cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction: Evidence for Multidisciplinary Care

Purpose: We examined the symptoms of bladder-bowel dysfunction (ie severity of voiding dysfunction and stool consistency) and psychosocial difficulties in children presenting to the pediatric urology clinic for voiding dysfunction and to the pediatric gastroenterology clinic for functional constipation.Materials and Methods: Parents of children seen at the gastroenterology clinic were recruited during the outpatient clinic appointment, and parents of children seen at the urology clinic were randomly selected from the research database and matched to the gastroenterology sample based on age and gender of the child. All parents completed the Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System, Bristol Stool Form Scale, Pediatric Symptom Checklist and Parenting Stress Index™-Short Form, which assessed severity of voiding dysfunction, stool consistency, level of psychosocial difficulties and level of parenting stress, respectively.Results: Children seen at the urology and gastroenterology clinics did not differ significantl...
Effect of exchange-energy corrections on self-consistent meson masses and on the equation of state of nuclear matter

An estimate is made of the effect of expanding about the full nucleon and meson propagators as well as the mean meson fields in certain model renormalizable relativistic field theories of nuclear matter. Meson masses are determined self-consistently by satisfying, at zero momentum only, the Schwinger-Dyson equations which result when the energy functional is truncated at the two-loop level. The tachyonic pion problem of the standard mean field expansion is eliminated but the opposite problem of a far too massive pion in normal nuclear matter arises.
Spontaneous intestinal perforation in premature infants: A distinct clinical entity associated with systemic candidiasis

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to define patient characteristics, risk factors, microbiology, and outcome of spontaneous intestinal perforations (SIP) in premature infants. Methods: To identify the characteristics and frequency of SIP, the medical records of 94 premature infants were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Eleven infants experienced 12 episodes of SIP and 53 infants had 55 episodes of confirmed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Compared with infants who had NEC, the infants with SIP were smaller and born more prematurely. The onset of illness was earlier and was associated with antecedent hypotension, leukocytosis, and a gasless appearance on abdominal radiograph. Blue abdominal discoloration was present in 11 of 12 babies with SIP, but in only one of the babies with NEC. Infants with SIP were significantly more likely to have systemic candidiasis. When controlling for birth weight and age, early onset, blue abdomen, and a gasless abdominal radiograph continued to be statistically significant markers of SIP. Conclusions: SIP occurs about 12-fold less frequently than NEC in preterm infants. A combination of clinical, laboratory, and radiological features distinguish very low birthweight infants with SIP from those with NEC. Obvious signs of bowel perforation are infrequent with SIP. SIP is frequently associated with systemic candidiasis.
Almost everywhere partition of unity to deal with essential boundary conditions in meshless methods

Abstract Due to overlapping nature of supports of partition of unity functions and the lack of the Kronecker delta property of meshless shape functions, it is difficult to deal with essential boundary conditions in meshless methods. In this paper, in order to alleviate this difficulty, we introduce almost everywhere partition of unity that is a partition of unity except a few points along boundary in two-dimensional case. Actually, the gradient of partition of unity functions become infinitely large at these exceptional points. However, we prove that the presence of these bad points does not change the convergence rates of computed solutions. Comparing with the computed solutions obtained by the Lagrange multiplier method, the penalty method, and the Nitche’s method, we demonstrate the proposed method is more effective in dealing with essential boundary conditions in meshless methods.
Lactate dehydrogenase subunit activities in hearts of aging rats

Diets with 40% of calories as fat with poly-unsaturated to saturated ratios of either 0.2 beef tallow (BT) diet or 1.0 mix (M) diet were fed to rats of both sexes. Groups were killed at 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 mo. of age. To estimate the effects of age, sex and dietary fat on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), activities of muscle type and heart type subunits were assayed biochemically in heart homogenates using differential substrate concentrations of 1.0 × 10−2 M and 3 × 10−4 M pyruvate, respectively. For comparison of methods, LDH activity was also determined histochemically in frozen sections of hearts, using lactate as a substrate.
Adaptive radiation on an isolated oceanic island: the Cryptorhynchinae (Curculionidae) of Rapa revisited

Rapa Island in SE Polynesia hosts a remarkable adaptive radiation of small, flightless weevils in the genus Miocalles. Sixty-seven species are known at present, of which 26 are described as new. One new name, two new combinations, and two new synonyms are established. The paradoxical occurrence of a large adaptive radiation on a small (40 km2), isolated, oceanic island is analysed in its evolutionary and ecological aspects: how did so many species of weevils evolve, and how is such a diversity of weevils maintained? Most of the speciation has taken place on Rapa itself. Two principal methods of intra-island isolation of weevil populations have led to speciation: between high mountain ranges, and between Rapa and its satellite islets. Glacial sea level fluctuations aided in speciation by connecting the satellite islets to Rapa at times, and by the downward extension, and connection of high-altitude cloud forests. Some speciational events may have taken place in 15000–150 000 years. Close relatives of Rapan weevils are known from nearby Marotiri, an almost sunken island, and from the neighbouring Austral archipelago, with which some inter-island speciation has taken place. The weevil species are almost all host-plant specific. There are often several species occupying the same host plant, in which case they may inhabit different parts of it. Some plants with a longer history on Rapa host more weevil species than newer arrivals.
Infection of synchronized TN-368 cell cultures with alfalfa looper nuclear polyhedrosis virus

Abstract Synchronized cultures of the TN-368 insect cell line were infected with a nuclear polyhedrosis virus from the alfalfa looper, Autographa californica , during different phases of the cell cycle. Cultures exposed to virus during the middle and late S phase have higher percentages of infected cells than cultures inoculated with virus in the G 2 phase. The amount of virus produced from each infected cell (polyhedra and plaque forming units) is not significantly different between cultures infected at all phases of the cell cycle.
Immunopaleontology reveals how affinity enhancement is achieved during affinity maturation of antibodies to influenza virus

The Abs made by B lymphocytes on first encountering an antigen bind it with low intrinsic affinity, and, over time, the average affinity of the Abs made against that antigen gradually increases. These changes, known as affinity maturation, were found initially for serum antibodies that recognized small, chemically well-defined epitopes (e.g., 2,4-dinitrophenyl). That similar affinity increases occur in responses to protein antigens, which elicit most immune responses to infections or vaccination, has been generally assumed but difficult to prove (1) largely because of the complexity and multiplicity of epitopes (antigenic determinants) on even small, single-chain proteins (2). Though some protein epitopes are linear stretches of amino acids, they usually are configurational clusters of noncontiguous residues best delineated crystallographically in antibody–antigen complexes (3); and more often than not, the diverse antibodies elicited to a protein antigen bind to different epitopes on that protein (4), confounding efforts to convincingly demonstrate affinity maturation. There are at least five epitopes on the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) that binds the virions to host cells (5). By comparing the binding properties and structures of affinity matured Abs to one of the HA epitopes with those of their progenitor Abs, the elegant study by Schmidt et al. reported in PNAS (6) provides clear evidence for affinity maturation of Abs. The study is notable, moreover, for its focus on the human immune response to influenza virus vaccination with a conventional influenza seasonal vaccine (FLUZON flu shot). By bringing together diverse approaches (crystallography, molecular dynamics simulations, and kinetic studies), the authors shed intriguing light on how the affinity enhancement of affinity matured antibodies is achieved.
The chemical evolution of Precambrian seawater: Evidence from REEs in banded iron formations

We present REE patterns determined by isotope dilution mass spectrometry from 20 Precambrian banded iron formation (BIF) samples, ranging in age from 3.4 to 0.65 Ga. The samples studied represent a variety of depositional settings and sedimentary facies. The oxide facies BIFs typically show LREE depleted patterns relative to shales, with (La/Nd)N ⩾ 1 and (La/Yb)N mostly 0.3–0.8. The NASC-normalized REE patterns from the oxide facies BIFs are similar to modern metalliferous sediments, except for Ce and Eu. Positive Eu anomalies were found in all BIF samples, whereas Ce anomalies were variable. Both the oxide facies BIFs and modern metalliferous sediments typically have La/Yb ratios slightly higher than seawater. The REE data suggest that the Fe and REEs in BIFs coprecipitated from seawater as Fe oxy-hydroxides.The variable Ce anomalies are probably the result of diagenetic processes and redox cycling, similar to modern reducing environments. Comparison of the REE patterns and ϵNd data of Jacobsen and Pimentel-Klose (1988a,b) from coeval BIFs and clastic sediments indicates that the source of the REEs in BIFs was distinct from that of the shales. The positive σNd values and positive Eu anomalies indicate that submarine hydrothermal sources were important or even dominant for the REEs, and, by extension, the Fe in BIF. We also report new measurements of REEs in hydrothermal waters from the East Pacific Rise 21 °N site. These have very large Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu∗ ∼-70), higher than previously reported. Comparison of mass balance estimates for REEs in the oceans based on Nd isotopic composition and on Eu anomalies results in a large discrepancy, which probably is a result of non-conservative behavior of Eu during mixing of hydrothermal waters with ambient seawater. The REE data are consistent with a model for BIFs in which Fe and REEs derived from submarine hydrothermal systems are upwelled from the deep ocean, mixed with oxidizing surface water (with some continentally derived REEs), and deposited on the continental margins.
Influence of Pasteurization and Cool-Aging on the Behavior of Pure Salt Solutions Prepared in Accordance with the Composition and Concentrations in Milk

Summary A pure salt solution was prepared to simulate the composition of salts in milk serum, in order to study the mineral balance in milk. The salts were distributed into soluble and colloidal phases and a sediment was separated from the solution by centrifugation. Storage resulted in formations that resembled “lime grains.” Analysis showed that 35.9, 72.9, 51.8, and 80.9% of Ca, Mg, P, and citric acid, respectively, were soluble. The Ca :P ratio in the sediment was 1.46, indicating predominance of tricalcium phosphate. Heating decreased soluble Ca and pH, whereas cool-aging had the reverse effect. Variations in soluble Mg and citric acid were insignificant, but soluble P decreased on heating and on cool-aging in the pasteurized lot. The Ca :P ratio in the sediment from the untreated aliquot decreased to 1.26 on cool-aging, but pasteurization increased it to 1.63, which decreased again to 1.08 on cool-aging. Adding Ca increased Ca :P ratio, whereas adding P decreased it. The pH decreased with added Ca and increased with added P. Undissolved Ca, Mg, and citric acid in the sediment, when accounted for as tribasic salts, left 0.5 mg. of P and 0.4 mg. of Mg unaccounted for per 100 ml. of solution.
Return probabilities for random walk on a half-line

A random walk with reflecting zone on the nonnegative integers is a Markov chain whose transition probabilitiesq(x, y) are those of a random walk (i.e.,q(x, y)=p(y−x)) outside a finite set {0, 1, 2,...,K}, and such that the distributionq(x,·) stochastically dominatesp(·−x) for everyx∈{0, 1, 2,..., K}. Under mild hypotheses, it is proved that when Σxpx>0, the transition probabilities satisfyqn(x, y)∼CxyR−nn−3/2 asn→∞, and when Σxpx=0,qn(x, y)∼Cxyn−1/2.
Fiber Optic Signal Transmission to Reduce Radio-frequency Interference from a High-Voltage Spark Source

The incorporation of fiber optic signal transmission into a high voltage spark discharge experiment to reduce radio-frequency interference is described. Electrical isolation and the elimination of ground loops provided by the fiber optic links allow the use of sensitive CMOS computer logic in control of an electrically noisy spark source experiment. Circuit schematics are given and performance with three optical fiber cable types is described.
Optimum Feeding Proportion of Methane and Oxygen in Cultivation of the Obligate Methane-utilizing Bacterium, Methylomonas flagellata, in Batch Culture

The optimum feeding proportion of methane and oxygen for cultivation of Methylomonas flagellata was defined in batch cultures. The highest productivity was obtained by feeding equi-volumes of methane and oxygen (CH4 17%+air 83%). In this condition, the dissolved methane and oxygen were found to be simultaneous growth limiting factors with elevation of cell density. M. flagellata showed a specific growth rate of 0.19 hr−1 under this optimal condition, and cell density reached 23 g/liter after 72 hr cultivation.
A total asymmetric synthesis of the isolactarane sesquiterpene (−)-merulidial

Abstract A general strategy for the synthesis of lactaranes, marasmanes, sterpuranes as well as isolactaranes which share a common structural motif begins to emerge based upon a tandem Pd catalyzed cycloisomerization - thermal cycloaddition sequence.
TNF-α Induces Vectorial Secretion of IL-8 in Caco-2 Cells

Intestinal epithelial cells represent an important component of innate immunity, with sophisticated responses to inflammatory stimuli. The manner in which intestinal epithelial cell polarity affects responses to inflammatory stimuli is largely unknown. We hypothesized that polarized intestinal epithelial cells exhibit a bidirectional inflammatory response dependent upon the location of the stimulus. Caco-2 cells were grown on semi-permeable inserts in a dual-compartment culture system and treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α; 100 ng/ml) or serum-free media in the apical or basolateral chamber. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) production in each chamber was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To determine receptor specificity, anti-TNF receptor antibodies were added to the apical or basolateral chamber. Basolateral stimulation with TNF-α resulted in increased apical and basolateral IL-8 production. Apical TNF-α stimulation resulted in increased apical, but not basolateral IL-8 production. Receptor blockade suggested TNF receptor 1 involvement on both apical and basolateral membranes, while TNF receptor 2 was only active on the apical membrane. Polarized intestinal epithelial cells respond to TNF-α stimulation with focused, directional secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-8. These findings are important because they suggest that intestinal epithelial cells are capable of organizing their response to inflammatory signals and producing inflammatory mediators in a bidirectional, vectorial fashion.
Tonic BCR signaling represses receptor editing via Raf- and calcium-dependent signaling pathways.

Abstract Light chain receptor editing is an important mechanism that prevents B cell self-reactivity. We have previously shown that tonic signaling through the BCR represses RAG expression at the immature B cell stage, and that initiation of light chain rearrangements occurs in the absence of these tonic signals in an in vitro model of B cell development. To further test our hypothesis we studied the effect of itpkb deficiency (itpkb−/− mice) or Raf hyper-activation (Raf-CAAX transgenic mice), two mutations that enhance BCR signaling, on receptor editing in an in vivo model. This model relies on transferring bone marrow from wild-type or mutant mice into mice expressing an anti-kappa light chain transgene. The anti-kappa transgene induces receptor editing of all kappa light chain expressing B cells, leading to a high frequency of lambda light chain expressing B cells. Anti-κ transgenic recipients of bone marrow from itpkb−/− or Raf-CAAX mice showed lower levels of editing to λ light chain than did non-transgenic control recipients. These results provide evidence in an in vivo model that enhanced BCR signaling at the immature B cell stage of development suppresses light chain receptor editing.
New hair cells arise from supporting cell conversion in the acoustically damaged chick inner ear

Supporting cell mitosis contributes significantly to hair cell regeneration in the acoustically damaged bird inner ear. Yet there may be another mechanism of hair cell replacement: supporting cell conversion. This study used cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), an inhibitor of DNA synthesis, to better determine whether supporting cells could transdifferentiate into hair cells without cell division. Chicks received Ara-C injections after acoustic overstimulation. Scanning microscopic studies of the basilar papillae revealed several unpaired, immature hair cells. To ensure Ara-C's blockage of DNA synthesis, one group of birds received both Ara-C and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), while another group had BrdU only. Immunocytochemical analysis of Ara-C/BrdU and BrdU papillae indicated zero and 16 dividing cells, respectively. This difference confirmed that Ara-C blocked DNA synthesis, arresting supporting cell mitosis. These data strongly suggest that supporting cell can convert into hair cells.
On the Role of Planetary-Scale Waves in the Abrupt Seasonal Transition of the Northern Hemisphere General Circulation

The role of planetary-scale waves in the abrupt seasonal transition of the Northern Hemisphere (NH) general circulation is studied. In reanalysis data, the winter-to-summer transition involves the growth of planetary-scale wave latent heat and momentum transports in the region of monsoons and anticyclones that dominate over the zonal-mean transport beginning in midspring. The wave-dominated regime coincides with an abrupt northward expansion of the cross-equatorial circulation and reversal of the trade winds. In the upper troposphere, the transition coincides with the growth of cross-equatorial planetary-scale wave momentum transport and a poleward shift of subplanetary-scale wave transport and jet stream. The dynamics of the seasonal transition are captured by idealized aquaplanet model simulations with a prescribed subtropical planetary-scale wave sea surface temperature (SST) perturbation. The SST perturbation generates subtropical planetary-scale wave streamfunction variance and transport in the lower and uppertroposphereconsistentwithquasigeostrophictheory.BeyondathresholdSST,atransitionofthezonalmean circulation occurs, which coincides with a localized reversal of absolute vorticity in the NH tropical upper troposphere. The transition is abrupt in the lower troposphere because of the quadratic dependence of the wave transport on the SST perturbation and involves seasonal-time-scale feedbacks between the wave and zonal-meanflow in theupper troposphere,including cross-equatorial wave propagation. Thezonal-mean vertical and meridional flows associated with the circulation response are in balance with the planetary-scale wave momentumand latentheat meridionalflux divergences. The resultshighlightthe leading-order roleofmonsoon‐ anticyclone transport in the seasonal transition, including its impact on the meridional extent of the Hadley and Ferrel cells. They can also be used to explain why the transition is less abrupt in the Southern Hemisphere.
Perceptions of Adolescent Girls with LD regarding Self-Determination and Postsecondary Transition Planning:

Existing research has documented disparate outcomes between young women and men with disabilities in many transition domains, including employment, postsecondary education, and parenting. Similarly...
Optimal Incentive Schemes with Many Agents

The Grossman-Hart principal-agent model of moral hazard is extended to the multiple agent case to explore the use of relative performance in optimal incentive contracting. Under the assumption that the principal chooses incentive schemes to implement agent actions as Nash equilibria, necessary and sufficient conditions are derived for the optimality of independent contracts, of rank-order tournaments, and for attainability of the first-best. In this context the relation of the principal's welfare to the correlation between the underlying randomness in outputs of different agents is also investigated. Finally, some problems with the Nash equilibrium implementation assumption are discussed. In this paper we extend the Grossman-Hart analysis of the principal agent problem to a multiple-agent setting. In this version of the problem, a risk-neutral principal is assumed to observe the output or a performance index for each (risk-averse) agent; the output of any agent depends on a privately observable action chosen by the agent and an exogenous random variable (the realization of which is not observed either by the principal, or by the agent before choosing its action). We especially focus attention on the role of relative performance evaluation in optimal incentive contracts, and the way this depends on properties of the underlying production technology and (the joint distribution of) the random variables affecting the outputs of different agents. In Section 2 of the paper we consider the principal's problem of finding an optimal incentive scheme and an action tuple for agents, subject to the constraint that the latter be implemented as a Nash equilibrium between agents by the chosen incentive scheme (where agents must attain at least their reservation utilities). A characterization of optimal incentive schemes is derived, analogous to the Grossman-Hart characterization for the single agent problem. This characterization is then utilized to find sufficient and (generically) necessary conditions for (a) optimal contracts for any agent to be independent of the performance of other agents, and (b) optimality of rank-order tournaments (where payments depend solely on ordinal comparisons of output across agents). We then describe a necessary and sufficient condition for the principal to extract maximum advantage from relative performance clauses, i.e. achieve the first-best level of expected utility in the multiagent situation. An implication of this result is that (under fairly weak conditions) perfect correlation in the underlying production uncertainties for different agents enables the principal to attain the first best if and only if sufficiently heavy penalties can be inflicted on agents. We then enquire what happens in intermediate cases of non-perfect correlation. It turns out that while in general the principal's welfare is a continuous function of the correlation coefficient, it is not always nondecreasing in the latter (because the correlation coefficient is not a general measure of association between two random variables, but rather a measure of linear association between them).
The relationships among cloud microphysics, chemistry, and precipitation rate in cold mountain clouds

Abstract A study was conducted to examine the relationships among air pollutant loadings, cloud microphysics, and snowfall rates in cold mountain clouds. It was hypothesized that variations in pollutant loadings would be reflected in shifts in the cloud droplet size distribution. A field program was conducted at Storm Peak Laboratory (SPL) at an elevation of 3210 m MSL in northwestern Colorado. Cold precipitating clouds were sampled during January, 1995. Cloud water was collected and analyzed for major ion and trace element chemistry. Cloud droplet concentrations and size were measured continuously using a PMS FSSP-100. The results indicate a direct relationship between clear-air equivalent (CAE) sulfate concentrations in cloud water and cloud droplet concentrations, an indirect relationship between droplet number and droplet size, a direct relationship between droplet size and snowfall rate, and an indirect relationship between CAE sulfate concentration and snowfall rate.
Mast cell numbers in rheumatoid synovial tissues. Correlations with quantitative measures of lymphocytic infiltration and modulation by antiinflammatory therapy.

Abstract Synovial biopsy specimens from 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were subjected to quantitative analysis for several parameters of inflammation and for enumeration of synovial tissue mast cells. Strong positive correlations were found between numbers of mast cells per cubic millimeter of synovial tissue and the following synovial tissue parameters: inflammatory index (a quantification of lymphocytic infiltration), Leu-3a grade (T helper/inducer lymphocytes), Leu-1 grade (T lymphocyte), and plasma cell grade. A strong negative correlation was found between the synovial mast cell count and the extent of sublining layer fibrin deposition. Correlations between synovial mast cell count and Leu-2a grade, ratio of Leu-3a grade:Leu-2a grade, OKM1 grade, HLA-DR grade, and lining layer thickness grade did not reach statistical significance. In addition, we obtained synovial specimens from 6 of the patients both before and after long-term therapy with oral methotrexate and from 3 of the patients before, and 1 week after, an intraarticular injection of steroid. The 3 patients who had an intraarticular steroid injection showed a 67-96% decrease in the number of synovial tissue mast cells; there was no significant change in the number of synovial mast cells in the tissues of the 6 patients who received oral methotrexate. These observations are the first documentation of a quantitative relationship between the number of mast cells and the number and phenotypic profile of infiltrating lymphocytes in an inflamed tissue, which in this case, is human synovium. Our findings suggest that mast cells are involved in the pathologic interactions in rheumatoid arthritis and might play a role in the early phases of exacerbations of disease activity.
Preliminary analysis of physiological changes of nursing students during training

Long-term exposure to stress has been associated with chronic diseases, depression, and immune disorders. The precise detection and assessment of stress depends on personalized physiological monitoring and assessment of influence of personal and workplace factors We monitored nursing students during training on a high fidelity simulator in the Real-time Physiological Monitoring Lab at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. In this paper we present the preliminary results of this pilot study. A total of 14 participants were recorded: 12 female and 2 male subjects, 23–46 years old with an average age of 32.8 years. We analyzed heart rate, Heart Rate Variability (HRV), respiration, and physical activity. The results indicate significant strain on subjects during simulation: heart rate increased 16.7%, from 82.8 to 96.6 bpm (p&#60;0.001), falling to a slightly increased level after the training session (84.9 bpm); Root Mean Square of Successive RR Differences (RMSSD) decreased from 38.9 ms to 37.7 ms; the breathing rate increased during the simulation from 16.9 to 17.7 breaths/min. Distractions also significantly influenced physiological parameters: the first telephone call increased heart rate on average 9 bpm (p&#60;0.001), while the second call increased heart rate 8.6 bpm (p&#60;0.001). The simulated patient-related events created even more prominent response; the average heart rate increased 17.4 bpm (p&#60;0.001) at the onset of “patient in crisis” event. Real-time wearable monitoring may provide assessment of occupational stress.
Using Client Information Systems in Practice Settings: Factors Affecting Social Workers' Use of Information Systems

ABSTRACT There is increasing pressure on social service agencies to produce “results,” and often agency computer information systems are associated with efforts to do so. The current study explores worker characteristics that may interact with organizational factors in influencing data system utilization. A survey of 245 community social workers serving as field instructors was conducted. Worker skill and experience with computers accounted for a large part of the variance on the utilization of information systems followed by the user-friendliness of the system and the workers' beliefs that data are useful in their work. The findings suggest that organizations seeking to increase worker utilization of information systems will need to focus on enhancing worker's computer skills as well as assuring that the information is easy to use and is perceived as useful by workers.
Organic cation effects on the sorption of metals and neutral organic compounds on aquifer material

Abstract Sorption of ethylhexadecyldimethyl ammonium (EHDDMA+), a large organic cation, and three neutral organic compounds (NOC's) on two low organic carbon aquifer materials was studied using a soil batch equilibration technique. EHDDMA+ competed effectively with metals for exchange sites and EHDDMA+ sorption was accompanied by an equimolar charge desorption of metals. NOC's sorption on the aquifer materials was low (K ≤ 0.22) which was consistent with the sorbent's low organic carbon content. However, EHDDMA+ sorption increased toluene sorption by two orders of magnitude. The enhanced toluene sorption was. due to the hydrophobic surface provided by the hydrocarbon moiety of sorbed EHDDMA+.
The effects of visual scene composition on the latency of saccadic eye movements of the rhesus monkey

This study examined how variations in the visual scene affect the generation of bimodal saccadic latency distributions, the first mode of which is called the population of "express saccades". The surface media used to make stimuli visible and the composition of the background were varied to determine the conditions under which express saccades can be generated in rhesus monkeys. The results show that express saccades to singly presented targets can readily be elicited when the stimuli are made visible by virtue of either luminance contrast, color contrast or motion cues. Express saccades are rarely obtained when stimuli are made visible by virtue of only stereoscopic depth or texture cues. Express saccades can, however, be elicited using random-dot stereograms or textures when luminance or chrominance information is added to the target. When single target stimuli are presented simultaneously with a set of non-target stimuli, express saccades are for the most part prevented unless either the non-target stimuli are near threshold or their numerosity is very high, in which case they form a texture-like array. However, when the non-target stimuli are continuously present in the display, express saccades reemerge. These findings suggest that express saccades are not unique to experimental situations in which only a single stimulus appears on an otherwise homogeneous surface; they can readily be generated as long as the target stimulus is made visible by virtue of luminance, chrominance, motion or a combination of more than one surface medium and as long as the target does not appear concurrently with a salient group of other non-target stimuli.
Increased myocardial perfusion at rest and diminished perfusion reserve in patients with angina and angiographically normal coronary arteries.

Abstract Angiographically normal coronary arteries are found in a substantial number of patients evaluated for angina pectoris. One third to one half of such patients demonstrate abnormalities of myocardial perfusion or metabolism when evaluated with invasive techniques. This study was designed to determine whether angina in such patients is attributable to abnormalities of perfusion at rest, maximal perfusion or vasodilator reserve and whether any identified abnormalities were global or regional in nature. Positron emission tomography was performed with oxygen-15-labeled water (H215O) and oxygen-15-labeled carbon monoxide (C15O) before and after intravenous dipyridamole to assess regional myocardial perfusion and perfusion reserve in absolute terms in 16 normal subjects and 17 patients with chest pain and angiographicaliy normal coronary arteries. Eight of the 17 patients had a myocardial perfusion reserve Thus, nearly half of patients with chest pain and normal coronary arteries have abnormalities of myocardial perfusion that are detectable noninvasively with positron emission tomography and H215O.
Inhibitory motor neurons of the esophageal myenteric plexus are mechanosensitive

Mechanosensitivity of enteric neurons has been reported in the small intestine and colon, but not in the esophagus. Our earlier in vivo studies show that mechanical stretch of the esophagus in the ...
The Need for Technologies to Prevent Bilirubin-Induced Neurologic Dysfunction Syndrome

Dramatic improvements in the overall socioeconomic conditions have yet to impact the unacceptably high maternal (approximately 1500 maternal deaths daily, worldwide) and neonatal morbidity and mortality (more than 10,000 deaths per daily 200,000 live-births, worldwide) in the developing nations. Thus, nations with emerging markets have unique health-societal needs. All infants require a safer transition from a birthing facility to home during the first week after birth and providing for a nurturing environment to prevent neonatal illnesses is integral to "good clinical practice." The unmonitored occurrence of severe hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus are emblematic of a fractured maternal child healthcare system. The "know-do" gaps that span private versus public health care systems in the emerging markets have led us to conclude that building an interdisciplinary leadership approach to provide innovative strategies and affordable technologies will help bridge and access existing social barriers in the micro- and macro-health environments. Thus, unfettered access, global benchmarks, and culturally relevant strategies are dependent on evidence-based affordable technologies to successfully transform societal health care practices. Implementation of jaundice-related technologies should serve as a template for other affordable newborn health products.
Phleboliths in varicoceles presenting as spermatic cord mass.

Objective To discuss the diagnosis and management of phleboliths in the dilated veins of a varicocele. Design Case report. Setting Two healthy patients in an academic andrology center. Patient(s) Two healthy patients undergoing evaluation and treatment of male factor infertility. Intervention(s) Ultrasonography and varicocele repair. Main Outcome Measure(s) Improvement in male factor infertility. Result(s) One patient had a phlebolith diagnosed ultrasonographically by echogenicity and acoustic shadowing within a dilated vein of a varicocele. Another patient had a hard mass found within a dilated vein of a varicocele at the time of surgical repair. Conclusion(s) A hard rounded mass within a spermatic vein identified at surgery or sonographically within the veins of the spermatic cord should be considered a phlebolith. Decisions regarding treatment depend on clinical presentation.
Examining the financial profile of Smaller Manufacturing Enterprises (SMEs)

The financial profiles of Smaller Manufacturing Enterprises (SMEs) are examined in this paper. The primary purpose of the paper is to better understand the innovation process and improve the immediate and future product offerings by the SMEs to compete more effectively in the marketplace. The study results indicate that the SMEs do not have the adequate financial experience and resources for commercialising their products and that they need more detailed financial planning starting at the earliest stage of the premarket period.
Mass politics or elite politics? india's economic reforms in comparative perspective

In discussions of the politics of economic reforms, a distinction needs to be made between mass politics and elite politics. In a democracy, the former may be much more pressing for politicians. As is true in so many multiethnic societies today, ethnic conflicts may enter mass politics more quickly than disputes over economic reforms. The relegation of reforms to a secondary political status, however, can work to the advantage of reformers, for a mass preoccupation with ethnic issues provides political room to push reforms. Given a multiplicity of salient political issues, even minority governments can press ahead with economic reforms.
Identification of a novel NCF-1 (p47-phox) pseudogene not containing the signature GT deletion: significance for A47° chronic granulomatous disease carrier detection

The p47- phox gene, NCF-1 , has 2 nearly identical pseudogenes (ψNCF-1) in proximity at chromosomal locus 7q11.23. A dinucleotide deletion (ΔGT) at the beginning of exon 2 that leads to a frameshift and premature stop codon is considered the signature sequence of the pseudogenes. It is also the most prevalent mutation in p47- phox– deficient (A47°) chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) as a result of the insertion of a ΔGT-containing fragment of pseudogene into NCF-1. Extending our study of the relationship between NCF-1 and ψNCF-1 to 53 unaffected control individuals, we found that although in most (n = 44), the ratio of pseudogene (ΔGT) to functional gene (GTGT) sequence in amplicons spanning exon 2 was 2:1, as previously observed, surprisingly, in 7 persons the ratio was 1:1, and in 2 persons the ratio was 1:2. The lowered ratios are explained by the presence, in a heterozygous or homozygous state, respectively, of a pseudogene that contains GTGT rather than ΔGT. It is possible that this pseudogene has not undergone deletion of GT, but more likely, based on analysis of additional NCF-1/ψNCF-1 markers, it represents the previously unidentified product of the reciprocal crossover of DNA fragments between the functional gene and one of its pseudogenes. The mutated NCF-1 resulting from this event is the predominant A47°CGD allele. The existence of 2 extended haplotypes encompassing NCF-1/ψNCF-1 further complicates the detection of A47°CGD carriers. Although most have a ΔGT/GTGT ratio of 5:1, some have a ratio of 2:1 and are indistinguishable by this means from unaffected individuals.
ABNORMAL PROTEIN TYROSINE PHOSPHORYLATION IN FIBROBLASTS FROM HYPERAPOBETALIPOPROTEINEMIA SUBJECTS

Abstract The stimulatory effects of three normal human serum basic proteins (BP), BP I (M r 14,000, pI 9.10), BP II (M r 27, 500, pI 8.48), and BP III (M r 55,000, pI 8.73) on cellular triglyceride and cholesterol formation require intact protein-tyrosine kinase phosphorylation (TKP). Here we examined whether there is an abnormality in TKP in cultured fibroblasts from 11 patients with hyperapobetalipoproteinemia (hyperapoB) that manifest two acylation-stimulatory defects, decreased stimulation of triglyceride synthesis by BP I but enhanced formation of cholesterol by BP II. Soluble and insoluble proteins in Triton X-100 extracts were isolated by immunoprecipitation with a monoclonal anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (MAPA) bound to agarose beads and by ultracentrifugation, respectively, from confluent fibroblasts after incubation for 24 h in supplemented serum-free and lipid-free medium (DMEM/F12). Western blots of insoluble proteins showed that group (Gp) II (M r 36,000–55,000) and Gp III (M r 14,000–35,000) from hyperapoB cells, grown in DMEM/F12 medium without BP, had significantly decreased reactivity to MAPA. No significant differences in reactivity to MAPA were detected between normal and hyperapoB cells for Gp I (M r97–120,000). BP II, but not BP I or BP III, reversed the decreased reactivity of Gp II and Gp III to MAPA in hyperapoB cells. Sodium vanadate, an inhibitor of phosphotyrosine phosphatases, did not reverse the deficiency in TKP or the 50% deficiency in the stimulation of mass triglyceride by BP I in hyperapoB cells. Tyrosine-phosphorylated Erk-2, a mitogen-activated protein kinase, identified as one of the proteins in Gp II, was significantly decreased in hyperapoB cells. These results provide further evidence for abnormal protein TKP in hyperapoB cells and suggest a possible link between atherosclerotic changes in hyperapoB patients and growth factors upstream from mitogen-activated protein kinase.
Postgraduate musculoskeletal fellowship training in the United States: current trends and future direction

To document current postgraduate musculoskeletal training program (accredited and unaccredited) curricula and approaches to education. Questionnaires were sent to all musculoskeletal training programs. Responses regarding radiology residency and fellowship program sizes, types of imaging and invasive procedures included, and other program parameters were solicited. Features of accredited and unaccredited programs were compared. Teaching approaches, including the use of web-based or distance learning were evaluated. Twenty-nine (73%) of 40 musculoskeletal programs responded to the questionnaire. Twenty-eight percent of programs were accredited and 72% unaccredited. Radiology residencies were also present at all responding institutions (the majority had a class size of 4–8/year). Residency programs in related specialties included pathology 96%, orthopedics and rheumatology 90%, oncology 83% and pain management 69%. The majority (93–100%) provided training in radiography, MRI and CT. Spine MRI was included in 69% of programs, ultrasonography in 62% and positron emission tomography in 24%. Arthrography and diagnostic and therapeutic injections (100%) were included in all programs. Other invasive procedures, including spine and radiofrequency ablation, were offered less frequently. Teaching approaches included conferences (100%), journal clubs (62%), multidisciplinary conferences (45–90%), web-based learning (30%) and distance learning (7%). Forty-one percent of programs offered off-site rotations. The majority of musculoskeletal training programs prepared trainees for private or academic practice. There are inconsistencies that could be improved to better prepare trainees for careers in musculoskeletal imaging.
Clinical Experiences With Clients Who Are Low-Income Mental Health Practitioners’ Perspectives

The experiences of nine licensed mental health practitioners regarding their work with clients from low-income backgrounds were examined utilizing grounded theory methodology. Themes that emerged from the semi-structured interviews highlighted a rich narrative that portrayed the work as both deeply satisfying and inherently complex. Participants described the personal nature of this work, including countertransference elicited because of their own personal economic contexts and emotional reactions experienced within and outside the therapy room. Their stories acknowledged systematic challenges that act as barriers to treatment. Some participants noted that this has contributed to feelings of disillusionment toward the field as well as fears about the future of the mental health care. Based on these findings, we discuss implications for training, future research, and clinical practice.
De novo somatic mutations in components of the PI3K-AKT3-mTOR pathway cause hemimegalencephaly

De novo somatic mutations in focal areas are well documented in diseases such as neoplasia but are rarely reported in malformation of the developing brain. Hemimegalencephaly (HME) is characterized by overgrowth of either one of the two cerebral hemispheres. The molecular etiology of HME remains a mystery. The intractable epilepsy that is associated with HME can be relieved by the surgical treatment hemispherectomy, allowing sampling of diseased tissue. Exome sequencing and mass spectrometry analysis in paired brain-blood samples from individuals with HME (n = 20 cases) identified de novo somatic mutations in 30% of affected individuals in the PIK3CA, AKT3 and MTOR genes. A recurrent PIK3CA c.1633G>A mutation was found in four separate cases. Identified mutations were present in 8-40% of sequenced alleles in various brain regions and were associated with increased neuronal S6 protein phosphorylation in the brains of affected individuals, indicating aberrant activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. Thus HME is probably a genetically mosaic disease caused by gain of function in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT3-mTOR signaling.
The Synthesis of Laurolactam from Cyclododecanone via a Beckmann Rearrangement

A simple procedure for the production of laurolactam (cyclododecanone lactam) from cyclododecanone is described. This synthesis was designed for the undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory course.
Luminosity functions for various field sizes and levels of retinal illuminance.

Luminosity functions have been measured for four normal trichromats for three field sizes (1°, 12′, 1.5′) at various levels of retinal illuminance. As the illuminance decreases the reverse Purkinje effect is observed, i.e., there is a decrease in spectral sensitivity of the eye to blue relative to red. The dependence of the spectral sensitivity on field size is not pronounced for the experimental conditions used here. Considerable differences are found between the luminosity functions of the observers. These differences are several times larger than those obtained on repeated curves by any observer. It is shown that the use of an average luminosity function may give very misleading results in some cases.A comparison is made with the data obtained by previous workers.
Suppression of the negative effect of minor arginine codons on gene expression; preferential usage of minor codons within the first 25 codons of the Escherichia coli genes

AGA and AGG codons for arginine are the least used codons in Escherichia coli, which are encoded by a rare tRNA, the product of the dnaY gene. We examined the positions of arginine residues encoded by AGA/AGG codons in 678 E. coli proteins. It was found that AGA/AGG codons appear much more frequently within the first 25 codons. This tendency becomes more significant in those proteins containing only one AGA or AGG codon. Other minor codons such as CUA, UCA, AGU, ACA, GGA, CCC and AUA are also found to be preferentially used within the first 25 codons. The effects of the AGG codon on gene expression were examined by inserting one to five AGG codons after the 10th codon from the initiation codon of the lacZ gene. The production of beta-galactosidase decreased as more AGG codons were inserted. With five AGG codons, the production of beta-galactosidase (Gal-AGG5) completely ceased after a mid-log phase of cell growth. After 22 hr induction of the lacZ gene, the overall production of Gal-AGG5 was 11% of the control production (no insertion of arginine codons). When five CGU codons, the major arginine codon were inserted instead of AGG, the production of beta-galactosidase (Gal-CGU5) continued even after stationary phase and the overall production was 66% of the control. The negative effect of the AGG codons on the Gal-AGG5 production was found to be dependent upon the distance between the site of the AGG codons and the initiation codon. As the distance was increased by inserting extra sequences between the two codons, the production of Gal-AGG5 increased almost linearly up to 8 fold. From these results, we propose that the position of the minor codons in an mRNA plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression possibly by modulating the stability of the initiation complex for protein synthesis.