cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Qualitative research in aphasia: A review of the literature

Background: In the past decade, there has been a growing interest in qualitative research in the field of aphasia. Knowledge of patterns and trends in this body of research would inform future research. However, there is little information about the characteristics or patterns of qualitative research in aphasia.Aims: In order to describe qualitative research in aphasia, a review of the aphasia literature from 1993 to 2013 was undertaken. Studies were identified using a variety of search terms for the following electronic databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Web of Science and ComDisDome. A total of 78 articles that met the review criteria were identified and data were extracted in the following areas: topic of study, participants, data collection, research design and data analysis.Main Contribution: Publication of qualitative research in aphasia has increased since 1993 and contributed to an important database regarding phenomena associated with life with aphasia. The most prevalent research topics relat...
Insufficient support for either response “priming” or “program-level imitation”

Byrne & Russon propose that priming can account for the imitation of simple actions, but they fail to explain how the behavior of another can prime the observer's own behavior. They also propose that imitation of complex skills requires a sequence of acts tied together by a program, but they fail to rule out the role of trial-and-error learning and perceptual/motivational mechanisms in such task acquisition.
Large orbits of subgroups of solvable linear groups

Suppose that G is a finite solvable group and V is a finite, faithful and completely reducible G-module. Let H be a nilpotent subgroup of G; then H has at least three regular orbits on V ⊕ V. Let H be a subgroup of G and 3 ∤ |H|; then H has at least three regular orbits on V ⊕ V. Let H be a subgroup of G and assume the Sylow 2-subgroups of the semidirect product HV are abelian; then H has at least two regular orbits on V ⊕ V.
Calf circumference, frailty and physical performance among older adults living in the community.

Summary Background & aims Lean body mass loss has been indicated as a reliable marker of frailty and poor physical performance among older individuals. We evaluated the relationship between calf circumference and frailty, physical performance, muscle strength, and functional status in persons aged 80 years or older. Methods Data are from the baseline evaluation of the Aging and Longevity Study in the Sirente geographic area (ilSIRENTE Study) (n = 357). The calf circumference was measured at the point of greatest circumference. Frailty was categorized according to the present of slow gait speed, weakness, weight loss, energy expenditure and exhaustion. Physical performance was assessed using the physical performance battery score, which is based on three timed tests: 4-m walking speed test, the balance test and the chair stand test. Analyses of covariance were performed to evaluate the relationship between different calf circumference and physical function. Results After adjustment for potential confounders, which included age, gender, education, body mass index, sensory impairments, cerebrovascular diseases, albumin, reactive C protein, interleukine-6, and cholesterol, physical performance (SPPB score: 7.27 versus 6.18, p = 0.02) and muscle strength (Hand Grip: 32 kg versus 28 kg, p = 0.03) measures significantly improved as calf circumference increased. The frailty index score was significantly lower among subjects with higher calf circumference (1.66 versus 2.17, p = 0.01). Conclusions The present study suggests that among community-dwelling older people, calf circumference may be positively related to lower frailty index and higher functional performance. As such, calf circumference is a valuable tool for guiding public health policy and clinical decisions.
Neonatal rat brain astroglial dipeptidyl peptidase II activity regulation by cations and anions.

Abstract Astrocytic glial cells from neonatal rat brains were grown in primary culture. Dipeptidyl peptidase II (DPP-II) enzyme activity was measured in cells disrupted by nonionic detergent. The rate of enzyme activity was measured in the presence of various ions, under isosmotic conditions adjusted using mannitol and NaCl. DPP-II activity was not affected by the candidate metal co-factors (2 mM) Co 2+ , Mg 2+ , and Mn 2+ , nor by the metal chelators EDTA and o -phenanthroline. However, selected cations (50 mM Cl − salts) significantly inhibited DPP-II activity compared to Na + control; the relative inhibition ranking was Rb + + 2+ 2+ . Many test anions (50 mM Na + salts) also inhibited DPP-II activity compared to Cl − control: SO 4 2 3 − − 3 2− . Surprisingly, the anion S 2 O 3 2− was the on strongly stimulated activity. The data are consistent with the concept that specific ion species interact with the glial DPP-II enzyme to affect catalytic activity.
A nonparametric distance analysis of biochemical genetic data from the Aland Islands, Finland.

Biochemical genetic data from 3272 individuals from the Aland Islands, Finland, are analyzed using a recently developed set of nonparametric genetic distance measures. These measures are more robust than the traditional methods used in previous studies of this population. While there was general agreement in the results of the traditional and nonparametric approaches, some important differences were seen. In these cases, the nonparametric methods gave results more congruent with population history, geographic propinquity, and migration patterns. Heterozygosity measures were also calculated for the Aland Islands population and compared to values obtained for Jewish populations. The total heterozygosity values were very similar.
General tolerability and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Abstract Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are generally well tolerated medications but are associated with several adverse effects that may occur as a result of the physiologic effects of inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) or for idiosyncratic reasons. Selective COX-1–sparing NSAIDs may be associated with fewer COX-related complications, such as primary gastric injury and bleeding. Adverse effects in other organ systems including liver, skin, and bone may not be diminished with the use of selective COX inhibitors. Prevention of colonic polyps and adenocarcinoma of the colon seems to be mediated by inhibition of the COX-2 isoenzyme.
A coarse-graining approach for molecular simulation that retains the dynamics of the all-atom reference system by implementing hydrodynamic interactions

We report on a new approach for deriving coarse-grained intermolecular forces that retains the frictional contribution that is often discarded by conventional coarse-graining methods. The approach is tested for water and an aqueous glucose solution, and the results from the new implementation for coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation show remarkable agreement with the dynamics obtained from reference all-atom simulations. The agreement between the structural properties observed in the coarse-grained and all-atom simulations is also preserved. We discuss how this approach may be applied broadly to any existing coarse-graining method where the coarse-grained models are rigorously derived from all-atom reference systems.
An analysis of conductance changes in squid axon.

The membrane of the squid axon is considered on the basis of a pore model in which the distribution of the pore sizes strongly favors K+ transfer when there is no potential. Electrical asymmetry causes non-penetrating ions on the membrane capacitor to exert a mechanical force on both membrane surfaces and this force results in a deformation of the membrane pore system such that it assumes a distribution of sizes favoring the ions exerting mechanical force. The ions involved appear to be Ca++ on the outside of the membrane and isethionate-, (i-) on the inside; as Ca++ is equivalent in size to Na+, the charged membrane is potentially able to transfer Na+, when the ions deforming the membrane pore distribution are removed. A depolarization of the membrane leads to an opening of pores that will allow Na+ penetration and a release of the membrane from deformation. The pores revert to the zero-potential pore size distribution hence the Na permeability change is a transient. Calculation shows that the potassium conductance vs. displacement of membrane potential curve for the squid axon and the "inactivation" function, h, can be obtained directly from the assumed membrane distortion without the introduction of arbitrary parameters. The sodium conductance, because it is a transient, requires assumptions about the time constants with which ions unblock pores at the outside and the inside of the membrane.
The Escherichia coli tRNA-guanine transglycosylase can recognize and modify DNA.

tRNA-guanine transglycosylase (TGT) catalyzes the exchange of queuine (or a precursor) for guanine 34 in tRNA. The minimal RNA recognition motif for TGT has been found to involve a UGU sequence in the anticodon loop of the queuine-cognate tRNAs. Recent studies have shown that the enzyme is capable of recognizing the UGU sequence in alternative contexts (Kung, F. L., Nonekowski, S., and Garcia, G. A. (2000) RNA 6, 233–244) and have investigated the role of the first U of the UGU sequence in tRNA recognition by TGT (Nonekowski, S. T., and Garcia, G. A. (2001) RNA 7, 1432–1441). The TGT reaction involves the breakage and re-formation of a glycosidic bond. To rule out a potential chemical mechanism involving the 2′-hydroxyl at position 34, we synthesized and evaluated an RNA minihelix with 2′-deoxy-G at 34. The high level of activity exhibited by this analogue indicates that the 2′-hydroxyl of G34 is not required for catalysis. Furthermore, we find that TGT can recognize analogues composed entirely of DNA, but only when 2′-deoxyuridines replace the thymidines in the DNA. The requirement for uridine bases for recognition is perhaps not surprising given the UGU recognition motif for TGT. However, it is not clear if the uracil requirement is due to specific recognition by TGT or due to the effect of uracils on the conformation of the oligonucleotide.
Statistical Computing Packages: Dare We Abandon Their Teaching to Others?

Abstract Searle (1989) cited the need for caution when using statistical computing packages. He suggested that classroom time is best spent on learning the why and when of statistics and that the how is unworthy of academic credit. We must not let misplaced caution cause us to lose this additional opportunity to educate students in the proper use of statistical methods. Teaching portions of statistical computer packages can give students an appreciation of the knowledge and care that must go into using techniques that are not covered in the classroom. Equally important, we must not leave the teaching of statistical computer packages to nonstatisticians.
Why Marshall-Marchetti operation works . . . or does not.

Abstract Vesicourethral suspension operations fail (1) when preoperative evaluation is insufficient, leading to improper selection of patients; and (2) for technical reasons when anatomy is uncorrected (suture malplacement, suture breakage, and failure to release adhesions) or when anatomy is corrected (periurethral fibrosis, fistula, stone or granuloma formation on nonabsorbable suture, and overcorrection). Vesicourethral suspension operations work by changing urethrotrigonal anatomy, creating a new equilibrium of forces acting on the bladder neck and urethra.
Synthesis and properties of triazole-linked RNA.

Abstract RNA oligonucleotides having triazole linkages between uridine and adenosine nucleosides have been prepared and studied using spectroscopic techniques. UV melting and CD showed that triazole strongly destabilized RNA duplex (7–14 °C per modification). NMR data suggested that, despite relative flexibility around the modified linkage, all base pairs were formed.
Study of interlaminar stresses in composite laminates subjected to torsional loading

A computational procedure for accurate determination of interlaminar stresses in thick and thin composite laminates subjected to torsional loading is presented. A multilevel, recursively defined preconditioner in conjunction with the preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) algorithm is constructed from a sequence of hierarchical vector spaces arising from the p-version of the finite element method. The computational procedure is used to model stress fields in thick and thin laminates in torsion using three-dimensional and quasi-three-dimensional models. Results indicate that the preconditioner developed here can be used to produce an efficient iterative solver for the determination of two- and three-dimensional stress fields in composite structures.
Labor and Politics in the U.S. Postal Service

This book is about the production and delivery of mail service by the United States Postal Service. The Postal Service employs more civilians than any other organization in the United States, and provides a regular communication service that is available for everyone in the country. Over 725,000 career postal employees handled 166 billion pieces of mail and generated revenues in excess of $40 billion in 1992 (USPS, 1993a). The post office is one of the core institutions in American society with roots that go back to colonial times, an emblematic example of the provision of public service in a capitalist democracy. The official functions of the post office are stated in Title 39 of the U.S. Code: The Postal Service shall have as its basic function the obligation to provide postal services to bind the nation together through the personal, educational, literary, and business correspondence of the people. It shall provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and shall render postal services to all communities. The costs of establishing and maintaining the Postal Service shall not be apportioned to impair the overall value of such service to the people [USPS, 1973, p. 4].
Patterns of Differential Assimilation and Acculturation for Women in Business Organizations

This article reviews cross-cultural studies on adaptation, specifically acculturation and assimilation, in the context of the literature on organizational culture and develops a conceptual model of women's current status in organizations. A cultural perspective that goes beyond person-and situation-centered theories helps to account for the gender gap in management. The cultural perspective suggests that it is possible for women, like other marginal persons, to acculturate to the organization without being assimilated into it. This article proposes a classification of differential patterns of adaptation for women in business organizations and suggests some options for changing the culture itself in order to mitigate the effects of the differences.
Adaptive prostate IGRT combining online re-optimization and re-positioning: a feasibility study

In prostate radiation therapy, inter-fractional organ motion/deformation has posed significant challenges on reliable daily dose delivery. To correct for this issue, off-line re-optimization and online re-positioning have been used clinically. In this paper, we propose an adaptive images guided radiation therapy (AIGRT) scheme that combines these two correction methods in an anatomy-driven fashion. The AIGRT process first tries to find a best plan for the daily target from a plan pool, which consists of the original CT plan and all previous re-optimized plans. If successful, the selected plan is used for daily treatment with translational shifts. Otherwise, the AIGRT invokes the re-optimization process of the CT plan for the anatomy of the day, which is afterward added to the plan pool as a candidate for future fractions. The AIGRT scheme is evaluated by comparisons with daily re-optimization and online re-positioning techniques based on daily target coverage, organs at risk (OAR) sparing and implementation efficiency. Simulated treatment courses for 18 patients with re-optimization alone, re-positioning alone and AIGRT shows that AIGRT offers reliable daily target coverage that is highly comparable to daily re-optimization and significantly improves from re-positioning. AIGRT is also seen to provide improved OAR sparing compared to re-positioning. Apart from dosimetric benefits, AIGRT in addition offers an efficient scheme to integrate re-optimization to current re-positioning-based IGRT workflow.
Characterization of oligodeoxynucleotides and modifications by 193 nm photodissociation and electron photodetachment dissociation.

Ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) at 193 nm is compared to collision induced dissociation (CID) for sequencing and determination of modifications of multideprotonated 6−20-mer oligodeoxynucleotides. UVPD at 193 nm causes efficient charge reduction of the deprotonated oligodeoxynucleotides via electron detachment, in addition to extensive backbone cleavages to yield sequence ions of relatively low abundance, including w, x, y, z, a, a-B, b, c, and d ions. Although internal ions populate UVPD spectra, base loss ions from the precursor are absent. Subsequent CID of the charge-reduced oligodeoxynucleotides formed upon electron detachment, in a net process called electron photodetachment dissociation (EPD), results in abundant sequence ions in terms of w, z, a, a-B, and d products, with a marked decrease in the abundance of precursor base loss ions and internal fragments. Complete sequencing was possible for virtually all oligodeoxynucleotides studied. EPD of three modified oligodeoxynucleotides, a methylat...
Morphometric analysis of cultured hepatocytes exposed to benoxaprofen

Abstract This study was undertaken to quantitate morphological changes in primary cultures of liver cells exposed to benoxaprofen and to compare morphological assessments with standard assessments of functional integrity. Rat hepatocytes were exposed for 12 h to 0, 100, 500, or 1000 μM concentrations of benoxaprofen and subjected to double-blind morphometric analysis. As benoxaprofen concentration was increased from 0 to 1000 μM, the relative percentage of morphologically normal cells was reduced, whereas the percentages of damaged cell types increased. These results paralleled those obtained from functional assessments. Therefore, the use of morphometric techniques provided a good assessment of benoxaprofen-induced cytotoxicity and demonstrated the value of quantitative estimates in the evaluation of cellular injury.
Thermal Viscoelastic Analysis of 3D Fabric Nanocomposites

Viscoelastic properties of 3D fabric reinforced Vinyl Ester composites were studied in different directions using Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA). Such materials filled by nanoparticles (silicon carbide) with different concentrations were also investigated. The increases of storage and loss moduli with addition of nanoparticles and with increase of their concentrations were observed. The maximal tangent of the angle of mechanical losses was especially compared at below and over glass transition temperature. Below glass transition temperature the presence of nanoparticles increases storage and loss moduli and loss tangent. These effects achieved maximum at glass transition temperature. Over glass transition, the loss modulus and loss tangent are decreased with increase of the concentration of nanoparticles.
Residual Control Rights, Transferable Returns, and Their Implications for Ownership Structure

The paper examines the consolidation problem in a model characterized by non-contractible, relationship specific investments, transferable and non-transferable payoffs, and ex post actions that are chosen after the uncertainty in the model is realized. We determine the relationship between the optimal ownership structure and the nature of the relationship specific investments and ex post actions and the degree to which payoffs are transferable with ownership.
Early effects of parathyroid hormone and thyrocalcitonin on bone in organ culture.

BONE resorption is stimulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH), but the effect can be inhibited by actinomycin D both in vitro1,2 and in vivo2,3. These findings led to the suggestion that the action of PTH on bone depends on new RNA being synthesized. PTH, however, has a rapid and direct effect on the release of calcium ions from mitochondria which is presumably not mediated by the synthesis of new RNA4, and partial effects of PTH on the mobilization of calcium ions from bone have been detected in the presence of actinomycin D1,3,5. To clarify the relationship between the effect on the transport of calcium ions and that on the synthesis of RNA we investigated the early response of foetal bone in organ culture. The technique used also provided an opportunity to investigate the early effects of the hypocalcaemic hormone, thyrocalcitonin, which inhibits the resorption of bone in organ culture6.
Using LSI for text classification in the presence of background text

This paper presents work that uses Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) for text classification. However, in addition to relying on labeled training data, we improve classification accuracy by also using unlabeled data and other forms of available "background" text in the classification process. Rather than performing LSI's singular value decomposition (SVD) process solely on the training data, we instead use an expanded term-by-document matrix that includes both the labeled data as well as any available and relevant background text. We report the performance of this approach on data sets both with and without the inclusion of the background text, and compare our work to other efforts that can incorporate unlabeled data and other background text in the classification process.
Semiempirical formulations of spectroscopic data and calculations

Abstract The high precision required for spectroscopic classification work has traditionally been achieved through predictive systematizations of observed data and computations by ab initio theoretical methods. Recent advances in the existing experimental data base and in supercomputing capabilities now permit these methods to be extended to new regimes. Through combined parametric expositions of data and computations, large scale trends in isoelectronic, isoionic, isonuclear, and homologous sequences, Rydberg series, etc., have emerged that permit predictions which are more reliable than could be achieved by either ab initio or semiempirical methods separately. Applications of this approach to term splittings, which are particularly sensitive to the inner portion of the wave function, are presented.
Partial purification and characteristics of potato phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase

Abstract Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase was purified over 200-fold from potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum ). An apparent molecular weight of 265,000 was obtained by sucrose gradient centrifugation. It does not appear to dissociate or aggregate in the presence of substrates, within the pH range of 6–8, or in an ionic strength (0.5) that produces approximately 60% inhibition of enzymic activity. Free sulfhydryl groups on the enzyme are important for activity and apparently also for structural integrity. It is inhibited by p -mercuribenzoate competitively with Mg 2+ , noncompetitively with PEP; and uncompetitively with HCO 3 − . Mg 2+ , Mn 2+ , and Co 2+ are activators and Zn 2+ and Ca 2+ are inhibitors. Kinetic analysis indicates that Zn 2+ , Mg 2+ , and Mn 2+ compete for the same site on the enzyme.
Resource access control for dynamic priority distributed real-time systems

Many of today's complex computer applications are being modeled and constructed using the principles inherent to real-time distributed object systems. In response to this demand, the Object Management Group's (OMG) Real-Time Special Interest Group (RT SIG) has worked to extend the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) standard to include real-time specifications. This group's most recent efforts focus on the requirements of dynamic distributed real-time systems. One open problem in this area is resource access synchronization for tasks employing dynamic priority scheduling. This paper presents two resource synchronization protocols that meet the requirements of dynamic distributed real-time systems as specified by Dynamic Scheduling Real-Time CORBA 2.0 (DSRT CORBA). The proposed protocols can be applied to both Earliest Deadline First (EDF) and Least Laxity First (LLF) dynamic scheduling algorithms, allow distributed nested critical sections, and avoid unnecessary runtime overhead. These protocols are based on (i) distributed resource preclaiming that allocates resources in the message-based distributed system for deadlock prevention, (ii) distributed priority inheritance that bounds local and remote priority inversion, and (iii) distributed preemption ceilings that delimit the priority inversion time further.
Throughput in a counterflow pipeline processor

The Counterflow Pipeline Processor, or CFPP, is a unique form of pipelined RISC architecture whose goal is to obtain regular and modular performance from a bi-directional pipeline. In this pipeline, instructions and results move in opposite directions in a counterflow fashion. A basic synchronous model of the CFPP was created and used to study configuration options which affect the flow of instructions and results through the pipeline. These options, which varied instruction execution, pipeline movement arbitration, and result movements, were varied in order to find the configuration which maximized throughput for a set of benchmarks.
Mass screening for control of breast cancer

The serious import of breast cancer lies in its potential for metastatic spread, which probably starts early in the course of the disease. Detection of the lesion when immunocompetence can control the metastases leads to long-term survival. This usually involves detection of unsuspected, preclinical disease. This is the important lesson learned from the large screening program of the Health Insurance Plan of New York, where they used palpation and mammography. The substantial reduction in mortality over a matched control group has continued in a 15-year follow-up. Improved mammography techniques at the Guttman Institute, a mass screening project in New York, New York, conducted in cooperation with the American Cancer Society and in the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project, which used the Guttman Institute program as a prototype, have led to substantially improved yield from mammography in screening. Three important factors in mass screening are discussed: (1) benefits versus hazards in mammography, (2) correct age to start screening, and (3) costs of screening.
Transport of energetic electrons in a fully ionized hydrogen plasma

A Monte Carlo method for calculating energetic electron transport in a plasma is presented. The energy loss and angular deflection due to Coulomb collisions as a function of travel distance and energy are derived for energetic electrons in a fully ionized plasma with a uniform magnetic field. Formulas which include the effect of nonuniform B fields on the angular deflection are derived. The Monte Carlo method is applied to the thick-target beam model in which the energetic electrons are injected vertically downward.
Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production during liquid ventilation

Abstract Liquid ventilation with perfluorocarbon (PFCV) has advantages over conventional gas ventilation (GV) in premature and lung-injured newborn animals. Indirect calorimetric measurement of both oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) and carbon dioxide production (VCO 2 ) during PFCV has not been previously performed. In addition, comparison to indirect calorimetric measurement of VO 2 and VCO 2 during GV has not been evaluated. Ten fasted normal cats weighing 2.6 to 3.9 kg were anesthetized with pentobarbital and pancuronium. Tracheostomy was performed. Gas exchange was measured across the native lung during GV and across the membrane lung of the liquid ventilator during PFCV. VO 2 was measured using a modification of a previously described, indirect, closed-circuit, volumetric technique. VCO 2 was analyzed by capnographic assay of the mixed-expired closed-circuit air. The VCO 2 /VO 2 ratio (RQ) was calculated. There was no change in VO 2 , VCO 2 , or RQ during PFCV when compared with GV (VO 2 : GV=5.7 ± 0.3 mL/kg/min, PFCV=5.6 ± 0.5 mL/kg/min [ P = NS]; VCO 2 : GV=4.9 ± 1.1 mL/kg/min, PFCV=4.8 ± 0.9 mL/kg/min [ P = NS]; RQ: GV=0.85 ± 0.21, PFCV=0.86 ± 0.21 [ P = NS]). During GV the PaO 2 was higher than during PFCV (PaO 2 : GV=335 ± 70 mm Hg, PFCV=267 ± 83 mm Hg [ P = .04]), as is expected because of the relative reduction in the inspiratory PiO 2 of the perfluorocarbon during liquid ventilation. There was no significant change in the PaCO 2 (PaCO 2 : GV=37.3 ± 2.2 mm Hg, PFCV=40.4 ± 5.3 mm Hg [ P = NS] or the pH (pH: GV=7.34 ± 0.04, PFCV=7.35 ± 0.06 [ P = NS]). This study demonstrates the efficacy of measuring VO 2 and VCO 2 during gas and liquid ventilation using an indirect calorimetric technique. The data demonstrate that VO 2 and VCO 2 do not change during liquid ventilation and that excellent gas exchange can be accomplished through PFCV.
The measurement of reliability of social relations components from round‐robin designs

The social relations model (SRM) is a useful tool for measuring relationship effects, defined as the unique perceptions or behaviors of 2 people. The sources of variance in SRM studies are persons (actors and partners), groups, and items; the relationship effect is defined as the actor–partner interaction. By removing variance because of persons and groups, a measure of a “pure” relationship effect is obtained. In this article, generalizability theory (G Theory) is applied to estimate the reliability of SRM components from round-robin data structures. Using G Theory, reliability formulas for actor, partner, group, and relationship are developed and interpretations for the reliability estimates are provided. The authors also discuss how these formulas can be used in both planning and interpreting results from relationship research.
Potentiation of carbachol-induced detrusor smooth muscle contractions by β-adrenoceptor activation

Abstract In strips of rabbit bladder free of urothelium, the β-adrenoceptor agonist, isoproterenol, significantly reduced basal detrusor smooth muscle tone and inhibited contractions produced by low concentrations of the muscarinic receptor agonist, carbachol. During a carbachol concentration–response curve, instead of inhibiting, isoproterenol strengthened contractions produced by high carbachol concentrations. Thus, the carbachol concentration–response curve was shifted by isoproterenol from a shallow, graded relationship, to a steep, switch-like relationship. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, inhibited carbachol-induced contractions only in the presence of isoproterenol. Contraction produced by a single high carbachol concentration (1 µM) displayed 1 fast and 1 slow peak. In the presence of isoproterenol, the slow peak was not strengthened, but was delayed, and U-0126 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor) selectively inhibited this delay concomitantly with inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Isoproterenol reduced ERK phosphorylation only in the absence of carbachol. These data support the concept that, by inhibiting weak contractions, potentiating strong contractions, and producing a more switch-like concentration–response curve, β-adrenoceptor stimulation enhanced the effectiveness of muscarinic receptor-induced detrusor smooth muscle contraction. Moreover, β-adrenoceptor stimulation changed the cellular mechanism by which carbachol produced contraction. The potential significance of multi-receptor and multi-cell crosstalk is discussed.
Conceptual and Methodological Issues in Organisational Buying Behaviour

Highlights some of the major conceptual and methodological issues involved in organisational buying behaviour. Aims to avoid pitfalls involved in the utilisation of research regarding specified issues — at the same time stimulating research aimed at the resolution of these issues. Reviews the current status of organisational buying behaviour, follows this by identifying five potential groups of users of information on organisational buying behaviour. Goes on to focus on the conceptual and methodological issues involved in organisational buying research. Suggests new research directions which, if implemented, could help advance the relevance and quality of organisational buying research. States that academic studies, directly concerned with a better understanding of organisational buying behaviour can be classified as falling into one of three areas the: buying centre (least studied area); organisational buying centre and process; or factors affecting the organisational buying centre and process. Purports that these three concepts can provide the basis for organising much of the diverse research efforts in organisational buying behaviour and goes on to illustrate findings from each of these areas and discusses them in depth.
High-speed live-cell super-resolution microscopy with stochastically switching fluorophores

Super-resolution microscopy with stochastically blinking fluorophores (FPALM/PALM/STORM, etc.) achieves ∼25 nm resolution by localizing molecules in thousands of camera frames. Here I present a solution to speed up recording dramatically, enabling nanoscopy at video rate.
Brief report: reliability and validity of the TQManager feedback instrument.

: The focus of this article is secondary analysis of data to establish the psychometric properties of the TQManager Feedback Instrument. The TQManager Feedback Instrument was developed by Schmidt and Finnegan in 1993 to assess five key managerial competencies related to creating work environments where quality management can thrive. The overall instrument reliability measured by Cronbach's alpha was 0.97. Construct validity assessment using principal components analysis with varimax rotation did not empirically support the thesis that more than one dimension exists on the instrument. Further psychometric testing is needed. The preliminary results support the idea that the TQManager Feedback Instrument has potential for application in healthcare organizations trying to close the quality chasm.
Mechanism of transduction by retroviruses

Retroviruses can capture cellular sequences and express them as oncogenes. Capture has been proposed to be a consequence of the inefficiency of polyadenylation of the viral genome that allows the packaging of cellular sequences flanking the integrated provirus in virions; after transfer into virions, these sequences could be incorporated into the viral genome by illegitimate recombination during reverse transcription. As a test for this hypothesis, a tissue culture system was developed that mimics the transduction process and allows the analysis and quantitation of capture events in a single step. In this model, transduction of sequences adjacent to a provirus depends on the formation of readthrough transcripts and their transmission in virions and leads to various recombinant structures whose formation is independent of sequence similarity at the crossover site. Thus, all events in the transduction process can be attributed to the action of reverse transcriptase on readthrough transcripts without involving deletions of cellular DNA.
Changes in concentration of serum LH and FSH associated with estrogen-advanced ovulation in 4-day cyclic rats.

Changes in concentration of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) associated with estrogen-advanced ovulation in 4-day cyclic rats were determined. 50 mcg of estradiol benzoate was administered sc on the 1st day of diestrus and LH and FSH were determined by radioimmunoassay 24 29 and 47 hours postinjection. 48 hours postinjection ovulation was determined by the presence of ova in the oviduct. Estradiol benzoate caused a significant (p less than .01) increase in serum LH after 24 and 29 hours and a drastic decrease after 47 hours postinjection. FSH increased (p less than .05) after 29 hours postinjection. These results suggest that an ovulatory gonadotropin surge occurs 24 hours ahead of schedule in estradiol-benzoate-treated rats.(AUTHORS MODIFIED)
Anisotropic rotational diffusion of indole in cyclohexane studied by 2 GHz frequency-domain fluorometry

Abstract We measured the frequency response of the polarized emission of non-quenched and quenched indole in cyclohexane at 20°C, up to 2 GHz. Non-radiative energy transfer from indole to t-stilbene was used to decrease indole decay time. Quenching increases the fraction of the total emission, which occurs on a picosecond timescale, and thereby provides increased information on rapid rotational motions. The measurement of quenched sample allowed resolution of the anisotropic rotation of indole with correlation times of 17 and 73 ps. The longer correlation time is consistent with that expected for a sphere with stick boundary conditions, the shorter with the slip boundary condition for an oblate ellipsoid.
Use of fables in clinical assessment of contested child custody.

Contested custody cases in divorce proceedings have been recognized as significant life stressors for both the adults and the children involved. Recent efforts have focused on the development of clinical strategies that address the stressors involved in divorce. Assessment of the post-trauma stress experienced by children is discussed. This article reviews the literature on the use of clinical assessment in evaluating the impact of separation and divorce on children. It further provides a unique psychological assessment strategy based on children's fables that may be beneficial to obtaining clinically relevant data with children engaged in custody disputes. Issues and import for the role of clinically relevant data and its use in court are offered.
Experimentation as a way of life: Okapi at TREC

The Okapi system has been used in a series of experiments on the TREC collections, investigating probabilistic models, relevance feedback and query expansion, and interaction issues. The TREC-6 ad hoc task was used to test an application of a new relevance weighting formula, which takes account of documents judged nonrelevant. The application was to a form of blind feedback (using the top-ranked documents from an initial search to improve the query formulation for a subsequent search, without actual relevance feedback, on the assumption that these top-ranked documents are likely to be relevant). In the routing task, the problem is one of query optimization based on a training set with known relevant documents; investigations for TREC-6 included using a form of simulated annealing for this purpose. A significant feature of this work is the need to avoid overfitting of the training sample. In the interactive track, methodology remains the major problem: we do not yet know how to conduct controlled laboratory experiments which provide good information about information retrieval interaction. The Okapi team has been particularly interested in the relation between the functionalities associated with relevance feedback and the ability of searchers to make use of these functionalities. TREC provides an excellent environment and set of tools for investigating automatic systems; its value for interactive systems is not yet proven.
Biotransformation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) by co-metabolism with various co-substrates: A laboratory-scale study

Abstract Previous studies on the biotransformation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) have shown that many aerobic bacterial consortia can transform TNT by co-metabolism. In this study various co-substrates have been used with the main objective of finding an inexpensive carbon source for large-scale biotreatment of TNT. Succinate, citrate, malic acid, acetate, glucose, sucrose, and molasses were used as carbon sources for an aerobic bacterial consortium transforming TNT. The results indicated that, among the various carbon sources studied, the cultures that received molasses at a concentration of 0·3% transformed 100 ppm of TNT within 12 h of incubation at ambient temperature, whereas the cultures with other carbon sources took more than 100 h to transform 100 ppm of TNT. The major intermediates identified were 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene and its isomer, 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene. Studies with [ 14 C]TNT provided no significant evidence that TNT was mineralized to CO 2 . The bacterial consortium was composed of various microorganisms, primarily Gram-negative rods. Molasses is an inexpensive carbon source that can be used in large-scale application for the biotreatment of TNT-contaminated soil and water.
Association between war and suicide and homicide.

The size of the military was observed to be associated with lower suicide and homicide rates in the USA from 1933 to 1986, but military build-up versus demobilization had no discernible effect.
Optimizing the efficiency of evaporative cooling in optical dipole traps

We present a combined computational and experimental study to optimize the efficiency of evaporative cooling for atoms in optical dipole traps. By employing a kinetic model of evaporation, we provide a strategy for determining the optimal relation between atom temperature, trap depth, and average trap frequency during evaporation given experimental initial conditions. We then experimentally implement a highly efficient evaporation process in an optical dipole trap, showing excellent agreement between the theory and experiment. This method has allowed the creation of pure Bose-Einstein condensates of ${}^{87}$Rb with $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ atoms starting from only $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}$ atoms initially loaded in the optical dipole trap, achieving an evaporation efficiency ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ of 4.0 during evaporation.
A shock tube study of H+HNCO→H2+NCO and the thermal decomposition of NCO

The reaction of atomic hydrogen with isocyanic acid (HNCO) to produce molecular hydrogen and the NCO radical, H+HNCO→H2+NCO (3a) and the thermal dissociation reaction NCO+Ar→N+CO+Ar (4) have been studied in shock-heated mixtures of HNCO dilute in argon. Quantitative time histories of the NCO radical were measured behind the shock waves using cw, narrow-linewidth laser absorption at 440 nm. The second-order rate coefficients of reactions (3a) and (4) were determined to be k3a=5.5×1014 exp(−13.700/T, K) (f=0.50, F=1.5) T=2260−3250 K k4=2.2×1014 exp(−27,200/T, K) (f=0.40, F=1.8) T=2370−3050 K cm3 mol−1 s−1, where f and F define the lower and upper uncertainty limits, respectively. The results for reaction (3a) were combined with the lower-temperature results from two previous studies for the reverse reaction (−3a), resulting in the expression: k3a=9.0×107 T1.66 exp(−7000/T, K) cm3 mol−1 s−1, T=591−3250 K The experimental results for k4 were used to calculate values of the collision efficiency (βx) and threshold energy (E0) for reaction (4) using unimolecular rate constant theory: βx=0.020 (−65%.+100%) E0=61.4±1.5 kcal/mol
Effects of temperature on vibration‐induced damage in nerves and arteries

Vasospastic episodes in hand–arm vibration syndrome are more prevalent among power-tool workers in cold climates. To test whether cold enhances vibration-induced damage in arteries and nerves, tails of Sprague-Dawley rats were vibrated at room temperature (RT) or with tail cooling (<15°C). Cold vibration resulted in a colder tail than either treatment alone. Vibration at both temperatures reduced arterial lumen size. RT vibration generated more vacuoles in arteries than cold vibration. Vibration and cold induced nitration of tyrosine residues in arteries, suggesting free-radical production. Vibration and cold generated similar percentages of myelinated axons with disrupted myelin. Cold with and without vibration caused intraneural edema and dilation of arterioles and venules with blood stasis, whereas vibration alone did not. The similarities, differences, and interactive effects of cold and vibration on nerve and artery damage indicate that temperature is involved mechanistically in the pathophysiology of hand–arm vibration syndrome. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Cusp energetic oxygen ions of ionospheric origin

Abstract Energetic oxygen ions (∼ 70–200 keV / e ) of ionospheric origin were measured by the CAMMICE experiment on board the POLAR spacecraft in the high-altitude dayside cusp. The observed cusp energetic ions were associated with a dramatic decrease and large fluctuations in the local magnetic field strength. Just like in the equatorial ring current, the measured magnetic moment spectrum of the energetic O ≤ + 2 ions in the cusp follows a power law. Its spectral amplitude in the cusp was much larger than that in the equatorial ring current, indicating a higher low charge state oxygen ion flux (or phase space density) in the cusp than in the equatorial ring current at a given magnetic moment. If ring current leakage was the source of the cusp energetic O ≤ + 2 ions, one would expect a spectral amplitude in the equatorial ring current larger than or equal to that in the cusp. The measured energetic oxygen ions in the cusp cannot be explained by a ring current source. To interpret these observations, one needs a new energetic ion source.
Pre-installation empirical testing of room shielding for high dose rate remote afterloaders

Abstract Purpose: Many facilities are acquiring high dose rate remote afterloading units. It is economical that these units be placed in existing shielded teletherapy rooms. Scatter-radiation barriers marginally protect uncontrolled areas from a high dose rate source especially in a room that houses a non-dynamic Cobalt-60 unit. In addition the exact thickness and material composition of the barriers are unknown and therefore, a calculation technique may give misleading results. Also, it would be impossible to evaluate an entire wall barrier by taking isolated core samples in order to assist in the calculations. A quick and inexpensive measurement of dose equivalent using a rented high activity 192 Ir source evaluates the barriers and locates shielding deficiencies. Methods and Materials: We performed transmission calculations for primary and scattered radiation based on National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Reports 49 and 51, respectively. We then rented a high activity 21.7 Ci (8.03 × 10 11 Bq) Ir-192 source to assess our existing teletherapy room shielding for adequacy and voids. This source was placed at the proposed location for clinical high dose rate treatment and measurements were performed. Results: No deficiencies were found in controlled areas surrounding the room, but large differences were found between the calculated and measured values. Our survey located a region in the uncontrolled area above the room requiring augmented shielding which was not predicted by the calculations. A canopy shield was designed to potentially augment the shielding in the ceiling direction. Conclusion: Pre-installation testing by measurement is an invaluable method for locating shielding deficiencies and avoiding unnecessary enhancement of shielding particularly when there is lack of information of the inherent shielding.