cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment of perianal infection following bone marrow transplantation.

PURPOSE: Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is often associated with profound neutropenia. Allogeneic transplant recipients also have defects in both humoral and cellular immunity and thus are subject to increased risk of serious, often life-threatening, infection even beyond the period of granulocyte recovery. The current study was undertaken to evaluate patients who required operative intervention for perianal sepsis following BMT. METHODS: The bone marrow transplant database at a single institution was used to identify all patients diagnosed with perianal infections after autologous or allogeneic BMT. Charts were reviewed in a retrospective manner. RESULTS: Over a ten-year period ending in November 1993, 963 BMT were performed at the City of Hope National Medical Center. Twenty-four patients were diagnosed with perianal infections foEowing their transplants. Fifteen patients did not have purulent collections requiring drainage and were treated with antibiotics and supportive measures alone. Nine patients (37.5 percent) required surgical intervention between 10 and 380 days following transplantation. At the time of surgical intervention, seven patients had purulent collections and two patients had acute and chronic inflammation, tissue necrosis, and fibrosis. Of the two patients with an absolute neutrophil count less than 1,000, a purulent collection was found in one of the patients. Cultures taken from perianal abscesses were almost all polymicrobial, and the most common organisms wereEscherichia coli, Bacteroides, Enterococcus,andKlebsiella.For those patients undergoing surgical intervention, mean time to complete wound closure by secondary intention was 37.6 days; five patients healed in less than 15 days, two patients healed at 93 and 114 days, and two patients had persistent, open wounds at time of death, which was unrelated to their perianal disease. Five patients were receiving systemic steroids at time of surgical intervention; this did not appear to affect time to wound healing. CONCLUSIONS: Perianal infections are a rare complication of BMT. Majority of these infections are polymicrobial, and organisms isolated are similar to those seen in the perianal infections of nonimmunosuppressed patients. Despite steroid use, granulocytopenia does not exclude the possible presence of purulent collections, and clinical examination should guide the decision for surgical drainage. In general, perianal wound healing is not prolonged in BMT patients.
A model for the performance of silicon microstrip detectors

Abstract The performance of silicon microstrip detectors which will be used at the SSC is simulated using charge carrier transport and electrostatic equations. The output current pulse shape as a function of detector dimensions, applied voltage, magnetic field strength, and particle trajectory is calculated. A Monte Carlo calculation, which combines the pulse shape results with an energy loss distribution, indicates that when operating at a 99% detection efficiency, charge sharing between neighboring strips will occur more than 40% of the time for 50 μm pitch double-sided readout detectors in the environment of a 2 T magnetic field. Using only hit/no-hit information, a position resolution of about 28 μm FWHM is achievable in the strip-to-strip dimension. If the p-side strips are rotated by 5 mrad with respect to the n-side strips, a hit position resolution in the lengthwise dimension of about 7 mm FWHM is calculated.
Serum CA125 regression in epithelial ovarian cancer: correlation with reassessment findings and survival.

Abstract Findings at reassessment laparotomy and disease-free survival are reported for a group of patients with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer who have had a complete clinical response to cytoreductive surgery and multiagent platinum-based chemotherapy. The predictive value of the number of chemotherapy cycles to achieve a serum CA125 of s , the rate of achieving a normal serum CA125. s is generated from an exponential regression model. This study suggests that s accurately predicts which patients have residual disease at reassessment laparotomy, who will be free of disease, and, of those in the latter group, who are at greatest risk to recur, as well as overall survival. If these observations are confirmed, physicians may base further therapeutic intervention on the basis of a calculated parameter following complete clinical response to first-line treatment rather than relying on findings at reassessment laparotomy.
Education Spending and State Economic Growth: Are All Dollars Created Equal?

This article contributes to the literature on the effect of state and local education spending on U.S. state economic growth by separately analyzing higher and K-12 education spending and by taking into account the possibility that education spending may generate spillover effects to neighboring states. Results from a series of fixed-effects regressions using a 1992-2002 panel of state-level data indicate that increased spending on higher education generally exhibits a relatively large negative effect on private sector employment or gross state product growth when the increase in education spending is financed through own-source revenue. Results do not identify a statistically significant relationship between K-12 education spending and economic growth. This finding is an important clarification in the literature because an analysis of combined higher and K-12 education spending yields an overall negative effect. Results do not provide consistent evidence of cross-state spillover effects associated with e...
Sources of the thoracic cardiogenic electrical impedance signal as determined by a model.

A three-dimensional electrical model was developed to study the origin of ΔZ due to cardiac activity recorded from band electrodes around the neck and lower thorax. Volume changes were simulated with resistivity changes in the lungs, large arteries, large veins and atria, ventricles, small arteries and veins and the skeletal muscle for a typical 80 ml ventricular stroke volume. The results showed the contributions to ΔZ to be 61 per cent from the lungs, 23 per cent from the large arteries and 13 per cent from the skeletal muscle. The ΔZ signal was most sensitive to skeletal muscle volume change The results indicate that the ΔZ signal has many origins which could cause significant error in calculated cardiac function it all the regions do not change in the normal related pattern.
Effect of co-modifiers in cyclodextrin-modified mobile phases on the reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract The effect of two co-modifier containing tert. -butyl moieties, tert. -butyl (N-hydroxy) carbamate and tert. -butyl carbazate, on the retention behavior of six polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using cyclodextrin-modified mobile phases has been examined. Both modifiers resulted in shorter retention times for all PAHs, when a size-compatible cyclodextrin was present in the eluent. This decrease has been attributed to the formation of a ternary PAH-cyclodextrin-modifier complex. The apparent formation constants calculated for these complexes are of the order of approximately 10 2 M −1 , with the exception of the β-CD-pyrene complex, which was determined to have a 2:1 stoichiometry. Mixtures of β- and γ-cyclodextrins were used in the mobile phase along with tert. -butyl carbazate to achieve a baseline separation of all six PAHs under 50 min.
PHYLOGENY OF THE CHLOROPHYCEAE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE SPHAEROPLEALES: A STUDY OF 18S AND 26S rDNA DATA

Ultrastructural analyses of the flagellar apparatus suggested that Sphaeroplea, Atractomorpha, the Hydrodictyaceae, and the Neochloridaceae, all of which produce biflagellate motile cells with directly opposed (DO) basal bodies, are allied in an order Sphaeropleales. Recent studies of 18S rDNA sequence data supported an alliance of the DO group, but no data from Sphaeroplea and its allies were included. This investigation presented a test of the phylogenetic hypothesis suggested by the flagellar apparatus evidence using sequence data from the nuclear-encoded small-subunit rDNA (18S) and large subunit rDNA (26S) genes, combined with additional taxon sampling. Results from phylogenetic analyses weakly supported monophyly of biflagellate DO taxa and indicated that pyrenoids with cytoplasmic invaginations are present in numerous distinct lineages. Analysis of both molecular data sets supported a class Chlorophyceae comprised of at least six major groups that generally correspond to currently recognized orders or families: Chaetophorales, Chae- topeltidales, Chlamydomonadales, Sphaeropleales, Sphaeropleaceae, and Oedogoniales. In addition, Cylindrocapsa, Elakatothrix, Treubaria, and Trochiscia formed a seventh chlorophycean clade that is new to science. This investigation demonstrated that the 26S rDNA gene provides more phylogenetic signal, per unit sequence, than the 18S rDNA gene and that combined analysis yields topologies with more robust support than independent analysis of either data set.
Conducting a RATA of continuous mercury monitors using EPA Method 30B

In June 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR). As part of the rule, all coal-fired power plants were required to do continuous mercury measurements. Although CAMR has now been vacated by the courts, based on discussion with the EPA, it is expected that the mercury measurement requirements as written will be part of any future mercury regulations. This paper focuses on the process for certifying a continuous mercury monitor and conducting a relative accuracy test audit using EPA Method 30B. Based on the experience gained at the Energy & Environmental Research Center, a number of recommendations for conducting a RATA are provided.
Cross-layer collision-tolerant MAC with message passing detection

A cross-layer collision-tolerant (CT) media access control (MAC) scheme is proposed in this paper. In the MAC layer, each user transmits multiple weighted replicas of a packet at randomly selected data slots in a frame, and the indices of the selected slots are transmitted in a special collision-free position slot at the beginning of each frame. Collisions of the data slots in the MAC layer are resolved by using multiuser detection (MUD) in the physical (PHY) layer. The MUD is performed by employing a modified message passing (MP) algorithm, which treats the MAC structure as a bipartite graph, with each unique packet denoted as a message node (MN), and each slot denoted as a slot node (SN). The graph is simplified by removing the nodes with 0 or 1 connection to reduce the complexity of the MP algorithm. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed CT-MAC achieves significant performance gains over existing cross-layer MAC schemes. It can support as many as N = 2.4M simultaneous users for a system with M slots per frame, yet most existing schemes can only operate with N ≤ M.
Simultaneous tunable two-wavelength operation of flashlamp pumped dye lasers

Abstract Three dye laser cavity arrangements are described which have been used to generate two or more wavelengths simultaneously with a bandwidth of 1 cm -1 in the visible. The arrangement is useful for experiments that require two independently tunable sources of radiation.
The UAW and the struggle to organize aircraft, 1937–1942

This article examines the United Automobile Workers’ Union (UAW) efforts to organize the aircraft industry, 1937–1942. It argues that the North American Aviation Strike in Inglewood, California in 1941 played a pivotal role in determining the union's fate in the industry. Following the controversial strike national UAW leaders seized control over the Aviation Organizing Campaign, placing the drive clearly in the hands of the union's auto interests. The move removed local leaders, and alienated a workforce that long cast a suspicious eye on the UAW. Ultimately, as events at Curtiss-Wright in Buffalo, New York show, the decision greatly hindered the UAW efforts in aircraft and opened the door to fierce competition from the International Association of Machinists.
Nuclear factor-KappaB modulation as a therapeutic approach in hematologic malignancies

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) is a collective term that refers to a small class of dimeric transcription factors for a number of genes, including growth factors, angiogenesis modulators, cell-adhesion molecules, and antiapoptotic factors. Although most NF-κB proteins promote transcription, some act as inactivating or repressive complexes. The most common p50-RelA (p65) dimer known “specifically” as NF-κB, is relatively abundant, controls the expression of numerous genes, and exists as an inactive cytoplasmic complex bound to inhibitory proteins of the NF-κB inhibitor (IκB) family. The inactive NF-κB-IκB complex is activated by a variety of stimuli, including proinflammatory cytokines, mitogens, growth factors, and stress-inducing agents. The release of NF-κB facilitates its translocation to the nucleus, where it promotes cell survival by initiating the transcription of genes encoding stress-response enzymes, cell-adhesion molecules, proinflammatory cytokines, and antiapoptotic proteins. Constitutive activation of NF-κB in the nucleus is observed in some hematologic disorders. With the recent approval of bortezomib for patients with advanced multiple myeloma, NF-κB modulation is likely to be a therapeutic endeavor of increasing interest in coming years. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Production of hydrated electrons from photoionization of dissolved organic matter in natural waters.

Under UV irradiation, an important primary photochemical reaction of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) is electron ejection to produce hydrated electrons ( ). The efficiency of this process has been studied in both fresh water and seawater samples with both steady-state scavenger (S-SS) and time-resolved laser flash photolysis (LFP) methods. However, the apparent quantum yields (AQYs) of for the same samples using the two methods differ by as much as a factor of 100, necessitating a closer re-examination of how the process is measured. We developed a highly sensitive multipass LFP apparatus that allows detection of transient species at very low and variable UV irradiation intensities. Under single-photon conditions, we measured the AQY of from Laurentian fulvic acid as 1.3 × 10-4, and set the upper limit for other CDOM samples at 6 × 10-5, bringing the LFP results into agreement with those from S-SS methods. We also examined the ionization at elevated irradiation intensities and clearly demonstrated...
Structural Collapse and Vehicular Crash Simulation Using a Plastic Hinge Technique

ABSTRACT This paper presents a computer-based method for formulation and efficient solution of nonlinear, constrained differential equations of motion for spatial dynamic analysis of mechanical systems and its application to automobile crash simulation. Nonlinear holonomic constraint equations and differential equations of motion are written in terms of a maximal set of Cartesian generalized coordinates, three translational and four rotational coordinates for each rigid body in the system, where the rotational coordinates are Euler parameters. A numerical integration algorithm with positive-error control, employing a predictor-corrector algorithm with variable order and step size, integrates for only the independent variables, yet effectively determines dependent variables. The program is used to analyze plastic deformations of structures by employing a plastic hinge concept. The structure is divided into several components that are connected by plastic hinges. Each plastic hinge is modeled by a joint-spr...
Numerical simulation to determine the effects of incident wind shear and turbulence level on the flow around a building

Abstract The effects of incident shear and turbulence on flow around a cubical building are being investigated by a turbulent kinetic energy/dissipation (k-ϵ) model (TEMPEST). The numerical simulations demonstrate significant effects due to the differences in the incident flow. The addition of upstream turbulence and shear results in a reduced size of the cavity directly behind the building. The accuracy of numerical simulations is verified by comparing the predicted mean flow fields with the available wind-tunnel measurements of Castro and Robins (1977). Comparing our results with experimental data, we show that the TEMPEST model can reasonably simulate the mean flow.
Business Ethics: Law As A Determinant of Business Conduct.

The Principles of Corporate Governance require that business conduct conform to the law. In recent years, news reports of business misconduct have cast doubt on a conclusion that conformity is the prevalent practice. This article explores the influence of law on business conduct by comparing the law’s requirements and purposes with actual business conduct in the market. Specifically, it explores whether certain legal regimes are more effective than others in inducing greater commitment to legal compliance by corporate actors. The conclusion drawn is that the prevalent legal regime – a vague common law or legislative mandate – is typically associated with corporate conduct that evades or ignores the law’s mandate or its underlying purpose.
Uniform asymptotic expansions in transport theory with small mean free paths, and the diffusion approximation

We consider initial−boundary value and boundary value problems for transport equations in inhomogeneous media. We consider the case when the mean free path is small compared to typical lengths in the domain (e.g., the size of a reactor). Employing the boundary layer technique of matched asymptotic expansions, we derive a uniform asymptotic expansion of the solution of the problem. In so doing we find that in the interior of the domain, i.e., away from boundaries and away from the initial line, the leading term of the expansion satisfies a diffusion equation which is the basis of most computational work in reactor design. We also derive boundary conditions appropriate to the diffusion equation. Comparisons with existing results such as the asymptotic and P1 diffusion theories, the PN approximation, and the extrapolated end point condition for these approximations, are made. Finally the uniform validity of our expansions is proved, thus yielding the desired error estimates.
Application-specific image compression for multimedia applications

In order to establish a synergy between the compression scheme and the intended processing of the compressed image, we develop a family of compression algorithms that can adapt to the specialized requirements imposed by the application. The focus of this work is on wavelet-based compression for still images. A family of eight compression schemes is proposed to address specialized multimedia requirements such as (i) partial evaluation of wavelet coefficients, (ii) asymptotic losslessness of the algorithms, (iii) tree-structure in the selected coefficients, and (iv) optimization of either energy compaction or coefficient retention. Experimental results, including fraction of coefficients evaluated, rate-distortion performance, and coefficient retention are presented.
Towards greater food security for India’s poor: balancing government intervention and private competition

To achieve its strategic objective of food security, the Government of India (GOI) maintains an elaborate set of food grain policies which include public procurement and price support operations, price stabilisation through buffer stocks, public food grain distribution, and extensive controls on private trade. We use aggregate and household level evidence to show that this system is costly, generates inefficiencies in the food grain marketing system (for both the public and the private sector), and often offers few, if any, benefits to its intended beneficiaries, the poor. On this basis we propose an integrated reform agenda involving improvements in the targeting of the public distribution system, creation of an enabling environment for increased private participation in food grain markets and greater incentives for efficiency by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
Rapid saccular aneurysm induction by elastase application in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a new saccular aneurysm model in vitro using elastase to study aneurysm initiation, growth, and rupture and to create a new in vivo aneurysm model to test endovascular therapies. METHODS: Seventeen common carotid arteries excised from freshly killed pigs and sheep were treated with seven different methods of elastase delivery. The arteries were mounted in a saline-filled flow chamber. They received pulsatile flow for 48 hours, or until the resulting aneurysms ruptured. Changes were continuously monitored with video camera recordings and validated with histological sections. RESULTS: All eight arteries treated topically, either on the intimal or on the adventitial surface, with elastase concentrations greater than 1 U/mm 2 , developed saccular aneurysms; five of them ruptured within 48 hours. All four arteries treated with surface concentrations of 0.1 U/mm 2 via microcatheter infusion into the lumen developed fusiform aneurysms. None of the arteries that received surface concentrations less than 0.1 U/mm 2 developed aneurysms. Histological sections revealed a reduced number of cellular elements in a stretched collagen matrix at the dome of the saccular aneurysms. CONCLUSION: After empirically testing several methods of elastase delivery, we were able to induce saccular, bifurcation-type aneurysms in animal arterial specimens. These aneurysms are histologically similar and more authentic than surgical models. The procedure is easy and reproducible. Our results suggest a possible enzymatic role in aneurysm formation and highlight the dramatic effects of selective arterial elastic damage. Also, the rapid growth of our experimental aneurysms may reflect the speed of the natural process.
Efficient computation for the Poisson binomial distribution

Direct construction of the probability distribution function for a Poisson binomial random variable, where success probabilities may vary from trial to trial, requires on the order of $$2^{n}$$ 2 n calculations, and is computationally infeasible for all but modest sized problems. An approach offered by Thomas and Taub (J Stat Comput Simul 14:125---131 1982) reduces this effort to approximately $$n^{2}$$ n 2 , which, while certainly an improvement, can still be significant for large values of $$n$$ n . We offer modifications to the method of Thomas and Taub that greatly reduce the computations while still delivering highly accurate results.
DIRECTED BIOSYNTHESIS OF UNNATURAL ALKALOIDS IN DOLICHOTHELE SPHAERICA

Abstract Using appropriate precursors, the two unnatural alkaloids 4(5)-[ N -isocaproylaminomethyl]imidazole and 3-[2- N -isovalerylaminoethyl]pyrazole were produced by Dolichothele sphaerica . The former compound represents an unnatural alkaloid formed by the simultaneous introduction of two unnatural precursors, namely isocaproic acid and 4(5)-aminomethylimidazole. The latter compound represents an aberrant alkaloid formed by the introduction of a precursor of different heterocyclic entity, 3-aminoethylpyrazole.
Law Enforcement Tactics and Their Effectiveness in Dealing With American Terrorism: Organizations, Autonomous Cells, and Lone Wolves

The article examines law-enforcement activities in 20 cases of terrorism and 38 cases of terrorism prevention, using published records. It proposes a seven-fold classification of police actions and examines which tactics were successful in identifying and apprehending perpetrators. Overall, in capturing those responsible for terrorist attacks, the most successful tactics were routine policing, the use of informers, and information provided by the public. Organized terrorism campaigns were most vulnerable to informers and surveillance, while the most effective tactics against lone wolves were witness identification and information from the public. The most successful terrorist preventions involved informers and surveillance.
Cauchy's Integral Theorem on a Finitely Generated, Real, Commutative, and Associative Algebra

LetR[α]=R[α1, α2, …, αn] (whereα1=1) be a real, unitary, finitely generated, commutative, and associative algebra. We consider functionsf(z)=f(∑ni=1 xiαi) which mapR[α]n={∑ni=1 aiαi | 1⩽i⩽n,ai∈R} intoR[α]=finite dimensional subspaces of {∑k∈Nn0 bkαk | bk∈R,k=(k1, …, kn)∈Nn0} whereN0={0, 1, 2, …}. We impose a total order on an algorithmically defined basisBforR[α]. The resulting algebra and ordered basis will be written as (R[α], <). We then use this basis to define a norm ‖·‖ on (R[α], <). Continuous functions, differentiable functions, and the concept of Riemann integration will then be defined and discussed in this new setting. We then show that ∫γ f(z) dz=0 whenf(z) is a continuous and differentiable function defined in a simply connected regionG⊂R[α]n⊂(R[α], <) containing the closed pathγ.
Disposable chromatography for a high-throughput nano-ESI/MS and nano-ESI/MS-MS platform

High-throughput proteomics has typically relied on protein identification based on MALDI-MS peptide maps of proteolytic digests of 2D-gel-separated proteins. This technique, however, requires significant sequence coverage in order to achieve a high level of confidence in the identification. Tandem MS data have the advantage of requiring fewer peptides (2) for high confidence identification, assuming adequate MS/MS sequence coverage. MALDI-MS/MS techniques are becoming available, but can still be problematic because of the difficulty of inducing fragment ions of a singly charged parent ion. Electrospray ionization, however, has the advantage of generating multiply charged species that are more readily fragmented during MS/MS analysis. Two electrospray/tandem mass spectrometry-based approaches, nanovial-ESI-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS, are used for high throughput proteomics, but much less often than MALDI-MS and peptide mass fingerprinting. Nanovial introduction entails extensive manual manipulation and often shows significant chemical background from the in-gel digest. LC-MS has the advantages that the chemical background can be removed prior to analysis and the analytes are concentrated during the separation, resulting in more abundant analyte signals. On the other hand, LC-MS can often be time intensive. Here, we report the incorporation of on-line sample clean-up and analyte concentration with a high-throughput, chip-based, robotic nano-ESI-MS platform for proteomics studies.
Optimal π-Stacking Interaction Energies in Parallel-Displaced Aryl/Aryl Dimers are Predicted by the Dimer Heavy Atom Count

It is generally accepted that large basis sets are required for the accurate calculation of interaction energies for weakly bound aryl dimers, but it has recently been reported that MP2(full)/6-31G* energies, although inaccurate in absolute terms, are well-correlated with estimated CCSD(T)/CBS results. It is now shown that this correlation holds for MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ and SCS-MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ values. Linear regression of published CCSD(T)/CBS results with MP2 or SCS-MP2 results has been used to correct systematic errors observed with both MP2 theories, and these corrections are applied to 27 parallel-displaced aromatic dimers of interest in medicinal chemistry. The optimal computed interaction energies are found to be strongly correlated with the heavy atom counts of the aryl/aryl dimers. This relationship between heavy atom count and interaction energy also applies to a series of 12 aryl/non-aryl dimers such that a single linear regression equation accounts for all of the dimers studied.
Micropulsations in the Earth's Magnetic Field Simultaneous with Pulsating Aurora

SOME preliminary results have been obtained from an investigation being undertaken at College, Alaska, concerning the correspondence of the Earth's magnetic field micropulsations1 with pulsating aurora for the purpose of explaining the physical mechanism giving rise to the phenomena. Fig. 1 illustrates the nightly coincidence of micropulsations, measured with a 6-ft. diameter magnetic north axis loop antenna of 21,586 turns and 3914-A. auroral pulsations from 70° of sky measured with a lens, interference filter, photo-multiplier system. Fig. 2 shows an occasion of simultaneous oscillations from the two phenomena.
Examining Demographic and Situational Factors on Animal Cruelty Motivations

Because of the limited number of studies that have examined the motives for childhood animal cruelty, researchers continue to suggest that further systematic study is needed. In a replication of the Hensley and Tallichet study and based on survey data from 180 inmates at one medium- and one maximum-security prison in a southern U.S. state, the present study seeks to further develop this understanding by examining the impact of demographic and situational factors on a range of animal cruelty motivations. Of the 180 inmates, 103 (57%) committed acts of animal cruelty. Logistic regression analyses revealed that respondents who committed childhood animal cruelty out of anger were less likely to cover up their behavior and to be upset by their actions but were more likely to have repeated it. Those who committed animal cruelty to shock others were more likely to reside in urban areas and to have done it alone. Furthermore, respondents who committed animal cruelty for sexual reasons were more likely to have covered up their actions and to have engaged in it repeatedly.
Is there a circulating human thymic factor that induces cyclic AMP synthesis

THE action of factors which have been extracted from the thymus or found circulating in peripheral blood and which are active in in vitro lymphocyte differentiation assays1 has been extensively studied. Astaldi et al.2 have described a factor (SF) of molecular weight (MW) less than 50,000 present in the serum of normal donors; a thymic site of production was suggested because it was not found in serum from athymic donors. It also significantly elevated cyclic AMP levels in mouse thymocytes. Because of the potential significance of this finding to the study of thymic factor action, we have attempted to corroborate these findings but, as reported here, we have observed that a serum fraction from both normal and athymic individuals can raise cyclic AMP levels in mouse thymocytes. Neither serum fraction, however, produced the degree of stimulation of cyclic AMP levels described by Astaldi et al.2. Increases in cyclic AMP were much lower than those observed using the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol. We are therefore unable to confirm the existence of a circulating thymic factor in humans which raises cyclic AMP levels in mouse thymocytes.
The Envelope Proteins of Lactate Dehydrogenase-Elevating Virus and Their Membrane Topography

Abstract We have studied the membrane topography and N-glycosylation of the envelope proteins of lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV, strain P). Transcripts of open reading frames (ORFs) 2, 5, and 6 were in vitro translated in the absence and presence of microsomal membranes, and the products analyzed for molecular weight, sensitivity to endoglycosidase F/N-glycosidase F and proteinases, and reaction with anti-LDV antibodies. The ORF 6 mRNA translation was enhanced in the presence of microsomal membranes. ORF 6 encodes a polytopic class III membrane protein identified as the nonglycosylated virion envelope protein (M/VP-2; ∼ 18 kDa). The protein has a very short (about 11 amino acids) ectodomain, a longer (about 79 amino acids) C-terminal endodomain, and crosses the membrane three times between these domains. ORF 5 encodes the primary virion envelope glycoprotein (VP-3P) (25 - 42 kDa). Our results suggest that it is a polytopic class I glycoprotein. After removal of a signal peptide, the processed protein of about 171 amino acids consists of a short (approximately 30 amino acids) N-terminal ectodomain with three asparagine residues that appear to be N-glycosylated, a segment that crosses the membrane three times, and an about 74 amino acid long C-terminal endodomain. Neutralizing anti-LDV antibodies are probably directed to an epitope(s) in the N-terminal ectodomain. The ORF 2 protein is a standard crass I glycoprotein with a single C-terminal membrane anchor segment and its signal peptide is removed during membrane-associated synthesis. The remaining ectodomain (about 165 amino acids) contains three asparagine residues which appear to be N-glycosylated. Our results suggest that the ORF 2 protein may be present in a low concentration in LDV virions (VP3M).
From molecular biology to the bedside: the example of immunoglobulin genes.

The ability of the immune system to generate innumerable variants of the immunoglobulin structure that binds to antigen — the antibody variable region — sets it apart from all other biologic system...
Association of Cytosolic Rab4 with GDI Isoforms in Insulin-Sensitive 3T3-L1 Adipocytes†

Translocation of an intracellular pool of GLUT4 glucose transporters to the fat and muscle cell surface is thought to involve small GTP-binding proteins such as the Rab4 protein. The cycling of Rab proteins between cytosol and intracellular membranes necessary for their function appears to be regulated by GDP-dissociation inhibitors (GDI), three of which have been cloned thus far. Previous data suggest that Rab4 binds two of these isoforms of GDI (1 and 2) similarly when purified proteins are employed [Shisheva, A., et al. (1994) Mol. Cell. Biol. 14, 3459-3468]. In the present study, we have analyzed the cytosolic Rab4 in complexes with GDI-1 or GDI-2 in intact cells using a coprecipitation technique. We show here that in insulin-sensitive 3T3-L1 adipocytes and other cultured cells, Rab4 simultaneously forms stable cytosolic complexes with both GDI-1 and GDI-2. Acute insulin treatment of the cultured adipocytes significantly increases cytosolic levels of Rab4 which can be quantitatively immunoprecipitated with anti-Rab4 antibodies. Surprisingly, the increased cytosolic Rab4 due to insulin action is predominantly associated with cytosolic GDI-1. The levels of cytosolic Rab4-GDI-2 complexes were virtually unaltered by insulin. Insulin-dependent alterations of Rab4 and GDI-1 phosphorylation were not detected in 32P-labeled 3T3-L1 adipocytes, suggesting another mechanism accounts for the specificity of Rab4 binding to GDI-1. Taken together, these data suggest there is selective formation of Rab4-GDI-1 complexes in response to insulin which plays a role in the action of insulin on membrane trafficking.
Investigating genre-credibility relations in the context of scholars' information practices

This study seeks to investigate the relationships between genres and credibility in the context of scholars' information practices. The author will explore how scholars in different disciplines predict, perceive, and assess the credibility of the genres that they seek and use in their research and teaching tasks in different academic contexts. Whether or not there are relationships, and/or what relationships exist between different types and different levels of complexity of tasks and genres that are sought, used, and cited in different academic settings will also be examined. Scholars from different disciplines will be recruited to participate in this research. The author will employ citation analysis, interviews, and focus groups to identify each scholar's genre repertoire and his/her research and teaching tasks that initiate and develop their information practices based on his/her publications, syllabi, and other related academic outputs. Card-sorting and repertory grids will then be adopted to understand the differences of the perceived credibility among genres. The interview transcripts will be content analyzed to unfold the relationships between the genres that scholars seek and use and how their credibility is predicted, perceived, and assessed in different tasks in contexts. The findings will identify the relationships between tasks that vary in their types and complexity and the cues that different genres render to credibility prediction and assessment in various academic situations. The results of this study will provide a conceptual foundation of human-information interaction that can be applied to different population in different contexts and inform the design of information systems and services in practices.
Transbronchial gene transfer of endothelial nitric oxide synthase to transplanted lungs.

Background. Experiments were designed to study the efficiency, distribution, and toxicity of transbronchial adenoviral-mediated transfer of endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) gene to transplanted lungs. Methods. Syngeneic orthotopic single-lung transplantation in the rat was performed after airway administration (300 mL, 1 3 10 9 pfu/mL) of either the ecNOS gene or the marker gene b-Gal (control group) to donor lungs (n 5 4 each). After 4 days, transgene expression, inflammation, and the presence of apoptosis in the transplanted lungs were assessed by molecular, immunohistochemical, and histologic techniques. Results. Gene transfer was confirmed by a positive polymerase chain reaction signal for the recombinant ecNOS gene, and recombinant messenger RNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Positive immunohistochemical staining for ecNOS was present in more than 75% of pneumocytes only in ecNOS transduced lungs. Calcium-dependent nitric oxide synthase activity was increased in ecNOS- compared with bGaltransduced lungs (2,139 6 756 versus 47 6 28 pmol z mg protein 21 z h 21 ; p < 0.05). Minimal to mild inflammation was observed in all transplanted lungs; fewer than 0.5% of cells in both groups were apoptotic. Conclusions. Transbronchial transfer of ecNOS gene to the transplanted lung results in transduction of pneumocytes with expression of a functionally active transgene product. (Ann Thorac Surg 1998;66:318 ‐24) © 1998 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Population Race Structure of Pyrenophora tritici-repentis Prevalent on Wheat and Noncereal Grasses in the Great Plains

The fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, cause of tan spot of wheat, is an important foliar pathogen worldwide. Genetic variation in the fungal population prevalent in the Great Plains was studied by analysis of 270 single-spore isolates of P. tritici-repentis recovered from wheat, durum, and 10 noncereal grasses: Alti wild rye, barnyard grass, crested wheatgrass, intermediate wheatgrass, needle and thread grass, quackgrass, smooth bromegrass, sand reedgrass, slender wheatgrass, and wild barley. The isolates were grouped into five known races based on necrosis and/or chlorosis induction on standard differentials with two additional wheat genotypes ND495 and M-3. The isolates recovered from wheat were races 1, 2, and 4, while those from durum were races 1 and 5. Isolates from noncereal grasses were all race 4, except for the recovery of two isolates of race 1 from smooth bromegrass. Race 3 was not found in this study. This is the first record of barnyard grass and slender wheatgrass as alternative hosts for P. tritici-repentis. The recovery from noncereal grasses suggests that the fungus has a fairly wide host range; however, predominance of a race that is avirulent on wheat on these grasses tends to eliminate their significance in the disease epidemiology of wheat. The results indicate that P. tritici-repentis has a diverse population on wheat and noncereal grasses. For durable resistance, wheat lines should be tested against all virulent races found in the field.
Reconstructing ripeness I: A study of constructive engagement in protracted social conflicts

What moves people to work with each other rather than against each other when locked into destructive, long-term conflicts? Ripeness theory has been a useful starting point for understanding such motives, but has limited explanatory power under conditions of intractable conflict. This article is the first of a two-part series presenting the findings from a study that explored various methods of eliciting constructive engagement from stakeholders through interviews with expert scholarpractitioners working with protracted conflicts. A grounded theory analysis was applied to the interviews to allow new insights into constructive conflict engagement to emerge from the data. Our objective was to develop more robust theories and practices. A dynamical systems synthesis of the findings is presented, and its implications for reconceptualizing ripeness are discussed.
The Status of Scientific Activities in United States Biosphere Reserves

Mankind's knowle~e and understanding of The Biosphere is often inadequate to deal with the complex ecological decisions that we have to make. • As human activities continue to modify biomes, devastate ecosystems, and increasingly encroach upon the remaining natural areas world-wide, the preservation of representative ecological study-sites becomes crucial. Scientists need both pristine areas in which to observe natural processes and experimenal areas in which new methodologies can be tested and impacts of Man's activities assessed. In response to increasing world-wide concern over the status of natural resources, the U nited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched the 'Man and the Biosphere Programme' (MAB) in 1971. MAB is an intergovernmental effort which recognizes that international, re~onal, national, and local, cooperation are essential for the solution of global environmental problems. Designed to provide the basis in natural and social science for wise treatment of The Biosphere, MAB also serves to promote technical training and educate the public (Risser & Cornelison, 1979; Batisse, 1980). A priority area of emphasis in MAB is the conservation of natural areas and the genetic materials which they contain (MAB Project-8). A principal component of this project is the establishment of a global network of Biosphere Reserves, with a threefold objective: to conserve natural biotic communities, to provide si tes for ecological research a nd monitoring, and to provide facilities for education and training (UNESCO, 1974; Franklin, 1977; Batisse, 1980). As of January 1983, there are215 Biosphere Reserves in 58 countries. The development of the network from an historical perspective bas recently been reviewed by Batisse (1982). The Uni ted States nominated its first Biosphere Reserve sites in 1974. This initial effort has grown into the world's largest domestic or national network of its kind,
Embodiment and Human-Robot Interaction: A Task-Based Perspective

In this work, we further test the hypothesis that physical embodiment has a measurable effect on performance and impression of social interactions. Support for this hypothesis would suggest fundamental differences between virtual agents and robots from a social standpoint and would have significant implications for human-robot interaction. We have refined our task-based metrics to give a measurement, not only of the participant's immediate impressions of a coach for a task, but also of the participant's performance in a given task. We measure task performance and participants' impression of a robot's social abilities in a structured task based on the Towers of Hanoi puzzle. Our experiment compares aspects of embodiment by evaluating: (1) the difference between a physical robot and a simulated one; and (2) the effect of physical presence through a co-located robot versus a remote, tele-present robot. With a participant pool (n=21) of roboticists and non- roboticists, we were able to show that participants felt that an embodied robot w as more appealing and perceptive of the world than non-embodied robots. A larger pool of participants (n=32) also demonstrated that the embodied robot was seen as most helpful, watchful, and enjoyable when compared to a remote tele-present robot and a simulated robot.
Stress and Microstructural Evolution of Lpcvd Polysilicon Thin Films During High Temperature Annealing

The mechanisms of stress generation and stress relaxation of LPCVD silicon thin films were studied using high temperature wafer curvature measurements. The stresses generated during depositions are measured as functions of deposition temperature and microstructure. Amorphous silicon deposited with a compressive stress shows a large stress change toward tensile during crystallization. The stress relaxation of polysilicon films deposited with tensile stresses can be described by a deformation model from Ashby and Frost [1]. The polysilicon films deposited with compressive stresses have hydrogen incorporated during deposition and shows hydrogen evolution during thermal cycles.
An unusual case of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism and metastatic calcification.

ABSTRACT A case of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, adrenal insufficiency and hypothyroidism is presented. The patient, a female, was 3½ years old when the diagnosis of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism was first made. At the age of 5½ the first evidence of adrenal insufficiency developed, and the picture was complete one and a half years later. At this time hypothyroidism had developed, which proved to be primary in nature. This patient demonstrated roentgenographic calcification of the lungs, in the absence of abnormally high serum calcium levels or calcium-phosphorus concentration products, and without evidence of local tissue damage due to a chronic inflammatory process.
Electrical Properties and Temperature-Humidity Studies of Fluorocarbon Films Deposited from Pentafluoroethane/Argon Plasmas

Fluorocarbon films were deposited from pentafluoroethane/argon plasmas in a parallel plate reactor at operating pressures of 0.75 and I Torr, substrate temperatures of 120, 180, and 240°C, and applied powers between 10 and 30 W. These films were subjected to an 85°C and 85% relative humidity environment for 100 h to assess reliability. Infrared spectroscopy showed no change in the bulk structure and composition of the deposited films after temperature-humidity exposure. Also, no OH related peaks were detected in the infrared spectrum, suggesting negligible moisture absorption Indeed, moisture absorption studies showed less than 0.15 wt % incrcase for the investigated deposition conditions, as measured by a quartz crystal microbalance, Furthermore, humidity cycling studies indicated no chemisorption of water by the deposited films. Capacitance measurements of the fluorocarhon films yielded a dielectric constant ranging between 2.23 and 2.55 and a loss tangent on the order of 10 -2 . The dielectric constant increased with an incrcase in deposition temperature and a decrease in operating pressure The dielectric constant of the fluorocarbon films did not change after exposure to the 85°C/85% relative humidity environment, further confirming the IR and moisture absorption results. However, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the fluorocarbon films indicated a decrease in the F/C ratio and an increase in the O/C ratio after temperature-humidity exposure, which suggests that defluorination and oxidation occur primarily in the top few monolayers of the deposited films. C Is spectral analysis indicated a decrease in the relative concentrations of CF 3 , CF 2 , CF, and C-CF 3 moieties and a dramatic inerease in the C-C/C-H concentrations, These changes were attributed to the formation of a thin layer of low molccular weight oxidized material, which could he dissolved by rinsing the film in an ethanol ultrasonic hath.