cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polyamines and somatic embryogenesis in carrot. I. The effects of difluoromethylornithine and difluoromethylarginine

Abstract 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is the most commonly used and a very effective inhibitor of somatic embryogenesis in carrot. This growth regulator not only suppresses differentiation of cultured cells but it can also cause a reversion of the developing embryos to undifferentiated callus. Data presented here show that the addition of 1–10 mM DFMO (difluoromethylornithine) to the medium allowed the normal development of somatic embryos to continue even in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of 2,4-D. DFMO caused a significant increase in ADC activity, an increased accumulation of polyamines in the cells, and inhibited the accumulation of ethylene in cell cultures both in the presence or the absence of 2,4-D. Difluoromethylarginine (DFMA) at 0.1–1.0 mM concentration completely inhibited embryogenesis even in the absence of 2,4-D. DFMA also inhibited ADC activity and caused a reduction in the cellular polyamine levels. ODC activity was detected only when fully mature somatic embryos appeared in the cultures. It is suggested that auxin-induced ethylene biosynthesis plays an important role in the development of somatic embryos in carrot. The promotion of polyamine biosynthesis (by DFMO in the present case) may cause a reduction in the cellular pools of S -adenosylmethionine, which in turn may cause a reduction in ethylene biosynthesis, thus allowing embryogenesis to occur in the presence of an auxin.
Lady Glanville's Legacy

The courts have reflected the increased concern of citizens over the quality of their environment and the use of pesticides. The events leading to landmark court decisions, the significant role of women in these actions, and the influence of these judicial decisions on administrative policies are discussed.
1998-1999 SAEM emergency medicine faculty salary and benefits survey.

OBJECTIVES The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) commissioned an emergency medicine (EM) faculty salary and benefits survey for all 1998 residency review committee (RRC)-EM-accredited programs using the SAEM fourth-generation survey instrument. Responses were collected by SAEM and blinded from the investigators. METHODS Blinded program and individual faculty data were entered into a customized version of FileMaker Pro, a relational database program with a built-in statistical package. Salary data were sorted by program region, faculty title, American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) certification, academic rank, years postresidency, program size, and whether data were reported to the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). Demographic data were analyzed with regard to numerous criteria, including department staffing levels, ED volumes, ED length of stay, department income sources, salary incentive components, and specific type and value of fringe benefits offered. Data were compared with those from previous SAEM studies. RESULTS Seventy-three of 120 (61%) accredited programs responded, yielding usable data for 70 programs and 965 full-time faculty among the four AAMC regions. Mean salaries were reported as follows: all faculty, $167,478; first-year faculty, $140,616; programs reporting data to the AAMC, $161,794; programs not reporting data to the AAMC, $165,724. Mean salaries as reported by AAMC region: northeast, $167,876; south, $160,586; midwest, $190,957; west, $148,977. CONCLUSIONS Reported salaries for full-time EM residency faculty continue to rise. Significant regional differences in salaries have been present in all four SAEM surveys. Nonclinical hours are compensated at approximately one-half the rate paid for clinical hours. The demographic data indicate that EM residency faculty are working at the upper extremes of numbers of patient encounters per physician, patient acuity levels, and department lengths of stay.
Optimal unambiguous discrimination of two subspaces as a case in mixed-state discrimination

We show how to optimally unambiguously discriminate between two subspaces of a Hilbert space. In particular we suppose that we are given a quantum system in either the state $\ensuremath{\mid}{\ensuremath{\psi}}_{1}⟩$, where $\ensuremath{\mid}{\ensuremath{\psi}}_{1}⟩$ can be any state in the subspace ${S}_{1}$, or $\ensuremath{\mid}{\ensuremath{\psi}}_{2}⟩$, where $\ensuremath{\mid}{\ensuremath{\psi}}_{2}⟩$ can be any state in the subspace ${S}_{2}$, and our task is to determine in which of the subspaces the state of our quantum system lies. We do not want to make any error, which means that our procedure will sometimes fail if the subspaces are not orthogonal. This is a special case of the unambiguous discrimination of mixed states. We present the positive operator valued measures that solve this problem and several applications of this procedure, including the discrimination of multipartite states without classical communication.
Definitional and Responsive Environmental Meanings: A Meadian Look at Landscapes and Drought

Current conceptual frameworks differ deeply on the meanings of human-natural environment relations. One is a monist social constructionist frame : meaning is only in human definitions, and natural events are meaningless. The other offers dualist perspectives that locate meaning both in definitions and in realist indications of environmental events such as global environmental change. After discussing landscape as a bridging concept, the author suggests an ordering of the two perspectives through a metatheoretical distinction between definitional and responsive meanings with primacy in the response. Finally, he applies a meta-theoretical schema based on the work of George H. Mead to meanings of natural environment implicated in a discussion of an official pronouncement, The drought is over
Geographic variation in the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and obesity-related behaviors.

Objective: To examine the variation in the prevalences of obesity and type 2 diabetes in weight loss counseling by health providers and in other potential obesity-related determinants in 100 metropolitan statistical areas in the United States. Research Methods and Procedures: We performed a cross-sectional study using data from the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the largest telephone survey of health behaviors in the United States, of age-adjusted prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes, intake of ≥five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, participation in 150 minutes of leisure-time physical activity per week, receipt of weight management advice, and reports of trying to lose or maintain weight among men and women more than 18 years old. Results: The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity ranged from 13.1% to 30.0% and that of type 2 diabetes from 3.3% to 9.2%. Among participants who had visited a physician for a routine checkup in the previous 12 months, 13.1% to 27.1% of all participants recalled receiving advice from a health professional about their weight, and 11.7% to 34.6% of overweight or obese participants recalled receiving advice to maintain or lose weight. Discussion: Significant differences in the prevalence of obesity and self-reported type 2 diabetes and in medical practice patterns regarding weight management advice exist among metropolitan statistical areas. These results suggest important opportunities to investigate reasons for these variations that could potentially be used to mitigate the current epidemic of obesity and to identify areas where obesity and diabetes prevention efforts may need to be targeted.
Conformational analysis of (aminomethyl)cyclopropane hydrochloride using vibrational spectroscopy and ab initio calculations

Abstract Raman spectra (from 100 to 3500 cm −1 ) of the salt (aminomethyl)cyclopropane hydrochloride and its N - d 3 isotopomer have been recorded in the polycrystalline solid phase and in H 2 O and D 2 O solutions respectively. In addition, the infrared spectrum of a KBr pellet of the light compound has also been obtained from 4000 to 600 cm −1 . Supporting the experimental data, ab initio calculations at the RHF/6-31G* and MP2 levels have been carried out for the cyclopropylmethyl ammonium cation present in both of these molecules. Unlike the structural results obtained from similar studies of the isoelectronic molecules, ethyloxirane and ethylcyclopropane, the cyclopropylmethyl ammonium cation does not exhibit any experimental evidence for the existence of a cis conformer of this species. All of the observed spectral peaks—in both the Raman and infrared spectra—can be assigned as arising from the gauche rotameric form of this ion. This result is comparable with those found for ethyloxirane and ethylcyclopropane, in that the gauche conformer (or conformers, in the case of ethyloxirane) is the predominant form. However, for both of the ethyl-substituted three-membered ring compounds, small amounts of the cis conformer were also detected. We suspect that the positive charge of the cyclopropylmethyl ammonium cation, and the presence of the chloride counter-ion, tend to destabilize the cis structure of the cyclopropylmethyl ammonium ion. The computational results support the structural conclusions from the experimental study. At both the RHF/6-31G* and MP2 levels, the gauche rotamer of the cyclopropylmethyl ammonium ion is predicted to be the more stable form of this species, with the cis conformer also stable, but either 4.8 (6-31G*) or 4.7 kcal mol −1 (MP2) higher in energy and, therefore, not populated at ambient conditions. The Cartesian force constants obtained from the ab initio calculations were transformed into internal coordinate force constants, and a normal coordinate calculation was performed, yielding simulated infrared and Raman spectra of the title compound and its isotopomer. The simulated spectra of the gauche conformer in each case agree very well with those observed experimentally, thereby lending additional credence to our structural assignments.
Presynaptic inhibition of synaptic transmission by adenosine in rat subthalamic nucleus in vitro

Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were made from the subthalamic nucleus in rat brain slice preparations to examine the effect of adenosine on inhibitory and excitatory synaptic transmission. Adenosine reversibly inhibited both GABA-mediated inhibitory and glutamate-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents. Adenosine at 100 μM reduced the amplitude of inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic currents by 42±5% and 34±6%, respectively. Reductions in the amplitude of both inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic currents were accompanied by increases in paired-pulse ratios. In addition, adenosine decreased the frequency of spontaneous miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents but had no effect on their amplitude. These results are consistent with a presynaptic site of action. The adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine completely reversed the adenosine-induced attenuation of inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic currents, but 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine alone had no effect on synaptic currents evoked at 0.1 Hz. However, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine inhibited a time-dependent depression of excitatory postsynaptic currents that was normally observed in response to a 5 Hz train of stimuli, suggesting that endogenous adenosine could be released during higher frequencies of stimulation. These results suggest that adenosine inhibits synaptic release of GABA and glutamate by stimulation of presynaptic A1 receptors in the subthalamic nucleus.
Formulation of lipid bearing pellets as a delivery system for poorly soluble drugs.

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop and characterize phospholipid bearing pellets for a poorly water-soluble drug, nisoldipine. Pellets were prepared using extrusion–spheronization technique containing microcrystalline cellulose, soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC), granulating fluid and lactose. Operational parameters such as extrusion speed, spheronization speed and residence time were evaluated. Optimal extrusion speed was found to be 50 rpm with a spheronization speed of 60 Hz and residence time of 2 min. Pellets were characterized for their size, shape, density, flow properties, friability, moisture content, surface morphology and thermal properties. Pellets were evaluated for their assay and in vitro drug release. Mathematical modeling was used to determine the release patterns of the pellets. Pellets were found to be spherical, 600–850 μm size with 70% yield. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies showed a smoother external surface and a porous internal matrix. SPC incorporated pellets resulted in improved dissolution of the drug. Pellets with SPC (20 and 30%) released >90% of the drug within 24 h. The dissolution profiles of the pellets were best fitted to Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetic model. In this study, we could successfully incorporate a lipid and a water-insoluble drug into a pellet formulation with improved dissolution profile.
Reactions of nitric oxide with the reduced non-heme diiron center of the soluble methane monooxygenase hydroxylase.

The soluble methane monooxygenase system from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) catalyzes the oxidation of methane to methanol and water utilizing dioxygen at a non-heme, carboxylate-bridged diiron center housed in the hydroxylase (H) component. To probe the nature of the reductive activation of dioxygen in this system, reactions of an analogous molecule, nitric oxide, with the diiron(II) form of the enzyme (Hred) were investigated by both continuous and discontinuous kinetics methodologies using optical, EPR, and Mossbauer spectroscopy. Reaction of NO with Hred affords a dinitrosyl species, designated Hdinitrosyl, with optical spectra (λmax = 450 and 620 nm) and Mossbauer parameters (δ = 0.72 mm/s, ΔEQ = 1.55 mm/s) similar to those of synthetic dinitrosyl analogues and of the dinitrosyl adduct of the reduced ribonucleotide reductase R2 (RNR-R2) protein. The Hdinitrosyl species models features of the Hperoxo intermediate formed in the analogous dioxygen reaction. In the presence of protein B, Hdinitrosyl bu...
UHV/CVD growth of Co on Si(0 0 1) using cobalt carbonyl

Abstract We report studies of the growth of cobalt from cobalt carbonyl (Co 2 (CO) 8 ) under ultrahigh vacuum conditions on Si(1 0 0) wafers. Thermal desorption mass spectroscopy and reflection high energy electron diffraction have been used for in situ studies of the growth process. Desorption of CO has been observed with a peak desorption rate at approximately 230 °C. We extract a sticking coefficient of s =1.5×10 −3 at 100 °C on the bare cobalt surface. Growth rate measurements at higher temperatures (175–350 °C) are consistent with a higher value for the sticking coefficient. The lower value of the sticking coefficient during growth is attributed to accumulation of decomposition products on the surface. X-ray diffraction studies show that the as-deposited cobalt is fine-grained, and that it reacts to form cobalt disilicide (CoSi 2 ) upon annealing at 800 °C if there is no intervening SiO 2 .
Opportunistic walks on Random Geometric Networks and their application in scalability analysis

Opportunistic routing is studied as a representative example of location-aware greedy routing schemes. The routing process between an arbitrary source-destination pair is modeled as a directed random walk between the two ends in the underlying graph. The mean number of transmissions as well as the average multi-hop distance between arbitrary nodes are unified under a conceptual measure called expected length of the opportunistic walk in the induced network graph. We model this quantity as the mean time to absorption in a finite-state Markov chain. An explicit closed-form expression is presented to approximate the results and tight bounds are given. The accuracy of the results predicted by the analytical model is verified through simulation experiments. We also demonstrate an application of the foregoing model in defining proximity-based social models and identifying classes of social networks that are scalable.
Interaction and Participation for Young Hispanic and Caucasian Girls' and Boys' Learning of Media Content

Young Hispanic and Caucasian children viewed an animated educational television program in conditions that varied the level of interaction required. Girls and Caucasian children identified with the Hispanic female character more than boys and Hispanic children did. Children who actively responded to character prompts were more likely to understand the important program content than were those who simply observed it. Interaction was especially beneficial to Hispanic girls. The results suggest that programs designed to involve children in the content through participation or interaction provide unique opportunities for children to learn important educational media content, and that even very young children are sensitive to qualities of the symbolic role models who deliver those messages.
Voltage Standardization Its Relation to the Interconnected Power Companies of the Southeast

Voltage standardization has long been recognized as desirable, and to date no definite standards have been accepted and applied. An attempt is now being made to coordinate the recommendations of the different power companies and manufacturers with a view towards adopting definite voltage standards for all apparatus. A proposal has recently been submitted by the manufacturers which is not applicable in its entirety to conditions in the Southeast, and this paper contains a counter-proposal submitted as being more readily acceptable to the interconnected power systems of the Southeast.
Preschool teachers' fidelity in implementing a comprehensive language-rich curriculum.

Purpose This study examined preschool teachers' fidelity to the language-focused curriculum (LFC; B. Bunce, 1995), a comprehensive classroom curriculum designed to improve at-risk children’s language outcomes through targeted improvements to a classroom’s activity contexts (e.g., dramatic play, art, storybook reading) and instructional processes (e.g., teacher use of open-ended questions, recasts, and expansions). Specific aims included to (a) examine program differentiation by determining how measures of activity contexts and instructional processes differentiated treatment and comparison teachers, (b) determine treatment teachers' adherence to both activity contexts and instructional processes over an entire academic year, and (c) determine treatment teachers' reported quality of program delivery and comfort with curriculum implementation. Method Fourteen preschool teachers were randomly assigned to implement the LFC or to maintain their prevailing curriculum. Fidelity was measured 3 times over an acade...
An update on malignant salivary gland tumors treated with neutrons at fermilab

Abstract One hundred and thirteen cases of recurrent and/or unresectable malignant salivary gland tumors, treated with fast neutron therapy at Fermilab between September 1976 and December 1984, are analyzed for local control, sites of failure, and treatment-related morbidity. Sixty-three patients had major and 55 had minor salivary gland tumors. Local control was achieved in 67% of patients with major and 58% of patients with minor salivary gland tumors. In the subgroup of patients with oropharyngeal and oral cavity lesions, 19/24 (80%) had local control. However, only four of 15 patients with maxillary antrum tumors had successful control of their disease. Seventy-four percent of patients with lesions measuring 5 cm or less and 30% of patients with larger lesions had their local disease controlled. Histology did not influence the local control rate. Both observed and adjusted median survival for patients with major salivary gland tumors was 36 months. Disease-free survival was 31 months. Observed and adjusted median survivals for patients with minor salivary gland tumors are 48 and 57 months respectively. Twenty of 86 patients (23%) had major morbidity; this was directly related to the total dose delivered. In the dose range 20–24 Gy the complication rate was 16%. Most of these complications were successfully managed with minimal functional disability. We have concluded that fast neutron irradiation is an appropriate treatment for malignant salivary gland tumors.
Ranked set sampling with random subsamples

A ranked sampling procedure with random subsamples is proposed to estimate the population mean. Four methods of obtaining random subsamples are described. Several estimators of the mean of the population based on random subsamples in ranked set sampling are proposed. These estimators are compared with the mean of a simple random sample for estimating the mean of symmetric and skew distributions. Extensive simulation under several subsampling distributions, sample sizes, and symmetric and skew distributions shows that the estimators of the mean based on random subsamples are more accurate than existing methods.
Review article: the stages of gastrointestinal carcinogenesis--application of rodent models to human disease.

Summary The development of gastrointestinal cancer in humans and animals occurs through a consecutive series of stages termed initiation, promotion and progression. The characterization of each of these stages has been elucidated in several model systems as well as in human neoplasms. Both single, putatively initiated cells and preneoplastic foci have been identified by marker protein differences as well as by mutational changes. The promotion stage involves the clonal expansion of single initiated cells. Such expansion can be rapidly reversed by a variety of means, of which acute fasting (as exemplified in rat hepatocarcinogenesis) is among the most rapid and efficient. This reversal involves a selective apoptosis of preneoplastic cells and preneoplastic lesions, associated with a marked increase in expression of the proto-oncogene c-myc. Transition of cells from the stage of promotion to that of progression initially involves specific karyotypic alterations, as noted in both the rat liver model and human colon carcinogenesis. In the former, the transition appears to be associated with enhanced expression of the H119 imprinted putative tumour suppressor gene. Thus, the use of model systems may be applied directly to the human circumstance, increasing the potential both for rational prevention of gastrointestinal neoplasia and for new approaches to the therapy of neoplastic disease in the progression stage.
Time-resolved photoluminescence from defects in n-type GaN

Point defects in GaN were studied with time-resolved photoluminescence (PL). The effects of temperature and excitation intensity on defect-related PL have been investigated theoretically and experimentally. A phenomenological model, based on rate equations, explains the dependence of the PL intensity on excitation intensity, as well as the PL lifetime and its temperature dependence. We demonstrate that time-resolved PL measurements can be used to find the concentrations of free electrons and acceptors contributing to PL in n-type semiconductors.
The debate on automated essay grading

We look at a controversy: the use of computers for automated and semiautomated grading of exams. K. Kukich, the director of the Natural Language Processing group at Educational Testing Service, provides an insider's view of the history of the field of automated essay grading and describes how ETS is currently using computer programs to supplement human judges in the grading process. T. Landauer, D. Laham, and P. Foltz describe the use of latent semantic analysis in a commercial essay-scoring system called IEA. They also address important ethical questions. L. Hirschman, E. Breck, J. Burger, and L. Ferro report on MITRE's current efforts towards automated grading of short-answer questions and discuss the ramifications for the design of general question answering systems. Finally R. Calfee places these developments in the framework of current educational theory and practice.
Molecular phylogeography and evolutionary history of the estuarine copepod, Acartia tonsa, on the Northwest Atlantic coast

Coastal estuaries are useful model systems to study the ecological and evolutionary responses of organisms to highly variable, discontinuous habitats. For this study, the molecular population genetic diversity of the planktonic calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa (Dana, 1849) was described based on DNA sequence variation for a 183 base-pair region of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. Samples of A. tonsa were collected from four estuaries on the Atlantic coast of the USA during 1993 and 1994, one estuary on the Gulf of Mexico coast in 1994, and one site on the Pacific coast of the USA in 1994. Dispersal of A. tonsa was shown to be restricted, with significant population genetic structuring between different estuaries. For all but the closely-adjacent MA and RI samples, frequencies of haplotypes and/or length polymorphisms within one haplotype (caused by insertion/deletion mutations) revealed highly significant genetic differentiation and geographic isolation. Mt16S haplotypes of A. tonsa from Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico estuaries were assorted among four deeply-diverged clades. Haplotypes within each clade differed by <2%, while differences among clades of 10% to 14% approached those between described Acartia species (e.g., 19% to 28% among A. clausi, A. hudsonica, and A. longiremis). Atlantic and Pacific coast samples identified as A. tonsa had no haplotypes in common and genetic differences between haplotypes ranged from 18% to 29%; phylogenetic analysis supported the separation of Pacific coast A. tonsa as a distinct species. We hypothesize that the observed patterns of molecular genetic diversity and structure of A. tonsa resulted from responses to historical climatic variation, including episodic range compression and displacement, and alteration of NW Atlantic coastal and estuarine environments.
An ulnar intraneural ganglion arising from the pisotriquetral joint: case report

Intraneural ganglions of the hand are rare and remain poorly understood. We report a case of an intraneural ganglion arising from the pisotriquetral joint that penetrated the ulnar nerve at Guyon's canal. Although rare, these ganglions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any neoplasms causing compression neuropathy.
Long and Short Entangled Photons

We use slow light and electromagnetically induced transparency to make and modulate single photons. Using spread spectrum technology we describe how a single photon may be hidden in an environment of noise photons. Article not available.
Increased depth of field through wave-front coding: using an off-axis zone plate lens with cubic phase modulationin an EUV microscope

The authors are extending the capabilities of the SHARP microscope (SEMATECH High-NA Actinic Reticle review Project) by implementing wave front coding as a complementary imaging mode. SHARP, using a single off-axis lens has a tilted focal plane, reducing the instrument’s field of view to a few micrometers. Wave-front coding increases the depth of field of an incoherent imaging system without affecting its resolution and light gathering power, rendering clear, large-field images for navigation and analysis. The resolution of the resulting image is close to the diffraction limit of the unmodified system. The authors have designed and nanofabricated zone plate lenses with a modified pattern that combines focusing power and wave front coding in a single optical element. The study clears the path to further applications of wave front coded zone plates in lab- and synchrotron-based microscopes and metrology tools. The authors have demonstrated wave-front coding in visible-light optical systems using Fresnel zone plate lenses in an offaxis configuration similar to SHARP. Simulations complementing the visible light experiments assess the performance of wave-front coded zone plates in the SHARP microscope.
Long-term outcome of patients treated by radiation therapy alone for salivary gland carcinomas.

Purpose: To review a single-institution experience with the management of salivary gland cancers treated by radiation alone. Methods and Materials: Between 1960 and 2004, 45 patients with newly diagnosed salivary gland carcinomas were treated with definitive radiation to a median dose of 66 Gy (range, 57-74 Gy). Distribution of T-stage was: 24% T1, 18% T2, 31% T3, and 27% T4. Histology was: 14 mucoepidermoid (31%), 10 adenocarcinoma (22%), 8 adenoid cystic (18%), 4 undifferentiated (9%), 4 acinic (9%), 2 malignant mixed (4%), 2 squamous (4%), and 1 salivary duct carcinoma (2%). No patient had clinical or pathologic evidence of lymph node disease. Median follow-up was 101 months (range, 3-285 months). Results: The 5-year and 10-year rate estimates of local control were 70% and 57%, respectively. A Cox proportional hazard model identified T3-4 disease (p = 0.004) and radiation dose lower than 66 Gy (p = 0.001) as independent predictors of local recurrence. The 10-year overall survival and distant metastasis-free rates were 46% and 67%, respectively. Conclusion: Radiation therapy alone is a reasonable alternative to surgery in the definitive management of salivary gland cancers and results in long-term survival in a significant proportion of patients. Radiation dose in excess of 66more » Gy is recommended.« less
A Data Interpretation Method of Coal Seam Sounding and Application Effect

Abstract This paper presents a planar continuous interpretation method of electric sounding data in roadway of coal mines on the basis of the interpretation of seam sounding curve comparison. By this method, the faults and fracture development zones in mining face can be visually displayed. The advantages of this method are faster and more precise than traditional method. The validity of the method was confirmed in application and mining.
Promoting the art of history taking.

The patient history is a vital piece of the physician–patient encounter and helps lead to the final diagnosis about 75% of the time. Skilled history taking is reported to be declining among medical...
Expression and Regulation of the β-Subunit of Ovine Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Relies Heavily on a Promoter Sequence Likely to Bind Smad-Associated Proteins

FSH is essential for normal gonadal function in mammals. Expression of its β-subunit (FSHB) controls overall production/secretion of FSH and is induced by activin. Studies with ovine FSHB promoter/reporter constructs in LβT2 gonadotropes show that induction by activin requires a putative Smad binding element in the ovine FSHB promoter (-162AGAC-159). Similar studies reported here show that another site, juxtaposed to the Smad binding element, was also required for 81% activin induction in LβT2 cells. This site was similar to several that bind proteins known to partner with Smads. When this site (-171ACTgcgtTT-163) was mutated by changing the nucleotides shown in lowercase letters, the resulting ovine-derived construct (mut-oFSHBLuc) was expressed poorly as a transgene in primary mouse gonadotropes (<0.001 times compared with ovine wild-type transgenes). This decrease in expression demonstrated the importance of this site for activin induction and, perhaps, basal expression, although studies with LβT2 cell...
Remarks on Northern Hemisphere Forecast Error Sensitivity from 1996 to 2000

Abstract The sensitivity of 2-day Northern Hemisphere extratropical forecast errors to changes in initial conditions, computed daily over a 4-yr period, is documented. The sensitivity is computed using the (dry) adjoint of the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System. This diagnostic enables an assessment of where initial errors have had the largest impact on forecast errors and allows for an examination of interannual variations in predictability. Both the forecast error and sensitivity exhibit a large seasonal cycle, with distinct maxima in winter. The monthly mean sensitivity maxima are correlated with regions of baroclinic instability and occur upstream from the forecast error maxima. Interannual variability is also apparent, and results show that the El Nino winter of 1997/98 was anomalously predictable. In contrast, the recent La Nina winters have been relatively unpredictable, especially during January 2000. These sensitivity calculations highlight the significant impact of middle–lowe...
Mixed Caputo fractional Landau inequalities

Abstract Here we establish mixed Caputo fractional ‖ . ‖ p , Landau type inequalities, p ∈ ( 1 , ∞ ] . We give applications on R .
Time-dependent calculation of thermally averaged reaction rate constants: dynamical displacement operator treatment

The time-dependent operator formulation of the reactive flux-side correlation function (J.Chem.Phys. 1991, 94, 4949), whose long-time limit yields the quantum mechanical Boltzmann-average rate constant, is optimized by including displacement operators in the expansion of the complx evolution operator.
Predictive scheduling of network processors

To provide flexibility in deploying new protocols and services, general-purpose processing engines are being placed in the datapath of routers. Such network processors (NPs) are typically simple RISC multiprocessors that perform forwarding and custom application processing of packets. The inherent unpredictability of execution time of arbitrary instruction code poses a significant challenge in providing service guarantees for data flows that compete for such processing resources in the network. However, we show that network processing workloads are highly regular and predictable, which can be exploited for scheduling purposes. We present two such predictive processor scheduling algorithms that aim at providing service guarantees as well as improving the performance of the NP by increasing the instruction data locality. Simulation results show that these algorithms provide significantly better performance than processor scheduling algorithms that do not take packet processing times into consideration.
Optimal design of sustainable chemical processes and supply chains: A review

Abstract The importance of balancing social, environmental and economic objectives in companies’ development has cultivated a growing awareness on the sustainable optimal design and planning of supply chains. In the past years, significant research effort has been devoted to extend current approaches to capture these objectives in order to guarantee long term sustainability. Among the various approaches developed, inventory management, product design, production planning and control for remanufacturing, product recovery, reverse logistics and closed-loop supply chains have gained more attention in the literature. In this paper, we review some of the relevant research on sustainable chemical processes and supply chain design focusing on three main areas: (i) sustainable supply chains with respect to energy efficiency and waste management, (ii) environmentally sustainable supply chains and (iii) sustainable water management. The emerging challenges in this area are summarized, and future opportunities are highlighted.
Tricuspid stenosis. Atrial systolic murmur, tricuspid opening snap, and right atrial pressure pulse

Observations on the atrial systolic murmur, the tricuspid opening snap, and the right atrial pressure pulse of tricuspid stenosis are presented, based on catheter manometer intracardiac sound and pressure recordings in five patients with hemodynamically significant tricuspid stenosis. The manometer-recorded right atrial pressure pulse of tricuspid stenosis differed from the normal, with (1) elevation of right atrial pressure, (2) different morphologic features (tall, spiky A wave complete before C; small V wave with an interruption, the tricuspid opening snap notch at termination of the gradual Y descent; a diastolic plateau, the relatively flat diastolic segment of the right atrial pressure pulse following the tricuspid opening snap notch prior to the next A wave), and (3) the relative lack of right atrial pressure and right atrial pressure pulse response with normal respiration. The atrial systolic murmur, recorded in the right ventricular inflow tract, was complete by S1; the crescendo-decrescendo atrial systolic murmur configuration paralleled the right ventricular-right atrial diastolic pressure gradient at the time of the atrial A wave. The right atrial contraction-relaxation process, as reflected by the right atrial A wave ascent and descent, was complete at the onset of ventricular systole with P-R intervals of 170 to 200 msec. Thus, the timing and configuration of the atrial systolic murmur reflected the timing and completion of the right atrial contraction-relaxation process prior to the onset of right ventricular systole and the configuration of the tricuspid diastolic pressure gradient. The tricuspid opening snap was recorded in the right ventricular inflow tract and occurred at the time of a notch at the termination of the Y descent of the right atrial pressure pulse V wave, while right atrial pressure exceeded right ventricular pressure. The sound-pressure events were consistent with angiographic and echocardiographic studies, which showed doming or ballooning of the mobile, fused, stenotic tricuspid valve into the right ventricle during the Y descent of the right atrial pressure pulse. The tricuspid opening snap occurred at the time of the termination of the diastolic movement of the fused tricuspid unit into the right ventricle. These observations are presented within the framework of previous studies in order to trace the development of medical ideas about the pathophysiologic basis for the sound and pressure events of tricuspid stenosis.
Duverney's skeletons.

In 1730, shortly before his death, the Paris anatomist Joseph-Guichard Duverney wrote his will, leaving his anatomical specimens to the Academie des Sciences, of which he was a member. But the will was disputed by Pierre Chirac, supervisor of the Jardin du Roi where Duverney, as professor of anatomy, had performed most of the dissections that produced the specimens. The ensuing debate between Chirac and Rene-Antoine Ferchault de Reaumur, arguing for the Academie, reveals the tensions surrounding both the concept of intellectual property in this period and the collective enterprise in natural philosophy. The differing roles and audiences of the Academie and the Jardin were central to this debate. In addition, this essay explores the origins and significance of the anatomical specimens themselves and their changing role in instruction and display, as well as the transition from the cabinet of curiosities to the natural history museum.
Modeling of the recognition site of the NK1 receptor

Abstract The tachykinin receptor, NK1, and its native neuropeptide ligand, substance P, are believed to play a major role in the biochemistry of inflammation and in the transmission of pain. The binding of substance P is known to involve extracellular as well as transmembrane regions of the NK1 receptor. Reported here is the design of a model of the recognition site of the second transmembrane domain of the NK1 receptor. Molecular mechanics calculations were employed to evaluate the potential of six polypeptides corresponding to the first, second and third transmembrane domains of the NK1 receptor, to bind with substance P. One of the most promising of these models contained 30 amino acid residues corresponding to part of the first extracellular region coupled to the second transmembrane domain. A model of reduced size (18 amino acid residues) that contains the correct type and location of the amino acid residues predicted to be involved in ligand binding was used to validate the results of the molecular mechanics calculations. One-dimensional proton NMR spectra acquired in DMSO-d6 indicated that this 18 amino acid residue polypeptide forms a complex with substance P.
Acute effects of aspartame on large neutral amino acids and monoamines in rat brain

The dipeptide aspartame (APM; aspartylphenylalanine methylester), an artificial sweetener, was studied in vivo for its ability to influence brain levels of the large neutral amino acids and the rates of hydroxylation of the aromatic amino acids. The administration by gavage of APM (200 mg/kg) caused large increments in blood and brain levels of phenylalanine and tyrosine by 60 minutes. Brain tryptophan level was occasionally reduced significantly, but the brain levels of the branched-chain amino acids were always unaffected. Smaller doses (50, 100 mg/kg) also raised blood and brain tyrosine and phenylalanine, but did not reduce brain tryptophan levels. At the highest dose (200 mg/kg), APM gavage caused an insignificant increase in dopa accumulation (after NSD-1015), and a modest reduction in 5-hydroxytryptophan accumulation. No changes in the brain levels of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid, or norepinephrine were produced by APM administration (200 mg/kg). These results thus indicate that APM, even when administered in amounts that cause large increments in brain tyrosine and phenylalanine, produce minimal effects on the rates of formation of monoamine transmitters.
Diagnosis of disseminated candidiasis based on serum D/L-arabinitol ratios using negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

The main objective was to appraise the diagnostic specificity of the serum d/l-arabinitol ratio technique in a patient population biased for renal dysfunction. The d/l ratio (mean ± S.D.) in normal serum (n = 29) was 1.76 ± 0.47 (range 0.77–2.75). d/l-Arabinitol > 3.18 (mean + 3 S.D.) are considered indicative of disseminated candidiasis. Of 49 patients without candidiasis, but 46% with serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dl, diagnostic specificity was 88%. In confirmed candidiasis (n = 16) sensitivity was 94% (d/l range 3.2–50.1). Switching from positive to negative chemical ionization permits the use of as little as 5 μl sample (20 μl used routinely; d/l ratios constants in the 5–200 μl range) permitting the extension of the technique to pediatric applications. Results can obtained in 2 h. Suggested areas of clinical application include aiding diagnosis, monitoring patients as risk so that treatment could be initiated while fungus load is still small, and following the course of antifungal chemotherapy.
The Base-Rate Fallacy in School Psychology:

The diagnostic utility of a sign is dependent on the base rate, or prevalence, of an event within a population and may shift dramatically when the base rate changes. Decision makers, however, often commit the base-rate fallacy, that is, they underweight or disregard base-rate information and defer instead to case-specific information, even when it is irrelevant to the decision. The studies reported here examined how school psychologists integrated relevant and irrelevant clinical information with base rates, how diagnostic accuracy was influenced by enhancing the salience of base rates, and how base rates were used in the absence of other clinical information. Consistent with prior literature on the base-rate fallacy, although school psychologists used base-rate information appropriately when no other clinical information was available, their diagnostic accuracy declined markedly with the addition of either irrelevant or relevant clinical information. This effect was robust to and not reversed by the sali...
Cancer mortality in U.S. counties with petroleum industries

A survey of cancer mortality from 1950 to 1969 was conducted in U.S. counties where the petroleum industry is most heavily concentrated. Male residents of these counties experienced significantly higher rates for cancers of the lung, the nasal cavity and sinuses, and the skin (including malignant melanoma) compared to male residents of counties with similar demographic characteristics. Further study is needed to determine whether these patterns result from exposure to chemical carcinogens, including polycyclic hydrocarbons, involved in the manufacturing of petroleum.
Coronary calcium quantification using various calibration phantoms and scoring thresholds.

Rationale and Objectives:To compare scoring threshold and calibration method-dependent accuracy and variability of coronary calcium measurements by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).Methods:Ninety-five subjects were scanned with MDCT. We calculated Agatston score and volume score. Mineral mas
A patient recall program to enhance decisions about prostate cancer screening: A feasibility study

Lack of time and competing demands limit the ability of patients and providers to engage in informed decision-making discussions about prostate cancer screening during primary care visits. We evaluated a patient recall invervention to mitigate these challenges. Using mail and telephone outreach we invited men age 50-74 years without a PSA test in the prior 12 months to make appointments with their primary care providers in order to discuss the pros and cons of PSA-based prostate cancer screening. We assessed patient responsiveness to the program, provider documentation of screening discussions, orders for PSA laboratories, and provider attitudes. Out of 80 eligible patients, 37 (46%) scheduled and 28 (35%) completed a recall appointment. A large majority (91%) of patients eligible for PSA screening received an order for this test. Providers documented PSA discussions more often for these patients than for a recent sample of their other patients who received traditional care (47.8% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.009). Twelve of 14 participating providers felt the program improved their ability to impart information about the risks and benefits of screening, but were uncertain whether it influenced their patients' preexisting preferences for screening. Some expressed doubts about the advisability of PSA-specific appointments. To a limited extent, this pilot recall intervention enhanced opportunities for discussions of prostate cancer screening between patients and their primary care providers. As currently configured, however, this program was not found to be feasible for this purpose. A future version should promote screening discussions in the context of a broader range of health maintenance concerns and include more detailed, low-literacy information to educate patients in advance of clinic visits.
Hot-electron dynamics in SiO 2 and the degradation of the Si/SiO 2 -interface

Abstract Monte Carlo transport simulations are used to calculate the interface-state buildup at the Si/SiO 2 -interface during high-field current stress using a hot-electron-induced hydrogen-release model.
Regulation of Prostaglandin Synthesis in Human Vascular Cells

Prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis in human vascular tissue is mainly regulated by the activity of enzymes that metabolize arachidonic acid, and especially by the activity of cyclooxygenase. The activity of this enzyme depends upon the balance between its synthesis and its inactivation by peroxidated metabolites or drugs. Cyclooxygenase in vascular endothelial cells is strongly inhibited by aspirin, but is rapidly resynthesized. The resynthesis proceeds more rapidly in endothelium than in smooth muscle cells. Growth factors for vascular cells strongly influence cyclooxygenase production and activity. PDGF both releases arachidonate and stimulates cyclooxygenase synthesis in fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells, and ECGF enhances new enzyme synthesis. By contrast, we find that the endothelial growth factor depresses PGI2 synthesis in human endothelial cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect is potentiated by heparin. The inhibition correlates with a decrease in the content of immunoreactive cyclooxygenase within the endothelial cells when they are grown in the presence of ECGF and heparin. These findings suggest that proliferation selectively suppresses the function of prostaglandin synthesis in endothelial cells.