cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
1032-115 Care of the Patient Immediately Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Is It Cost-efficient?

Variations in care following PTCA may greatly affect the cost per hospitalization. To assess for common practices that might lead to increased costs, 76 institutions participating in the IMPACT II clinical trial were surveyed. The survey revealed common institutional practices that may lead to increased care costs for routine angioplasty patients. Practice patterns identified (n = 70) were: Key Factors N = 70 Transfuse at HCT of ≤ 27% (ACP guideline ≤ 22%) 75% Nurse/Patient Ratio of 2:1 45% Patients Admitted to ICU Post PTCA 36% Always Use Arterial and Venous Sheaths 27% leave Sheaths In Place for 12–18 Hours 27% Leave Sheaths in Place for Greater than 18 Hours 15% lab Work Required Within 24 Hours Prior to Procedure 22% Use of ST Segment Monitors 12% In the current era of limited health care resources and health care reform, it is critical to reassess traditional practices that may not be sensitive to cost containment. Health care professionals need to collaborate to identify a standard of care for these patients that promotes safety and favorable outcomes, yet are also cost-effective.
Notch cleavage: Nicastrin helps Presenilin make the final cut.

Presenilin is thought to be the proteolytic component of γ-secretase, responsible for the intramembranous cleavage of substrates that include the activated Notch receptor. Recent studies have identified the novel protein Nicastrin as another essential component of the Presenilin/γ-secretase complex.
Classroom Age Composition and Rates of Change in School Readiness for Children Enrolled in Head Start.

Abstract Despite policy and theoretical support for mixed-age classrooms in early childhood, research examining associations between age-mixing and children's outcomes is inconclusive and warrants further investigation, particularly in preschools serving children who are at risk for poor adjustment to formal schooling. One recent study conducted in preschool classrooms serving low-income children found negative associations between age-mixing and children's social and cognitive development. The current study extended this research by examining associations between classroom age composition (variability in ages of children in the classroom) and low-income preschool children's rates of change in school readiness. The sample consisted of 4417 preschool children enrolled in 207 classrooms in a large, diverse urban Head Start program. Multilevel modeling was employed to examine the main effect of classroom age composition, as well as the interaction between classroom age composition and children's age, as predictors of children's rates of change in emergent literacy, emergent numeracy, social and emotional skills, and approaches to learning. In contrast to previous research, classroom age composition was not associated with school readiness outcomes. This study contributes to the conflicting literature examining the associations between age mixing and children's school readiness and calls for a future research agenda to examine age mixing in context that is focused on sorting out these conflicting results. In the meantime, policymakers should consider other relevant factors when making decisions regarding mixed-age classrooms, such as family preference or the capability for teachers to individualize instruction to children based on their individual needs.
Review of Jane Austen's Fiction Manuscripts (Oxford University and King's College London, 2010)

Jane Austen's Fiction Manuscripts unifies in freely available, digital format c. 1100 extant manuscript pages written by Jane Austen. The project, which was previewed...
Platelet-derived growth factor: morphologic and biochemical studies of binding, internalization, and degradation

Kinetic studies of binding and internalization of 125I-platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) demonstrate that up to 15% of membrane-associated radioactivity is internalized within 2 minutes after warming to 37 degrees C in a variety of cell types. The T 1/2 for internalization is approximately 20 minutes. The T 1/2 for the subsequent appearance of degradation products in the culture medium is between 60-90 minutes following initiation of internalization. Internalization and lysosomal association of 125I-PDGF were confirmed by EM autoradiography. Quantitative studies using PDGF adsorbed to colloidal gold (gold-PDGF) demonstrate that 17% of the cell-associated sites are along coated regions of the plasma membrane (1.0 sites/micron), while 82% are associated with noncoated membrane (0.2 sites/micron). There is a significant redistribution of the gold-PDGF complexes upon warming. Within 1-2 minutes at 37 degrees C, gold particles are found within endocytic vesicles, endosomes (0.09-0.3 micron diameter), and lysosomes (greater than 0.2 micron diameter). At this time the vesicle/endosome compartment comprises 15% of the total sites and contains 0.9 sites per micron2 of surface area. The lysosomes account for 8% of the total sites and contain 0.8 sites per micron2 of surface area. Simultaneously, there is an increase in the number of gold-PDGF binding sites within coated-pits (1.6 sites/micron, 18% of the total sites) and a decrease along noncoated regions of the membrane (0.11 sites/micron, 58% of the total sites). After 15 minutes at 37 degrees C, 26% of the total sites (1.4 sites/micron2) are highly concentrated within lysosomes, while sites in the vesicle/endosome compartment remain constant. At the same time, binding sites within coated pits decrease substantially (0.5 sites/micron, 4% of the total sites), while the number of sites along noncoated regions of the membrane remain constant. Gold-PDGF was not observed associated with the Golgi complex at any time up to 120 minutes following warming. We conclude that gold-PDGF is processed via both receptor-mediated and nonspecific endocytosis and follows an intracellular pathway comparable to that followed by some other protein ligands.
Genome Sequence of Amycolatopsis sp. Strain ATCC 39116, a Plant Biomass-Degrading Actinomycete

We announce the availability of a high-quality draft of the genome sequence of Amycolatopsis sp. strain 39116, one of few bacterial species that are known to consume the lignin component of plant biomass. This genome sequence will further ongoing efforts to use microorganisms for the conversion of plant biomass into fuels and high-value chemicals.
Information Sources and the Coverage of Social Issues in Partisan Publications: A Content Analysis of 25 Years of the Progressive and the National Review

An extensive research literature concludes that, in the United States, mainstream media tend to present a remarkably narrow, homogenous and centrist conservative view of political life that tends to support maintenance of the status quo. This is often attributed to heavy media reliance on government officials, leaders of political groups, and large bureaucratic organization as routine, predictable sources of information. In this context, it is important to understand how explicitly partisan publications construct their accounts of public affairs that provide citizens with alternatives to this perspective proffered by the dominant media. A content analysis of 25 years of 2 of America's leading partisan magazines, the conservative National Review and the liberal Progressive, provides data that raise questions about the extent to which information sources do influence the partisanship of media content.
Pulse Propagation in Straight Circular Elastic Tubes

Abstract : An experimental investigation of elastic waves produced by the longitudinal impact of strikers with straight 2024 aluminum tubes of 1-in. dia and wall thickness of 0.035 in. (thin walled), 0.095 in. (medium thick-walled), and 0.5 in. (solid bar) was performed by means of the Hopkinson bar technique. For most of the tests the strikers consisted of 1/2-in-dia steel balls; however, 1/4-in-dia, 3/16-in-dia and 1/8-dia steel balls were also used to permit variation in pulse duration. Both central and eccentric impact were achieved by firing the striker from an air gun at a predetermined pressure against the carefully positioned target; the initial velocity of the striker was measured whenever necessary. Longitudinal strain records of the resulting pulse from positions both on the inside and outside surfaces of the hollow specimens and on the outside of the solid bar were obtained by using strain gages of either foil or semiconductor type; some transverse strain histories were also measured concurrently. The transient longitudinal strains were predicted theoretically by solving the one-dimensional Rayleigh-Love equation of wave propagation in a semi-infinite tube with the aid of a computer program. The input to the program consisted of the measured strain record at the first gage station. Reasonable agreement between the data and the results of these calculations was obtained. An experimental investigation of the effect of shortening the pulse duration, the relation between the transverse and longitudinal strain at the same position, and the nature of the antisymmetrical component in the eccentric shots was also undertaken. (Author)
Dysphagia Outcomes in Patients with Brain Tumors Undergoing Inpatient Rehabilitation

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare functional dysphagia outcomes following inpatient rehabilitation for patients with brain tumors with that of patients following a stroke. Group 1 (n = 24) consisted of consecutive admissions to the brain injury program with the diagnosis of brain tumor and dysphagia. Group 2 (n = 24) consisted of matched, consecutive admissions, with the diagnosis of acute stroke and dysphagia. Group 2 was matched for age, site of lesion, and initial composite cognitive FIM score. The main outcome measures for this study included the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) National Outcome Measurement System (NOMS) swallowing scale, length of stay, hospital charges, and medical complications. Results showed that swallowing gains made by both groups as evaluated by the admission and discharge ASHA NOMS levels were considered to be statistically significant. The differences for length of stay, total hospital charges, and speech charges between the two groups were not considered to be statistically significant. Three patients in the brain tumor group (12.5%) demonstrated dysphagia complications of either dehydration or pneumonia during their treatment course as compared to 0% in the stroke group. This study confirms that functional dysphagia gains can be achieved for patients with brain tumors undergoing inpatient rehabilitation and that they should be afforded the same type and intensity of rehabilitation for their swallowing that is provided to patients following a stroke.
The use of weekly oral doses ofsulfamethoxypyridazine for rheumatic fever prevention

Summary Sulfamethoxypyridazine (Kynex) was given once weekly in a single large oral dose to 30 patients for 247-patient months. The drug was well tolerated by all patients with the exception of occasional mild and transient side reactions of drowsiness and headaches. These observations warrant extension of the use of single oral weekly doses of sulfamethoxypyridazine to a larger number of rheumatic fever patients and comparison with similar patients receiving conventional daily oral prophylactic regimens.
Innovative Ideas on How Work-Family Research Can Have More Impact.

The commentaries on our focal article agreed with its main premise that work–family research should follow new strategies to improve its practical impact, and made suggestions clustering into three main themes. The first theme built on our suggestion to improve the research focus, terminology, and framing of work-family research. These essays offered additional ideas such as decoupling work-family from work-life research, and examining contextual factors more deeply. The second theme focused on how to better apply the findings from work family research. These commentaries provided social change approaches for making work-family issues more central to key stakeholders and to organizations. The third theme focused on broadening our scope to the societal level. These editorials advocated tactics supporting the development of basic rights of work–life balance within and across nations.
A Can0nical Integrati0n Technique

The class of differential equations of interest to this paper is that in which the equations are derivable from a Hamiltonian by the use of Hamilton's equations. The exact solution of such a system of differential equations leads to a symplectic map from the initial conditions to the present state of the system. A characteristic feature of all explicit higher order integration methods, however, is that they are not exactly symplectic. In many applications the salient features appear only after a long time or after numerous iterations; in these applications spurious damping or excitation may lead to misleading results. The purpose of this paper is to develop an explicit third order symplectic map (i.e. a third order integration step which preserves exactly the canonical character of the equations of motion) and to indicate the method for higher order maps. For a typical numerical integration, this method can be used to eliminate the noncanonical effects while providing the accuracy corresponding to a third order integration step.
Adaptor proteins and ubiquinators in TGF-β signaling

The emergence of research analyzing the TGF-β signaling pathway and its role in stem cell plasticity and differentiation has been a source of new insights into multiple cancers. TGF-β signaling mediator Smads are tightly dependent on modulation by adaptor proteins, such as ELF, SARA, filamin, and crkl as well as ubiquitinators, such as PRAJA and SMURFs. Despite widespread inactivation of the TGF-β pathway in gastrointestinal tumors, only a fraction of sporadic tumors exhibit inactivating mutations in early tumor formation, which suggests a role for the modulation of TGF-β signals by stem/progenitor cell proteins, such as ELF and PRAJA. Delineating these key interactions of the TGF-β signaling pathway could yield powerful new therapeutics aimed at treating hitherto difficult to treat cancers.
AN ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF ENERGY INPUT–OUTPUT IN TURKISH AGRICULTURE

Abstract This study analyzes energy use and investigates influences of energy inputs and energy forms on output levels in Turkish agriculture during the period 1975–2000. The output level was calculated in the form of annual grain equivalent at aggregate level for 104 agricultural commodities except livestock products. Output level was specified as a function of total physical, fertilizer and seed energy, and ordinary least squares was employed to estimate equation parameters. The results show that total energy input has increased from 19.6 GJ/ha in 1975 to 45.7 GJ/ha in 2000, whereas total output energy has risen from 27.1 GJ/ha to a level of 39.1 GJ/ha. Energy efficiency indicators, input–output ratio, energy productivity and net energy have declined over the examined period. Total physical and fertilizer energy, particularly nitrogen, significantly contributed to output level with elasticities of 0.24 and 0.14, respectively. The results also revealed that non-renewable, direct and indirect energy forms had a positive impact on output level. Moreover, Turkish agriculture has experienced a substantial increase in non-renewable energy use. This inefficient energy use pattern in the Turkish agriculture can create some environmental problems such as increase in global warming, CO2 emissions, and non-sustainability. Thus, policy makers should undertake new policy tools to ensure sustainability and efficient energy use.
Inhibition of the metabolism of nucleated red cells by intracelluar ions and its relation to intracellular structural factors

Abstract 1. 1. The hemolyzed nucleated erythrocytes of the pigeon show considerable O 2 consumption, which is considerably increased by MgCl 2 M/250, glucose and constituents of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and completely inhibited by NaCN M/250. 2. 2. This oxidative metabolism is coupled with a strong aerobic glycosis. 3. 3. All multivalent cations and anions inhibit the O 2 consumption as well as the aerobic glycolysis. 4. 4. CaCl 2 , orthophosphate and ribonucleate inhibit strongly at physiological concentrations. 5. 5. Different oxidative reactions in the hemolysate are inhibited by ions to a different degree. 6. 6. These inhibitory effects of ions may be due to disturbances of the local electric fields of proteins which are constituents either of membrane or stroma of subcellular structural units which are carriers of enzymes of the oxidative system of the cell.
Cytokines et régulation du métabolisme glucidique lors de l'infection

Resume Les cytokines sont des mediateurs proteiques secretes par les leucocytes. Elles jouent un role primordial dans la coordination de la reponse de l'organisme a l'infection. Outre leur role de mediateurs immunitaires, il semblerait que les cytokines soient egalement impliquees dans certaines modifications metaboliques lors des infections bacteriennes. Notre but ici est de faire le point sur le role eventuel des cytokines dans le controle du metabolisme glucidique. Lors des infections, la production hepatique de glucose est augmentee, ainsi que l'utilisation de ce substrat energetique par divers tissus. Il a ete demontre que certaines cytokines, telles que le tumor necrosis factor (TNF) et l'interleukine-1, peuvent stimuler le transport et le catabolisme du glucose par divers types cellulaires. De plus, les cytokines induisent des modifications de la secretion d'hormones glucoregulatrices semblables a celles observees chez l'animal et chez l'homme lors des infections. Bien que ne constituant pas une preuve absolue, ces observations suggerent que les cytokines jouent un role important dans l'homeostasie glucidique dans ce contexte. Puisque ces mediateurs constituent un maillon essentiel de la reponse immunitaire, une meilleure connaissance de l'interaction entre la secretion des cytokines et le controle du metabolisme glucidique apporterait d'autres elements a notre comprehension de la reponse de l'organisme aux infections.
Electronic States of the CN Molecule

COMPARATIVELY little attention has been paid as yet to the electronic changes involved in the emission of band spectra. In line spectra the study of resonance potentials, of absorption spectra, and of thermal excitation, have all been fruitful in the determination of electron levels. Low-temperature absorption spectra obviously involve as their less excited electronic state the normal state of the absorbing atom, or molecule. Lines, or bands, thermally excited at moderate temperatures, necessarily involve transitions from moderately excited states, very often to the normal state of the emitter. Familiar examples of band spectra so excited are the flame spectra of the alkaline earth and copper halides, and of boric oxide; probably many, perhaps all, these involve as an end state the normal state of the emitting molecule; the fact that these bands have not been observed in absorption may be ascribed to the impossibility of obtaining the emitting molecules in sufficient concentration in the vapour state at ordinary temperature.
Phase equilibria in mixtures containing polystyrene and nematic liquid crystals

Abstract The phase behavior of two nematic liquid crystals in a polymer host is studied using the technique of Thermal Optical Analysis. Results are compared to the predictions of a recent molecular model due to Ballauff and found to give very good agreement for monodisperse polymers of sufficiently high molecular weight. Experimental findings include a widening of the two phase regime with increasing polymer chain length, exclusion of the polymer coils from the nematic phase and a sharp sensitivity of the phase behavior to the polydispersity of the polymer sample. All of these findings are in accord with the model and lend support to the general validity of the Flory-Ronca treatment of the anisotropic energetics responsible for thermotropic behavior.
Building and Evaluating Juvenile Collections in Academic Libraries

Although many college and university libraries support teacher education programs, relatively little attention has been paid to developing juvenile literature collections that support these programs. This article discusses needs of education students and characteristics of juvenile literature that academic librarians should consider when developing collections. It examines standard tools for selecting children's and young adult materials and analyzes their usefulness for building collections that support teacher preparation programs. Finally, it provides practical advice for evaluating juvenile collections and selecting materials to fill gaps in support of teacher preparation programs in mathematics, art, and other subjects.
Direct Growth of Dense, Pristine Metal Nanoplates with Well-Controlled Dimensions on Semiconductor Substrates

Galvanic reactions between metal ions and semiconductor wafers provide a simple and fast approach to grow high-quality metal nanoplates with controlled sizes and thicknesses and clean surfaces. For example, the image shows an SEM image of silver nanoplates with thicknesses of ∼28 nm and edge lengths of 400–450 nm grown on an n-type (110) GaAs wafer.
Caliche as a geological repository for atmospheric sulfate

[1] Recent studies demonstrate that important information on sulfur source, oxidation pathway, transport pattern, and reaction kinetics of atmospheric oxidation of sulfur gases can be uncovered by measuring multiple isotope compositions of the oxidation product — secondary atmospheric sulfate (SAS). SAS from Earth's distant past, however, is rarely preserved in the rock records because of its high solubility and small quantity. We report here from the measurement of 47 modern and fossil caliche samples that caliches contain variable amounts of carbonate-associated sulfate (CAS), and the Δ17O values of the CAS range from −0.12 to +2.32‰ with most values higher than the background value of −0.05‰ for seawater sulfate, indicating the presence of an SAS component derived from the oxidation of sulfur gases by atmospheric ozone or related oxidants. This study demonstrates that caliche, a pedogenic carbonate common in the geologic record, could serve as a repository for ancient SAS.
SU‐FF‐T‐84: Application of GAFCHROMIC® EBT Film for in Vivo Dosimetry with Total Body Irradiation (TBI) Radiotherapy

Purpose: To demonstrate the viability of GAFCHROMIC® EBT film as an in vivo, dosimeter for total body irradiation (TBI) procedures. Method and Materials:Dosimetry results are reported for six anatomical regions (i.e. head, shoulder, chest, umbilicus, hip and thigh) on an anthropomorphic phantom irradiated using a standard procedure of lateral TBI technique in our facility. The films and thermoluminescencedosimeters(TLD) were taped to the phantom with adequate bolus to ensure that the dosimeters were at a depth of electronic equilibrium. To establish the film calibration curve, film samples (2.5 × 1.5 cm2 in size) were placed at the isocenter of the accelerator (SAD=100 cm) at depth of 10cm in a water equivalent solid phantom. The GAFCHROMIC® EBT films were exposed to doses from 0 to 400 cGy (with 50 cGy increment) using a 20 × 20 cm2field size. The films were scanned with the Vidar VXR‐16 scanner and analyzed with Image J software. Results: The results indicated that the measured doses at all points as obtained by the GAFCHROMIC® EBT films are in good agreement with the prescribed doses, varying from −3.15% to 1.46%. The comparison of the GAFCHROMIC® EBT dosimetry against the TLD analysis showed a similar agreement (variance from −4.08% to 0.55%). Conclusions: GAFCHROMIC® EBT film is a viable dosimetry tool providing comparable results as those obtained using TLDs. The elimination of the film processor that usually introduces uncertainties, the almost water equivalent density, the water resistance, and insensitivity to room light are some of the advantages of the EBT films, which make the films easier to handle and a good candidate for in vivodosimetry in TBI and possibly other radiotherapy applications.
More Early Animal Figures

THERE is no better history of the rhinoceros, covering the knowledge of this animal in antiquity, than the essay contributed by Dr. parthold Laufer to vol. xiv. of the Anthropological Series of the Field Museum (1914). It is illustrated by numerous figures copied after early designs.
Desulfovibrio africanus subsp. uniflagellum subsp. nov., a sulfate-reducing bacterium from a uranium-contaminated subsurface aquifer.

The bacterial strain SR-1T was isolated from subsurface sediments of a uranium-contaminated site in Shiprock, New Mexico, USA. Cells are vibrioid and motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Strain SR-1T grows on sulfate, oxidizing formate, lactate and H2, but not malate, and ferments pyruvate. The DNA sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and the 16S–23S internal transcribed spacer of strain SR-1T showed 99.9 and 99.4 % similarity, respectively, to those of the type strain Desulfovibrio africanus DSM 2603T. The DNA sequence of the ITS region is 300 bases in length and contains two tRNA genes (tRNAIle, tRNAAla). The partial DNA sequence of the dsrAB gene showed 94.6 % amino acid sequence similarity to that of D. africanus. The DNA G+C content of strain SR-1T was 62.4 mol% and it showed 72 % DNA–DNA similarity to D. africanus. DNA typing methods that target gene clusters and whole genomes revealed characteristic genomic fingerprints for strain SR-1T. A small plasmid was detected by gel electrophoresis. On the basis of distinct phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain SR-1T represents a novel subspecies of D. africanus, for which the name Desulfovibrio africanus subsp. uniflagellum subsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SR-1T (=JCM 15510T =LS KCTC 5649T).
Aphasia Progress in the last quarter of a century

In the last 25 years, characterization of aphasia has shifted from descriptions of the language tasks that are impaired by brain damage to identification of the disrupted cognitive processes underlying language. At the same time advances in technology, including functional imaging, electrophysiologic studies, perfusion imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and transcranial magnetic stimulation, have led to new insights regarding the relationships between language and the brain. These insights, together with computational models of language processes, converge on the view that a given language task relies on a complex set of cognitive processes and representations carried out by an intricate network of neural regions working together. Recovery from aphasia depends on restoration of tissue function or reorganization of the cognitive/neural network underlying language, which can be facilitated by a number of diverse interventions. The original research by the author reported in this article was supported by NIH R01 DC05375.
Comparison of discrete cardiovascular fitness groups on plasma catecholamine and selected behavioral responses to psychological stress.

Discrete cardiovascular fitness groups consisting of high-fit (n=10) and low-fit (n=9) men performed a well-learned vigilance task and their self-report, performance, and plasma catecholamine responses were compared. No significant differences were observed between the fitness groups on self-report or psychomotor performance responses to the vigilance task. However, the low-fit group took significantly longer than high-fit subjects to complete the first of three sets of anagrams administered immediately after the vigilance task. Plasma norepinephrine but not epinephrine response was greater in the low-fit group compared to their high-fit counterparts. The findings indicate that enhanced cardiovascular fitness may be characterized by an attenuated plasma norepinephrine response to a vigilance task with sustained cognitive performance subsequent to the task.
The effects of ethnicity and religion on educational attainment

Abstract This paper tries to explain some of the effects of ethnicity and religion on educational attainment. It is shown that correlations between ethnicity (and religion) and educational attainment are partly explained by differentials in parental endowments (parents' schooling and father's occupation) and location. Religious and ethnic effects are also shown to operate through length of time in the United States and other family background characteristics including number of siblings, divorce and mothers working. Respondents born in the United States acquire more schooling; respondents with American-born parents or grandparents acquire less schooling. Number of siblings and divorce reduces educational attainment. For males, mothers working increase years of schooling completed. This variable has no effect on female respondents. The estimates also indicate that ethnic and religious effects on educational attainment have persisted over time. However, for men, ethnic and religious effects have been of declining importance. This is less true for women where religious effects, in particular, have persisted over time.
Boundaries, Language, and the Self: Issues Faced by Puerto Ricans and Other Latina/o College Students

Let’s say you are a bright student from a working-class, Spanish-speaking Caribbean or Central American family, growing up and graduating from a public school in New York. You are offered a healthy financial aid package by an elite liberal arts college, which you accept, becoming a “multicultural”—specifically, Latino/a—student. What does this mean in terms of who you are at this school? How is your identity marked, especially in terms of language?
Rheology and flow-birefringence from viscoelastic polymer-clay solutions

The shear orientation of viscoelastic clay-polymer solutions was investigated by means of rheology and flow birefringence (Δn). The polymer chains are in dynamic adsorption/desorption equilibrium with the clay particles to form a “network”. The elastic behavior of the network was characterized by constant stress, oscillatory shear, and stress relaxation experiments. Constant stress experiments indicated a yield stress upon which shear flow started and no strain recovery could be observed. Oscillatory shear experiments showed a broad elastic region followed by flow when a critical strain was reached. Stress relaxation experiments showed several relaxation times when the same critical strain was reached. Experiments under steady flow characterized the transient behavior of the network. With increasing steady shear rate a pronounced minimum in birefringence was observed at a critical shear rate. The shear rate dependent viscosity showed near power law behavior and no corresponding critical feature. While birefringence detects orientational effects on a microscopic length scale, rheology averages over macroscopic changes in the sample. The same degree of orientation could be achieved under constant shear rate or constant stress conditions.
The alternate N-terminal sequence of rat androgen-binding protein/sex hormone-binding globulin contains a nuclear targeting signal

Androgen-binding protein/sex hormone-binding globulin (ABP/SHBG) is an extracellular carrier protein of androgens and estrogens. The protein regulates the bioavailability of sex steroids, and expanding evidence suggests that it also acts as a hormone. ABP/SHBG is secreted by Sertoli cells and hepatocytes using a signal peptide. An alternate messenger RNA encodes a nonsecreted form of ABP/SHBG (Alt-ABP/SHBG) that has a unique N-terminal amino acid sequence. In this study, we report that the alternate N-terminal sequence targets Alt-ABP/SHBG to the nucleus instead of the endoplasmic reticulum. The recombinant Alt-ABP/SHBG expressed in COS-7 cells was located in the nucleus, whereas recombinant cellular ABP/SHBG was primarily cytoplasmic. Neither dihydrotestosterone nor estradiol had any detectable effect on the ABP/SHBG or Alt-ABP/SHBG cellular location. Although the function of the nuclear Alt-ABP/SHBG is unknown, it may act as a modulator of androgen receptor- and/or estrogen receptor-mediated gene regulation.
Prearterial External Iliac Vein as a Rare Anomaly of the Iliac Vein

The coexistence of a retroperitoneal venous anomaly requires special consideration during open aortoiliac surgery. Anomalies of the external iliac vein are rare, and no anomalies of the right external iliac vein, which passes ventral to the external iliac artery, have been reported in the English literature to the best of our knowledge. We herein report the first case of Leriche syndrome combined with a prearterial external iliac vein treated with bypass surgery and a synthetic bifurcated graft.
Totalizing Contents of Aircraft Fuel Tanks

THE requirement of totalizing two or more liquid levels in aircraft fuel tanks falls into two broad classifications. The first involves the addition of levels where the sequence of use is definitely established. This type is best exemplified by considering a long wing tank where the dihedral angle makes it necessary to have more than one transmitter in the tank to obtain complete coverage of the fuel contents. Figure 1 shows such an arrangement. With the fuel outlet as shown, transmitter 2 must function first. In other words, the sequence of operation is fixed so that the operation of transmitter 2 is always followed by that of transmitter 1 as fuel is withdrawn from the tank.
Binding enthalpies and entropies of neutral Zn, In And Sn In Ge

Abstract A statistical thermodynamical model is developed for a doubly ionizable acceptor with excited states in an elemental semiconductor. The special cases of a singly ionizable acceptor, no excited acceptor states and a neutral solute are readily extracted. The equations obtained describe not only the distribution of an acceptor among its various electronic states but also the chemical potentials of the acceptor atom and of the solvent atom. The equations are applied, with and without the excited states included, to obtain about equally good fits to the low-temperature, low carrier concentration Hall data for Zn in Ge. For the low impurity concentrations involved, the excited states are present and so should be included in the analysis. The ability to obtain an equally good fit with the excited states omitted is most likely due to the fact that the concentrations of the major Zn impurity and the Sb counter dopant are not fixed independently of the Hall measurements. The additional flexibility obtained by treating these concentrations as adjustable parameters is sufficient to compensate for the error made in neglecting the excited states. In contrast, the solubilities of the acceptors Zn and In are large enough that the excited states should be pushed out of the band gap. Consequently, the equations are applied without the excited states to the experimental chemical potential-solubility data for Zn, In and Sn in Ge to obtain the Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy of binding for the neutral (un-ionized) solute at 950 K. With a solute reference phase consisting of an ideal monatomic gas at 0 K, the entropy of binding is close to that for Ge itself, 14.6 cal K g atom. This implies that, when they are in the neutral state, these substitutional solute atoms behave very much like the Ge atom itself in contributing to the vibrational spectrum. However, the enthalpy of binding varies significantly and is −3.8, −39 and −65 kcal g atom for neutral Zn, neutral In and Sn, respectively, compared to −84 kcal g atom for Ge.
Mobilization of Entrapped Organic Fluids by Elastic Waves and Vibrations

Summary The organic fluids entrapped in pore constrictions by capillary forces can be mobilized by the application of elastic-wave vibrations because of the nudging effect, which allows quantitative description. The model used for such calculations is a single-pore channel with converging/diverging geometry, in which the organic phase is entrapped as a continuous blob occupying several adjacent pores. The ganglion is released from the constriction when the wave-acceleration amplitude exceeds a threshold value that scales with the frequency as A/fa constant. This means that the wave intensity is the only required criterion for the release. In an ensemble of ganglia, the percentage of them mobilized and, therefore, the flow rate increases with the amplitude and decreases with frequency. The vibrations are inefficient for mobilization if the frequency is sufficiently high. The typical vibratory amplitudes required to produce noticeable increases in the average flow rates are on the order of 10 m/s 2 and much higher at the frequencies in excess of approximately 10 Hz. These estimates provide guidelines for the possible applications of elastic-wave stimulation of organic-fluid flow in porous environments.
CFTR 5T variant has a low penetrance in females that is partially attributable to its haplotype

Purpose: The study's purpose was to understand the molecular basis for different clinical phenotypes of the 5T variant, a tract of 5 thymidines in intron 8 of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which disrupts processing of CFTR mRNA and reduces synthesis from the corresponding CFTR alleles. Method: We analyzed the polymorphic TG dinucleotide repeat adjacent to the 5T variant in intron 8 and the codon 470 in exon 10. Patients selected for this study were positive for both the 5T variant and the major cystic fibrosis mutation, Delta F508. Almost all Delta F508 mutation alleles occur in a 10TG-9T-470M haplotype. Therefore, it is possible to determine the haplotype of the 5T variant in trans. Results: Of the 74 samples analyzed, 41 (55%) were 11TG-5T-470M, 31 (42%) were 12TG-5T-470V, and 2 (3%) were 13TG-5T-470M. Of the 49 cases for which we had clinical information, 17.6% of females (6/34) and 66.7% of males (10/15) showed symptoms resembling atypical cystic fibrosis. The haplotype with the highest penetrance in females (42% or 5/12) and more than 80% (5/6) in males is 12TG-5T-470V. We also evaluated 12 males affected with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens and positive for the 5T variant; 10 of 12 had the 12TG-5T-470V haplotype. Conclusion: Overall, the 5T variant has a milder clinical consequence than previously estimated in females. The clinical presentations of the 5T variant are associated with the 5T-12TG-470M haplotype.
Steroid Avoidance Regimens: A Comparison of Outcomes with Maintenance Steroids versus Continued Steroid Avoidance in Recipients Having an Acute Rejection Episode

Roughly 15% of kidney transplant recipients on a rapid discontinuation of prednisone (RDP) protocol have > or =1 episode of acute rejection (AR). One clinically important question is whether long-term maintenance steroids should be introduced in those recipients having AR. Of 842 adult kidney transplant recipients on an RDP protocol, 149 (17.7%) have had at least 1 AR episode. Of these, 51 (34%) started on maintenance prednisone (5 mg/day) after treatment of the AR, while 98 (66%) remained steroid free. Demographics for the two groups were similar. With mean follow-up of 26 months, 48 (32%) of the recipients have had a 2nd AR episode: 15 (29.4%) in those on maintenance steroids vs. 33 (33.7%) in those remaining steroid free (p = 0.12). Graft survival was not significantly different between the two groups. Multivariate analysis of risk factors for a 2nd episode found the histologic appearance of the initial AR episode to be the most significant risk factor. But, whether steroids were added to the maintenance regimen or not, also seemed to have an impact (RR = 2.1, p = 0.07). At present there is evidence to suggest that some SA patients should start on maintenance steroids after AR. However, longer follow-up with more patients is necessary.
CO2 SOLUBILITY IN WATER AND BRINE UNDER RESERVOIR CONDITIONS

The reference Henry's constant was determined from 110 solubility data found in the literature for the CO2/H2O system over a temperature range of 298 to 523 K and a pressure range of 3.40 to 72.41 MPa. Since the Krichevsfcy-llinskaya equation was used to model the system, a correlation for the A parameter was also developed. In addition to the Krichevsky-Ilinskaya equation, another two-parameter correlation for the solubility of carbon dioxide in water was obtained by using the Krichevsky-Kasarnovsky equation. The reference Henry's constant and partial molar volume of carbon dioxide at infinite dilution were treated as adjustable parameters. The calculated values of the partial molar volume at infinite dilution did not correspond to experimentally determined values found in the literature. Therefore, a third correlation for the reference Henry's constant was obtained by using the Krichevsky-Kasarnovsky equation in conjunction with the correct values of the partial molar volume. This one parameter (Henry's...
Influence of QRS duration on the prognostic value of T wave alternans.

T Wave Alternans and QRS Duration. Introduction: T wave alternans (TWA) is a promising new noninvasive marker of arrhythmia vulnerability that quantifies beat-to-beat changes in ventricular repolarization. Secondary repolarization abnormalities are common in subjects with wide QRS complexes. However, the relationship between TWA and QRS prolongation has not been evaluated. The goal of this study was to determine if QRS prolongation influences the prevalence or prognostic value of TWA. Methods and Results: The study consisted of 108 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% who were referred for electrophysiologic studies. Patients underwent TWA testing using bicycle ergometry in the absence of beta-blockers or antiarrhythmic drugs. The primary endpoint was the combined incidence of death, sustained ventricular arrhythmias, and appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy. The prognostic value of TWA was assessed in the entire cohort and in two subgroups: QRS < 120 msec (normal, n = 62) and QRS ≥ 120 msec (prolonged, n = 46). TWA (hazard ratio 2.2, P = 0.03) and QRS prolongation (hazard ratio 2.2, P = 0.01) were both significant and independent predictors of arrhythmic events. QRS prolongation had no effect on the prevalence of positive TWA tests (QRS < 120 msec: 48%, QRS ≥ 120 msec: 50%, P = NS). TWA was a highly significant predictor of events in patients with a normal QRS (hazard ratio 5.8, P = 0.02). In contrast, TWA was not useful for risk stratification in subjects with QRS prolongation (hazard ratio 1.1, P = 0.8). Conclusion: TWA is useful only for risk stratification in the absence of QRS prolongation. The presence of QRS prolongation and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% may be sufficient evidence of an adverse prognosis that additional risk stratification is not useful or necessary.
The functional role of native freshwater mussels in the fluvial benthic environment

Summary 1. Freshwater mussels are the dominant consumer biomass in many fluvial systems. As filter feeding grazers, mussels can remove large amounts of particulate matter from the water column and transfer these resources to the substrate as biodeposits (agglutinated mussel faeces and pseudofaeces). Mussel biodeposits are a nutrient rich and easily assimilated food source and therefore may have significant relevance to benthic community structure. This study examines the functional role of Margaritifera falcata in the South Fork Eel River, California. 2. We addressed two main questions: (i) Do mussels increase benthic resources in this system? (ii) If so, does this alter macroinvertebrate community structure? 3. Measurements and enclosure experiments in the South Fork Eel River show that mussels can play a significant role in local food webs by increasing available fine particulate matter (both organic and inorganic) on the substrate. We document increased benthic macroinvertebrate biomass for predators and collectors (Leptophlebidae) in the presence of mussels, but only in late summer.
Expression of GABAA receptor subunit mRNAs in hippocampal pyramidal and granular neurons in the kindling model of epileptogenesis: an in situ hybridization study.

To investigate the molecular changes underlying kindling epileptogenesis in the rat hippocampus, the expression levels of the genes encoding for 13 different γ-aminobutyric acid type-A receptor (GABAAR) subunits were measured in hippocampal principal neurons using in situ hybridization techniques and semi-quantitative analysis of the autoradiograms. Schaffer collateral-commissural pathway kindled rats were investigated at three different stages of kindling acquisition, at 24 h after the last seizure and at long-term (28 days) after termination of kindling stimulations. Changes were distinct for the different subunits in the three analyzed regions (CA1, CA3, fascia dentata) and also different for the various kindling stages. In all hippocampal areas at the early phases of kindling epileptogenesis, before the appearance of generalized seizures, an increase was found of those transcripts that constituted the majority of the expressed variants in control animals (α1, α2, α4, β1, β2, β3, mRNA). In these stages, the increased levels of different variants in the granular neurons of the fascia dentata were more pronounced when compared to the pattern of changes in pyramidal cells of CA1 and CA3. In fully kindled animals, the expression levels of several subunits returned to control levels, whereas β3 and mRNA expression was still significantly enhanced in all areas. At long-term, few changes were encountered. The long-splice variant of γ2 was decreased within pyramidal and granular neurons while the total level of γ2 mRNA was not different from controls. The increased GABAAR subunit expression in the fascia dentata may underly the reported increased GABAAR ligand binding and the increased GABA mediated inhibition. However, the decreased GABAAR binding and the attenuation of GABAergic inhibition in CA1, could not be explained by a decrement of receptor subunit expression.
POST-DISTURBANCE ABOVEGROUND BIOMASS ACCUMULATION IN GLOBAL SECONDARY FORESTS

To examine rates of aboveground biomass accumulation (ABA) in global secondary forests following stand-clearing disturbances, we compiled aboveground biomass data from 283 known-age plots drawn from chronosequence and long-term studies. We focused on three likely influences on ABA for which data are readily available: climate, soil texture, and forest type. Growing-season degree-years (GSDY, stand age × growing-season length × growing-season temperature) generally predicted ABA better than stand age alone. Using regression analyses and slope homogeneity tests, we determined that broadleaf forest plots on sandy textured soils exhibited slower GSDY-adjusted ABA than those on nonsandy soils. On nonsandy soils, the GSDY-adjusted ABAs of tropical and nontropical plots were indistinguishable; tropical forest post-disturbance ABA was not particularly slow. Compared to broadleaf forests, needle-leaf forest, GSDY-adjusted ABA was less sensitive to soil texture and was intermediate in rate between sandy and nonsandy broadleaf forest ABA. Foliar nutrient concentration did not significantly influence the GSDY-adjusted ABA of a subset of the nonsandy broadleaf forests for which foliar nutrient data were available. At the global scale, differences in climate (represented by growing-season length and temperature) and moisture-holding capacity (represented by soil texture) are the principal independent factors influencing ABA in most post-disturbance secondary forests.
The Five‐Year Program Debate Continues: An Updated Analysis of the Supply of and Demand for Master's Degrees in Accounting

This comment updates an analysis of the supply of, and demand for, accounting graduates that was published in 1996. This analysis shows that the imbalance between supply and demand continues. It also shows that the slight increases in supply of, and demand for, master's degrees has been accompanied by large decreases in the supply of, and demand for, bachelor's degrees. The data do not suggest that mandated five‐year programs can be justified by a change in the demand for graduates.