cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disseminated cryptococcosis in a patient with multiple sclerosis treated with fingolimod

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a leading nontraumatic cause of neurologic disability,1 is an inflammatory disorder involving autoreactive T cells attacking myelin sheaths in the CNS, resulting in demyelination and axonal loss. The development of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS has been remarkable in recent years. Many approved DMTs for MS are parenteral. Oral fingolimod2,3 (Gilenya, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010. Immunomodulation including sequestration of lymphocytes in the secondary lymphoid organs is the main proposed mechanism of action. In a phase 3 trial, rare but fatal viral infections were observed.2 One patient with MS developed disseminated primary varicella-zoster virus infection. Another patient had herpes simplex encephalitis. Both patients received fingolimod 1.25 mg once daily, a dose that is higher than the currently FDA-approved dose. Although fingolimod at 0.5 mg once daily did not show increased infection incidence in individual trials that led to FDA approval, a recent analysis of pooled trial data demonstrated a relatively higher rate of varicella-zoster virus infections in patients treated with fingolimod 0.5 mg daily than in placebo recipients.4 Disseminated cryptococcosis is a rare opportunistic infection reported in immunocompromised individuals such as patients with AIDS.5 In this report, we describe a patient with MS who received fingolimod therapy and subsequently developed disseminated cryptococcal infection. Acknowledgment: The author thanks Dr. F. Yan for collecting histology, MRI data, and editing.
Cryopreservation and recovery of human endometrial epithelial cells with high viability, purity, and functional fidelity

Objective To develop a protocol for cryopreservation and recovery of human endometrial epithelial cells (eECs) retaining molecular and functional characteristics of endometrial epithelium in vivo. Design In vitro study using human endometrial cells. Setting University research laboratory. Patient(s) Endometrial biopsies were obtained from premenopausal women undergoing benign gynecologic procedures. Intervention(s) Primary eECs were cryopreserved in 1% fetal bovine serum/10% dimethylsulfoxide in Defined Keratinocyte Serum-Free Medium (KSFM). Recovered cells were observed for endometrial stromal fibroblast (eSF) contamination and subsequently evaluated for morphology, gene expression, and functional characteristics of freshly cultured eECs and in vivo endometrial epithelium. Main Outcome Measure(s) Analysis of eEC morphology and the absence of eSF contamination; evaluation of epithelial-specific gene and protein expression; assessment of epithelial polarity. Result(s) Endometrial epithelial cells recovered after cryopreservation (n = 5) displayed epithelial morphology and expressed E-cadherin (CDH1), occludin (OCLN), claudin1 (CLDN1), and keratin18 (KRT18). Compared with eSF, recovered eECs displayed increased ( P 05) expression of epithelial-specific genes AREG , CDH1 , DEFB4A , MMP7 , and WNT7A , while exhibiting low-to-undetectable ( P 05) stromal-specific genes COL6A3 , HOXA11 , MMP2 , PDGFRB , and WNT5A . Recovered eECs secreted levels of cytokines and growth factors similarly to freshly cultured eECs. Recovered eECs could form a polarized monolayer with high transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and impermeability to small molecules, and expressed apical/basolateral localization of CDH1 and apical localization of OCLN. Conclusion(s) We have developed a protocol for cryopreservation of eECs in which recovered cells after thawing demonstrate morphologic, transcriptomic, and functional characteristics of human endometrial epithelium in vivo.
The Effect of Racial and Ethnic Composition on Neighborhood Economic Change: A Multilevel and Longitudinal Look

This article examines the relationship between racial/ethnic composition and neighborhood economic change in a multilevel and longitudinal framework. I employ multilevel modeling to examine how neighborhood minority composition is associated with change in neighborhood relative economic status from 1970 to 2010 in the largest 100 metropolitan areas of the USA. In the multilevel framework, the empirical analysis shows that the shares of black and Hispanic residents are consistently negatively related to neighborhood economic gain even when metropolitan-level factors are taken into account. This study also finds that the negative effect of neighborhood minority composition on neighborhood economic gain is differentiated by deindustrialization and minority composition at the metropolitan level. In the longitudinal framework, the findings show that the negative effect of neighborhood minority composition on neighborhood economic gain has declined over time.
Data acquisition for a real time fault monitoring and diagnosis knowledge-based system for space power system

The design and implementation of the real-time data acquisition and processing system employed in the AMPERES project is described, including effective data structures for efficient storage and flexible manipulation of the data by the knowledge-based system (KBS), the interprocess communication mechanism required between the data acquisition system and the KBS, and the appropriate data acquisition protocols for collecting data from the sensors. Sensor data are categorized as critical or noncritical data on the basis of the inherent frequencies of the signals on the diagnostic requirements reflected in their values. The critical data set contains 30 analog values and 42 digital values and is collected every 10 ms. The noncritical data set contains 240 analog values and is collected every second. The collected critical and noncritical data are stored in separate circular buffers. Buffers are created in shared memory to enable other processes, i.e. the fault monitoring and diagnosis process and the user interface process, to freely access the data sets. >
Some Estimates for Radial Fourier Multiplier Operators with Slowly Decaying Kernels

We consider the restriction to radial functions of a class of radial Fourier multiplier operators containing the Bochner-Riesz multiplier operator. The convolution kernel K(x) of an operator in this class decays too slowly at infinity to be integrable, but has enough oscillation to achieve Lp -boundedness for p inside a suitable interval (a, b). We prove boundedness results for the maximal operator Kf(x) = supr>0rn∣K(r) * f(x)∣ associated with such a kernel. The maximal operator is shown to be weak type bounded at the lower critical index a, restricted weak type bounded at the upper critical index b, and strong type bounded between. This together with our assumptions on K(x) leads to the pointwise convergence result limγ γnK(γ·) * f(x) = cf(x) a. e. for radial f ϵ LP(ℝn), a ≥ p > b.
The relation between the increase in reduced nicotinamide nucleotides and the initiation of DNA synthesis in sea urchin eggs

Previous work has suggested that the activation of the sea urchin egg at fertilization is the result of a transient increase in intracellular free calcium and an increase in intracellular pH. We have investigated the absence of nuclear activation in incompletely activated eggs and have found a correlation between nuclear activation and the levels of total reduced nicotinamide nucleotides (NAD[P]H). Eggs activated with ammonia show a similar correlation: besides its action as a weak base in raising intracellular pH (which we conclude is insufficient to stimulate or maintain nuclear activation as judged by nuclear envelope breakdown or DNA synthesis), ammonia increases NAD(P)H. This increase is associated with the stimulation of 6-3H-thymidine incorporation into egg DNA. Removing ammonia decreased NAD(P)H, and tritiated thymidine incorporation ceases. We conclude that a critical level of NAD(P)H is essential to nuclear activation and that the increase of NAD(P)H at fertilization must be included with the increase in calcium and pH as a causal agent in development.
Teaching Cultural Perspectives to Future Army Officers at West Point.

The main concern of this article is to illustrate how West Point equips future Army officers with an appreciation and understanding of cultural knowledge. A unique, multidisciplinary goal-based approach to curricular design and assessment (of students as well as the academic program) is described, focusing on the structure, process, and content of student experiences that contribute to the achievement of the cultural perspectives goal. The author reviews what the institution's assessment data are telling us about student achievement of this goal and how we use this evidence to improve the academic quality of the curriculum. And finally, the article draws informative lessons from our experience, particularly in terms of models and processes that may prove helpful for other colleges and universities throughout the United States that are striving to ensure their undergraduates acquire a robust cultural perspective.
Decision to use the respirator: moral policy.

The use of the respirator is a major technological breakthrough for modern medicine. However, like other technologies, its use has caused new moral problems. This article concentrates on the moral and ethical components of decisions to employ the respirator. In developing a moral policy for its use, the author attempts to circumvent the standard distinction of ordinary and extraordinary means in favor of a policy of reasonable means which respects a number of values in crisis situations. The article ends with some applications to cases to demonstrate the viability of the proposed moral policy.
Cervical Cancer Screening Interval

235 Denise M. Linton, DNS(c), FNP, BC, is a nurse practitioner at the Louisiana State University Lallie Kemp Medical Center in Independence. Mention of specific products and opinions related to those products do not indicate or imply endorsement by the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing or the Oncology Nursing Society. Digital Object Identifier: 10.1188/09.CJON.235-237 Cervical Cancer Screening Interval EvidEncE-BasEd PracticE susan K. stEElE-MosEs, dns, aPrn, aocn®—associatE Editor
The Nature and Impact of Conflict within Service Coordination Teams for Children and Adolescents with Serious Emotional and Behavioral Challenges

While both theory and empirical research regarding work team performance suggests that conflict can play an important role in determining productivity and other outcomes, the impact of conflict on the effectiveness of service coordination teams is not well understood. In this study, the team records and charts of 189 young people maintained by service coordinators in a system of care initiative were analyzed to identify the number of intra-team conflicts, the participants involved in each conflict, the theme of each conflict and their relationship with the likelihood that young people were successful in meeting their treatment goals. Findings indicate that interpersonal concerns and concerns about team member follow-through were the most frequent types of conflict. More important, our analyses suggest that more frequent conflicts significantly increased the likelihood that a child and family team (CFT) was unsuccessful in helping the youth and family achieve the desired treatment goals. The results underline the need for further research on how structure and functioning of services coordination teams impact youth and family outcomes.
On the Nanoscale Electromechanical Wireless Communication in the VHF Band

Electromagnetic communication at the nanoscale has, to date, been studied in either the very high frequency (VHF) (30–300 MHz) or in the TeraHertz band (0.1–10 THz). The main focus of this paper is on electromagnetic communication in the VHF band and determining the bit error rate (BER) performance of nanoscale receivers utilizing a carbon nanotube (CNT). To determine BER performance, statistical characterization of an average-level detector output is obtained for two different receiver configurations: nanotube receiver, and tunneling nanotube receiver. For the nanotube receiver, the linear component not considered in the previous studies is included and shown to significantly affect the variance of the detector output and, also, exact analysis is performed with some significant differences to previous approximations. The tunneling nanotube receiver, for which no statistical characterization has been done to date, is analyzed. Extensive simulation studies are presented to confirm the accuracy of the theoretical results provided for the distribution of the average-level detector output. The feasible communication distances are investigated based on the BER performance by using realistic system parameters. The results reveal the potential usage of the VHF band in nanonetworks and highlight the importance of maximizing the charge at the CNT tip.
Transport of Suspended Solids in the Lower Fox River

Abstract The general purpose of the present study was to study the transport of the sediments and associated contaminants in the lower Fox River and from the Fox into Green Bay. For this reason, a numerical model of the transport and fate of suspended solids in the lower Fox River has been developed and verified. The model consists of a two-dimensional, vertically-integrated, time-dependent hydrodynamic and transport model coupled with a three-dimensional, time-dependent model of the sediment bed and its properties. Settling speeds and sediment resuspension parameters needed in the model were determined from laboratory and field tests. In the description of the transport of suspended solids, three components of solids are considered, i.e., fine (zero settling speed), medium (moderate settling speed affected by flocculation), and coarse (large settling speed). It is assumed that the sediment bed is layered in the vertical direction. The properties of each layer depend on time after deposition (and therefore with depth) and composition (relative fractions of medium and coarse sediments), and the number of layers and their thicknesses can be arbitrarily specified at the beginning of the calculation. The thickness of the surface layer changes with time depending on the rates of resuspension and deposition. Calculations were made for steady flows at high, medium, and low flow rates as well as for real, time-varying flow events. In particular, two flow events were modeled in detail, the first from 22 May to 20 June 1989 (this included a once in a 10 year high flow as well as moderate to low flows) and the second from 24 March to 10 April 1989. For these events, calculated sediments concentrations at the river mouth were compared with observations. Good agreement between the calculations and observations was obtained, thereby validating the model and the description of the physical processes implied in the modeling. In particular, the presence and effect of an easily resuspendable surficial layer was demonstrated.
RNA polymerase: potent competitive inhibition by D-ribose-5-triphosphate and other pentose polyphosphates.

Abstract Ribose and deoxyribose 5′ pyro and triphosphates are shown to be potent substrate competitive inhibitors for an in vitro transcription system containing either calf thymus or T7 DNA as template, and the E. coli RNA polymerase [E.C.2.7.7.6]. Each of these analogues gave Ki values (∼25 μM) essentially the same as the Km values (∼15 μM) for the substrates. In contrast the ribose and deoxyribose 5′ monophosphates, ribonucleosides, deoxynucleoside mono and triphosphates were not significant inhibitors. The data are consistent with the interpretation that the enzyme binds the substrate primarily through the 3′-endo ribose polyphosphate moiety.
HYDROPHOBIC STACKING OF BASES AND THE SOLVENT DENATURATION OF DNA

Summary The DNA double helix stable in water is denatured by solvents with widely varing properties. To understand quantitatively the role of water in keeping the helix together, the solvent contributions to the unitary free energy difference between random single strands and the helix are calculated for water, MeOH, glycol, formamide, glycerol, ethanol, n-propanol, and n-butanol. The property of solvent crucial in denaturation is found to be mainly the enthalpy part of surface tension. The number of molecules solvating the A, T, G, C bases, hence their energy is drastically reduced in going from random coils to the helix. ‘Hydrophobic bonding’ thus results to a large extent from the large surface enthalpy of water. The same interactions may cause the ‘stacking’ of adjacent bases in a single strand of DNA in water. Such stacking may be what makes thymine photodimerization under the action of uv favorable in some thymine hydrate crystals and in aqueous single strand DNA.
DECREASED SERUM CHOLESTEROL-BINDING RESERVE IN PREMATURE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Abstract Incubation of human serum with crystalline cholesterol which had been pulverised by sonication resulted in a measurable uptake of cholesterol by the serum. This uptake was designated "serum cholesterol-binding reserve" (S.C.B.R.). Among more than 200 men and women examined, S.C.B.R. values varied from less than 10 to over 200 mg/dl, while the values from repeated determinations on two individuals over several months varied within 24 mg/dl. S.C.B.R. could be attributed to two serum-lipoprotein subfractions—S.F.V. separated from very-low-density lipoprotein and S.F.H. from high-density lipoprotein, by gel filtration. Without further purification, S.F.V. solubilised 4·5 mg and S.F.H. solubilised 0·36 mg of additional cholesterol/mg of protein, while the remaining bulk of the lipoproteins lacked this property. It is proposed that S.F.V. and S.F.H. have physiological roles in retarding atherogenesis by removing cholesterol from the arterial intima and carrying it back to the circulating serum. Accordingly, individuals who have low S.C.B.R. values, being deficient in S.F.V. and S.F.H., are at higher risk for the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart-disease. This hypothesis was tested by comparing S.C.B.R. values of patients with premature myocardial infarction with values of controls. The results indicated a trend of increasing S.C.B.R. values with increasing levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides among the controls, but this trend was virtually lost among the patients. The S.C.B.R. values also were lower among patients than controls, and the difference was statistically significant between patients and controls with serum-cholesterol above 250 mg/dl or fasting serum-triglycerides above 160 mg/dl. These results are consistent with the proposed hypothesis.
Determination of phosphorus in gold or silver brazing alloys

A spectrophotometric method has been devised for measuring microgram levels of phosphorus in brazing alloys of gold or silver that contain high nickel concentration. Phosphorus in such alloys is normally measured by solid mass spectrometry, but the high nickel concentration produces a double ionized nickel spectral interference. The described procedure is based upon the formation of molybdovanadophosphoric acid when a molybdate solution is added to an acidic solution containing orthophosphate and vanadate ions. The optimum acidity for forming the yellow colored product is 0.5 N hydrochloric acid. The working concentration range is from 0.1 to 1 ppm phosphorus using 100 mm cells and measuring the absorbance at 460 nm. The sample preparation procedure employsaqua regia to dissolve the alloy and oxidize the phosphorus to orthophosphate. Cation exchange chromatography is used to remove nickel ions and anion exchange chromatography to remove gold ions as the chloride complex. Excellent recoveries are obtained for standard phosphorus solutions run through the sample procedure. The procedure is applicable to a variety of gold or silver braze alloys requiring phosphorus analysis.
The influence of elevated atmospheric CO2 on fine root dynamics in an intact temperate forest

Root dynamics are important for plant, ecosystem and global carbon cycling. Changes in root dynamics caused by rising atmospheric CO2 not only have the potential to moderate further CO2 increases, but will likely affect forest function. We used FACE (Free-Air CO2 Enrichment) to expose three 30-m diameter plots in a 13-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) forest to elevated (ambient + 200 m LL ‐1 ) atmospheric CO2. Three identical fully instrumented plots were implemented as controls (ambient air only). We quantified root dynamics from October 1998 to October 1999 using minirhizotrons. In spite of 16% greater root lengths and 24% more roots per minirhizotron tube, the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on root lengths and numbers were not statistically significant. Similarly, production and mortality were also unaffected by the CO2 treatment, even though annual root production and mortality were 26% and 46% greater in elevated compared to ambient CO2 plots. Average diameters of live roots present at the shallowest soil depth were, however, significantly enhanced in CO2-enriched plots. Mortality decreased with increasing soil depth and the slopes of linear regression lines (mortality vs. depth) differed between elevated and ambient CO2 treatments, reflecting the significant CO2 by depth interaction. Relative root turnover (root flux/live root pool) was unchanged by exposure to elevated atmospheric CO2. Results from this study suggest modest, if any, increases in ecosystem-level root productivity in CO2-enriched environments.
Compact silicon photonic waveguide modulator based on the vanadium dioxide metal-insulator phase transition

We have integrated lithographically patterned VO2 thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition with silicon-on-insulator photonic waveguides to demonstrate a compact in-line absorption modulator for use in photonic circuits. Using single-mode waveguides at λ = 1550 nm, we show optical modulation of the guided transverse-electric mode of more than 6.5 dB with 2 dB insertion loss over a 2-µm active device length. Loss is determined for devices fabricated on waveguide ring resonators by measuring the resonator spectral response, and a sharp decrease in resonator quality factor is observed above 70 °C, consistent with switching of VO_2 to its metallic phase. A computational study of device geometry is also presented, and we show that it is possible to more than double the modulation depth with modified device structures.
Genomic DNA breakpoints in AML1/RUNX1 and ETO cluster with topoisomerase II DNA cleavage and DNase I hypersensitive sites in t(8;21) leukemia

The translocation t(8;21)(q22;q22) is one of the most frequent chromosome translocations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML1/RUNX1 at 21q22 is involved in t(8;21), t(3;21), and t(16;21) in de novo and therapy-related AML and myelodysplastic syndrome as well as in t(12;21) in childhood B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Although DNA breakpoints in AML1 and ETO (at 8q22) cluster in a few introns, the mechanisms of DNA recombination resulting in t(8;21) are unknown. The correlation of specific chromatin structural elements, i.e., topoisomerase II (topo II) DNA cleavage sites, DNase I hypersensitive sites, and scaffold-associated regions, which have been implicated in chromosome recombination with genomic DNA breakpoints in AML1 and ETO in t(8;21) is unknown. The breakpoints in AML1 and ETO were clustered in the Kasumi 1 cell line and in 31 leukemia patients with t(8;21); all except one had de novo AML. Sequencing of the breakpoint junctions revealed no common DNA motif; however, deletions, duplications, microhomologies, and nontemplate DNA were found. Ten in vivo topo II DNA cleavage sites were mapped in AML1, including three in intron 5 and seven in intron 7a, and two were in intron 1b of ETO. All strong topo II sites colocalized with DNase I hypersensitive sites and thus represent open chromatin regions. These sites correlated with genomic DNA breakpoints in both AML1 and ETO, thus implicating them in the de novo 8;21 translocation.
Characterization of phosphorus-containing gas chromatographic stationary phases by linear solvation energy relationships.

Abstract Linear solvation energy relationships allow the prediction of a variety of solubility interactions based on a set of descriptors found in the following equation: log SP =c+r 1 R 2 +s 1 π 2 H +a 1 ∑ α 2 H +b 1 ∑ β 2 H +l 1 log L 16 SP refers to an intrinsic thermodynamic property that can be found experimentally for a series of solutes. Phases containing phosphate, phosphite and phosphine functional groups were studied in this work. Coefficients obtained during this work, as well as those available for previously characterized phases, were correlated with molecular structural descriptors. When effects of non-phosphorus functional groups are estimated and subtracted out, hydrogen bond acceptor capability, a1, shows a positive trend when correlated with percent functional group. Correlation of the dipolarity/polarizability coefficient, s1, with calculated atomic polarizability shows stationary phases group according to like functional groups. A similar correlation with dipole moment gives a trend of increasing dipole as s1 increases. Further quantitative structure–solubility relationship work is planned to better describe the contributions of inner shell and valence electrons to the chemical and physical properties of these compounds.
The Dynamic Interdependence of Developmental Domains across Emerging Adulthood.

Emerging adulthood is a period in which profound role changes take place across a number of life domains including finance, romance, and residence. On the basis of dynamic systems theory, change in one domain should be related to change in another domain, because the concept of development according to this approach is a relational one. To evaluate this hypothesis dynamic systems analysis was applied to data from narrative interviews of 200 respondents covering the years between 17 and 27 to examine how change in one domain affects change in another domain. In each dyad, the fit of the model significantly deteriorated when the coupling between domains was removed providing support for the assumption of interdependency. On average, assuming greater responsibility in one domain was associated with assuming greater responsibility in the other domain. However, imbalances were also observed in which role assumption in one domain far exceeded role assumption in another domain. These imbalances can have detrimental effects and indicate the utility of a balanced approach to development. The findings underscore the importance of studying the relational unit between domains, which is critical to understanding development over time within domains.
Differences in rain rate intensities between TRMM observations and community atmosphere model simulations

[1] Precipitation related latent heating is important in driving the atmospheric general circulation and in generating intraseasonal to decadal atmospheric variability. Our ability to project future climate change, especially trends in costly precipitation extremes, hinges upon whether coupled GCMs capture processes that affect precipitation characteristics. Our study compares the tropical-subtropical precipitation characteristics of simulations by the NCAR CAM3.1 atmospheric GCM and observations derived from the NASA Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite. Despite a fairly good simulation of the annual mean rain rate, CAM rains about 10–50% more often than the real world and fails to capture heavy rainfall associated with deep convective systems over subtropical South America and U.S. Southern Plains. When it rains, there is a likelihood of 0.96–1.0 that it rains lightly in the model, compared to values of 0.84–1.0 in TRMM data. On the other hand, the likelihood of the occurrence of moderate to heavy rainfall is an order of magnitude higher in observations (0.12–0.2) than that in the model (<0.02). Comparison of regionally aggregated PDFs of the rain rate shows that CAM underestimates the probability of NOT raining, overestimates the probability of light rain and almost completely misses the tails of the PDFs. The model compensates for the lack of heavy precipitation through raining more frequently within the light rain category, which leads to an annual rainfall amount close to what is observed. CAM captures the qualitative change of rain rate PDF from a “dry” oceanic to a “wet” oceanic region, but it fails to simulate the change of precipitation characteristics from an oceanic region to a land region where thunderstorm rainfall dominates.
The Idyllic Sublime: A Dialog on the Pastoral Style in Westerns

A dialogue between Michael Beckerman and William H. Rosar on the topic of the pastoral style and idlyllic music vocabularies in westerns.
Fast and slow synaptic potentials produced in a mammalian sympathetic ganglion by colon distension

Abstract Radial distension of the large intestine produced a slow depolarization in a population of neurons in the inferior mesenteric ganglion of the guinea pig. The slow potentials often occurred simultaneously with cholinergic fast potentials [( excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs]) yet persisted in the presence of nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic antagonists when all fast EPSPs were absent. The amplitude of the distension-induced noncholinergic slow depolarization increased with increasing distension pressure. For distensions of 1-min duration at pressures of 10-20 cm of water, the mean depolarization amplitude was 3.4 mV. The slow depolarization was associated with an increase in membrane resistance, and prolonged periods of colon distension resulted in a tachyphylaxis of the depolarization. Desensitization of ganglion cells to the peptide substance P attenuated the distension-induced slow potential by an average of 49% +/- 17%. Thus, two colonic mechanosensory afferent pathways converge on principal ganglion cells in the inferior mesenteric ganglion: one was previously described to be mediated by acetylcholine, and the other is described here, whose transmitter remains to be determined but which preliminary evidence suggests is mediated in part by substance P. The noncholinergic afferent pathway may enhance the intestinal inhibitory reflex mediated by cholinergic mechanosensory afferent input to the abdominal prevertebral sympathetic ganglia.
Semisynthetic β-lactam antibiotic synthesizing enzyme from Acetobacter turbidans: catalytic properties

Abstract Catalytic properties of the purified semisynthetic cephalosporin synthesizing enzyme from Acetobacter turbidans ATCC 9325 were studied. The enzyme catalyzed both hydrolytic reactions of d -α-phenylglycine methyl ester (PGM) and cephalexin (CEX) and the synthetic reaction for CEX by transferring the acyl group from PGM to 7-amino-3-deacetoxycephalosporanic acid (7-ADCA). The optimum pH for both the hydrolytic and synthetic reactions for CEX was 6.2 and the enzyme retained full activity in the pH range of 5.2 to 7.5. n -Bromosuccinimide completely inactivated the enzyme by the chemical modification and FeSO 4 also inactivated the enzyme by oxidation. The enzyme was partially inhibited by alcohols and the inhibition effect increased with an increase in the carbon chain length of the alcohols tested. The substrate specificity of the enzyme in hydrolysis of β-lactam antibiotics was similar to that in the synthesis of β-lactam antibiotics. The enzyme required a free amino group on the α-carbon of acyl side chains of β-lactam antibiotics. In addition, the hydrophobic phenyl group and cephem or penam ring of β-lactam antibiotics are also important to the binding of the substrate to the enzyme by hydrophobic interaction. The average hydrophobicity, Fisher's polarity index and Waugh's frequency of non-polar side chains are 1.16 K cal (residue) −1 , 0.8 and 0.35, respectively. The Michaelis constants determined are 4.9 m m for PGM hydrolysis, 1.5 m m for CEX hydrolysis, and 2.6 m m for PGM and 4.3 m m for 7-ADCA for the CEX synthesis reaction. Phenylglycine is a competitive inhibitor of the three enzyme reactions with an inhibition constant of 11.6 m m . 7-ADCA is a noncompetitive inhibitor for PGM and CEX hydrolysis with an inhibition constant of 0.8 m m .
Non-Discretionary Conservatism: Evidence and Implications

A large body of accounting research finds that various contracting incentives lead managers to engage in conservative accounting practices. We extend existing research by modeling the impact of extant accounting rules on conservative accounting. Accounting rules typically require assets to be written down when their fair values drop sufficiently below their book values. We document evidence of the resulting non-discretionary conservatism and show that it appears to explain some of the results from previous research on contracting incentives.
Hold your horses: a dynamic computational role for the subthalamic nucleus in decision making

The basal ganglia (BG) coordinate decision making processes by facilitating adaptive frontal motor commands while suppressing others. In previous work, neural network simulations accounted for response selection deficits associated with BG dopamine depletion in Parkinson's disease. Novel predictions from this model have been subsequently confirmed in Parkinson patients and in healthy participants under pharmacological challenge. Nevertheless, one clear limitation of that model is in its omission of the subthalamic nucleus (STN), a key BG structure that participates in both motor and cognitive processes. The present model incorporates the STN and shows that by modulating when a response is executed, the STN reduces premature responding and therefore has substantial effects on which response is ultimately selected, particularly when there are multiple competing responses. Increased cortical response conflict leads to dynamic adjustments in response thresholds via cortico-subthalamic-pallidal pathways. The model accurately captures the dynamics of activity in various BG areas during response selection. Simulated dopamine depletion results in emergent oscillatory activity in BG structures, which has been linked with Parkinson's tremor. Finally, the model accounts for the beneficial effects of STN lesions on these oscillations, but suggests that this benefit may come at the expense of impaired decision making.
Lateral stability of the proximal interphalangeal joint.

Current diagnostic criteria and therapeutic guidelines for injuries to the collateral ligaments of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint are imprecise and vague. Laxity determinations, failure analysis, radiographic stress testing, and microscopic dissections were performed on 112 PIP joints. The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is the primary restraint to varus and valgus angulation of the PIP joint. Its palmar fibers are tight in joint extension and provide the first line of resistance to lateral angulation. Failure of the LCL almost always occurs proximally in a sequential fashion that begins with the palmar fibers and progresses to the more dorsal bundles. Proximal LCL disruption is followed by separation of the accessory collateral-LCL junction and finally by failure of the distal palmar plate. Midsubstance tears of the LCL are rare. If the lateral stress test shows more than 20° of varus or valgus angulation, the LCL can be presumed to be completely disrupted. Angulation of less than 20° is associated with a 53% chance of partial LCL failure and a 47% chance of complete disruption, but the proper position of the LCL will be maintained by the overlying connective tissues. A clinical investigation will be necessary to define the criteria for surgical intervention.
Circulating osteogenic cells: characterization and relationship to rates of bone loss in postmenopausal women.

There is increasing evidence that osteogenic cells are present not only in bone marrow (BM) but also in peripheral blood (PB). Since staining for alkaline phosphatase (AP) identifies osteoprogenitor cells in BM, we sought to further characterize BM versus PB hematopoietic lineage negative (lin−)/AP+ cells and to compare gene expression in PB lin−/AP+ cells from postmenopausal women undergoing rapid versus slow bone loss. PB lin−/AP+ cells were smaller than their BM counterparts, and both were negative for the pan-hematopoietic marker, CD45. BM and PB lin−/AP+ cells were capable of mineralization in vitro. Using whole genome linear amplification followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) analysis, we found that relative to the BM cells, PB lin−/AP+ cells expressed similar levels of a number of key osteoblast marker genes (runx2, osterix, osteopontin, OPG, periostin), consistent with the PB cells being in the osteoblastic lineage. Importantly, however, compared to the BM cells, PB lin−/AP+ cells expressed lower levels of mRNAs for AP, type I collagen, and for a panel of proliferation markers, but higher levels of osteocalcin, osteonectin, and PTHR1 mRNAs, as well as those for RANKL and ICAM-1, both of which are important in supporting osteoclastogenesis. Using microarray followed by QPCR analysis, we further demonstrated that, compared to postmenopausal women undergoing slow bone loss, PB lin−/AP+ cells from women undergoing rapid bone loss expressed lower levels of mRNAs for hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase, interferon regulator factor 3, Wnt1-induced secreted protein 1, and TGFβ2, but higher levels of the Smad3 interacting protein, zinc finger DHHC-type containing 4 and col1α2. These data thus demonstrate that while PB lin−/AP+ cells express a number of osteoblastic genes and are capable of mineralization, they are a relatively quiescent cell population, both in terms of cell proliferation and matrix synthesis. However, their higher expression of RANKL and ICAM-1 mRNAs as compared to BM lin−/AP+ cells suggests a role for the PB lin−/AP+ cells in regulating osteoclastogenesis that warrants further investigation. Our study also provides “proof-of-concept” for the use of PB lin−/AP+ cells in clinical-investigative studies, and identifies several pathways that could potentially regulate rates of bone loss in postmenopausal women.
RELATIONSHIP OF KINESTHETIC FIGURAL AFTEREFFECT TO MASCULINITY-FEMININITY AND EXPECTATION FOR INTERNAL VERSUS EXTERNAL CONTROL OF REINFORCEMENT

60 introductory psychology students (30 male, 30 female) were administered KFAE in ascending and descending trials, using both dominant and non-dominant hands, followed by an embedded-figures test and 145 items from personality tests (Masculinity-Femininity scale of Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey, Rotter I-E Scale, and the combined self-actualization scale of Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory). Hand dominance but not sex affected KFAE. No stable relation appeared between the personality measures and spatial aftereffect from kinesthetic stimulation for men or women.
The provision of public goods under alternative electoral incentives

Politicians who care about the spoils of office may underprovide a public good because its benefits cannot be targeted to voters as easily as pork-barrel spending. We compare a winner-take-all system--where all the spoils go to the winner--to a proportional system--where the spoils of office are split among candidates proportionally to their share of the vote. In a winner-take-all system the public good is provided less often than in a proportional system when the public good is particularly desirable. We then consider the electoral college system and show that it is particularly subject to this inefficiency.
Monitoring accumulating data in a clinical trial

A clinical trial is monitored for efficacy or safety; the variable of interest is death or a similarly serious event. The probability that one therapy has a greater mortality rate than the other is calculated ad libitum during the trial. Adjustments are made for differing patients' prognoses and for survival times.
Evolution of Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal—like Ion Modes with Trapped Electrons

The growth of an ion acoustic instability caused by a slow electron drift is studied experimentally. A small-amplitude test wave in this unstable system develops into a large-amplitude steady state which is found to be a Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal---like ion mode with trapped electrons.
Transition and civil—military relations in Poland and Russia

Abstract Many of the dramatic changes in the former East bloc have undermined the material status and professional ethos of the armed forces in post-communist states. Existing theories of civil—military relations would have predicted that by now the military would have overthrown civilian governments and seized power. While this has not happened to date, there have been significant changes in civil—military relations which will affect the nature of the regimes which are being consolidated. The author provides a theoretical framework for understanding how democratization is affecting military behavior. She compares and contrasts developments in two countries: Poland and Russia, and suggests that changes in the nature of the civil—military relationship in the latter pose a serious threat to democratic consolidation.
Craniofacial changes in Class III malocclusion as related to skeletal and dental maturation.

Introduction: In this large cross-sectional study, we aimed to analyze growth trends in white subjects with Class III malocclusion using both skeletal and dental maturation staging. Methods: The sample consisted of 1091 pretreatment lateral cephalometric records of Class III patients (560 female, 531 male). Cephalometric dentoskeletal measurements were compared at subsequent stages in cervical vertebral maturation and Hellman’s categorization of dental development by means of ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc tests in both sexes separately. Results: The findings indicated that, in Class III malocclusion, the pubertal peak in mandibular growth occurs between stages 3 and 4 of cervical vertebral maturation, with average increases in total mandibular length of about 8 and 5.5 mm in Class III boys and girls, respectively. Conclusions: Significant changes in total mandibular length occur until young adulthood (18 years on average), with increases between late maturation stages (4 through 6) that were twice as large as in subjects with normal occlusion for the Class III females, and 3 times as large as in subjects with normal occlusion for the Class III males. Growth trends toward accentuated Class III profile and increased vertical dimension of the face also become apparent at late developmental stages (corresponding with complete eruption of the second and third molars).
Organizations in Action: Social Science Bases of Administrative Theory

This article presents reviews of two books, “Organizations in Action: Social Science Bases of Administrative Theory,” by James D. Thompson and “To Know As We Are Known: A Spirituality of Education,” by Parker J. Palmer.
Special Properties of Human Milk

: Protective components in human milk include immunoglobulins, other antiinfective proteins, and properties which stimulate the protective development of the infant's gastrointestinal tract. Human milk is high in vitamin C and lactose, and low in iron, calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D may be present in clinically significant amounts in a water soluble form. Although breast milk is low in protein (1–1½g/100 ml), this is sufficient to maintain normal growth in full-term infants. Mothers of preterm infants have been found by some, but not all, investigators to have more protein in their breast milk than is found in the milk of full-term mothers. Breast milk protein differs from that in cow's milk in both quantity and quality. Human milk includes zinc and folate binding agents, thyroid hormone, increased amounts of well-absorbed lipids and highly bio-utilizable proteins.
Differential effects of estrogen on low-density lipoprotein subclasses in healthy postmenopausal women

The use of estrogen by postmenopausal women decreases plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. To determine whether LDL subclass profiles influence this response, we studied 31 healthy postmenopausal women who were administered two doses (0.625 and 1.25 mg/d) of conjugated equine estrogen in a placebo-controlled double-blind crossover study. Lipid-stained gradient gels were used to categorize LDL subclass patterns. All women were classified as LDL subclass pattern A (predominant LDL peak > or = 260 A). Within the pattern A classification, there were 12 women during placebo treatment with LDL subclass I pattern (predominant LDL peak > 271 A) and 19 women with LDL subclass II pattern (predominant LDL peak or = 260 A). Postmenopausal women with LDL subclass I on placebo treatment had significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels compared with women having LDL subclass II (126 +/- 28 v 147 +/- 23 mg/dL, P < .03). Postmenopausal women with LDL subclass I also had significantly (P < .05) lower very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, VLDL triglyceride, and VLDL apo B levels and significantly higher (P < .05) high-density lipoprotein 2 (HDL2) cholesterol, HDL3 cholesterol, and HDL2 apo A-I levels. Estrogen replacement significantly (P < .05) decreased LDL cholesterol levels and increased VLDL and LDL triglyceride, HDL2 and HDL3 cholesterol and apo A-I, and HDL2 apo A-II levels to a similar extent in postmenopausal women with LDL I or II subclass patterns.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Identification of a rabbit B cell alloantigen with an antiserum produced by alloimmunization with thymus cells.

Alloimmunization with rabbit thymus cells resulted in an antiserum (anti-Rly) which was shown to react with rabbit lymphocytes by an indirect rosette technique. The titration curve obtained with dilutions of anti-Rly antiserum on lymph node cells revealed two plateaus indicating that the antiserum was multispecific; at low dilutions of antiserum, within the first plateau, both B and T cells were rosetted whereas at high dilutions, within the second plateau, only B cells were rosetted. The antigen detected at high dilution was designated LB-1 (lymphocyte B cell alloantigen 1). The evidence that the cells identified within the second plateau are B cells is as follows: 1) simultaneous enumeration of LB-1+ and Ig+ (B) cells by use of distinguishable erythrocytes (sheep and human) as indicator cells revealed that of the 53% rosettes observed, essentially all (51%) were mixed rosettes containing both erythrocytes whereas simultaneous enumeration of LB-1+ and T+ cells (identified by anti-T cell antiserum) showed essentially no mixed rosettes (less than 2%); 2) approximately 80% of purified Ig+ (B) cells were identified as LB-1+ cells whereas essentially no (< 1%) purified T cells could be detected as LB-1+; 3) the percentages of LB-1+ cells and Ig+ cells were both reciprocal to the precentages of T+ cells identified in various lymphoid organs except for bone marrow; 4) the removal of LB-1+ cells from spleen cells of rabbits immunized with sheep red blood cells resulted in a depletion (42–71%) of direct plaque forming cells (PFC). Since the percentages of bone marrow cells rosetted using anti-LB-1 antiserum (approximately 70%) was much greater than the percentage rosetted using anti-Ig (approximately 10%), it appears that the anti-LB-1 antiserum is not directed against an Ig allotype. The titration curves of the anti-Rly antiserum on peripheral blood lymphocytes of a large rabbit family suggested that the LB-1 antigen on B cells is an alloantigen probably inherited in simple Mendelian fashion. Adsorption studies indicated that the LB-1 antigen on B cells is not detectable on brain, liver, kidney or erythrocytes.
Hydrodynamic dispersion in shallow microchannels: The effect of cross-sectional shape

We highlight the fact that hydrodynamic dispersion in shallow microchannels is in most cases controlled by the width of the cross section rather than by the much thinner height of the channel. We identify the relevant time scales that separate the various regimes involved. Using the lubrication approximation, we provide simple formulas that permit a quantitative evaluation of dispersion for most shallow cross-sectional shapes in the “long-time” Taylor regime, which is effectively diffusive. Because of its relevance for microfluidic systems, we also provide results for the short-time “ballistic regime” (for specific initial conditions). The special cases of parabolic and quasi-rectangular shapes are considered due to their frequent use in microsystems.