cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hippocampal developmental vulnerability to methylmercury extends into prepubescence.

The developing brain is sensitive to environmental toxicants such as methylmercury (MeHg), to which humans are exposed via contaminated seafood. Prenatal exposure in children is associated with learning, memory and IQ deficits, which can result from hippocampal dysfunction. To explore underlying mechanisms, we have used the postnatal day (P7) rat to model the third trimester of human gestation. We previously showed that a single low exposure (0.6 µg/gbw) that approaches human exposure reduced hippocampal neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG) 24 hours later, including later proliferation and memory in adolescence. Yet, the vulnerable stem cell population and period of developmental vulnerability remain undefined. In this study, we find that P7 exposure of stem cells has long-term consequences for adolescent neurogenesis. It reduced the number of mitotic S-phase cells (BrdU), especially those in the highly proliferative Tbr2+ population, and immature neurons (Doublecortin) in adolescence, suggesting partial depletion of the later stem cell pool. To define developmental vulnerability to MeHg in prepubescent (P14) and adolescent (P21) rats, we examined acute 24 h effects of MeHg exposure on mitosis and apoptosis. We found that low exposure did not adversely impact neurogenesis at either age, but that a higher exposure (5 µg/gbw) at P14 reduced the total number of neural stem cells (Sox2+) by 23% and BrdU+ cells by 26% in the DG hilus, suggesting that vulnerability diminishes with age. To see if these effects may reflect changes in MeHg transfer across the blood brain barrier, we assessed Hg content in the hippocampus after peripheral injection and found that similar levels (~800 ng/gm) were obtained at 24 h at both P14 and P21, declining in parallel, suggesting that changes in vulnerability depend more on local tissue and cellular mechanisms. Together, we show that MeHg vulnerability depends on age, and that early exposure impairs later neurogenesis in older juveniles.
The pRB-related protein p107 contains two growth suppression domains : independent interactions with E2F and cyclin/cdk complexes

Abstract Unregulated expression of either the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) or the related protein p107 can cause growth arrest of sensitive cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. However, growth arrests mediated by p107 and pRB are not identical. Through structure-function and co-expression analyses we have dissected the p107 molecule into two domains that independently are able to block cell cycle progression. One domain corresponds to the sequences needed for interaction with the transcription factor E2F, and the other corresponds to the interaction domain for cyclin A or cyclin E complexes. In cervical carcinoma cell line C33A, which was previously shown to be sensitive to p107 but resistant to pRB growth suppression, only the cyclin binding domain is active as a growth suppressor. Furthermore, we show that these two independent domains are functional in untransformed mouse fibroblasts. Together, these results provide experimental evidence for the presence of two functional domains in p107 and pinpoint an important functional difference between p107 and pRB.
Vitamin A supplementation for refugees and famine victims.

Abstract Reports about recent famine victims and refugees have described the occurrence of xerophthalmia and resultant blindness related to severe vitamin A deficiency. These populations are subject to high prevalences of childhood protein—energy malnutrition and infectious diseases, pre-existing marginal vitamin A status, and inadequate levels of vitamin A in relief rations. In order to prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality when any of these risk factors arise, famine victims or refugees should receive vitamin A supplements as an early and essential component of the nutritional support provided by relief agencies. Such supplementation should not await the results of nutrition or blindness surveys but rather should be a standard component of the maternal and child health care provided to the affected population until sufficiency of dietary vitamin A has been clearly established.
SCUBA: the self-contained unified bass augmenter

The Self-Contained Unified Bass Augmenter (SCUBA) is a new augmentative OSC (Open Sound Control) [5] controller for the tuba. SCUBA adds new expressive possibilities to the existing tuba interface through onboard sensors. These sensors provide continuous and discrete user-controlled parametric data to be mapped at will to signal processing parameters, virtual instrument control parameters, sound playback, and various other functions. In its current manifestation, control data is mapped to change the processing of the instrument's natural sound in Pd (Pure Data) [3]. SCUBA preserves the unity of the solo instrument interface by acoustically mixing direct and processed sound in the instrument's bell via mounted satellite speakers, which are driven by a subwoofer below the performer's chair. The end result augments the existing interface while preserving its original unity and functionality.
Assessment of Family Violence: A Handbook for Researchers and Practitioners

Assessment of Partner Violence: A Handbook for Researchers and Practitioners provides a comprehensive review of assessment information spanning five decades of research and three types of assessment methods: interview, self-report measures, and analogue assessment/behaviour coding devices. This handbook offers detailed descriptions and critiques of several dozen instruments in an easy-to-read reference format. Like its companion book - "Assessment of Family Violence: A Handbook for Researchers and Practitioners" - this volume covers target population, equipment needs, format, administration and scoring guidelines, psychometric analysis, primary and related references, and scale availability as well as advantages, limitations, and general recommendations. In addition, the authors provide valuable contexts by discussing key psychometric concepts and research issues as well as practical clinical issues in the assessment of partner violence.
Topology-independent algorithms based on spanning trees

We consider a class of distributed algorithms. Algorithms in this class consist of processes that communicate using a broadcast. We show that local information suffices to implement such an algorithm on an arbitrary network. We investigate the time complexity and present some experimental results.
Status of Molecular Opacities of Interest in the Modeling of a Proto-Solar Nebula

The report centers on general procedures applicable to the calculation of constitutive properties (equation of state and opacity) of media that serve as models for the solar nebula during planet formation and for the atmospheres of some planets. Specifically considered are the equilibrium compositions of a mixture of atoms, molecules, and their ionic species in the gaseous phase, condensation into grains with refractory cores and mantles of volatile compounds, and the ‘optical’ properties of the grain-gas medium. A summary of available and still needed basic (input) data and some currently available results are presented.
Changes in rates of beta-blocker use in community hospital patients with acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in the rate of beta-blocker (BB) use at admission, in hospital, and at discharge between 1994 and 1995 (MICH I) and 1997 (MICH II) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). DESIGN: Comparison of two prospectively enrolled cohorts. SETTING: Five mid-Michigan community hospitals. PATIENTS: We studied 287 MICH I patients and 121 MICH II patients with AMI who had no contraindications to BB use from cohorts of consecutively admitted cases of AMI (814 in MICH I; 500 in MICH II). RESULTS: Prescription of BBs to ideal patients with AMI increased in patients with previous history of myocardial infarction on arrival at the hospital (12.5% vs 36.0%; P=.01), in hospital (47.0% vs 76%; P<.01), and at discharge (34.0% vs 61.9%; P<.01). Neither race nor gender was a predictor of BB use. Younger age predicted BB prescription at discharge (odds ratio [OR], 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32 to 3.23). Later study cohort was the most important predictor of BB use in hospital (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 2.09 to 5.25). CONCLUSION: BB use improved dramatically over the study period, but additional work is needed to improve use of BB after discharge and among elderly patients with AMI.
A new MCRG calculation of the critical behavior of the 3d Ising model

Abstract We have undertaken a large-scale computer simulation of the 3d Ising model using the Monte Carlo Renormalization Group (MCRG) method. Our calculation improves on past calculations in three ways. Firstly, many more operators - 53 even spin and 46 odd spin - are measured. Secondly, larger lattices are used. Lastly, we are incorporating more efficient methods of spin update (Wolff's cluster algorithm). We are aiming to collect at least one hundered thousand measurements at two temperatures on two lattice sizes - 64 3 and 128 3 . Currently we have finished the runs for the first temperature and are about half-way through those for the second. Here we present results for the first temperature.
A Team Approach to Clinical Dietitian Work Assignments Increases Productivity and Enhances Teamwork

Abstract As one of the top 100 cardiovascular hospitals in the United States, as well as the largest cardiovascular program in the state of Illinois, the demand for nutrition services, in particular counseling, is high. In order to more equally divide workload, to provide more diversity in clinical tasks, and to minimize burnout, a team approach to dietitian work assignments was implemented. Four teams were formed: Team 1 maternal child; Team 2 cardiac medical which includes cardiac, critical care, orthopedics, oncology, neurology, surgical intermediate care; Team 3 also cardiac medical which includes general medicine with another intermediate care area, short stay area, psychiatry, and remaining areas of surgery and cardiac; Team 4 is a specialty group of renal, nutrition support team, transitional care and hospice. From a statistical standpoint, the reorganization has increased clinical units of work by 15% while average daily census for the month has been unchanged and clinical dietitian full time equivalents (FTEs) have decreased by 12% due to attrition, while units of work per FTE have increased by 26%. Another benefit of the change is that staff seem more eager to complete the workload as a member of a team. A further advantage is the heightened sense of teamwork, both within and between team members. Yet an additional benefit is more cross-trained staff. Overall staff acceptance of the team approach has been quite positive. By using this method of clinical dietitian work reorganization, productivity can be maintained and perhaps increased while FTE levels are maintained.
Multimedia and Learning: The Partnership Is Here and Here To Stay

Last June, when the U.S. Census Bureau released dismal statistics on the dropout rate in our high schools, then Assistant U.S. Secretary of Education Diane Ravitch responded: “[It's a] warning signal to all of us… that we have a lot of work to do to improve the quality of American education. We know what works, and we don't do it.”
Short Time Behavior of Hermite Functions on Compact Lie Groups

Abstract Let p t ( x ) be the (Gaussian) heat kernel on R n at time t . The classical Hermite polynomials at time t may be defined by a Rodriguez formula, given by H α (− x , t ) p t ( x )= αp t ( x ), where α is a constant coefficient differential operator on R n . Recent work of Gross (1993) and Hijab (1994) has led to the study of a new class of functions on a general compact Lie group, G . In analogy with the R n case, these “Hermite functions” on G are obtained by the same formula, wherein p t ( x ) is now the heat kernel on the group, − x is replaced by x −1 , and α is a right invariant differential operator. Let g be the Lie algebra of G . Composing a Hermite function on G with the exponential map produces a family of functions on g . We prove that these functions, scaled appropriately in t , approach the classical Hermite polynomials at time 1 as t tends to 0, both uniformly on compact subsets of g and in L p ( g , μ ), where 1⩽ p μ is a Gaussian measure on g . Similar theorems are established when G is replaced by G / K , where K is some closed, connected subgroup of G .
Studies on fibrin network structure in human plasma. Part II--Clinical application: diabetes and antidiabetic drugs.

Abstract Using measurements of fibrin fibre thickness (μT) derived from turbidity and permeability (τ) of clotted plasma, it has been found that glucose in vitro added to plasma decreases permeability of the network despite unaltered fibrinogen conversion. Fibrin fibre thickness (μT) in uncontrolled diabetes is found significantly reduced. In diabetic plasma the degree of conversion to fibrin is similar to that in age and sex matched plasma from nondiabetics: the effect on fibrin network and fibre thickness probably arises from glycosylation of fibrinogen. Studies with Gliclazide, Metformin, Glibenclamide and insulin have shown that while all other drugs tested have no effect, Gliclazide increases fibrin fibre thickness (μT) significantly, diminishes tensile strength and reduces permeability. In separate experiments lysability of 125I-labelled fibrin networks developed in the presence of all four hypoglycaemic agents by tissue activator was tested. Networks developed in the presence of Metformin were found to lyse more quickly, followed by insulin and Gliclazide. Alterations induced in fibrin networks in diabetes may be nullified by some oral hypoglycaemic agents such as Gliclazide and not by others. Whether nullification of such changes has long-term effects in reducing the incidence of vascular disease in diabetics remains to be established.
Endoscopic and Histologic Resolution of Gastric Pseudolymphoma (Reactive Lymphoid Hyperplasia) Following Treatment with Bismuth and Oral Antibiotics

Gastric pseudolymphoma (GPL) is a benign disorder characterized by a dense proliferation of small round lymphocytes containing true germinal centers. It presents a diagnostic challenge to the clinician as it may be difficult to distinguish from malignant lymphoma on the basis of clinical, radiologic, endoscopic, and even pathologic grounds (1). Furthermore, over the past several years it has become increasingly apparent that gastric pseudolymphoma may undergo transformation to malignant lymphoma (2-4). It has also become apparent that there is no longer a place for the term pseudolymphoma. With the establishment of the newer techniques of immunohistochemistry and gene rearrangement, the term pseudolymphoma has been replaced by the term reactive lymphoid hyperptasia. In this case report we will use the terms pseudolymphoma and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia interchangeably. Sigal et al (5) proposed a progressive five-step histopathologic model whereby a gastric ulceration under continuous antigenic and environmental stimulation may first evolve into a pseudolym
Cobalt-concanavalin A. An index of inactive and active conformational states.

Abstract Studies on the circular dichroic spectrum of cobalt-substituted concanavalin A have been continued in particular with respect to calcium- and saccharide-induced spectral perturbations reported previously (Kalb, A.J. and Pecht, I. (1973) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 303, 264–268; Richardson, C.E. and Behnke, W.D. (1976) J. Mol. Biol. 102, 441–451). We find that the addition of calcium or cadmium to (Co 2+ )-concanavalin A induces slow time-dependent alterations in the extrinsic cotton effects. Moreover, one equivalent of calcium is sufficient to cause maximal changes in the cobalt spectrum provided sufficient time is allowed for the effect to be observed. The addition of mono, di- and trisaccharides, specific for concanavalin A, have no resolvable effect upon the cobalt spectrum of concanavalin A (Richardson, C.E. and Behnke, W.D. (1976) J. Mol. Biol. 102, 441–451). The data presented here suggest that these time-dependent processes are conformationally mediated and occur subsequent to S 2 occupancy. Evidence is presented that a particular calcium-cobalt-concanavalin A conformer exists which is responsible for the generation of activity in a light-scattering assay system.
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Function Is Required for Transforming Growth Factor β-mediated Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Cell Migration

We have studied the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase (PI3K)-Akt signaling in transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). In NMuMG mammary epithelial cells, exogenous TGFβ1 induced phosphorylation of Akt at Ser-473 and Akt in vitro kinase activity against GSK-3β within 30 min. These responses were temporally correlated with delocalization of E-cadherin, ZO-1, and integrin β1 from cell junctions and the acquisition of spindle cell morphology. LY294002, an inhibitor of the p110 catalytic subunit of PI3K, and a dominant-negative mutant of Akt blocked the delocalization of ZO-1 induced by TGFβ1, whereas transfection of constitutively active p110 induced loss of ZO-1 from tight junctions. In addition, LY294002 blocked TGFβ-mediated C-terminal phosphorylation of Smad2. Consistent with these data, TGFβ-induced p3TP-Lux and p(CAGA)12-Lux reporter activities were inhibited by LY294002 and transiently expressed dominant-negative p85 and Akt mutants in NMuMG and 4T1 cells. Dominant-negative RhoA inhibited TGFβ-induced phosphorylation of Akt at Ser-473, whereas constitutively active RhoA increased the basal phosphorylation of Akt, suggesting that RhoA in involved in TGFβ-induced EMT. Finally, LY294002 and neutralizing TGFβ1 antibodies inhibited ligand-independent constitutively active Akt as well as basal and TGFβ-stimulated migration in 4T1 and EMT6 breast tumor cells. Taken together, these data suggest that PI3K-Akt signaling is required for TGFβ-induced transcriptional responses, EMT, and cell migration.
Ultrastructural studies in Wilms's tumor.

Light and electron-microscopic features based on tissues from three human Wilms's tumors (nephroblastomas) are described and their significance discussed with respect to the histogenesis of the tumors. Tumor cells exhibited various levels of differentiation including well-formed tubules with fine structural characteristics of normal proximal tubules, and glomeruloid structures composed of epithelial cells with cytoplasmic processes suggesting the podocytes and foot processes of the glomerulus, but lacking blood cells, capillaries or mesangial cells. The glomeruloid structures contained what appeared to represent aberrant basement membrane formation corresponding to the PAS positive material observed with the light microscope. Electron microscopy revealed more definitive epithelial features than possible with the light microscope. These ultrastructural observations suggested an origin of Wilms's tumor in the metanephrogenic blastema.
Think smart and communicate fast! Are you mobile in the Cloud?

The primary focus of this paper is to outline the evolution of mobile technologies and the adoption of these technologies in the IT industry. The paper explores how mobile is used and how it impacts our daily lives. Mobile technology has evolved over a decade, and with smart devices, its applicability and usage has increased drastically, for both personal and business use. Mobile provides increasingly fast access to back-end data sources. The Cloud Computing Environment (CCE) enhances the capabilities of mobile environments, while promoting innovation for next generation mobile technologies. CCE also provides analytics, elastic and scalable environments, secure composable mobile services, rapid application development, and deployment with reduced resources and lower operational costs. With these advanced capabilities, stakeholders are looking for mobile applications that are born on the Cloud. In addition, this paper also describes the challenges a data center could face when implementing a secure mobile infrastructure in a CCE, with lessons learned from actual case studies.
Thermal analysis of protein behavior

Abstract The measurement and significance of heats associated with conformational transitions in solvated proteins and their synthetic analogues are discussed. An outline is given of the principles underlying several calorimetric and non-calorimetric techniques. Some new quantitative results relating to the denaturation of the protein lysozyme, obtained with a modified commercial differential scanning calorimeter, are presented.
Orthogonal F -rectangles, orthogonal arrays, and codes

Abstract The relationships between a set of orthogonal F -squares or F -rectangles and orthogonal arrays are described. The relationship between orthogonal arrays and error-correcting codes is demonstrated. The development of complete sets of orthogonal F -rectangles allows construction of codes of any word length and for any number of words. Likewise, the development of F -rectangle theory makes code construction much more flexible in terms of a variable number of symbols. The relationship among sets of orthogonal hyperrectangles, orthogonal arrays, and codes is also described.
A Calorimetric Investigation To Safely Scale-Up a Curtius Rearrangement of Acryloyl Azide

N-Vinyl-O-benzyl urethane was prepared for use as a starting material in a multistep synthesis of a drug candidate. After unsuccessful attempts to employ non-Curtius options to prepare this intermediate, we decided to assess the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the acyl azide Curtius rearrangement and trapping of the intermediate isocyanate. (Prepared in analogy to the literature method of Hegedus et al.: Wieber, G. M.; Hegedus, L. S.; Akermark, B.; Michalson, E. T. J. Org. Chem. 1989, 54, 4649−4653.) Reaction calorimetry was utilized to show that the rate of the Curtius rearrangement was completely dose-rate controlled, and that under carefully defined conditions this reaction could be safely performed on limited scale. In addition to addressing the thermal hazard issues, profiling the reaction with reaction calorimetry and interfaced technologies resulted in significant process improvements.
Deuterium Isotope Effect on Carbon Isotope Fractionation in Photosynthesis

Plants grown in D(2)O show a decreased tendency to fractionate carbon-13 during photosynthetic incorporation of carbon dioxide. The isotopic ratio C(13)/C(12) of the tissues of deuterated plants appears to be proportional to the deuterium content of the tissue. This effect was found in specimens of the partially deuterated vascular plant Nicotiana tabacum as well as in cultures of the fully deuterated alga Chlorella vulgaris.
Calculator algorithms (AESHK) for interconverting Arrhenius A and E to ΔH‡ and ΔS‡ and for calculating interpolated rate constants

Abstract Calculator algorithms are presented for interconversions between Arrhenius A and E and transition state ΔH‡ and ΔS‡. Published A and E pairs or ΔH‡ and ΔH‡ pairs often have been incorrectly rounded and are therefore useless for calculating k values. Utility can largely be restored provided at least one temperature-rate constant pair has been reported. Given this one t-k pair and any one of the above four quantities, all can be restored. Coding is given for the Hewlett-Packard HP-67 or HP-87.
Hepatic injury and the kinetics of bone marrow-derived hepatocyte transgene expression

Abstract Background Numerous congenital and acquired liver diseases could benefit from a successful hepatic cell therapy strategy. Hepatotypic cells derived from bone marrow have been recognized during liver injury, repair, and regeneration. To study this phenomenon, we compared the effect of several modes of experimental hepatic injury on hepatotypic protein expression in a mouse model after bone marrow transplantation. Methods Male mice transgenic for the liver-specific protein human α -1 antitrypsin ( h AAT) were used as bone marrow donors. Syngeneic wild-type recipient mice were subjected to 1 of 3 hepatic injuries: (1) sublethal irradiation, (2) injection of a hepatotoxic adenoviral construct, and (3) administration of a hepatotoxic diet. Bone marrow-derived hepatotypic (BMdH) transgene expression was determined by serial serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for h AAT. Results In both acute injury models, h AAT expression was detected as early as 1 week, whereas the control group never elicited h AAT expression. The adenovirus-treated group demonstrated transient h AAT level expression lasting up to 2 weeks postinjury, whereas the irradiated group maintained persistent h AAT expression through 4 months. In the chronic injury (hepatotoxin) model, h AAT expression persisted and was noted to increase over time to 200 to 300 ng/mL. Conclusions Irradiation favors long-term establishment of BMdH transgene expression, and chronic injury further promotes this phenomenon.
DFT Study of the Adsorption and Dissociation of Methanol on NiAl (100)

Abstract The adsorption of methanol on the (1:1) nickel/aluminum (100) surface is modeled by quantum mechanical calculations on a small cluster, using hybrid Hartree–Fock/density functional theory. The enthalpy of adsorption at the limit of zero coverage is calculated for the high-symmetry sites. The importance of tipping of the prevalent methoxy radical species to C–O bond scission is examined. A new mechanism for dissociation is proposed, which is in excellent agreement with experimental determinations of the energy of activation for dissociation. Comparisons are made to similar reactions on Al (100).
Some Observations on Proportional Representation

In so far as politics has a legitimate claim to be considered a science, its function must be to establish a body of reliable knowledge. The group of people most in need of the political theorist's assistance is, perhaps, a body of legislators who are about to draw up a new set of political institutions for their society. The legislators have certain purposes in mind, wish to achieve certain aims for their society. They should be able to rely on political theory to inform them whether, given the political and social heritage of their society, these purposes are consistent with each other and, if so, what institutions are best suited to achieve these purposes within the society. Recent constitution-makers have been greatly troubled to know whether proportional representation and stable cabinet government are compatible with one another. Political theorists have been debating P.R. since the days of John Stuart Mill and Walter Bagehot. Since the turn of the last century an increasing number of countries with a cabinet form of government have experimented with P.R., and writers in many of these countries have carried on a prolonged discussion of the merits and demerits of this system under cabinet government. There is, indeed, widespread agreement among political scientists on the subject of P.R. Most of them agree that it tends to endanger cabinet stability.' The contention is, -moreover, well supported by deductive reasoning on the one hand and historical evidence on the
The endocytosis of concanavalin A by Dictyostelium discoideum cells

Abstract Differentiating cells of D. discoideum in suspension bind ConA. The proportion of the bound lectin which is competitively removed by methyl-α- d mannopyranoside decreases with the time of exposure. Ferritin conjugated ConA is seen to bind both to the cell surface and to be taken into the cells, the proportion of the ConA inside the cells increasing with time. The surface bound ConA is removed by washing with methyl-α- d mannopyranoside while the endocytosed ConA appears unaffected. It is suggested that much of the [ 125 I]ConA, uncompetable by methyl-α- d mannopyranoside in our and other binding studies, may be this intracellular ConA.
Childhood Leukemic Heart Disease A Study of 116 Hearts of Children Dying of Leukemia

One hundred sixteen hearts of children dying with leukemia during the 5-year period of 1962 to 1967 were examined at necropsy. Forty-four per cent of the patients had at least one focus of leukemic infiltration, a slightly higher incidence than previously reported. The evidence suggests that peripheral leukocyte count, type of leukemia, and length of survival are factors that influence cardiac infiltration. Increased survival time due to improved therapy may explain the increase in percentage of hearts with leukemic infiltration. Electrocardiographic patterns, in general, were found, as previously reported, to be nonspecific for leukemic myocardial infiltration. Cardiac hypertrophy of significant degree was found in 33 of 99 hearts evaluated for this aspect. Anemia, intrinsic to leukemia, is proposed as the principal factor responsible for this hypertrophy inasmuch as all possible alternate mechanisms were excluded and since previous clinical as well as experimental animal studies clearly have shown that ...
Short-wavelength SASE at Duke using the PALADIN wiggler

We consider linac-driven SASE (stimulated amplification of spontaneous emission) using the Duke linac and the PALADIN wiggler. SASE design studies using this equipment are described based on the non-wiggler-averaged FEL simulation code MEDUSA. We have identified a new collective Compton regime in which ac space-charge is unimportant but the dc self-fields of the beam are important.
Dependence modeling for stochastic simulation

An important step in designing stochastic simulation is modeling the uncertainty in the input environment of the system being studied. Obtaining a reasonable representation of this uncertainty can be challenging in the presence of dependencies in the input process. This tutorial attempts to provide a coherent narrative of the central principles that underlie methods that aim to model and sample a wide variety of dependent input processes.
Alpha-Adrenergic Stimulation of Phosphatidylinositol Synthesis in Human Platelets as an Alpha-2 Effect Secondary to Platelet Aggregation

Epinephrine and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) stimulated 3H-glycerol uptake into phosphatidylinositol of human platelets. Yohimbine, an alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist, markedly reduced epinephrine-stimulated 3H-glycerol uptake into phosphatidylinositol; while prazosin, an alpha-1 antagonist, was without effect. Likewise, yohimbine, but not prazosin, blocked epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation. Furthermore, clonidine, a specific agonist for alpha-2 adrenoceptors, stimulated incorporation of-3H-glycerol into phosphatidylinositol and promoted platelet aggregation in the presence of low concentrations of ADP. These studies indicate that the effects of epinephrine on platelet aggregation and phosphatidylinositol synthesis are mediated through alpha-2 adrenoceptors. Further, since the stimulation of phosphatidylinositol synthesis seen with epinephrine was also observed with ADP, this suggests that the increased 3H-glycerol labeling is an indirect result of platelet aggregation.
Rectification and high-speed dental radiography

Abstract 1. 1. Rectification of the electrical current delivered to the dental x-ray tube will substantially reduce exposure time. 2. 2. Rectification of the current delivered to the tube will increase the efficiency of the apparatus by making available higher milliamperage settings. 3. 3. The increased efficiency in operation of the tube will materially extend the life of the tube.
The intellectual structure of the strategic management field: an author co-citation analysis

This paper complements a recent study by Ramos-Rodriguez and Ruiz-Navarro (2004) that investigated the intellectual structure of the strategic management field through co-citation analysis. By using authors as the units of analysis and incorporating all the citations that are included in the Science Citation Index and the Social Science Citation Index, we trace the evolution of the intellectual structure of the strategic management field during the period 1980–2000. Using a variety of data analytic techniques such as multidimensional scaling, factor analysis, and Pathfinder analysis, we (1) delineate the subfields that constitute the intellectual structure of strategic management; (2) determine the relationships between the subfields; (3) identify authors who play a pivotal role in bridging two or more conceptual domains of research; and (4) graphically map the intellectual structure in two-dimensional space in order to visualize spatial distances between intellectual themes. The analysis provides insights about the influence of individual authors as well as changes in their influence over time. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fragile X syndrome.

Fragile X syndrome is the most common familial form of mental retardation. This X-linked disorder affects one in every 1000 males and one in every 2000 females. The female carrier rate in the general population is estimated to be 1/600. A fragile site at the distal long arm of the X chromosome (Xq 27.3) is the hallmark cytogenetic feature of the syndrome. Clinical features include physical as well as cognitive and neuropsychological deficits. Although fragile X syndrome follows an X-linked pattern of inheritance (which explains the predominance of affected males), females can also be affected. Many inconsistencies exist between the genetic inheritance pattern of fragile X and traditional Mendelian inheritance tenets of most X-linked diseases. Due to recent molecular advances, our understanding of the perplexing genetic issues surrounding fragile X syndrome has grown and diagnostic techniques have become both reliable and readily available.
Ground state of a hydrogen molecule in superstrong magnetic fields.

We study the ground-state structural properties of a hydrogen molecule in superstrong magnetic fields (B\ensuremath{\approxeq}${10}^{12}$ G) using quantum Monte Carlo (fixed-phase and variational) approaches. We determine that the ground state (spin-triplet) belongs to the sector of total (z-component) angular momentum M=-1 ${(}^{3}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Pi}}}_{0}$), meaning that paramagnetic contributions to the total energy cannot be neglected. This non-time-reversal invariant ground state has a strong interatomic interaction, suggesting that a hydrogen gas under the same physical conditions has a tendency to form strong bonded molecules.
Canadian Agricultural Programs and Policy in Transition

Canada does not have an agricultural policy, rather it has agricultural programs. The history of price and income stabilization programs is discussed along with supply management. Programs for the grains and oilseeds sectors have witnessed major changes while supply management has not. Canadian agricultural policy falls under the responsibility of both federal and provincial governments. As a result, farmers in Alberta, for example, receive far greater assistance than farmers in Saskatchewan. Under the new Canadian farm program (CAIS) large payments have been made to Canadian farmers even though many of the farmers who applied for CAIS payments received none. Le Canada ne possede pas de politique agricole, mais plutot des programmes agricoles. Le present article porte sur l'histoire du programme de stabilisation du revenu, du programme de stabilisation des prix et de la gestion de l'offre. Contrairement a la gestion de l'offre, les programmes destines aux secteurs des cereales et des oleagineux ont subi des modifications importantes. La politique agricole canadienne releve des gouvernements federal et provinciaux. Par consequent, les agriculteurs de l'Alberta, par exemple, recoivent une aide superieure a celle accordee aux agriculteurs de la Saskatchewan. Dans le cadre du nouveau Programme canadien de stabilisation du revenu agricole (PCSRA), certains producteurs ont recu des paiements importants alors que de nombreux autres producteurs ayant fait une demande n'ont rien recu.
Humanistic Social Work: Core Principles in Practice

Humanistic Social Work: Core Principles in Practice, by Malcolm Payne. Chicago: Lyceum, 2011, ISBN: 978-1933478302, 223 pp. Malcolm Payne is a prolific, contemporary, social work author. In Humanis...
An Exploratory Study of the Effects of Occupational Exposure to Physical Demands on Biomarkers of Cartilage and Muscle Damage

Biomarkers of tissue damage, derived from tissues commonly injured as a result of occupational physical demands, may be of use for future prediction of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This exploratory study assessed whether selected biomarkers are likely to be sensitive to the level of occupational physical demands. Twenty-four participants were recruited to form two groups, with relatively high and low levels of WMSD risk. Serum levels of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP), Interleukin-6 (IL6), and Creatine Kinase (CK)—which respectively indicate cartilage damage, muscle use, and muscle damage—were obtained,. Six blood samples were obtained before and after work on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of one working week. Additionally, a self-report measure of risk factor exposure, the Hollmann Index, was used to, and did, confirm group differences in WMSD risk. COMP levels varied significantly over time, but not between groups. IL6 levels were greater in the high-risk group at all time ...
Approaches to the molecular cloning of protein-tyrosine phosphatases in insulin-sensitive tissues

The intrinsic tyrosyl kinase activity of the insulin receptor is regulated by a balance between insulin-induced receptor autophosphorylation, which stimulates the receptor kinase, and enzymatic dephosphorylation of the receptor, which deactivates its kinase activity. The cellular protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) enzymes responsible for reversing the activated state of the insulin receptor have not been characterized. Our laboratory is interested in identifying and cloning the specific PTPase(s) that regulate the phosphorylation state of the insulin receptor. This chapter will summarize the design and results of our initial molecular cloning studies to identify specific PTPases in insulin-sensitive tissues that may have a potential physiological role in insulin action and clinical insulin resistance.
Characterizations of normal distributions and EDF goodness-of-fit tests

Two characterizations of a normal distribution with an unknown variance based on the corresponding UMVU estimators of the density functions are given, depending on whether its mean is known, or unknown. Applications of these characterization results in the procedures to construct empirical distribution function (EDF) goodness-of-fit tests for normal distributions are mentioned.
Compact: a simple equation of state for associated molecules

Abstract The Simplified-Perturbed-Hard-Chain Theory (SPHCT) has been generalized to treat pure fluids which associate through hydrogen bonding as well as mixtures of one associating component and several diluents. Using an approach similar to that of Heidemann and Prausnitz, a closed-form equation of state has been derived. It is applicable to spherical as well as chain molecules at both gas and liquid-like densities. Pure-component molecular parameters were obtained by fitting the equation of liquid-density and vapor-pressure data. Significant improvement was achieved in the prediction of phase equilibria for many hydrogen bonding mixtures over the prediction of SPHCT. However, for highly complex systems such as water-butane at high pressures, a more sophisticated theory such as APACT is necessary.
Multidisciplinary management of adult anaplastic astrocytomas

The management of patients with anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) requires multidisciplinary involvement. In this article, the literature on the treatment of patients with AA is reviewed, emphasizing randomized trials and key retrospective studies. The role of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy in newly diagnosed patients and those with recurrent disease is described. Basic science insights, advances in neuroimaging and neuropathology, and novel therapies targeting invasion, angiogenesis, and growth modulation will hope-fully lead to improved outcome in this subset of patients with malignant glioma.
The cardiovascular clinical nurse specialist as case manager during endovascular revascularization of renal artery stenosis

The management of renovascular hypertension includes recent advances in detection, evaluation and treatment. Patients with confirmed renovascular hypertension require coordination of their care during the diagnostic and interventional phases of treatment. Renal artery angioplasty is often the selected intervention for renovascular hypertension. Nurses caring for patients during the periprocedural period are challenged to provide preadmission instructions that often involve medication adjustments, information related to angioplasty, and discharge instructions that address vascular access site care and renovascular care. Comprehensive nursing care extends from the outpatient diagnostic phase, through the acute hospital phase and concludes with outpatient follow-up and telephone consultation. Case management during these relatively short episodes of care expedites care delivery, minimizes duplication of services, and involves patients as active participants. This study applies a case management model to a patient with renal artery stenosis treated with angioplasty and stent placement. The value of collaborative, clinical nurse specialist-coordinated care and patient education is emphasized.
Research and Theory Building in Construction Management

Research in construction management is at an important juncture. Construction scholars are establishing research streams that are complimentary but distinct from architecture and engineering. The applied nature of construction research has put an emphasis on normative research. This has resulted in the lack of a solid foundation of descriptive research that can support theory building. This paper proposes that management research, due to its catholic nature, offers an appropriate reference discipline for construction. It presents an integrated model for construction research and theory development that results from the experiences of management researchers. Lastly it concludes with the development of an empirically developed taxonomy of management types that crosses functional barriers and demonstrates the validity of the model. The paper suggests and the study demonstrates that a process that builds on theory and that employs approaches from management research holds significant promise for research in c...
Linear least squares estimation of complex processes

The Levinson algorithm for the linear least squares estimation of complex processes is presented. Identification of parameters of a stationary complex autoregressive process is developed by using the algorithm.
Stability and nuclear distribution of mammalian replication protein A heterotrimeric complex.

Replication protein A (RPA), a stable complex of three polypeptides, is the single-stranded DNA-binding protein essential for DNA replication in eukaryotic cells. Previous studies of the subcellular distribution and stability of the RPA heterotrimer during the mammalian cell cycle have produced conflicting results. Here, we present evidence that these inconsistencies can be accounted for by the presence of an extractable pool of soluble RPA within the nucleus. Indirect immunofluorescence experiments in both CHO and HeLa cells showed that all three RPA subunits associated specifically with sites of ongoing DNA synthesis, similar to the replication fork protein proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Furthermore, we found no evidence for disassembly of the chromatin-bound heterotrimeric RPA complex in vivo. Our results are consistent with a role for RPA in the initiation and elongation steps of replication, as previously defined in the viral in vitro replication systems.
Regulation of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase from Schizosaccharomyces pombe by casein kinase I.

Abstract Phosphatidylinositol (4)P 5-kinase (PtdIns(4)P 5-kinase) catalyzes the last step in the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2). PtdIns(4,5)P2 is a precursor of diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and is also involved in regulation of actin cytoskeleton remodeling and membrane traffic. To satisfy such varied demands in several aspects of cell physiology, synthesis of PtdIns(4,5)P2 must be stringently regulated. In this paper we describe extraction, purification, and characterization of PtdIns(4)P 5-kinase from the plasma membranes of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We also provide evidence that PtdIns(4)P 5-kinase is phosphorylated and inactivated by Cki1, the S. pombe homolog of casein kinase I. Phosphorylation by Cki1 in vitro decreases the activity of PtdIns(4)P 5-kinase. In addition, and most importantly, overexpression of Cki1 in S. pombe results in a reduced synthesis of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and in a lower activity of PtdIns(4)P 5-kinase associated with the plasma membrane. These results suggest that PtdIns(4)P 5-kinase is a target of Cki1 in S. pombe and that Cki1 is involved in regulation of PtdIns(4, 5)P2 synthesis by phosphorylating and inactivating PtdIns(4)P 5-kinase.
Comments on “El Niño: Catastrophe or Opportunity”

In a recent article Goddard and Dilley (2005, hereafter GD05) present a case that the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon is not related to a greater amount of global socioeconomic losses or climate extremes, expressed in rainfall over land, as compared to non-ENSO (neutral) conditions. Regarding precipitation, Dai et al. (1997) have argued that ENSO is the single largest cause for global extreme events, accounting for 15%–20% of the global variance. This comment specifically addresses whether GD05’s use of climate anomalies is an adequate measure of precipitation extremes. Here we present an alternative to the precipitation perturbation index (PPI), and show a substantially stronger relationship between precipitation extremes and El Nino over tropical land areas. The monthly PPI is constructed by dividing the absolute value of gridded precipitation anomalies by standard deviation and summing over the latitudes 30°N– 30°S. This calculation implicitly assumes that the probability density function (PDF) of precipitation follows a normal distribution, which is an incorrect assumption at the monthly time scale. Annual rainfall amounts are approximately normally distributed, but at shorter time scales precipitation PDFs become increasingly skewed toward low values (Hornberger et al. 1998). While precipitation can never be lower than zero, there is a less well defined upper limit. These constraints usually result in distributions with small means and large standard deviations, resulting in the PPI assigning more wet extreme than dry extreme months, as demonstrated below. Legates (1991) used 100 yr of monthly rainfall data from 253 stations covering a wide range of climate regimes to evaluate the performance of eight PDFs. After computing the 12-monthly precipitation distributions on a 50-yr random sample, Legates (1991) then tested the functions on the remaining time series. The normal distribution was ranked last, as 35% of the stations did not meet the 95% significance confidence level for a normal PDF. For precipitation records longer than 30 yr, as used by GD05, median rainfall is often chosen over the mean as the former better represents central tendency (Wiesner 1970). Furthermore, using specified percentiles of the precipitation PDF guarantees wet and dry extremes, which is not the case if the standard deviation is used. To demonstrate these ideas, the newly released 50-yr Corresponding author address: Dr. Scott Curtis, East Carolina University, Department of Geography, Brewster A 232, Greenville, NC 27858. E-mail: curtisw@ecu.edu 15 DECEMBER 2006 N O T E S A N D C O R R E S P O N D E N C E 6439