cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two False Negative Test Results in a Symptomatic Patient with a Confirmed Case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Suspected Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (SJS/TEN)

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has put significant strain on the current health system and has exposed dangers previously overlooked The pathogen known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), is notable for attacking the pulmonary system causing acute respiratory distress, but it can also severely affect other systems in at-risk individuals including cardiovascular compromise, gastrointestinal distress, acute kidney injury, coagulopathies, cutaneous manifestations, and ultimately death from multi-organ failure Unfortunately, the reliability of negative test results is questionable and the high infectious burden of the virus calls for extended safety precautions, especially in symptomatic patients We present a confirmed COVID-19 case that was transferred to our burn center for concern of Steven Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) overlap syndrome after having two negative confirmatory COVID-19 tests at an outside hospital A 58-year-old female with a history of morbid obesity, HTN, gout, CML managed with imatinib, and chronic kidney disease presented as a transfer from a community hospital to our burn center The patient was admitted to her community hospital with febrile, acute respiratory distress Imaging and clinical presentation was consistent with COVID-19 and lab tests for the pathogen were ordered During observation, while waiting for results, she was placed under patient under investigation (PUI) protocol Once negative results were obtained, the PUI protocol was abandoned despite ongoing symptoms Subsequently, dermatological symptoms developed and transfer to our burn center was initiated After a second negative test result, the symptomatic patient was transferred to our burn center for expert wound management Given the lack of resolve of respiratory symptoms and concern for the burn patient population, the patient was placed in PUI protocol and an internal COVID-19 was ordered The patient's initial exam under standard COVID-19 airborne precautions revealed 5% total body surface area of loss of epidermis affecting bilateral thighs, bilateral arms, and face A dermatopathological biopsy suggested a bullous drug reaction with an erythema multiform-like reaction pattern versus SJS/TEN Moreover, the internal COVID-19 test returned positive The delayed positive test results and complicated hospital course with our patient required us to scale back and notify every patient and staff member whom they came in contact with, across multiple institutions We suggest that whenever a suspected COVID-19 patient is transferred to a specialized center, they should be isolated and re-checked before joining the new patient population for treatment of the unique condition
Investigation of the in vitro and in vivo activity of the type IV pilus extension ATPase BfpD

Type IV pili (T4Ps) are multifunctional protein fibers found in many bacteria and archaea. All T4P systems have an extension ATPase, which provides the energy required to push structural subunits out of the membrane. We previously reported that the BfpD T4P ATPase from enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) has the expected hexameric structure and ATPase activity, the latter enhanced by the presence of the N-terminal cytoplasmic domains of its partner proteins BfpC and BfpE. In this study, we further investigated the kinetics of the BfpD ATPase. Despite high purity of the proteins, the reported enhanced ATPase activity was found to be from (an) ATPase(s) contaminating the N-BfpC preparation. Furthermore, although two mutations in highly conserved bfpD sites led to loss of function in vivo, the purified mutant proteins retained some ATPase activity, albeit less than the wild-type protein. Therefore, the observed ATPase activity of BfpD was also affected by (a) contaminating ATPase(s). Expression of the mutant bfpD alleles did not interfere with BfpD function in bacteria that also expressed wild-type BfpD. However, a similar mutation of bfpF, which encodes the retraction ATPase, blocked the function of wild-type BfpF when both were present. These results highlight similarities and differences in function and activity of T4P extension and retraction ATPases in EPEC.
Dark Radiation from Inflationary Fluctuations

Light new vector bosons can be produced gravitationally through quantum fluctuations during inflation; if these particles are feebly coupled and cosmologically metastable, they can account for the observed dark matter abundance. However, in minimal anomaly-free $U(1)$ extensions to the Standard Model, these vectors generically decay to neutrinos if at least one neutrino mass eigenstate is sufficiently light. If these decays occur between neutrino decoupling and cosmic microwave background (CMB) freeze-out, the resulting radiation energy density can contribute to $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}{N}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ at levels that can ameliorate the Hubble tension and be discovered with future CMB and relic neutrino detection experiments. Since the additional neutrinos are produced from vector decays after Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN), this scenario predicts $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}{N}_{\mathrm{eff}}g0$ at recombination, but $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}{N}_{\mathrm{eff}}=0$ during BBN. Furthermore, due to a fortuitous cancellation, the contribution to $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}{N}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ is approximately mass independent.
Recent advances in understanding RNA polymerase II structure and function

More than 50 years after the identification of RNA polymerase II, the enzyme responsible for the transcription of most eukaryotic genes, studies have continued to reveal fresh aspects of its structure and regulation. New technologies, coupled with years of development of a vast catalog of RNA polymerase II accessory proteins and activities, have led to new revelations about the transcription process. The maturation of cryo-electron microscopy as a tool for unraveling the detailed structure of large molecular machines has provided numerous structures of the enzyme and its accessory factors. Advances in biophysical methods have enabled the observation of a single polymerase's behavior, distinct from work on aggregate population averages. Other recent work has revealed new properties and activities of the general initiation factors that RNA polymerase II employs to accurately initiate transcription, as well as chromatin proteins that control RNA polymerase II's firing frequency, and elongation factors that facilitate the enzyme's departure from the promoter and which control sequential steps and obstacles that must be navigated by elongating RNA polymerase II. There has also been a growing appreciation of the physical properties conferred upon many of these proteins by regions of each polypeptide that are of low primary sequence complexity and that are often intrinsically disordered. This peculiar feature of a surprisingly large number of proteins enables a disordered region of the protein to morph into a stable structure and creates an opportunity for pathway participants to dynamically partition into subcompartments of the nucleus. These subcompartments host designated portions of the chemical reactions that lead to mRNA synthesis. This article highlights a selection of recent findings that reveal some of the resolved workings of RNA polymerase II and its ensemble of supporting factors.
Offline-online reinforcement learning for generalizing demand response price-setting to energy systems

Our team is proposing to run a full-scale energy demand response experiment in an office building. Although this is an exciting endeavor, collecting training data for the reinforcement learning agent is costly and will be limited. In this work, we examine how offline training can be leveraged to minimize data costs (accelerate convergence) and program implementation costs by pretraining our model to warm start the experiment with simulated tasks. We present results that demonstrate the utility of offline reinforcement learning to efficient price-setting in the energy demand response problem.
Optical Calibration of Accurate Particle Sizing Standards at the U.S. National Bureau of Standards

This paper discusses the need for accurate calibration artifacts in the optical particle sizing community, and details work at the U.S. National Bureau of Standards toward the development of such materials using optical techniques for certification.
Putting Islam to Work: Education, Politics, and Religious Transformation in Egypt

Putting Islam to Work: Education, Politics, and Religious Transformation in Egypt. Gregory Starrett. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1998. 324 pp.
Lymphoepithelial cysts of the salivary glands: histologic and cytologic features

Fourteen cases of surgically excised lymphoepithelial cysts (13 from the parotid gland and 1 from the submandibular gland) were reviewed for diagnostic histologic features. They showed squamous epithelium-lined cysts within lymph nodes. Lymphocytes, histiocytes, and plasma cells were found in the walls of the cysts. Multinucleated giant cells were present in four cases. The five patients tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were positive, both by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western Blot. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was performed on five cases (two were confirmed histologically). Diff-Quik-stained smears showed a proteinaceous background and a mixed population of lymphocytes, histiocytes, plasma cells, and metaplastic squamous cells. When the above cytologic findings are present on fine-needle aspiration of a major salivary gland lesion, the diagnosis of lymphoepithelial cyst should be considered.
Remedies Under Article Two of the Uniform Commercial Code: An Agenda for Review

This Article will examine the remedy provisions of article 2 and will consider the problems that have surfaced in the application of those provisions. Various suggestions for revisions of the Code's remedy provisions will be offered. It must be emphasized, however, that I am not suggesting that the remedy provisions of the Code be viewed in isolation. The focus of this Article is upon remedies because these provisions of the Code evidence the most serious difficulties, but other portions of article 2 also should be reviewed carefully with an eye to similar revisions. Piecemeal amendments of isolated provisions in article 2 would be counterproductive, particularly because such amendments would undercut the principle of uniformity. Thus, any suggestions for revision of the remedy provisions of article 2, or for that matter any part of article 2, ultimately should be taken up in the course of an overall review of the article.
Ascent-Descent Young Diagrams and Pattern Avoidance in Alternating Permutations

We investigate pattern avoidance in alternating permutations and an alternating analogue of Young diagrams. In particular, using an extension of Babson and West's notion of shape- Wilf equivalence described in our recent paper (with N. Gowravaram ), we generalize results of Backelin , West, and Xin and Ouchterlony to alternating permutations. Unlike Ouchterlony and Bona 's bijections , our bijections are not the restrictions of Backelin , West, and Xin's bijections to alternating permutations. This paper is the second of a two-paper series presenting the work of Beyond alternating permutations: Pattern avoidance in Young diagrams and tableaux (with N. Gowravaram , arXiv: 1301. 6796v1 ). The first paper in the series is Beyond alternating permutations: Pattern avoidance in Young diagrams and tableaux (with N. Gowravaram , Electronic Journal of Combinatorics 20(4):# P17 , 2013).
Zirconium bent sandwich complex with a dicarbahexaborate ligand: [Li(THF)3]{[η5-C2B4H4(SiMe3)2](η5-C5Me5)ZrCl2}

Abstract The complex [Li(THF) 3 ]{[ η 5 -C 2 B 4 H 4 (SiMe 3 ) 2 ]( η 5 -C 5 Me 5 )ZrCl 2 } was synthesized via reaction of (C 5 Me 5 )ZrCl 3 with the dicarbahexaborate dianion [C 2 B 4 H 4 (SiMe 3 ) 2 ] 2− . This new metallocene derivative may be described as an anionic, bent sandwich complex associated with an [Li(THF) 3 ] + cation via interaction with a boron atom of the [C 2 B 4 H 4 (SiMe 3 ) 2 ] 2− cage. The dicarbahexaborate and pentamethylcyclopentadienide ligands are coordinated to the zirconium in an η 5 fashion, and the coordination geometry about the Zr atom is that of a distorted tetrahedron defined by the two chlorides and the centroids of the pentaroclylcyclopentadienyl and dicarbahexaborate ligands. The ClZrCl angle is 94.6(1)° and the (C 2 B 3 centroid)-Zr-(C 5 Me 5 centroid) angle is 131.3°. Attempts to synthesize zirconium silyl and alkyl complexes incorporating this carborane ligand have so far failed.
Optical Sensors for Food Pathogen and Hazardous Chemical Agent Detection for ISS and Planetary Outpost

Routine identification of pathogenic microorgahisms predominantly based on nutritional and biochemical tests is a time-consuming process; the delay may lead to fatal consequences at times on Earth and in space exploration. Optical biosensors provide an attractive alternative to rapid detection of microorganisms in complicated food or other biological materials at the International Space Station and planetary outposts. In this work two types of optical biosensors Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) biosensor were used for microorganism detection and identification. FTIR spectroscopy combined with chemometric analysis was successfully applied to detect the presence/absence of microorganisms in two microbial cocktails made from four and five pathogenic microorganisms in apple juice with 100% accuracy. FTIR spectroscopy combined with Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) was also investigated as a potential method to identify and quantify microorganisms in apple juice. SPR biosensor was used to detect E. coli with possible extension to near real time analysis.
Classic Cave Art

Images from the Underworld: Naj Tunich and the Tradition of Maya Cave Painting. Andrea J. Stone
Future Observational Opportunities

The opportunities available to infrared, submillimeter, and millimeter wave astronomers are on the threshold of a revolution. Within the next 20 years, the number of new facilities coupled with their size, superb locations, and increased sensitivities will allow for markedly greater capabilities. This contribution will summarize the advances expected from those new telescopes operating between 30 μm and 1 cm.
RARE MODE NUCLEAR ABSORPTION OF PIONS.

Since the 1967 meeting of this Conference, a considerable amount of work has been done on the low energy pion nucleus inter-action; more refined and detailed work on well-known processes such as (π, 2N) [1], π-nucleus elastic and inealstic scattering [2] have been performed. Seeing the availability in the near future of low energy pion beans with their intensities a few orders of magni-tudes higher than those presently available, it is also important to explore the pion-nucleus processes that have not been studied well mainly because of their low yields. We have made some efforts towards this direction by studying pion absorptions which are relatively rare but may be amenableto theoretical interpretations. This report presents the results of the following two experiments; single proton emission following absorption of π+ by 12C at 73 MeV, and neutrons following radiative pion capture by 12C, 16O and Ca. The first experiment was done by T. R. Witten, M. Blecher and K. Gotow, the second by W-C. Lam, B. Macdonald, W. P. Trower and K. Gotow.
Emotional Dimensions of Conducting Research in Disaster Settings: A Note on Social Psychological Considerations

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, disaster research witnessed a convergence of researchers from the social sciences in disciplinary and multidisciplinary teams. National Science Foundation grants f...
The Fusion of Voice and Video

We investigate the simultaneous occurrence of speech, vision and natural language. Several applications are analyzed in order to demonstrate and categorize the many ways that voice signals, images and text can be semantically related. Examples are provided of how connectionist, blackboard, and conceptual dependency approaches apply.
A long-run Pure Variance Common Features model for the common volatilities of the Dow Jones

Abstract In this paper, a new model to analyze the comovements in the volatilities of a portfolio is proposed. The Pure Variance Common Features model is a factor model for the conditional variances of a portfolio of assets, designed to isolate a small number of variance features that drive all assets’ volatilities. It decomposes the conditional variance into a short-run idiosyncratic component (a low-order ARCH process) and a long-run component (the variance factors). An empirical example provides evidence that models with very few variance features perform well in capturing the long-run common volatilities of the equity components of the Dow Jones.
Complex cytogenetic aberrations in a well-differentiated chondrosarcoma.

Abstract The cytogenetic analysis of a well-differentiated (grade I) chondrosarcoma is presented. Despite a low-grade histopathology, metaphase preparations of tumor cells were characterized by numerous structural chromosome aberrations and a striking degree of genetic instability; the t(9;22)(q31;q12) that has been described recently in extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma was not observed. This report suggests that chondrosarcomas may be heterogeneous cytogenetically. In chondrosarcoma, it appears that “high-grade” cytogenetic abnormalities do not necessarily engender a high-grade histology. These findings offer a possible explanation for the clinical aggressiveness of certain low-grade chondrosarcomas.
Japan and the concept of sustainability

This article describes a sustainable human social adaptation. It provides an example of how a human population responds to environmental stresses and modulates its population given technological abilities for food production and population control. The example used is Japan over the past 500 years. The concept of “sustainability” has become a popular concept used in a variety of conflicting and contradictory contexts and with resulting confusion. This eassay is offered as a point of discussion to produce more precise definitions of the concept of sustainability as it applies to human society.
Properties of Different Fibrinolysins Produced by Streptococci.

Conclusions1. Hemolytic streptococci of human origin, when tested for fibrinolytic activity in 2% and 0.05% glucose-broths, may be classified in one of the following groups: (a) production in 2% only; (b) in 0.05% only; (c) in both 2% and 0.05%; and (d) no production in either.Properties of the 2% glucose-broth fibrinolysin (a): This type of fibrinolysin inhibits clotting; it is effective toward human and animal plasma, but only when used undiluted; it is thermostable; and was not neutralized by specific streptococcal antisera.The fibrinolysin of groups (b) and (c), even in high dilutions, lyses human plasma but not animal plasma; it is thermostable, and may be neutralized by streptococcal antisera.Serum-broth fibrinolysin resembles 0.05% glucose-broth fibrinolysin, but is heat-labile.2. S. viridans, enterococcus, and pneumococcus, when cultivated in 2% glucose-broth, may produce a fibrinolysin which has the same properties as the fibrinolysin produced by hemolytic streptococci in 2% glucose-broth.
Flip-flop: a journey through globalisation's backroads

Caroline Knowles' provocative, engaging new book about globalization challenges conventional wisdom. It brings us down from the ‘commanding heights of globalization’, to ‘less hegemonic, less sensa...
A Possible Role of Ice-Forming Nuclei in Rain Formation

Abstract Population of cloud droplets in a cloud may be decreased under some circumstances by their removal (along with other particles) by an ice crystal growing on an ice-forming nucleus. Further condensation of water vapor should take place on remaining cloud droplets, which should consequently grow to larger sizes.
Distributed binary geometric sensor arrays for low-data-throughput human gait biometrics

We present a novel sensing paradigm of measuring human gait. The goal of the research is to achieve low-cost gait biometrics systems with minimum data throughput for various sensing modalities. The binary measurements of the system are achieved by using both (1) periodic and (2) pseudo-random sampling structures. As a result, either static or dynamic gait features can be estimated from a one-bit data stream. The simulation results demonstrate the gait information acquisition capability of the proposed binary sensing technology.
SIGMA MODELS AS PERTURBED CONFORMAL FIELD THEORIES

We show that two-dimensional sigma models are related to certain perturbed conformal field theories. When the fields in the sigma model take values in a space $G/H$ for a group $G$ and a maximal subgroup $H$, we argue that the corresponding conformal field theory is the $k\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ limit of the coset model $(G/H{)}_{k}$, and the perturbation is related to the current of $G$. Nonperturbative instanton contributions to the sigma model free energy are perturbative when $k$ is finite. We use this mapping to find the free energy for the `` $\mathrm{O}(n)$'' [ $\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{O}(n)/\mathrm{O}(n\ensuremath{-}1)$] sigma model at nonzero temperature. It also results in a new approach to the ${\mathrm{CP}}^{n}$ model.
Spiritual Disclosure and Ego Resiliency: Validating Spiritual Competencies

Counselor spiritual and religious competency depends primarily on the ability to facilitate client spiritual disclosure. Little is known, however, about the empirical qualities of spiritual disclosure. In a sample of 318 adults (mean age = 44 years), spiritual disclosure independently predicted ego resiliency, a critical quality for stress-related growth. Spiritual disclosure predicted ego resiliency over the partial mediators of the 5 factors of personality, general global disclosure, and congregational support. Implications for professional counseling ethics are discussed.
Urine protein analysis by capillary electrophoresis

Increased concentration of proteins in urine as well as abnormal patterns are seen in many disorders such as various renal disorders and light chain disease. At the wavelength of 214 nm used for detection of the peptide bond, numerous compounds interfere in the analysis of urinary proteins. We show that either adsorptive filtration with a wash step or cold ethanol precipitation are two methods which can eliminate many of the interferences. The wash step is rapid, greatly reduces the interfering substances, and decreases the effect of sample matrix. Both of these methods yield results comparable to the traditional agarose method. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is faster and more cost-effective than agarose electrophoresis.
Effects of a staircase on minigaps in Si inversion layers

Effects of one-dimensional periodic staircases on minigaps are theoretically investigated. Various cases are classified according to the step height. Observed positions of minigaps can be explained by a staircase model whose step height is half a lattice constant. In this case (i) the minigaps are assigned from the lowest as ${E}_{0}$, ${E}_{1}$, ${A}_{1}$, ${E}_{\ensuremath{-}1}$, ${E}_{2}$, ${A}_{2}$, ${E}_{\ensuremath{-}2}$, and so on, where ${E}_{r}$ stands for an intervalley minigap and ${A}_{r}$ for an intravalley one; (ii) ${E}_{r}$ observed in dc conduction are approximately given by ${E}_{r}\ensuremath{\approx}23(\frac{\ensuremath{\theta}}{\ensuremath{\alpha}})\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}(\frac{1}{4}){r}^{2}{W}^{2}]sin(2\ensuremath{\varphi}){N}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ (meV) for $|r|\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\theta}l1$, where $\ensuremath{\theta}$ and $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ are polar and azimuthal angles of tilting, $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ is a parameter expressing a step structure and of the order of one, $W$ is a parameter specifying the disorder of staircase, and ${N}_{\mathrm{eff}}=\frac{({N}_{\mathrm{inv}}+3{N}_{\mathrm{depl}})}{{10}^{12}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$; (iii) ${A}_{r}\ensuremath{\approx}{[{(\frac{0.46}{r})}^{2}+{83}^{2}{(\frac{\ensuremath{\theta}}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}\ensuremath{-}2{\ensuremath{\theta}}^{2})}^{2}{N}_{\mathrm{eff}}^{\frac{\ensuremath{-}2}{3}}]}^{\frac{1}{2}}\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}(\frac{1}{4}){r}^{2}{W}^{2}]{N}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ (meV); (iv) uniaxial stress along [110] or [$1\overline{1}0$] has an effect on ${E}_{r}$.
Composition and emissions of VOCs in main- and side-stream smoke of research cigarettes

Abstract It is well known that mainstream (MS) and sidestream (SS) cigarette smoke contains a vast number of chemical substances. Previous studies have emphasized SS smoke rather than MS smoke to which smokers are exposed, and most have used chamber tests that have several disadvantages such as wall losses. Emissions from standard research cigarettes have been measured, but relatively few constituents have been reported, and only the 1R4F (low nicotine) cigarette type has been tested. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of total, MS and SS smoke emissions for the 1R5F (ultra low nicotine), 2R4F (low nicotine), and 1R3F (standard nicotine) research cigarettes research cigarettes, including emission factors for a number of toxic compounds (e.g., benzene) and tobacco smoke tracers (e.g., 2,5-dimethyl furan). Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM) are quantified using a dynamic dilution emission measurement system that is shown to produce accurate, rapid and reproducible results for over 30 VOCs and PM. SS and MS emissions were accurately apportioned based on a mass balance of total emissions. As expected, SS emissions greatly exceeded MS emissions. The ultra low nicotine cigarette had lower emissions of most VOCs compared to low and standard nicotine cigarettes, which had similar emissions. Across the three types of cigarettes, emissions of benzene (296–535 μg cig−1), toluene (541–1003 μg cig−1), styrene (90–162 μg cig−1), 2-dimethyl furan (71–244 μg cig−1), naphthalene (15–18 μg cig−1) and other VOCs were generally comparable to or somewhat higher than literature estimates using chamber tests.
Comparison of cancers detected at only a sextant or alternative location.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of the tumour-positive biopsy site at extended biopsy on tumour volume and potential biological significance of prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively evaluated radical prostatectomy specimens from 247 consecutive men diagnosed with prostate cancer by extended biopsy. Men who had both a positive sextant and alternative site were excluded, resulting in 132 evaluable men. We assessed age, pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, prostate volume, pathological stage, Gleason score, total tumour volume, and location (sextant or alternative site) of the positive biopsy. Patients were grouped by location of the positive biopsy, i.e. sextant site only or alternative site only, including anterior horn, midline region and transition zone. RESULTS A biopsy from a sextant-only or an alternative site only was positive in 42% (56/132) and 58% (76/132) of men, respectively. There was no significant difference in PSA level, number of positive cores, pathological stage, Gleason score, total tumour volume or the incidence of low-volume/low-grade cancer (volume <0.5 mL and a Gleason score of ≤6) between the groups. In men with one positive core, there was no significant difference in total tumour volume (median 0.20 vs 0.36 mL, respectively) or in the incidence of low-volume/low-grade cancer (42% vs 40%, respectively) between the groups. CONCLUSIONS Total tumour volume and the incidence of low-volume/low-grade cancer detected at an alternative site only were comparable to those of cancers detected at a sextant site only. Alternative site biopsy did not increase the incidence of low-volume/low-grade cancers detected.
Genetic variation of fat and glycogen storage in Xiphophorus variatus (pisces; poeciliidae)

Abstract 1. 1. Individuals from independent sibships of Xiphophorus variatus were maintained at defined feeding levels from birth to sexual maturity, and then killed for analysis of triglycerides and glycogen. 2. 2. Significant variation was observed among sibships in adult sizes, triglyceride and glycogen storage, condition factor and ovary weights. 3. 3. Reduced rations had major effects on growth and energy storage in one sibship (“steep” response), but no noticeable effect in another (“flat” response). 4. 4. Flat and steep responses may be phenotyped in the laboratory and their genetics analysed by reciprocal crosses among lines. 5. 5. Females had higher liver glycogen and lower liver fats than males and appeared to cycle fats between the liver and the ovaries.
Interdental Thickness Discrimination by Normal Subjects

Twenty-four adults made judgments of relative thickness of Plexiglas wedges placed inter dentally. Obtained difference limen values were consistently lower than those previously reported. Degree of mouth opening had no significant effect on performance. These data contribute to our understanding of sensory-perceptual factors in the regulation of chewing and speech.
ASSESSING THE COMPREHENSIBILITY OF TEXT

The comprehensibility of textbooks is examined in the dual perspective of literary quality and reader perceptions of text structure. Literary quality is defined in terms of unity, coherence and emphasis. Reader perceptions are defined as 1) ideas readers see in text; 2) the perceived importance of each of those ideas; 3) perceived familiarity of each of those ideas; and 4) reader recall of ideas following a reading of the text. A nine‐step procedure Is suggested for analyzing comprehensibility in ways which go far beyond a standard readability approach. In part, these procedures derive from successful attempts to restructure text to Improve reader perceptions and recall.
Empirical evidence on home improvements

Abstract Because expenditures for home improvements amount to almost one-half of expenditures for new construction, it seems quite likely that alterations and repairs by homeowners are important components of housing supply activities. This article explores one of the few comprehensive data sets available to provide some empirical evidence on home improvements. A general model of home improvements is also developed to help interpret the results.
Partial Purification and Differential Androgen Sensitivity of Protein Phosphokinases from Nuclei of Rat Ventral Prostate

Total protein kinase activity associated with nuclei of rat ventral prostate was extracted and fractionated with the aid of DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography. The flow-through peak contained kinase activities towards dephosphophosvitin, lysine-rich histone, and nonhistone proteins as phosphoprotein substrates. These activities were not stimulated by addition of cAMP, although the cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor reduced the lysine-rich histone kinase activity by 70% or more, suggesting that it might represent the catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent histone kinase. By contrast, the inhibitor produced a stimulation of kinase activities toward dephosphophosvitin and nonhistone proteins by 15% and 50%, respectively. The bound fraction on the DEAE Sephadex column was eluted in two peaks of protein kinase activity, one at 0.15–0.20 M (NH4)2SO4, and the other at 0.25–0.30 M (NH4)2SO4. The first peak contained activity only toward nonhistone proteins, whereas the second had activity toward dephosphophosvitin, lysine-rich histone, and nonhistone proteins. None of these was inhibited by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor. The effect of orchiectomy on the activity of the various protein kinase fractions was determined. The kinase activity toward dephosphophosvitin, in the flow-through peak, was reduced by about 20% and 40% at 24 and 48 h post-orchiectomy, respectively, and in the bound peak by 33% and 50%, under the same circumstances. Little change was observed in the kinase activity toward lysine-rich histone in the flow-through peak or in the bound peak at 24 h post-orchiectomy. However, at 48 h post-orchiectomy, it increased by 250% in both fractions. This particular kinase activity toward lysine-rich histone might be localized to nucleoplasm rather than chromatin. The protein kinase active toward nonhistone proteins present in the flow-through peak did not change at 24 h post-orchiectomy, but declined by 50% at 48 h post-orchiectomy. Of the two bound nonhistone protein kinase activities, that eluting at 0.25–0.30 M (NH4)2SO4 was reduced by over 80% within 24 h post-orchiectomy, whereas that eluting at 0.15–0.20 M increased by 100% at 24 h and 200% at 48 h post-orchiectomy. These data demonstrate a differential response of prostatic nuclear-associated protein kinases to androgen deprivation.
Repeated Homing Exhibited by a Female Pallid Bat

A pallid bat ( Antrozous pallidus ) returned home from eight consecutive releases from six distinctly different directions and from distances ranging from 21 to 68 miles. This performance indicates that chance alone cannot be a major factor in homing, and that certain abilities possessed by this bat, and not simply randomness, must have been in operation.
Phosphorylation of the Lutropin/Choriogonadotropin Receptor Facilitates Uncoupling of the Receptor from Adenylyl Cyclase and Endocytosis of the Bound Hormone

Stably transfected cell lines expressing the wild-type rat LH/CG receptor (rLHR) or a full-length rLHR in which S635, T638, S639, S649, and S653 were simultaneously mutated to alanine residues (designated rLHR-5S/T→A) were used to probe the importance of receptor phosphorylation on the regulation of receptor functions. The mutant receptor binds hCG with high affinity and transduces the hormonal signal into increases in cAMP and inositol phosphate accumulation comparable in magnitude to those elicited by the wild-type receptor. In contrast to cells expressing rLHR-wt, which respond to hCG or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulation with an increase in rLHR phosphorylation, the phosphorylation of rLHR in cells expressing rLHR-5S/T→A is severely blunted. Likewise, the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced desensitization of hCG-induced cAMP accumulation is drastically reduced in cells expressing rLHR-5S/T→A. In contrast, the hCG-induced desensitization of hCG-induced cAMP accumulation is delayed, but no...
Syntheses of octahydroquinoline-N-oxides: Haptens designed to elicit catalytic antibodies that control a terpenoid-like cascade cyclisation

Abstract An efficient synthetic route to both cis- and trans-fused racemic 4a,6-dimethyloctahydroquinoline-N-oxides has been developed. These species were employed as haptens to elicit catalytic antibodies capable of controlling the corresponding bicyclic hydrocarbon formation from linear quasi-triisoprenoid substrates. Temperature dependent NMR studies of cis-fused compounds proved the existence of two conformational states. Hapten 20b has elicited an antibody that efficiently catalyses a tandem cationic cyclisation leading to bridge-methylated decalins.
Catecholamine depletion by reserpine blocks the anxiolytic actions of ethanol in the rat

Neurochemical investigations of the anti-anxiety action of ethanol demonstrate that increased dopaminergic, noradrenergic, and serotonergic activity mediates the anxiolytic actions of ethanol. Results of studies with animals and human beings also confirm an involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in the behavioral actions of ethanol. Because enhanced sympathetic activity increases the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic terminals, the interruption of normal sympathetic activity might disrupt the anxiolytic action of ethanol. The present study examined the effect of chemical sympathectomy by reserpine pretreatment on the subsequent anxiolytic action of ethanol. Seventy-one, female, Sprague-Dawley rats were administered reserpine (0 or 5 mg/kg), followed 17-19 h later by ethanol (0, 0.5, or 1.0 g/kg). Animals were then tested in the elevated plus maze. Compared with saline pretreatment, which did not attenuate the anxiolytic actions of a 1.0-g/kg dose of ethanol, reserpine pretreatment completely blocked the anxiolytic action of a 1.0-g/kg dose of ethanol. Reserpine, by itself, did not possess anxiolytic or anxiogenic actions. Because the anxiolytic action of ethanol involves increased catecholamine activity and the depletion of norepinephrine and dopamine from sympathetic nerve terminals by reserpine blocked the anxiolytic action of ethanol, it is concluded that the anxiolytic action of ethanol requires the presence of normal catecholamine activity. We suggest that prostaglandin activity normally evoked by enhanced sympathetic nervous system activity might be involved in the anxiolytic action of ethanol.
Suicidality and injury of the prefrontal cortex in multiple incidents of mild traumatic brain injury.

To the Editor The article by Bryan and Clemans 1 about the relationships between episodes of combat mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and suicide augments information on the role of repeated traumatic brain injury episodes in the genesis of brain injury and altered behavior. 2,3 The finding of a relationship between number of mTBI episodes and the likelihood of suicidality is consistent with prior observations demonstrating that the likelihood of an individual developing posttraumatic stress disorder increased with the number of episodes of combat mTBI that were associated with loss of consciousness (LOC). 4 We found that the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and the number of mTBI episodes was stronger for mTBI associated with LOC compared with the number of mTBI events that were not accompanied by LOC. We wonder if Bryan and Clemans 1 can comment on whether suicidality was related more strongly to episodes of mTBI with LOC compared with episodes without LOC. We would appreciate the thoughts of Bryan and Clemans 1 on the role of impulsivity in suicidality following mTBI. Our experience has been that impaired impulse control is associated with suicide attempts following combat mTBI. Individuals may flip into a suicidal state following an unpredictable setback. For example, we treated a veteran who had sustained multiple episodes of mTBI who received a note from a former acquaintance. The veteran thought the acquaintance intended to resume a romantic relationship. The veteran attempted suicide after discovering that the acquaintance did not desire romance. The attempted suicide was done impulsively. The veteran did not contact anyone to express distress. Impulsivity can reflect altered frontal lobe function. A recent study reported increased activation of the anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortex in combat veterans with histories of suicidal ideation. 5 We found that impaired olfaction increased with the number of mTBI events associated with LOC. 4 Because the olfactory cortex is located in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, impaired olfaction may indicate prefrontal injury. The observation that an increased number of traumatic brain injury events are associated with increased risk of suicidality suggests that such individuals, their families, and caregivers should be targeted for interventions to prevent suicide including education to encourage the veteran to alert others when thoughts of suicide emerge. Families need education about mTBI to understand that even though the veteran may
Susceptibility of immature horn flies to toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis.

The major larvicidal activity against Haematobia irritans (L.) in a commercial product of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bakthane L-69®, Rohm & Haas Co.) was found in the water-insoluble fraction. The toxins appeared to be calcium compounds which, when freed from calcium and solubilized at neutral pH, had the characteristics of B. t .-β-exotoxin (previously referred to as fly factor). When these toxins were administered to cattle in their insoluble state, they were excreted with the feces and were active against immature horn flies. The spores and crystals were ineffectual against immature horn flies, and the spores did not germinate and proliferate in bovine feces.
Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of massive subchorionic thrombohematoma.

Massive subchorionic thrombohematoma is a rare condition in which a large maternal blood clot separates the chorionic plate from the villous chorion. This condition is usually complicated by intrauterine growth restriction, and is often associated with fetal distress and perinatal death. We present a case in which the diagnosis of massive subchorionic thrombohematoma was made at 24 weeks' gestation. Doppler ultrasound helped to confirm the diagnosis and demonstrated severely abnormal umbilical blood flow. Two days after the diagnosis, fetal distress prompted emergency Cesarean delivery of a growth-restricted infant. Copyright © 1998 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Receptor-mediated adhesion phenomena. Model studies with the Radical-Flow Detachment Assay

Receptor-mediated cell adhesion phenomena play a vital role in many physiological and biotechnology-related processes. To investigate the physical and chemical factors that influence the cell/surface interaction, we have used a radial flow device, a so-called Radial-Flow Detachment Assay (RFDA). The RFDA allows us to make direct observations of the detachment process under specified experimental conditions. In results reported here, we have studied the detachment of receptor-coated latex beads (prototype cells) from ligand-coated glass surfaces. The receptors and ligands used in this work are complementary antibodies. The beads enable us to examine several aspects of the adhesion process with particles having uniform properties that can be varied systematically. Advantages of the RFDA are many, especially direct observation of cell detachment over a range of shear stresses with quantitative measurement of the adhesive force. We focus our studies on the effects of ligand and receptor densities, along with the influence of pH and ionic strength of the medium. These data are analyzed with a mathematical model based on the theoretical framework of Bell, G. I. (1978. Science [Wash. DC]. 200:618–627) and Hammer, D. A. and D. A. Lauffenburger (1987. Biophys. J. 52:475–487). We demonstrate experimental validation of a theoretical expression for the critical shear stress for particle detachment, and show that it is consistent with reasonable estimates for the receptor-ligand bond affinity.
Thermal and mechanical stability of Ce-containing Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu lead-free solder on Cu and electroless Ni-P metallizations

Rare earth (RE)-containing solders have been shown to exhibit improvements in both physical and mechanical properties. However, the reactive nature of RE elements with oxygen may degrade the mechanical properties even under room-temperature aging. In this article, we report on the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-processed and thermally aged Ce-containing Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu solder reflowed on electroless Ni-P and Cu metallizations. The microstructure of both as-reflowed and thermally aged Ce-containing Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu solder joints is more refined compared with conventional Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu solder joints. The (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 intermetallic layer formed at the Cu/Ce-containing solder interface is thinner than that of Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu solder. The monotonic shear behavior of as-reflowed and thermally aged Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu-0.5Ce/Cu and electroless Ni-P lap shear joints was studied, and compared with Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu. It was found that both as-reflowed and thermally aged Ce-containing Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu exhibit higher strain to failure compared with Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu solder joints.
Longitudinal Associations of Language Brokering and Parent-Adolescent Closeness in Immigrant Latino Families:

Language brokering is a common practice for Latino youth with immigrant parents. Yet little is known about how youth’s feelings about this responsibility contribute to the parent-adolescent relatio...
Persistence of immunoreactive neurofilament protein breakdown products in transected rat sciatic nerve

: Alterations occurring in nerve proteins of transected nerves were studied in rat sciatic nerves using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to identify and monitor neurofilament (NF) epitopes among nerve proteins following their electrophoresis and transfer to nitrocellulose paper. Immunoblot methods identified NF epitopes in NF triplet proteins (Mr 200,000, 150,000, and 68,000) and in NF nontriplet proteins (all other immunobands below Mr 200,000 and above Mr 40,000). NF triplet and nontriplet proteins were Triton-insoluble in both untransected and transected nerves. Extensive loss of NF triplet and most nontriplet proteins occurred during the 24-48-h period following nerve transection and was attributed to proteolytic degradation. Loss of protease-labile NF proteins led to a markedly reduced level of NF immunoreactivity in 2-day transected nerve. NF proteins which survived the 2-day posttransectional period were considered to represent protease-stable NF fragments. These fragments persisted in transected nerve for periods of at least 35 days. Most protease-stable NF fragments which retained immunoreactivity had Mr of 57,000-65,000. Low concentrations of the same immunobands were present in untransected nerves.
Cost-effectiveness of radiation therapy following conservative surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

Purpose To assess the cost-effectiveness of radiation therapy (RT) in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Methods and materials A Markov model was constructed for a theoretical cohort of 55-year-old women with DCIS over a life-time horizon. Probability estimates for local noninvasive (N-INV), local invasive (INV), and distant recurrences were obtained from National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) B-17. Utilities for eight nonmetastatic health states were collected from both healthy women and DCIS patients. Direct medical (2002 Medicare fee schedule) and nonmedical costs (time and transportation) of RT were ascertained. Results For BCS + RT vs. BCS alone, the estimated N-INV and INV rates at 12 years were 9% and 8% vs. 16% and 18%, respectively. The incremental cost of adding RT was $3300 despite an initial RT cost of $8700 due to higher local recurrence-related salvage costs incurred with the BCS alone strategy. An increase of 0.09 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) primarily reflected the lower risk of INV with RT, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $36,700/QALY. Sensitivity analyses revealed the ICER to be affected by baseline probability of a local recurrence, relative efficacy of RT in preventing INV, negative impact of an INV on quality of life, and cost of initial RT. Cost of salvage BCS + RT and source of utilities (healthy women vs. DCIS patients) influenced the ICER albeit to a lesser degree. Conclusions Addition of RT following BCS for patients with DCIS should not be withheld because of concerns regarding its cost-effectiveness.
Coarsening kinetics of platinum particles on oxide substrates

Abstract The growth of platinum particles supported on flat alumina substrates, at 900–1100°C. has been studied for particles ranging in size from 35–120 nm. While the observed kinetics of growth were found to be inconsistant with classical (LSW) coarsening models, a reasonable interpretation of the results was obtained from an analysis based on nucleation-inhibited coarsening models. Comparison of the present results with those of earlier studies on smaller particles at lower temperatures has pointed out certain discrepancies which suggest possible directions for improvement of the kinetic models.