cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Remote Sensing of Cloud, Aerosol, and Water Vapor Properties from MODIS

MODIS is an earth-viewing cross-track scanning spectroradiometer launched on the Terra satellite in December 1999. MODIS scans a swath width sufficient to provide nearly complete global coverage every two days from a polar-orbiting, sun-synchronous, platform at an altitude of 705 km, and provides images in 36 spectral bands from 0.415 to 14.235 microns with spatial resolutions of 250 m (2 bands), 500 m (5 bands) and 1000 m (29 bands). These bands have been carefully selected to enable advanced studies of land, ocean, and atmospheric processes. In this presentation I will review the comprehensive set of remote sensing algorithms that have been developed for the remote sensing of atmospheric properties using MODIS data, placing primary emphasis on the principal atmospheric applications of: (1) developing a cloud mask for distinguishing clear sky from clouds, (2) retrieving global cloud radiative and microphysical properties, including cloud top pressure and temperature, effective emissivity, cloud optical thickness, thermodynamic phase, and effective radius, (3) monitoring tropospheric aerosol optical thickness over the land and ocean and aerosol size distribution over the ocean, (4) determining atmospheric profiles of moisture and temperature, and (5) estimating column water amount. The physical principles behind the determination of each of these atmospheric products will be described, together with an example of their application using MODIS observations. All products are archived into two categories: pixel-level retrievals (referred to as Level-2 products) and global gridded products at a latitude and longitude resolution of 1 deg (Level-3 products). An overview of the MODIS atmosphere algorithms and products, status, validation activities, and early level-2 and -3 results will be presented. Finally, I will present some highlights from the land and ocean algorithms developed for processing global MODIS observations, including: (1) surface reflectance, (2) vegetation indices, leaf area index, and FPAR, (3) albedo and nadir BRDF-adjusted reflectance, (4) normalized water-leaving radiance, (5) chlorophyll-a concentration, and (6) sea surface temperature.
Worsening of asthma with systemic corticosteroids

Despite widespread use for treatment of asthma and allergies, glucocorticoids may cause allergic reactions, even anaphylaxis. The incidence of adverse reactions to systemic glucocorticoids is 0.3%. The most commonly reported corticosteroids causing anaphylaxis like reactions are hydrocortisone, prednisone, and methylprednisolone. Most authors agree that allergic reactions to systemic corticosteroids are possibly immunoglobulin E mediated. We report a patient with asthma, aspirin allergy, and nasal polyps who developed bronchospasm following the administration of intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate during an acute asthmatic attack. We discuss the differential diagnosis of worsening asthma despite adequate treatment, and suggest corticosteroid-induced bronchospasm in our patient. Corticosteroid-induced bronchospasm should be considered when asthmatics fail to improve, or frankly deteriorate with systemic corticosteroid therapy, particularly when a history of aspirin allergy is present.
Redefining ALL classification: toward detecting high-risk ALL and implementing precision medicine

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the commonest childhood tumor and remains a leading cause of cancer death in the young. In the last decade, microarray and sequencing analysis of large ALL cohorts has revolutionized our understanding of the genetic basis of this disease. These studies have identified new ALL subtypes, each characterized by constellations of structural and sequence alterations that perturb key cellular pathways, including lymphoid development, cell-cycle regulation, and tumor suppression; cytokine receptor, kinase, and Ras signaling; and chromatin modifications. Several of these pathways, particularly kinase-activating lesions and epigenetic alterations, are logical targets for new precision medicine therapies. Genomic profiling has also identified important interactions between inherited genetic variants that influence the risk of leukemia development and the somatic genetic alterations that are required to establish the leukemic clone. Moreover, sequential sequencing studies at diagnosis, remission, and relapse have provided important insights into the relationship among genetic variants, clonal heterogeneity, and the risk of relapse. Ongoing studies are extending our understanding of coding and noncoding genetic alterations in B-progenitor and T-lineage ALL and using these insights to inform the development of faithful experimental models to test the efficacy of new treatment approaches.
Ontology for Agents and the Web

Ontology has caught on as a major tool in both the Web 2.0 and in multi-agent systems. In Web 2.0, ontology is being used to extend the search capability; for multi-agent systems, ontology becomes a basis for communication and negotiation. In support of both these areas of application, the designer needs to apply ontology with care to realize the advantages of ontology. The coverage in this chapter is to clarify some of the issues around the use of ontology, especially in the case of multiple ontologies from multiple sources and/or authors. The issues include types (uses) of ontologies, good design principles, mapping and grounding. The approach taken is designed to provide the practitioner to find guidelines and techniques to apply in problem solving.
A light-entrained circadian clock controls transcription of several plant genes.

Abstract Diurnal oscillations in steady-state mRNA levels and transcription rates were measured for seven transcripts (five of which encode chloroplast-localized proteins) in tomato seedlings: photosystem I and photosystem II chlorophyll a/b binding proteins (CAB/I and CAB/II), small subunit of RuBisCO (RBCS), actin, subunit II of the photosystem I reaction center (PSAD), subunit I of the photosystem II oxygen-evolving enzyme (OEE1), and a biotin-binding protein of unknown function. CAB/II mRNA levels were found to oscillate greater than 20-fold, showing a peak at noon, while only marginal diurnal oscillations are seen in RBCS transcripts. The oscillations are at least partially controlled at the transcriptional level. Transcription rates of both CAB/II and RBCS, measured by nuclear run-on experiments, were found to oscillate, with a peak around 8 a.m. Transcription rates of the 'biotin' clone also oscillated, with a peak around noon. Transfer of plants to constant darkness or constant light conditions alters the amplitude of the transcriptional oscillation, but does not abolish it, suggesting that it is at least partially controlled by a circadian clock. The oscillations are still visible after three days in complete darkness, and have a period very close to 24 h. The oscillator phase can be reset by out-of-phase light treatment.
Nano-processing and properties of spin transfer device structures

In this paper, we discuss several nanoprocessing procedures and their respective merits and challenges for the successful fabrication of effective spin transfer devices. Recent results of spin transfer studies that have been made with these magnetic nanopillars will also be summarised. These includes several critical tests of current theoretical models of the spin transfer effect, as well as studies of the effect of thermal fluctuations of spin transfer switching.
The Turing Test: 55 Years Later

In spite of the clarity of the original article, Turing’s Test has been subject to different interpretations. I distinguish three of these, corresponding to my earlier distinction between Strong AI and Weak AI. The two strong Turing Tests are subject to refutation by the Chinese Room Argument, the weak Turing Test is not.
Islamic Statehood and Maqasid Al-Shariah in Malaysia. A Zero-sum Game?

Islamic Statehood and Maqasid Al-Shariah in Malaysia. A Zero-sum Game? Kim Beng Phar (Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 2009) Kim Beng Phar has authored this 62-page book for the Asian Muslim Action Netw...
Investigating the influence of chromatic aberration and optical illumination bandwidth on fundus imaging in rats.

Abstract. Rodent models are indispensable in studying various retinal diseases. Noninvasive, high-resolution retinal imaging of rodent models is highly desired for longitudinally investigating the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies. However, due to severe aberrations, the retinal image quality in rodents can be much worse than that in humans. We numerically and experimentally investigated the influence of chromatic aberration and optical illumination bandwidth on retinal imaging. We confirmed that the rat retinal image quality decreased with increasing illumination bandwidth. We achieved the retinal image resolution of 10 μm using a 19 nm illumination bandwidth centered at 580 nm in a home-built fundus camera. Furthermore, we observed higher chromatic aberration in albino rat eyes than in pigmented rat eyes. This study provides a design guide for high-resolution fundus camera for rodents. Our method is also beneficial to dispersion compensation in multiwavelength retinal imaging applications.
An information correction method for testlet -based test analysis: From the perspectives of item response theory and generalizability theory

An information-correction method for testlet-based tests is introduced. This method takes advantage of both generalizability theory (GT) and item response theory (IRT). The measurement error for the examinee proficiency parameter is often underestimated when a unidimensional conditional-independence IRT model is specified for a testlet dataset. By using a design effect ratio composed of random variances that can be easily derived from GT analysis, it becomes possible to adjust the underestimated measurement error from the unidimensional IRT models to a more appropriate level. In this paper, it is demonstrated how the information-correction method can be implemented in the context of a testlet design. Also, through the simulation study, it is shown that the underestimated measurement errors from IRT estimates can be adjusted to the appropriate level despite the varying magnitudes of local item dependence (LID), testlet length, balance of testlet length, and number of item parameters in the model. The real data example provides more details about when and how the information-correction method should be used in a test analysis. Estimation by the information-correction method should be adequate for practical work, given the robustness of the variance ratio.
The Archaeology of Regional Interaction: Religion, Warfare and Exchange across the American Southwest and Beyond

The Archaeology of Regional Interaction: Religion, Warfare and Exchange across the American Southwest and Beyond. Michelle Hegmon. ed. Boulder: University Press of Colorado, 2000.467 pp.
Activation of KATP Channels by Na/K pump in Isolated Cardiac Myocytes and Giant Membrane Patches

Strophanthidin inhibits KATP channels in 2,4-dinitrophenol-poisoned heart cells (). The current study shows that the Na/K pump interacts with KATP current (IK-ATP) via submembrane ATP depletion in isolated giant membrane patches and in nonpoisoned guinea pig cardiac cells in whole-cell configuration. IK-ATP was inhibited by ATP, glibenclamide, or intracellular Cs+. Na/K pump inactivation by substitution of cytoplasmic Na+ for Li+ or N-methylglucamine decreased both IK-ATP by 1/3 (1 mM ATP, zero calcium), and IC50 of ATP for IK-ATP (0.3 +/- 0.1 mM) by 2/5. The Na+/Li+ replacement had no effect on IK-ATP at low pump activity ([ATP] </= 0.1 mM or 100 microM ouabain) or when IK-ATP was completely inhibited by 10 mM ATP. In whole-cell configuration, ouabain inhibited up to 60% of inwardly rectifying IK-ATP at 1 mM ATP in the pipette but not at 10 mM ATP and 10 mM phosphocreatine when IK-ATP was always blocked. However, mathematical simulation of giant-patch experiments revealed that only 20% of ATP depletion may be attributed to the ATP concentration gradient in the bulk solution, and the remaining 80% probably occurs in the submembrane space.
Natural reassignment of CUU and CUA sense codons to alanine in Ashbya mitochondria

The discovery of diverse codon reassignment events has demonstrated that the canonical genetic code is not universal. Studying coding reassignment at the molecular level is critical for understanding genetic code evolution, and provides clues to genetic code manipulation in synthetic biology. Here we report a novel reassignment event in the mitochondria of Ashbya (Eremothecium) gossypii, a filamentous-growing plant pathogen related to yeast (Saccharomycetaceae). Bioinformatics studies of conserved positions in mitochondrial DNA-encoded proteins suggest that CUU and CUA codons correspond to alanine in A. gossypii, instead of leucine in the standard code or threonine in yeast mitochondria. Reassignment of CUA to Ala was confirmed at the protein level by mass spectrometry. We further demonstrate that a predicted tRNA(Ala)UAG is transcribed and accurately processed in vivo, and is responsible for Ala reassignment. Enzymatic studies reveal that tRNA(Ala)UAG is efficiently recognized by A. gossypii mitochondrial alanyl-tRNA synthetase (AgAlaRS). AlaRS typically recognizes the G3:U70 base pair of tRNA(Ala); a G3A change in Ashbya tRNA(Ala)UAG abolishes its recognition by AgAlaRS. Conversely, an A3G mutation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae tRNA(Thr)UAG confers tRNA recognition by AgAlaRS. Our work highlights the dynamic feature of natural genetic codes in mitochondria, and the relative simplicity by which tRNA identity may be switched.
An Empirical Jet-Surface Interaction Noise Model with Temperature and Nozzle Aspect Ratio Effects

An empirical model for jet-surface interaction (JSI) noise produced by a round jet near a flat plate is described and the resulting model evaluated. The model covers unheated and hot jet conditions (1 less than or equal to jet total temperature ratio less than or equal to 2.7) in the subsonic range (0.5 less than or equal to M(sub a) less than or equal to 0.9), surface lengths 0.6 less than or equal to (axial distance from jet exit to surface trailing edge (inches)/nozzle exit diameter) less than or equal to 10, and surface standoff distances (0 less than or equal to (radial distance from jet lipline to surface (inches)/axial distance from jet exit to surface trailing edge (inches)) less than or equal to 1) using only second-order polynomials to provide predictable behavior. The JSI noise model is combined with an existing jet mixing noise model to produce exhaust noise predictions. Fit quality metrics and comparisons to between the predicted and experimental data indicate that the model is suitable for many system level studies. A first-order correction to the JSI source model that accounts for the effect of nozzle aspect ratio is also explored. This correction is based on changes to the potential core length and frequency scaling associated with rectangular nozzles up to 8:1 aspect ratio. However, more work is needed to refine these findings into a formal model.
Varenicline has antidepressant-like activity in the forced swim test and augments sertraline's effect.

Varenicline, an α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist developed as a smoking cessation aid, showed antidepressant-like activity in the forced swim test in two mouse strains. In addition, a low varenicline dose significantly enhanced the effects of moderately active doses of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor sertraline. These findings are consistent with the notion that reducing α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activity either by antagonists or by partial agonists that can partially activate or desensitize acetylcholine receptors is associated with antidepressant-like properties. These data suggest that varenicline may have antidepressant potential and can, when combined, augment antidepressant responses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Acousto-ultrasonic evaluation of carbon-carbon composites at different processing stages†

The final form of a carbon-carbon (C/C) composite is a consequence of a series of complex processing stages, during which significant changes occur in material microstructure and properties (thermal, physical, and mechanical). Owing to the uncertainties in the processing steps, material integrity and quality assurance is a matter of concern. The present study focuses on acousto-ultrasonic (AU) evaluation of plain and eight-harness (8H) satin weave fabric reinforced C/C composites. Studies pertaining to ex-situ AU testing of C/C composites at various stages of processing are presented. The sensitivity of AU in identifying such defects as fiber breakage and misaligned fibers is also considered. AU signatures were interpreted in the time and frequency domains through well-known approaches, such as measurement of stress wave factor (SWF) and spectral moment computation. The results indicated strong qualitative and quantitative correlations between the parameters obtained from time and frequency domain features of the AU signal and the evolving microstructure of carbon-carbon at various processing stages. An important application of this work will be in the establishment of AU for in-situ process monitoring of C/C composites.
Plastic deformation behavior of ultrafine-grained Al–Mg–Sc alloy

Ultrafine-grained (UFG) Al–Mg–Sc alloy was obtained by friction stir processing. The UFG alloy was subjected to uniaxial tensile testing to study the tensile deformation behavior of the alloy. An inhomogeneous yielding (Ludering phenomenon) was observed in the stress–strain curves of UFG alloy. This deformation behavior was absent in the coarse-grained alloy. The Ludering phenomenon in UFG alloy was attributed to the lack of dislocations in UFG microstructure. A strong dependence of uniform ductility on the average grain size was exhibited by the UFG alloy. Below a critical grain size (0.5 μm), ductility was very limited. Also, with the decrease in grain size, most of the plastic deformation was observed to be localized in necked region of the tensile samples. The negative strain rate sensitivity (SRS) observed for the UFG alloy was opposite of the SRS values reported for UFG alloys in the literature. Based on activation volume measurement, grain boundary mediated dislocation-based plasticity was concluded to be the micro-mechanism operative during plastic deformation of UFG Al–Mg–Sc alloy.
Isoleucine needs of thirty- to forty-day-old female chickens: immunity

Broilers fed diets with reduced amino acid levels may be limiting in isoleucine. Because research addressing daily Ile needs for broiler immunity is sparse, Ile responses for immunity in female broilers were evaluated in 2 experiments in broilers from 30 to 42 d of age. Cellular and humoral immunity were evaluated in diets limiting in Ile and diets varying in Ile from deficient to adequate. Pen was the experimental unit in both experiments. Treatments in experiment 1 consisted of 2 levels of Ile (0.42 vs. 0.72% total of diet) and 3 strains of broilers, Arbor Acres+, Ross 508, Ross 708 (6 treatments; 5 pens each). In experiment 1, measurements consisted of: a cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity test to phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) on d 37 and 38; cell quantification of CD4+, CD8+, and BU-1+ lymphocytes at d 41 and 42; and relative immune organ weights at 42 d. No Ile x strain interaction occurred. Feeding an Ile-deficient diet to broilers suppressed the cell mediated response to PHA-P, and reduced thymus weight and the percentage of CD8+ T cells. There were no significant differences between strains. In experiment 2, gradations of Ile (0.42, 0.50, 0.58, 0.66, 0.74, and 0.82% total of diet) were fed to one strain (Ross 508) of female broilers (7 pens per diet). A control diet containing 0.70% Ile (6 pens) was compared with an Ile surfeit concentration. Measurements in experiment 2 consisted of a hypersensitivity test to PHA-P on d 35 and 36; a primary antibody response to SRBC from 35 to 42 d; cell quantification of CD8+ alpha, beta, and T cell receptor (TCR)-1 (delta/gamma) lymphocytes on d 41 and 42; and immune organ weights at 42 d. Immunity measurements in birds fed surfeit Ile in the titration diets were equal to birds fed the control diet. A linear response to increasing Ile was obtained for relative bursa, but no Ile quadratic responses were noted for other measurements in experiment 2. Although feeding broilers a diet deficient in Ile suppressed some immune criteria, it does not appear that a marginal Ile deficiency will compromise immunity in growing female broilers.
Mitigation of diabetes-related complications in implanted collagen and elastin scaffolds using matrix-binding polyphenol.

There is a major need for scaffold-based tissue engineered vascular grafts and heart valves with long-term patency and durability to be used in diabetic cardiovascular patients. We hypothesized that diabetes, by virtue of glycoxidation reactions, can directly crosslink implanted scaffolds, drastically altering their properties. In order to investigate the fate of tissue engineered scaffolds in diabetic conditions, we prepared valvular collagen scaffolds and arterial elastin scaffolds by decellularization and implanted them subdermally in diabetic rats. Both types of scaffolds exhibited significant levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), chemical crosslinking and stiffening -alterations which are not favorable for cardiovascular tissue engineering. Pre-implantation treatment of collagen and elastin scaffolds with penta-galloyl glucose (PGG), an antioxidant and matrix-binding polyphenol, chemically stabilized the scaffolds, reduced their enzymatic degradation, and protected them from diabetes-related complications by reduction of scaffold-bound AGE levels. PGG-treated scaffolds resisted diabetes-induced crosslinking and stiffening, were protected from calcification, and exhibited controlled remodeling in vivo, thereby supporting future use of diabetes-resistant scaffolds for cardiovascular tissue engineering in patients with diabetes.
Preliminary observations on the spatial correlation between short-burst microbubble oscillations and vascular bioeffects.

Abstract The objective of this preliminary study was to examine the spatial correlation between microbubble (MB)-induced vessel wall displacements and resultant microvascular bioeffects. MBs were injected into venules in ex vivo rat mesenteries and insonated by a single short ultrasound pulse with a center frequency of 1 MHz and peak negative pressures spanning the range of 1.5–5.6 MPa. MB and vessel dynamics were observed under ultra-high speed photomicrography. The tissue was examined by histology or transmission electron microscopy for vascular bioeffects. Image registration allowed for spatial correlation of MB-induced vessel wall motion to corresponding vascular bioeffects, if any. In cases in which damage was observed, the vessel wall had been pulled inward by more than 50% of the its initial radius. The observed damage was characterized by the separation of the endothelium from the vessel wall. Although the study is limited to a small number of observations, analytic statistical results suggest that vessel invagination comprises a principal mechanism for bioeffects in venules by microbubbles.
Postoperative nomograms predictive of survival after surgical management of malignant tumors of the major salivary glands.

The objective of this study was to create a nomogram predictive of survival in salivary gland cancer. Clinical, tumor, and treatment characteristics were collected for 301 patients who underwent surgery for salivary gland cancer between 1985 and 2009 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre. Factors predictive of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were determined by univariate analysis. Cox risk regression was used to model OS data. Competing risks regression was used for cancer-specific death. Deaths from other causes were treated as competing risks for cancer-specific death. Predictive nomograms for OS and CSS were then created using stepdown method to select predictors of outcome. The median age was 62 (range 9–89) years. There were 156 (52 %) males and 145 (48 %) females. Five variables predictive for OS (age, clinical T4 stage, histological grade, perineural invasion, and tumor dimension) were used to generate a parsimonious model, and a nomogram was created to predict 10-year survival probability. The concordance index (CI) for this nomogram was 0.809. Five variables predictive for CSS (histological grade, perineural invasion, clinical T4 stage, positive nodal status, and status of margins) were used to generate a second nomogram predicting CSS. This nomogram had a CI of 0.856. Both nomograms were validated internally by assessing discrimination and calibration. We have developed the first nomograms to predict prognosis in an individual patient with salivary gland cancer.
Adrenocortical Steroid Metabolism in Newborn Infants. V. Physiologic Disposition of Exogenous Cortisol Loads in the Early Neonatal Period

ABSTRACT. Cortisol loads of 5 mg per kg were given intravenously to a group of normal full-term newborn infants. In each case two plasma steroid half-lives were calculated—one based on the plasma Porter-Silber chromogen levels, and the other based on the plasma cortisol levels as determined by an isotope dilution procedure. The half-lives (mean values) determined by each of the methods were prolonged compared with the half-lives in adults. This result indicated a decreased rate of cortisol metabolism in the newborn infant. Urine samples were collected from infants given the cortisol loads, and the pattern of steroid excretion in various extract fractions was determined qualitatively and quantitatively. Steroid glucuronide conjugate excretion was lower than in adults both in terms of the proportion of total daily steroid output and in terms of the percentage recovery of the administered dose in that fraction. It is concluded that the newborn infant probably has a relative insufficiency of both steroid ring...
On those symmetric multilinear functions that are expressible as a linear combination of a small number of linearly independent powers

We give a useful necessary condition for a real-valued symmetric n-linear function on Rm to be expressed as a sum of powers where km and the wi's are linearly independent. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for expressing a real-valued symmetric n-linear function as a linear combination of powers that are orthogonal with respect to a given inner product. Also presented are certain basis free numbers that may be of use in other types of characterizations. Also characterized are the symmetric n-linear functions that can be written in the form αν n for some ν∊Rm .
Balancing acts: drag queens, gender and faith.

SUMMARY While engaged in research on the same-sex marriage debate in mainline denominations, I interviewed 23 LGBT Christians, four of whom were drag queens. While it is not possible to generalize from such a small sample, the drag queens in this study insist on maintaining their identity as Christians despite the hegemonic discourse that renders faith and LGBT identities mutually exclusive. They developed innovative approaches to reconciling their gender and sexual identities with their spirituality. Their innovations are potentially liberating not just for them personally, but for LGBT people generally because they challenge Christianity's rigid dichotomies of gender and sexuality.
Rate of loss of tritiated thymidine label in basal cells in mouse epithelial tissues.

A subpopulation of epithelial cells which retains a tritiated thymidine label (termed label-retaining cells, LRCs) has been previously demonstrated in skin and oral mucosae of mice and hamsters. to examine the rate of decrease in the number of LRCs and the changes in degree of labelling, young mice were labelled with tritiated thymidine and the rate at which label was diluted from basal keratinocytes assessed for up to 90 days. the number of LRCs in each tissue examined decreased from 15 to 90 days after labelling with the epidermal tissues maintaining a higher percentage of LRCs than the oral mucosae. Grain counts for LRCs in each tissue at each time period indicated that the number of silver grains overlying LRCs also decreased with time. the observed decrease in numbers of LRCs and the change in their degree of labelling with time suggest that such cells divide slowly, a property associated with stem cells.
Post-Prostatectomy Urinary Incontinence: A Confluence of 3 Factors

Purpose: Urinary incontinence has a significant impact on the quality of life of patients who undergo radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. We reviewed available published data to analyze the etiology and prevention of this surgical complication.Materials and Methods: A MEDLINE® search of the literature on this topic was performed.Results: There was a wide disparity in the reported rates of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy due to various reasons including definitions, patient selection and intraoperative technical factors.Conclusions: Postoperative urinary incontinence has a major impact on patient satisfaction after radical prostatectomy. Attention to factors including patient selection, nuances of the surgical technique, and a more uniform, widespread agreement on the definition and instruments to measure postoperative incontinence is needed to enhance surgical outcomes. In addition, further research is needed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence after pros...
RNA methylases from rat liver nucleoli

Abstract Incubation of S-adenosyl- l -methionine with purified rat liver nucleoli results in the methylation of RNA present in the nucleoli. Additional methylation results when ribosomal RNA from Escherichia coli is included as substrate in the reaction mixture. Neither bacterial transfer RNA, animal transfer RNA, nor animal ribosomal RNA functions as substrate in place of bacterial ribosomal RNA. Methylated products have been identified as 2-O-methylribose units of the RNA. Nucleolar RNA methylases can besolubilized by treatment of the nucleoli with the detergent, Triton X-100; however, the solubilized methylases are so labile that fractionation is impractical. Determination of RNA methylase activity of the nucleolar extracts is complicated by the fact that ribonuclease is also solubilized by treatment of nucleoli with Triton X-100.
Evaluation and rehabilitation of patients with adult motor neuron disease

Adult motor neuron disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS]) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of motor neurons in the cortex, brain stem, and spinal cord, manifested by upper and lower motor neuron signs and symptoms affecting bulbar, limb, and respiratory musculature. Clinically, the disease course is characterized by progressive weakness, atrophy, spasticity, dysarthria, dysphagia, and respiratory compromise, ultimately resulting in death or mechanical ventilation in the vast majority of patients. Patterns of presentation and pathological features of the disease, along with clinical and electrophysiologic criteria for diagnosis, are discussed in this review. Since 8% to 22% of patients survive more than 10 years without ventilator use, meticulous medical and rehabilitation management is extremely important to ensure optimal health and quality of life in these patients. Major issues in the care of individuals with ALS include weakness and spasticity, impairments in activities of daily living and mobility, communication deficits and dysphagia in those with bulbar involvement, respiratory compromise, fatigue and sleep disorders, pain, and psychosocial distress. Research in ALS changes rapidly, but is currently focused on potential etiologic factors such as glutamate excitotoxicity, role of oxidative stress, autoimmunity to calcium channels, and cytoskeletal abnormalities, as well as related treatment initiatives including glutamate modulators, neurotrophic factors, antioxidants, antiapoptotic factors, and gene therapy. Recently, mutations in the gene encoding Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase were identified in a subset of familial ALS patients. Riluzole, a glutamate antagonist and Na-channel blocker, became the only drug currently approved for treatment of ALS after studies showed a small positive effect on survival. Until a definitive treatment or cure for ALS is found, the multifaceted rehabilitation team approach remains the best hope for improving health and survival in this devastating illness.
Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

Although diabetes is traditionally considered a metabolic disorder, it is now viewed by many as a vascular disease as well. This is based on the fact that most patients who have diabetes develop cardiovascular (CV) complications, which account for the majority of deaths in diabetic patients. CV complications of diabetes are especially concerning not only because of the emerging epidemic of diabetes but also because of the earlier onset of coronary heart disease in individuals who have diabetes. Furthermore, the process of vascular disease in diabetics often begins several years before the clinical diagnosis of diabetes and usually remains silent formany years until it has reached an advanced stage or leads to irreversible damage such as myocardial infarction, stroke, or heart failure. Because of the increasing prevalence of overweight, obesity, and metabolic syndrome in the population at large, it is quite likely that the incidence of diabetes and its related CV complications will continue to rise and could potentially lead to a new epidemic of cardiovascular disease (CVD). During the past decade there has been great deal of research conducted to help elucidate the pathophysiologic mechanisms and clinical implications of CVD in diabetes. The knowledge gained from these studies indicates that vascular changes in diabetic individuals often begin in the prediabetic phase (starting with insulin resistance) and have the potential to be reversed if recognized at an early stage. Many recent studies have shown that
Optimizing the multielement analysis capabilities of an ICP quadrupole mass spectrometer using electrothermal vaporization sample introduction.

A mathematical solution and an experimental procedure are described for calculating the maximum number of transient signals, such as those obtained using ETV sample introduction into an ICPMS, that can be monitored by a scanning spectrometer, such as a quadrupole mass analyzer. The total number of masses that can be monitored per ETV firing is shown to be dependent on the values chosen for data collection (i.e., scan time and dwell time) and the necessary limits of detection required by the method. The theory shows the effect that statistical noise, peak shapes, and inconsistent peak appearance times have on the overall variance calculated for the sample concentration based on total counts or “peak area”. Also included in the variance calculation is the contribution made by the autosampler as an example of one type of error that is not associated with the data collection parameters. The theory is validated by two experiments where 21 and 68 transient signals are monitored per ETV firing; and as predicted,...
Exploring the mediating mechanisms affecting the relationship of recruitment source to employee performance

Abstract A clearer pattern of findings between employee recruitment source and turnover exists than between recruitment source and employee performance. Using a sample of 152 recently hired bank tellers, this study partially tested the individual differences versus realistic information explanations for differential recruitment source impact on performance. Study results showed that self-initiated walk-in applicants generally had higher performance 1 year after hire than newspaper advertisement or employee referral recruits, and that this was at least partially due to ability differences. A relationship between race and recruiting source was also found. Findings are discussed in terms of future research on the link between recruiting source and employee work outcomes.
Role of cellular proteinases in acute myocardial infarction I. proteolysis in nonischemic and ischemic rat myocardium and the effects of antipain, leupeptin, pepstatin and chymostatin administered in vivo

To test the hypothesis that cellular proteinases contribute to ischemic myocellular death, measurements were made of tyrosine release (an index of overall proteolysis) from incubated slices of nonischemic and ischemic myocardium obtained at various times after coronary artery occlusion in rats. Proteolysis failed to increase in ischemic myocardium throughout the first 24 hours of occlusion, when irreversible damage develops, indicating that cellular proteinases do not undergo generalized activation in this phase. These data represent the first assessment of myocardial proteolysis throughout the development of ischemic death, and suggest that cellular proteinases do not play a causal role in this process. However, the possibility remains that ischemia selectively accelerates the breakdown of vital proteins, a phenomenon that may not be detected by measuring overall proteolysis. To determine whether future studies on the effects of proteolytic inhibition on infarct size are feasible, the ability of the proteinase inhibitors antipain, leupeptin, pepstatin and chymostatin, given in vivo, to interfere with proteolysis in ischemic myocardium was also evaluated. Leupeptin (10 or 40 mg/kg) inhibited proteolysis in a dose-related fashion (-49 and -72%, respectively, p These results demonstrate that whatever proteolysis is occurring during acute myocardial infarction is largely mediated by cathepsins A, B, D, L and H and by calciumactivated neutral protease (that is, the enzymes sensitive to the inhibitors used). Because antipain, leupeptin and pepstatin significantly suppress such proteolysis, these agents might be useful in further assessing any potential contribution of cellular proteinases to the production of ischemic myocellular death. In addition, this study provides a new experimental model that affords serial assessments of regional myocardial proteolysis during the evolution of myocardial infarction.
Mapping from rectangular to harmonic representation

An algorithm is developed to determine the Fourier harmonics representing the level contours of a scalar function given on a rectangular grid. This method is applied to the problem of computing the flux coordinates and flux surface averages needed for 11/2D transport codes and MHD stability codes from an equilibrium flux function on a rectangular grid. copyright 1987 Academic Press, Inc.
Ketotic Hypoglycemia: An Amino Acid Substrate Limited Disorder

ABSTRACT Glucose, lactate, pyruvate, ketone bodies (β-hydroxybutyrate + acetoacetate), glycerol, plasma amino acids, cortisol, growth hormone, insulin and glucagon were determined at frequent intervals throughout a fast in 10 ketotic hypoglycemic (KH) and 6 normal children. In the KH children, plasma glucose was 27.4 ± 2.6 mg/100 ml, ketone bodies were 5.95 ± 0.86 mM, and glycerol was 232 ± 34 μm as compared to 75.7 ± 2.9 mg/100 ml, 1.12 ± 0.19 mm, and 121 ± 13 μm respectively, for the normals at 20 hr fasting (p < 0.01 for all values). After 14 hr fasting little or no insulin was detectable in either group. Total gluconeogenic amino acids were significantly lower (p < 0.01) in the KH children when compared to normal at all points examined (3024 ± 118 vs 2354 ± 121 μm at 0 time and 1743 ±112 vs 1161 ± 69 μm at 20 hr fasting). Branched chain amino acids were significantly higher in the KH children (p < 0.05) at 20 hr fasting (384 ± 35 vs 567 ± 41 μm). No differences in lactate or pyruvate were found. At th...
Young-onset dementia: demographic and etiologic characteristics of 235 patients.

Background Onset of dementia before age 45 years presents a difficult clinical circumstance, having a broad differential diagnosis and numerous psychosocial implications for the patient and their family. Few data exist regarding the demographics characterizing this population or the etiologic diagnoses among those affected. Objectives To characterize the demographic characteristics and the etiologic causes of dementia with age at onset younger than 45 years. Design Observational, retrospective, single-cohort study. Setting Multispecialty group academic medical center. Patients We searched the Mayo Clinic Rochester electronic Medical Record Linkage System to identify individuals who were seen for evaluation of progressive cognitive decline between the ages of 17 and 45 years from January 1996 through December 2006. This search identified 235 individuals who met the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Main Outcome Measures All available clinical, laboratory, magnetic resonance imaging, and pathological data were reviewed. Results Causes varied, with neurodegenerative etiologies accounting for 31.1% of the cohort; Alzheimer disease was uncommon. Autoimmune or inflammatory causes accounted for 21.3%. At last follow-up, 44 patients (18.7%) had an unknown etiology, despite exhaustive evaluation. Cause varied with age, with inborn errors of metabolism being more common before age 30 years and with neurodegenerative etiologies being more common after age 35 years. Conclusions Young-onset dementia (age at onset,
Sound production in Scolytidae: specificity in male Dendroctonus beetles

Abstract The male stridulatory apparatus of six Dendroctonus bark beetles is described, showing species-specificity especially in the elytral files. Typical male stridulation of D. pseudotsugae and D. ponderosae at the chemostimulus of each female's attractant and at stress when handled, is found to be distinct and specific when electronically recorded.
Synthesis of di- to penta-saccharides related to the O-specific polysaccharide of Shigella dysenteriae type 1, and their nuclear magnetic resonance study

The syntheses of oligosaccharide fragments of the O-specific polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 are described, including disaccharides methyl O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-D-galactopyranoside (1), and methyl O-(2-deoxy-2-propionamido-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-alpha-L- rhamnopyranoside (2), trisaccharide methyl O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D- glucopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (3), tetrasaccharide methyl O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->3)- O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamno -pyranoside (4), and pentasaccharide methyl O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl- (1-->3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-alpha-L- rhamnopyranoside (5). The following monosaccharide building blocks were used as starting compounds: methyl 6-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-3,4-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-galact opy ranoside (8), methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-2-O-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1-thio-beta-D- galactopyranoside (11), methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-1-thio-alpha- D-glucopyranoside (16), methyl 2-azido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-1-thio-alpha-D- glucopyranoside (18), methyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (21), methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-1-thio-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (22), 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl bromide (23), and methyl 4-O-benzyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (24). Nuclear magnetic resonance data indicate that oligosaccharides 4 and 5 partially mimic the conformation of the O-specific polysaccharide of S. dys. type 1.
Age, representatives’ prior performance, and the distribution of winnings with teammates

Boys in 56 dyad-teams (each composed of a ‘representative’ and a ‘partner’) played resource-distribution games to divide winnings which the representatives had achieved in earlier games with representatives of other dyads. The representative’s prior performance (having emerged with more or less money than his opponent) interacted with age to influence the outcome of the within-team distribution. Representatives who had earlier lost came out of the final game with less than their partners in young (7–9) dyads, but with more than their partners in old dyads (13–15), and about the same as their partners in intermediate (10–12) dyads. These and other results were discussed in terms of somewhat different notions of ‘equity’ as defined by Adams and Piaget.
Effect of chronic food restriction in aging rats II. Liver cytosolic antioxidants and related enzymes

The cytosolic status during aging of several antioxidants and enzymatic activities which protect the cell from oxidative damage was explored in the liver of ad libitum-fed and food restricted rats. Restricting calories effectively prevented the age-related decrease in cellular glutathione that occurs in ad libitum-fed rats. Although glutathone reductase exhibited little change with age in ad libitum-fed rats, dietary restriction resulted in greater activity of this enzyme than that of ad libitum-fed animals. Glutathione S-transferase activity of ad libitum-fed rats decreased significantly with age in ad libitum-fed rats but not in food restricted rats. The glutathione peroxidase activity which increased until 12 months in the ad libitum-fed rats declined by 24 months; there was little change with adult age in this enzymatic activity in food restricted rats. Catalase activity declined steadily from 3–24 months in the ad libitum-fed rats, and food restriction prevented this age-related decline. The significance of antioxidances and the related protective enzymes is discussed relative to membrane alterations and the anti-oxidative action of food restriction in relation to age-related degenerative damages.
The significance of hypotension developing during treadmill exercise testing

The significance of hypotension developing during treadmill exercise testing was evaluated and correlated with the findings at cardiac catheterization in two groups of patients. Twenty-five patients (Group I) had a fall in systolic pressure during exercise and were compared to 50 consecutive unselected patients (Group II) with a normal blood pressure response. Clinical characteristics were similar in both groups. Females comprised 48 per cent of the patients in Group I and only 30 per cent in Group II. The incidence of significant coronary artery disease was not different when the two groups were compared as a whole, 56 per cent in Group I and 36 per cent in Group II (P = NS). When males and females were considered separately, it was noted that the incidence of coronary artery disease was higher in hypotensive males (77 per cent) when compared to control males (40 per cent) (p less than 0.01). Females in both groups had a lower but comparable incidence of coronary artery disease (25 per cent and 27 per cent, respectively). Resting hemodynamics and angiographic characteristics, such as contraction abnormalities, and the number and distribution of diseased coronary vessels, were similar in both groups of patients. These findings suggest that hypotension in females does not necessarily connote coronary artery disease. Males with hypotension have a higher incidence of coronary artery disease, but the extent and distribution of their disease is no different from that of patients with a normal blood pressure response to exercise.
A presentation at the weekly meeting of the Institutional Review Board.

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A Gaussian Inequality for Expected Absolute Products

We prove the inequality that \({\mathbb{E}}|X_{1}X_{2}\cdots X_{n}|\leq \sqrt{\mathrm{per}(\varSigma )}\), for any centered Gaussian random variables X1,…,Xn with the covariance matrix Σ, followed by several applications and examples. We also discuss a conjecture on the lower bound of the expectation.