cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tubulin Cofactors Form a Multi-Protein Platforms that Regulate the Soluble Tubulin Pool and Promote Microtubule Polymerization

The Microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton mediates intracellular organization and trafficking, and is responsible for force generation during cell division and migration in eukaryotes. The building block for MT polymerization is the as-tubulin heterodimer, which is present as a tightly regulated soluble pool in the cytoplasm. Despite the importance of as-tubulin heterodimer in the regulation of MT dynamics, it remains unclear how nascent and folded a and s-tubulin are assembled and activated into a single heterodimer configuration that universally dictates dynamic MT polymerization. It remains unknown how five conserved tubulin cofactors (TBC-A,B,C,D and E) and a dedicated Arl2 G-protein promote as-tubulin biogenesis, activation and degradation, and how such activities impact MT function. In contrast to a long-standing hypothesis in which individual tubulin cofactors bind sequentially to a and s-tubulin monomers and assemble as-tubulin dimers through dynamic interactions, we show based on biochemical and structural studies that multiple tubulin cofactors and Arl2 form multi-subunit platforms for as-tubulin dimer assembly, activation and degradation. We show that multi-subunit tubulin cofactor and Arl2 platform are soluble as-tubulin regulators that are powered by GTP hydrolysis cycles. We have determined tubulin cofactor platform structure, conformational changes upon tubulin dimer binding, and the mechanism of GTP hydrolysis activation. Surprisingly, we further show, using reconstitution of these complexes with soluble tubulin dimer and dynamic MTs, that they enhance as-tubulin polymerizing state at MT plus ends in a manner dependent on Arl2 and tubulin GTP hydrolysis. Our data surprisingly suggest tubulin cofactors are potent regulators of soluble tubulin dimer state, and promote soluble tubulin activation required for all MT dynamics. Our model explains long-standing cell biology and genetics data about the roles of tubulin cofactors in regulating the soluble as-tubulin pool and MT homeostasis.
Section Review: Pulmonary-Allergy, Dermatological, Gastrointestinal & Arthritis: Differential interactions of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthases with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

There are two isoenzymes of prostaglandin endoperoxide (PGH) synthase (cyclooxygenase) called PGH synthase-1 and -2 or COX I and II. Both isoenzymes catalyze the conversion of arachidonate to PGH2, the committed step in the formation of prostaglandins and thromboxane. PGH synthase-1 is expressed constitutively in most tissues whereas PGH synthase-2 expression is induced in a variety of cell types by treatment with growth factors, tumour promoters and/or cytokines. Although PGH-synthase-1 has long been thought to be the site of action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), recent evidence suggests that PGH synthase-2 is the actual target of NSAIDs acting in their anti-inflammatory capacity. PGH synthase isoenzymes differ in gene and protein structures and regulation of expression; the isoenzymes utilize similar amino acids in catalysis. Subtle differences in active site structure are apparent from sequence comparisons and measurements of interactions with common NSAIDs including aspirin. The tw...
Three models of child abuse consultations: A qualitative study of inpatient child abuse consultation notes

Child abuse pediatricians have multiple roles in caring for abused children, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and, when needed, expert legal opinion. The child physical abuse consultation differs from the traditional medical consultation in that it has medical, investigative and legal audiences, all of whom have different information needs. How child abuse pediatricians approach their cases and how they document their initial inpatient consultations that will be used by such a diverse audience is currently unexplored. We used content analysis to examine 37 child physical abuse consultation notes from a national sample of child abuse pediatricians in order to understand physicians' approaches to these consultations. Three commonly used models of child physical abuse consultation were identified in the data that we named the base model, the investigative model, and the family-dynamic model. While model types overlap, each is distinguished by key features including the approach used to gather information, the information recorded, and the language used in documentation. The base model most closely mirrors the traditional medical approach; the investigative model concentrates on triangulation of sources of information; and, the family-dynamic model concentrates on physician perceptions of family relationships. The three models of consultations for child physical abuse mirror the areas of child abuse pediatrics: diagnostic, forensic and therapeutic. These models are considered in relationship to best practice from other medical specialties with forensic components.
Effects of Intrapartum Administration of Invert Sugar and D5LR on Neonatal Blood Glucose Levels

Effects of Intrapartum Administration of Invert Sugar and D5LR on Neonatal Blood Glucose Levels
Neutron-Capture Gamma-Ray Studies of the Level Structure of the Te 124 Nucleus

The $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectrum resulting from thermal-neutron capture in ${\mathrm{Te}}^{123}$ was investigated with the Argonne 7.7-m bent-crystal spectrometer. The observed spectrum consisted of 75 $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays with energies between 100 keV and 1.1 MeV. The spectrometer used a new split-source technique which allowed simultaneous measurement of the ${\mathrm{Te}}^{123}(n, \ensuremath{\gamma}){\mathrm{Te}}^{124}$ spectrum from capturing samples with two different isotopic enrichments of ${\mathrm{Te}}^{123}$ and thus gave immediate isotopic identification for the ($n, \ensuremath{\gamma}$) spectrum. The ${\mathrm{Te}}^{123}(n, \ensuremath{\gamma}){\mathrm{Te}}^{124}$ spectrum was also measured with Ge(Li) detectors in the energy regions 0.5-4.0 MeV (112 lines) and 5.5-9.5 MeV (63 lines) by use of the Argonne in-pile facility. The associated spectrometer has a long, split NaI ring which surrounds a Ge(Li) detector and was used to enhance the full-energy spectrum (anticoincidence) and the double-escape spectrum (coincidence). The above thermal-neutron-capture spectrum was combined with the results of an average-resonance-capture spectrum taken with the same Ge(Li) facility but with the target surrounded with boron. These ($n, \ensuremath{\gamma}$) experiments were then combined with all previous work to develop and extend the level scheme of ${\mathrm{Te}}^{124}$ and to define many of the details of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decay of these levels. The new values for the first 15 level energies (keV) and ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ are ground state, ${0}^{+}$; 602.42\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02, ${2}^{+}$; 1247.99\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05, ${4}^{+}$; 1324.82\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05, ${2}^{+}$; (1655.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2, ${0}^{+}$); (1736.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3); (1747.40\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.16); 1956.18\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.11, ${3}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$, ${4}^{+}$; 2037.68\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07, ${2}^{+}$; 2090.65\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.35, ${0}^{+}$, ${2}^{+}$; 2152.04\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15, ${0}^{+}$, ${2}^{+}$; 2181.20\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.40, 1, 2; 2293.10\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.30, ${3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$; 2322.57\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.20, ${0}^{+}$, ${2}^{+}$; 2452.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.6, ${0}^{+}$, ${2}^{+}$. The parentheses indicate uncertainty in the level assignments, while the italic numerals indicate new spin and parity values. The relative intensities of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays from states at \ensuremath{\sim}2 MeV suggest that $E2$ transitions to the two-phonon states at 1248 and 1325 keV are enhanced relative to transitions to states at 0 and 602 keV; so these 2-MeV levels are very likely collective and possibly vibrational. The ($n, \ensuremath{\gamma}$) data imply a neutron binding energy ${E}_{n}=9425\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2$keV for ${\mathrm{Te}}^{124}$.
Determination of protein thiol groups by atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract A method has been developed for the determination of thiol groups in proteins based upon the measurement by atomic absorption spectrometry of Hg bound to the protein—after reaction with HgCl2 or p-chloromercuribenzoate. The method is shown to be precise, accurate, and sensitive with a limit of detection of 0.1 μg Hg/ml. The increased sensitivity provided by the atomic absorption technique results in a 30-fold decrease in the amount of protein required for analysis by the usual spectrophotometric method. Analysis time is reduced significantly without loss of precision and accuracy by separation of excess unreacted reagent by gel filtration in place of dialysis.
Dispersion of Gyromagnetic Ratios in Complex Spectra

It is pointed out that the random-matrix hypothesis, which was previously used to explain the "repulsion" of energy levels in complex atomic and nuclear spectra, leads to a dispersion in the values of the gyromagnetic ratios which depends on the relative strengths of central and spin-dependent interactions and the number of states which interact with one another in the $\mathrm{LS}$ coupling scheme. The dispersion based on experimentally known atomic $g$ factors is computed in three regions of the periodic table, and the empirical trends are found to be in qualitative agreement with the theoretical analysis.
Two New Tires Should be Mounted on the Rear

When the rear wheels of a vehicle lose grip on the road, a driver's ability to control the vehicle is dramatically reduced, a phenomenon called oversteer. Oversteer is an event that occurs in many ...
Weight shifts in the intact turtle during heating and cooling.

Abstract 1. 1. A method is presented for measuring heart rate, respiratory frequency and water loss in the intact turtle. 2. 2. Weight shifts during heating and cooling of Chrysemys picta and Terrapene ornata occur in opposite directions. 3. 3. We conclude that these weights shifts, interpreted as shifts in blood volume, suggest functional control over heating rate.
Regional welfare and agricultural research and extension in the US

Abstract Research activity and extension work have contributed greatly to the dramatic increase in agricultural production in the United States. Because of the inelastic nature of demand and supply relationships for farm produce, a large part of the benefit from increased agricultural production accrues to consumers rather than to producers. In the United States individual states have a major responsibility for research and extension in agriculture and yet the individual state may capture only a portion of the benefits, since the benefits to consumers may be outside, as well as inside, state confines. This paper deals with the financing of agricultural research and extension (R & E) by federal and state governments in the United States in the light of the regional spillover benefits from R & E. The study indicates that spillover benefits from R & E from one region to another are quite considerable and suggests that increased emphasis should be put on federal support for R & E investment since this would provide more equitable use of such funds.
Solicitudes in American English

Using a corpus of about 300 ethnographically collected tokens, this article discusses the form and function of the speech act ‘solicitude’, the act of speaking aloud a wish for something good for the addressee, in American English. Non-conventionalized solicitudes are extremely formulaic, making overwhelming use of imperative form, although without clear directive force. The single most common formula is the (you) have a+ Adj + NP formula, as in (You) Have a good day. Analysis of the adjectives and noun phrases used in this formula shows that solicitudes tend to convey only temporary good wishes to the addressee. Such strongly formulaic solicitudes, however, are more likely to be given by speakers who are socially distant from the addressee, while socially closer speakers seem to make use of less frequently used formulae to create more individualized utterances.
Production of verbenol pheromone by a bacterium isolated from bark beetles

THE aggregation pheromones of the bark beetle, Ips paraconfusus Lanier1 are expelled in the faecal pellets of male beetles feeding on the phloem of Pinus ponderosa2,3. These substances, cis-verbenol, ipsenol, and ipsdienol4, seem to originate in the hindgut5 but the precise site of their biosynthesis has not been determined. In various species of Ips a connection has been convincingly demonstrated between the production of these pheromones in the hindgut and either ingestion of phloem or exposure of the beetles to host plant oleoresin6. More specifically, exposure of individuals of certain species of Ips to myrcene can result in an increased production of ipsenol and ipsdienol7 and exposure of certain species of Dendroctonus to α–pinene results in an increased production of cis- and trans-verbenol8–10 in the hindgut. It seems therefore that a precursor–product relationship exists between certain host plant substances such as α-pinene and myrcene and the three aggregation pheromones mentioned above.
Detection of Secondhand Cigarette Smoke via Nicotine Using Conductive Polymer Films

Introduction The 2006 U.S. Surgeon General's Report found that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS). Many smokers attempt to protect others from exposure to SHS; however, it is difficult to assess effectiveness of these behavior changes. There is a need for personal monitoring devices that provide real-time SHS exposure data; at present, there is no device that measures ambient nicotine levels in real time. The development of such a sensor is the objective of this research. Methods A nicotine sensing film comprising the conductive polymer polyaniline was linked with a reporting layer, recording changes in chemiresistance due to adsorption of nicotine. Experiments were carried out in a microprocessor-controlled smoking chamber using sidestream smoke from standard reference cigarettes; up to 10 cigarettes were smoked simultaneously. The exposure chamber was calibrated for total suspended particle, carbon monoxide, and nicotine concentrations. Results We found significant real-time increases in the resistance of films upon exposure to SHS. The sensors were shown to be sensitive to the number of cigarettes consumed and ambient nicotine and demonstrated reasonable recovery between measurements. The sensors have sufficient sensitivity to detect off-gassing of nicotine or "thirdhand smoke." Conclusions A sensing element has been developed that can reliably detect secondhand and thirdhand tobacco smoke in real time through the adsorption of ambient nicotine vapor. The device was calibrated to the number of smoked cigarettes and to nicotine concentration. Development of integrated personal sensors to record exposure to SHS using this technology is currently underway.
Bias in studies of venous thromboembolism in relation to the use of new formulations of oral contraceptives

Abstract The “attrition of susceptibles” was a plausible noncausal hypothesis (that sought to account for the observed association between current use of OCs containing desogestrel or gestodene and the incidence of VTE). However, there are now several pieces of evidence suggesting that this hypothesis can explain, at most, only a small part of the association. For the time being, when weighing the advantages and disadvantages of use of various types of OCs, it is probably prudent to assume that relative to the risk of VTE in users of levonorgestrel, there truly is a heightened risk in women who currently take desogestrel- or gestodene-containing OCs.
Inundation timing, more than duration, affects the community structure of California vernal pool mesocosms

The hydroregime (duration, timing, and frequency of inundation) of temporary aquatic ecosystems are well known to affect relative abundance, species richness, and community composition. The effects of hydroperiod (inundation duration) have been well studied, but this is not the case with inundation timing. I conducted an experiment in mesocosms that were inoculated with California vernal pool soil. Seven replicates of three inundation duration and timing treatments were implemented: long hydroperiod (16 weeks), short-early (first 8 weeks), and short-late (last 8 weeks). Sampling consisted of abiotic variables (dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, nitrates, and orthophosphates) and biotic variables (invertebrate species densities, including active and passive dispersal strategies, and species richness). Inundation length had little effect on abiotic and biotic variables. Species richness and total density significantly increased in late inundation timing treatments. Active dispersers densities increased in late inundation treatments, especially in short-inundation treatments. Species composition changed in response to both inundation timing and succession. These results suggest that inundation timing needs to be considered in temporary aquatic ecosystems. Indeed, understanding how this variation affects communities may provide a framework for predicting ecosystem responses to climate change.
Micellar Nanocarriers Assembled from Doxorubicin‐Conjugated Amphiphilic Macromolecules (DOX–AM)

Amphiphilic macromolecules (AMs) have unique branched hydrophobic domains attached to linear PEG chains. AMs self-assemble in aqueous solution to form micelles that are hydrolytically stable in physiological conditions (37 degrees C, pH 7.4) over 4 weeks. Evidence of AM biodegradability was demonstrated by complete AM degradation after 6 d in the presence of lipase. Doxorubicin (DOX) was chemically conjugated to AMs via a hydrazone linker to form DOX-AM conjugates that self-assembled into micelles in aqueous solution. The conjugates were compared with DOX-loaded AM micelles (i.e., physically loaded DOX) on DOX content, micellar sizes and in vitro cytotoxicity. Physically encapsulated DOX loading was higher (12 wt.-%) than chemically bound DOX (6 wt.-%), and micellar sizes of DOX-loaded AMs (approximately 16 nm) were smaller than DOX-AMs (approximately 30 nm). In vitro DOX release from DOX-AM conjugates was faster at pH 5.0 (100%) compared to pH 7.4 (78%) after 48 h, 37 degrees C. Compared to free DOX and physically encapsulated DOX, chemically bound DOX had significantly higher cytotoxicity at 10(-7) M DOX dose against human hepatocellular carcinoma cells after 72 h. Overall, DOX-AM micelles showed promising characteristics as stable, biodegradable DOX nanocarriers.
Analysis of flame structure by molecular-beam mass spectrometry using electron-impact and synchrotron-photon ionization

Molecular-beam mass spectrometry (MBMS) has proven to be a powerful tool for the general analysis of flame structure, providing concentrations of radical and stable species for low-pressure flat flames since the work of Homann and Wagner in the 1960’s. In this paper, we will describe complementary measurements using electron-impact ionization with a high-mass-resolution quadrupole mass spectrometer and vacuum-ultraviolet photoionization in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Isomers are resolved that have not been separately detectable before in MBMS studies of flames, including C3H2, C3H4, C4H3, C4H4, C4H5, C6H6, and C2H4O. The qualitative and quantitative results of MBMS have led to advances in modeling and applying flame chemistry.
The evolutionary origin of nodal-related genes in teleosts.

Because of an extra whole-genome duplication, zebrafish and other teleosts have two copies of genes that are present in a single copy in tetrapod genomes. Some zebrafish genes, however, are present in triplicate. For example, the nodal-related genes encode secreted proteins of the transforming growth factor β superfamily that are required in all vertebrates to induce the mesoderm and endoderm, pattern all three germ layers, and establish the left–right axis. Zebrafish have three nodal-related genes, called ndr1/squint, ndr2/cyclops, and ndr3/southpaw. As part of an analysis of enhancer elements controlling zebrafish nodal-related gene expression, we analyzed the nodal loci in the sequenced genomes of five teleost species and four tetrapod species. Each teleost genome contains three nodal-related genes, indicating that squint, cyclops, and southpaw orthologues were present early in the teleost lineage. The genes flanking the nodal-related genes are also conserved, demonstrating a high degree of conserved synteny. Although we found little homology outside of the coding sequences in this region, pufferfish enhancer sequences work in zebrafish embryos to drive reporter gene expression in the squint expression pattern. This indicates a high degree of functional conservation of enhancer elements within the teleosts. We conclude that the ancestral squint and cyclops genes arose during the teleost-specific whole-genome duplication event and that southpaw emerged from a subsequent duplication event involving ancestral squint.
Effects of microwave processing on chemical, physical, and catalytic properties of todorokite-type manganese oxide

A microwave-assisted hydrothermal method of synthesis was used to prepare todorokite. Synthetic todorokite, OMS-1, is a multivalent manganese oxide with a 3×3×∞ tunnel structure. OMS-1 was synthesized from its layered precursor much faster by the microwave method than by conventional heating (8 vs 48 h). In addition, the microwave-synthesized materials reveal some properties superior to those of the conventionally synthesized ones such as better stability, crystallinity, and catalytic activity in the production of phthalic anhydride. Microwave-prepared todorokite also shows novel cubic morphology, which was not found for conventionally made OMS-1 and is catalytically active in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Materials synthesized by microwave as well as conventional methods were characterized with XRD, TGA, SEM, TEM, TPD, and BET. Physical, chemical, and catalytic properties of todorokite prepared by the two different methods were compared based on the experimental results.
Endogenous Endophthalmitis in a Patient with Diabetes and Foot Osteomyelitis

Endogenous endophthalmitis is a rare condition caused by the hematogenous spread of microorganisms from a remote infection site to the eye. Common predisposing conditions are intravenous drug abuse, diabetes, malignancy, immunosuppression, chronic renal failure, parenteral nutrition or invasive medical procedures. We describe a case of endogenous endophthalmitis in the setting of foot osteomyelitis in a patient with diabetes. A high index of clinical suspicion is required to diagnose this condition early in a patient with diabetes because visual symptoms commonly may be misattributed to retinopathy. Early diagnosis is important.
EFFECTS OF FRAME RATE ON TWO-DIMENSIONAL SPECKLE-TRACKING-DERIVED MEASUREMENTS OF MYOCARDIAL DEFORMATION IN PREMATURE INFANTS

Frame rate (FR) of image acquisition is an important determinant of the reliability of 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE)-derived myocardial strain. Premature infants have relatively high heart rates (HR). Our objective was to analyze the effects of varying FR on the reproducibility of
Improving the Odds of Success in Drug Discovery: Choosing the Best Compounds for in Vivo Toxicology Studies

A set of molecules that advanced into exploratory animal toxicology studies (two species) was examined to determine what properties contributed to success in these safety studies. Compounds were rigorously evaluated across numerous safety end points and classified as “pass” if a suitable in vivo therapeutic index (TI) was achieved for advancement into regulatory toxicology studies. The most predictive end point contributing to compound survival was a predicted human efficacious concentration (Ceff) of ≤250 nM (total drug) and ≤40 nM (free drug). This trend held across a wide range of CNS modes of action, encompassing targets such as enzymes, G-protein-coupled receptors, ion channels, and transporters.
3-D defect density plots of large scale structural materials with positron annihilation spectroscopy: feasibility and optimization

We investigated the feasibility of the pair-production based positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) technique to generate 2-D and possibly 3-D defect density images (defect density plots) of structural materials widely used in industry. After assessing the possible PAS techniques and performing MCNPX simulations on different positron production mechanisms, we chose to employ Doppler broadening analysis of the annihilation peak coupled with the pair-production method of positron creation using bremsstrahlung photon beams from a linear accelerator. First, to optimize the important parameters of the proposed experimental setup, MCNPX simulations were performed. These parameters are: thickness of the bremsstrahlung beam hardener, detector orientation, thickness of the bremsstrahlung converter, beam energy and current, etc. These parameters were studied to maximize the number of 511 keV counts in the detector and minimize the low energy background photons that Compton scatter into the detector. A Figure of Merit (FOM) was used to quantitatively track effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of each value for all the parameters. We conducted experiments with the simulated setup and these results were compared to MCNPX calculations.
Hypoglycemia with a large retroperitoneal mass - Case report.

INTRODUCTION Retroperitoneal sarcomas have rarely been reported to secrete insulin-growth factor II (IGF-II) and produce an enigmatic hypoglycemia. IGF-II-secreting sarcomas represent an extremely rare subset of soft tissue tumors, and reports are limited to a handful of cases.
Effects of left frontal transcranial magnetic stimulation on depressed mood, cognition, and corticomotor threshold.

Abstract Background: The pathophysiology of depression may include synaptic hypoactivity of left prefrontal cortex. Several groups of investigators have described improved mood associated with rapid transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) but have not looked for possible cognitive side effects associated with left prefrontal magnetic stimulation. Methods: We measured the effects of left prefrontal rTMS on mood, cognition, and motor evoked potential threshold in 10 patients with medication-resistant major depression. Results: In a 2-week open trial of left prefrontal rTMS off antidepressant medications, scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Beck Depression Inventory decreased by 41% and 40%, respectively. After resuming pre-rTMS antidepressant medication, improvement in mood was still significant at 1 and 3 months later. rTMS had no adverse effects on neuropsychological performance. rTMS treatments were associated with significant decreases in motor evoked potential threshold in the 9 of 10 patients who remained off psychotropic medications during the 2-week treatment period. Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that left prefrontal rTMS is safe and improves mood in patients with medication-resistant major depression. Changes in motor evoked potential threshold suggest that prefrontal rTMS may alter brain activity at sites remote from the stimulation. Double-blind, sham-controlled studies are needed.
Reliability of sampling designs for spatial snow surveys

Spatial patterns are an inherent property of most naturally occurring materials at a large range of scales. To describe spatial patterns in the field, several observations are made according to a certain sampling design. The spatial structure can be described by the semivariogram range, and nugget and sill variances. We test how reliably seven sampling designs estimate these parameters for simulated spatial fields with predefined spatial structures using a Monte Carlo approach. Five designs have been used previously in the field for snow cover sampling, whereas two designs with semi-random sampling locations have not been used in the field. The designs include 84-159 sampling locations covering small mountain slopes typical of snow avalanche terrain. The results from the simulations show that all designs: (a) give reasonably unbiased estimates of the semivariogram parameters when averaged over many simulations, and (b) show considerable spread in the semivariogram parameter estimates, causing large uncertainty in the semivariogram estimates. Our results suggest that any comparisons of the estimated semivariogram parameters made with the sampling designs will be associated with large uncertainties. To remedy this, we suggest that optimal sampling designs for sampling slope scale snow cover parameters must include more sampling locations and a stratified randomized sampling design in the future.
Validity of the independent-processes approximation for resonance structures in electron-ion scattering cross sections.

The total inelastic cross section for electron-ion scattering may be found in the independent-processes approximation by adding the resonant cross section to the nonresonant background cross section. We study the validity of this approximation for electron excitation of multiply charged ions. The resonant-excitation cross section is calculated independently using distorted waves for various Li-like and Na-like ions using ({ital N}+1)-electron atomic-structure methods previously developed for the calculation of dielectronic-recombination cross sections. To check the effects of interference between the two scattering processes, we also carry out detailed close-coupling calculations for the same atomic ions using the {ital R}-matrix method. For low ionization stages, interference effects manifest themselves sometimes as strong window features in the close-coupling cross section, which are not present in the independent-processes cross section. For higher ionization stages, however, the resonance features found in the independent-processes approximation are found to be in good agreement with the close-coupling results.
Inverse Pattern Matching

Abstract Let a textstring T of n symbols from some alphabet Σ and an integer m n be given. A pattern P of length m over Σ is sought such that P minimizes (alternatively, maximizes) the total number of pairwise character mismatches generated when P is compared with all m -character substrings of T . Two additional variants of the problem are obtained by adding the constraint that P be (respectively, not be) a substring of T . Efficient sequential algorithms are proposed in this paper for the problem and its variants.
Pelvic Ultrasound Evaluation for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Prediction of Obstruction

Global improvements in water quality, management of infectious diseases, and other medical therapeutics have resulted in a growing population of healthy aging men. One obligate anatomic consequence of aging for these men is the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with secondary bladder outlet obstruction. Although the voiding symptoms associated with the change in bladder health over time predominantly impact the quality of a man's daily experience, there are also significant medical consequences of BPH that require intervention. It is a challenge to distinguish men who are at risk for these medical consequences from the much larger population of older men with voiding symptoms (lower urinary tract symptoms, LUTS). A variety of national guidelines have been developed to establish a diagnostic paradigm for meeting this challenge, but all suffer from inadequate sensitivity for the early identification of men at risk for permanent bladder injury. It is likely that the application of a thorough pelvic ultrasound designed to identify the pertinent anatomic aspects of both the bladder and prostate will improve the sensitivity of these diagnostic paradigms, with subsequent improvement in the outcomes for men with BPH/LUTS.
Domestic Division of Labor Among Working Couples: Does Androgyny Make a Difference?:

This study examined the relationship of gender and sex role orientation (SRO) to the domestic division of labor in 139 working couples. Couples completed the Bem Sex Role Inventory as well as questions about who performed domestic tasks, why, and the amount of conflict generated. While women performed more tasks than men, androgynous and feminine-oriented individuals performed more than masculine-oriented individuals. Androgynous individuals also experienced the least conflict over domestic tasks. In couples where the male was androgynous or feminine in SRO, both spouses performed more tasks than spouses in undifferentiated male dyads. In male sex-typed dyads, however, wives performed more tasks than wives in other dyads, while husbands performed less than husbands in other dyads. Women's motivation to perform these tasks was based on their belief that it was their responsibility or that the tasks wouldn't get done otherwise, while men reportedly performed domestic tasks to help out.
The learning of directional movements and movement reversals by monkeys

Summary After difficulty was encountered in learning reversed movement-directions, four cynamolgus monkeys were subjected to an extended training procedure designed so that they might gradually learn this motor behaviour and eventually acquire the conceptual response tendency of movement-reversal. Although results on a single pair of positions followed by generalization to additional pairs indicated a high degree of learning in terms of both trials per reversal and overall percentage of errors, subsequent performance on various transfer and test trials suggests that the continuous improvement was due to the learning of supporting habits rather than the intended concept. Ample opportunity was provided at each critical transfer stage for the demonstration of concept learning, but there were no indications of such a development. The failure in acquisition of the movement-reversal concept is believed to be due to some combination of conceptual difficulty, motor system involvement, plus interference factors specific to the conditions of this investigation. Some suggestive evidence was discussed in connection with the development of irrelevant response tendencies and the most probable factors which contributed to their dominance.
A Normal Coronary Arteriogram at Age 65 and Older: Does It Fortell a Long Survival?

A normal coronary arteriogram (CA) has been reported to confer a good prognosis. However, how this applies to patients (Pts) age 65 and older is not well known. Between 1986 -1996, 11,625 CA were performed on Pts 65 and older. We identified 217 with either normal (NORM, n=159) coronary arteries or
Risk factors for pancreatic leak after distal pancreatectomy.

Introduction:Pancreatic leak (PL) remains a major cause of postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing pancreatic resection. We sought to evaluate the incidence of and identify risk factors for the development of PL in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy (DP) at a single high-volume institu
An Empowerment Approach in Teaching a Class about Autism for Social Work Students

Social workers are being asked to respond to the rapidly increasing number of individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). However, the curricula in schools of social work have limited content on disabilities. This article describes a course which prepares social work students for work with individuals with ASD through an empowerment approach in an ever-changing socio-cultural and political environment. This approach changes the focus of disabilities from a narrow perspective on particular services and rehabilitation to a broader concern with human rights, social inclusion and quality of life. The article describes the development of the course in collaboration with a university disability program, the areas of emphasis for the course (family focused, interdisciplinary, lifespan) and the multiple modes of delivery. The implications of teaching the course as an elective or as integrating it further into the curriculum are discussed.
Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and renal physiology

In the adult mammalian kidney, high levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression can be detected in the macula densa and associated cortical thick ascending limb cells and medullary interstitial cells. In the renal cortex, COX-2 expression increases in high renin states, and selective COX-2 inhibitors significantly decrease plasma renin levels. In the medullary region of the kidney, the expression of COX-2 increases in response to a high-salt diet and water deprivation. The most important prostanoids in the kidney are prostaglandin (PG)I(2), or prostacyclin, and PGE(2). PGE(2) diminishes sodium reabsorption; thereby, its inhibition results in sodium retention that can manifest clinically in a variety of ways, such as peripheral edema, increased blood pressure (mainly in treated hypertensive patients), weight gain, and occasionally deterioration of heart failure. PGI(2) increases potassium secretion. As such, its inhibition can result in hyperkalemia, particularly in patients with underlying renal insufficiency. PGI(2) is also a potent vasodilator and helps maintain renal perfusion in conditions of decreased actual or effective circulating volume; its inhibition in such patients can result in acute renal failure. A variety of studies has been conducted to examine the effects of celecoxib and rofecoxib on renal function. These incorporate various study designs directly, making it virtually impossible to compare data across studies. It is apparent from such studies, coupled with published case reports, that the impact of both celecoxib and rofecoxib on renal function (including development of edema and hypertension) is similar to that of nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Studies comparing the 2 COX-2 inhibitors conflict in their interpretation. Overall, the data suggest similar effects on renal function among all NSAIDs when used at comparable doses.
Long term follow-up and late complications of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine in previously treated, advanced, indolent non-hodgkin's lymphoma†

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the long term outcome and toxicities after the administration of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) to patients with previously treated, advanced, indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). METHODS Twenty-two patients (median age, 55 years) with relapsed or refractory low grade NHL (median disease duration, 2.8 years) were treated with 2-CdA by continuous infusion at 0.1 mg/kg/day over 5 or 7 days every 28 days, for a maximum of 6 cycles. RESULTS The overall response rate was 45%. Two patients (9%) achieved a complete response (CR), 8 patients (36%) achieved a partial response, and 12 patients (55%) had no response. The two patients achieving CR have remained in CR for 46 and 38 months, respectively. Freedom from treatment failure at 24 months was 32%. Overall survival at 24 months was 59%. Three patients developed second malignancies: acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome, and a cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorder. Fourteen patients have died after a median follow-up of 28 months (range, 3.9-49.2 months) due to progressive NHL (11 patients), infection (2 patients), and AML (1 patient). CONCLUSIONS 2-CdA is an active agent for patients with previously treated, advanced, indolent NHL and may result in lasting remissions. Late complications following treatment may include delayed bacterial, fungal, or viral infection. Determination of whether the second malignancies that occurred in three patients reported herein were related to treatment with 2-CdA will require further study. Cancer 1998;82:957-64. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Active Control of Visual Sensor for Aerial Tracking

This paper addresses the problem of on-board estimation of the state and/or the velocity components of an unknown leader by open-loop control of a single camera installed on the follower aircraft. Unlike the conventional pan-tilt gimbal, a custom-built gimbal is assumed that permits translational movement of the camera. The only information about the unknown leader is deduced from its bearing and subtended angles in the image plane of the camera. An adaptive estimation algorithm is applied to estimate the state vector and the geometric parameters of the unknown object from visual measurements outside the flight control loop of the follower aircraft. Asymptotic convergence of the estimated parameters to the true ones is proven and shown to be independent of the flight controller. The estimated parameters can be used in the guidance law of the follower aircraft without any modifications to it. The main benefit of the proposed paradigm is in this decoupling of estimation from control.
Evaluation of postprescription review and feedback as a method of promoting rational antimicrobial use: a multicenter intervention.

objective. To evaluate the impact of postprescription review of broad-spectrum antimicrobial (study-ABX) agents on rates of anti-microbial use.design. Quasi-experimental before-after study.setting. Five academic medical centers.patients. Adults receiving at least 48 hours of study-ABX.methods. The baseline, intervention, and follow-up periods were 6 months each in 2 units at each of 5 sites. Adults receiving at least48 hours of study-ABX entered the cohort as case-patients. During the intervention, infectious-diseases physicians reviewed the cases after48 hours of study-ABX. The provider was contacted with alternative recommendations if antimicrobial use was considered to be unjustiﬁedon the basis of predetermined criteria. Acceptance rates were assessed 48 hours later. The primary outcome measure was days of study-ABX per 1,000 study-patient-days in the baseline and intervention periods.results. There were 1,265 patients in the baseline period and 1,163 patients in the intervention period. Study-ABX use decreasedsigniﬁcantly during the intervention period at 2 sites: from 574.4 to 533.8 study-ABX days/1,000 patient-days (incidence rate ratio [IRR],0.93; 95% conﬁdence interval [CI], 0.88–0.97; ) at hospital B and from 615.6 to 514.4 study-ABX days/1,000 patient-days (IRR,
Converting Molecular Meshes Into Smooth Interpolatory Spline Solid Models

The study and understanding of molecules, once the domain of blackboards and stick-and-ball models, has become more and more exclusively linked to the use of computer-aided visualizations. Our project seeks to return the physical facsimile to the biologists, allowing the use of tactile senses while interacting with and manipulating a physical model, thus aiding educational and research endeavors. To increase the effectiveness of such a tool, the model is constructed such that multiple levels of information are viewable within the single physical form, stressing the interaction between the assorted components within the molecule. We use the term 3-D physical visualizations to refer to the fabricated model, to avoid confusion with the common usage of model as a virtual representation on the computer. To effectively combine multiple components into a smooth manufacturable physical visualization, all components of the model must be in a homogeneous format. Our research sets forth a method for converting triangulated mesh data, as provided by the molecular modeling packages, into spline models. Spline models have the attractive qualities that they are smooth without triangular facets, can be combined using traditional boolean operations (and, or, not), and can be directly fabricated using modern CAD/CAM techniques. Our method divides the polyhedral representation into multiple rectangular grids, then fits interpolatory spline surfaces to the data in each region, while focusing on smoothly stitching the boundaries and corners of the spline surfaces in order to create a near G1 continuous model.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Shock Protection Using Integrated Nonlinear Spring Shock Stops

This paper reports the fabrication and testing of integrated nonlinear spring shock stops to protect micromachined devices. This approach enables a generic batch micro-packaging technology providing superior shock protection over conventional hard shock stops, and can be conveniently integrated with micromachined devices without additional fabrication processes and excessive area expansion. These advantages are demonstrated by integrating the nonlinear spring shock stops with a capacitive and with a piezoresistive MEMS accelerometer fabricated by different processes. Conducted shock tests reveal that the nonlinear stops provide substantial device survival rate (83%) compared with hard stops (8%). The device fracture mechanisms are also identified
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for stroke: a systematic review of the evidence:

Objective: To identify the benefits and harms of using hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat acute or subacute stroke or the chronic effects of a stroke. We aimed to identify any gaps in the evidence to provide guidance for future research.Design: A systematic review of the evidence.Search strategy: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, HealthSTAR, CINAHL, MANTIS, bibliographic databases from professional societies and hyperbaric oxygen therapy practitioners, and reference lists. Databases were searched from inception to December 2003.Inclusion criteria: Studies: Controlled clinical trials and observational studies published in English.Participants: Patients with ischaemic stroke in any inpatient or outpatient setting.Outcomes: Mortality, functional health outcomes and adverse events.Data collection and analysis: Using predetermined criteria, two reviewers assessed each study for inclusion, and abstracted data about study design, population, interventions, and outcomes. We assigned an overall qu...
Learning semantic grammars with constructive inductive logic programming

Automating the construction of semantic grammars is a difficult and interesting problem for machine learning. This paper shows how the semantic-grammar acquisition problem can be viewed as the learning of search-control heuristics in a logic program. Appropriate control rules are learned using a new first-order induction algorithm that automatically invents useful syntactic and semantic categories. Empirical results show that the learned parsers generalize well to novel sentences and out-perform previous approaches based on connectionist techniques.
Calculating Number and Surface Area of Liposomes in Any Suspension

Simple formulas for calculating the total surface area and number of liposomes in any liposome population are presented. The necessary parameters for calculating these values are the encapsulation ratio (or efficiency) of the population, the partial specific volume of the lipids used to prepare the liposomes, and an estimate of the frequency distribution of the population. When tested on theoretical liposome populations, excellent results are obtained regardless of the heterogeneity of the population.
Effects of Children on Parental Sex-Role Orientation

The bidirectional approach to sex-role socialization provided the conceptual framework for determining if the sex-role self-concept of parents was affected more by the presence of sons than by the presence of daughters. The Bem Sex Role Inventory was administered to 153 parental dyads who had daughters only (n=41), sons only (n=41), or an equal number of both sons and daughters (n=71). Sex of child, especially sons, did appear to have an effect on parents' femininity. Fathers with sons have lower femininity scores than fathers with daughters only, and mothers with sons have higher femininity scores than mothers with daughters only.