cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polarized spectral emittance from periodic micromachined surfaces. I. Doped silicon: The normal direction.

The normal, polarized spectral (3 \ensuremath{\mu}m\ensuremath{\le}\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\le}14 \ensuremath{\mu}m) emittances of highly doped, micromachined, periodic structures on heavily phosphorus-doped (110) silicon ([P]\ensuremath{\sim}5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{19}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$) were measured for pattern repeat scales, \ensuremath{\Lambda}, of 10, 14, 18, and 22 \ensuremath{\mu}m and depths ranging from 0.7 to 45 \ensuremath{\mu}m. These structures have dimensions that are comparable to the wavelengths of the measured radiation. The s-polarization vector in these measurements was perpendicular to the grating vector. The data demonstrated that the emittance from the deep structures is dominated by standing (quantized) electromagnetic waves in a direction normal to the surface similar to those in an organ pipe. Wood's singularities were clearly visible in the p-polarized emission on shallow gratings (depth \ensuremath{\le}1.5 \ensuremath{\mu}m). It is concluded that these measurements, particularly the s-polarized emission from deep gratings, cannot be explained by calculations of electromagnetic singularities on lamellar gratings.
Comparison of functional electrical stimulation to long leg braces for upright mobility for children with complete thoracic level spinal injuries.

Abstract Objective: To prospectively compare functional electrical stimulation (FES) to long leg braces (LLB) as a means of upright mobility for children with motor-complete thoracic level spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Design: Intrasubject group comparison of two interventions. Setting: Nonprofit pediatric orthopedic rehabilitation facility specializing in SCI. Patients or Other Participants: Convenience sample of five children between 9 and 18 years old with motor-complete thoracic level SCI. The hip and knee extensors were excitable by electrical stimulation. Interventions: The FES system consisted of percutaneous intramuscular electrodes implanted to the hip and knee extensors and a push-button activated stimulator worn about the waist. Standing was accomplished by simultaneous stimulation of all implanted muscles. For foot and ankle stability, either ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) or supramalleolar orthoses were used. The LLB system consisted of a custom knee-ankle foot orthosis (KAFO) for four subjects and a custom reciprocating gait orthosis (RGO) for one subject who required bracing at the hip. For both interventions, either a front-wheeled walker or Lofstrand crutches were used as assistive devices. Each subject was trained in the use of both FES and LLB in seven standardized upright mobility activities: stand and reach, high transfer, toilet transfer, floor to stand, 6-meter walk, stair ascent, and stair descent. Main Outcome Measures: For each mobility activity, five repeated measures of level of independence, using the 7-point Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scale, and time to completion were recorded for each intervention. Subjects were also asked which intervention they preferred. Results: For 94% of comparisons, subjects required equal (70%) or less (24%) assistance using FES as compared with LLB. Six of the seven mobility activities required less time to complete using FES, two activities at significant levels. The FES system was preferred in 62% of the cases, LLB were desired 27% of the time, and there was no preference in 11% of the cases. Conclusions: The FES system generally provided equal or greater independence in seven mobility activities as compared with LLB, provided faster sit-to-stand times, and was preferred over LLB in a majority of cases. Follow-up evaluations of both modes of upright mobility are needed to compare long-term performance and satisfaction.
A demand model for recreational travel

A model is developed to describe and to predict the patterns of regional recreational travel. The model is designed in such a manner to allow its calibration and use without the need to conduct extensive travel surveys in a large region. To allow its use for prediction, the model is based on a causal structure and attempts to derive recreational travel demand from behavioural variables. The main hypothesis of the model is that the amount of recreational travel a recreation area attracts is affected by the accessibility of this area to points of demand potential and by its attractiveness relative to the recreation areas. The calibration is founded on actual data on recreational travel to national forests in California, U.S.A. It is found in the calibration that accessibility to demand potential is the single most important determinant of recreational travel attraction. A simple relationship is derived to relate travel to each national forest to the relative accessibility of the forest. The model is calibra...
Polymerization of Calsequestrin Inside the Secretory Pathway is Isoform-Specific and Occurs on Either Side of ER Exit Sites

In heart and fast twitch skeletal muscle, cardCSQ and skelCSQ concentrate in an ER/SR compartment known as junctional SR. Junctional SR is morphologically distinct in the two cell types, and mechanisms of CSQ trafficking and concentration within junctional SR remain undetermined. A model for CSQ polymerization has recently been developed that could explain traditional observations of a matrix of CSQ inside junctional SR lumens. CardCSQ, for example, is very efficiently retained in proximal ER tubules, as long as its native structure is not critically modified, or the ER milieu significantly altered. In the present study, we found that skelCSQ trafficked differently from cardCSQ in nonmuscle cells and neonatal heart cells. In fact, the distribution of skelCSQ was unique among known ER markers. SkelCSQ concentrated in a membrane compartment that was juxtaposed and distal to ER containing the cardiac isoform. SkelCSQ was contained in novel streaming tubules and vesicles aligned on tufts of microtubules. Consistent with immunofluorescence microscopy were the structures of the two Asn316-linked glycans on CSQ isoforms, with skelCSQ glycans trimmed beyond the Man9,8 that are indicative of proximal ER. Despite the complete non-overlap of skelCSQ and cardCSQ compartments, the two proteins co-localized in early ER when co-overexpressed, suggesting heteropolymer formation. The present study indicates that skelCSQ, in contrast to cardCSQ, evades ER polymerization, and polymerizes in the next distal secretory compartment, an early subcompartment of ERGIC. We conclude that different subcellular localizations for skelCSQ and cardCSQ result from a difference in the lumenal requirements for polymerization of each of the two CSQ isoforms, leading to ER retention (cardCSQ) or retention in a contiguous intermediate compartment (skelCSQ).
Impact of an antimicrobial stewardship program on patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections

Purpose The impact of an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) on the management of therapy and hospital resources for patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) at a community teaching hospital was evaluated. Methods A retrospective, observational chart review was performed to evaluate the impact of the ASP on patients admitted to Akron City Hospital with a diagnosis of ABSSSI between February 1 and August 20, 2012. Information on patient demographic characteristics, comorbidities, ABSSSI subtype, antibiotic therapy, microbiology, surgical interventions, and ASP recommendations was collected from medical records and the ASP intervention log. ASP recommendations were organized into five categories: dosage changes, de-escalation, antibiotic regimen change (i.e., change antibiotic regimen to a broad-spectrum antimicrobial or target a pathogen not being covered), infectious diseases (ID) formal consultation, and other. Results A total of 62 patients were included in the study. A total of 85 recommendations were made to attending physicians for these 62 patients, with an acceptance rate of 95%. The most common interventions included dosage changes, de-escalation, antibiotic regimen change, and ID consultation. When compared with historical data for 1149 patients, the intervention group had a significantly lower mean length of stay (LOS). The 30-day all-cause readmission rate was also significantly lower in the intervention group; however, the 30-day ABSSSI readmission rate did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion Interventions made by an ASP including a clinical pharmacist were associated with significant reductions in the mean LOS and 30-day all-cause readmission rate for patients with an ABSSSI compared with historical data.
Localization and function of a eukaryotic-initiation-factor-2-associated 67-kDa glycoprotein.

AIM: To study the localization and function of a eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α)-associated 67-kDa glycoprotein (p67). METHODS: Immunofluorescence staining, 35S-Met/Cys metabolic labeling, Western blotting analysis, sucrose gradient centrifugation and high speed centrifugation were used to determine the localization of proteins in transiently transfected COS-1 cells. Transient co-transfection followed by co-immunoprecipitation was used to study the interaction between p67 and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-dependent protein kinase (PKR). Wheat germ agglutinin agarose beads were used to absorb glycosylated proteins. In vivo 32P-labeling followed by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting were used to measure PKR autophosphorylation, eIF2α phosphorylation, and p67 expression in normal and breast cancer cells. RESULTS: The image from immunofluorescence staining showed that p67 was overexpressed in the cytosol but not in the nucleus. In a sucrose gradient, approximately 30% of the overexpressed p67 was bound with ribosomes. p67 interacted with the kinase domain, but not the dsRNA-binding domains of PKR. Only the glycosylated p67 was associated with the ribosome, and p67 did not compete with PKR for ribosome binding. In breast cancer cells, there was increased autophosphorylation of PKR but no phosphorylation of eIF2α, compared with normal breast cells.α The ratio of glycosylated/deglycosylated p67 was altered in breast cancer cells. CONCLUSION: Glycosylation of p67 is required for its ribosomal association and can potentially inhibit PKR via interaction with the kinase domain of PKR.
Attenuation of levodopa-induced toxicity in mesencephalic cultures by pramipexole

The direct-acting dopamine (DA) agonist pramipexole (2 amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-6-propyl-amino-benzthiazole-dihydrocfiloride) was evaluated for its ability to attenuate levodopa-induced loss of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (THir, a marker for dopamine neurons) cells in mesencephalic cultures. Pramipexole reduced levodopa-induced THir cell loss in a dosedependent and saturable fashion (ED50=500 pM), its inactive stereoisomer was significantly less potent in this regard and pergolide and bromocriptine had negligible cytoprotective effects. Culture media from mesencephalic cultures incubated with pramipexole for 6 days increased THir cell counts in freshly harvested recipient cultures. The magnitude of this effect was directly proportional to the amount of pramipexole in the donor cultures and heatinactivation of the media abolished the growth promoting effect. The results from this exploratory set of experiments suggest that pramipexole may be cytoprotective to dopamine neurons in tissue culture. Pramipexole's affinity for DA receptors, its antioxidant action or its ability to enhance mesencephalic trophic activity could be responsible for this effect.
How does surface modification aid in the dispersion of carbon nanofibers

Small-angle light scattering is used to assess the dispersion behavior of vapor-grown carbon nanofibers suspended in water. These data provide the first insights into the mechanism by which surface treatment promotes dispersion. Both acid-treated and untreated nanofibers exhibit hierarchical morphology consisting of small-scale aggregates (small bundles) that agglomerate to form fractal clusters that eventually precipitate. Although the morphology of the aggregates and agglomerates is nearly independent of surface treatment, their time evolution is quite different. The time evolution of the small-scale bundles is studied by extracting the size distribution from the angle-dependence of the scattered intensity, using the maximum entropy method in conjunction with a simplified tube form factor. The bundles consist of multiple tubes possibly aggregated side-by-side. Acid oxidation has little effect on this bundle morphology. Rather acid treatment inhibits agglomeration of the bundles. The time evolution of agglomeration is followed by fitting the scattering data to a generalized fractal model. Agglomerates appear immediately after cessation of sonication for untreated fibers but only after hours for treated fibers. Eventually, however, both systems precipitate.
Dietary Cholesterol and Fat Saturation Effects on Plasma Esterified and Unesterified Cholesterol in Selected Lines of Japanese Quail Females

Abstract Three lines of Japanese quail females, randombred controls (CL), high response (HL), and low response (LL) lines, selected for plasma total cholesterol for 18 generations, were fed all-plant-source, nonatherogenic diets to which 0 or .5% cholesterol were added from 6 to 18 wk of age. In all three lines, plasma cholesterol increased when cholesterol was fed; however, responses were greater in the HL than in the LL line, with CL intermediate. In a second experiment, females of the three lines were fed, from 6 to 14 wk of age, four isocaloric, isonitrogenous plant-source diets to which were added: 1) 10% glucose monohydrate (cerelose); 2) 10% cerelose + .1% cholesterol; 3) 4% corn oil; or 4) 4% coconut oil. Baseline data obtained before feeding experimental diets indicated that the HL had significantly higher plasma total, esterified (EC) and unesterified (UEC) cholesterol than LL and that nonovulating females had higher concentrations of esterified cholesterol than ovulating females. Diets used did not affect cholesterol fractions in the ovulating females, although there were significant differences among lines. Dietary cholesterol significantly increased the ratio of EC to UEC. Sclerotic lesion scores were higher in the HL than the LL birds and in birds fed the coconut oil diet.
Cancer-specific mortality after radiation therapy with short-course hormonal therapy or radical prostatectomy in men with localized, intermediate-risk to high-risk prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND. The presence of multiple determinants of aggressive cancer biology may impact prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) rates compared with fewer factors. The authors estimated PCSM after radiation therapy with short-course androgen suppression therapy (RT+AST) or radical prostatectomy (RP) in men with clinically localized, intermediate-risk to high-risk prostate cancer. METHODS. The study cohort included 3240 men treated from 1981 to 2002 with RT with 6 months of AST (n = 550) or RP (n = 2690) for localized prostate cancer with at least 1 risk factor (prostate-specific antigen [PSA] >10 ng/mL, biopsy Gleason score 7–10, or clinical tumor category T2b or T2c). Competing risks regression analyses were used to determine whether the number of risk factors present was associated with time to PCSM. RESULTS. Men with all 3 risk factors had significantly shorter time to PCSM after RT+AST (adjusted hazards ratio [HR] of 9.3; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.9–44.5 [PGray = .005]) or RP (adjusted HR of 6.3; 95% CI, 3.2–12.2 [PGray < .001]) when compared with men with any 1 or 2 risk factors. The 7-year estimates of PCSM for men having 1, 2, or 3 risk factors were 0.83% (95% CI, 0.27–1.4%), 2.6% (95% CI, 1.0–4.2%), and 12.6% (95% CI, 7.1–18.1%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS. Men with multiple determinants of intermediate-risk to high-risk prostate cancer have significantly increased estimates of PCSM despite aggressive therapy compared with men with only 1 or 2 determinants. These men are appropriate candidates for enrollment onto randomized controlled trials evaluating the benefit of adding systemic therapies such as docetaxel to RT+AST or RP. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
OUR COSMIC HERITAGE

. My conclusions are threefold: The subject of cosmic evolution is my religion. The process of change itself (especially developmental change) is my God. And global ethics and a planetary culture, which cosmic evolution mandates, are the key to the survival of technologically competent life forms, both here on Earth and perhaps elsewhere in the Universe.
Quantitative Analysis of Autophagy using Advanced 3D Fluorescence Microscopy

Prostate cancer is the leading form of malignancies among men in the U.S. While surgery carries a significant risk of impotence and incontinence, traditional chemotherapeutic approaches have been largely unsuccessful. Hormone therapy is effective at early stage, but often fails with the eventual development of hormone-refractory tumors. We have been interested in developing therapeutics targeting specific metabolic deficiency of tumor cells. We recently showed that prostate tumor cells specifically lack an enzyme (argininosuccinate synthase, or ASS) involved in the synthesis of the amino acid arginine1. This condition causes the tumor cells to become dependent on exogenous arginine, and they undergo metabolic stress when free arginine is depleted by arginine deiminase (ADI)1,10. Indeed, we have shown that human prostate cancer cells CWR22Rv1 are effectively killed by ADI with caspase-independent apoptosis and aggressive autophagy (or macroautophagy)1,2,3. Autophagy is an evolutionarily-conserved process that allows cells to metabolize unwanted proteins by lysosomal breakdown during nutritional starvation4,5. Although the essential components of this pathway are well-characterized6,7,8,9, many aspects of the molecular mechanism are still unclear - in particular, what is the role of autophagy in the death-response of prostate cancer cells after ADI treatment? In order to address this question, we required an experimental method to measure the level and extent of autophagic response in cells - and since there are no known molecular markers that can accurately track this process, we chose to develop an imaging-based approach, using quantitative 3D fluorescence microscopy11,12. Using CWR22Rv1 cells specifically-labeled with fluorescent probes for autophagosomes and lysosomes, we show that 3D image stacks acquired with either widefield deconvolution microscopy (and later, with super-resolution, structured-illumination microscopy) can clearly capture the early stages of autophagy induction. With commercially available digital image analysis applications, we can readily obtain statistical information about autophagosome and lysosome number, size, distribution, and degree of colocalization from any imaged cell. This information allows us to precisely track the progress of autophagy in living cells and enables our continued investigation into the role of autophagy in cancer chemotherapy.
Glutathione-S-transferase is a target for covalent modification by a halothane reactive intermediate in the guinea pig liver.

Abstract The anesthetic halothane is bioactivated by the liver cytochrome P450 system to the reactive intermediate, trifluoroacetyl chloride, which can acylate liver protein. Cytosolic glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was identified as a major target for protein adduct formation in guinea pig liver slices exposed to halothane. To determine if GST is also a target in vivo, male Hartley guinea pigs were exposed to 1% halothane in 40% O2 for 4 h. At 10 h post exposure, livers were removed and microsomal and cytosolic fractions prepared. Past studies have shown these conditions resulted in maximal covalent binding of halothane intermediates to hepatic protein. Protein was isolated by ethanol precipitation and washed with trichloroacetic acid to remove unbound metabolites. Cytosolic GST was isolated by gel filtration and S-hexyl-glutathione affinity chromatography to electrophoretic purity. Protein adducts were quantified using a covalently bound fluorine assay. Covalent binding of a halothane intermediate to cytosolic and microsomal protein was determined as 2.0 ± 0.4 and 13.2 ± 2.3 nmol F/mg protein, respectively. Liver glutathione depletion by buthionine sulfoximine pretreatment produced an increase in covalent binding only to cytosolic proteins (3.3 ± 0.4 nmol F/mg protein). Adduct formation to cytosolic GST was determined to be 4.7 ± 1.6 nmol F/mg protein. Glutathione-S-transferase is a target for covalent modification in the liver following an inhalation exposure to halothane.
Breathing Techniques to Promote Client Relaxation and Tension Reduction

Abstract Helping clients deal with the stress and anxiety that they experience in the therapeutic setting and in everyday life is a phenomenon faced by all therapists. The natural breathing process shows promise as a coping technique for common anxiety and stress. Specific breathing techniques are beginning to emerge as ways to help clients mitigate the effects of stress and anxiety and to learn that they have some control over their experiences. This article provides an overview and review of several breathing techniques and provides detailed instructions through handouts on how to teach these breathing techniques to clients.
Enacting a theory of caring to recruit and retain vulnerable participants for sensitive research

The recruitment and retention of research participants always presents challenges to researchers. This process is made more complicated when the research being undertaken is socially sensitive and the populations of interest are considered vulnerable. The purpose of this article is to illustrate how Swanson's middle-range theory of caring can be used as a framework for recruitment and retention for studies on sensitive topics that involve vulnerable participants. We provide an overview of the theory as well as illustrations from three separate studies that involved in-depth interviews with vulnerable participants. These studies included parents who had either experienced the death of their infant or were involved in life support decisions because of potentially giving birth to an extremely premature infant (22-25 weeks gestation).
Validation of a food frequency questionnaire measurement of selected nutrients using biological markers in African-American men.

To validate selected nutrients assessed by the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) used in the Harvard cohort studies in an African-American group. Blood aliquots were pooled for each decile of intake of two carotenoids and alpha tocopherol as measured by FFQ. These pooled samples were analyzed for nutrient content, and the resultant blood levels were plotted against the median for each decile of intake. In addition, adipose tissue samples taken from each man were analyzed for content of specific fatty acids. We calculated the Spearman correlations comparing intakes of specific fatty acids as percent of total fat intake, adjusted for energy intake, as measured by FFQ, with the percentage of the corresponding fatty acid in adipose tissue. African-American men (N=104) with prostate cancer were recruited from a Detroit physician's practice and completed a detailed FFQ. Comparing decile 10 with decile 1 intake of nutrients as measured by FFQ, there was a 32% higher blood level of lycopene, a 288% higher blood level of beta carotene and a 100% higher blood level of alpha tocopherol. The Spearman correlation coefficients between intakes of linoleic acid, alpha linolenic acid, long-chain n-3 fatty acids and trans fatty acid measured by FFQ and the corresponding adipose tissue levels were between 0.10 and 0.47. The FFQ was able to distinguish meaningful differences in biochemical measurements of selected nutrients and presumably corresponding differences in the extremes of intake in African-American men with prostate cancer who were likely to be motivated to report accurately. However, the results found are similar to those found in other populations. This work was supported by United States National Institutes of Health Grants CA42182 and CA72036.
Absence of alpha globulin from the egg white of the domestic turkey.

Summary1. An immunological analysis of the egg white obtained from White Leghorn and Broad Breasted Bronze hens, and tested against both the homologous and heter-ologous rabbit antisera, was carried out by means of the Ouchterlony double diffusion agar plate method. 2. The turkey egg white was shown to be deficient of a protein fraction which, on the basis of the ammonium sulfate fractionation procedure, was identified as alpha globulin. With respect to other egg protein fractions, the chicken and the turkey were closely similar.
Particulate emissions by a small non-road diesel engine: biodiesel and diesel characterization and mass measurements using the extended idealized aggregates theory.

Abstract Particulate emissions from a 4.8-kW diesel generator running on ultra-low sulfur diesel and biodiesel fuels are characterized as a function of engine load. Number distributions measured by a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) show that particle mobility diameters rise with increasing engine loads. The elemental carbon (EC) to organic carbon (OC) ratio, measured by thermo-optical transmission evolved gas analysis, with careful attention to avoid OC sampling artifacts, increases from about 0.5 at idle load to 3.8 at 100% load when using diesel fuel. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of the particles showed that at idle, the particles were liquid droplets together with a few aggregates. When a load was applied, the droplets were replaced by chain aggregates, which had a mean primary particle size of 29±9 nm at 100% load. Fractal dimension averaged 1.63±0.13, consistent with much larger diesel engines emissions reported in the literature. The use of biofuel (B100) results in emissions of particles that are compact, irregular, and lack the clearly defined primary particles of diesel aggregates, and yet at maximum load they have similar EC and OC content as diesel particles. The accuracy of the idealized aggregate (IA) theory correction and its extension to the transition regime [Lall, A.A., Friedlander, S.K., 2006. On-line measurement of ultrafine aggregate surface area and volume distributions by electrical mobility analysis: 1. Theoretical analysis. Journal of Aerosol Science 37, 260–271] was tested as a method to obtain mass distributions for diesel aggregates using and SMPS. The total mass concentrations calculated from the SMPS measurements using the extended IA theory are in good agreement with the mass concentrations obtained from gravimetric and EC/OC measurements. The loss of aggregates in the TSI SMPS inlet impactor is also discussed.
How addictive drugs disrupt presynaptic dopamine neurotransmission.

The fundamental principle that unites addictive drugs appears to be that each enhances synaptic dopamine by means that dissociate it from normal behavioral control, so that they act to reinforce their own acquisition. This occurs via the modulation of synaptic mechanisms that can be involved in learning, including enhanced excitation or disinhibition of dopamine neuron activity, blockade of dopamine reuptake, and altering the state of the presynaptic terminal to enhance evoked over basal transmission. Amphetamines offer an exception to such modulation in that they combine multiple effects to produce nonexocytic stimulation-independent release of neurotransmitter via reverse transport independent from normal presynaptic function. Questions about the molecular actions of addictive drugs, prominently including the actions of alcohol and solvents, remain unresolved, but their ability to co-opt normal presynaptic functions helps to explain why treatment for addiction has been challenging.
A seven-detector system for γ-γ angular correlations

Abstract A system of seven NaI(Tl) detectors in a fixed configuration has been constructed for the study of γ-γ angular correlations of short-lived fission product activities. Coincidence events between any two detectors are inspected to determine the angle between the detectors and the presence of a gating transition signal in one detector. The gated spectrum of the other detector is recorded as a function of angle in a large-memory multichannel analyzer. Analysis of the resulting spectra gives values for the angular correlation coefficients A2 and A4. A modification to the system allows the use of one Ge(Li) detector for decays requiring high resolution. The performance of the system is discussed for transitions in the decays of 60Co and 152Eu.
Receptors for glucocorticoids in the lens epithelium of the calf

The calf lens epithelium contains a specific cytoplasmic receptor for glucocorticoids. This binding protein has a high affinity for dexamethasone (average dissociation constant, 8 x 10(-9) mole per liter), a low capacity (average, 550 femtomoles per milligram of protein), extreme heat sensitivity, and exhibits a pattern of competition similar to that of glucocorticoid receptors in other tissues. This provides direct biochemical evidence that these tissues may function as a target organ for glucocorticoids.
CD40 ligand gene defects responsible for X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome

The ligand for CD40 (CD40L) is a membrane glycoprotein on activated T cells that induces B cell proliferation and immunoglobulin secretion. Abnormalities in the CD40L gene were associated with an X-linked immunodeficiency in humans [hyper-IgM (immunoglobulin M) syndrome]. This disease is characterized by elevated concentrations of serum IgM and decreased amounts of all other isotypes. CD40L complementary DNAs from three of four patients with this syndrome contained distinct point mutations. Recombinant expression of two of the mutant CD40L complementary DNAs resulted in proteins incapable of binding to CD40 and unable to induce proliferation or IgE secretion from normal B cells. Activated T cells from the four affected patients failed to express wild-type CD40L, although their B cells responded normally to wild-type CD40L. Thus, these CD40L defects lead to a T cell abnormality that results in the failure of patient B cells to undergo immunoglobulin class switching.
Multitiered representation for autonomous agents

This paper reports on work in developing systems of representation for multi-tiered autonomous agent architectures. Although some have suggested that agents may be able to perform complex tasks using stateless behaviors, we believe this to be strawman. Imagine washing the dishes and dropping a fork into a sudsy sink. Even though the fork cannot be perceived, it should still be washed and not forgotten. We believe agents can be made more efficient or effective if they are allowed to use task dependent information about their environment, which comes not only form current perception, but also from expectations or previous perceptions. We do not propose to have agents develop a compete model of their environment, but rather that their current task will decide what elements of the environment are important and what elements need representation.
Shopping motivation revised: a means‐end chain analytical perspective

Purpose – Shopping motivation is one of the key constructs of research on shopping behavior and exhibits a high relevance for formulating retail marketing strategies. Previous studies of shopping behavior as well as research in the areas of psychology and organizational behavior point towards a need to investigate the hierarchical nature of shopping motivation. The present study intends to take the first steps towards the development of a hierarchical theory of shopping motivation.Design/methodology/approach – Means‐end chain theory is adopted to explore the hierarchical nature of shopping motivation. A total of 40 in‐depths interviews with apparel shoppers were conducted using the laddering technique. Results are depicted in three hierarchical value maps.Findings – Evidence is provided relating to the social, experiential, and utilitarian aspects of shopping as represented by four dominant motivational patterns referring to the issues of shopping pleasure, frictionless shopping, value seeking, and qualit...
Binding of hydrogen and helium in silicon, the mass difference between 3H and 3He, and the mass of nu e.

Precision measurements of the /sup 3/H/minus//sup 3/He atomicmass difference afford a means for assessing the reliability of measurements ofthe electron antineutrino mass from tritium ..beta.. decay. We show that along-standing discrepancy between measurements of the/sup 3/H/minus//sup 3/He mass difference obtained withtritium-implanted silicon detectors and those obtained by other techniques isdue to neglect of chemical binding effects in the former experiments. Thecorrection reconciles the silicon-detector results with modern determinationsmade by mass spectrometry and by ..beta.. spectrometry. With this and othernew data, a revised average value for the /sup 3/H/minus//sup 3/Hemass difference of 18 591(2) eV is found. The scatter in the extant datasuggests the presence of systematic errors in some of the modern measurements,and at present there seems to be no compelling basis for a model-independentlower limit on the mass of ..nu../sub /ital e//. .AE
Is persistent polyclonal B lymphocytosis caused by Epstein-Barr virus? A study with polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization.

Previous reports of patients with persistent polyclonal B lymphocytosis have found associations with female sex, cigarette smoking, HLA-DR7 phenotype, and moderate elevation of peripheral blood polyclonal B lymphocytes. The presence of binucleated cells and atypical lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of these patients was highly suggestive of a viral infection, such as with the Epstein-Barr virus. We report a 47-year-old asymptomatic woman who was incidentally found to have persistent polyclonal B lymphocytosis and serum IgG against virus capsid antigen (VCA) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA) of EBV. The presence of EBV was investigated in the peripheral blood lymphocytes from this patient by in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction methods. EBV DNA was demonstrated in the lympohcyte fraction by polymerase chain reaction, and it was further located in lymphoid cells by in situ hybridization. These results indicate that persistent polyclonal B lymphocytosis is strongly associated with EBV. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Graphical methods for assessing violations of the proportional hazards assumption in cox regression

A major assumption of the Cox proportional hazards model is that the effect of a given covariate does not change over time. If this assumption is violated, the simple Cox model is invalid, and more sophisticated analyses are required. This paper describes eight graphical methods for detecting violations of the proportional hazards assumption and demonstrates each on three published datasets with a single binary covariate. I discuss the relative merits of these methods. Smoothed plots of the scaled Schoenfeld residuals are recommended for assessing PH violations because they provide precise usable information about the time dependence of the covariate effects.
Correlates of sexual satisfaction among sexually active postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative-Observational Study.

BACKGROUND Satisfaction with sexual activity is important for health-related quality of life, but little is known about the sexual health of postmenopausal women.
The roles of profit and claw strength in determining mussel size selection by crabs

Earlier research indicated crabs select small bivalve prey that are not always energetically optimal. We test whether patterns of bivalve prey selection differ between relatively strong-clawed stone crabs (Menippe adina) and two size classes of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) on Ischadium recurvum. Handling times were highest for small blue crabs, and lowest for the small mussels, but clear differences among mussel sizes occurred only for C. sapidus. Two analyses suggested profit (dry tissue mass/handling time) did not differ among mussel sizes for any predator treatment. M. adina was not size selective, but both sizes of C. sapidus preferred smaller mussels. Because i. blue crabs select smaller mussels than they can consume, ii. profit does not differ with mussel size, and iii. large mussels require force generation near levels that can damage claws, we conclude blue crabs consume small mussels to reduce risks of claw damage, or select prey with small handling times to limit their own predation risk. Stone crabs instead show no size preference because their stronger claws are less prone to damage, or allow them to mechanically handle larger prey.
Coordination chemistry with meso-hydroxylated porphyrins (oxophlorins), intermediates in heme degradation

Abstract An overview of the chemistry of meso-hydroxylated porphyrins or oxophlorins is presented with emphasis on the relevance to their occurrence as intermediates in heme degradation.
Concurrent engineering of an infrared telescope system

A concurrent engineering approach to the design and analysis of a space-borne Electro-Optical (EO) sensor is presented. A detailed design of an infrared telescope payload is developed by an interdisciplinary team of mechanical, structural, thermal, and optical engineers using a Simulation Driven Engineering (SDE) software environment. The telescope payload design is also integrated with a conceptual level design of the space segment of a mission that incorporates the payload. The flow of the concurrent design process is described, and design outputs are provided.
A conceptual framework for the integration of multiple perspectives with distributed learning environments

IN RECENT YEARS, INCREASED ATTENTION has been directed towards the design of distributed and collaborative learning environments that enable sharing of information, resources, and perspectives. The information-rich and communicative aspects of the Internet offer a feasible avenue for collaboration among learners by allowing access to data, information, and multiple points of view. This paper describes a conceptual framework that can be used to guide the design of distributed learning environments—particularly those that utilize the capabilities of computer and Internet technology. This paper and framework offer implications for improving online collaboration among learners and for informing future designs of computer-supported collaborative learning environments.
Effects of nifedipine and diltiazem on coronary reactive hyperaemia

The effects of nifedipine and diltiazem on the reactive hyperaemic response which followed 10 s occlusions of the left circumflex coronary artery was studied in 18 chronically instrumented awake dogs. Nifedipine (0.010 mg·kg−1, iv) and diltiazem (0.30 mg·kg−1, iv) were administered to produce 2 ½ to 3-fold peak increases in left circumflex coronary blood flow. Coronary flow returned to the control value within 30 min after drug administration, and reactive hyperaemia was examined from 30 min to 2 h after drug administration, when resting coronary blood flow, heart rate, arterial pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure were not different from pretreatment values. Both nifedipine and diltiazem caused blunting of the reactive hyperaemic response following 10 s coronary occlusions with reduction of excess blood flow during reactive hyperaemia from 20.5 ±2.65 ml during control conditions to 11.4±3.2 ml 30 min after nifedipine (P<0.001), and from 21.0±3.74 ml to 13.8±3.2 ml 30 min after diltiazem (P<0.001). Coronary reactive hyperaemia remained depressed for 60 min after nifedipine and throughout the entire 2 h observation period after diltiazem. Measurements of myocardial blood flow with radioactive microspheres demonstrated that neither nifedipine nor diltiazem increased collateral flow during coronary occlusion. Thus, blunting of the reactive hyperaemic response could not be attributed to relief of ischaemia by enhanced collateral blood flow.
Cup products in Grassmannians

Abstract This note calculates the height of the first Stiefel-Whitney class in the cohomology of the real Grassmannians and determines the length of the longest nontrivial cup-product in H ∗ (G k (R n+k );Z 2 ) (k⩽n) with k ⩽4.
Fault-tolerant digital filtering architectures using fast finite field transforms

Abstract Digital filtering architectures for highly parallel realizations containing distributed error control are presented. They involve the interconnection of fault-tolerant sections using finite field arithmetic into which powerful cyclic error-correcting codes can be imbedded naturally. Realizations employing finite field transform domains and new techniques for protecting the transform coefficients are developed. These coefficients' special property, called the Chord Property, permits error detection and correction in the transform domain, and the proper selection of certain code parameters can expand this capability. Fast Transform algorithms with distributed error-control are possible because the interstage variables also obey limited chord properties. The interplay between these properties and certain code parameters are used to eliminate undesirable error propogation and provide reliable digital filter realizations.
IR/MMW Dual-Mode, Common Aperture Optics

A catadioptric Cassegrain optical system is described that permits simultaneous operation as an infrared (IR) imager and a millimeter wave (MMW) radar through a common aperture. Separation of IR and MMW focal points is achieved by use of suitable dichroic coatings and substrate materials. We have evaluated our design by building a prototype and measuring its performance in the laboratory with particular attention given to isolate the degradation suffered by each mode due to the presence of the other. We present our test results and conclude from an analysis of the data that although our design is feasible, improvements are needed both in the design of the secondary element and in the technology for conductive dichroic coatings. We suggest a straightforward solution to the problem with the secondary element and present evidence to show that requirements for conductive coatings will soon be achieved.
MEDICARE AND THE FUTURE OF HEALTH SERVICES

Near the second anniversary of the beginning of Medicare, the statistics are discussed from the viewpoints of costs, efficiency, shortage of personnel, incentives and changes in requirements and payment methods. Despite the changes already necessitated in the Medicare program and the many changes that are certain to be made in the future, we can all share in its current success. Medicare is operating very well and is accomplishing its objective of helping the elderly citizens of this nation to meet their health costs with dignity and self-respect.
X-RAY SPECTRA OF ORDERED AND DISORDERED BINARY COMPOUNDS

The X-ray photoemission, absorption, and emission spectra of a one-dimensional, one-orbital-per-site model of an ordered binary compound AB and its disordered counterparts A1−xB1−xBxAx are calculated. With increasing x, the band gap of this model changes from being large (insulating) to very small (semiconductive). Final-state interaction effects that produce electronic excitation of valence electrons across the gap are incorporated in a change-of-mean-field approximation. The spectra exhibit sidebands associated with disorder and distinctive features associated with the character of the one-electron states and excitonic states.
The Astronomer's Role in the Sixteenth Century: A Preliminary Study

Le role de l'astronome selon Osiander et Copernic, l'astronome a l'universite et a la cour. La reforme de l'universite par Ramus, Savile et Clavius. Tycho Brahe.
Vegetarianism, dietary restraint and feminist identity.

Abstract Objective Research examining the relationship between dietary restraint and vegetarianism has yielded inconsistent results due to differing definitions of vegetarianism and the possible modifying role of feminist identity. The current study sought to further clarify these relationships by examining three levels of vegetarianism, motivation for vegetarianism, and feminist identity (using an updated measure). Method Participants were 90 female undergraduate students and community members (mean age = 24.34 years). Dietary restraint was measured using the TFEQ; feminism was assessed using the LFAIS. Results Weight-motivated semi-vegetarians reported higher levels of dietary restraint than those not motivated by weight. This effect did not appear among full-vegetarians. Lowest levels of dietary restraint were found among full-vegetarians with no difference between non- and semi-vegetarians. Contrary to previous research, feminist identity did not moderate the relationship between dietary restraint and vegetarianism. Discussion Limitations resulting from a scale with a narrow definition of feminism and the use of multiple sources of recruitment are discussed. Directions for future research are highlighted.
C(8) substituted 1-azabicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-enes and C(8) substituted 1-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-4-ones: novel muscarinic receptor antagonists.

Expedient syntheses of C(8) substituted 1-azabicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-enes and C(8) substituted 1-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-4-ones are reported to begin with 2,5-disubstituted pyridines. Catalytic reduction of the pyridine to the piperidine followed by treatment with ethyl acrylate and Dieckmann cyclization gave diastereomeric mixtures of C(8) substituted 3-ethoxycarbonyl-4-hydroxy-1-azabicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-enes, which were separable by chromatography. We found that the catalytic reduction (PtO2, H2) procedure provided the cis-substituted piperidine but that pyridine reduction was accompanied by competitive cleavage of the C(2) pyridyl substituent. Accordingly, an alternative route was devised that afforded a diastereomeric mixture of the cis- and trans-2,5-disubstituted piperidine. Treatment of the substituted pyridine with m-CPBA gave the pyridine N-oxide, which was reduced to the piperidine by sequential reduction with ammonium formate in the presence of Pd−C followed by NaBH3CN. Addition of ethyl acrylate comp...
Breeding biology and reproductive performance of Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus on the island of Crete (Greece)

Capsule While breeding dates were similar to those of populations in other Mediterranean regions, there is evidence of either a low carrying capacity or insular traits, and the population seems to experience a bottleneck period during the chick‐rearing period. Aims To describe the breeding phenology of Griffon Vultures in Crete, assess their breeding success and productivity, and compare breeding dates and parameters with mainland populations. Methods The breeding ecology of Griffons was studied between 1997 and 2001 by intensively monitoring 70 focal nests, whereas the timing of laying was determined in 86% of the breeding population. The reproductive performance was assessed from1996 to 2005 by visiting all active colonies five to nine times per year. Breeding parameters were compared between years and regions by applying a mixed design repeated‐measures anova. Results The mean laying date was 28 January (range: 25 December–16 April) with clutches peaking in February (86%). Median laying date in west an...