cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abundance and biomass of the gut-living microorganisms (bacteria, protozoa and fungi) in the irregular sea urchin Echinocardium cordatum (Spatangoida: Echinodermata)

The microorganisms associated with the gut contents of the irregular sea urchin Echinocardium cordatum (Pennant) include non-filamentous and filamentous bacteria, zoosporic fungi and protozoa. The numbers of microorganisms decrease through the gut segments, except for the two caeca. In the anoxic anterior caecum, the microbial biomass increases to 5% of the total particulate organic carbon (POC) compared to 2% of the POC in the preceding anterior gut segment. The microbial biomass in the anterior caecum consists mainly of non-motile cells interpreted as chytrid fungi, zoospores and protozoa, especially flagellates. A larger increase of the microbial biomass (13%/POC) is seen in the intestinal caecum. The biomass here is associated with the detrital nodules, and consists of both non-filamentous bacteria and filamentous white sulphur bacteria. Chytrid zoospores were observed also in the coelomic fluid. The digestive strategy of E. cordatum is still insufficiently described, but the microbial activity in the gut and the presumed prolonged residence time in the two caeca, particularly in the intestinal caecum, suggest a digestive strategy to exploit refractile organic matter through microbial degradation.
Effect of Pyrazinamide on Antimicrobially Active Serum Isoniazid

A study was performed in order to establish whether the simultaneous administration of pyrazinamide with isoniazid increased the antimicrobially active moiety of isoniazid in serum of patients with tuberculosis six hours after ingesting the drugs. No effect on the serum levels of microbiologically active isoniazid was noted in 19 patients: The paired levels achieved on isoniazid alone and on isoniazid-pyrazinamide were essentially identical.
Wave effects on the vertical migration of two benthic microalgae: Hantzschia virgata var. intermedia and Euglena proxima

Two benthic microalgal species, Euglena proxima (Dangeard) and the diatom Hantzschia virgata var. intermedia (Grun) Round, congregated at the sediment surface of intertidal sand flats surrounding the Duke University Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, North Carolina, during low tide and migrated below the surface prior to tidal flooding. E. proxima was found down to a depth of 12 cm below the surface during high tide while H. virgata was not found below 8 cm. One potential advantage of vertical migration for benthic microalgae is avoidance of the sediment surface during high tide when the winnowing action of waves can remove cells from the intertidal habitat. This hypothesis was tested by comparing the mean depths of E. proxima and H. virgata exposed to calm water conditions with their mean depths under wave-exposed conditions in shallow outdoor tidal tanks equipped with wave generators. Two sediment treatments were tested in each tank to evaluate the effect of a subsurface layer of black sediment (subsurface sediments, presumably reduced) on vertical migration: a uniform column of light brown sand (surface sediments; presumably oxygenated), and a layered column with light brown sand overlying a layer of black sediment. One-way and two-way ANOVAs indicated that wave action increased the mean depth of both species under certain conditions related to the presence, absence, and depth of a subsurface layer of black sediment. In an experiment with a shallow black layer (5 mm), wave action did not result in a significant increase in the mean depth of H. virgata as it did in a previous experiment with a deeper black layer (3 cm). Unlike H. virgata, E. proxima exhibited a wave effect only in the absence of a subsurface black layer. A subsurface black layer seemed to reinforce downward migration in E. proxima under both calm water and wave conditions. The absence of a wave effect in the presence of a subsurface black layer suggests that the mean depth of E. proxima during high tide was more tightly controlled by the depth of the black layer than wave energy. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY085 00009
Structural determinants of phosphoinositide selectivity in splice variants of Grp1 family PH domains.

The pleckstrin homology (PH) domains of the homologous proteins Grp1 (general receptor for phosphoinositides), ARNO (Arf nucleotide binding site opener), and Cytohesin-1 bind phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 3,4,5-trisphosphate with unusually high selectivity. Remarkably, splice variants that differ only by the insertion of a single glycine residue in the β1/β2 loop exhibit dual specificity for PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and PtdIns(4,5)P2. The structural basis for this dramatic specificity switch is not apparent from the known modes of phosphoinositide recognition. Here, we report crystal structures for dual specificity variants of the Grp1 and ARNO PH domains in either the unliganded form or in complex with the head groups of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3. Loss of contacts with the β1/β2 loop with no significant change in head group orientation accounts for the significant decrease in PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 affinity observed for the dual specificity variants. Conversely, a small increase rather than decrease in affinity for PtdIns(4,5)P2 is explained by a novel binding mode, in which the glycine insertion alleviates unfavorable interactions with the β1/β2 loop. These observations are supported by a systematic mutational analysis of the determinants of phosphoinositide recognition.
Comment on "Accelerated emission of gamma rays from the 31-yr isomer of 178Hf induced by X-Ray Irradiation"

A Comment on the Letter by C. B. Collins, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 695 (1999). The authors of the Letter offer a Reply. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
The response of screen-film to end-of-range proton exposures☆

Abstract High speed X-ray films in combination with fluorescent intensification screens have been exposed to monoenergetic protons near their end-of-range. Exposure doses from
Food safety regulation and small processing: A case study of interactions between processors and inspectors

As interest in small-scale food processing increases, so does interest in assuring that food safety regulations accommodate rather than hinder small processors. Some practitioners and advocates charge that regulations are unfairly slanted against smaller producers and favor large food manufacturers. Studies of regulatory implementation have suggested that inspection practices offer possible policy accommodations to small food businesses. Yet there has been little research on food safety inspections of small processors. This article describes a study of food safety inspections of small processors in the US state of Michigan. Interactions between inspectors and processors were explored using a qualitative ethnographic approach. Results indicate that these interactions have the potential to achieve accommodative regulatory outcomes. Inspectors took a collaborative, assistive approach which appeared to benefit processor operations as well as improve compliance. These results have implications for policymaking for small processors, and they lay the groundwork for further research on food safety regulatory implementation.
A finite volume Euler calculation of the aerodynamics of transonic airfoil-vortex interaction

Unsteady inviscid transonic airfoil-vortex interaction is numerically analyzed by solving the two-dimensional unsteady Euler equations in integral form using a finite volume scheme. The solution procedure is based on an explicit Runge-Kutta time-stepping scheme wherein the spatial terms are central-differenced and a combination of second- and fourth-differences in the flow variables is used to form the numerical dissipation terms to stabilize the scheme. A velocity decomposition technique is applied to alleviate the problem of vortex diffusion by the numerical dissipation terms and to treat the interaction of a Rankine vortex with an airfoil accurately. Results obtained are compared with available numerical data.
Drinking in adulthood: similarities and differences in effects of adult roles for Hispanic ethnic groups and Anglos.

Objective: This study examines whether the adult social roles perspective. an approach that explains drinking behaviors for Anglos, similarly affects alcohol use by Cubans, Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans and Other Hispanics (Central and South Americans). Method: The 1993 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, a national probability sample of the household population in the United States, is used. The sample utilized here (N= 13,822; 56.2% female) consisted of 9,388 Anglos, 611 Cubans, 2,459 Mexican Americans, 611 Puerto Ricans and 753 Central/South Americans age 18 and older. The outcome measures include past-year drinking, and for drinkers, heavy drinking and alcohol-related problems. Logistic regression analyses are conducted using Stata. Results: The results show that there are some ethnic differences in the effects of the adult social roles. Of particular importance is the finding that being married has anomalous effects for Cubans (heavy drinking), Mexican Americans (problems) and Other Hispanics...
The Swedenborgian Search for African Purity

Emanuel Swedenborg, an engineer and mystic of the Enlightenment, prophesied that mankind's spiritual perfection was to be found deep in the heart of Africa. That idea unleashed a flurry of scientific and geographical inquiry among his disciples and other Swedes that has long been neglected. In addition to stimulating an era of romantic colonization in Africa, some of the activity and enthusiasm of the Swedenborgians contributed significantly to the abolitionist agitation that eventually ended the slave trade.
A phase II trial of the oral mTOR inhibitor everolimus in relapsed aggressive lymphoma.

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signal transduction pathway members are often activated in tumor samples from patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Everolimus is an oral agent that targets the raptor mammalian target of rapamycin (mTORC1). The goal of this trial was to learn the antitumor activity and toxicity of single-agent everolimus in patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive NHL. Patients received everolimus 10 mg PO daily. Response was assessed after two and six cycles, and then every three cycles until progression. A total of 77 patients with a median age of 70 years were enrolled. Patients had received a median of three previous therapies and 32% had undergone previous transplant. The overall response rate (ORR) was 30% (95% confidence interval: 20–41%), with 20 patients achieving a partial remission and 3 a complete remission unconfirmed. The ORR in diffuse large B cell was 30% (14/47), 32% (6/19) in mantle cell and 38% (3/8) in follicular grade 3. The median duration of response was 5.7 months. Grade 3 or 4 anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 14, 18 and 38% of patients, respectively. Everolimus has single-agent activity in relapsed/refractory aggressive NHL and provides proof-of-concept that targeting the mTOR pathway is clinically relevant.
Effect of transdermal nicotine replacement on alcohol responses and alcohol self-administration

Rationale Nicotine replacement is commonly used to treat tobacco use in heavy-drinking smokers. However, few studies have examined the effect of nicotine replacement on subjective and physiological responses to alcohol and alcohol drinking behavior.
Susan C. Athey: John Bates Clark Award Winner 2007

Susan Carleton Athey is the 2007 recipient of the American Economic Association's John Bates Clark Medal, which is "awarded biennially to that American economist under the age of forty who is adjudged to have made the most significant contribution to economic thought and knowledge." I have had the immense pleasure of being Susan's teacher, her advisor, her coauthor, and her friend. Yet I never cease to be amazed at her abilities and her accomplishments on so many dimensions. The AEA specifically cited her work in four distinct areas: monotone information models; industrial organization and particularly auctions; macroeconomics; and econometrics. Yet there is even more breadth to Susan's research contributions than this suggests, as I will show.
Effects of relativity and configuration interaction on dielectronic recombination of hydrogenlike ions.

Effects of configuration interaction and relativity on the dielectronic satellite spectra and total dielectronic rate coefficients for the hydrogenlike ions were investigated. The calculations were carried out for the intermediate autoionizing states of the 2l2l' and 2l3l' configurations by using relativistic and nonrelativistic Hartree-Fock models. The effect of relativity has been found to change the Auger rates by as much as a factor of 18 at Z = 54. The inclusion of the Breit interaction in calculations of the Auger matrix elements could change the Auger rates by as much as a factor of 4 for the Xe/sup 52+/ ion. The effect of configuration interaction has been found to alter some of the transition rates by a factor of 2. The dielectronic satellite spectra become much more complex due to the inclusion of configuration interaction and intermediate coupling. The effects of relativity and configuration interaction, however, have been found to change the total dielectronic recombination coefficients by amounts less than 20% and a few percent, respectively, for the Cr/sup 23+/ and Xe/sup 53+/ ions.
X-Ray Spectral Variability of Extreme BL Lacertae Active Galactic Nucleus H1426+428

Between 2002 March 7 and 2002 June 15, intensive X-ray observations were carried out on the extreme BL Lac object H1426+428 with instruments on board the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). These instruments provide measurements of H1426+428 in the crucial energy range that characterizes the first peak of its spectral energy distribution. This peak, which is almost certainly due to synchrotron emission, has previously been inferred to be in excess of 100 keV. By taking frequent observations over a four-month campaign, which included ~450 ks of RXTE time, studies of flux and spectral variability on multiple timescales were performed, along with studies of spectral hysteresis. The 3-24 keV X-ray flux and spectra exhibited significant variability, implying variability in the location of the first peak of the spectral energy distribution. Hysteresis patterns were observed, and their characteristics have been discussed within the context of emission models.
Motivation of managers: Is gender a factor?

Respondents consisted of 124 working managers (62 men, 62 women) whose needs for Achievement (nAch), Affiliation (nAff), and Power (nPwr) were tested using two types of Thematic Apperception Tests, male-oriented and balanced as to sex. Results of a two-way ANOVA indicate that women managers have a higher nAch, a not significantly different nAff, and a higher nPwr than managerial men. Changing social values as well as the obstacles women face in first getting managerial jobs and then having to overcome sex-role conflicts—all possibly channel a specific type of woman into these managerial positions, as other factors act to select men.
Preparing to use the flexible fiber-optic laryngoscope.

Abstract Study Objective: To describe a current method of teaching flexible fiber-optic laryngoscopy. Design: Review of a current technique. Setting: Inpatient surgery area at a university medical center. Patients: More than 1,000 ASA physical status I and II patients requiring general endotracheal anesthesia for renal lithotripsy were intubated orally using a flexible fiber-optic laryngoscope. Interventions: Patients were given a sleep dose of thiopental sodium (4 mg/kg) and paralyzed with a bolus of succinylcholine (1 mg/kg). Measurements and Main Results: Peripheral oxygen (O 2 ) saturation, capnography, electrocardiography (EKG), automated blood pressure (BP) measurements, and clinical response of the patients were closely monitored by the attending anesthesiologist. Three obese patients rapidly desaturated, leading to abandonment of the technique for teaching purposes. After ventilation with 100% 0 2 , all 3 patients were rapidly intubated orally by the instructor using the flexible fiber-optic technique. Conclusions: Oral flexible fiber-optic laryngoscopy and intubation may be taught safely using thiopental sodium and succinylcholine by adhering to the guidelines outlined in this paper.
Treatment considerations: traditional antiepileptic drugs.

Abstract Selecting a specific antiepileptic drug for the treatment of seizures in those with mental retardation requires a balance of the drug’s likely efficacy for both seizures and comorbid disorders versus adverse events. Phenobarbital is the most commonly used of the barbiturate drugs. Phenytoin is actually one of the best tolerated AEDs (side effects in most patients are signs of neurotoxicity). Carbamazepine is the drug of choice for many neurologists for the treatment of partial epilepsy, with a relative lack of sedation and low incidence of cosmetic, cognitive, and behavioral side effects. For more than 30 years, valproate has been available for treatment of generalized and partial seizures, convulsive or nonconvulsive. For this reason, it is used in the treatment of epilepsy in the multiply handicapped and mentally retarded. Benzodiazepines are the drug of choice for treatment of status epilepticus; however, good medical control requires early diagnosis and treatment.
Chronic Ulcerative Colitis Beginning in Children and Teenagers.

This report reviews the illness of 43 patients who had developed symptoms of chronic ulcerative colitis during their childhood or teenage years (1953–1966). The clinical picture is similar to that observed in adults, although these patients appear more ill and disabled by their disease. When first seen, 71% of the patients had total colon involvement, and 65% had complications of the disease. At follow-up, 6 died, 2 had colectomies, 27 are under medical treatment, but only 15 remain relatively symptom-free. Nine are alive after surgery. One patient's status is unknown. In general, it is difficult to control ulcerative colitis that begins when the patient is young; it is associated with a high rate of mortality and morbidity. Earlier consideration should be given to surgical treatment when patients respond poorly or incompletely to medical treatment.
Nanoliter droplet coalescence in air by directional acoustic ejection

This letter presents a controlled coalescence of nanoliter liquid droplets in air by acoustic directional ejections. An asymmetrical electric field is created within a piezoelectric transducer to produce lopsided acoustic waves, which are focused (through a lens based on the innate impedance mismatch between solid and gas) onto a spot on the liquid surface. The focused acoustic beam is shown to obliquely eject 80-μm-diameter droplets at a traveling speed of 2.3m∕s. Up to four such obliquely ejected droplets coalesce in air into a single droplet, which then continue to travel, rotating at 16000rad∕s and producing effective micromixing in air.
Static enforcement of security with types

A number of security systems for programming languages have recently appeared, including systems for enforcing some form of access control. The Java JDK 1.2 security architecture is one such system that is widely studied and used. While the architecture has many appealing features, access control checks are all implemented via dynamic method calls. This is a highly non-declarative form of specification which is hard to read, and which leads to additional run-time overhead. In this paper, we present a novel security type system that enforces the same security guarantees as Java Stack Inspection, but via a static type system with no additional run-time checks. The system allows security properties of programs to be clearly expressed within the types themselves. We also define and prove correct an inference algorithm for security types, meaning that the system has the potential to be layered on top of the existing Java architecture, without requiring new syntax.
Evaluating distributed systems: does background traffic matter?

Evaluating novel networked protocols and services requires subjecting the target system to realistic Internet conditions. However, there is no common understanding of what is required to capture such realism. Conventional wisdom suggests that competing background traffic will influence service and protocol behavior. Once again however, there is no understanding of what aspects of background traffic are important and the extent to which services are sensitive to these characteristics. Earlier work shows that Internet traffic demonstrates significant burstiness at a range of time scales. Unfortunately, existing systems evaluations either do not consider background traffic or employ simple synthetic models, e.g., based on Poisson arrivals, that do not capture these burstiness properties. In this paper, we show that realistic background traffic, has qualitatively different impact on application and protocol behavior than simple traffic models. One conclusion from our work is that applications should be evaluated under a range of background traffic characteristics to determine the relative merits of applications and to understand behavior in corner cases of live deployment.
Modeling the biomechanics of the mandible: A three-dimensional finite element study☆

Three-dimensional finite element models of a partially edentulated human mandible were generated to calculate the mechanical response to simulated isometric biting and mastication loads. The level of mesh refinement was established via a convergence test and showed that a model with over 30,000 degrees of freedom was required to obtain analysis accuracy. The functional loading cases included muscle loading based on an algorithm that assigns muscle forces in accordance with muscle cross-sectional area, while maintaining static equilibrium. Results were found for isometric application of unilateral and bilateral bite and mastication loading, and two different sets of displacement boundary conditions were imposed at the condyles. The mechanical response is shown in terms of displacements, principal strains, and a new measure called the 'mechanical intensity scalar'. For each load case studied, there was substantial bending in the molar region of the corpus and high tensile strains in the anterior portion of the ramus.
Observation of Chiral Surface States in the Integer Quantum Hall Effect

We have made experimental studies of low-temperature, high-magnetic field electronic transport in layered, three-dimensional semiconductor structures. In fields that produce the integer quantum Hall effect for transport parallel to the layers, we find deep minima in the vertical conductance ${G}_{\mathrm{zz}}$. Between these quantum Hall states, the size dependence of ${G}_{\mathrm{zz}}$ indicates that vertical transport is through the bulk. Within quantum Hall states, we find that vertical transport is along the surface of the sample, via a ``sheath'' of extended surface states. This surface sheath is a novel two-dimensional system that exhibits a metallic conductivity $\ensuremath{\ll}{e}^{2}/h$.
Alterations of the cytoplasmic organization of WIRL cells induced by trifluoperazine

Abstract The antipsychotic drug trifluoperazine (TFP) causes a reversible rounding of cells of the rat liver epithelial cell line, WIRL. We have investigated the cytoplasmic organization of these cells after TFP treatment using SEM, TEM and immunofluorescence and have observed significant differences between the control and treated cells. Mitochondria are converted to the condensed configuration with distended cristae and the endoplasmic rcticulum becomes tubular with distended cisternae. Intermediate filaments, visualized with a monoclonal antibody, are aggregated to a cap on the nucleus in an arrangement different from that induced by colcemid.
Thought Control Strategies in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry that is difficult to control; but methods of thought control among persons with GAD have not been previously investigated. Forty-two patients with GAD and 55 non-anxious controls (NACs) completed the Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ; A. Wells & M. I. Davies, 1994). Patients with GAD reported significantly greater use of worry and punishment strategies, and less use of distraction and social control strategies, than NACs. Further, worry and punishment strategies were positively correlated with depressive symptoms and excessive worry, while distraction and social control strategies were negatively correlated with these measures of psychopathology. Higher life satisfaction was associated with greater use of distraction and social control strategies, and lesser use of worry and punishment strategies.
Localization of Progesterone Receptors in the Shell Gland of Laying and Nonlaying Chickens

Abstract The aim of the present study was to localize the progesterone receptor (PR) in the shell gland of the chicken and to determine if the localization and the amount of PR in the shell gland change with egg laying activity. White Leghorn hens laying regularly or out of lay for more than 2 wk were used. Localization of PR in the shell gland was done by immunocytochemistry. The amount of PR in the shell gland mucosal tissues was measured by Western blot analysis. Monoclonal antibodies to the chicken PR, PR6, and PR13 were used in both experiments. The PR were present in the nuclei of the surface epithelial cells, tubular gland cells, stromal fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells in the arterial wall and myometrium of laying hens. The PR were localized in the same tissues of the shell gland of nonlaying hens as in laying hens. However, the density of PR-positive cells in nonlaying hens was greater, possibly because the tissues were atrophied. Western blot analysis indicated that the amount of PR was greater in nonlaying hens than in laying hens when equal amounts of proteins were used, whereas the molecular weights of PR of laying and nonlaying hens were identical. These results suggest that progesterone acting through its receptor may regulate the secretory activity of the surface epithelium and tubular gland cells for shell formation and the contractile activity of the myometrium. Moreover, once the cells of the shell gland differentiate and become responsive to progesterone, these cells maintain this responsiveness even during the nonlaying period.
Using gaming technologies and platforms to experiment with fusion algorithms for situation management

In this paper we discuss issues in testing various cognitive fusion algorithms for situation management. We provide a proof-of-principle discussion and demo showing how gaming technologies and platforms could be used to devise and test various fusion algorithms, including input, processing, and output. We argue that the proof-of-principle warrants further work on more advanced test beds and methods for high-level fusion in support of situation management. We develop four simple fusion scenarios and one more complex scenario in which a simple rule-based system is scripted to govern the behavior of battlespace entities.
The Woman Friendly Hospital Initiative in Bangladesh setting: standards for the care of women subject to violence

The Woman Friendly Hospital Initiative is part of the overall strategy aimed at overcoming a situation of high maternal mortality in Bangladesh. It has evolved from the reality of 14% of maternal deaths being associated with violence. A key of the initiative is the management of violence against women. Training courses for doctors developed through a process of multi-sectoral consultation. The focus is on effecting a change in the perceptions, emotions, attitude, knowledge and skills of providers and nurturing leadership.
Memory-conjunction errors: miscombination of stored stimulus features can produce illusions of memory.

We demonstrate that subjects will often claim to have previously seen a new stimulus if they have previously seen stimuli containing its component features. Memory for studied stimuli was measured using a “yes”/“ no” recognition test. There were three types of test stimuli:target stimuli, which had been presented during study,conjunction stimuli, constructed by combining the features of separate study stimuli, andfeature stimuli, in which studied stimulus features were combined with new, unstudied, features. For both nonsense words and faces, the subjects made many more false alarms for conjunction than for feature stimuli. Additional experiments demonstrated that the results were not due to physical similarity between study and test stimuli and that conjunction errors were much more common than feature errors in recall. The results demonstrate that features of stored stimuli maintain some independence in memory and can be incorrectly combined to produce recognition errors.
Long-term potentiation and the computational synapse

The hippocampus is a popular site for electrophysiology research because most of its primary cell types are separated into easily recognizable regions, and the axonal fiber tracts connecting these regions are relatively simple and well defined, as illustrated in Fig. 1. In the dentate gyrus the principal cell type is the granule cell, and the majority of granule cell input comes from a fiber tract called the perforant path. The perforant path contains axons that originate in the entorhinal cortex and provide a major sensory input to the hippocampus. The perforant path splits into two anatomically distinct pathways, called the …
Factors affecting the character stability of classifications

The effect of six resemblance coefficients (taxonomic distance, Manhattan distance, correlations, cosines, and two new general dissimilarity coefficients) on the character stability of classifications based on six data sets was evaluated. The six data sets represent a variety of organisms, and of ratios of number of characters to number of OTUs, and were randomly bipartitioned 100 times. The results of matrix correlations, cophenetic correlations and two consensus measures indicate that no one resemblance coefficient is uniformly better than all others when evaluated in terms of the stability of a classification, although taxonomic distance and Manhattan distance produce relatively more stable classifications than the other resemblance coefficients. An index of dimensionality, the stemminess and cophenetic correlations of classifications were calculated for the six data sets and also for 20 data sets analyzed in an earlier study. Regression analysis of stability on the ratio of number of characters to the number of OTUs, dimensionality, stemminess, and cophenetic correlations explained more than 70% of the variance in stability. Of the four factors, the ratio was by far the most important. Stemminess and dimensionality contributed little when considered singly, and did not add appreciably to the variance explained by ratio and cophenetic correlations.
Practical designed syntheses of all stereoisomeric bis(2,2')- and tris(2,2',2' ')-tetrahydrofurans.

A convenient synthetic entry to the entire group of bis(2,2‘)- and tris(2,2‘,2‘ ‘)-tetrahydrofurans has been developed. The method is concise and relies on chromatographic separation, decarbonylati...
Blood flow and oxygen consumption with near-infrared spectroscopy and venous occlusion: Spatial maps and the effect of time and pressure of inflation

We have measured the local blood flow (BF) and oxygen consumption (OC) in the human calf muscle using near-infrared spectroscopy during venous occlusion. Venous occlusion was achieved by inflating a pneumatic cuff around the thigh of the subject. We have investigated the influence of the inflation time and cuff pressure on the recovered values of BF and OC. We have found that if the cuff pressure is increased from a threshold pressure (approximately 30 mm Hg) to a critical pressure (approximately 45 mm Hg) in less than about 6 s, one measures the same values of BF and OC independent of the total inflation time and final cuff pressure. We also report nine-pixel spatial maps of BF and OC to show that this technique can lead to spatially resolved measurements of blood flow and oxygen consumption in tissues.
Molecular analysis of developmental plasticity in neocortex.

Gene expression studies indicate that during activity-dependent developmental plasticity, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation causes a Ca(2+)-dependent increase in expression of transcription factors and their downstream targets. The products of these plasticity genes then operate collectively to bring about the structural and functional changes that underlie ocular dominance plasticity in visual cortex. Identifying and characterizing plasticity genes provides a tool for molecular dissection of the mechanisms involved. Members of second-messenger pathways identified in adult plasticity paradigms and elements of the transmission machinery are the first candidate plasticity genes tested for their role in activity-dependent developmental plasticity. Knockout mice with deletions of such genes have allowed analyzing their function in the context of different systems and in different paradigms. Studies of mutant mice reveal that activity-dependent plasticity is not necessarily a unified phenomenon. The relative importance of a gene can vary with the context of its expression during different forms of plasticity. Forward genetic screens provide additional new candidates for testing, some with well-defined cellular functions that provide insight into possible plasticity mechanisms.
The influence of psychosocial characteristics and race/ethnicity on the use, duration, and success of antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: Expanded access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has produced dramatic reductions in HIV-associated morbidity and mortality. Disparities in access to and benefit from ART have been observed by race, gender, and mental health status, however. METHODS: From 2001 to 2002, 611 HIV-positive patients were consecutively recruited from 5 southeastern US states and followed for 3 years. We evaluated demographic and psychosocial predictors of probability of receiving ART among all those eligible for ART (on ART, CD4 55,000 copies/mL in the year preceding enrollment), time to first ART discontinuation among those on ART, and time to VL >400 copies/mL among those on ART with VL <400 copies/mL at enrollment. RESULTS: Of 611 participants, 474 consented to medical record abstraction and had known ART status at enrollment; 81% (385 of 474) of all participants and 89% (385 of 435) of ART-eligible participants were receiving ART at enrollment. In multivariable analyses, ART receipt was associated with greater age (adjusted odds ratio = 1.92 per 10 years, 95% confidence interval: 1.23 to 3.01), fewer recent stressful life events (odds ratio = 0.68, 95% confidence interval: 0.51 to 0.92), less alcohol use (odds ratio = 0.64, 95% confidence interval: 0.46 to 0.90), and greater perceived self-efficacy (OR = 2.82, 95% confidence interval: 1.41 to 5.62). No psychosocial characteristics were associated with ART discontinuation or virologic failure. No racial/ethnic or gender disparities were observed in ART receipt; however, minority racial/ethnic groups were faster to discontinue ART (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.44, 95% confidence interval: 1.33 to 4.49) and experience virologic failure (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.09 to 3.71). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with unfavorable psychosocial profiles were less likely to be on ART, perhaps attributable to providers' or patients' expectations of readiness. Psychosocial characteristics were not associated with ART discontinuation or virologic failure, however, possibly reflecting the selection process involved in who initiates ART. Racial disparities in ART discontinuation and virologic failure merit further attention.
A Note on a Double Sample Test

Abstract A double sample test for a hypothesis concerning the mean μ of a normal random variable with unknown variance σ2 is presented in this note. This test is an alternative to the usual single sample t test and is made by taking samples at two stages. After the first sample has been observed the hypothesis is rejected, accepted or a second sample is taken. This double sample test is a modification of a double sample test suggested by D. Owen. However, for the test being suggested here if the second sample is taken the information from the first sample is used in making the final decision. A table is included which is a tabulation of the rejection and acceptance points for various sample sizes and α = .05 and α = .01. Additional tables are included which give some power values and expected sample sizes for the new test and Owen's test. These power values are compared with power values of various single sample t tests. Conclusions about desirable sample sizes are presented for both the new test and Owen...
Variation in physicians' definitions of the competent parent and other barriers to guideline adherence: the case of pediatric minor head injury management

Abstract A lack of consensus regarding the definition of even an everyday term can affect physician adherence to clinical guidelines using that term. We demonstrate this by taking, as an illustrative case, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ minor head injury (MHI) management guidelines, which generally recommend at-home observation by a “competent” parent (or the equivalent). The recommendation assumes consensus among physicians as to what parental competence comprises. We systematically examined this assumption. Physicians associated with Children's Hospital, San Diego were mailed a survey asking them to freely list terms defining parental competence. Independent variables were: physician gender, training, specialty, practice location, patient age mix, years in practice, and number of MHI cases seen per year. Dependent variables were: free-list content and length, ease and style of competence decision-making style (e.g., independent or collaborative), familiarity with the guidelines, and likelihood of ordering a computed tomography (CT) scan. Of 112 respondents, 34 (30%) were “not at all” or only “slightly” familiar with the guidelines; 23% (21/112) “frequently” or “sometimes” ordered CTs when the guidelines did not support this. Surgeons were more likely to order discretionary CTs. Office-based, pediatric-trained, and female physicians each found it significantly easier than their counterparts to determine which parents were, in their opinion, competent. Men reported using “objective” criteria significantly less frequently than women. A total of 64 discrete criteria were listed. Individual lists contained an average of 6.5 items. Surgeon's lists were significantly shorter than those of medical physicians. Seven sub-domains of competence were identified. Parental competence is not a unitary construct interpreted similarly by all physicians. Subgroups with distinct models may exist; training and specialization may be key variables. To decrease MHI management variation, guidelines should specify parental competence factors to be considered; they may need to be tailored to different physician subgroups.
Yes, It's about Time: A `Virtual' Letter to Sally Potter from Giuliana Bruno:

This reflection on Sally Potter's film Yes takes the form of a letter to the maker, a vehicle chosen for its capacity to address questions of critical distance and personal engagement between autho...
The energy dependence of the 90° pp elastic scattering depolarization parameter and amplitudes between 0.9 and 1.5 GeV/c

Abstract The depolarization parameter D NN for pp elastic scattering at θ cm = 90 ° has been measured at twelve momenta between 0.9 and 1.5 GeV/ c . The moduli of the three transversity amplitudes T 1 , T 3 , and T 4 have been extracted from these data and from previous measurements of the differential cross section and spin correlation parameter A NN (90 °). Smooth energy dependence is found for all three amplitude moduli.
New rare-earth-activated phosphate glass scintillators

We have investigated the applicability of phosphate glasses as host systems for the formation of rare-earth-activated gamma- and x-ray scintillators. Glass scintillators have generally suffered from low light yields, usually attributed to inefficient energy transfer from the glass matrix to the luminescent center. Our research on these phosphate glasses has shown that their structural properties can be readily varied and controlled by compositional alterations. The melting and pouring temperature of ~1050°C for these phosphate glasses is significantly lower than the processing temperatures generally associated with the formation of silicate glass scintillators. The calcium-sodium phosphate glasses will tolerate relatively high cerium concentrations based on the initial melt compositions, and the light yield for gamma-ray excitation at 662 keV was determined as a function of cerium concentration up to the saturation level. The rare-earth-activated Ca-Na phosphate glass primary-component decay time was in the range of 32 to 42 nsec for various Ce concentrations with the contribution of the light output of the primary component ranging from 80 to 90%. Studies of the effects of co-doing with both Ce and Gd were also carried out in the case of the Ca-Na phosphate glass hosts. The effects of post-synthesis thermochemical treatments in a variety of atmospheres and at various processing temperatures were also investigated for the Ce-activated Ca-Na phosphate scintillators.
Strain accommodation about strike-slip fault discontinuities in granitic rock under brittle-to-ductile conditions

Abstract Brittle and ductile structures adjacent to fault terminations and echelon fault steps of left-lateral strike-slip faults in the Lake Edison Granodiorite of the central Sierra Nevada, California are related to stress perturbations caused by fault slip. The structures associated with fault terminations change from dilatant splay fractures only, to splay fractures and ductile fabrics on opposing sides of the fault, to ductile fabrics ahead of the fault with decreasing distance from a younger neighboring pluton and, presumably, with increased temperatures. The distributions of deformation mechanisms correlate with the inferred local magnitudes and spatial distributions of the maximum tensile stress, the mean stress, and the maximum shear stress. Displacements along the faults are transferred across echelon stepovers by mineralized dilatant fractures in extensional steps. To accommodate slip transfer across contractional steps, rock apparently was squeezed vertically out of the step by ductile flow; concentrations of mobile and immobile elements indicate that diffusive mass transfer was not significant. Increased mean stress in contractional steps apparently enhanced crystal-plastic flow of quartz. A flow law that includes a pressure effect through correlation with pressure-dependent solidus temperatures is more successful than other experimentally derived flow laws in predicting the observed distribution of ductile fabrics.
A comparison of a new rapid real-time PCR system to traditional culture in determining group B streptococcus colonization

CULTURE IN DETERMINING GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS COLONIZATION MICHAEL GAVINO, EILEEN WANG, University of Chicago, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chicago, Illinois OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a new rapid, real-time polymerase-chain reaction (PCR)-based assay in the intrapartum detection of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective observational study where term patients were consented at the University of Chicago clinics after GBS screening at 35-37 weeks gestation. During admission for delivery, paired rectovaginal swabs were obtained–one swab for the rapid GBS assay employing the real-time PCR GeneXpert System (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA) with easy sample preparation, GBS target amplification and detection in a single cartridge in under 90min, the other for standard culture. The GBS carriage rate was calculated for the study population. Using the intrapartum culture as the gold standard, the sensitivities, specificities, and predictive values of the rapid GBS test and the 35-37 week culture were determined. Fisher’s exact chisquare test was used to assess for statistical significance. RESULTS: Fifty-five subjects had data from both the rapid test and intrapartum culture. The GBS colonization rate by intrapartum culture was approximately 43.6%. Compared with intrapartum culture, the rapid molecular test had a sensitivity of 95.8%, specificity of 64.5%, positive predictive value of 67.6%, and negative predictive value of 95.2% (p-values !0.0001). In addition, the real-time PCR test was more sensitive than the antenatal culture which had a sensitivity of 83.3%, a specificity of 80.6%, a positive predictive value of 76.9% and negative predictive value of 86.2%. CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggests that the GeneXpert rapid GBS test is highly sensitive for the intrapartum detection of GBS. The GBS colonization rate in this group of predominantly African American Medicaid patients was higher than generally reported. This study supports the feasibility of using this assay when the GBS status is unknown i.e. with patients without prenatal care, to allow for more selective use of antibiotic prophylaxis. A costbenefit analysis is underway to better delineate the potential implementation of this new technology.
Turbidimetric Studies of Growth Inhibition of Yeasts with Three Drugs: Inquiry into Inoculum-Dependent Susceptibility Testing, Time of Onset of Drug Effect, and Implications for Current and Newer Methods

Susceptibility testing with the broth-dilution visual end-point method is inoculum dependent with miconazole and 5-fluorocystosine, but not with amphotericin B. Turbidimetric measurements of yeast growth in the presence of antifungal drugs were therefore performed. With miconazole and 5-fluorocytosine, over the range of concentrations studied, growth occurred until a plateau phase was reached. With drug present prior to log phase growth, a delayed onset of effect was noted which was proportional to the generation time of the organism. With amphotericin B, in contrast, there was sharp transition with increasing drug concentration from no inhibition to complete arrest of growth, and no relation of onset of effect to generation time. These findings provide a possible explanation of inoculum dependence; i.e., at higher inocula, partially inhibited but growing yeasts become visible at higher drug concentrations. Supporting evidence derives from observations with different starting inocula, varying time of reading end points, and other methods of studying growth inhibition. The delay in miconazole and 5-fluorocytosine effect described suggests that rapid methods of susceptibility testing should be utilized with cultures already in log phase.
Absorption in 3C 212

3C 212 (Q0855+143) is a red quasar with ambiguous evidence for strong low-energy X-ray absorption in its ROSAT spectrum (Elvis et al. 1994). We combine Einstein and ROSAT data with ultraviolet absorption-line strengths to investigate the physical state of the absorber. We find that a highly ionized absorber (U approximately 0.3) provides a consistent fit to both X-ray and UV data as well as providing a significantly improved fit to the X-ray spectrum. The absorber is outflowing with a velocity of approximately 1600 km/sec with respect to the Mg II emission line, situated outside the broad emission-line region (BELR) and has low density. The alternative blackbody fit to the X-ray data is excluded if the source has not varied, and it is also unable to predict the UV absorption lines. This is the second case of an X-ray absorber identified with a UV absorber (the first one being 3C 351; Mathur et al. 1994) and suggests that UV/X-ray absorbers may be common. This is an exciting possibility as the combination of UV and X-ray constraints is very powerful in determining the physical conditions of an absorber.