cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The interacting Boson Model applied to the mercury isotopes

The even isotopes of mercury have been systematically studied using the Interacting Boson Model (IBM). In order to treat shape coexistence in the light isotopes, two separate IBM calculations were performed with different configurations, which were subsequently mixed. The four Hamiltonian parameters, which were allowed to vary freely from isotope to isotope, were found to be consistent with the corresponding IBM parameters used for platinum and osmium. Overall, the calculated energy spectra and electromagnetic properties are in reasonable agreement with experiment.
DIURNAL VARIATION IN THE ESSENTIAL OILS OF VALENCIA ORANGE LEAVES

Diurnal variations in the leaf oils of Valencia oranges [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] were studied over a period of 4 years. Depending on the season of harvest, a twofold diurnal change in amount of oil can be observed. A quiescent period between flushes was observed in June. The amount of the main-individual components varies with the total oil so that the composition of oil shows only small variations. One suggested function for the oil could be as a precursor for higher isoprenoid biosyn-
Isolation of epithelial cells from the corpus epididymidis and analysis for glycerylphosphorylcholine, sialic acid, and protein

Enzymatically dispersed cells from the rat corpus epididymidis were separated by unit gravity sedimentation and centrifugal elutriation. Based on differential cell counts, principal cells isolated by centrifugal elutriation were 55% pure, while basal cells and fibroblasts were 88% and 61% pure, respectively. Compared to unit gravity separation, purity was an average of 7% higher in principal and basal cell fractions obtained by elutriation. Viability was greater than 87% by either method, but yields following elutriation averaged 23% higher for basal cells, 78% higher for principal cells, and 290% for fibroblasts than corresponding yields following unit gravity separation. Analyses for epididymal secretory products indicated that cellular content (mumoles/10(9) cells) of glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC), sialic acid, and protein was greater in principal cells than other cell types (p less than .05). When expressed on the basis of cellular volume, concentrations of GPC and protein also were significantly greater in basal and principal cells than fibroblasts (p less than .05). Caput sperm contained significantly more GPC than either corpus or cauda sperm (p less than .005). Protein concentrations in caput and corpus sperm were similar, but concentrations were lower in cauda sperm (p less than .005). Levels of sialic acid did not vary among sperm from different epididymal regions. It was concluded that principal cells from the corpus epididymidis contain major quantities of three epididymal secretory products and that regional differences in the function of the epithelium are present.
Characterization of Metabolites in Domestic Sow Urine After Intravenous Administration of Radioactive Estrogen and Corticosteroids

Abstract We measured distribution of radioactivity among urinary metabolites excreted in nonpregnant and ovariectomized sows after intravenous injection of radionuclides ( 14 carbon) labeled estrone, estradiol-17 β , cortisol, and corticosterone. Treatment with an enzyme preparation (Glusulase) containing both β -glucuronidase and sulfatase activity, rendered extractable over 95% of the radioactivity recovered from urine with diethyl ether (estrogens) and ethyl acetate (corticoids). Only an additional 1 to 4% of the radioactivity was extracted following sol-volysis of the aqueous residue remaining after enzyme hydrolysis and extraction. Radioactivity in nonpregnant sow urine was predominantly in the estrone fraction following injection of either estrone or estradiol-17 β . Moreover, the principal metabolite was estrone monoglucuronide. Only traces of estradiol-17 β and an estriol-like compound were detected. Two other isolates contained radioactivity. One compound probably was 2-methoxyestrone, but structure of the other compound (XI) could not be established. The principal urinary metabolites from injection of Cortisol corresponded to chromatographic properties of tetrahydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisone. Both metabolites were low in urine following injection of corticosterone. The major urinary metabolites from corticosterone injection corresponded to chromatographic properties of tetrahy-drocorticosterone and corticosterone. Considerable radioactivity from injection of both corticoids was isolated in the cortol, cortolone, and 11-ketoetiocholanolone −11 β -hydroxyetiocholanolone areas of chromatograms. The data for corticoids agree with similar data for the human being and cow.
Central and peripheral markers of neurodegeneration and monocyte activation in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) affect up to 50 % of HIV-infected adults, independently predict HIV morbidity/mortality, and are associated with neuronal damage and monocyte activation. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament subunits (NFL, pNFH) are sensitive surrogate markers of neuronal damage in several neurodegenerative diseases. In HIV, CSF NFL is elevated in individuals with and without cognitive impairment, suggesting early/persistent neuronal injury during HIV infection. Although individuals with severe cognitive impairment (HIV-associated dementia (HAD)) express higher CSF NFL levels than cognitively normal HIV-infected individuals, the relationships between severity of cognitive impairment, monocyte activation, neurofilament expression, and systemic infection are unclear. We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of 48 HIV-infected adults with varying levels of cognitive impairment, not receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), enrolled in the CNS Anti-Retroviral Therapy Effects Research (CHARTER) study. We quantified NFL, pNFH, and monocyte activation markers (sCD14/sCD163) in paired CSF/plasma samples. By examining subjects off ART, these correlations are not confounded by possible effects of ART on inflammation and neurodegeneration. We found that CSF NFL levels were elevated in individuals with HAD compared to cognitively normal or mildly impaired individuals with CD4+ T-lymphocyte nadirs ≤200. In addition, CSF NFL levels were significantly positively correlated to plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load and negatively correlated to plasma CD4+ T-lymphocyte count, suggesting a link between neuronal injury and systemic HIV infection. Finally, CSF NFL was significantly positively correlated with CSF pNFH, sCD163, and sCD14, demonstrating that monocyte activation within the CNS compartment is directly associated with neuronal injury at all stages of HAND.
An efficient algorithm to compute maximum entropy densities

We describe an algorithm to efficiently compute maximum entropy densities, i.e. densities maximizing the Shannon entropy - under a set of constraints . Our method is based on an algorithm by Zellner and Highfield, which has been found not to converge under a variety of circumstances. To demonstrate that our method overcomes these difficulties, we conduct numerous experiments for the special case g i (x) = x i , n = 4. An extensive table of results for this case and computer code are available on the World Wide Web
PREVALENCE AND TREATMENT OF LEARNING PROBLEMS IN UPPER AND LOWER INCOME AREAS

In a telephone survey, a lower incidence of learning problems, help received, and perceived effectiveness was reported in lower income areas. More upper income respondents reported receiving formal diagnoses and treatment. Possible discrepancies between official and resident reports of learning problems, the apparent need for additional services by both income groups, and the likelihood that residents are overestimating effectiveness and prognosis are discussed.
The false assumption of lung cancer based upon a positive positron emission tomographic scan.

OBJECTIVE To show that positron emission tomography (PET) can have false positive results from inflammatory lesions. METHODS We present a complicated, elderly patient who underwent an extensive work-up that failed to provide a diagnosis for a radiographic abnormality. RESULTS A PET scan was positive and the patient was believed to have lung carcinoma until eventual surgical excision was performed. Final pathology revealed that the patient had exogenous lipoid pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS PET scans that are positive cannot be assumed to show a malignancy. Inflammatory lesions will also be positive with PET scanning.
Planetary system similar to solar system discovered

An extra-solar planetary system that has some similarity to our own Solar System has been detected for the first time, a prominent team of planet hunters announced at a briefing on 13 June in Washington, D.C. A planet orbiting the star 55 Cancri in the constellation Cancer, 41 light years from Earth, is similar to Jupiter in some key aspects, according to the team of astronomers. The planet orbits its star at a distance of about 5.9 astronomical units (AU); this is close to Jupiter's distance of 5.2 AU from the Sun. Also, the new planet's slightly eccentric orbit takes 13 years for one orbit, while Jupiter requires 11.86 years.
Mutations in the ligand-binding and pore domains control exit of glutamate receptors from the endoplasmic reticulum in C. elegans

The abundance of ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors in the plasma membrane is limited by the efficiency of protein folding and subunit assembly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER has a quality-control system for monitoring nascent proteins, which prevents incompletely folded and assembled proteins from being transported from the ER. Chaperone proteins identify unfolded and misassembled proteins in the ER via retention motifs that are normally buried at intersubunit contacts or via carbohydrate residues that are attached to misfolded domains. Here, we examined the trafficking of a C. elegans non-NMDA glutamate receptor (GLR-1). We show that mutations in the pore domain (predicted to block ion permeation) and mutations in the ligand-binding domain (predicted to block glutamate binding) both caused a dramatic reduction in the synaptic abundance of GLR-1 and increased retention of GLR-1 in the ER. These results suggest that the structural integrity of the ligand-binding site and the pore domain of GLR-1 are monitored in the ER during the process of quality control.
Performance of composite versus all-or-none compliance statistics for medical evidence-based core measure sets

Core measure sets, composite bundles, and all-or-none (AON) statistics are becoming increasingly common for measuring patient care process quality and compliance to evidence-based medicine. Although dozens of such measures have been proposed for evaluating, incentivizing, and compensating hospital performance, their relative statistical properties remain largely uninvestigated. We compute and compare the sensitivity, specificity, and operating characteristics of each method for detecting within-hospital changes and between-hospital differences, with composite measures usually performing better than their AON counterparts - contrary to current trends and suggestions in the literature, with measurement implications on how to best accelerate improvement and reward performance differences.
Time Management in The High Level Architecture

Time management is required in simulations to ensure that temporal aspects of the system un der investigation are correctly reproduced by the simulation model. This paper describes the time managem...
In Vitro Comparisons of Debris Removal of the EndoActivatorTM System, the F FileTM, Ultrasonic Irrigation, and NaOCl Irrigation Alone after Hand-rotary Instrumentation in Human Mandibular Molars

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the debris removal efficacy of the EndoActivator TM system, the F file TM , ultrasonic irrigation, or 6% NaOCl irrigation alone in human mandibular molars after hand-rotary instrumentation. Methods A custom brass cube (K-Kube) was used to create a sealed canal system, allowing each tooth to serve as its own control. Forty extracted mandibular molars were randomly divided into 4 equal experimental groups. Each tooth was mounted, sectioned at 1, 3, and 5 mm from the working length, and then reassembled into the K-Kube, and the mesial roots were similarly prepared by using hand-rotary instrumentation. For final debridement, group 1 used F file for 30 seconds, group 2 used EndoActivator system for 30 seconds, group 3 used ultrasonic irrigation for 30 seconds, and group 4 used irrigation with 6% NaOCl within 1 mm of working length. All groups received a final irrigation with 6% NaOCl in each canal. Specimens were evaluated at 1, 3, and 5 mm from the working length for cleanliness by capturing a digital image with a stereomicroscope. All specimens had the percent cleanliness for each canal and isthmus calculated both before and after final debridement. Statistical analysis was completed by using a repeated-measures analysis of variance with Tukey post hoc tests. Results and Conclusions The results showed no statistically significant difference in canal or isthmus cleanliness among the 4 groups, but there was a statistically significant difference ( P
Is heart period variability associated with the administration of lifesaving interventions in individual prehospital trauma patients with normal standard vital signs

Objective:To determine whether heart period variability provides added value in identifying the need for lifesaving interventions (LSI) in individual trauma patients with normal standard vital signs upon early medical assessment.Design:Retrospective database review.Setting:Helicopter transport to Le
Improved cannulation method for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Abstract Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been shown to be useful for patients in reversible cardiogenic shock. Effective arterial cannulation techniques for infants have been developed that are simple to use and require minimal subsequent vascular repair or reconstruction after removal. Groin cannulation in adults frequently requires bidirectional arterial cannulation to ensure adequate distal perfusion as well as frequent complex arterial repairs after discontinuation. We describe a simple arterial cannulation technique using a single rightangle, high-flow arterial cannula. With this technique adequate bidirectional arterial perfusion is maintained with a single arterial cannula while the need for vascular repairs or reconstruction is minimized.
Perioperative use of cuffed endotracheal tubes is advantageous in young pediatric burn patients

Uncuffed endotracheal tubes traditionally have been preferred over cuffed endotracheal tubes in young pediatric patients. However, recent evidence in elective pediatric surgical populations suggests otherwise. Because young pediatric burn patients can pose unique airway and ventilation challenges, we reviewed adverse events associated with the perioperative use of cuffed and uncuffed endotracheal tubes. We retrospectively reviewed 327 cases of operating room endotracheal intubation for general anesthesia in burned children 0–10 years of age over a 10-year period. Clinical airway outcomes were compared using multivariable logistic regression, controlling for relevant patient and injury characteristics. Compared to those receiving cuffed tubes, children receiving uncuffed tubes were significantly more likely to demonstrate clinically significant loss of tidal volume (odds ratio 10.62, 95% confidence interval 2.2–50.5) and require immediate reintubation to change tube size/type (odds ratio 5.54, 95% confidence interval 2.1–13.6). No significant differences were noted for rates of post-extubation stridor. Our data suggest that operating room use of uncuffed endotracheal tubes in such patients is associated with increased rates of tidal volume loss and reintubation. Due to the frequent challenge of airway management in this population, strategies should emphasize cuffed endotracheal tube use that is associated with lower rates of airway manipulation.
The efficacy of religious service attendance in reducing depressive symptoms.

Purpose To examine whether religiosity may help people ward off depression, we investigated the association between religious service attendance and depressive symptom scores in a community-based 30-year follow-up longitudinal study.
Electrocatalytic Oxidation and Flow Injection Amperometric Determination of 5‐Hydroxytryptophan

The oxidation of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTPP) at a glassy carbon electrode was not suited for electroanalysis because of surface passivation. Both mixed-valence ruthenium oxide with cyano crosslinks (RuOx) and a pentaerythritol-based metallodendrimer with RuIIterpyridine units (RuIIDen) provided electrocatalytic oxidation without passivation. The former was used as an electrochemically deposited film on glassy carbon, and the latter was a component of a composite electrode with a sol-gel binder. Flow-injection analysis with amperometric detection at constant applied potential yielded detection limits of 0.16 μM and 50 nM 5-HTPP with RuOx and RuIIDen catalysts, respectively.
Extreme Discordant Sib Pairs for Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci in Humans

Analysis of differences between siblings (sib pair analysis) is a standard method of genetic linkage analysis for mapping quantitative trait loci, such as those contributing to hypertension and obesity, in humans. In traditional designs, pairs are selected at random or with one sib having an extreme trait value. The majority of such pairs provide little power to detect linkage; only pairs that are concordant for high values, low values, or extremely discordant pairs (for example, one in the top 10 percent and the other in the bottom 10 percent of the distribution) provide substantial power. Focus on discordant pairs can reduce the amount of genotyping necessary over conventional designs by 10- to 40-fold.
Image processing and registration in a point set representation

An image, being a continuous function, is commonly discretely represented as a set of sample values, namely the intensities, associated with the spatial grids. After that, all types of the operations are then carried out there in. We denote such representation as the discrete function representation (DFR). In this paper we provide another discrete representation for images using the point sets, called the point set representation (PSR). Essentially, the image is normalized to have the unit integral and is treated as a probability density function of some random variable. Then the PSR is formed by drawing samples of such random variable. In contrast with the DFR, here the image is purely represented as points and no values are associated. Besides being an equivalent discrete representation for images, we show that certain image operations benefit from such representation in the numerical stability, performance, or both. Examples are given in the Perona-Malik type diffusion where in the PSR there is no such problem as the numerical instability. Furthermore, PSR naturally bridges the fields of image registration with the point set registration. This helps handle some otherwise difficult problems in image registration such as partial image registration, with much faster convergence speed.
Changes in fluorescence intensity of selected leukocyte surface markers following fixation.

Background: Immunophenotyping of blood leukocytes often involves fixation with paraformaldehyde prior to cytometry analysis. However, the influence of cell type and marker specificity on the stability of fluorescence intensity after fixation has not been well studied. Methods: Human whole blood was stained using a panel of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled antibodies to surface markers. Unfixed and fixed samples were analyzed by flow cytometry at 0, 2, 4, 6, 24, 48, and 96 h after staining. Fluorescence measurements were converted to molecules of equivalent soluble fluorochrome for comparison. Results: Fixation caused a significant decrease in both forward and side scatter at 48 h which required gating adjustments to achieve resolution of cell populations. The autofluorescence increased progressively in fixed samples (ninefold at 96 h for monocytes). Variable decreases in marker-associated fluorescence became apparent after correction for autofluorescence. The magnitude of the decrease at 96 h varied with cell type and marker, from 5% for CD32 on monocytes to 39% for CD16 on neutrophils. Conclusion: The change in fluorescence intensity following staining and fixation of leukocytes varies with cell type and surface marker. Fluorescence stability should be determined for each cell type and marker used, and the confounding effects of fixation on cell autofluorescence should be considered. © 2007 International Society for Analytical Cytology.
Fuzzy objects and their boundaries

Measured data are inherently inaccurate. Operations done on data for defining, visualizing, manipulating and analyzing object information should attempt to retain these inaccuracies as accurately as possible. The theory of fuzzy sets is a proper mathematical vehicle for this purpose. In this attempt, topological notions such as adjacency, connectedness, and boundary need to be developed starting from fuzzy sets. We develop such a framework in this paper and present algorithms for finding fuzzy connected components and boundaries in digital imagery. We demonstrate the usefulness of these algorithms in medical applications, particularly in separating objects that come close together which are otherwise difficult to segment using hard (non-fuzzy) criteria.
Prolonged Postictal Suppression: A Potential Marker for Higher Risk of SUDEP, a Clue to Mechanism, or Both?

Introduction: Mortality in epilepsy is 2 to 3 times that of the general population [1]. Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is an unexplained, devastating condition that is responsible for up to 18% of this increased mortality [2]. The reported incidence of SUDEP varies widely; it has been estimated at 0.09/1000 patient-years in newly diagnosed epilepsy, and at 9/1000 patient-years in highly refractory patients being considered for epilepsy surgery [3]. Thus, although SUDEP can occur in any patient with epilepsy, it is widely known to be more common in those with more frequent and severe seizures. SUDEP is generally defined as a sudden, nontraumatic, nondrowning unexpected death in a patient with known epilepsy, with or without evidence for a seizure and where postmortem evaluation does not show another cause of death [4]. As by definition this condition cannot be diagnosed until death, and as it occurs in otherwise healthy individuals, study has been particularly difficult. Yet, the consequences are particularly devastating as SUDEP often occurs in relatively young, otherwise healthy people. The highlighted study is an important first step in identifying patients most at risk for this tragic occurrence.
Can Basin Land Use Effects on Physical Characteristics of Streams Be Determined at Broad Geographic Scales

The environmental setting (e.g., climate, topography, geology) and land use affect stream physical characteristics singly and cumulatively. At broad geographic scales, we determined the importance of environmental setting and land use in explaining variation in stream physical characteristics. We hypothesized that as the spatial scale decreased from national to regional, land use would explain more of the variation in stream physical characteristics because environmental settings become more homogeneous. At a national scale, stepwise linear regression indicated that environmental setting was more important in explaining variability in stream physical characteristics. Although statistically discernible, the amount of variation explained by land use was not remarkable due to low partial correlations. At level II ecoregion spatial scales (southeastern USA plains, central USA plains, and a combination of the western Cordillera and the western interior basins and ranges), environmental setting variables were again more important predictors of stream physical characteristics, however, as the spatial scale decreased from national to regional, the portion of variability in stream physical characteristics explained by basin land use increased. Development of stream habitat indicators of land use will depend upon an understanding of relations between stream physical characteristics and environmental factors at multiple spatial scales. Smaller spatial scales will be necessary to reduce the confounding effects of variable environmental settings before the effects of land use can be reliably assessed.
Dissimilar metal weld and boiler creep damage evaluation for plant life extension

The basic causes of dissimilar metal weld (DMW) failures in boilers are now well understood. Guidelines have emerged for achieving significantly improved DMW life, in terms of operational parameters, weld filler metals, and weld designs. Analytical, as well as experimental, nondestructive techniques have been developed that enable assessment of the condition of DMWs in service so that intelligent run-replace decisions can be made. Techniques for assessing the remaining life of superheater/reheater (SH/RH) tubes are under development. The techniques utilize information on steamside oxide scale growth and dimensional changes on the fireside due to corrosion to compile the temperature–stress profile of operation in the tubes. This information is then combined with standard creep data to estimate the remaining life of the tubes more accurately than was possible heretofore. The potential of a replication technique that allows nondestructive monitoring of creep damage in heavy section pipes has been successfully demonstrated at several utility sites. It has been possible to detect early stages of incipient creep damage and to recommend specific courses of action to affected utilities. Laboratory and field studies currently in progress are expected to result in metallographic and miniature test specimen techniques that would further augment the capabilities of the replication technique, and render it into a more quantitative tool for life assessment of heavy section components.
What is internalized

Hecht provides insights concerning the difficulty of empirically testing Shepard's internalization hypothesis, but his argument for an externalization hypothesis suffers from similar sins. [Hecht]
Petrogenetic relationship between Allan Hills 77005 and other achondrites

Allan Hills (ALHA) 77005 is a newly discovered, unique achondrite from Antarctica. Petrologic similarities with the shergottites in terms of mineralogy, oxidation state, inferred source region composition, shock metamorphic effects and shock ages suggest a genetic relationship. Volatile to involatile element ratios (e.g. K/U, Rb/U, Cs/U, Tl/U) and abundances of other trace elements support this hypothesis. ALHA 77005 may be a cumulate that crystallized from a liquid parental to those from which the shergottites crystallized; alternatively it may be a sample of the type of source peridotite from which shergottite parent liquids were derived by partial melting. Chemical similarities with terrestrial ultramafic rocks suggest that this unique meteorite provides an additional sample of the only other solar system body known to have basalt source regions chemically similar to the upper mantle of the Earth.
Cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetics of intrathecal morphine sulfate and D‐Ala2‐D‐Leu5‐enkephalin

Using an implantable pump system to deliver drugs and sample cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), we assessed rostral redistribution and systemic uptake after intrathecal bolus injection and steady-state infusion of morphine sulfate and the opioid peptide D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin (DADL) in two patients. Following bolus injection, the mean CSF elimination half-lives for morphine sulfate and DADL were 94 and 115 minutes, respectively. With the catheter tip at L2, the ratio of lumbar to cisternal (L/C) concentrations of morphine sulfate was about 7:1, and with the catheter tip at T10, the L/C ratios of morphine sulfate and DADL were approximately 2:1, indicating that this ratio is dependent in part on the level of intrathecal drug administration. CSF levels of morphine sulfate at steady state were three orders of magnitude higher than those in plasma. The CSF pharmacokinetics of morphine sulfate and DADL are similar, with supraspinal redistribution of these opioids via the CSF likely playing an important role in the generation of analgesia and central nervous system side effects.
Posterior interosseous nerve compression due to an enlarged bicipital bursa confirmed by MRI

Posterior interosseous nerve compression is a well-described clinical entity with many aetiologies. Fewer than 12 documented cases of the condition due to an enlarged bicipital bursa exist in the literature. We describe a case in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used in the preoperative assessment of a mass in the proximal forearm with a clinical diagnosis of partial posterior interosseous nerve compression.
Transcriptional regulation by hypoxia inducible factors

The cellular response to oxygen deprivation is governed largely by a family of transcription factors known as Hypoxia Inducible Factors (HIFs). This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which HIFs regulate the transcriptional apparatus to enable the cellular and organismal response to hypoxia. We discuss here how the various HIF polypeptides, their posttranslational modifications, binding partners and transcriptional cofactors affect RNA polymerase II activity to drive context-dependent transcriptional programs during hypoxia.
Possible role of microtubules in tumor cell surface membrane shedding, permeability, and lympholysis

Low temperature (0 degrees C/1 hr) induced changes in the mastocytoma P815 cell surface morphology which mimicked those induced by alloimmune T-lymphocytes during the cytolytic process. These morphological changes consist of the formation and shedding of membrane vesicles (MV) from the P815 cell surface. When the low-temperature-induced MV shedding process takes place at 22 degrees C, it occurs without changes in membrane permeability to 51Cr, whereas at 37 degrees C, the kinetics of 51Cr release resemble those induced by alloimmune T lymphocytes. The effects of two microtubule-stabilizing agents, deuterium oxide and hexylene glycol, were investigated on the low-temperature-induced MV shedding process as well as on the lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis (LMC) of target cells. These agents were found to inhibit (a) the low-temperature-induced MV shedding, (b) the low-temperature-induced membrane permeability changes to 51Cr, and (c) the LMC process. These data indicate that disruption of microtubules may be involved in all these events.
Increased accessibility of bases In DNA upon binding of acrtdlne orange

Abstract Acridine orange (AO) forms 1:1 complexes with dsDNA which are insoluble in aqueous media, exhibit red luminescence, have minimal green luminescence and resemble complexes of AO with ss nucleic acids. During formation and/or dissociation of these complexes, accessibility of DNA bases to two conformational probes, formaldehyde and diethyl pyrocarbonate is increased, suggesting that the base pairing is destroyed and DNA at least partially denatured. Adriamycin and Ellipticine, but not Ethidium Bromide exert similar destabilizing effects. The results confirm our earlier predictions based on thermodynamic calculations that the double helix undergoes destabilization upon binding an intercalator characterized by high cooperativity in interaction with ss nucleic acids. Thus, the highly cooperative ligand binding to ss sections during the "breathing" of the polymer may progressively destabilize the adjacent ds structure.
EFFECT OF LONGTERM GnRH AGONISTS (CnRHa) ON FINAL HEIGHT IN CHILDREN WITH TRUE PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY (TPP)

We have compared the final height of GnRHa treated patients to untreated patients with TPP, 45 children received deslorelin (4-8 ug/kg/d s.c.) or nafarelin acetate (800ug IN bid). 26 of the 45 (20F/6M) are at final height or near final height (F BA>12 y; M BA >14 y). The median CA at onset of puberty was 3.2 y (R=1.0 to 7.3) in girls and 4.0 y (R=3.9 to 9.1) in boys. The mean BA/CA at start of therapy was 1.7±.4 SD and the mean Ht SD was +3.0±1.3 SD and the mean Ht SD for BA was −1.4±1.0 SD. Therapy was stopped in girls at a median age of 11.4 y and in boys at 12.2 y. The mean duration of therapy was 5.7±2.3 years. At termination of therapy, the change in mean BA/CA was 0.7±0.3, In mean Ht SD/BA +1.1±1.0 and in mean predicted Ht SD +1.4±1.6. The mean current height for the 20 girls is 157.7 cm (R=145.5 to 172.1) and for the boys is 166.1 cm (R=150.1 to 179.7), which already exceeds the mean height of the untreated group by 5.0cm for girls and 10.5cm for boys. 7 of the 26 children are taller than target Ht and 18 are within 2 SD of target Ht. The latest mean predicted Ht for girls is 164.6±9.7 and for boys 172.8±11.3. The mean predicted Ht SD for all 26 children is 0.0±1.7 (R= −3.9 to +3.9), whereas the mean final Ht SD of 116 untreated TPP children (literature review) is −2.1. The mean predicted target HT SD in the GnRHa treated group is +0.2±1.9 compared to −2.7 for the untreated group. These data provide strong evidence that sustained suppression of puberty by GnRHa improves final height prognosis.
Using the kinect to encourage older adults to exercise: a prototype

This paper reports current progress on a project that aims to find the factors that play an important role in motivating older adults to maintain a physical exercise routine, a habit recommended by doctors but difficult to sustain. Our initial data gathering includes an interview with an expert in aging and physical therapy, and a focus group with older adults on the topics of exercise and technology. Based on these data, an early prototype game has been implemented for the Microsoft Kinect that aims to help encourage older adults to exercise. The Kinect application has been tested for basic usability and found to be promising. Next steps include play-tests with older adults, iterative development of the game to add motivational features, and evaluation of the game's success in encouraging older adults to maintain an exercise regimen.
Base composition of ribosomal RNA precursors in the HeLa cell nucleolus: further evidence of non-conservative processing.

Abstract The base compositions of the ribosomal RNA precursors in the HeLa cell nucleolus have been measured. This was difficult previously because of contamination of nucleolar RNA by heterogeneously sedimenting RNA of different composition originating in the nucleoplasm. Purified nucleolar RNA was obtained by modifying the technique of nucleolar isolation and by ultraviolet inactivation of nucleoplasmic RNA. Acrylamide gel electrophoresis was also used to achieve much improved resolution of the nucleolar RNA components. The base composition of 45 s ribosomal precursor was found to be 70 mole % guanine plus cytosine compared to 64% predicted for a precursor containing one 28 s and one 18 s piece of ribosomal RNA. This result is in agreement with the previous finding that only one-half of the 45 s RNA eventually becomes mature ribosomal RNA. The gel electrophoresis technique also made possible the separation of nucleolar 32 s and 28 s RNA. Labeling of the nucleolar 32 s and 28 s RNA is difficult under conditions of phosphate starvation since processing the newly synthesized 45 s precursor rapidly ceases. However, processing resumes upon the addition of cold phosphate. The 32 s RNA has a base composition of 70 mole % G + C compared to 67% for 28 s RNA.
LG tools for asymmetric wargaming

Asymmetric operations represent conflict where one of the sides would apply military power to influence the political and civil environment, to facilitate diplomacy, and to interrupt specified illegal activities. This is a special type of conflict where the participants do not initiate full-scale war. Instead, the sides may be engaged in a limited open conflict or one or several sides may covertly engage another side using unconventional or less conventional methods of engagement. They may include peace operations, combating terrorism, counterdrug operations, arms control, support of insurgencies or counterinsurgencies, show of force. An asymmetric conflict can be represented as several concurrent interlinked games of various kinds: military, transportation, economic, political, etc. Thus, various actions of peace violators, terrorists, drug traffickers, etc., can be expressed via moves in different interlinked games. LG tools allow us to fully capture the specificity of asymmetric conflicts employing the major LG concept of hypergame. Hypergame allows modeling concurrent interlinked processes taking place in geographically remote locations at different levels of resolution and time scale. For example, it allows us to model an antiterrorist operation taking place simultaneously in a number of countries around the globe and involving wide range of entities from individuals to combat units to governments. Additionally, LG allows us to model all sides of the conflict at their level of sophistication. Intelligent stakeholders are represented by means of LG generated intelligent strategies. TO generate those strategies, in addition to its own mathematical intelligence, the LG algorithm may incorporate the intelligence of the top-level experts in the respective problem domains. LG models the individual differences between intelligent stakeholders. The LG tools make it possible to incorporate most of the known traits of a stakeholder, i.e., real personalities involved in the conflict with their specific individual style.
Domoic acid-producing diatoms: probable cause of neuroexcitotoxicity in California sea lions.

Abstract The neurotoxin domoic acid (DA) was identified as the probable cause of death and neurological illness for approximately 70 California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, along the central California coast in May 1998. The apparent vector for sea lion intoxication was the filter-feeding northern anchovy, Engraulis mordax, via transfer of DA from the diatom, Pseudo-nitzschia australis, a natural source of this toxin. Both DA and siliceous frustules of P. australis were found in anchovy gut contents and in fecal material collected from sea lions exhibiting seizures. Anchovies contained 200.29±3.34 μg DA/g in viscera samples, 49.69±0.79 μg DA/g in whole body samples and 35.14±0.47 μg DA/g in body tissue samples. DA concentrations in sea lion fecal material ranged from 1.31 to 182.01 μg DA/g. This is the first documented case of DA toxicity in a marine mammal species.
The role of children's journals in elementary school science activities

Abstract: This article reports on a study that investigated the ways that children's use of science journals aided their acquisition of science understandings in one kindergarten and one fourth-grade classroom. The questions for investigation were: how does the child contextualize the science experience on the journal page? How do child-produced graphics on the journal page reflect the children's experiences with other school texts? The study found that children recontextualized their understandings of the science investigation and phenomena by using three types of mental contexts that were reflected in their science journals: these contexts were imaginary, experienced, and investigative worlds. By drawing on these three worlds or internal contexts, the children were able to pull the external phenomenon into an internal context that was familiar to them. The child's construction of ideas about a current science experience as expressed on the journal page may reflect experiences with other conventional texts. In this study the children's representations of their imaginary, experienced and/or investigative worlds were shaped by other texts and structures such as school science texts. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 38: 43–69, 2001
Avoiding fallacies of misplaced concreteness in medical professionalism.

(2004). Avoiding Fallacies of Misplaced Concreteness in Medical Professionalism. The American Journal of Bioethics: Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 31-33.
Utilizing the frost resistance of diploid solanum species

Introductions of 13 frost-resistant diploid (2n=2x=24)Solanum species (2 non-tuberous) were inter-crossed to produce F1 hybrids involving two frost resistance sources. Successful F1 combinations were: (i) inter-crossed to produce hybrids involving 3 to 4 frost resistance sources, (F1×F1); and (ii) crossed with haploids (2n=24) of frost-susceptible tetraploid (2n=4x=48)S. tuberosum subsp.tuberosum, (F1×tbr).
The hepatic response to endotoxin shock; hemodynamic and enzymatic observations.

Abstract In order to evaluate the role of the liver in endotoxin shock, purified endotoxin was injected into the portal vein or into the systemic circulation in dogs. Systemic administration of endotoxin produces a more severe hypotension than does injection into the portal vein, which suggests that endotoxin may be removed from the circulation and detoxified by the hepatic RE system. When the liver was excluded from the circulation, profound hypoglycemia followed administration of endotoxin and death soon occurred. Circulating SGOT, SGPT, and alkaline phosphatase levels increased greatly after administration of endotoxin in dogs with normal hepatic circulation, but the blood LDH levels were higher in dogs in which the hepatic inflow was excluded, which suggests an extrahepatic origin of the LDH isoenzymes. Although the present studies suggest that the liver exerts a protective effect during the initial phase of endotoxin shock, it is believed that with progression of shock the liver deteriorates and hepatic intracellular metabolites may be released into the circulation to accelerate the irreversibility of shock.
A mathematical model of the edge-defined film-fed growth process

A model is presented to simulate the steady-state growth of a fiber produced by the edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) process. Equations describing the axisymmetric transport of heat in the melt and fiber are discussed. Heat transfer between the system and the surrounding environment is assumed to take place via convection and radiation. Given the fiber translation velocity, the external temperature profile, the die temperature, and the input flow rate or the pressure, asymptotic solutions for the temperature profiles in the melt and fiber, and the melt/gas and solidifying interfacial shapes are developed in the limit of a small melt slenderness ratio (fiber radius/approximate melt height). The effect of process parameters on the shape of the fiber system is investigated.
Benefits of the MEDPED treatment support program for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Background Patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients often have difficultly achieving National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) goals. Herein we present an evaluation of a centrally located, nationwide treatment support program that remotely attempted to educate and guide FH patients by monitoring their serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and giving appropriate treatment recommendations through mail contact. All subjects were FH patients registered with the Make Early Diagnosis to Prevent Early Deaths (MEDPED) program. Methods In this descriptive evaluation, we compared self-reported lipid levels in 386 FH patients participating in our treatment support program with 295 non-participants who had responded to questionnaires. Participants were recruited into the treatment support program if they had not reached their LDL cholesterol goal after at least 1 year of follow-up and were unable to receive specialized lipid care due to location. Results Participants who continued for a longer term in the treatment support program achieved greater total cholesterol reductions (14%) than the comparison group (7%, P =.004). Reductions in total and LDL cholesterol were highly correlated with more aggressive use of statin medications ( P Conclusions These results demonstrate the potential benefits and limitations of a centralized program operating remotely to encourage appropriate treatment of severe hypercholesterolemia.
Origin of the Whewellite-Rich Rock Crust in the Lower Pecos Region of Southwest Texas and its Significance to Paleoclimate Reconstructions

Abstract A calcium oxalate (whewellite)-rich crust occurs on exposed limestone surfaces in dry rock and open air shelters in the Lower Pecos region of southwest Texas. The crust, which also contains gypsum and clay, formed over silica-rich limestone during the Holocene. SEM and optical photomicrographs reveal similarities between whewellite microstructures and the lichen Aspicilia calcarea. This desert lichen is known to produce calcium oxalate, and has been found in several sites in the region. The ubiquity of the whewellite-rich crust in the Lower Pecos shelters suggests that the lichen flourished in the past. Since A. calcarea is a desert species, the virulence of the organism likely peaked during xeric climate episodes then waned during mesic periods. Thus, radiocarbon ages of whewellite would correspond to dry climate periods experienced in the region, while periods with few or no 14 C data would indicate wet climate episodes. A preliminary paleoclimate reconstruction based on fourteen AMS 14 C dates indicates the Lower Pecos experienced dry to wet climate fluctuations during the late Holocene. This reconstruction generally agrees with other models established for Texas.
A "Natural" Writer

"You're a natural writer," the speaker begins. "All this comes easily to you." Flattery will get you everywhere. I've heard variations on this theme often enough that I had almost begun to believe it. Or at least wonder if possibly it could be true. But clearing my file cabinets has cured me of the notion. For everything I have ever written, my files contain evidence to prove otherwise. Even the notion that I have become more of a natural writer with the march of time and a steady, if not overwhelming, outpouring of manuscripts, is similarly compromised. Although the folders in my file cabinets have now become thinner, the drafts stored in computer memory attest to the same thing. I decided to look at an article I began preparing in the summer of 1968 to see just how "unnatural" a writer I am. Was there anything I might share with others who may be having trouble with drafts of their own? The article is "The Elementary School Principal: Notes from a Field Study." The idea for writing it was proposed by George Spindler, who was planning to revise Education and Culture, a collection first published in 1963.
Regional cerebral blood flow in monozygotic twins discordant and concordant for schizophrenia.

• We addressed several questions regarding hypofunction of the prefrontal cortex ("hypofrontality") in schizophrenia by measuring regional cerebral blood flow during three different cognitive conditions in monozygotic twins who were discordant or concordant for schizophrenia or who were both normal. These questions included the prevalence of hypofrontality, the importance of genetic predisposition, and the role of long-term neuroleptic treatment. Significant differences between affected and unaffected discordant twins were found only during a task linked to the prefrontal cortex, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. During this condition, all of the twins with schizophrenia were hypofrontal compared with their unaffected co-twins, suggesting that, if appropriate cognitive conditions and control groups are used, hypofrontality can be demonstrated in the majority of, if not all, patients with schizophrenia. When unaffected cotwins of patients with schizophrenia were compared with twins who were both normal, no differences were observed, suggesting that nongenetic factors are important in the cause of the prefrontal physiologic deficit that appears to characterize schizophrenia. When concordant twins with a high- vs a low-dose lifetime history of neuroleptic treatment were compared, the twin receiving the higher dose was more hyperfrontal in six of eight pairs, suggesting that longterm neuroleptic treatment does not play a major role in hypofrontality.