cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nursing and health-care assistant experience of supervision in a medium secure psychiatric service for women: implications for service development.

Accessible Summary Clinical supervision is a key component of effective service development. The study explores the importance of clinical supervision in Secure Psychiatric Services for Women and the implications for service development. Comparisons are made between qualified nurses and health-care assistants' uptake of clinical supervision along with type of supervision used. Factors identified in relation to potential improvements in the current provision of clinical supervision are discussed, and recommendations are made. Abstract In secure psychiatric services where the potential for ‘burnout’ by nurses is high, clinical supervision is viewed as a key to reflective practice to support staff in stressful working environments. Barriers to the uptake of clinical supervision in such service settings are personal and organizational. The study was prompted by the need to evaluate the effectiveness of supervision for registered nurses and health-care assistants (HCAs) and a desire to use survey findings to improve the quality and uptake of supervision. The study examined the perceived benefits, the best practice elements and the practical aspects of clinical supervision including how to improve practice. An approximate uptake of clinical supervision by 50% of staff confirmed previous findings; that HCAs were significantly less likely to engage in supervision and less likely to perceive benefit from it. Initiatives to address the training and managerial obstacles to the provision of formal supervision are described.
Programming in Manticore, a heterogenous parallel functional language

The Manticore project is an effort to design and implement a new functional language for parallel programming. Unlike many earlier parallel languages, Manticore is a heterogeneous language that supports parallelism at multiple levels. Specifically, the Manticore language combines Concurrent ML-style explicit concurrency with fine-grain, implicitly threaded, parallel constructs. These lectures will introduce the Manticore language and explore a variety of programs written to take advantage of heterogeneous parallelism. At the explicit-concurrency level, Manticore supports the creation of distinct threads of control and the coordination of threads through first-class synchronous-message passing. Message-passing synchronization, in contrast to shared-memory synchronization, fits naturally with the functional-programming paradigm. At the implicit-parallelism level, Manticore supports a diverse collection of parallel constructs for different granularities of work. Many of these constructs are inspired by common functional-programming idioms. In addition to describing the basic mechanisms, we will present a number of useful programming techniques that are enabled by these mechanisms.
Effect of bilateral carotid body resection on the counterregulatory response to hypoglycaemia in humans.

New Findings What is the central question of this study? Hyperoxia blunts hypoglycaemia counterregulation in healthy adults. We hypothesized that this effect is mediated by the carotid bodies and that: (i) hyperoxia would have no effect on hypoglycaemia counterregulation in carotid body-resected patients; and (ii) carotid body-resected patients would exhibit an impaired counterregulatory response to hypoglycaemia. What is the main finding and its importance? Our data indicate that the effect of hyperoxia on hypoglycaemic counterregulation is mediated by the carotid bodies. However, a relatively normal counterregulatory response to hypoglycaemia in carotid body-resected patients highlights: (i) the potential for long-term adaptations after carotid body resection; and (ii) the importance of redundant mechanisms in mediating hypoglycaemia counterregulation. Hyperoxia reduces hypoglycaemia counterregulation in healthy adults. We hypothesized that this effect is mediated by the carotid bodies and that: (i) hyperoxia would have no effect on hypoglycaemia counterregulation in patients with bilateral carotid body resection; and (ii) carotid body-resected patients would exhibit an impaired counterregulatory response to hypoglycaemia. Five patients (three male and two female) with bilateral carotid body resection for glomus tumours underwent two 180 min hyperinsulinaemic, hypoglycaemic (∼3.3 mmol l−1) clamps separated by a minimum of 1 week and randomized to either normoxia (21% fractional inspired O2) or hyperoxia (100% fractional inspired O2). Ten healthy adults (seven male and three female) served as control subjects. Hypoglycaemia counterregulation in carotid body-resected patients was not significantly altered by hyperoxia (area under the curve expressed as a percentage of the normoxic response: glucose infusion rate, 111 ± 10%; cortisol, 94 ± 6%; glucagon, 107 ± 7%; growth hormone, 92 ± 10%; adrenaline, 89 ± 26%; noradrenaline, 79 ± 15%; main effect of condition, P > 0.05). This is in contrast to previously published results from healthy adults. However, the counterregulatory responses to hypoglycaemia during normoxia were not impaired in carotid body-resected patients when compared with control subjects (main effect of group, P > 0.05). Our data provide further corroborative evidence that the effect of hyperoxia on hypoglycaemic counterregulation is mediated by the carotid bodies. However, relatively normal counterregulatory responses to hypoglycaemia in carotid body-resected patients highlight the importance of redundant mechanisms in mediating hypoglycaemia counterregulation.
Clinical and laboratory factors associated with interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis

The objective of this study is to examine the clinical, genetic, and environmental factors associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We recruited patients with RA from rheumatology practices at the time of a scheduled visit. Each patient participated in a comprehensive assessment that included ascertainment of age, sex, joint tenderness and swelling, subcutaneous nodules, disease severity, use of methotrexate and prednisone, smoking status, rheumatoid factor (RF), antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28), and the presence of the HLA–DRB1 shared epitope (SE). As part of a thorough quantification of comorbidity, we identify all comorbid conditions, including ILD. We examined variables associated with ILD using logistic regression. We tested interaction terms between SE and other covariates. We studied 779 RA patients, among whom, ILD was recognized clinically in 69 (8.8 %). Variables significantly associated with ILD in a multivariable analysis included male sex, RA duration, the ESR, the DAS28, anti-CCP, and RF. There was a significant interaction between the HLA–DRB1 SE and smoking, ILD being associated with smoking only in the presence of SE. The association between ILD and anti-CCP, RF, and the ESR displayed a biological gradient, higher titers being more strongly associated with ILD. Anti-CCP antibodies and the RF may be pathogenically related to ILD. The association between ILD and smoking is dependent on the HLA–DRB1 SE, which may reflect gene–environment interaction.
High dose ursodeoxycholic acid increases risk of adverse outcomes in patients with early stage primary sclerosing cholangitis

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 34: 1185–1192 Summary Background Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in a dose of 28–30 mg/kg/day increases the likelihood of clinical deterioration of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) patients. Aim To compare the risk of adverse clinical endpoints in patients with varying disease status. Methods We reviewed records from patients previously enrolled in a study evaluating the effects of high dose (28–30 mg/kg/day) UDCA in PSC. Patients were grouped according to treatment (UDCA vs. placebo) and baseline disease status (histological stage of PSC, total serum bilirubin). Development of clinical endpoints including death, liver transplantation, cirrhosis, oesophageal varices and cholangiocarcinoma was sought. Results A total of 150 patients were included of whom 49 patients developed endpoints. There was an increased development of endpoints among patients using UDCA vs. placebo (14 vs. 4, P = 0.0151) with early histological disease (stage 1–2, n = 88) but not with late stage (stage 3–4, n = 62) disease (17 vs. 14, P = 0.2031). Occurrence of clinical endpoints was also higher in patients receiving UDCA vs. placebo (16 vs. 2, P = 0.0008) with normal bilirubin levels (total bilirubin ≤1.0 mg/dL) but not in patients with elevated bilirubin levels (15 vs. 16, P = 0.6018). Among patients not reaching endpoints 31.7% had normalisation of their alkaline phosphatase levels when compared to 14.3% in patients who reached endpoints (P = 0.073). Conclusion The increased risk of adverse events with UDCA treatment when compared with placebo is only apparent in patients with early histological stage disease or normal total bilirubin.
Towards a theory of wave transport

A technique is described that should prove invaluable for the computation of effective diffusion coefficients due to wave motion.
Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Dextramers: New Tools for the Detection of antigen-Specific, CD4 T Cells in Basic and Clinical Research

The advent of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) tetramer technology has been a major contribution to T cell immunology, because tetramer reagents permit detection of antigen-specific T cells at the single-cell level in heterogeneous populations by flow cytometry. However, unlike MHC class I tetramers, the utility of MHC class II tetramers has been less frequently reported. MHC class II tetramers can be used successfully to enumerate the frequencies of antigen-specific CD4 T cells in cells activated in vitro, but their use for ex vivo analyses continues to be a problem, due in part to their activation dependency for binding with T cells. To circumvent this problem, we recently reported the creation of a new generation of reagents called MHC class II dextramers, which were found to be superior to their counterparts. In this review, we discuss the utility of class II dextramers vis-a-vis tetramers, with respect to their specificity and sensitivity, including potential applications and limitations.
Playing Internet Curveball with Traditional Media Gatekeepers Pitcher Curt Schilling and Boston Red Sox Fans

Prior to the 2004 season, pitcher Curt Schilling was traded to the Boston Red Sox baseball team. During trade negotiations, Schilling visited a web-based fan site of the team, and chatted with Red Sox fans. His visit was covered by sports radio and newspaper. Schilling discussed his visit with a sports radio show, where the hosts were not happy that he used the Internet instead of radio. Schilling’s actions make for an interesting real-world case involving media gatekeeping, where different media are intertwined, and where theory can be built from the observation of practice. Schilling used different media depending on his task, and chose media best suited to his purpose. Fans were delighted he chose the web, giving them direct access, but radio hosts felt threatened. Gatekeeping was found to be still useful for identity verification and access control.
Emerging genetic basis of osteochondritis dissecans.

Genome-wide association studies provide an unbiased approach in the identification of genes that increase the risk for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). OCD is a disorder of the bone and cartilage that affects humans, horses, pigs, dogs, and other mammals. Recent genome-wide association studies in humans, horses, and pigs are reviewed and genes identified. The identified genes tended to cluster with respect to function and biological processes such as the protein secretion pathway, extracellular matrix molecules, and growth plate maturation. Genome-wide association studies in humans are a critical next step in the effort to provide a better understanding of the causes of OCD, which will, in turn, allow preventive strategies for treatment of adolescent and young adults who are at risk for the development of degenerative joint disease due to the effects of OCD.
Eisenhower and the Berlin Problem, 1953–1954

Soon after taking office, the Eisenhower administration adopted two key decisions on Berlin and the German question that were to have far-reaching consequences in the 1950s and 1960s. First, Eisenhower reaffirmed the U.S. security commitment to West Berlin, a commitment that entailed at least some risk of general war. Second, the administration prepared to use West Berlin in a broader political strategy aimed at weakening and eventually undermining Soviet power in Eastern Europe. The implications of these early decisions did not become fully evident until 1958, when the administration was confronted by a Soviet ultimatum on Berlin.
Prenatal detection of deletion 6q13q15 in a complex karyotype.

Objectives Prenatal diagnosis of a pregnancy with elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein identified a karyotype with a complex chromosomal rearrangement, a Robertsonian translocation and a 6q deletion involving bands q13q15. Sonography identified mild IUGR, polyhydramnios and micrognathia. The infant presented with multiple congenital anomalies, primarily limited to the head and neck, including hypertelorism, broad nose, micrognathia, cleft palate, microglossia and low-set ears with microtia. Methods Amniocytes of the fetus and blood of the patient and her parents were analyzed by cytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Results The karyotype on the fetus was 45,XX,t(3;21;20)(p12;q11.2;p11.2), del(6)(q13q15),der(13;14) (q10;q10)mat. Conclusion The 13;14 Robertsonian translocation was inherited from the mother and the three-way translocation appeared to be balanced. The patient had facial dysmorphology similar to that which has been described in 6 previously reported cases with the same deletion involving 6q13q15. There was no recognizable abnormality of limbs or digits, and the autopsy did not identify defects involving the internal organs. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acquisition and transfer of control by an ambiguous cue

In three experiments, the specificity of action of occasion setters was examined, using a discretetrial leverpress procedure. Rats’ acquisition of anXA+, A−, XB−, B+ discrimination, in which a single feature cue (X) signaled the reinforcement of responding in the presence of one target cue (A) and the nonreinforcement of responding during another target (B), was no more difficult than acquisition ofXA+, A−, X−, B+ orX+, A−, XB−, B+ discriminations, in whichX signaled only one target-response-reinforcement contingency. In transfer tests,X did not modulate responding controlled by other cues that were untrained or consistently reinforced, either when the elements of the compounds were presented serially or when they were presented simultaneously in training and testing. However, after serial, but not after simultaneous, compound training ,X facilitated responding controlled by a cue that was trained and then extinguished. Implications for the nature of occasion setting and configurai learning are discussed.
Hypervariable minisatellite DNA is a hotspot for homologous recombination in human cells

Hypervariable minisatellite DNA sequences are short tandemly repeated sequences that are present throughout the human genome and are implicated to enhance recombination. We have constructed a consensus hypervariable minisatellite sequence and analyzed its effect on homologous recombination in human cells in culture. The consensus sequence d(AGAGGTGGGCAGGTGG)6.5 is shown to stimulate homologous recombination up to 13.5-fold. The stimulation occurs at a distance and in both directions but does show a quantitative directionality. Stimulation occurs in a codominant manner, and the sequence is inherited equally in the products. Enhancement is maintained, but at a reduced level, when double-strand breaks are introduced into the substrates. Multiple unselected recombination events are promoted, and preferential stimulation of reciprocal exchange events is demonstrated.
Tryptophola phytotoxin produced by Drechslera nodulosum

Abstract Tryptophol was identified as a major metabolite in the culture medium of Drechslera nodulosum. This compound produced necrotic lesions on goosegrass at a concentration of 6.2 × 10−4 M in two different leaf bioassay tests. Tryptophol also caused lesions on a number of other monocots and dicots, but generally higher concentrations were required. Tryptophol was also detected in the leaves of goosegrass infected by D. nodulosum, but not in uninfected goosegrass.
Numerical Study of Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Impinging Jets

This study presents results for flow and heat transfer characteristics of two-dimensional rectangular impinging jets and three-dimensional circular impinging jets. Flow geometries under consideration are single and multiple impinging jets issued from a plane wall. Both confined and unconfined configurations are simulated. Effects of Reynolds number and the distance between the jets are investigated. Results are obtained with a finite volume computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. Structured grids are used in all cases of the present study. Turbulence is treated with a two equation k-e model. Different jet velocities have been examined corresponding to Reynolds numbers of 5,000 to 20,000. Results of the three-dimensional cases show that Reynolds number has no effect on the velocity distribution of the center jet. Results of both two-dimensional and three-dimensional cases show that Reynolds number highly affects the heat transfer and values of the Nusselt number. The maximum Nusselt number was always found at the stagnation point of the center jet.© 2010 ASME
Prospects for DØ beauty physics measurements in run II

Abstract The Main Injector era of the Fermilab Tevatron is about to begin. Its first collider physics run (Run II) will start in the spring of 2001, with p p collisions at √s = 2.0 TeV and a expected integrated luminosity of 2 fb−1 delivered in the first two years. The DO detector is undergoing an extensive upgrade in order to take full advantage of this high luminosity running. The upgraded detector's silicon vertex detector, inner tracker, and muon trigger arrays, will make a rich B physics program possible at DO. In this paper we discuss our prospects for key measurements which include CP violation in B → J/Ψ + Ks decays, CP asymmetries in two body hadronic B decays, Bs mixing, as well as spectroscopy and lifetime measurements of beauty baryons such as the Λb.
Structure of a class II preQ1 riboswitch reveals ligand recognition by a new fold

PreQ1 riboswitches regulate genes by binding the pyrrolopyrimidine intermediate preQ1 during the biosynthesis of the essential tRNA base queuosine. We report what is to our knowledge the first preQ1-II riboswitch structure at 2.3-A resolution, which uses a previously uncharacterized fold to achieve effector recognition at the confluence of a three-way helical junction flanking a pseudoknotted ribosome-binding site. The results account for translational control mediated by the preQ1-II riboswitch class and expand the known repertoire of ligand-binding modes used by regulatory RNAs.
The Copper Chaperone CCS Is Abundant in Neurons and Astrocytes in Human and Rodent Brain

Copper trafficking in mammalian cells is highly regulated. CCS is a copper chaperone that donates copper to the antioxidant enzyme copper/zinc superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD 1). Mutations of SOD1 are responsible for approximately 20% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). Monospecific antibodies were generated to evaluate the localization and cellular distribution of this copper chaperone in human and mouse brain as well as other organs. CCS is found to be ubiquitously expressed by multiple tissues and is present in particularly high concentrations in kidney and liver. In brain and spinal cord, CCS was found throughout the neuropil, with expression largely confined to neurons and some astrocytes. Like SOD1, CCS immunoreactivity was intense in Purkinje cells, deep cerebellar neurons, and pyramidal cortical neurons, whereas in spinal cord, CCS was highly expressed in motor neurons. In cortical neurons, CCS was present in the soma and proximal dendrites, as well as some axons. Although the distribution of CCS paralleled that of SOD1, there was a 12-30-fold molar excess of SOD1 over CCS. That both SOD1 and CCS are present, together, in cells that degenerate in ALS also emphasizes the potential role of CCS in mutant SOD1-mediated toxicity.
Laryngeal penetration: a predictor of aspiration in infants?

Background. We routinely observed “isolated” laryngeal penetration (ILP) on upper GI studies in infants with no risk for aspiration. Objective. To determine whether “isolated” LP (LP during the pharyngeal phase of swallowing) is a benign process in infants and therefore not a predictor of aspiration as it is known to be in adults. Patients and methods. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed videotaped upper GI studies done over a 2-year period on patients less than 2 years of age. A total of 110 studies was reviewed, which produced a study group of 34 patients who had no history or clinical suspicion for swallowing dysfunction. Results. Of the 34 patients in the group, 33 demonstrated ILP without radiographic or clinical evidence of aspiration. Conclusion. ILP is a benign, normal process in infants likely due to immaturity of the swallowing mechanism. It is not a reliable predictor of aspiration as it is in adults.
Inhibition of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (anammox) enrichment cultures by substrates, metabolites and common wastewater constituents

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is an emerging technology for nitrogen removal that provides a more environmentally sustainable and cost effective alternative compared to conventional biological treatment methods. The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory impact of anammox substrates, metabolites and common wastewater constituents on the microbial activity of two different anammox enrichment cultures (suspended and granular), both dominated by bacteria from the genus Brocadia. Inhibition was evaluated in batch assays by comparing the N(2) production rates in the absence or presence of each compound supplied in a range of concentrations. The optimal pH was 7.5 and 7.3 for the suspended and granular enrichment cultures, respectively. Among the substrates or products, ammonium and nitrate caused low to moderate inhibition, whereas nitrite caused almost complete inhibition at concentrations higher than 15 mM. The intermediate, hydrazine, either stimulated or caused low inhibition of anammox activity up to 3mM. Of the common constituents in wastewater, hydrogen sulfide was the most severe inhibitor, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) as low as 0.03 mM undissociated H(2)S. Dissolved O(2) showed moderate inhibition (IC(50)=2.3-3.8 mg L(-1)). In contrast, phosphate and salinity (NaCl) posed very low inhibition. The suspended- and granular anammox enrichment cultures had similar patterns of response to the various inhibitory stresses with the exception of phosphate. The findings of this study provide comprehensive insights on the tolerance of the anammox process to a wide variety of potential inhibiting compounds.
The direct observation of a psoralen-thymine UVA induced solid-state cycloaddition reaction product by single-crystal x-ray diffractometry.

— Single-crystal x-ray diffraction methods have been used to directly observe and simultaneously determine the molecular structure of the UVA induced cis-syn photocycloaddition product in a partially photolyzed single crystal of a psoralen(pyrone ring side)-DNA(thymine) interaction model compound, 1 ‘-(8-oxypsoralen)-8’(thym-l“yl)3‘,6’-dioxaoctane.
Hf chronometer for the early solar system

It is now widely believed that Al-26 (half-life, 7.2 x 10 to the 5th yr) and Pd-107 (half-life, 6.5 x 10 to the 6th yr) were present in the early solar system. The nucleosynthetic event responsible for the production of these nuclei must therefore have occurred no more than a few million years before the formation of solid bodies. It is possible that this event also gave a rise to the I-129 believed to be present in the early solar system. The last event to contribute Pu-244 to the solar system, however, occurred approximately 10 to the 8th yr before the time of solidification. It is noted that this latter time scale is also consistent with the lack of evidence for a Cm-247 chronometer. It is proposed that Hf-182 (half-life, 9 x 10 to the 6th yr) can resolve the question whether heavy-element nonactinide nucleosynthesis occurred during the (Al-26)-producing event. It is believed that an answer to this question will help to clarify the chronology of the formation of the solar system and will help to determine the astrophysical sites of heavy-element nucleosynthesis.
Novel phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors: Assessing hemodynamic effects and safety parameters

The relaxing effect of the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors on vascular smooth muscle has attracted much attention, especially in persons with cardiovascular disease. The results of early studies showed that sildenafil slightly reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressures and has no effect on heart rate, while being safe and well tolerated. Studies also indicate that sildenafil does not contribute to the development of myocardial infarction or ischemia. Similar benign effects on hemodynamics and cardiac events have also been demonstrated for tadalafil and vardenafil. None of the PDE5 inhibitors adversely affects total exercise time or time to ischemia during exercise testing in men with stable angina. It is key to avoid concomitant administration of nitrates with any of the PDE5 inhibitors, because this combination can cause increased vasodilation and a subsequent drop in blood pressure. Sildenafil has an alpha-blocker precaution; tadalafil is contraindicated with alpha blockers except for 0.4 mg tamsulosin; vardenafil is contraindicated with alpha blockers.
NO more muscle fatigue

NOS is a key enzyme in the production of NO, a molecule that directly regulates vasorelaxation and blood supply. Diverse forms of muscle disease have been clinically associated with unusual fatigue after exercise. The localization of neuronal NOS (nNOS) at the plasma membrane of muscle has recently been shown to prevent muscle fatigue after exercise. In this issue of the JCI, Lai et al. show that dystrophin--the structural protein missing in individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy--anchors nNOS to the sarcolemma through a direct interaction with dystrophin spectrin-like repeats 16 and 17 (see the related article, doi:10.1172/JCI36612). Furthermore, in another recently reported study of mouse models of muscular dystrophy, phosphodiesterase 5A inhibitors were used to treat the downstream ischemia that is associated with nNOS mislocalization. Collectively, these findings significantly advance our understanding of exercise-induced muscle fatigue and its role in muscle disease.
Assignment of the Deuteron NQR Spectrum of Hydroquinone-(O)-d2

Abstract As part of a program for the examination of hydrogen-bonded materials by deuterium NQR, we have attempted a detailed assignment of the normal and DTQR spectrum of hydroquinone-(O)-d 2 . The crystal structure of this material at ambient temperature contains 3 molecules per asymmetric unit, and accordingly 12 deuterium NQR lines are expected. An assignment of the line pairings has been made on the basis of the form of the spectrum, and an attempt was made to assign crystallographic sites to these line pairs by use of the combination bands observed in the DTQR spectrum. It is found that the topology of the DTQR spectrum at 77 K is not in agreement with the ambient temperature structure of alpha hydroquinone. The poster presentation on which this material is based included a consideration of several other case studies by the same methodology, but space does not permit their inclusion here.
Fluid Shifts Associated with Gas-Induced Osmosis

It has been proposed that equilibration of nitrous oxide with blood plasma increases osmotic pressure and thereby causes hemodilution. However, calculations show that the 250-torr osmotic gradient produced by 0.7 atmosphere of nitrous oxide dissolved in blood plasma (separated from the other body fluids by a membrane permeable only to water) would be eliminated by a water shift which would dilute the plasma by only 4 percent. Permeability of the membrane to nitrous oxide would further reduce the shift. In vivo measurements confirmed the smallness of any osmotically induced shifts by demonstrating no significant transient changes in hematocrit value when 0.7 atmosphere of nitrous oxide was added to or removed from an inhaled anesthetic mixture in man. These results cast doubt on the suggestions that gas-induced osmosis is an important factor in dysbarism or in clinical anesthesia.
Plasma amino acid levels during metamorphosis of the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana

Abstract 1. 1. Plasma amino acid levels were determined throughout bullfrog metamorphosis. 2. 2. Prometamorphic tadpoles have 18.5 mg amino acids/100 ml plasma, these levels increase to about 30.0 mg at premetamorphosis and show no further increase during massive tissue degeneration at metamorphic climax. 3. 3. Relative proportions of individual amino acids do not change throughout metamorphosis. 4. 4. The five most common amino acids are: lysine (13.4%), threonine (11.2%), leucine (8.7%), alanine (8.2%) and valine (6.9%). 5. 5. The implications for in vivo amino acid incorporation are discussed.
Effects of Familiarity on Idiom Comprehension in African American and European American Fifth Graders

In order to test the language experience hypothesis, the comprehension of high-, moderate-, and low-familiarity idioms was examined in African American (N = 24) and European American (N= 24) fifth-...
The Unliganded Gating Mechanism Of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) switches between C (low agonist affinity and low conductance) and O (high agonist affinity and high conductance) conformations (‘gating’). The probability of channel opening is very low in the absence of agonist, but when agonists are present at the two transmitter-binding-sites opening increases rapidly (∼20μs), transiently to a high probability (∼0.95). We observe that ‘gain-of-function’ mutants that increase the diliganded gating equilibrium constant (without affecting agonist binding to C) also increase the frequency of spontaneous openings. Unliganded openings occur in clusters in AChRs having several of such mutations. We analyzed the intra-cluster interval durations to estimate that the unliganded gating equilibrium constant is ∼1.15 × 10-7 (mouse, α2βδe, -100 mV). The agonist affinity ratios (C vs. O) for acetylcholine, carbamylcholine, tetramethylammonium and choline are ∼15,600, ∼6700, ∼6700 and ∼600. The monoliganded (with ACh) gating equilibrium constant is ∼1.7 × 10-3. Acetylcholine provides only ∼0.9 kBT more binding energy per site than tetramethylammonium, but ∼3.1 kBT more than choline. Mutations of binding site residue αW149 increase unliganded gating, and the mutation αW149F reduces the ACh affinity of C only by 13-fold, but of O by 190-fold. Rate-equilibrium free energy relationships for different regions of the protein show similar slopes (Φ-values) for un- vs. diliganded gating. The mechanisms of the gating conformational change and of desensitization are similar with and without ligands at the transmitter binding sites.
Operant responding in the planarian A replication study

Two groups of planarians, a light-escape contingent group and their yoked control pairs, were tested over a 4-hr. period. The response of breaking a photobeam was automatically recorded for both gr...
SU‐E‐E‐05: The Compute Cloud, a Massive Computing Resource for Patient‐Independent Monte Carlo Dose Calculations and Other Medical Physics Applications

Purpose: Massive computing resources are needed to generate an extensive linac phase‐space (PHSP) database for different radiotherapy beams that could serve as a starting point for several user‐applications, such as patient‐dependent dose calculations or Monte‐Carlo‐based quality assurance procedures. The goal of this project is to disseminate our knowledge about performing patient‐independent Monte‐Carlo dose calculations on the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) and educate medical physicists on technical aspects such as simulation instance management and cluster coordination while ensuring data security for a low CPU cost. Methods: Amazon‐Web‐Services, along with Google, Microsoft, IBM, etc, offers resizable compute capacity in the cloud changing the economics of computing by eliminating the server fixed expenses. A cost‐efficient elastic cluster is available for a wide users community who can perform Monte Carlo simulations or other numerical applications using Amazon Machine Images. These virtual machines can be configured to work in a particular scientific environment, i.e. GEANT4 or PENELOPE. GEANT4 patient‐independent dose simulations were launched in parallel on EC2 using high CPU extra‐large spot instances (7 GB of memory, 8 virtual cores at 2.13 to 2.44GHz). Data storage was performed using the Simple Storage Service (S3). The S3 Organizer was used to upload the simulation or download multiple files. The 4‐layer EC2 security system, composed of the host/guest operating systems, Firewall, and signed secret access keys, ensures data privacy. Results: A local script was set‐up to launch multiple dose calculation instances on EC2 and automatically save the results on S3. Geant4‐application development, testing, and debugging were performed on a local workstation, along with data analysis and comparison with experiment. IAEA‐compliant patient‐independent PHSP files were generated and dose calculations were successfully validated against experiment. Conclusions: Cloud computing offers a low‐cost alternative for improved radiotherapy planning and optimization algorithms by enabling beam transport and Monte Carlo‐based dose calculations. Work supported by Varian Medical Systems
Examination of the role of abdominal computed tomography in the evaluation of victims of trauma with increased aspartate aminotransferase in the era of focused abdominal sonography for trauma.

Abstract Background. Current evaluation of patients with negative findings on a focused abdominal sonography for trauma scan and an isolated increase of admission hepatic enzymes includes abdominal computed tomography (CT). Many of these patients do not have clinically important hepatic injuries. The purpose of this study was to establish the admission aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level below which patients do not need an abdominal CT for injury evaluation and treatment. Methods. Patients who were hemodynamically stable, had a focused abdominal sonography for trauma scan with negative findings, and an AST level greater than 200 IU/L were identified over a 1-year period. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, injuries sustained, mechanism, evaluation, interventions, and complications. Results. A total of 67 patients, mostly with blunt trauma, were identified; 42 (63%) had an AST level 360 IU/L. Patients with an AST level > 360 IU/L had a 88% chance of having any hepatic injury and a 44% chance of having an injury of grade III or greater ( P =.0001). Patients with an AST level of P =.036). Conclusions. Clinically important hepatic injuries are not missed if an abdominal CT is only performed for patients with a focused abdominal sonography for trauma scan with negative findings and an AST level of > 360 IU/L. Eliminating unnecessary CT allows for more cost-effective use of resources. Surgery 2002;132:642-7.
A multicenter study of vesicovaginal fistula following incidental cystotomy during benign hysterectomies.

Introduction and hypothesis To evaluate factors for vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) formation following incidental cystotomies during benign hysterectomies.
New modifications of the Bechhofer method

Abstract The method proposed by Bechhofer (Ann. Math. Statist. 25 (1954) 16–39) for the selection of the largest of k expectations μ1,…,μk of k independent normal random variables X1,…,Xk is considered. The strongest assertion the method gives is that the expectation μI, corresponding to the largest observation, is the largest among these expectations. This is a somewhat disappointing statement if the difference between the largest and second largest Xi is large. The Tukey method and the method proposed by Edwards and Hsu (J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 78 (1983) 965–971) do not have this disadvantage, but have weaker assertions than the Bechhofer method concerning the difference μ 1 − Max i μ i for some observations. Two new modifications are proposed here that give stronger assertions that the Tukey and the Edwards and Hsu methods concerning both μ I − Max i μ i and μ I − Max i≠I μ i .
Developmental programming of cardiovascular disorders: Focus on hypertension

Increasing evidence suggests that adult cardiovascular disorders, e.g. hypertension, can be “programmed” in utero. The mechanisms that affect the developing fetus and lead to future cardiovascular disease are not fully established. This review addresses the possible involvement of maternal nutrition, sex steroids and other endocrine factors in the programming of hypertension in adulthood. Some possible mechanisms of subsequent development of hypertension in adulthood, such as elevated sympathetic and renin–angiotensin system activity, and failure of nephron development, also are discussed. Previous studies suggest that maternal undernutrition could be a major factor in fetal programming, but in light of the increased worldwide prevalence of obesity, maternal overnutrition is now receiving increased attention. Special emphasis is given here to this phenomenon. Obesity is associated with increased serum and tissue levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and loss of sensitivity to the adipokine leptin. It is postulated that this causes dysregulation of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis, resulting in increased levels of circulating glucocorticoids. These factors could play a major role in programming, during the in utero period, of future hypertension in the offspring of obese mothers.
Universal properties of the wave functions of fractional quantum Hall systems.

We show that the wave functions of the fluid ground states of fractional quantum Hall systems, in the thermodynamic limit, are universal at long distances and that they have a generalized Laughlin form. This universality is a consequence of the analytic properties of the equal-time density correlation functions at long distances. The correlation functions calculated from the field theoretic approach to the fractional quantum Hall effect have the correct analytic properties and the wave function calculated in the Gaussian approximation becomes exact in the asymptotic limit.
Direct observations of the growth of carbon nanotubes using in situ transmission electron microscopy

Nucleation and growth of carbon nanotubes, formed during chemical vapor deposition, was observed using an environmental transmission electron microscope (ETEM). Carbon nanotubes formed readily when acetylene (C2H2) was leaked into the sample area of the ETEM containing Ni/SiO2 catalyst at 470-700°C. Carbon nanotubes were observed to nucleate and grow in a sequential manner, i.e. one or two tubes nucleating and growing before new tubes were nucleated. Straight single wall tubes were observed to grow with no catalyst at the tip at 475°C at very low C2H2 gas pressures (< 10 mTorr). We observe that the growth rate and growth mechanism are directly controlled by the temperature and pressure. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2006.460]
An Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Probe and Its Application Utilizing Tris(2,2‘-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) and Luminol Chemiluminescence without a Flowing Stream

A novel electrogenerated chemiluminescent (ECL) probe that does not require a dark box to exclude ambient light has been developed. The probe is placed within the sample solution in a fashion similar to the use of a pH electrode. Thus, the flowing stream method of analyte introduction typically used for ECL analysis is not necessary. A fiber-optic bundle is utilized to carry the light produced within the probe to a photomultiplier tube for detection. Within the body of this probe is a three-electrode configuration necessary for ECL generation. The three ECL systems, luminol, tris(2,2‘-bipyridyl)ruthenium(III), and luminol coupled with an immobilized oxidase enzyme, have been used with this probe. The relative standard deviation for a typical sample was found to be 0.6%. Glucose determinations ranging from 3.0 to 1000 μM were made without a pH change for several real samples employing luminol and glucose oxidase immobilized within the probe body.
Synthesis of bis(diethyldithiocarbamato)manganese(II) and tris(diethyldithiocarbamato)manganese(III)

An ideal undergraduate introduction to the challenges of synthesis and characterization of air-sensitive compounds is accomplished in the preparation of bis(diethyldithiocarbamato)manganese(II). This economical experiment employs a glovebag, low-cost and low-toxicity chemicals, and is completed in one undergraduate laboratory period. For comparison purposes, the synthesis and characterization of air-stable tris(diethyldithiocarbamato)manganese(III) is also described.
Leading the Way in New Product Introductions: Publicity's Message Sequencing Success With Corporate Credibility and Image as Moderators

This investigation further nuanced previous designs in comparing the effectiveness of 4 IMC message sequencing strategies (publicity–publicity, publicity–advertising, advertising–publicity, and advertising–advertising) by introducing them into a new context—new product introductions. In addition, this investigation introduced corporate image and credibility as moderators of the effectiveness of sequence strategies. A 2-phase experiment was conducted involving 423 participants. The results revealed the publicity–publicity sequence strategy is most effective in generating positive product attitude and purchase intent, followed by either sequence of publicity and advertising, with the advertising–advertising strategy being least effective. Positive corporate image and high credibility attenuated the effectiveness of the publicity strategy.
Laminin α5 influences the architecture of the mouse small intestine mucosa

The mammalian intestine displays two distinct patterns of mucosal organization. The small intestine contains mucosal epithelial invaginations (the crypts of Lieberkuhn) that are continuous with evaginations (villi) into the lumen. The colon also contains crypts of Lieberkuhn, but its epithelial surface is lined by flat surface cuffs. The epithelial cells of both organs communicate with the underlying mesenchyme through a basement membrane that is composed of a variety of extracellular matrix proteins, including members of the laminin family. The basement membranes of the small intestine and colon contain distinct laminin subtypes; notably, the villus basement membrane is rich in laminin alpha 5. Here, we show that the diminution of laminin alpha 5 in a mouse model led to a compensatory deposition of colonic laminins, which resulted in a transformation from a small intestinal to a colonic mucosal architecture. The alteration in mucosal architecture was associated with reduced levels of nuclear p27Kip1 - a cell-cycle regulator - and altered intestinal epithelial cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. Our results suggest that laminin alpha 5 has a crucial role in establishing and maintaining the specific mucosal pattern of the mouse small intestine.
Overexpression of Hedgehog Signaling Is Associated with Epidermal Tumor Formation in Vitamin D Receptor–Null Mice

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) ligand, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)), reduces proliferation and enhances differentiation, and thus has been investigated for a role in preventing or treating cancer. Mice deficient for the VDR display a hyperproliferative response in the hair follicle and epidermis and decreased epidermal differentiation. Unlike their wild-type littermates, when treated with 7,12 dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) or UVB, they develop skin tumors, including some characteristic of overexpression of the hedgehog (Hh) pathway. Both the epidermis and utricles of the VDR-null animals overexpress elements of the Hh pathway (sonic hedgehog (Shh) 2.02-fold, patched1 1.58-fold, smoothened 3.54-fold, glioma-associated oncogene homolog (Gli)1 1.17-fold, and Gli2 1.66-fold). This overexpression occurs at an age (11 weeks) at which epidermal hyperproliferation is most visible and is spatially controlled in the epidermis. DMBA- or UVB-induced tumors in the VDR-null mice also overexpress elements of this pathway. Moreover, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) downregulates the expression of some members of the Hh pathway in an epidermal explants culture system, suggesting a direct regulation by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). Our results suggest that increased expression of Shh in the keratinocytes of the VDR-null animal activates the Hh pathway, predisposing the skin to the development of both malignant and benign epidermal neoplasms.
Assessing Decision-Making Capacity in the Setting of Palliative Care Research

This paper begins with a discussion of why concerns about decision-making capacity are warranted in palliative medicine research. Next, procedures for assessing decision-making capacity are discussed. It concludes with recommendations to guide the judicious use of these procedures in the design of palliative care research.
Second primary tumor associated with salivary gland cancer

That patients with salivary gland cancer are at increased risk of second primary tumors has been suggested in several studies. This report presents the case of a 53-year-old woman with an epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of intercalated duct origin occurring in the parotid gland synchronously with a follicular cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland. This is believed to be the first report of such an association.
Sequential neurohumoral measurements in patients with congestive heart failure.

Abstract Patients with chronic congestive heart failure are known to have increased plasma norepinephrine and plasma renin activity. In order to evaluate neurohumoral changes over time, we measured plasma norepinephrine and plasma renin activity at baseline and sequentially during follow-up in 49 patients with chronic, stable congestive heart failure. All patients were treated with digitalis and diuretics. Converting enzyme inhibitor therapy was prescribed as adjunctive therapy in 22 patients, while 10 patients were taking hydralazine and/or isosorbide dinitrate, seven were taking prazosin, and 10 had no adjunctive therapy. Patients were divided into those taking converting enzyme inhibitors (group I, n = 22) and those not taking converting enzyme inhibitors (group II, n = 27). Group I was followed for a median (25th to 75th percentiles) of 24.3 (18 to 27.9) months, while group II was followed for 18.7 (11.9 to 36.5) months. Results indicate that patients in group I demonstrate a significant positive trend for rise in plasma norepinephrine of 11.7 pg/ml per month (7.8 to 15 pg/ml per month, 95% confidence interval). Patients in group II also demonstrated a significant positive trend in plasma norepinephrine over time of 6.6 pg/ml per month (2.2 to 11.1 pg/ml per month). Moreover, there was a progressive trend upward in plasma renin activity over time in group II (median 0.34 ng/ml/hr per month; range 0.13 to 0.54). The data indicate that there is a significant trend of neurohumoral activation over time in patients with chronic, clinically stable congestive heart failure. The increase in plasma norepinephrine does not appear to be prevented by chronic converting enzyme inhibitor therapy, although these data cannot rule out the possibility of a reduced slope compared to a control group.