cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulating effects of the extracellular sequence of the human insulinlike growth factor I receptor on its transforming and tumorigenic potential.

Abstract We reported previously that an N-terminally truncated insulinlike growth factor I receptor (IGFR) fused to avian sarcoma virus UR2 gag p19 had a greater transforming potential than did the native IGFR, but it failed to cause tumors in vivo. To investigate whether the 36 amino acids (aa) of the IGFR extracellular (EC) sequence in the gag-IGFR fusion protein encoded by the retrovirus UIGFR have a modulatory effect on the biological and biochemical properties of the protein, four mutants, NM1, NM2, NM3, and NM4 of the EC sequence were constructed. NM1 lacks the entire 36 aa residues; NM2 lacks the N-terminal 16 aa residues (aa 870 to 885), including two potential N-linked glycosylation sites of the EC sequence; NM3 contains a deletion of the C-terminal 20 aa residues (aa 886 to 905) of the EC sequence; and NM4 contains N-to-Q substitutions at both N-linked glycosylation sites. NM1 was the strongest of the four mutants in promoting anchorage-independent growth of transfected chicken embryo fibroblasts, while NM2 and NM4 had weaker transforming potential than did the original UIGFR virus. Only NM1 and NM3 were able to induce sarcomas in chickens. The four NM mutant-transformed cells expressed the expected proteins with comparable steady-state levels. The in vitro tyrosine kinase activity of P53NM1 was about fourfold higher than that of the parental P57-75UIGFR, whereas NM2 and NM4 proteins exhibited four- to fivefold-lower kinase activities. Despite lacking the IGFR EC sequence, P53NM1 formed covalent dimers similar to those formed by the parental P57-75UIGFR. Increased phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase activity was found to be associated with the mutant IGFR proteins. Among NM4 proteins. Elevated tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins of 35, 120, 140, 160, and 170 kDa was detected in all mutant IGFR-transformed cells. We conclude that the EC 36-aa sequence of IGFR in the gag-IGFR fusion protein exerts intricate modulatory effects on the protein's transforming and tumorigenic potential. The 20 aa residues immediately upstream of the transmembrane domain have an inhibitory effect on the tumorigenic potential of gag-IGFR, whereas N-linked glycosylation within the EC sequence appears to have a positive effect on the transforming potential of UIGFR. Increased in vitro kinase activity and, to a lesser extent, in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation as well as the elevated association of PI 3-kinase activity with IGFR proteins seem to be correlated with the transforming potential of IGFR mutant proteins.
A Comprehensive Review of Telehealth for Pain Management: Where We Are and The Way Ahead

Pain is generally undertreated in the United States, owing to a number of barriers including geographic distance from specialty treatment providers; functional disability that limits mobility; treatment-related stigma; economic limitations; and educational barriers. Pain undertreatment exacerbates pain chronicity and emotional disruption that can significantly erode a pain patient's quality of life, and there is widespread agreement that pain care must evolve to address this significant problem. The growing field of telehealth (defined for the purposes of this paper as technology that allows for distance interaction between providers and/or patients) offers a novel opportunity to expand pain assessment, consultation, and treatment services beyond the walls of the specialty pain clinic, but there is limited availability of resources describing how to best use this technology to improve access to care. A recent literature review (September 2011) using universally endorsed MeSH search criteria revealed only 32 MEDLINE references focusing on telehealth for pain. This is surprising in light of the very large number of references covering telehealth (14,164 references) and pain (104,564 references), respectively. Of the studies available, there are very few randomized trials of telehealth pain care and only one general overview of e-health and chronic pain, which dedicates just a few paragraphs to telehealth. This manuscript represents one of the first comprehensive reviews of the current state of telehealth and pain management research and practice. The goals are to provide a rationale for the potential benefit of telehealth-based pain management services; describe the various applications of telehealth technology for pain management; orient the reader to cost models for telehealth; present examples of services in place; and offer recommendations for future research based on the current state of knowledge.
Repression of In Vivo Synthesis of the Mitochondrial Elongation Factors T and G in Saccharomyces fragilis

In vivo synthesis of the mitochondrial elongation factors T and G in the yeast Saccharomyces fragilis can be repressed. Enzymatic activity assays and immunochemical titration methods reveal that cells grown in the presence of 8% glucose or in the absence of oxygen contain relatively lower amounts of mitochondrial elongation factors than cells grown in the presence of lactate. In contrast, in vivo production of the cytoplasmic elongation factors 1 and 2 does not respond to such a change of extracellular conditions. The rate of growth does not affect the level of the mitochondrial elongation factors. Production of both enzymes is almost constant during logarithmic growth, but decreases when the stationary phase is reached. Chloramphenicol, an inhibitor of mitochondrial protein synthesis, does not block but, rather, seems to enhance the in vivo synthesis of mitochondrial T or G.
Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) water resistance/leakage

Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) are intended to act as a barrier against water penetration and not allow water to penetrate through the system to the backup wall construction and leak into the interior of the building. Recent investigations of EIFS on several buildings including a 15-year-old building that does not have any windows and buildings that are about five to ten years old that have windows, have revealed that failure of the joints between the EIFS and the windows and other openings in the EIFS, and at terminations in the EIFS, is the primary cause of water leakage and water damage in EIFS on buildings. Other conditions that cause water leakage in EIFS, to a lesser degree, include cracks in the EIFS, delamination of the base coat from the rigid insulation, and window deficiencies. To minimize water leakage in buildings with EIFS, the backup wall, EIFS, windows, doors and all other wall components and the joints between them should be designed and constructed to act as a facade system consistent with the barrier behavior of EIFS or as a unified facade system with a coordinated secondary line of defense against water penetration, rather than as separate elements jointed more » together; and the design and construction of the substrate to which the EIFS is attached should be the responsibility of the EIFS manufacturer and contractor. Recommendations on the design of a unified facade system with a secondary line of defense against water penetration are provided for consideration. « less
The Logic of the History of Ideas: On diachronic explanation

INTRODUCTION We need to consider now how historians should account for departures from tradition and so changes in belief. Although individuals always reach the beliefs they do against the background of inherited traditions, the traditions cannot explain how they go on to develop the beliefs they inherit. Because humans possess a capacity for agency, a logic for the history of ideas must incorporate both diachronic and synchronic forms of explanation. Because humans are capable of exercising their individual reason against a social background, a logic of the history of ideas must incorporate an analysis of thought as well as tradition. Next, therefore, I will consider why and how people reflect on the webs of belief they inherit so as to extend, modify, or even reject them. I will analyse the nature of individual reasoning as it takes place against the background of an inherited tradition. Clearly, when historians consider changes of belief, they should continue to presume the beliefs they study are sincere, conscious, and rational. Likewise, they should continue to work with a folk psychology they apply using criteria of rationality. I will continue, therefore, to concentrate on the forms of explanation appropriate to sincere, conscious, and rational beliefs. A historian should explain departures from traditions by reference to the reasons people had for extending, modifying, or even rejecting the traditions that provided them with their initial inheritances. Our anthropological epistemology shows that people approach objective knowledge by adjusting bundles of theories in response to generally accepted facts.
Phosphatidyl Serine of Bovine Milk

Abstract Phosphatidyl serine isolated from milk polar lipids by an efficient two-dimensional thin-layer chromatographic separation is shown to represent a smaller proportion of the milk phospholipids and to contain higher levels of saturated fatty acids than heretofore reported. The levels of this phospholipid were observed to range from 2 to 4% of the total. Principal component acids were stearic and oleic.
MATH, a Novel Measure of Intratumor Genetic Heterogeneity, Is High in Poor-Outcome Classes of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Summary Objectives Differences among cancer cells within a tumor are important in tumorigenesis and treatment resistance, yet no measure of intratumor heterogeneity is suitable for routine application. We developed a quantitative measure of intratumor genetic heterogeneity, based on differences among mutated loci in the mutant-allele fractions determined by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor DNA. We then evaluated the application of this measure to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Materials and methods We analyzed published electronically available NGS results for 74 HNSCC. For each tumor we calculated mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity (MATH) as the ratio of the width to the center of its distribution of mutant-allele fractions among tumor-specific mutated loci. Results Intratumor heterogeneity assessed by MATH was higher in three poor-outcome classes of HNSCC: tumors with disruptive mutations in the TP53 gene (versus wild-type TP53 or non-disruptive mutations), tumors negative versus positive for human papillomavirus (even when restricted to tumors having wild-type TP53), and HPV-negative tumors from smokers with more pack-years of cigarette exposure (with TP53 status taken into account). Conclusion The relation of this type of intratumor heterogeneity to HNSCC outcome classes supports its further evaluation as a prognostic biomarker. As NGS of tumor DNA becomes widespread in clinical research and practice, MATH should provide a simple, quantitative, and clinically practical biomarker to help evaluate relations of intratumor genetic heterogeneity to outcome in any type of cancer.
Hemoptysis in a 49-Year-Old Man: An Unusual Presentation of a Sporadic Disease

Although amebiasis is prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas, it occurs sporadically in the United States. Pleuropulmonary involvement is seen in about 20 percent of the patients with amebic liver abscesses. We describe a patient with pleuropulmonary amebiasis who complained of hemoptysis but had no gastrointestinal symptoms. This rather unusual presentation caused a considerable delay in securing the diagnosis.
The Westermarck Effect and early childhood co‐socialization: Sex differences in inbreeding‐avoidance

The aim of this study was to determine whether there are sex differences in regard to the effect of early childhood co-socialization on inbreeding-avoidance at sexual maturity. Multiple logistic regression methodology was used to model the relationship between cousin relationship and social proximity in childhood and its effect on mate choice beyond adolescence for a sample of Moroccan participants. Females showed a synergistic interaction effect for cousin marriage and childhood co-socialization and an additional interaction effect for co-socialization during the first seven years of childhood. Male participants showed no significant effect for early childhood co-socialization. The Westermarck Effect hypothesis that early childhood co-socialization leads to a lack of sexual interest at maturity is thus supported for female participants but not for male participants. These results are consistent with expectations from parental investment theory that females should show greater inbreeding-avoidance than males do because of the greater costs females suffer as a consequence of inbreeding depression.
Impact of recurrent otitis media on middle ear function, hearing, and language.

Whether recurrent oftitis media in infants and young children is followed by delayed language development was addressed by following 210 normal subjects longitudinally through the first 2 years of life with pneumatic otoscopy and tympanometry performed at every physician encounter. Otitis accounted for 26% of the medical visits. One hundred fifty-six of these children had speech and hearing evaluation at 2 years of age. Thirty percent of the children with recurrent otitis media had a mild or moderate hearing loss. However, after miltiple speech and language tests, we could not identify a delay in language acquisition in the otitis-prone children. At 3 to 4 years old, 36 children, including nine with a hearing loss at 2 years of age, were retested; all nine had normal hearing. Recurrent otitis media induced a temporary decrease in hearing sensitivity demonstrable at 2 years of age, which appeared to resolve as the children mature and which was not assoclated with delay in language acquisition.
Comparing performance: Simpson's paradox and analyzing outcomes

When analyzing and graphing data, evaluators need to be aware of Simpson's paradox to avoid incorrect interpretations of the data.
Patient reaction to computer-based medical interviewing

Abstract Patients, when interfaced in conversation with a computer programmed as a model of the physician interviewer, have been found to react positively to the experience.
Mechanisms of sodium nitroprusside-induced death in human chondrocytes

The nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) has been used to study NO-dependent cell death in human chondrocytes. This study compares SNP-induced chondrocyte death and SNP-activated signaling mechanisms with apoptosis induced by CD95 activation. Sodium nitroprusside increased cell death dose-dependently. Compared to CD95 stimulation, SNP induced only low levels of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation as measured by cell-death enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). However, SNP caused substantial nuclear DNA cleavage, as evidenced by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end-labeling (TUNEL). Caspase-3 processing in response to SNP was not detected. The pancaspase inhibitor Z-VAD.FMK partially abrogated the TUNEL signal but did not block cell death or internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. The caspase-3-specific inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO did not inhibit the SNP-induced TUNEL signal or internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. DNA degradation was not blocked by the p38 inhibitor SB 202190 but by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the phenotype and mechanisms of SNP-induced chondrocyte death are distinct from apoptosis induction via CD95.
A computed tomographic image study on the thickness of the infrazygomatic crest of the maxilla and its clinical implications for miniscrew insertion.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to measure the thickness of the infrazygomatic (IZ) crest above the maxillary first molar at different angles and positions to the maxillary occlusal plane. These measurements were then used to derive clinical implications and guidance for inserting miniscrews in the IZ crest without injuring the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molar. Methods: Computed tomographic images of 16 adults were used. For each subject, on the coronal slice of the computed tomographic image containing the IZ crest and mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molar, the IZ crest thickness and the miniscrew insertion position were measured by postulating that the miniscrew would be inserted at each 5° increment from 40° to 75° to the maxillary occlusal plane. Results: The IZ crest thickness above the maxillary first molar ranged from 5.2 ± 1.1 mm to 8.8 ± 2.3 mm, measured at 40° to 75° to the maxillary occlusal plane and 13 to 17 mm above the maxillary occlusal plane. Conclusions: By adopting 6 mm as the minimal IZ crest thickness for sustaining a miniscrew well throughout treatment and avoiding injury to the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molar, the clinical implication for miniscrew placement in the IZ crest of an adult is to insert it 14 to16 mm above the maxillary occlusal plane and the maxillary first molar at an angle of 55° to 70° to the maxillary occlusal plane.
Spectroscopic determination of trap density in C60-sensitized photorefractive polymers

Abstract A new and simple method for the determination of the trap density in C 60 -sensitized photorefractive polymers is presented. We show that the radical anion of C 60 acts as the primary photorefractive hole trap, using the strong near-infrared absorption of C 60 − to quantify the anion concentration in situ. The spectroscopically determined concentration correlates well with the photorefractive trap density obtained from analysis of the photorefractive performance. In our model, optical irradiation is needed to activate the trapping sites, and the nonlinear optical chromophore acts as a temporary reservoir for the photogenerated holes (compensator). This model is further clarified using cyclic voltammetry.
An extension of RPA theory to strongly-interacting systems

Proceeding from a least-action principle, a generalization of the random-phase approximation is developed which is suited to the description of elementary excitations in such strongly-interacting Fermi systems as nuclei, nuclear matter, neutron-star matter and liquid3He. The equations of the theory involve matrix elements of the Hamiltonian and identity operators in a nonorthogonal basis of states incorporating short-range correlations. Linear response of the dynamically correlated system to a weak external perturbation is investigated within the same framework.
Cardiac Papillary Fibroelastoma Presents as an Acute Embolic Stroke in a 35-year-old African American Male

This is an interesting case of a young patient suffering an acute embolic stroke in the middle cerebral artery distribution, who was later found to have a papillary fibroelastoma on the mitral valve. The mass was first recognized by transesophageal echocardiography and eventually resected surgically. The retrieved specimen had classic histologic findings of a papillary fibroelastoma. A thrombus was noted on the tip of the specimen, supporting the theory that these masses are risks for strokes secondary to damage along the endothelial lining predisposing to subsequent fibrin deposition and mural thrombus formation.
RFPA supply modulator using wide-bandwidth linear amplifier with a GaN HEMT output stage

This paper presents an envelope tracking supply modulator for a high efficiency radiofrequency power amplifier (RFPA). A wide bandwidth linear amplifier using a GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) as a source follower output stage is described. A low bandwidth, high efficiency current controlled Buck converter is used to assist the linear amplifier and improve the system efficiency. Steps towards integration of the supply modulator and the RFPA are given through inclusion of the modulator output stage with an RFPA on a microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC). Simulation and experimental results are presented for a 150 MHz bandwidth, 9 V to 27 V output voltage modulator supplying a 10 GHz RFPA.
Theory of magnetic polarons in antiferromagnetic semiconductors.

In magnetic semiconductors, a charge carrier is dressed with a cloud of lattice spins due to the strong exchange coupling between the carrier and the local moments, and forms a so-called magnetic polaron. We formulate a theory of the ground state of magnetic polarons in antiferromagnets for electrons from the conduction band as well as those bound to impurity centers. We discuss how the orbital motion of the electron is influenced by its magnetic interaction with the lattice. We also determine the structure of the lattice-spin cloud surrounding the electron.
Reduced expression of decay-accelerating factor 1 on CD4+ T cells in murine systemic autoimmune disease.

Objective Deficiency of decay-accelerating factor 1 (termed Daf1 in mice) has been shown to exacerbate autoimmunity, and recent studies have suggested that this may be explained by Daf1 acting as a regulator of T cell immunity. The aim of this study was to determine whether Daf1 expression on T cells is modulated during development of autoimmunity in mice. Methods To test this hypothesis, we examined Daf1 levels in NZB, DBA/2, and B10.S mice before and after induction of murine mercury-induced autoimmunity (mHgIA). Daf1 was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry, and levels of Daf1 were correlated with markers of lymphocyte activation and cytokine production. Results Autoimmune-prone NZB mice had low endogenous levels of Daf1 irrespective of the induction of mHgIA. Induction of autoimmunity reduced Daf1 expression in mHgIA-sensitive B10.S mice, particularly on activated/memory (CD44high) CD4+ T cells that accumulate as a result of exposure to mercury. Murine mercury-induced autoimmunity–resistant DBA/2 mice, which fail to accumulate CD44high T cells, showed no change in Daf1 expression. Modulation of Daf1 expression was found to require CD4+ T cell costimulation, since B10.S mice deficient in CD28 were unable to down-regulate Daf1 or accumulate activated/memory CD4+ T cells. In B10.S mice exposed to mercury, the production of interleukin-4 (IL-4), but not that of IL-2 or interferon-γ, in the spleen was associated with CD44high,Daf1low,CD4+ T cells. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that reduction of Daf1 expression is closely associated with CD4+ T cell activation and the accumulation of CD44high(activated/memory),CD4+ T cells in both spontaneous and induced systemic autoimmune disease.
Determination of Cholesterol in Egg Yolk by High Performance TLC with Densitometry

Abstract A simple quantitative TLC determination of cholesterol in egg yolk is described. Cholesterol in the yolk is extracted with chloroform-methanol (2:1) and the extract filtered through glass wool. After dilution to a known volume, samples and standards are developed on a high performance preadsorbent silica gel layer, cholesterol is detected with cupric acetate-H3-PO4 reagent, and zones are scanned and compared. Precision of the method, evaluated by replicate analyses, was 2.2%, and recovery from a sample spiked at a concentration level of 14.3 mg/g was 104%. Analysis of 20 eggs gave cholesterol values ranging from 9.7–26.2 mg/g, and the method was also applied to butter and cream samples. Because of the selectivity of the TLC method, lower results were obtained compared to a standard colorimetric assay. Fractions representing sterols, diacylglycerols, triacylglycerols, stearyl esters, and hydrocarbons were identified from egg yolk, and the sterol fraction was found to contain only cholesterol by ar...
IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATION TO POST-MI EMERGENCE OF MITRAL REGURGITATION; A CMR-LGE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background Multiple factors contribute to the mechanisms for postMI mitral regurgitation. It is postulated that a passive process primarily drives remodeling of adjacent myocardium. However, non-geometric, i.e. active mechanisms have not been considered as potential contributors to mitral valve pathology. Standard CMR late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) delineates multiple LV myocardial histopathologies and may also be sensitive to non-myocardial pathology involving the mitral valve leaflets. We hypothesize that LGE may detect a unique reactive process of the mitral valve; MVE (mitral valve enhancement) in post-MI patients and the incidence of MR may correlate with the presence of MVE.
Identification of trypsinogen in the lipotropic fraction.

SummaryThe postulation that the lipotropic fraction prepared by Bosshardt et al. (2) contained trypsinogen has been confirmed by a direct analysis. In view of this finding, it is no longer necessary to ascribe an additional new activity to enterokinase.
The Coupling of Protonation and Reduction in Proteins with Multiple Redox Centers: Theory, Computational Method, and Application to Cytochrome c3

The coupling of protonation and reduction is crucial in many biological charge transfer reactions and is known as redox Bohr effect. It is caused by electrostatic interactions between protonatable and redox-active groups. In this study, I describe a method to calculate protonation and oxidation probabilities depending on the solution pH and redox potential. The energetic calculations are based on the linearized Poisson−Boltzmann equation. The actual calculation of the oxidation and protonation probabilities is done with a hybrid statistical mechanics/Tanford−Roxby approach. The method is applied to cytochrome c3, a small protein that binds four hemes. The protein is known for coupling a protonation to the reduction reactions. The propionate D of heme I shows the strongest redox potential dependence of its protonation probability and is thus most likely responsible for the redox Bohr effect. The computational results agree well with experimental data. Because of the interactions between the many titratable...
Behavioral treatment of chronic cluster headache in a geriatric patient.

While nonpharmacological treatment of migraine and tension headache has increasingly been demonstrated to be efficacious, relatively little attention has been focused upon treatment of the more severe cluster headache. This has particularly been the case for the type of cluster headache known as chronic cluster. The present case study focused upon the treatment of a 69-year-old male with a 37-year history of headache activity. The description of headache matched those criteria currently considered to be indicative of chronic cluster headache. Following 6 weeks of baseline, during which daily ratings of head pain and daily ingestion of “as needed” (PRN) pain medication were collected a 7-week treatment phase was implemented. Treatment consisted of thermal biofeedback coupled with a spouse contingency program (i.e., directing the spouse to avoid consequating subject reports of head pain). During the treatment phase, a near-100% reduction in amount of weekly PRN pain medication ingested was noted, along with a decrease in self-reports of head pain. Both of these decreases were maintained at 1-month, 4-month, and 15-month follow-ups. Implications for treatment of chronic cluster headache were discussed.
Conversion of heterogeneous catalysis from art to science: the surface science of heterogeneous catalysis

Direct combination of high pressure reaction studies with molecular level surface characterization of model catalysts has made possible the development of concepts to describe and to explain phenomena that occur during heterogeneous catalysis. These phenomena include structure sensitivity, surface reconstruction, inert chemisorbed overlayers present under reaction conditions, and interaction between the metal and the oxide support. The catalytic behavior of model systems and the roles of their different components have been investigated and explained in terms of some of these concepts.
Spray measurement technology: a review

Sprays are among the most intellectually challenging and practically important topics in fluid mechanics. This paper reviews needs, milestones, challenges, and a broad array of techniques for spray measurement. In addition, tabular summaries provide cross-referenced entry points to the vast literature by organizing over 300 citations according to key spray phenomena, physical parameters and measurement techniques for each of the principal spray regions (nozzle internal flow, near-field spray-formation region, far-field developed spray, and spray-wall interaction). The article closes with perspectives on some current issues in spray research, including the cost and complexity of apparatus for spray physics and spray engineering, the need for simultaneous diagnostic measurements under application-relevant conditions, and the effective comparison of spray measurements and numerical simulations.
Heart-rate conditioning to a pure tone in the guinea pig

Classical aversive conditioning of heart rate to a pure tone stimulus in the guinea pig was demonstrated. The CR (a decrease in heart rate) was easily established within 20 trials and appears to be both stable over time and under strict stimulus control. A nonpaired control group showed no indications of conditioning and, in fact, had a small increase in heart rate to the CS.
Drought effects on the water relations of cotton fruits, bracts, and leaves during ontogeny

Abstract Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yields are strongly influenced by water-deficit stress, but the effects of drought on the water relations of cotton fruits have not been documented. Field and greenhouse studies were conducted to investigate the effects of water deficit on the water status of cotton leaves, bracts, and fruits. Water potential (Ψ) of the capsule wall did not react to drought during the period of fruit expansion. Cotton fruits generally had higher water and osmotic potential, and their water status was less sensitive to drought than that of the subtending leaf and bracts. The insensitivity of cotton fruit water potential to drought can be explained by their isolation from the apoplast of the rest of the plant and their high hydraulic capacitance. The lower Ψ of the leaves may have been the result of the much higher transpiration rate of leaves compared with fruits. Transpiration and stomatal conductance of the sympodial leaf decreased during fruit development. Since gradients in water potential are the driving force for water transport through the xylem, it seems unlikely that cotton fruits receive water through the xylem. The results from this study are in agreement with our earlier hypothesis that the phloem plays an important role in water transport to developing cotton fruits.
Relationship between HeLa cell ribosomal RNA and its precursors studied by high resolution RNA-DNA hybridization.

Abstract The relationship between ribosomal RNA and its precursors in HeLa cells has been investigated by RNA-DNA hybridization. Highly purified 28 and 18 s RNA have been prepared from isolated ribosomal subunits, and 45 and 32 s ribosomal RNA precursors from isolated nucleoli. Analysis of size and base composition of the RNA recovered from RNase-treated RNA-DNA hybrids has been used to monitor the specificity of the hybrids investigated. The values obtained for the fraction of HeLa cell DNA complementary to 18, 28 and 45 s RNA were found to be proportional to the molecular weights of these species taken as 0.6, 1.6 and 4.6 × 10 6 , respectively. No competition for sites in DNA was detected between 28 and 18 s RNA. Under the stringent specificity conditions defined in the present work, 45 s RNA was found to compete with 28 and 18 s RNA to the extent expected if about 35 and 13%, respectively, of the precursor molecule were involved. The saturation and hybridization-competition results described above provide strong support for the model, suggested by previous structural studies, according to which the 45 s molecule contains the sequences of one 28 s molecule and one 18s molecule, with the remaining 50% of its length being represented by non-ribosomal sequences. 32 s RNA competed with 28 s RNA for sites in DNA to the extent expected if about 70% of the precursor molecule were involved, whereas it did not show any capacity to compete with 18 s RNA: these results indicate, in agreement with the previous conclusion of the partial sequence analysis, that in the 32 s molecule (mol. wt about 2.2 × 10 6 ) approximately 70% is represented by the sequences of 28 S RNA and the rest by sequences of non-ribosomal type. Both in saturation experiments and in tests of hybridization-competition with 45 s RNA, 32 s RNA showed abnormal behavior, which suggested that the non-ribosomal portion of this half of the 45 s molecule can hybridize, although with a lower efficiency, also with the DNA segment homologous to the nonribosomal portion of the other half of the 45 s precursor: these observations are in agreement with the remarkable similarity in partial sequence distribution between the two non-ribosomal stretches. The high resolution obtained in the hybridization experiments described in the present work provides a further confirmation of the specificity exhibited, under appropriate conditions, by RNA-DNA hybrids involving ribosomal RNA in eukaryotic cells.
Using simultaneous prompting to teach independent living and leisure skills to adults with severe intellectual disabilities

The acquisition of independent living and leisure skills enables adults to experience an enhanced quality of life by increasing competence, self-reliance, and the development of autonomy. This study examined the effectiveness of simultaneous prompting to teach behavior chains (i.e., independent living and leisure skills) to adults with SID individually in their home environments. Participants included two adults with SID receiving services from a not-for-profit agency that provides community-based services and supports to persons with disabilities. The results of this study are the first to indicate the effectiveness of simultaneous prompting to teach independent living and leisure skills to adults with SID using a one-on-one format in their home environment. Both participants learned three different skills within 12-28 sessions and maintained each skill 1, 2, and 4 weeks after mastery.
Performance Study of Different Denoising Methods for ECG Signals

Abstract ECG is an important tool to measure health and disease detection. Due to many noise sources, this signal has to be denoised and presented in a clear waveform. Noise sources may consist of power line interference, external electromagnetic fields, random body movements or respiration. In this project, five common and important denoising methods are presented and applied on real ECG signals contaminated with different levels of noise. These algorithms are: discrete wavelet transform (universal and local thresholding), adaptive filters (LMS and RLS), and Savitzky-Golay filtering. Their denoising performances are implemented, compared and analyzed in a Matlab environment.
Innovation in two alternative elementary school programs: why it works.

Abstract The purpose of this paper was to describe and interpret the factors that supported and maintained curricular innovation at two alternative elementary schools. The two schools have Project Adventure as their curriculum focus and use the concepts of risk, challenge, trust, cooperation, and problem solving; briefing and debriefing; and personal goal-setting contracts as part of their schoolwide curriculum (Project Adventure, 1991). Data were collected through formal interviews with the physical education teachers, the principals, and four classroom teachers at each school. Nonparticipant observation, field notes, informal interviews, and document analysis were also conducted. Inductive analysis and constant comparison were used to analyze and organize the data throughout the research process. Five factors emerged that supported the implementation of this innovative physical education program: a shared vision, external support for the schools' programs, curricula integration, centrality of physical e...
Inhibition of synaptosomal uptake of norepinephrine and dopamine by conformationally restricted sympathomimetic amines

Abstract The conformationally restricted cis and trans isomer of substituted cyclobutanes were examined for their ability to inhibit 3H-norepinephrine and 3H-dopamine accumulation by synaptosomes prepared from the cortex and corpus striatum, respectively. The drugs were more effective in preventing the accumulation of 3H-norepinephrine by cortical synaptosomes than 3H-dopamine by striatal synaptosomes. However, in the synaptosomes isolated from both regions, the trans isomers were more potent inhibitors of accumulation that the cis isomers. The greatest stereoselectivity was exhibited by the isomers of 2-amino-1-phenylcyclobutanol. The accumulation of 3H-norepinephrine by cortical synaptosomes and the accumulation of 3H-dopamine by striatal synaptosomes were inhibited 50% by concentrations of the trans isomer of 7.4 × 10−6 M and 1.7 × 10−4 M, respectively. The cis isomer was inactive. In separate experiments, the releasing capabilities of the restricted analogs were determined by superfusing cortical and striatal synaptosomes labelled in vitro with 3H-catecholamines. The trans and cis isomers elicited a trivial release of 3H-norepinephrine and 3H-dopamine from crotical and striatal synaptosomes, respectively. The results indicate that the decreased synaptosomal accumulation of 3H-catecholamines caused by the analogs was due mainly to inhibition of uptake. The influence of dihydral angle between phenyl-NH2 on the inhibition of uptake is discussed. It is concluded that the anti conformation of sympathomimetic amines is the preferred conformation at the noradrenergic amine pump.
A Cross-Cultural Study of Credit Card Usage Behaviours: Canadian and American Credit Card Users Contrasted

A number of insights are provided into the characteristics and attitudinal orientations of American and Canadian credit card users with indications that in both countries further growth in the development of credit cards is expected throughout the 1980s.
The Influence of Sex, Physical Attractiveness, Sex Role, and Occupational Sex-Linkage on Perceptions of Occupational Suitability

The effects of sex role and physical attractiveness stereotypes on subjects' perceptions of a stimulus person were examined in a field study of their influence on occupational suitability ratings. The present research distinguished the biological sex from the sex role of a hypothetical job applicant. A sample of personnel consultant subjects evaluated a male or female stimulus applicant, who was attractive or unattractive, for masculine, feminine, and sex-neutral occupations. The stimulus applicant was either masculine, feminine, or androgynous in hisher sex role. Consistent with the experimental hypothesis, masculine and androgynous persons were preferred to feminine persons for the masculine occupations while feminine and androgynous persons were preferred to masculine persons for the feminine occupations, regardless of biological sex or attractiveness. Also consistent with predictions, attractiveness influenced ratings for the sex-neutral occupations. Results are discussed in terms of the influence of individuating information about a stimulus person in eliminating the effects of stereotypes on judgments of individuals. Possible implications for personnel decision making are also considered.
On the structure of exchange rings

An associative ring R with identity is called an exchange ring if RR; has the exchange property introduced by Crawley and Jon- sson [5]. We prove, in this paper, that if R is an exchange ring with prime factors Artinian, then R is strongly π-regular. If R is an exchange ring with primitive factors Artinian and R/J(R) is homomorphically semipimitive, then R/J(R) is strongly π-regular and idempotents lift modulo J(R). Also, it is shown that for exchange rings, bounded index of nilpotence implies primitive factors Artinian. These are generalizations of the corresponding results in [16], [11], [8] and [2]. Examples are given showing that the generalizations are nontrivial.
The effect of ion beam surface modifications on fatigue crack initiation in polycrystalline nickel

Abstract Flexural fatigue tests at surface strain amplitudes of ±0.0012 were conducted on polycrystalline nickel to determine the effect of ion beam surface modifications of the Ni/Al system on fatigue crack initiation. An Ni-75at.%Al surface region 1000 A thick was produced by evaporating alternate layers of nickel and aluminum followed by ion beam mixing with 3 MeV Ni 2+ ions to a fluence of 1 × 10 16 ions cm −2 . A two-phase γ-γ′ surface structure was produced through implantation of 350 keV Al + ions to a fluence of 5 × 10 17 ions cm −2 into the nickel specimens at 723 K. Nickel specimens that were self-implanted with 350 keV Ni + ions to a fluence of 1 × 10 16 ions cm −2 were also analyzed. The addition of aluminum to the surface resulted in an increase in surface hardness and suppression of surface slip band features. The nickel self-implantation increased surface hardness but had very little effect on surface slip feature suppression. Transgranular crack initiation was seen in unmodified and self-implanted specimens, and intergranular crack initiation was prevalent in aluminum micro-alloyed specimens.
Nonlinear optical stabilization of 1064-nm laser pulses with a two-photon absorbing liquid-dye salt system

Highly effective optical power-limiting and optical-stabilization performances have been achieved in a new type of two-photon absorbing medium. That is a liquid-dye salt system, trans-4-[p-(N, N-dimethoxyethylamino)styryl]-N-3,6,9-trioxadecylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate (abbreviated as ASDPT), which features an unusually high molar concentration (∼1 M) of two-photon absorbing chromophores and the capability of withstanding a higher pulsed laser power and energy. The nonlinear transmission property and output–input characteristics were studied based on a 1-cm-long liquid-dye salt sample by use of nanosecond 1064-nm laser pulses with a repetition rate variable from 1 to 10 Hz. A superior optical-stabilization behavior of the studied material was demonstrated; the relative fluctuation of the nanosecond laser pulses can be reduced by more than two times simply by passing them through this highly concentrated nonlinear absorbing medium.
Monitoring coronary artery stent deployment in living human patients with optical coherence tomography

Summary form only given. In this preliminary study, we have demonstrated that intravascular OCT imaging following stent deployment is feasible and permits the high resolution visualization of detailed vessel wall structure within and adjacent to stents. The data obtained from imaging eleven stents in ten patients indicates that with OCT: (1) stent strut apposition to the vessel lumen can be accurately determined, (2) superficial calcium can be identified within stents, (3) the detailed structure of the vessel wall can be visualized within stents, (4) dissections within and adjacent to stents can be identified, and (5) even small protrusions of tissue through stent struts can be quantified. The improved ability of OCT to visualize vessel and stent structure may provide a new tool for accurately monitoring stent deployment and understanding in-stent restenosis.
Just a Phase?: Integrating Conflict Dynamics Over Time

Most international conflict research focuses on behavior within a given phase or stage of conflict. Little consideration is given to how actions in one phase affect the dynamics of conflict behavior in subsequent phases. This article postulates several different phases of conflict, gives a numerical overview of past research on those phases, and identifies and assesses several different approaches to integrating those phases, including selection effects, rational choice, path dependency, learning, and issue-centered approaches.
Patient Nutrition Acuity as a Predictor of the Time Required to Perform Medical Nutrition Therapy

Abstract Objective To determine if patient nutrition acuity accurately predicts the time required to perform medical nutrition therapy (MNT). Design Data detailing demographic characteristics, patient nutrition acuity, and time spent performing MNT were collected for 12 consecutive days. Random systematic sampling was used to select 25%, or a minimum of 20 patients, from daily admissions to the hospital. Nutrition acuity was categorized using a 27-item patient acuity tool. Subjects/setting Analysis included data from 92 acute-care hospitals nationwide; the median census was 271 patients. Of the 7,289 patients in the survey, 3,321 were included in this data analysis. All subjects were assigned an acuity rating and received MNT. Mean age (±standard deviation [SD]), was 55±24 years, and the sample was 48% male and 52% female. Time spent delivering MNT ranged from 5 to 285minutes (mean±SD=43.3±34.2minutes). Statistical analyses performed Stepwise multiple regression analysis ( P Results The number of acuity descriptors assigned to patients ranged from zero (53 patients) to 20 (1 patient); the mean (±SD) for all patients was 5.6±3.1. Gender and 21 of the 27 acuity descriptors were statistically significant in predicting the time required to perform MNT. Applications/conclusions A formula was developed to determine medical nutrition therapy time (MNTT) as minutes per patient sampled. When extrapolated to a facility's patient census, MNTT is the basis for predicting staffing requirements. The MNTT formula is crucial in the present environment of managed care where fiscal accountability challenges staffing rationales. J Am Diet Assoc. 1999;99:1367–1372 .
NONLINEAR QUANTUM WELL INFRARED PHOTODETECTOR

Nonlinear processes in quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP) are reviewed. Being an intersubband dipole transition based photoconductor, the nonlinear behaviors in QWIPs are caused by both the (extrinsic) photoconductive transport mechanism and (intrinsic) nonlinear optical processes. Extrinsic nonlinearity leads to a degradation of QWIP performance at high incident power or low operating temperatures. Some intrinsic nonlinear QWIP properties are useful in applications, such as in autocorrelation of short pulses by two-photon absorption. The general area of QWIP nonlinear properties has not been extensively investigated. We point out some directions for further studies and hope to stimulate more research activities.
Evolutionarily Conserved Optimization of Amino Acid Biosynthesis

The "cognate bias hypothesis" states that early in evolutionary history the biosynthetic enzymes for amino acid x gradually lost residues of x, thereby reducing the threshold for deleterious effects of x scarcity. The resulting reduction in cognate amino acid composition of the enzymes comprising a particular amino acid biosynthetic pathway is predicted to confer a selective growth advantage on cells. Bioinformatic evidence from protein-sequence data of two bacterial species previously demonstrated reduced cognate bias in amino acid biosynthetic pathways. Here we show that cognate bias in amino acid biosynthesis is present in the other domains of life-Archaebacteria and Eukaryota. We also observe evolutionarily conserved underrepresentations (e.g., glycine in methionine biosynthesis) and overrepresentations (e.g., tryptophan in asparagine biosynthesis) of amino acids in noncognate biosynthetic pathways, which can be explained by secondary amino acid metabolism. Additionally, we experimentally validate the cognate bias hypothesis using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Specifically, we show that the degree to which growth declines following amino acid deprivation is negatively correlated with the degree to which an amino acid is underrepresented in the enzymes that comprise its cognate biosynthetic pathway. Moreover, we demonstrate that cognate fold representation is more predictive of growth advantage than a host of other potential growth-limiting factors, including an amino acid's metabolic cost or its intracellular concentration and compartmental distribution.