cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Ran/TC4 GTPase-binding domain: identification by expression cloning and characterization of a conserved sequence motif.

Abstract Ran/TC4 is an essential, nuclear GTPase implicated in the initiation of DNA replication, entry into and exit from mitosis, and in nuclear RNA and protein transport through the nuclear pore complex. This diversity of functions suggests that Ran interacts with a large number of down-stream targets. Using an overlay assay, we detected a family of putative target proteins that associate with GTP-bound Ran. The sequence of only one such protein, HTF9a/RanBP1, is known. We have now cloned two additional Ran-binding proteins, allowing identification of a distinctive, highly conserved sequence motif of approximately 150 residues. This motif represents a minimal Ran-binding domain that stabilizes the GTP-bound state of Ran. The isolated domain also functions as a coactivator of Ran-GTPase-activating protein. Mutation of a conserved residue within the Ran-binding domain of HTF9a protein drastically reduced Ran binding. Ran-binding proteins coimmunoprecipitated with epitope-tagged Ran from cell lysates, suggesting that these proteins may associate in vivo. A previously uncharacterized Caenorhabditis elegans gene could encode a protein (96 kDa) possessing two Ran-binding domains. This open reading frame also contains similarities to nucleoporins, suggesting a functional link between Ran and nuclear pore complexes.
Intramolecular alkene-oxirane cycloadditions. Synthesis and structure of 5-oxapentacyclo [7.3.0.03,7.o4,12.06,10]dodecane-2,8-dione

Abstract MCPBA promoted epoxidation of the C(9)-C(10) double bond in endo -tricyclo [6.2.1.0 2,7 ]undeca-4, 9-diene-3,6-dione ( 4 ) followed by intramolecular [2 + 2] photocyclization of the resulting exo epoxide ( 5 ) afforded the title compound, 1 , in 16% overall yield. The structure of symmetrically hydrated 1 (i.e., 1a ) was determined by single crystal X-ray crystallographic methods. Proton and carbon-13 NMR spectral assignments are given for epoxide 5 .
Determining the effectiveness of torasemide and furosemide in heart failure: design of a randomised comparison using the regenstrief medical record system.

Objective: A state-of-the-art clinical computing system was investigated to test the hypothesis of whether a completely and predictably absorbed loop diuretic (torasemide) offers clinical advantages over a diuretic that is poorly and erratically absorbed (furosemide). Patients: We enrolled 234 patients with heart failure into this randomised, prospective, open-label study of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of torasemide and furosemide with a comprehensive electronic medical record called the Regenstrief Medical Record System (RMRS) serving as the primary data repository. Methods: The RMRS contained patient data for physician visits, emergency department visits, hospitalisations, laboratory tests, prescription medications, and in- and outpatient service charges. Because these patient data were captured during the course of routine care, there was much efficiency in study data collection and few associated costs. Before the study began, ready access to the RMRS data permitted characterisation of the target study population and an accurate sample size calculation. During the study, programs contained within the RMRS identified patients for recruitment, preserved randomisation, and alerted investigators to important patient events. Quality-of-life instruments programmed into notebook computers were loaded with available RMRS data and then supplemented with primary collection data, thereby permitting paperless data entry. Conclusion: The computing infrastructure used for this study has permitted us to examine an interface between clinical pharmacology and outcomes research within the realm of medical informatics.
MOTHERHOOD AND CRIMINAL DESISTANCE IN DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS

Evidence from several qualitative studies has suggested that the transition to motherhood has strong inhibitory effects on the delinquency and drug use trajectories of poor women. Quantitative studies, however, typically have failed to find significant parenthood or motherhood effects. We argue that the latter research typically has not examined motherhood in disadvantaged settings or applied the appropriate statistical method. Focusing on within-individual change, we test the motherhood hypothesis using data from a 10-year longitudinal study of more than 500 women living in disadvantaged Denver communities. We find that the transition to motherhood is associated significantly with reductions in delinquency, marijuana, and alcohol behaviors. Moreover, we find that the effect of motherhood is larger than that of marriage for all outcomes. These results support the qualitative findings and suggest that the transition to motherhood—and not marriage—is the primary turning point for disadvantaged women to exit delinquent and drug-using trajectories.
Immunotoxicologic evaluation of chlorine-based drinking water disinfectants, sodium hypochlorite and monochloramine.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to chlorine-based disinfectants in the drinking water from weaning to 12 weeks of age, at which time they were terminated and assessed for immune competence. Chlorine-based drinking water disinfectants used were sodium hypochlorite (5, 15 and 30 ppm) and monochloramine (9, 19 and 38 ppm). Parameters of immunity measured were spleen and thymus weights, antibody production, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions, natural killer cell (NKC) cytotoxicity, oxidative metabolism response (i.e chemiluminescence-CL) and phagocytosis by macrophages, and production of 2 immunoregulatory cytokines, interleukin 2 (IL2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) reductions of spleen weight, DTH reactions, and oxidative metabolism by macrophages were observed only in groups of rats exposed to high levels (30 ppm) of sodium hypochlorite, while PGE2 production was elevated. Rats exposed to the higher doses of monochloramine had reduced spleen weights (38 ppm), decreased antibody synthesis (9 and 19 ppm) and augmented PGE2 production (19 and 38 ppm). These results extend the earlier observations of others that macrophage function of laboratory rodents may be impaired by exposure to high concentrations of chlorinated drinking water. Furthermore, the function of other major populations of immunocytes and types of immune responses may also be altered following subchronic exposure to high concentrations of chlorinated drinking water. These types of effects on the immune system are a previously unrecognized potential side-effect of the ubiquitous practice of disinfection of water with chlorine compounds. Alteration of immune function of chlorine-based disinfectant-exposed rats in this study was only evident at relatively high doses, and only selected immune responses were altered. It appears, therefore, that these chlorine-based disinfectants are not particularly strong immunodepressants. However, further studies in different species may be warranted in order to better extrapolate to implications to human health following chronic low-level exposure.
A First Draft of the History of America's Ongoing Wars on Terrorism

This research note attempts to map the Al Qaeda movement's trajectory from the 11 September 2001 attacks to the stunning events of 2014—which saw the continued rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), its expulsion from the Al Qaeda movement, followed by ISIS's stunning thrust into Iraq, its declaration of a caliphate, and the re-engagement of American military forces in this region. It attempts to place in context the Al Qaeda movement's evolution to explain why the United States under President Barack Obama, despite hopes and expectations to the contrary, is still enmeshed in the war on terrorism proclaimed by George W. Bush over a decade ago.
Induction of growth arrest and cell death by overexpression of the cyclin-Cdk inhibitor p21 in hamster BHK21 cells

Induction of growth arrest and cell death by overexpression of the cyclin-Cdk inhibitor p21 in hamster BHK21 cells
Imaging of Aβ plaques in the brain of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease of the brain with symptoms including dementia, cognitive impairment and memory loss. Formation and accumulation of aggregates of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides in the brain are critical factors contributing to the development and progression of AD. Cognitive decline and behavioral changes related to old age and AD are often very difficult to differentiate. Currently, there is no simple and definitive imaging tool available to assist the diagnosis. Recent reports suggest that accelerated accumulation of Aβ plaques in the brain may be a key risk factor associated with AD. Therefore, there is an urgent need for in vivo imaging agents, which are valuable as specific biomarkers to demonstrate the location and density of amyloid plaques in the living human brain. Recent advances in developing tracers for binding Aβ plaques suggest that there are specific and saturable binding sites on the aggregates of Aβ peptides that can be selectively labeled and imaged in vivo. Several Aβ-specific binding agents, which are derivatives, including naphthalene, benzothiazole, stilbene or other related heterocyclic derivatives containing an electron-donating group on one of the aromatic rings, are useful candidates. A novel series of stilbenes, which are simple, relatively small, neutral and lipophilic molecules, are reported. On the basis of their exquisitely high binding affinity to Aβ1–40 aggregates (Ki at the range of 0.1–20 nM), they are suitable candidates as Aβ plaque-selective imaging agents. More importantly, they also showed an ability to penetrate the intact blood–brain barrier, an essential prerequisite for a useful plaque-imaging agent. The Aβ plaque-specific imaging agents will be useful for early detection or monitoring the progression and effectiveness of treatment of AD.
Simulation of nitrogen dynamics and leaching from arable soils

Abstract The LEACHM model was evaluated using data from a field experiment conducted in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Many of the parameter input values were the means of determinations for soil samples from the field site. Measured nitrogen (N) uptake and nitrate (NO3-N) storage in the soil profile, as well as mineralization and nitrification rates were higher in 1987 than in 1988. The measured N removal by crops was taken as the simulated N uptake. A reasonably good agreement between simulated and measured values was obtained for NO3-N storage. However, higher rate constants had to be used for 1987 than for 1988 in order to match simulated with measured storage. The simulated soil solution NO3-N concentrations at 1.2-m depth agreed quite well with those measured in porous cup water samples, except for the highest ammonium nitrate treatment. In general, the simulation results indicated that the LEACHM model described the nitrogen dynamics fairly well.
Cutaneous Manifestations of Histoplasmosis in the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

The clinical and histologic features of cutaneous histoplasmosis in three patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are described. The patients presented with multiple discrete papules on the extremities, trunk, and face, some of which were follicular. Histologically, the skin biopsies were characterized by a sparse perivascular infiltrate with polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lymphocytes, and occasional histiocytes. Prominent leukocytoclasia and associated dermal necrosis were seen around the superficial blood vessels of the dermis. The Histoplasma capsulatum organisms were for the most part extracellular and difficult to visualize on the hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. A diagnosis of atypical leukocytoclastic vasculitis was considered. Histoplasmosis is a relatively common mycosis among AIDS patients, and it is sometimes the first manifestation of the syndrome. The clinical and histologic findings described herein may be relatively common among AIDS patients and are quite different from those of classic disseminated histoplasmosis.
A Critique of Project Evaluations

In recent years an increased stress has been placed on the evaluation of mental health, education, and welfare service programs. The majority of studies readily available to most evaluators represent local project evaluations which usually contain diverse references to different aspects of the evaluative process. For evaluative results to be even minimally useful to other projects, however, certain requirements must be met. These are: (1) internal validity, (2) external validity, (3) specification of the population and treatment being implemented, and (4) standardization of indicators of treatment impact. To determine the extent to which published project impact evaluations meet these criteria, a study was undertaken to “evaluate the evaluations” themselves within heroin addiction treatment programs. Six high-yield journals and 100 random sources were systematically searched for reports of evaluations which provided measures of success in terms of the consumer. Articles were analyzed in regard to our four...
Augmenting Platform-Based Design with Synthesis Tools

Platform-based design faces an essential tension: it wants to reuse previous designs to leverage IP; but new designs must necessarily include work that is not complete or well-characterized. Synthesis and analysis methods are therefore important elements in platform-based design methodologies. This paper describes two aspects of this problem. First, we consider the first-generation dilemma, in which we must use additional analysis in order to create the first generation of a platform. Second, we describe a synthesis method that creates accelerators for platforms whose clock periods have been optimized for the system characteristics.
Berry’s phase in the presence of a stochastically evolving environment: A geometric mechanism for energy-level broadening

The generic Berry phase scenario in which a two-level system is coupled to a second system whose dynamical coordinate is slowly varying is generalized to allow for stochastic evolution of the slow system. The stochastic behavior is produced by coupling the slow system to a heat reservoir, which is modeled by a bath of harmonic oscillators initially in equilibrium at temperature $T$, and whose spectral density has a bandwidth that is small compared to the energy-level spacing of the fast system. The well-known energy-level shifts produced by Berry's phase in the fast system, in conjunction with the stochastic motion of the slow system, leads to a broadening of the fast system energy levels. In the limit of strong damping and sufficiently low temperature, we determine the degree of level broadening analytically, and show that the slow system dynamics satisfies a Langevin equation in which Lorentz-like and electriclike forces appear as a consequence of geometrical effects. We also determine the average energy level shift produced in the fast system by this mechanism.
Carbon Nanotubes Grow on the C Face of SiC (0001̄) during Sublimation Decomposition: Quantum Chemical Molecular Dynamics Simulations

High-temperature quantum chemical molecular dynamics simulations (QM/MD) based on the density functional tight binding (DFTB) method were performed on SiC surfaces and compared with experimental observations. Following the nucleation of nanocaps on the C face of SiC(0001), substantial carbon nanotube (CNT) growth is observed during evaporation of Si between 2000 and 3000 K, while the Si face appears not capable of nanocap formation and perpendicular tube growth under otherwise identical conditions. Instead, graphene sheet growth parallel to the surface is observed in this case. Si evaporation is modeled by two approaches to Si atom removal, one where all Si atoms in one surface layer are removed simultaneously and another one where Si atoms are individually removed from random positions in selected surface layers. The tubes directly “grown” in our simulations display many sidewall defects, consistent with experimental findings. During random removal of Si on the C face, we also observe first indications ...
Toxic organics removal kinetics in overland flow land treatment

Abstract The efficiency in removing 13 trace organics from wastewater was studied on an outdoor, prototype overland flow land treatment system. More than 94% of each substance was removed at an application rate of 0.4 cm h−1 (0.12 m3 h−1 m−1 of width). The % removals declined as application rates were increased. Removal from solution was described by first-order kinetics. A model based on the two-film theory was developed using three properties of each substance (the Henry's constant, the octanol-water partition coefficient and the molecular weight) and two system parameters (average water depth and residence time). The dependence of the removal process on temperature was consistent with the known dependence of Henry's constant and diffusivity on temperature. The model was tested on a second overland flow system.
Evaluating Complexity, Code Churn, and Developer Activity Metrics as Indicators of Software Vulnerabilities

Security inspection and testing require experts in security who think like an attacker. Security experts need to know code locations on which to focus their testing and inspection efforts. Since vulnerabilities are rare occurrences, locating vulnerable code locations can be a challenging task. We investigated whether software metrics obtained from source code and development history are discriminative and predictive of vulnerable code locations. If so, security experts can use this prediction to prioritize security inspection and testing efforts. The metrics we investigated fall into three categories: complexity, code churn, and developer activity metrics. We performed two empirical case studies on large, widely used open-source projects: the Mozilla Firefox web browser and the Red Hat Enterprise Linux kernel. The results indicate that 24 of the 28 metrics collected are discriminative of vulnerabilities for both projects. The models using all three types of metrics together predicted over 80 percent of the known vulnerable files with less than 25 percent false positives for both projects. Compared to a random selection of files for inspection and testing, these models would have reduced the number of files and the number of lines of code to inspect or test by over 71 and 28 percent, respectively, for both projects.
Neural network for interpolation and extrapolation

A locally linear neural network for interpolation and extrapolation is described. Desirable characteristics of this network include exact recall of training data optimal linear generalization of testing data and training in a known number of computational steps.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Comparative Assessment of Non-Laboratory-Based versus Commonly Used Laboratory-Based Cardiovascular Disease Risk Scores in the NHANES III Population

Background National and international primary CVD risk screening guidelines focus on using total CVD risk scores. Recently, we developed a non-laboratory-based CVD risk score (inputs: age, sex, smoking, diabetes, systolic blood pressure, treatment of hypertension, body-mass index), which can assess risk faster and at lower costs compared to laboratory-based scores (inputs include cholesterol values). We aimed to assess the exchangeability of the non-laboratory-based risk score to four commonly used laboratory-based scores (Framingham CVD [2008, 1991 versions], and Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation [SCORE] for low and high risk settings) in an external validation population. Methods and Findings Analyses were based on individual-level, score-specific rankings of risk for adults in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) aged 25–74 years, without history of CVD or cancer (n = 5,999). Risk characterization agreement was based on overlap in dichotomous risk characterization (thresholds of 10-year risk >10–20%) and Spearman rank correlation. Risk discrimination was assessed using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis (10-year CVD death outcome). Risk characterization agreement ranged from 91.9–95.7% and 94.2–95.1% with Spearman correlation ranges of 0.957–0.980 and 0.946–0.970 for men and women, respectively. In men, c-statistics for the non-laboratory-based, Framingham (2008, 1991), and SCORE (high, low) functions were 0.782, 0.776, 0.781, 0.785, and 0.785, with p-values for differences relative to the non-laboratory-based score of 0.44, 0.89, 0.68 and 0.65, respectively. In women, the corresponding c-statistics were 0.809, 0.834, 0.821, 0.792, and 0.792, with corresponding p-values of 0.04, 0.34, 0.11 and 0.09, respectively. Conclusions Every score discriminated risk of CVD death well, and there was high agreement in risk characterization between non-laboratory-based and laboratory-based risk scores, which suggests that the non-laboratory-based score can be a useful proxy for Framingham or SCORE functions in resource-limited settings. Future external validation studies can assess whether the sex-specific risk discrimination results hold in other populations.
Cytotoxic alkaloids from the marine sponge Thorectandra sp.

Three β-carboline alkaloids, Compound 1, 1-deoxysecofascaplysin A (2), and fascaplysin (3), were isolated from the aqueous and organic extracts of the marine sponge Thorectandra sp. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined on the basis of spectral data. Compound 1 inhibited the growth of MCF-7 (breast) with an IC50 of 5.9 µg/mL while Compound 2 inhibited the growth of MCF-7 as well as OVCAR-3 (ovarian) human tumor cell lines with IC50s of 1.5 and 2.2 µg/mL, respectively.
Recoverin: a potent uveitogen for the induction of photoreceptor degeneration in Lewis rats.

Abstract Recoverin is a calcium-binding protein identified as an autoantigen in a paraneoplastic degenerative disease of the human retina known as cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR). In this study we investigated whether recoverin could elicit an immune response leading to the degeneration of photoreceptor cells in a rodent retina, and whether an animal model of CAR could be developed. Injection of Lewis rats with recoverin caused degeneration of the photoreceptor cells. Several features of uveoretinitis were observed, including vitreous cells, perivasculitis, retinal lesions and complete loss of the photoreceptor cell layer. The first clinical signs of retinal inflammation were observed 10-14 days after immunization. The earliest histological changes in the retina also were observed 14 days after immunization. Infiltration of the photoreceptor cell layer and inner layers of the retina with lymphocytic and some polymorphonuclear cells was frequently observed. Photoreceptors were damaged and later fully degenerated. This sequence of events was associated with high antibody titers against recoverin in all animals tested. Cellular responses to recoverin assayed between days 7 and 28 after immunization showed strong in vitro proliferative activities to recoverin. In addition, all aspects of the degenerative events could be reproduced in naive animals by the adoptive transfer of stimulated lymphocytes obtained from animals previously immunized with recoverin. This study demonstrates the successful induction of photoreceptor degeneration using recoverin as an immunogen. We demonstrate that recoverin is both a potent antigen and uveitogen. These observations may be relevant to our understanding of CARs in humans.
Intraocular pressure increases with fenoldopam, but not nitroprusside, in hypertensive humans.

Fenoldopam mesylate stimulates adenyl cydase in porcine ocular trabecular meshwork and raises intraocular pressure in humans. To clarify whether this results from direct activation of the dopamine-1 receptor or indirectly from baroreflex sympathetic stimulation after blood pressure reduction, intraocular pressure was measured in 14 patients with accelerated/malignant hypertension, randomized between intravenous fenoldopam or sodium nitroprusside. Intraocular pressure was measured with a Perkins tonometer, before and at the twentieth minute of each dose increment. In seven patients with a mean blood pressure of 232/131 mm Hg treated with fenoldopam, intraocular pressure increased in a dose-dependent fashion, from 16 ± 1 to 20 ± 2 mm Hg (p < 0.005). In contrast, seven patients with a mean blood pressure of 225/134 mm Hg treated with sodium nitroprusside exhibited no change in intraocular pressure (15 ± 1 versus 14 ± 1 mm Hg) despite similar blood pressure reduction. Increases in heart rate were not significantly different. Rates of urinary excretion of norepinephrine plus epinephrine increased significantly relative to baseline (p < 0.05) but were not different between groups. These data suggest that the increase in intraocular pressure with fenoldopam results from specific activation of the dopamine-1 receptor and is not caused by baroreflex sympathetic stimulation. Because dopamine-1 receptors may modulate intraocular pressure, dopamine-1 receptor blockers might be useful therapy for glaucoma. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1991) 49, 285–293; doi:10.1038/clpt.1991.30
A comparison of three routes of inoculation for testing tumorigenicity of cell lines in nude mice.

The sensitivity of three different routes of transplantation of a clone of the human colon adenocarcinoma WiDr cell line was examined in adult nude mice. The IM route proved to be the most sensitive. In spite of the comparatively high tumorigenic potential of the clone and the homogeneity of the cell population, a high percentage of ‘takes’ was obtained only after transplantation with not less than 10 5 cells. For this type of tumor cell, the IC route proved to be the least effective. The possible influence of inadequate stroma accounting for the poor growth of the IC tumors is discussed.
Changes in membrane hydrogen and sodium conductances during progesterone-induced maturation of Ambystoma oocytes

Abstract A voltage-gated hydrogen ion-selective conductance has been previously described in the immature oocyte of the urodele amphibian Ambystoma . The present study was prompted by reports that changes in membrane voltage and internal pH, as well as in internal sodium ion concentration, occur during the hormone-induced maturation of oocytes from other amphibians. As activation of membrane currents might meditate changes in internal ion concentrations in addition to altering the membrane voltage, microelectrode recording techniques have been employed to examine changes in membrane conductances which occur during maturation of Ambystoma oocytes. It was observed that during the first 5 hr of maturation the magnitude of the hydrogen ion conductance gradually decreased, and that subsequently there was an increase in the amplitude of a voltage-dependent noninactivating sodium conductance. After 6 to 7 hr, after the loss of the hydrogen conductance and at about the time of germinal vesicle breakdown, the resting potential of the oocyte spontaneously shifted from approximately −10 mV to approximately +30 mV, where it remained until at least 24 hr after the initiation of maturation. This voltage transition was due to the appearance of mechanisms generating inward current in the oocyte membrane; part of this inward current was due to the tonic activation of the sodium conductance. Changes in internal pH and internal sodium ion concentration occurred during maturation, as judged from shifts in the reversal potentials of both hydrogen and sodium currents. A gradual decrease in internal hydrogen ion concentration was observed up until the time of disappearance of the hydrogen conductance (change in internal pH from about 7.15 in immature oocytes to about 7.40 by 3 hr after application of progesterone). This was followed, as sodium conductance increased, by an apparent rise in the internal sodium ion concentration (from about 6 m M to about 17 m M by 10 hr postprogesterone).
Use of etomidate as an induction agent for rapid sequence intubation in a pediatric emergency department.

Objectives: Although etomidate is widely used for rapid sequence intubation (RSI), there is no consensus on the optimal induction agent and no prospective pediatric emergency department (ED) study exists. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of etomidate as an induction agent for RSI in the pediatric ED. Methods: Data on RSI conditions and complications were collected prospectively on patients undergoing RSI in a tertiary pediatric ED from January 2003 to December 2003. ED hemodynamic data and inpatient data were collected retrospectively via chart review. Results: Seventy-seven of 101 patients requiring intubation underwent RSI with etomidate. The mean (± SD) age was 8.2 (± 6.2) years. All 77 patients were successfully intubated. Intubation condition data were available for 69 of 77 patients (89.6%). Conditions were good in 68 of 69 (99%; 95% confidence interval = 92.2% to 99.9%). The mean (± SD) maximal percent decrease in systolic blood pressure was 10% (± 13.6%). A greater than 20% maximal percent decrease in systolic blood pressure occurred in 12 of 69 patients (17.4%; 95% confidence interval = 9.3% to 28.4%). There was no relationship between seizures after etomidate administration and prior seizure history (p = 0.25). Corticosteroids were given to 29 of 77 patients post-RSI for varying diagnoses. All eight patients given corticosteroids for shock were in shock at the time of intubation. Conclusions: In the pediatric ED setting, etomidate as an induction agent provided successful RSI conditions and resulted in varied hemodynamic changes that were especially favorable in those patients presenting in decompensated shock. Hypotension and seizures were uncommon and occurred in patients with confounding diagnoses. Until the significance of a single dose of etomidate on adrenal dysfunction is further clarified, caution should be used in those patients at risk for adrenal insufficiency.
Using the 5 P Relay in Task Groups

This article describes the 5 P Relay, a group exercise that can increase the effectiveness of task groups. The 5 P Relay is based on the principles and concepts of the Invitational Model, which emphasizes the importance of assessing the effectiveness or health of five aspects of an organization's environment: people, places, programs, processes, and policies.
Effect of Protein and Energy Intake by Broiler Breeders During the Prebreeder Transition Period on Subsequent Reproductive Performance

Abstract Two levels of protein and two levels of energy were fed to broiler breeders during the prebreeder period (18 to 23 weeks of age) after which a standard breeder diet was provided to all birds. The differences in intake during the prebreeder period was 140 g protein/bird between the high protein (HP) and low protein (LP) groups and 1145 kcal ME/bird between the high energy (HE) and low energy (LE) groups. Body weights did not differ during the prebreeder period or subsequent breeder period. Cumulative egg production was similar among all treatments with numerical advantages for HP and LE birds due to improved production after 55 weeks of age. Significant protein × energy interactions occurred for egg weight during Weeks 25 to 44, but no significant overall effect was observed. Egg specific gravity was not affected significantly. Fertility did not differ; however, the LP birds exhibited significantly better hatch of fertile eggs and significantly decreased late deads when compared to HP birds. The HE birds exhibited significantly less early embryonic mortality but significantly more late embryonic mortality when compared to LE birds. Hatch of fertile eggs did not differ due to prebreeder energy levels.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in idiopathic euthyroid goiter.

Utilizing a double antibody radioimmunoassay for human TSH we compared distribution of serum TSH in 167 normal individuals and 51 patients with idiopathic euthyroid goiter. In addition to being clinically euthyroid both groups had normal total thyroxine, and free thyroid index. Forty-two percent of the goiter group had high TSH and the general distribution of TSH values in the goiterous patients was significantly higher than normal (P < 0.001). Analysis of subgroups of the normal and goiter populations indicated that the high TSH could not be attributed to age, sex, use of birth control pills or differences between diffuse and multinodular goiter. TSH levels were significantly higher in patients with goiter less than 1 yr compared to goiter greater than 1 yr (P < 0.025). In patients with goiter greater than 1 yr the TSH levels remained significantly higher than normal (P < 0.025). These results support the hypothesis that TSH plays a role in the genesis of idiopathic goiter. The elevation may be present o...
Maize germinal cell initials accommodate hypoxia and precociously express meiotic genes.

Summary In flowering plants, anthers are the site of de novo germinal cell specification, male meiosis, and pollen development. Atypically, anthers lack a meristem. Instead, both germinal and somatic cell types differentiate from floral stem cells packed into anther lobes. To better understand anther cell fate specification and to provide a resource for the reproductive biology community, we isolated cohorts of germinal and somatic initials from maize anthers within 36 h of fate acquisition, identifying 815 specific and 1714 significantly enriched germinal transcripts, plus 2439 specific and 2112 significantly enriched somatic transcripts. To clarify transcripts involved in cell differentiation, we contrasted these profiles to anther primordia prior to fate specification and to msca1 anthers arrested in the first step of fate specification and hence lacking normal cell types. The refined cell-specific profiles demonstrated that both germinal and somatic cell populations differentiate quickly and express unique transcription factor sets; a subset of transcript localizations was validated by in situ hybridization. Surprisingly, germinal initials starting 5 days of mitotic divisions were enriched significantly in >100 transcripts classified in meiotic processes that included recombination and synapsis, along with gene sets involved in RNA metabolism, redox homeostasis, and cytoplasmic ATP generation. Enrichment of meiotic-specific genes in germinal initials challenges current dogma that the mitotic to meiotic transition occurs later in development during pre-meiotic S phase. Expression of cytoplasmic energy generation genes suggests that male germinal cells accommodate hypoxia by diverting carbon away from mitochondrial respiration into alternative pathways that avoid producing reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Analysis of the effect of the coastal discontinuity on near-surface flow

Abstract. Conditional sampling is used herein to examine the effect of fetch, stability, and surface roughness changes on wind speeds in the coastal zone. Using data from an offshore wind farm it is shown that at a distance of 1.2–1.7 km from the coast, up to a height of 20 m above the surface, differences in wind speed distributions from onshore and offshore masts are statistically significant for flow moving offshore under all stability conditions. In contrast, differences between the distribution of wind speeds at 38 and 48 m at masts located at the coast and in the coastal zone are not significant for flow moving offshore, indicating that flow at these heights is not fully adjusted to the change in surface roughness (land to sea). These findings are in accordance with calculations of the internal boundary layer (IBL) height which indicate that the IBL would frequently be below the two upper measurement heights at 1.2–1.6 km from the coast. The analyses presented here indicate that the wind speed distribution at a potential offshore wind farm site is not solely dependent on fetch (distance from the coast) but also depends on the stability climate. Key words. Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics · Mesoscale meteorology · Ocean-atmosphere interaction · Marine meteorology
The active filter voltage ripple correction system of the Brookhaven AGS Main Magnet Power Supply

The Brookhaven AGS is a strong focusing accelerator which is used to accelerate protons and various heavy ion species to an equivalent proton energy of 29 GeV. Since the late 1960's it has been serving high energy physics (HEP-proton beam) users of both slow and fast extracted beams. Since the late 1980's slowly extracted heavy ion beams have been added for fixed target physics experiments (HIP). Beginning in 1996 fast extracted beams will be commissioned in preparation for injection into the RHIC accelerators. This paper, and a companion paper, describe the improvements to the Main Magnet Power Supply (MMPS) so that it enables a more flexible operation of the AGS, enhances its reliability, and also improves the MMPS's ultimate performance specifications. One of the major areas for the latter is the fixed target program operating off the AGS slow extracted beam lines. The active filter, by improving the MMPS output ripple, is instrumental in the improvement of the ultimate duty factor of the extraction beam spill.
Categorical abstract algebraic logic: The largest theory system included in a theory family

In this note, it is shown that, given a π -institution ℐ = 〈Sign, SEN, C 〉, with N a category of natural transformations on SEN, every theory family T of ℐ includes a unique largest theory system of ℐ. satisfies the important property that its N -Leibniz congruence system always includes that of T . As a consequence, it is shown, on the one hand, that the relation ΩN() = ΩN(T ) characterizes N -protoalgebraicity inside the class of N -prealgebraic π -institutions and, on the other, that all N -Leibniz theory families associated with theory families of a protoalgebraic π -institution ℐ are in fact N -Leibniz theory systems. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermal conductivity of graphene and graphene oxide nanoplatelets

The superior thermal transport in graphene has been a topic of great interest to the scientific community, for graphene is envisioned to be important in numerous applications such as thermal management of electronics. While single layer graphene exhibits high thermal conductivity, molecular and lattice dynamics simulations reveal that even in the presence of one or few additional layers, thermal conductivity can be significantly reduced. In fact, with increasing number of layers, thermal conductivity is expected to eventually approach the value of bulk graphite. The interlayer spacing is also known to have a significant influence on thermal conductivity, for it is the combination of the number of layers and the spacing between them that truly is responsible for the thermal conductivity of a multi-layer graphene platelet. Here, we report the experimentally obtained thermal conductivities for nanoplatelets of graphene oxide and reduced graphene exfoliated to differing degrees. Results show that the thermal conductivity measured for reduced graphene platelets with ∼ 30 to 45 layers approaches the value of bulk graphite. The thermal conductivity of oxygen intercalated graphene nanoplatelets with ∼ 3 layers and 7% oxygen is higher than bulk graphite with similar interlayer spacing. Despite the increased interlayer spacing and presence of the oxygen atoms, which typically enhances phonon scattering, the high value of thermal conductivity can be attributed to the increase in the interlayer coupling due to covalent interactions provided by the oxygen atoms.
Point Defects and Sintering of Lead Zirconate-Titanate

The crystal chemistry of point defects in lead zirconate-titanate is discussed. The results are used to interpret sintering and grain-growth behavior. Lattice vacancies are created thermally, by substitutional impurities with incorrect valences, and by changes in stoichiometry. Charged O vacancies are introduced when Al3+ replaces Ti4+, and charged Pb vacancies occur when Nb5+ replaces Ti4+. These vacancies are believed to be associated with the impurity ions and cause them to be adsorbed at grain boundaries. This behavior retards grain growth and thereby expedites densification. Aluminum ions (deficient valence) compensate for niobium ions (excess valence). These “paired” defects are not associated with vacancies and are not adsorbed; thus, they do not impede grain growth. Sintering follows Coble's model of bulk diffusion of vacancies from pores to grain boundaries. Oxygen vacancies are believed to be the slowest-moving species. Aluminum: niobium compensation is confirmed by ferroelectric measurements. Doping with Al decreases the mobility of ferroelectric domain boundaries, whereas Nb increases it. Doping with both ions produces ferroelectric properties similar to those of the undoped material.
Performance comparison of three routing protocols for ad hoc networks

Many routing protocols for ad hoc networks have been proposed to date. Among them, STAR (source tree adaptive routing protocol) is a representative table-driven protocol, while AODV (ad hoc on-demand distance vector protocol) and DSR (dynamic source routing protocol) are two representative on-demand protocols. This paper analyzes these three protocols using the GloMoSim simulation environment. The scenarios used in the simulation experiments take into account a variety of environmental factors that influence protocol performance. The performance of the protocols is compared in terms of their control overhead, amount of data delivered, and average latency in packet delivery. The simulation results show that STAR achieves better overall performance than AODV and DSR in sparsely connected networks. For the case of densely connected networks, AODV performs better in terms of data delivery, while STAR performs much better in terms of control overhead. The study also addresses the question of how accurate a simulator could be regarded for presenting the characteristics of the routing protocols and for comparison purposes.
Effects of a Massive Transfusion Protocol in Obstetric and Gynecologic Populations

Childbearing Poster Presentation Background Large volume blood loss management is vital to survival, especially in obstetric and gynecologic surgery in women of childbearing age. For this reason a protocol was developed to ensure availability of blood products for transfusion during acute blood loss in this patient population. Case After a failed trial of labor, a woman consented to a cesarean delivery, which resulted in the loss of 1 L of blood after the birth. In the recovery room, the woman reported increasing abdominal pain from her right pelvis to her right upper quadrant. As her blood pressure decreased, the team quickly attempted to stabilize her, and she was moved back to the operating room for exploration. A massive transfusion protocol (MTP) was initiated because of a large hemoperitoneum (blood collection in the abdomen) of 3.5 L (total estimated blood loss of 4.5 L). Surgical repair of a right cervicovaginal laceration was performed as eight units of packed red blood cells (PRBC), two units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and a pack of platelets was transfused. The woman remained on mechanical ventilation and was admitted to the women's intensive care unit where she remained intubated overnight. A review of the laboratory results revealed a decrease in hemoglobin from 10.7 mg/dl on admission to 6.5 mg/dl, with a return to 11.6 mg/dl the day following these interventions. The breathing tube was removed the same day, and the woman was discharged home on day 6 after the MTP was initiated. Conclusion The MTP was initiated in 2010 along with a maternal urgent surgical team to manage this complex population. Each cooler from the blood bank contains six units of PRBC, six units of FFP, and a pack of platelets. During the MTP, the blood bank will release a cooler every 20 minutes until the MTP leader terminates the MTP. From December 2010 to December 2012, 43 protocols (MTP I: 22; MTP II: 21) were used in obstetric and gynecologic patients. The ratio of red blood cells to FFP transfusion ranged from 1:0.54 to 1:0.66; the mean patient age was 33.6 years. The average length of stay (LOS) from time of MTP to patient discharge was 4.3 to 5 days with a mean LOS in the intensive care unit of 2.3 days. Exemplary practice and quality outcomes are a direct result of this collaborative effort in patient-first care.
Automated creation of a forms-based database query interface

Forms-based query interfaces are widely used to access databases today. The design of a forms-based interface is often a key step in the deployment of a database. Each form in such an interface is capable of expressing only a very limited range of queries. Ideally, the set of forms as a whole must be able to express all possible queries that any user may have. Creating an interface that approaches this ideal is surprisingly hard. In this paper, we seek to maximize the ability of a forms-based interface to support queries a user may ask, while bounding both the number of forms and the complexity of any one form. Given a database schema and content we present an automated technique to generate a good set of forms that meet the above desiderata. While a careful analysis of real or expected query workloads are useful in designing the interface, these query sets are often unavailable or hard to obtain prior to the database even being deployed. Hence generating a good set of forms just using the database itself is a challenging yet important problem. Our experimental analysis shows that our techniques can create a reasonable set of forms, one that can express 60--90% of user queries, without any input from the database administrator. Human experts, without support from software such as ours, are often unable to support as high a fraction of user queries.
Conversions of Wide Curb Lanes: The Effect on Bicycle and Motor Vehicle Interactions

This paper examines the operational effects of converting a 14-ft-wide curb lane to an 11-ft-wide travel lane with a 3-ft-wide undesignated lane at various locations in Broward County, Florida. Six midblock sites with various configurations were selected for study. Two of the midblock sites had previously been striped with the 3-ft undesignated lane, and these served as comparison sites. Videotapes were taken of bicyclists riding through the midblock and intersection locations before and after placement of the 3-ft undesignated lane striping. At the locations where the 3-ft stripe was already in place, the videotaping was done to examine whether changes were occurring over time. Software was used to extract images at all midblock locations so that before and after lateral spacing measurements could be obtained. After the new striping, (a) bicycles were ridden, on average, 7 to 9 in. further away from the gutter pan seam; (b) motor vehicles were driven, on average, 6 to 12 in. farther away from the gutter pan seam; (c) passing motor vehicles were driven, on average, 3 to 5 in. closer to bicycles at curb and gutter sites; conversely, passing motor vehicles were driven, on average, 4 to 5 in. farther away from bicycles at the sites where the stripe was already in place; and (d) the addition of the stripe at new locations had the effect of reducing the amount of motor vehicle encroachment into the adjacent lane on these multilane roadways.
Contrast mechanism maps for piezoresponse force microscopy

Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) is one of the most established techniques for the observation and local modification of ferroelectric domain structures on the submicron level. Both electrostatic and electromechanical interactions contribute at the tip-surface junction in a complex manner, which has resulted in multiple controversies in the interpretation of PFM. Here we analyze the influence of experimental conditions such as tip radius of curvature, indentation force, and cantilever stiffness on PFM image contrast. These results are used to construct contrast mechanism maps, which correlate the imaging conditions with the dominant contrast mechanisms. Conditions under which materials properties can be determined quantitatively are elucidated.