, 1.7 and 1.8% for 1F2, 2C6 and 32D-Bcl-xl, respectively. 32D c1 3 showed a decrease in mitochondrial complex I and III activity, and decreased levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) compared to 1F2 and 2C6. 32D cl 3, 1F2, 2C6 or 32D-Bcl-xl were incubated with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyroline N-oxide (DMPO) spin-trap chemical and irradiated. Electron paramagnetic (spin) resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of spin-trapped adducts demonstrated that 32D cl 3 or 32D-Bcl-xl cells had a higher concentration of free radicals following irradiation than 1F2 or 2C6. Peroxidation of mitochondrial-specific diphosphatidyl-glycerol (DPG) was increased in 32D cl 3 cells compared to 1F2. Thus, the irradiation protective role of MnSOD is due to stabilization of the mitochondria.
Lipopolysaccharide exposure during purification of human monocytes by adherence increases their recovery and cytolytic activity

Abstract Exposure of monocytes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during, but not after, adherence purification increased their cytolytic activity in short-term 51 Cr-release assays against K562 target cells. In the absence of LPS only a minority of monocytes could be recovered by adherence. With 1 ng/ml to 10 μg/ml LPS present during the 1-hr adherence procedure, however, monocytes spread more extensively on serum-coated plastic and glass surfaces and virtually all of the monocytes in a mononuclear leukocyte preparation were recovered in the adherent fraction. While increasing the recovery of monocytes threefold, LPS exposure during adherence also increased monocyte purity as assessed by peroxidase staining, morphology, and indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal Mo2. The proportion of Leu-11-positive NK cells in the adherent fraction did not change. Depletion of NK cells by treatment with anti-Leu-11b and complement eliminated cytolytic activity from the nonadherent, but not from the adherent, fraction isolated with LPS. Thus, addition of LPS during adherence produced a monocyte preparation with enhanced cytolytic activity not attributable to NK contaminants. To test whether LPS caused production of lymphokines that activate monocytes, we tested supernatants of unseparated mononuclear leukocytes for the capacity to stimulate purified monocytes for cytolysis. Such supernatants stimulated monocytes more effectively than LPS alone. We conclude that LPS stimulates monocytes for cytolysis most effectively during adherence purification because LPS allows the recovery of weakly adherent monocytes with high cytolytic capacity; also, LPS may stimulate production of lymphokines that further augment monocyte cytolytic activity.
Three-dimensional optical coherence tomography imaging of retinal sheet implants in live rats.

Purpose To obtain three-dimensional images from retinal transplants in live animals and evaluate the placement and structural quality of the transplants.
tructural genomics of microbes: an objective

A comparison of the genome sequences of more than 20 microorganisms reveals that a large fraction of the genes have unknown functions. Determining the structures of the proteins coded by these genes may provide additional key information in an effort to uncover the molecular functions of such proteins and new protein fold patterns. Using existing technology, it is possible to obtain a complete sequence complement and a near complete structural complement for a small microbial genome. Such information may provide a comprehensive view of a small organism, which, in turn, can serve as a platform for understanding more complex organisms.
Distinct distances in homogeneous sets

We show that the number of distinct distances in a well-distributed set of n points in Rd is O (n2/d-1/d2) which is not far from the best known upper bound O(n2/d).
Nonunion of the scaphoid: Analysis of the results from bone grafting

Scaphoid nonunion was treated by bone-grafting techniques in 86 patients with 90 scaphoid fractures. The volar inlay (Russe) technique had union in 38 of 44 fractures (86%); the dorsal inlay (Matti) technique in 20 of 22 fractures (91%); the dorsal peg graft (Murray) in nine of 18 fractures (50%); and compression screw osteosynthesis in one of six cases (17%). Fourteen patients had secondary arthritis associated with fracture union. Union was more frequent (85%) in 54 undisplaced nonunions than in 36 displaced nonunions (65%). Complications included avascular necrosis, secondary arthrosis, and persistent nonunion. Avascular necrosis in 13 nonunions was treated successfully by inlay grafts in 11, and postoperative avascular necrosis (four nonunions) was resolved after fracture healing in two. The four patients with failed results had the dorsal peg grafting technique. Of 22 persistent nonunions, 16 had secondary arthritis and four had avascular necrosis. The rate of union was increased when Kirschner wire fixation of unstable nonunions was performed. The dorsal and volar inlay techniques had consistently higher rates of union with fewer complications than did the dorsal peg grafting technique.
Dietary two-generation reproduction study of thiabendazole in Sprague-Dawley rats

The potential reproductive toxicity of the fungicide and anthelmintic thiabendazole (TBZ) was assessed in Sprague-Dawley rats for two generations. Doses of 10, 30 or 90 mg/kg/day were administered by way of the diet beginning at 8 wk of age for the F0 generation and postnatal wk 4 for the F1 generation and continuing until the animals were killed. Concentrations of TBZ in the diet were adjusted weekly, except during the gestation and lactation intervals when concentrations were held constant. There were no TBZ-related deaths or adverse physical signs during the study. TBZ-related effects consisted of decreases in average body weight gains and food consumption in the middle and high dose groups. In both the F0 and F1 generations during the premating and post-cohabitation periods, the effects in the middle-dose group were observed only in males and were generally slight in magnitude (food consumption 3-5% below control, weight gain 7-18% below control), whereas the effects in the high dose group occurred in both sexes and were slight to moderate in magnitude (food consumption 9-13% below control, weight gain 13-46% below control). During gestation of the F0 females there were slight decreases in average weight gain and food consumption (8% and 4-16% below control, respectively); a similar effect on food consumption, but not weight gain, occurred in the F1 generation. There were no effects on F0 or F1 reproductive performance (including indices of mating, fecundity, fertility, length of gestation, litter size, birth weight, and post-implantation survival), nor were any histomorphological changes observed in the reproductive tissues of animals in the high dose group. There was no evidence of developmental toxicity in the TBZ-exposed F1 or F2 generations, except for slight decreases in average pup weights between postnatal days 4 and 21 in the high dose group (5-10% below control). The NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect level) for all developmental, growth, survival and reproductive performance parameters assessed in this study was 10 mg/kg/day.
Atomistic modeling of the interaction of glide dislocations with “weak” interfaces

Abstract Using atomistic modeling and anisotropic elastic theory, the interaction of glide dislocations with interfaces in a model Cu–Nb system was explored. The incoherent Cu–Nb interfaces have relatively low shear strength and are referred to as “weak” interfaces. This work shows that such interfaces are very strong traps for glide dislocations and, thus, effective barriers for slip transmission. The key aspects of the glide dislocation–interface interactions are as follows. (i) The weak interface is readily sheared under the stress field of an impinging glide dislocation. (ii) The sheared interface generates an attractive force on the glide dislocation, leading to the absorption of dislocation in the interface. (iii) Upon entering the interface, the glide dislocation core readily spreads into an intricate pattern within the interface. Consequently, the glide dislocations in both Cu and Nb crystals are energetically favored to enter the interface when they are located within 1.5 nm from the interface. In addition to the trapping of dislocations in weak interfaces, this paper also discusses geometric factors such as the crystallographic discontinuity of slip systems across the Cu/Nb interfaces, which contribute to the difficulty of dislocation transmission across an interface. The implications of these findings to the unusually high strengths experimentally measured in Cu/Nb nanolayered composites are discussed.
Growth Requirements of Streptococcus mitis and Sulfonamide Resistance.

Summary1. Differences in the vitamin requirements of susceptible strains of S. mitis, their artificially-induced resistant variants and a naturally-resistant S. fecalis, have been determined. 2. The greatest difference was in the PGA requirements, the mitis strains grew in its absence; the resistant mutants required PGA. 3. The induced resistance of the trained S. mitis strains appears to be the same as that of the natural resistance of S. fecalis, and may be due to the loss of ability to synthesize PGA, the synthesis of which is inhibited by sulfonamides.
A TALE OF TWO DECADES: SOUTHERN HOUSE ELECTIONS IN THE 1980s AND 1990s

In the 1980s Republicans were unable to capture a majority of southern seats in the US House of Representatives. In the 1990s the GOP gained seats in the South in three consecutive elections. After the 1994 election, Republicans held a majority of southern House seats for the first time since Reconstruction. This note argues that southern House elections were nationalized in the 1990s as districts that voted Republican in presidential elections were far more likely to elect a Republican representative than in the preceding decade.
Growth, sucrose synthase, and invertase activities of developing Phaseolus vulgaris L. fruits

Activities of the sucrose-cleaving enzymes, acid and neutral invertase and sucrose synthase, were measured in pods and seeds of developing snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) fruits, and compared with 14C-import, elongation and dry weight accumulation. During the first 10 d post-anthesis, pods elongated rapidly with pod dry weight increase lagging behind by several days. The temporal patterns of acid invertase activity and import coincided closely during the first part of pod development, consonant with a central role for this enzyme in converting imported sucrose during pod elongation and early dry weight accumulation. Later, sucrose synthase became the predominant enzyme of dry weight accumulation and was possibly associated with the development of phloem in pod walls. Sucrose synthase activity in seeds showed two peaks, corresponding to two phases of rapid import and dry weight accumulation; hence, sucrose synthase was associated with seed sink growth. Acid invertase activities in seeds were low and did not show a noticeable relationship with import or growth. All neutral invertase activities, during pod and seed development, were too low for it to have a dominant role in sucrose cleavage. Changes in activities of certain sucrose-cleaving enzymes appear to be correlated with certain sink functions, including import, storage of reserves, and biosynthetic activities. The data supports the association of specific sucrose-cleaving enzymes with the specific processes that occur in the developing pods and seeds of snap bean fruits; for example, acid invertase with pod elongation and sucrose synthase with fruit dry matter accumulation.
PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PATIENTS WITH A 22Q11.2 DELETION. 878

The majority of patients with DiGeorge / velocardiofacial syndrome have a 22q11.2 microdeletion, demonstrable by fluorescent in-situ hybridization. As part of a prospective study of patients with such deletions, Wechsler IQ measures were administered to 13 subjects (8 female, 5 male; age range 3y1m-20y10m). Full-scale IQ (FS-IQ) averaged 74.8 ± 9.8 (mean ± standard deviation), with 4/13 subjects scoring in the low-average or average ranges. A significant discrepancy was found between mean Verbal IQ (V-IQ) and Performance IQ (P-IQ) scores (82.8 ± 12.1 vs. 70.5 ± 9.2, Wilcoxon signed rank test, z=2.76, p P-IQ profile, and this discrepancy was statistically significant in 7 subjects.
Delayed decisions in speech recognition—the case of formants

Abstract Consciously designed message bearing signals are generally well suited to bottom-up decoding. Signals are first segmented into low-level units, the units are classified, and the higher level information is then deduced. Evidence from the reading of printed text suggests that humans may not use such a strategy even on signals apparently well suited to it, and that spontaneous modes of communication - handwriting and speech - are quite unsuited to the stratery. It is argued that the most effective algorithms for automatic speech recognition derive their effectiveness from an ability to delay low-level decisions (such as segmential identities and boundaries) until higher level decisions (such as word identities) have been made. A case is made for the representation of speech for recognition purposes in terms of the frequencies of the vocal tract resonances ( formants ). The fact that formant frequencies have not hitherto been widely used in speech recognition is ascribed to their resembling other low-level features in that they too cannot be reliably extracted and labeled prior to some higher level decisions. An algorithm is presented that allows decisions on formant identities to be delayed and made contingent on higher level decisions. A technique is described for deriving the cost functions used in this algorithm from the statistical properties of formants, and some practical applications of the algorithm are briefly described.
Exploring Social Studies Through Multicultural Literature: Legend of the St. Ann’s Flood

The search for literature that is of high quality and interest, is written at age-appropriate levels for adolescent readers, addresses social studies topics, and presents multicultural perspectives can be daunting. Legend of the St Ann's Flood is a fiction trade book that meets all of these criteria. Its setting in Trinidad and Tobago provides the opportunity for students to learn about a country and region frequently overlooked in the social studies curriculum in the United States. This article provides historical and cultural background information about Trinidad and Tobago, an overview of the book, and specific teaching suggestions that integrate reading and writing into social studies instruction.
Gender, Family Characteristics, and Publication Productivity among Scientists

This paper concentrates upon the relationship between marriage, parental status, and publication productivity for women in academic science, with comparisons to men. Findings indicate that gender, family characteristics, and productivity are complex considerations that go beyond being married or not married, and the presence or absence of children. For women particularly, the relationship between marriage and productivity varies by type of marriage: first compared with subsequent marriage, and occupation of spouse (in scientific compared with non-scientific occupation). Further, type of family composition is important: women with preschool children have higher productivity than women without children or with school-age children. Women with preschool children are found to be a socially selective group in their characteristics, particularly in their allocations of time.
Dynamo magnetic-field generation in turbulent accretion disks

Magnetic fields can play important roles in the dynamics and evolution of accretion disks. The presence of strong differential rotation and vertical density gradients in turbulent disks allows the alpha-omega dynamo mechanism to offset the turbulent dissipation and maintain strong magnetic fields. It is found that MHD dynamo magnetic-field normal modes in an accretion disk are highly localized to restricted regions of a disk. Implications for the character of real, dynamically constrained magnetic fields in accretion disks are discussed. The magnetic stress due to the mean magnetic field is found to be of the order of a viscous stress. The dominant stress, however, is likely to come from small-scale fluctuating magnetic fields. These fields may also give rise to energetic flares above the disk surface, providing a possible explanation for the highly variable hard X-ray emission from objects like Cyg X-l.
Statistics of shallow convection on Mars based on large-eddy simulations. Part 1: shearless conditions

Results of large-eddy simulations of shallow, quasi-steady, shear-less convection in the Martian boundary layer are presented and discussed. In the considered three cases, turbulence is forced by the radiative flux divergence, prescribed as given functions of height, and the strength of the surface heat flux. It is constrained by the temperature inversion at the boundary-layer top. The resulting convective boundary layer exhibits horizontal cellular structures. The presence of radiative heating causes dimensionless statistics of turbulence to depend on the parameter F, defined in terms of the integrated radiative and turbulent heating rates in the boundary layer.
PERFORMANCE OF AN ANNULAR CATALYTIC THREE-PHASE REACTOR FOR A SECOND ORDER REACTION

A novel annular catalytic three-phase reactor is theoretically investigated for a second order hydrogenation reaction. The results indicate that the ratio of the gaseous reactant to the liquid reactant within the reaction zone of the annular reactor can be adjusted by changing the reactor dimensions and the concentration of the gaseous reactant in the feed. As a consequence, the annular reactor may have a significant advantage over the trickle-bed reactor with respect to the selectivities that may be achieved in the reactor.
Combined Individual Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Parent Training for Childhood Depression: 2- to 3-Year Follow-Up

Fourteen children with significant depressive symptoms from an open clinical trial of Primary and Secondary Control Enhancement Training augmented with Caregiver–Child Relationship Enhancement Training, participated in a 2- to 3-year follow-up assessment. The results suggested that the significant decreases in depressive symptoms observed at posttreatment were maintained at 2- to 3-year follow-up. Mothers' reports of significant improvement of child psychosocial functioning were also maintained, providing social validation of the effects. Pretreatment child-rated mother-child relations predicted depressive symptoms at 2- to 3-year follow-up. These long-term data support the use of the combined intervention and suggest the need for further research on caregiver involvement in treatment.
Physical characterization of a platinum—rhenium/pillared clay mineral catalyst

Abstract During high-temperature reduction of pillared interlayered clay (PILC) almost all of the iron in the clay lattice is reduced from iron (III) to iron (II). This was confirmed by Mossbauer spectroscopy. The presence of platinum and rhenium accelerates reduction of the iron as evidenced by temperature-programmed reduction. When the iron is reduced, the resulting increase in the negative charge of the clay lattice is balanced by H+ ions incorporated on the PILC surface which increase the Bronsted acidity. This is borne out by the infrared spectra of adsorbed pyridine. It is evident from scanning and transmission electron microscopy that most of the platinum is poorly dispersed in the form of particles about 10 to 20 nm, whereas the rhenium is highly dispersed. The amount of hydrogen chemisorbed increases at higher temperatures, the increase being attributed to hydrogen spillover for use in reducing the lattice iron.
Evaluation of scientific computer systems

Dr. Fernbach presented a wide-ranging and informative survey on large computer systems in science. He addressed first the question of what was a large computer, and there were some surprising answers.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of azithromycin in gerbils with haemophilus influenzae middle ear infection

Background The pharmacodynamic differences among 3 AZM regimens(R): single dose simulated sustained release (SSR);3DR & 5DR in gerbils with middle ear infections were evaluated. Method The middle ears of gerbils were inoculated with 1 of 2 strains of Hemophilus Influenzae (HI)(MIC=0.5 & 2.0 mg/L). An AZM SSR regimen was developed to mimic human SR profiles, & to find an ED50 dose. The same total dose was also administered as 3DR & 5DR. Bacterial counts (CFU) and serum concentrations were obtained serially over 72-hr with 1 group of drug-free controls for each strain. The PK data were fit to a 3-cmpt model using IT2S2. Time course of CFU were fit to a PD model with capacity-limited bacterial growth, 1st-order rate constant for death (Kd) & a Hill-type function in which AZM either inhibits replication or enhances Kd. Each experiment was fit individually using ADAPT II. Results The goodness of fit for the PK model was excellent with an overall r2 of 0.883. The effect of AZM was best modeled as enhancing bacteria death (Kd); the maximum effect of drug was an ~4.7 fold increase in Kd. The AZM SSR had more activity than the 3DR and 5DR (CFU AUC0-72, for the 3D and 5D were 7- 47-fold > AZMSSR). Goodness of fit for the PD model was excellent with an overall r2 of 0.713 Conclusions Compared to AZM 3D or 5DR, front-loading the AUC with AZM SSR results in a more rapid and complete bacterial eradication of HI optimizing the probability of positive clinical outcomes & reducing the likelihood of resistance development through mutation or selection. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P89–P89; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.234
Stable Concentrations of Phytochrome in Pisum Under Continuous Illumination with Red Light

In vivo spectrophotometry showed that the phytochrome concentration in pea epicotyl hooks decreased at a constant rate for 4 hours when the tissue was exposed to continuous red light. Thereafter the rate slowed progressively so that a steady concentration of phytochrome was approached at hour 7. Returning the plants to darkness resulted in an increase in phytochrome due to the apparent synthesis of PR. A closely similar pattern of changes was found in the amount of phytochrome extracted from the tissue. The establishment of the stable concentration was inhibited by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and did not occur in segments which had been incubated for longer than 24 hours, but was observed when segment growth was inhibited by mannitol. The results may be explained by an equilibrium between PFR destruction and apparent PR synthesis.
Effect of Slide Gate and EMBr on the Transport of Inclusions and Bubbles in Slab Continuous Casting Strands

This study is to investigate the effect of electromagnetic brake (EMBr) on fluid flow and particle motion in steel slab continuous casting strands. The effect of slide gate moving on fluid flow pattern was discussed. A strong swirl and asymmetrical flow at the outports and, subsequently, inside the slab mold, was induced by slide gate. The application of EMBr would be a remedy to the swirl flow in the casting mold. Flow pattern has great influence on the trajectories of injected bubbles and nonmetallic inclusions. More bubbles tend to release from the top surface near the wide face opposite to the gate opening side without EMBr; while, they escape at the center place of the slab thickness when the EMBr was applied. Local brake type EMBr has a little effect on the overall removal fraction of nonmetallic inclusions, especially for the small ones. However, EMBr affects the distribution of inclusions on the cross section of the slab, and more inclusions were observed in the sub-surface layer of the slab.
Problems in the Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Pulmonic Stenosis with Intact Ventricular Septum

Obstruction to pulmonary blood flow may occur in the pulmonic valve, in the infundibulum or in both. Cardiac catheterization aids in the determination of the site of obstruction. Criteria for the differentiation at operation of valvular and infundibular pulmonic stenosis are enumerated, and the usefulness of accurate pressure tracings during operation is emphasized. The accurate identification of the site or sites of obstruction to pulmonary blood flow is essential to proper surgical management. A correctly selected operation must be carried out in as complete a manner as possible.
Exploiting the Geometry of Gene Expression Patterns for Unsupervised Learning

Typical gene expression clustering algorithms are restricted to a specific underlying pattern model while overlooking the possibility that other information carrying patterns may co-exist in the data. This may potentially lead to a large bias in the results. In this paper we discuss a new method that is able to cluster simultaneously various types of patterns. Our method is based on the observation that many of the patterns that are considered significant to infer gene function and regulatory mechanisms all share the geometry of linear manifolds.
A small-angle x-ray scattering study of microstructure evolution during sintering of sol-gel-derived porous nanophase titania

The evolution of microstructure as a function of firing temperature in sol-gel derived porous titania xerogels was investigated by small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). SAXS curves for xerogels fired below 550 °C exhibit a well-defined structure peak. This peak indicates the presence of a high degree of order in the electron density correlations associated with the interparticle structure factor. Results from electron microscopy and SAXS give a primary particle mean diameter of 50 A, while scaling analysis of the scattered intensity at large momentum transfer values yields the Porod exponent 4, indicating a sharp transition zone between the solid and void phases. The pore volume fraction of the unfired xerogel is consistent with random close-packing of spheres. The internal surface area decreases almost linearly with increasing firing temperature. Rapid grain growth and pore coarsening begin near 90% of theoretical density, and lead to a breakdown in pore interconnectedness and the development of isolated pores. Observed enhanced sintering properties may be attributed primarily to the large surface-to-mass ratio of the sol-gel particles. The SAXS curves were adequately fit using a bicontinuous phase model developed for late-stage spinodal decomposition structures. Alternatively, the microstructure can be described by a hierarchical close-packing of spheres model. SAXS results are compared with data from gas adsorption and electron microscopy.
Preparative production of hydroquinone from benzoquinone catalysed by immobilized d-glucose oxidase

Benzoquinone can replace O2 as an electron acceptor in the oxidation of d-glucose catalysed by A. niger d-glucose oxidase. As a result, a useful chemical, hydroquinone, is formed in nearly 100% yield. A column packed with d-glucose oxidase immobilized onto alumina was operated for two weeks with no measurable decline in its catalytic efficiency and produced more than one hundred grams of hydroquinone.