cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fertility preservation in a patient with benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma

Benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma (BMPM) is a rare peritoneal tumor. Surgery is the only effective treatment for BMPM, and affected tissues occasionally must be sacrificed to achieve adequate debulking. A 25-year-old female was diagnosed with BMPM. She was counseled on fertility preservation and had oocyte cryopreservation prior to her debulking. Fertility preservation through embryo or oocyte cryopreservation is a valuable option for patients at risk of losing reproductive tissues during extensive surgery and chemotherapy.
Economic and Legal Arguments in PPL v. Commissioner

In late February 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral argument in PPL Corp. v. Commissioner. The Court took that case, which involves a claim by a U.S. corporation for foreign tax credits for taxes paid in accordance with the 1997 U.K. Windfall Profit Tax Act, in order to resolve a conflict between the Third Circuit, which denied the credit in PPL, and the Fifth Circuit, which allowed the credit in Entergy Corp. v. Commissioner. Nominally, the U.K. Act imposed a tax on recently privatized regulated companies of 23 percent of the difference between their estimated market value and the price at which they were sold to the public. The Act calculated each company’s market value by multiplying average earnings over a period of up to four years by 9 (a multiplier described as a conservative estimate of the market capitalization rate for such companies). The Fifth Circuit allowed the credit on the grounds that the substance of the tax imposed by the Act is a tax on the four prior years’ earnings, albeit at an effective rate higher than the statutory rate. In contrast, the Third Circuit denied the credit on the ground that the Act imposed a tax on a difference in values, not on income, as required by the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulation for the foreign tax to be creditable. This essay examines the economic and legal arguments that have been raised in PPL.
Cell-surface glycosyltransferases in gastrulating chick embryos. II. Biochemical evidence for a surface localization of endogenous glycosyltransferase activities.

Abstract In the preceding paper [Shur, B. D. (1977). Cell surface glycosyltransferases in gastrulating chick embryos. I. Temporally and spatially specific patterns of four glycosyltransferase activities. Develop. Biol. 58, 23–39]. seven different classes of glycosyltransferases were assayed autoradiographically in gastrulating chick embryos. Four transferases produced temporally and spatially specific patterns of endogenous activity which were most intense on actively migrating cell types. The data presented in this manuscript indicate that the available levels of sugar-phosphate and free sugar resulting from sugar nucleotide hydrolysis were insufficient to account for the observed patterns. Results with (i) competitive pyrophosphatase inhibitors, (ii) reconstruction experiments containing the potential contribution of labeled free sugar and sugar-phosphate, (iii) hexose transport inhibitors, and (iv) excesses of unlabeled sugars and sugar-phosphates all suggest, along with additional controls, that sugar nucleotide breakdown products were not major contributors to the total sugars incorporated during sugar nucleotide incubations. The enzyme:substrate complexes assayed during these sugar nucleotide incubations are likely to be extracellular since (A) no evidence exists for intact sugar nucleotide transport into these cells, and (B) neither supernatant nor homogenate glycosyltransferase activities could account for the autoradiographs.
Thermal analysis of polymers by time-of-flight mass spectrometry: III.Advanced automatic data processing based on frequency modulated analog tape and hybrid computer

Abstract Polymer samples were pyrolyzed at a linear heating rate of 10°C min -1 . Time- of-flight mass spectrometer output was continually recorded on FM analog tape together with time-clock and start-of-scan pulses. Similar data were collected for known calibration samples which were admitted to the mass spectrometer directly following pyrolysis. The data were digitized by use of a hybrid computer system based on a Beckman 2200 Analog Computer and a SDS 930 Digital Computer. The digitized data were then processed by the digital computer to locate mass spectral peaks, to assign mass numbers, and to evaluate signal intensities. Further data processing by digital computer sorted the data into sets according to mass number and provided automatic graph plotting for each ion observed (ion intensity vs. time). The instrumentation is described, computer programs are discussed, and an example of their application to polyquinoxaline is presented. Presented at the 4th North American Thermal Analysis Society Meeting, Worcester, Mass., June 13–15, 1973.
Assisted-Living Regulation Issues: A Business Case for Action or Creative Destruction

This paper examine whether state law regulating assisted-living facilities in United State is sufficient or underdeveloped and inconsistent. As the U.S. population ages, legislatures and courts need to address the growing need to develop comprehensive and consistent law in this area, and the industry must be fast to anticipate threats and changes from all directions. The paper’s methodology includes reviewing the statistics that indicate the growing demand for assisted-living facilities and researches and reports variations of regulation regarding assisted-living facilities across the United States. Findings include extensive inconsistencies in regulation exists across the states; and there is a great need for either more uniform industry standards, or for federal regulation if the industry is not willing or able to self-regulate. We also find that regardless of regulation or self‑regulation, increasingly demanding and better-informed consumers who have greater access to more information will push the industry to change. The assisted-living industry must find a proper balance between offering a good product and doing so at a reasonable cost – a necessary goal for most businesses.
A fully-integrated 1.8-V, 2.8-W, 1.9-GHz, CMOS power amplifier

This paper demonstrated the first 2-stage, 2.8 W, 1.8 V, 1.9 GHz fully-integrated distributed active transformer (DAT) power amplifier with 50 /spl Omega/ input and output matching using 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS transistors. It has a small-signal gain of 27 dB. The amplifier provides 2.8 W of power into a 50 /spl Omega/ load with a PAE of 50%.
Comparative in vitro activity of apalcillin alone and combined with Ro 48-1220, a novel penam β-lactamase inhibitor

OBJECTIVE: The in vitro activity of apalcillin plus Ro 48-1220, a novel penam sulfone beta-lactamase inhibitor, was compared with apalcillin alone, piperacillin/tazobactam, ticarcillin/clavulanic acid, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, imipenem, ceftazidime and cefepime. METHODS: Agar dilution and broth microdilution testing of 854 bacterial strains, subcultured from frozen stocks incubated for 24 h in 5% carbon dioxide, was carried out to determine the minimum bactericidal (MBC) and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of each of the study drugs in accordance with the NCCLS M26-T method. RESULTS: Apalcillin/Ro 48-1220 was active against all gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic isolates except Klebsiella oxytoca (MIC90 32 microg/mL). Among the Enterobacteriaceae, synergy for apalcillin/Ro 48-1220 (4 microg/mL fixed concentration) vs apalcillin alone was demonstrated for nearly all species when comparing MIC90 results. Apalcillin/Ro 48-1220 was highly potent against beta-lactamase-producing Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (MICs less-than-or-equal 1 microg/mL). However, much of this activity was due to the direct antimicrobial action of Ro 48-1220 alone (MICs less-than-or-equal 4 microg/mL). All Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas (Xanthomonas) maltophilia and Acinetobacter species were inhibited by apalcillin/Ro 48-1220 (MIC90 0.25 to 4 microg/mL). For the aerobic gram-positive organisms, none of the drugs tested were consistently effective against oxacillin-resistant staphylococci, Corynebacterium jeikeium and Enterococcus species other than E. faecalis. Apalcillin/Ro 48-1220 was as effective as piperacillin/tazobactam against Escherichia coli producing extended-spectrum TEM enzymes, but less active against isolates producing SHV-type beta-lactamases. When tested against 204 ceftazidime-, gentamicin- or fluoroquinolone-resistant organisms, 78%, 91% and 66% of strains, respectively, were susceptible to apalcillin/Ro 48-1220 (less-than-or-equal 16 microg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: Apalcillin/Ro 48-1220 is bactericidal with a modest inoculum effect; its wide spectrum of activity favors continued studies of spectrum, pharmacokinetics and in vivo efficacy.
Border identification for power system security assessment using neural network inversion: an overview

Knowledge of the dynamic security border can provide an operator with valuable information on how to safely steer the power system away from vulnerable operating regions. The large set of non-linear differential equations that describe modern large-scale power systems makes it difficult to determine the security border either analytically or numerically in real time. As an alternative, neural networks trained off line on emulator data can provide a commensurate representation of the system transfer function, while significantly decreasing evaluation time. Using neural network inversion, sets of input points corresponding to a fixed output can be evaluated quickly. Different inversion procedures and their properties are reviewed here. We also review various metrics used for determining whether sufficient coverage of the border is achieved. Finally, we illustrate the use of border identification for preventive control when feature selection is initially performed to reduce the dimensionality of the input space.
Electron probe analysis of cultured vascular smooth muscle.

Mitochondrial and cytoplasmic composition were determined with electron probe analysis in freeze-dried guinea pig aortic smooth muscle cells cultured on stainless steel grids. The mitochondrial calcium content in normal cells was low: not significantly different from that detected in the cytoplasm. Mitochondrial calcium granules were found in less than 3% of the cells, and in these the cytoplasmic K/Na ratio was reduced, indicating that they were damaged. There were no major differences between the cytoplasmic concentrations of K, Cl, Ca, Mg, and S of cultured cells and those previously found in adult vascular smooth muscle (Somlyo et al. '79). There was no evidence of nuclear Na or Ca sequestration in cultured cells, and the transmitochondrial Na, Cl, and K gradients were small. Attempts to selectively remove adhering, extracellular ions with a 2-second wash with isotonic ammonium acetate were unsuccessful because they were accompanied by loss of cell K.
FATE OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES AND SALMONELLA SPP. IN THERMALLY PROCESSED COLOR‐MODIFIED TURKEY MEAT

The growth/survival of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. was evaluated in two thermally-processed turkey raw materials. Flaked turkey (FT) was prepared from boneless, skinless thighs. Portions were washed with sodium phosphate buffers to lighten tissue color and produce color-modified turkey (CMT). Raw materials were cooked, inoculated with pathogens, and held at 4 and 20C. Salmonella numbers declined in cooked samples stored at 4C for 21 days, but increased by approximately 6 logs in 2 days for the FT and CMT held at 20C. L. monocytogenes increased by approximately 5 logs in samples held for 14 days at 4C. By 2 days at 20C, L. monocytogenes increased more than 5 logs in both materials. Growth/survival of these pathogens did not differ (p > 0.05) between FT and CMT. The data suggest that CMT does not present any more health hazards than conventional turkey raw materials.
The relationship between fusional vergence eye movements and fixation disparity.

Abstract The fusional vergence system is under the control of a fast neural integrator which aligns the eyes and a slow neural integrator which maintains binocular alignment. These controllers are distinguished by their decay time constants and their stimuli. Previous studies indicate that the fast fusional vergence controller responds to retinal image disparity and the slow fusional vergence controller responds to the output of the fast neural integrator. Slow fusional vergence as evidenced by adaptation of the phoria is unaffected by accommodative vergence when disparity vergence is open loop. Under closed loop conditions both accommodation and disparity induced vergence influence slow fusional vergence. These results indicate that the slow vergence controller is located before the site of interaction between convergence and accommodation. Fixation disparity is described as a steady-state error of the neural integrator controlling fast fusional vergence and its amplitude is shown to be inversely related to adaptation of the phoria to prism.
A novel satellite/microsatellite combination in the genome of the marine shrimp, Penaeus vannamei

Abstract In our studies of repeated sequences in the genome of the marine shrimp, Penaeus vannamei (Pv), we have discovered a novel combination of sequence elements. We inserted restriction fragments of genomic DNA into a plasmid vector and screened for recombinant plasmids containing repeated sequences. Ten of the resulting isolates contained representatives of the same repeated element, a satellite sequence present in one or more blocks of tandemly repeated units. The cloned repeat units range in size from 139 to 188 bp. Embedded within each cloned repeat unit are 6–15 copies of a tandemly repeated pentanucleotide microsatellite. The genome of Pv contains approx. 1 000 000 copies of this satellite/microsatellite unit. Sequences that cross-hybridize strongly with this structure were found in the genomes of lobster and crayfish, but not in other species of the genus Penaeus.
What if… the United States of America were based on watersheds?

Abstract Watersheds know no political boundaries. Except for the borders of a few countries and a few of the United States, this adage is true. Most watersheds include many state, provincial, and local governments and this “balkanization” is what makes the policy of watershed management so complex. Employing an historical exercise in counterfactualism, “what if” the United States were originally delineated on a watershed basis? “What if” each state was originally delineated by watershed, basin, or hydrologic planning unit? What would we learn as watershed managers from this exercise? This article reviews a selected history of watershed management in the USA as it relates to the many laws, regulations, and river basin commissions that were created to manage water resources that cross political boundaries. There are several lessons that watershed managers can learn from this exercise in counterfactualism. Watersheds form the best hydrological planning units for land, water, and ecosystem management. The concept of the river basin commission is a particularly effective way to manage water resources. Opportunities should be sought in the USA and overseas to create and recreate governments based on watersheds. Prospects should be explored to delineate the boundaries of sub-government jurisdictions such as water, sewer, stormwater, or planning districts based on watersheds.
Conditional expectations and the corona problem of Ergodic Hardy spaces

Abstract Using the regular corona theorem for the upper half plane, we solve the coronatype problem for generalized analytic functions associated with flows.
From Practice to Theory: a social constructivist approach to teacher education

Abstract In contrast to a theory‐to‐practice teacher education program path is a social constructivist approach to teacher education, in which grounded theories are: (1) developed (individually and in small and large groups) based on information gathered from the world of practice, (2) compared and contrasted with already published theories and research, and (3) integrated with personal philosophies and values. Based on the grounded theories, ‘models’ of early childhood programs are then developed in groups. This article will present the effects of the social constructivist/grounded theory framework used in a beginning early childhood teacher education class. From inductive analyses of the data sources (on‐site observation and interview data, initial theories developed in small/large‐group discussion, critical reading information summaries, individual reflection papers, model program creations), six themes emerged: respectful interactions and environments, parent partnerships, diversity, connections betwe...
Polymer inclusion membranes containing macrocyclic carriers for use in cation separations

Development of a novel supported liquid membrane for performing cation separations is reported. The membrane is polymerized from cellulose triacetate (CTA) with a crown ether incorporated into the polymer as a metal ion carrier. The contribution of several independent factors to overall cation transport is described. These factors include the effect of membrane thickness, concentration of the macrocycle in the membrane, and source solution concentration. Quantitative analyses indicate that the membranes adhere to transport models established for facilitated transport in traditional liquid membranes. Cation transport increases linearly with increasing carrier concention and with the square of source solution concentration. Flux values for K+ with dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DC18C6) as carrier compare favorably to values for other forms of supported liquid membranes. The membrane shows remarkable durability, maintaining constant cation flux for well in excess of three months with no signs of membrane decay or carrier loss to the aqueous phases.
Reexamining Quality in Early Childhood Education: Exploring the Relationship Between the Organizational Climate and the Classroom

This study examined the relationship between the organizational climate, the work environment for preschool teachers, and classroom quality among a sample of 37 centers serving low-income families in a large northeastern city. Although a robust body of literature indicates the importance of classroom quality for child outcomes, especially among low-income children, little research has explored whether school-level factors contribute to classroom quality in preschool centers. A significant association between overall organizational climate and classroom quality was found such that classrooms located in centers rated as more positive in terms of overall organizational climate (e.g., collegiality, professional growth, supervisor support, clarity, reward system, decision-making, goal consensus, task orientation, physical setting, and innovativeness) and relational organizational climate (e.g., ratings of teachers' relationships with their colleagues and leadership) were rated higher in regard to classroom qua...
Chain dynamics of bidisperse polyethylene melts : A monte carlo study on a high-coordination lattice

The dynamics of bidisperse (1K/4.5K) polyethylene (PE) melts in the Rouse-reptation transitional region is studied using a newly designed dynamic Monte Carlo algorithm on a high-coordination (2nnd) lattice. The internal relaxation modes fit the KWW relationship very well. The distinctive dynamic transitions have been identified on the basis of mode analysis. The observed anomalous power law dependence of higher modes agrees very well with other earlier molecular dynamics simulations using united atom models. For the long-chain component in the mixture, the tube dilation concept has been visualized through the short-time diffusion of monomers at different concentration, although the established tube dilation theory seems to be not applicable to this transitional region. The diffusion coefficients have been calculated in real time units over the full concentration range for this mixture of PE. Converting Monte Carlo steps into real time units was based on a previously determined coefficient at the simulatio...
Classification of nylon 66 impurities using digital image processing

Color image processing was used to classify the impurities in nylon 66 that fluoresce when exposed to ultraviolet light. The hue value determined from digitized color images was found to correlate well to the color of the fluorescence as seen by the naked eye. Digital image processing is advantageous over visual observation because it removes the subjectivity from the classification process, and is a relatively simple and inexpensive method compared to other spectroscopic techniques. The hue values of the impurities may provide a quantitative data base that could lead to process improvements. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An ab Initio MO Study on Fragmentation Reaction Mechanism of Thymine Dimer Radical Cation

Ab initio CASSCF calculations with the 6-31G basis set are reported for the fragmentation reaction of thymine dimer radical cation. The unpaired electron of thymine dimer radical cation is localize...
THE CONCEPT OF STABILITIES OF GENERAL SYSTEMS

Abstract In this paper, the concepts of the stability and uniform stability of input-output systems introduced in Ref. 1 are generalized to the model of general systems. Several equivalent conditions are given. The relation between the concepts and that of continuity of mappings from a topological space into a general topological space is studied. In the last section, some mapping properties of stable systems and uniformly stable systems are studied. Some open questions are posed.
His Bundle Recordings in Bilateral Bundle-Branch Block Combined with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome Antegrade Type II (Mobitz) Block and 1:1 Retrograde Conduction Through the Anomalous Bundle

An example of bilateral bundle-branch block (RBBB) in the presence of WPW syndrome in which diagnosis was established with the aid of His bundle recordings is presented. Complete RBBB and intermittent block of the superior and inferior divisions of the left bundle branch were coexistent for at least 2 years before complete heart block (trifascicular block) occurred. It was demonstrated that the preexcitation pathway conducted and blocked together with the normal pathways. It is suggested that the anomalous bundle in this case traveled with the normal pathways and that this close relationship is more common than has been suspected. Retrograde V-A conduction at 1:1 ratio was present during electrical stimulation of the right ventricle and the anomalous bundle was used for retrograde spread of activation from the ventricles to the atria. The retrograde P waves, thus produced, conducted antegrade through the His bundle (reciprocation) but reached the ventricles only when they appeared near the end of the T wa...
HLA Sensitization and Allograft Bone Graft Incorporation

Achieving union between host bone and massive structural allografts can be difficult. Donor and recipient human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches and recipient antibody response to donor HLA antigens might affect union. In a prospective multiinstitutional study, we enrolled a consecutive series of patients receiving cortex-replacing, massive structural bone allografts to determine the rate of donor-specific HLA antibody sensitization and to investigate the potential effect of such HLA alloantibody sensitization on allograft incorporation. HLA typing of patients and donors was determined by molecular typing methods. Donor-specific HLA sensitization occurred in 57% of the patients but had no demonstrable effect on graft incorporation or union. The type of host-allograft junction did have a major effect on graft incorporation. Cortical-to-cortical allograft-to-host junctions healed more slowly (mean, 542 days) than corticocancellous to corticocancellous allograft-to-host junctions (mean, 243 days). Although HLA sensitization does not appear to delay structural allograft bone incorporation, further followup is required to determine if there is an association between HLA sensitization and long-term graft survival. Based on these preliminary data, measures to further minimize or modulate HLA sensitization or response are not indicated at present for the purposes of improving structural bone allograft union.
Accuracy of mandibular cross-sectional imaging with tuned- aperture computed tomography (TACT), iteratively reconstructed TACT, and multidirectional, linear, and transverse panoramic tomography.

Abstract Objective. This study was designed to compare 5 modalities with respect to accuracy in mandibular cross-sectional imaging. The modalities tested were tuned-aperture computed tomography (TACT), iteratively reconstructed TACT, multidirectional tomography, linear tomography, and transverse panoramic tomography. Study Design. Twenty sites were selected from 3 dry human mandibles, and cross-sectional views were imaged through use of each of the 5 modalities. A quantitative analysis included measurements of 2 linear distances; a qualitative study included image evaluation by 6 observers. A nested mixed analysis of variance model was used to control for mandibles and locations within mandibles for the quantitative analysis; the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test was used for the qualitative analysis. Results. There was a significant difference in measurement error for maximum height but not for width. There was also a significant difference in qualitative image evaluation results. Conclusions. Of the 5 modalities tested, the narrow-layer multidirectional tomographic technique produced the greatest diagnostic accuracy and quality in cross-sectional imaging. The transverse panoramic tomographic technique produced the least diagnostic accuracy and quality. Linear tomography, TACT, and iteratively reconstructed TACT were intermediate in accuracy and quality. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2001;91:594-602)
Open-chain analogs of LSD. II. Synthesis of some 2-(3-indolylethyl)- and 2-(3-methyl-2-indolylethyl)piperidines.

Abstract 6-MethyIpyridines substituted in the 3-position, which were quaternized with methyl or ethyl iodide, were condensed under Knoevenagel conditions with 3-indolealde- hyde or with 3-methyl-2-indolealdehyde. The indolylethenylpyridinium iodides thus produced were hydrogenated to the corresponding indolylethylpiperidines. Conversion of the hydrogenation products into acid salts or into quaternary salts provided compounds for pharmacological testing. Some of these are open-chain analogs of LSD.
Flanking Polyproline Sequences Inhibit β-Sheet Structure in Polyglutamine Segments by Inducing PPII-like Helix Structure

Polyglutamine (poly(Q)) expansion is associated with protein aggregation into beta-sheet amyloid fibrils and neuronal cytotoxicity. In the mutant poly(Q) protein huntingtin, associated with Huntington's disease, both aggregation and cytotoxicity may be abrogated by a polyproline (poly(P)) domain flanking the C terminus of the poly(Q) region. To understand structural changes that may occur with the addition of the poly(P) sequence, we synthesized poly(Q) peptides with 3-15 glutamine residues and a corresponding set of poly(Q) peptides flanked on the C terminus by 11 proline residues (poly(Q)-poly(P)), as occurs in the huntingtin sequence. The shorter soluble poly(Q) peptides (three or six glutamine residues) showed polyproline type II-like (PPII)-like helix conformation when examined by circular dichroism spectroscopy and were monomers as judged by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), while the longer poly(Q) peptides (nine or 15 glutamine residues) showed a beta-sheet conformation by CD and defined oligomers by SEC. Soluble poly(Q)-poly(P) peptides showed PPII-like content but SEC showed poorly defined, overlapping oligomeric peaks, and as judged by CD these peptides retained significant PPII-like structure with increasing poly(Q) length. More importantly, addition of the poly(P) domain increased the threshold for fibril formation to approximately 15 glutamine residues. X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and film CD showed that, while poly(Q) peptides with >or=6 glutamine residues formed beta-sheet-rich fibrils, only the longest poly(Q)-poly(P) peptide (15 glutamine residues) did so. From these and other observations, we propose that poly(Q) domains exist in a "tug-of-war" between two conformations, a PPII-like helix and a beta-sheet, while the poly(P) domain is conformationally constrained into a proline type II helix (PPII). Addition of poly(P) to the C terminus of a poly(Q) domain induces a PPII-like structure, which opposes the aggregation-prone beta-sheet. These structural observations may shed light on the threshold phenomenon of poly(Q) aggregation, and support the hypothesized evolution of "protective" poly(P) tracts adjacent to poly(Q) aggregation domains.
Bi Adsorption and Poisoning on Ni(100) Surface As Probed by CO Chemisorption

CO chemisorption on Bi-modified Ni(100) surfaces, along with the structure and growth of vapor-deposited Bi adlayers on Ni(100), was characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), energy loss spectroscopy (ELS), UV photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), work function measurements, and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). Bi growth on Ni(100) at 500 K proceeds via a layer-plus-island (Stranski-Krastanov) growth mode and the gradual formation of a c(2 2) structure near monolayer coverage. Desorption of Bi from the first monolayer on Ni(100) occurs with an activation energy Ed ) 290-240 kJ mol -1 . Bi desorption from Bi multilayers has Ed ) 200 kJ mol -1 . Adsorbed Bi changed the work function of the Ni(100) surface only slightly, indicating an initial dipole moment of only -0.5 D and thus relatively little charge transfer between Bi and Ni compared to other modifier adlayers. CO chemisorption was used to probe the reactivity of Ni(100) surfaces modified by preadsorbed Bi adlayers, denoted as Bi/Ni(100). Only a small decrease (4 kJ mol -1 ) occurs for the CO adsorption energy as determined by CO TPD. Site-blocking effects dominate over electronic (ligand) effects on the surface chemistry of CO on Bi/Ni(100). A comparison of these results to those on Bi/Pt(111), where Bi has been used as a model inert site-blocking agent, indicates that Bi modifies the electronic structure of Ni(100) even less than on Pt(111). Therefore, Bi adatoms may allow useful probing of adsorption and reaction ensemble requirements on Ni surfaces that contain modifiers as adatoms.
Platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonists inhibit mitogen-induced human peripheral blood T-cell proliferation

Abstract The addition of L-652, 731 and L-653, 150, two synthetic PAF-specific receptor antagonists, to 72 hour cultures of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBML) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of ( 3 H)-thymidine incorporation into T-cells (IC50: 25 μM and 3.2 μM, respectively). This inhibition was not reversed by exogenous interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-2. PAF receptor antagonists did not affect the expression of IL-2 receptors (TAC-antigen) on T-cells. Exogenous PAF which by itself had no significant effect on PHA-stimulated PBML proliferation, only partially reversed the inhibition of proliferation caused by PAF receptor antagonists. These results may suggest the involvement of endogenously produced PAF in the regulation of immune reactions.
The Effect of a Hydration Pocket on the Function Of nAChR Studied by Computational Approach

The first and solely available crystal structure of the extracellular domain of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) was published in 2007 (Dellisanti et al. 2007). The intriguing finding of the paper was the existence of a hydration pocket inside the beta sandwich core of the nAChR. A well-ordered water molecule bonded by two hydrophilic residues, Thr52 and Ser126, was found. Based on the patch-clamp experiments of the wild-type and mutant receptors and the fact that the nonchannel homolog acetylcholine binding protein (AChBP) has bulky hydrophobic residues at these positions, authors assumed that hydration pocket might be a key element required for the receptor function as a ligand-gated ion channel. Although this assumption seems quite reasonable, computer simulation is required to provide the energetics of conformational changes.The application of brute force MD simulations to the study of the above problem and other aspects of the action of nAChRs is problematic. This reflects the fact that the time scale for the gating transition is beyond the range of current computational capability. For example, nanoseconds-long MD simulations performed earlier (Law et al. 2005, Cheng et al. 2007) sample only the local conformational space of the initial channel's state. Thus we explored the origin of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic substitution effect by formulation this problem in terms of the relevant free energy changes and applying a proper thermodynamic cycle plus free energy perturbation calculations. Exploring the effect of the Thr52Val in both the open and closes states of nAChR appeared to provide an interesting microscopic insight on the operation of this system and highlighted the importance of using the proper computational strategies in studying biophysical problems.
Comparison of plasticity and development of mouse optokinetic and vestibulo-ocular reflexes suggests differential gain control mechanisms.

Abstract Image stability during self-motion is achieved via a combination of the optokinetic and vestibulo-ocular reflexes (OKR and VOR). To determine whether distinct neuronal mechanisms are used to calibrate eye movements driven by visual and vestibular signals, we examined the developmental maturation and adaptive plasticity of the OKR and VOR in mice. The combined performance of the OKR and VOR, measured with infrared video oculography, produces nearly perfect gaze stability both in adult mice and in juveniles (postnatal days 21–26). Analyses of the OKR and VOR in isolation, however, indicate that VOR gains in juveniles are lower than in adult mice, while OKR gains are higher, indicating that juveniles rely more strongly on vision to stabilize gaze than do adults. Adaptive plasticity in the mouse OKR and VOR could be induced by 30 min of visual–vestibular mismatch training. Examination of the effects of training on the OKR and VOR revealed differential mechanisms and persistence of adaptive plasticity. Increases in VOR gain induced by rotating mice in the opposite direction to the visual surround were short-lasting and were accompanied by long-lasting increases in OKR gain. In contrast, decreases in VOR gain induced by rotating mice in the same direction as the visual surround were persistent and were accompanied by long-lasting increases in OKR gain. Vestibular training had little effect on either the OKR or VOR, while visual training induced robust and long-lasting increases in the OKR but had no effect on the VOR. These data indicate that multiple mechanisms of plasticity operate over distinct time courses to optimize oculomotor performance in mice.
Isolation and Characterization of Mutants of the Bacillus subtilis Oligopeptide Permease with Altered Specificity of Oligopeptide Transport

Bacterial oligopeptide permeases are members of the large family of ATP binding cassette transporters and typically import peptides of 3 to 5 amino acids, apparently independently of sequence. Oligopeptide permeases are needed for bacteria to utilize peptides as nutrient sources and are sometimes involved in signal transduction pathways. The Bacillus subtilis oligopeptide permease stimulates competence development and the initiation of sporulation, at least in part, by importing specific signaling peptides. We isolated rare, partly functional mutations in B. subtilis opp. The mutants were resistant to a toxic tripeptide but still retained the ability to sporulate and/or become competent. The mutations, mostly in the oligopeptide binding protein located on the cell surface, affected residues whose alteration appears to change the specificity of oligopeptide transport.
Risk factors for cerebral palsy: a case-control study in Greece.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between a series of maternal, antenatal, perinatal, socioeconomic and environmental variables and the occurrence of cerebral palsy (CP) in a setting different from those in which previous analytic epidemiologic studies had been undertaken. The study was of case-control design and included 103 children with cerebral palsy born between 1984 and 1988 and residents of the Greater Athens area at any time during 1991 and 1992. Controls were chosen among the neighbors of the index case or were healthy siblings of children with neurological diseases other than CP seen by the same neurologists as the children with CP; a total of 254 control children were eventually included. Statistical analysis was done by modeling the data through unconditional logistic regression. Statistically significant (p,<0.05) risk factors of potential causal importance were: twin membership (OR=10.2), gestational age (OR = 0.5 per 4 weeks), birth weight conditional on gestational ...
EXPRESSION OF THE HUMAN APURINIC ENDONUCLEASE GENE (APE) IN NORMAL AND MALIGNANT-TISSUES

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonucleases initiate repair at sites of base loss produced by many carcinogens and maintain genetic stability by repairing abasic sites produced spontaneously. We examined whether expression of the main apurinic endonuclease of human cells, encoded by the APE gene, might be decreased in malignant cells and thus potentiate an elevated mutation rate. Northern blotting and in situ hybridisation were used to quantitate the level of APE mRNA in various normal tissues and in 24 different brain tumors. There were no differences in APE expression among the normal tissues, or between malignant astrocytomas and meningiomas and the surrounding normal brain tissues. This suggests that diminished expression of the apurinic endonuclease does not underly the induction of these cancers, or explain clinical variations in presentation and response to treatment.
A method of using irrigation drainage water for power plant cooling

Abstract The accumulation of large quantities of saline water collected from irrigated fields by underground tile drainage systems presents environmental problems in the South-Western U.S. and Mexico. A major project conducted in this Laboratory indicates technical and economic feasibility for using such wastewaters for power plant cooling. A novel process sequence is employed comprising (a) ion-exchange resin softening whereby nearly all the calcium is removed, followed by (b) using this softened water as feed to the power plant cooling tower, concentrating it by a factor of 5 to 15; this cooling tower blowdown is subsequently (c) further concentrated by vertical tube foam evaporation (VTFE) to provide a 20-fold concentrate of the initially softened wastewater which is then adequate to (d) serve as the sole regenerant for the ion-exchange resin used in the initial softening step. Step (d) is carried out in an upflow fluidized bed mode which ensures favorable reaction kinetics by the formation and removal of calcium sulphate precipitate from the resin bed. A new pilot plant facility of 2,000 gpd capacity is described including a softening and regeneration facility, a cooling tower operating under realistic process conditions and a complete VTFE facility; test data are presented indicating technical feasibility. Long term field tests with this facility are planned in the San Joaquin Valley to determine the viability of this approach for the beneficial use and simultaneous disposal of irrigation drainage. This project is sponsored by several major U.S. power utilities, the Electric Power Research Institute and the California Department of Water Resources.
LINKING DIMENSIONS OF THE ELDERLY MARKET TO MARKET PLANNING

For decades, organizations have based their marketing efforts to the 65 and older market on traditional stereotypes. This is surprising given the size, growth, and spending power of this market. It is also inconsistent with the marketing concept. This article identifies a number of dimensions which highlight the diversity of the so‐called senior citizen market. The diversity of this market involves a complex set of factors involving age, health, income, education, retirement, information processing, the self‐concept, reference groups, and cohort membership. The marketing implications of these dimensions are illustrated through examples of current marketing practice.
Impact of pre-existing left ventricular dysfunction on kidney transplantation outcomes: implications for patient selection.

Abstract Background End-stage kidney disease patients with decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) are often denied kidney transplantation (KT) for fear of poor graft and patient survival. Methods We retrospectively studied all patients who underwent KT at our center between 2001 and 2005 to determine the impact of low EF on outcomes post KT. Low EF was defined as Results Among 254 patients, 37 had low EF (study group) and 217 had normal EF (≥50%; control group). Post KT, the low EF group had a significantly higher rate of hospitalization for CHF. No significant difference was noted in the rate of cardiac events, graft loss, GFR, and all cause death at 12 months post KT. Conclusion Patients with low EF should not be excluded from transplantation, given favorable outcomes.
A system for real time fluorescence imaging in color for tumor diagnosis.

Early tumors can be diagnosed by the fluorescence of an injected, tumor‐specific agent such as dihematoporphyrin ether. However, brightness or intensity contrast is low because of the autofluorescence of tissue. Addition of color (hue) information aids in detection of tumors, and in elimination of false positives. Standard color video cameras are not sensitive enough to image the weak fluorescence. Thus an intensified monochrome video camera has been equipped with a synchronized color filter wheel, and the image displayed by multiplexing alternate lines to a red green blue (RGB) monitor.
A Rapid Method for the Measurement of Androgen Kinetics and Conversion to Estrogens Using Sephadex LH-20 Column Chromatography

A rapid precise technique for the determination of the metabolic clearance rates of androstenedione and testosterone, their respective interconversions and conversions to the estrogens in plasma, is presented using a combination of Sephadex LH-20 column and thin-layer chromatography. The overall recovery of each steroid with this procedure was approximately 65–80%. Sequential crystallization demonstrated the purity of the precursor and product steroids. The metabolic clearance data was compared with the method of Horton and Tait using plasma samples from the same infusion. There was no significant difference in the values obtained with the exception of a sex difference in the conversion ratio of testosterone to androstenedione noted with the LH-20 method.
Blurred Lines: The School Librarian and the Instructional Technology Specialist

Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs (AASL, 2009) charges school librarians “to play a leading role in weaving such skills throughout the curriculum so that all members of the school community are effective users of ideas and information” (p. 46). Providing leadership in technology integration for the purposes of learning is paramount and the responsibility for leading this movement to prepare learners for participating and succeeding in our global society is seemingly placed with school librarians. While school librarians were once the sole person responsible for technology in the schools, the proliferation of technology in education has resulted in the emergence and adaptation of roles and responsibilities, one such role being the instructional technology specialist. This article reports findings on how the presence of an instructional technology specialist can either enable or deter a school librarian enacting a leadership role in technology integration.
Modelling of Toxic Contaminants in the Niagara River Plume in Lake Ontario

Abstract The transport and compartmental distribution of chlorinated benzenes in the Niagara River bar area were simulated using a two-dimensional model that combines coastal physical processes with a chemical partitioning submodel. The model parameters (partition coefficient, settling velocity) were calibrated with field data and the results compared to observations made in 1983. It was found that the distribution of chlorinated benzenes in the nearshore Niagara region is strongly controlled by the wind driven field of currents in Lake Ontario and by the amount of suspended sediment contained in the Niagara River plume. The model may be used for the purposes of near-shore and short-time prediction of fate and transport of toxic chemicals in the coastal zone.
Young age as a prognostic factor in cervical cancer: Results of a population-based study

Abstract Objective: Our goal was to use population-based data to determine the difference in 5-year survival in women diagnosed with cervical cancer between those aged 18-34 years and those aged 40-60 years. Study Design: The SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) public-use database, 1973-1994, was used for this investigation. Only subjects with cervical carcinoma diagnosed between 1988 and 1990 were included. Subjects were stratified on age at diagnosis ( Results: Two thousand cases of invasive cervical cancer were identified. The younger subgroup of patients was diagnosed with earlier-stage disease more frequently than the older group ( P = .0001). When adjustments were made for non–cervical cancer causes of death, there was no difference in 5-year survival between the 2 cohorts. African American women had a poorer 5-year survival ( P = .02) Conclusion: There was no overall difference in survival between the 2 cohorts when appropriate adjustments were made for cause of death and for stage, histologic type, and grade of disease. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:1464-7.)
Strong refraction near the Venus surface: Effects observed by descent probes

The telemetry signals from Pioneer Venus probes indicated the strong downward refraction of radio waves. As the probes descended, the strength of the direct signal decreased because of absorption and refractive defocusing. During the last 30 km of descent there was a second measured component in addition to the direct signal. Strong atmospheric reaction is important in strengthening echoes that are scattered toward the earth. Such surface-reflected signals are good indicators of horizontal winds.
Effect of water and salt content on protein solubility and water retention of meat preblends.

Different preblend water contents at a constant ionic strength were investigated to determine if increasing water availability would increase protein solubility and water retention in meat preblends. Four salt levels (0, 2, 4 and 8%) and four water levels (0, 20, 40 and 80% formulation water) were used with ground bovine semimembranosus muscle that had been frozen once. Ground muscle was mixed with either NaCl alone (0% formulation water) or NaCl and brine (20, 40 and 80% formulation water) for the 2, 4 and 8% NaCl treatments. Distilled water was used for the 0% NaCl treatment. The mixtures were stored at 5°C for 12 h. Following storage, the water/brine content was standardized, and protein solubility and water retention were measured. Elevating the water content of preblends, in which the salt concentration had been standardized, increased the water retained during centrifugation (P < 0·05). Although not statistically significant, a similar trend was observed for protein solubility. Four percent NaCl produced the greatest protein dissolution and water retention.