cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relative platelet-derived growth factor receptor subunit expression determines cell migration to different dimeric forms of PDGF.

AbstractPlatelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor transfectants of a fibroblastoid cell line (BHK) have been used to investigate the ability of the three dimeric forms of PDGF to elicit a chemotactic response. Cells transfected with the β receptor subunit were only responsive to PDGF-BB, whereas cells expressing the α-receptor subunit were equally responsive to all three dimeric forms, PDGF-AA, PDGF-AB, and PDGF-BB. A positive chemotactic response correlated with rearrangement of actin organization. In a study of human arterial smooth muscle cells that express both PDGF receptor subunits endogenously, we again found that recombinant PDGF-AA could elicit a chemotactic response. However, the two smooth muscle cell isolates we examined differed in their chemotactic response to PDGF-AA. This difference correlated closely with their ability to respond mitogenically to this PDGF dimeric form, and the magnitude of both chemotactic and mitogenic responses was related to the proportion of the two receptor sub...
TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-P-dioxin) reduces lipoprotein lipase activity in the adipose tissue of the guinea pig

Summary TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) administered to young male guinea pigs at a dose of 1 μg/kg (single intraperitoneal injection) caused a large reduction in adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity. This effect occurred rapidly; a 70% decrease was noticed after 24 hour and 80% of LPL activity was lost by 48 hours when the serum triglyceride levels increased to 175% of control levels. LPL is known to play an important role in controlling the amount of free fatty acids supplied to adipose tissues. Administration of a large dose of glucose to fasted guinea pigs, which have shown a similar weight loss, but less LPL loss than TCDD-treated animals, had the effect of elevating their adipose LPL levels back to a near normal level, whereas the same treatment caused no significant increase in the LPL levels of TCDD-treated animals. Evidence indicates that the TCDD-caused decline in LPL activity is irreversible. As a consequence, the affected guinea pigs are incapable of responding to changes in nutritional status.
Measuring Implicit and Explicit Linguistic Knowledge: What Can Heritage Language Learners Contribute?.

Although claims about explicit and implicit language knowledge are central to many debates in SLA, little research has been dedicated to measuring the two knowledge types (R. Ellis, 2004, 2005). The purpose of this study was to validate the use of the battery of tests reported in Ellis (2005) to measure implicit and explicit language knowledge. Whereas Ellis (2005) tested only second-language (L2) learners (of English), this study tested both L2 and heritage language (HL) learners (of Spanish). Results showed that test scores loaded on a two-factor model, as in Ellis (2005), thereby providing construct validity for the tests, on a population of HL learners who have little explicit knowledge by virtue of the environment in which they acquired Spanish.
PRODUCTION OF L FORMS OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI IN MICE.

SummaryMice, inoculated intraperitoneally with lethal doses of group A streptococci, yielded L forms as well as streptococci from peritoneal exudate and heart blood at death. These L forms propagated readily and were recovered on penicillin-free medium after separation from the streptococci by differential filtration. They were shown to be derived from the original streptococcus, and usually appeared in mice inoculated with streptococci of relatively low virulence.
Adsorption and methanation of carbon dioxide on a nickel/silica catalyst

The adsorption and methanation of carbon dioxide on a nickel/silica catalyst were studied using temperature-programmed desorption and temperature-programmed reaction. Carbon dioxide adsorption on nickel was found to be activated; almost no adsorption occurred at room temperature, but large coverages were obtained between 383 and 473 K. The data indicate CO2 dissociates upon adsorption at elevated temperatures to yield carbon monoxide and oxygen atoms. These oxygen atoms react with hydrogen at room temperature, so the methane and water peaks observed during programmed heating in flowing hydrogen are identical for adsorbed CO and adsorbed CO2. Single CH4 and H2O peaks, each with a peak temperature of 473 K, were observed. This peak temperature did not change with initial coverage, indicating methanation is first order in CO surface coverage. The activated adsorption of CO2 allowed these coverage variation experiments to be carried out. Thus, following adsorption, CO and CO2 methanation proceed by the same mechanism. However, the activated adsorption of CO2 may create a higher H2: CO surface ratio during steady-state hydrogenation, causing CO2 hydrogenation to favor methane over higher hydrocarbons.
A prediction- and cost function-based algorithm for robust autonomous freeway driving

In this paper, a prediction- and cost function-based algorithm (PCB) is proposed to implement robust freeway driving in autonomous vehicles. A prediction engine is built to predict the future microscopic traffic scenarios. With the help of a human-understandable and representative cost function library, the predicted traffic scenarios are evaluated and the best control strategy is selected based on the lowest cost. The prediction- and cost function-based algorithm is verified using the simulator of the autonomous vehicle Boss from the DARPA Urban Challenge 2007. The results of both case tests and statistical tests using PCB show enhanced performance of the autonomous vehicle in performing distance keeping, lane selecting and merging on freeways.
Determination of 39K scattering lengths using photoassociation spectroscopy of the 0_g- state

Threshold scattering properties of ${}^{39}\mathrm{K}$ atoms are extracted from a line-shape analysis of photoassociation data. Specifically, we consider the rovibrational levels ${(v}^{\ensuremath{'}}=0--6)$ populated in the photoassociation process $\mathrm{K}(4S)+\mathrm{K}(4S)+\ensuremath{\Elzxh}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\omega}}{\mathrm{K}}_{2}^{*}[{0}_{g}^{\ensuremath{-}}{(v}^{\ensuremath{'}}{,J}^{\ensuremath{'}})].$ The measured spectra exhibit several general trends, including large ${J}^{\ensuremath{'}}=2$ linewidths, large relative ${J}^{\ensuremath{'}}=4$ peak intensities, and odd rotational lines which are weak or missing. The even ${J}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ features signal the presence of a d-wave shape resonance in the ground-state collisions. The combination of spectral features allows us to place the following limits on the ground-state singlet and triplet scattering lengths, ${a}_{s}{=140}_{\ensuremath{-}9}^{+6}$ a.u. and ${a}_{t}=\ensuremath{-}17\ensuremath{-}{0.045(C}_{6}\ensuremath{-}{C}_{6})\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}25$ a.u., ${C}_{6}=3800$ a.u.
Long-term Results with Hydroxylapatite Middle Ear Implants:

Abstract Purpose: This study evaluated long-term results in patients who had ossicular reconstruction with a Goldenberg hydroxylapatite implant. Methods: A total of 233 patients underwent implantation; of these, 77 had 5-year or longer follow-up and are the subjects of this study of long-term hearing results. All 233 patients were included for analysis of extrusion rate and postoperative otorrhea. Results: The hearing success rate at long-term follow-up was 56.8%; the mean air-bone gap was 21.1 dB. Prosthesis extrusion occurred in 5.29% of the 233 patients, and visible slippage occurred in 7.7%. Overall, 50.6% of patients met the criteria for successful hearing, which included no extrusion and a dry ear. Better hearing before surgery and presence of the malleus long process were factors associated with a successful hearing result, as was tympanoplasty alone and canal wall up tympanomastoidectomy. Conclusion: Hydroxylapatite hybrid prostheses provide stable hearing results over time with low extrusion and a dry ear overall. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;122:635-42.)
Surface characterization of plasma deposited organic thin films

Abstract This article reviews advances in characterizing the chemical and physical properties of organic plasma deposited films (PDFs). The text focuses on insights provided by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), contact angle goniometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared spectroscopy, near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS), and surface chemical derivatization. Alone and in combination, these techniques help us understand the relationship between plasma deposition parameters and PDF properties such as surface chemistry, crosslinking, mobility, roughness, and molecular orientation. We also comment upon refinements in these analytical techniques that will enhance our ability to characterize PDFs in the future.
Weak radix representation and cyclic codes over euclidean domains

Here we show that to some extent the two theories cyclic arithmetic coding and cyclic polynomial coding can be subsumed under a “unified” theory based on a more or less arbitrary Euclidean domain. In particular, we show that Hamming weight (for cyclic polynomial codes) and arithmetic weight (for cyclic arithmetic codes) are special cases of a more general notion of weight defined for Euclidean rings. of fundamental importance in this development is a general-ization of the notion of radix representation for integers which we call a weak radix representation. For several specific Euclidean rings we prove the existence of certain unique canonical weak radix representations for all ring elements. We show, for example, that every Gaussian integer has a unique representation of the form (1) each aj is zero or a unit, and whenever aj≠0 , then aj+1 = aj+2 = 0 This is analogous to a known result of Reitwiesner that each rational integer has a unique representation of the form (1) where r - 2, each aj. is 0 or ± 1...
Effect of Gestation and Dry Period on Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Alveolar Characteristics of Bovine Mammary Glands

Abstract Udders of 21 lactating and 26 dry cows were analyzed for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) concentration and amount. Right and left halves of 21 cows were dried off at different times to give comparisons between dry periods of 15, 45, 60, and 75 days. Udders of five dry cows with dry periods of 8 and 48 days for right and left halves, respectively, were obtained about a week before calving. Histological sections of 26 udders were used to record alveolar density and surface area. The correlation coefiicient between total DNA and milk yield per half udder ( r = 0.34) was small but statistically significant (P
Partially Constrained Gravity Models for Predicting Spatial Interactions with Elastic Demand

The levels of spatial interactions with certain types of public services, such as libraries and recreation facilities, may vary with the total numbers of opportunities available. Two partially cons...
A comprehensive evaluation of joint range and angle estimation in indoor ultrawideband location systems

Fine time resolution enables ultrawideband (UWB) ranging systems to extract the first multipath arrival corresponding to the range between a transmitter and receiver, even when attenuated in strength compared to later arrivals. Bearing systems alone lack any notion of time and in general select the strongest arrival which is rarely the first one in nonline-of-sight conditions. Complementing UWB ranging systems with bearing capabilities allows indexing the arrivals as a function of both time and angle in order to isolate the first, providing precision range and angle. However, that precision degrades with the increasing presence of walls and other objects which distort the properties of the first arrival. In order to gauge the physical limits of the joint UWB system, we design and assemble a spatial-temporal channel sounder using a vector network analyzer coupled to a virtual antenna array, and conduct 200 experiments to measure the time- and angle-of-flight. The experiments are carried out in both line-of-sight and nonline-of-sight conditions up to an unprecedented 45 meters throughout four separate buildings with dominant wall material varying from sheet rock to steel. In addition, we report performance for varying bandwidth and center frequency of the system. We find that operating at a bandwidth of 4 GHz suffices in resolving multipath in most buildings and in excess shows virtually no improvement. While the range error decreases at lower center frequencies, the higher frequencies offer better angular resolution and so smaller angle error.
Classroom issues: staying connected with the big picture

One of the true joys of being a computer scientist is the opportunity to work at multiple levels of abstraction when solving a problem. For example, in writing a software application, we consider high-level requirements, a design that includes encapsulation of data elements and options, individual coding pieces (files, classes, or objects), etc. This column observes that teaching computer science entails the same attention to multiple levels of activity.
Public Prejudice Against Women School Administrators: The Possibility of Change

This paper uses survey data to explore the extent to which greater contact with women school administrators and changing generations can influence public prejudice toward women administrators and override the impact of regional and educational differences on these attitudes. Little support is found for these possibilities. Specifications of cognitive dissonance and consistency theories, specifically involving the problems of generalizing from one situation to another and the need for sufficient stimuli to create dissonance, are used to explain these findings. If affirmative action programs result in more women being hired for line administrative positions, however, it is suggested that sufficient dissonance or cognitive inconsistency may be created to produce attitude change.
Simultaneous oxidation and sigma-phase formation in a stainless steel

Oxidation of 347 austenitic stainless steel and the simultaneous formation of σ phase have been investigated, in the temperature range 650 °C to 816 °C. Oxidation rates for both 0.09-mm foil and 2.29-mm sheet were found to obey parabolic kinetics in the early stages of growth. However, significant departures from parabolic growth leading to accelerated oxidation occurred at 816 °C, after about 2500 hours in the thin foil and 10,000 hours in the thicker sheet material. Sigma-phase precipitation occurred throughout the temperature range, with a pronounced precipitate-free zone (PFZ) near the metal surface. The PFZ (which occurred as a result of Cr depletion) increased in width as a function of time and temperature. This observation was taken as evidence that the surface oxidation reaction was not limited by the Cr depletion associated with the formation of σ phase. Mathematical modeling of the Cr content at the metal/oxide interface together with an experimental observation of a “breakaway” condition of accelerated oxidation (at high temperature) was used to predict the oxidation-limited lifetime for the 0.09-mm foil at lower temperatures. Calculated Cr-depletion profiles, which corresponded closely with experimental data, resulted in depletion profile widths that corresponded closely with those for the σ-phase PFZs.
A mixed (long- and medium-chain) triglyceride lipid emulsion extracts local anesthetic from human serum in vitro more effectively than a long-chain emulsion.

Background Lipid emulsion infusion reverses cardiac toxicity of local anesthetics. The predominant effect is likely creation of a "lipid sink." This in vitro study determined the extent to which Intralipid® (Fresenius Kabi, Uppsala, Sweden) and Lipofundin® (B. Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen, Germany) sequester anesthetics from serum, and whether it varies with pH. Methods Bupivacaine, ropivacaine, and mepivacaine were added to human drug-free serum (pH 7.4) at 10 μg/ml. The lipid emulsions were added, and the mixture shaken and incubated at 37°C. Lipid was removed by ultracentrifugation and drug remaining in the serum measured. Additional experiments were performed using 100 μg/ml bupivacaine and at pH 6.9. Results Lipofundin® extracted all three anesthetics to a greater extent than Intralipid® (34.7% vs..22.3% for bupivacaine, 25.8% vs..16.5% for ropivacaine, and 7.3% vs..4.7% for mepivacaine). By increasing either concentration of bupivacaine or lipid, there was an increase in drug extraction from serum. Adjusting the pH to 6.9 had no statistically significant effect on the percentage of bupivacaine sequestered. Conclusions Bupivacaine, ropivacaine, and mepivacaine were sequestered to an extent consistent with their octanol:water partition constants (logP). In contrast with previous studies of extraction of lipids from buffer solutions, an emulsion containing 50% each of medium- and long-chain triglycerides extracted local anesthetics to a greater extent from human serum than one containing exclusively long-chain triglycerides, calling into question recent advanced cardiac life support guidelines for resuscitation from anesthetic toxicity that specify use of a long-chain triglyceride. The current data also do not support recent recommendations to delay administration until pH is normalized.
In vitro addition of glutathione to blood from zinc-deficient rats corrects platelet defects: Impaired aggregation and calcium uptake

Abstract Zinc deficiency in rats impairs platelet aggregation, and this defect is associated with the failure of platelets to take up external calcium. Recent data show that the red cell plasma membrane from zinc-deficient rats contains a lower than normal concentration of protein sulfhydryl groups, a defect that can be corrected readily in vivo by zinc repletion. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of zinc deficiency on sulfhydryl concentration of platelet membrane proteins and to determine if impaired platelet function can be corrected in vitro by treatment of blood with glutathione (GSH), a physiological reducing agent. Immature male rats were fed low zinc diets based on egg white or EDTA-treated soy protein (
Two contributions to the ac conductivity of alkali oxide glasses.

Although the frequency dependent conductivity of ion-containing glasses often displays scale invariant power law dispersion at high temperatures, the exponent increases to unity at lower temperatures. We report measurements of the conductivity of a series of alkali metaphosphate glasses including a mixed alkali composition and demonstrate that this temperature dependence results from the superposition of two power law dispersions originating from {ital separate} {ital mechanism}, and does not indicate any intrinsic change in scaling of the process which dominates at high temperatures.
Infrared Absorption Cross-Section Measurements for Nitrous Acid (HONO) at Room Temperature

Infrared absorption cross sections for nitrous acid (HONO) were measured using HONO spectra recorded simultaneously by UV/visible and FTIR spectroscopy. HONO was prepared by the reaction of HCl(g) and NaNO2(s) and was introduced into a 561 L environmental chamber equipped with parallel sets of White optics with total path 52.5 m for UV/visible and FTIR spectroscopy. Alternatively, HONO was prepared in situ by reaction of ClNO(g) with water vapor. Absolute concentrations of HONO were determined independently using the UV spectrum and published UV absorption cross sections. All experiments were carried out at 750 Torr total pressure in N2 at 294−297 K. We report both Q-branch intensities and integrated absorbances for the HONO modes trans-ν3 (1263 cm-1), cis-ν4 (852 cm-1), and trans-ν4 (790 cm-1). For trans-ν3 and cis-ν4 we also include synthetic reference spectra composed of Gaussian functions which give an accurate reproduction of our experimental references, and can easily be generated by computer for ea...
Nutritional studies with Scaleless chickens: I. The Sulphur-Containing Amino Acids

Young birds homozygous for the recessive gene, sc, had a significantly lower requirement than their normally feathered siblings for the sulphur-containing amino-acids, methionine and cystine. When fed a synthetic diet lacking in methionine, feathered birds showed the expected abrupt decrease in weight gain while Scaleless birds grew at a rate equivalent to feathered birds receiving the full diet. Scaleless birds receiving the full diet exceeded feathered birds in weight gain during the first part of the feeding trial but they required more food per gram of gain. Between Scaleless groups those fed the deficient diet dropped behind those on full diet in gain after 3 weeks but even after 6 weeks these did not differ in other respects. On the other hand among normal birds those receiving the deficient diet were higher in heat output and had relatively larger thyroid and adrenal glands than those receiving the full diet.Differences between the two phenotypes are accounted for by (1) the difference in nutritive requirements determined by feather growth, and (2) the resultant differences in heat loss which accounted for the increase in heat output, packed cell volume and heart, thyroid and adrenal gland size of Scaleless birds.The use of mutants such as Scaleless in studies concerned with requirements for specific physiological or growth purposes is suggested.
Locomotion among dynamic obstacles for the honda ASIMO

We have equipped a Honda ASIMO humanoid with the ability to navigate autonomously in obstacle-filled environments. In addition to finding its way through known, fixed obstacle configurations, the planning system can reason about the future state of the world to locomote through challenging environments when the obstacle motions can be inferred from observation. This video presents work using a vision system to predict the velocities of objects in the scene, allowing ASIMO to safely navigate autonomously through a dynamic environment. Neither obstacle positions nor velocities are known at the start of the trial, but are estimated online as the robot walks. The planner constantly adjusts the footstep path with the latest estimates of ASIMO's position and the obstacle trajectories, allowing the robot to successfully circumnavigate the moving obstacles.
Pregnancy in Cystic Fibrosis

The challenges posed by cystic fibrosis (CF), including poor nutrition and progressive lung function decline, may pose problems for pregnancy for both mother and child. A multidisciplinary team of providers is optimal to help address the variety of issues that might arise in such a pregnancy. Careful attention to maternal weight gain, pulmonary function and exacerbations, and screening for gestational diabetes is necessary. Pregnancies among women with CF are associated with more frequent use of intravenous antibiotics and hospitalization than is seen in nonpregnant CF women. This article reviews maternal and fetal outcomes for CF in pregnancy.
Targeting ischemic cardiac dysfunction through gene transfer

Ischemic cardiac injury is a complication of atherosclerosis, which remains a major contributor to morbidity and mortality throughout much of the world. Previous studies have documented apoptotic cardiomyocyte death in this setting; however, its functional contribution remains incompletely defined. We briefly review general mechanisms of apoptosis and then present evidence from interventional studies that suggests apoptotic cell death may indeed play an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic injury. In some instances, the signaling pathways controlling both cardiomyocyte survival and function appear to converge, suggesting these pathways may represent particularly attractive targets for therapeutic intervention in ischemic heart disease. In this context, gene transfer provides both a powerful experimental tool for validating such targets for intervention, as well as an approach to therapy.
Communicating Influence Attempts in Dyads: Linguistic Sedatives and Palliatives

This paper demonstrates the role of linguistic form in effecting compliance patterns in dyads. It is shown how language may be used to sedate a target from thinking about the equity implicit in an influence attempt. Also, a model that indicates how language serves as a palliative in supplementing exchange considerations is developed.
Suprathreshold Heat Pain Response is Associated with Clinical Pain Intensity for Patients with Shoulder Pain

Abstract Quantitative sensory testing (QST) has become commonly used for the assessment of pain in subjects with clinical conditions. However, there is no consensus about which type of QST is the best predictor of clinical pain responses. The purposes of this study were to determine: a) the QST measure with the strongest association with clinical pain intensity; and b) if the QST measure continued to predict clinical pain intensity in a model including relevant psychological factors. Fifty-nine patients seeking treatment for shoulder pain underwent experimental pain assessment involving heat and pressure stimuli. The patients also completed validated questionnaires for pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and depression. The 5th pain rating in a series of suprathreshold heat pain stimuli accounted for a significant amount of variance in clinical pain intensity, with no other QST measure contributing to the model. The 5th pain rating remained a significant contributor to clinical pain intensity when psychological factors were included in the model. Furthermore, subjects with elevated 5th pain rating, pain catastrophizing, and depression scores had higher clinical pain intensity ratings in pre- and postoperative assessments. These data suggest that assessment of pain should include suprathreshold heat stimuli and psychological factors separately, and a combination of these factors may be predictive of pain intensity outcomes. Perspective The current study provides evidence for a suprathreshold heat pain response as a clinically relevant QST measure for patients with shoulder pain, even after psychological factors were considered. The present findings suggest that the 5th pain rating from a series of suprathreshold stimuli, pain catastrophizing, and depression might play a role in predicting pain intensity outcomes.
Cryptogenic Oculomotor Nerve Palsy: The Need for Repeated Neuroimaging Studies

• Five children between ages 3 and 17 years developed slowly progressive oculomotor nerve palsies. No cause was found on initial clinical or neuroradiologic investigations. Subsequent computed tomography or 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass along the course of the involved oculomotor nerve in three of the five cases. The clinical and radiologic characteristics of these tumors are consistent with the diagnosis of schwannoma or, less likely, meningioma. Children with acquired oculomotor nerve palsies of initially unknown etiology should undergo imaging every two years with the expectation of eventually detecting a small tumor somewhere along the course of the oculomotor nerve.
Development of cell markers for the identification and expansion of islet progenitor cells.

Diabetes mellitus results from the anatomical or functional loss of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Despite significant advances in current treatment, patients with diabetes still do not maintain optimal glucose levels and therefore face debilitating complications such as hypoglycemia, retinopathy or cardiovascular diseases later in life. Islet transplantation therefore holds great promise as an ultimate cure for diabetes. However, the shortage of availability of donor sources of islets for transplantation has largely hampered this therapy. In this respect, the use of alternative sources of islets such as the ex vivo culture and expansion and differentiation of functional endocrine cells for treating diabetes has been a major focus of diabetes research. The identity of the islet stem/progenitor cells has remained either elusive or at least equivocal because of the lack of cell markers for identification of these cells. Recent successes in studying the organogenesis of pancreas as well as in vitro islet progenitor cell identification studies have provided tremendous insight for the cell markers that are essential in the isolation and characterization of these cells prospectively both in vivo and in vitro. If we can identify the markers that will aid the isolation and purification of islet progenitor cells, or factors that determine pancreatic cell fate, we might be able to coerce them from turning into specific endocrine cells or pancreas in vitro. This article will focus on this subject and will review the latest achievements in the study of cell markers for islet progenitor cells.
Separating the Political and Technical: Accounting Standard-Setting and Purification†

The U.S.-based Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) emphasizes that accounting standard-setting is not and should not be regarded as a �political process.� Employing the case of accounting for stock compensation, I examine a recent debate in which FASB appears to have successfully established and maintained a boundary between a technical accounting process and politics. This case is interesting because an earlier, failed effort to expense stock compensation was described as highly politicized. However, the boundary between technical and political processes was maintained in the more recent episode. I find that a focus on due process, characterizations of existing accounting requirements as anomalous and available measurement methods as reliable, and warnings about the dangers of injecting �politics� into standard-setting were important to this boundary work. I also find that the boundary work required considerable interpretive flexibility in selecting (or ignoring) the evidence to be used in justifying the standard-setting project and its conclusions. I conclude by suggesting that a different understanding of what it means to be involved in a �political process� might help all parties understand more fully what is taking place during the accounting standard-setting process. Attention could be turned to developing processes to facilitate debates over which values should guide decisions occurring throughout the standard-setting process. To this end, an enhanced standard-setting process might allow for increased participation in agenda setting, in framing and scoping standard-setting projects, and in providing opportunities for nonexperts to participate.
Morphological and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Noncholinergic Basal Forebrain Neurons

Cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain are the focus of considerable interest because they are severely affected in Alzheimer's disease. However, both cholinergic and noncholinergic neurons are intermingled in this region. The goal of the present study was to characterize the morphology and in vivo electrophysiology of noncholinergic basal forebrain neurons. Neurons in the ventral pallidum and substantia innominata were recorded extracellularly, labeled juxtacellularly with biocytin and characterized for the presence of choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity. Two types of ventral pallidal cells were observed. Type I ventral pallidal neurons had axons that rarely branched near the cell body and tended to have smaller somata and lower spontaneous firing rates than did type II ventral pallidal neurons, which displayed extensive local axonal arborizations. Subtypes of substantia innominata neurons could not be distinguished based on axonal morphology. These noncholineregic neurons exhibited local axon arborizations along a continuum that varied from no local collaterals to quite extensive arbors. Substantia innominata neurons had lower spontaneous firing rates, more variable interspike intervals, and different spontaneous firing patterns than did type II ventral pallidal neurons and could be antidromically activated from cortex or substantia nigra, indicating that they were projection neurons. Ventral pallidal neurons resemble, both morphologically and electrophysiologically, previously described neurons in the globus pallidus, whereas the substantia innominata neurons bore similarities to isodendritic neurons of the reticular formation. These results demonstrate the heterogeneous nature of noncholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain.
Nasal colonization by methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in community skilled nursing facility patients

Abstract Background: Methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCNS) are increasing nosocomial pathogens in acute care hospital patients. However, there is little information on the epidemiology of MRCNS in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). We report a pilot survey of the prevalence of MRCNS colonization in SNF patients. Methods: Anterior nasal swabs were plated on oxacillin salt screening agar for selection of MRCNS. Suspected MRCNS were confirmed by coagulase and catalase tests and standard disc-diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Results: The overall prevalence of MRCNS was 40% for in-house continuing SNF patients, 49% for newly admitted patients, and 60% for SNF nursing personnel. The prevalence was 13% in a “control” group of nonmedical personnel. Forty-six percent of MRCNS were resistant to ciprofloxacin. The frequency of colonization with MRCNS increased over time. After an average 17 months of facility stay, 32% of noncarriers acquired MRCNS. High frequency of colonization was associated with greater disability. Conclusion: Colonization with MRCNS is common among SNF patients, who can serve as a reservoir for transfer of such strains to acute care hospitals. Careful infection control practice, including judicious use of antibiotics with frequent handwashing, will remain critical policies for limiting spread of such strains. (AJIC Am J Infect Control 2000;28:269-72)
DIII-D water-cooling system upgrades through modeling and power saving projects

The DIII-D water-cooling system for the fusion facility at General Atomics consists of the vessel and coil cooling water systems (DIII-D water), components cooling water systems (power supplies, ion-sources, diagnostics and gyrotrons), and heat rejection system (cooling tower and heat exchanger) for the operation of the fusion facility. Since 2005 the water-cooling systems have undergone major upgrades, resulting in average power savings of over 50%. The water-cooling system is now capable of handling future heat loads for long pulse duration (10 s) while operating at lower cost.
Unconscious race and class bias: its association with decision making by trauma and acute care surgeons.

BACKGROUNDRecent studies have found that unconscious biases may influence physicians’ clinical decision making. The objective of our study was to determine, using clinical vignettes, if unconscious race and class biases exist specifically among trauma/acute care surgeons and, if so, whether those bi
Impedance studies on cathodes in Li-ion cells

Li-ion batteries have generated widespread interest as batteries of choice for a number of applications, because of their attractive energy and power densities. However, the performance at sub-ambient temperatures is very limited due to the increase in cell impedance at sub-ambient temperatures. AC impedance measurements seem to indicate that the ohmic resistance-which includes electrolyte resistance, electrodes bulk resistance, current collector and tab resistances of the cells increases only marginally at sub-ambient temperatures. Most of the increase in cell impedance comes from the electrode/electrolyte interfacial impedance. Sandia National Laboratories and others have shown that the increase in impedance comes mostly from the cathode electrolyte interface and not from the anode electrolyte interface. The question then is "where exactly does the increase in cathode impedance come from?" Whether it comes from the interfacial resistance (charge transfer+the solid-electrolyte-interphase resistance) or from diffusion of Li/sup +/ inside the cathode. To answer the question, we are investigating the impedance characteristics of the LiCoO/sub 2/ and other metal oxide cathodes at different temperatures and cell voltage. The data seem to indicate that the interfacial impedance of the cathode/electrolyte interface mostly accounts for the cell impedance.
Degradation of proteoglycans in human osteoarthritic cartilage

New ultramicro modifications of a hypertonic salt extraction and purification schemes for proteoglycans were applied to the study of proteoglycans in discolored marginal lesions cartilage of patients with osteoarthritis, and the results were compared to a control group of normal appearing cartilage samples from the same patients or from patients with relatively noninflammatory diseases involving the lower extremities. Histologic studies of portions of the same sample used for chemical analysis revealed only minor morphologic changes without leukocytic infiltration. Considerable aberrations from control bovine nasal cartilages were exhibited by normal human articular cartilage samples in respect to the proteoglycan fractionation. Additional abberations of behavior in respect to proteoglycan fractionation were observed in samples of osteoarthritic cartilage and samples from patients with vascular necrosis. Accelerated degradation of proteoglycans with probable alteration of synthetic pathways was postulated to explain these findings.
Interactive manipulation planning for animated characters

Presents a brief overview of an algorithm for interactively animating object grasping and manipulation tasks for human figures. The technique is designed to efficiently generate feasible single-arm manipulation motions given high-level task commands. For moving an object, the motions necessary for a human arm to reach and grasp the object, re-position it and return the arm to rest are generated automatically within a few seconds on average. The method synthesizes motion "on-the-fly" by directly searching the configuration space of the arm. Goal configurations for the arm are computed using an inverse kinematics algorithm that attempts to select a natural posture. A collision-free trajectory connecting the arm's initial configuration to the goal configuration is computed using a randomized path planner. A high-level description of the methods is given, along with results from some computed examples using a human character model.
Prediction of competitive adsorption kinetics for two priority pollutants

Experimental research has determined that adsorption rates of phenol and napthalene can be predicted using the homogeneous solid-phase diffusion model. The removal of these compounds by adsorption, and the competitive interactions in adsorption are discussed. The prevalence of these compounds in treated industrial effluents is described. The kinetic data is analyzed using single and multicomponent adsorption models, and sensitivity analysis is performed to indicate the importance of adsorption-isotherm parameters on model predictions. 24 references, 10 figures, 2 tables.
Effect of long-term amiodarone therapy on thyroid hormone levels and thyroid function.

Abstract Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism have been noted to occur in some patients treated with amiodarone for cardiac arrhythmias. To determine the frequency of the development of thyroidal abnormalities In patients receiving amiodarone, 45 euthyrold patients were prospectively evaluated. Serum samples were obtained for measurement of thyroxine, thyrotropin, trilodothyronine, and trilodothyronine resin uptake prior to initiation of amiodarone treatment and serially over a 12- to 27-month period during which amlodarone was administered. The patients were divided into four subgroups as follows: Group I (n = 22) had elevated thyroxine levels, Group IIA (n = 13) had normal thyroxine levels and normal thyrotropin levels, Group IIB (n = 7) had normal thyroxine levels and elevated thyrotropin levels, and Group III (n = 3) had subnormal thyroxine levels. Demographic factors (such as route of administration, cardiac diagnosis, sex of the patient, or indication for amiodarone therapy) and amiodarone levels had no significant effect on the thyroid hormone parameters. However, Group I patients were statistically older than the patients in the other groups. Linear regression analysis revealed a negative correlation for thyroxine levels and a positive correlation with thyrotropin levels with age for the whole group. The various groups were not statistically affected by duration of therapy, but a positive trend existed for increasing thyroxine levels. Although virtually all patients showed changes in their thyroid hormone levels, chemical hyperthyroldism (elevated thyroxine and trilodothyronine levels without symptoms) developed in only two patients (4 percent), and clinical hyperthyroidism (elevated thyroxine and trilodothyronine levels with symptoms) developed in no patients. Four patients (9 percent) became biochemically and clinically hypothyroid. Thus, amiodarone frequently influences thyroid hormonal parameters, but less commonly causes a change in actual thyroid function. However, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism do occur in a significant number of patients.
Lower Urinary Tract Changes After Early Valve Ablation In Neonates and Infants: Is Early Diversion Warranted?

ABSTRACTPurpose: Severe hydronephrosis, high grade reflux and/or renal insufficiency often leads to proximal urinary tract diversion in male infants with posterior urethral valves. Even with this treatment progressive loss of renal function often occurs. Unfortunately with early diversion the bladder, already damaged by in utero obstruction, is also defunctionalized. Alternative treatment with valve ablation in the newborn period and without diversion may facilitate recovery of normal bladder function.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of infants treated for posterior urethral valves before age 1 year at our institution in the last 8 years. Treatment comprised primary valve ablation in 23 patients and urinary diversion in 8. Preoperative and serial postoperative voiding cystourethrograms were scored for degree of trabeculation, bladder neck hypertrophy and prostatic urethral dilatation in all patients undergoing primary valve ablation. Recovery of bladder and renal function aft...
Fast quantum noise in the Landau-Zener transition

We show by direct calculation starting from a microscopic model that the two-state system with time-dependent energy levels in the presence of fast quantum noise obeys the master equation. The solution of master equation is found analytically and analyzed in a broad range of parameters. The fast transverse noise affects the transition probability during much longer time (the accumulation time) than the longitudinal one. The action of the fast longitudinal noise is restricted by the shorter Landau-Zener time, the same as in the regular Landau-Zener process. The large ratio of time scales allows solving the Landau-Zener problem with longitudinal noise only, and then solving the same problem with the transverse noise only and matching the two solutions. The correlation of the longitudinal and transverse noise renormalizes the Landau-Zener transition matrix element and can strongly enhance the survival probability, whereas the transverse noise always reduces it. If the noise is fast, its intensity at which the multiquantum processes become essential corresponds to a deeply adiabatic regime. We briefly discuss possible applications of the general theory to the molecular magnets.
Head and Neck Burns: Evaluation and Current Management

More than half of the 150,000 burn patients hospitalized in the United States each year have head and neck involvement, with 3% to 7% sustaining concomitant inhalation injury. With advances in fluid replacement therapy and specialized burn care units, mortality has fallen from near 100% to 24% for burns of 75% to 90% of body surface area. The most common causes of death are respiratory complications and sepsis. Inhalation injuries can be diagnosed by laryngoscopy, and compromised airways can then be intubated (with tracheotomy for long-term management) and sloughing mucosa and inspissated mucus removed by serial bronchoscopy. Sepsis is minimized by early excision of burn eschar and autografting or, in the widely burned, temporary coverage with cadaver allograft, porcine xerograft, or skin substitutes until successive crops of autografts are available. The head and neck presents substantial reconstructive and rehabilitative challenges, which must be addressed in aesthetic units.
The Rho/Rac-Family Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor VAV-1 Regulates Rhythmic Behaviors in C. elegans

Summary Rhythmic behaviors are a fundamental feature of all organisms. Pharyngeal pumping, the defecation cycle, and gonadal-sheath-cell contractions are three well-characterized rhythmic behaviors in the nematode C. elegans . The periodicities of the rhythms range from subsecond (pharynx) to seconds (gonadal sheath) to minutes (defecation). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these rhythmic behaviors are not well understood. Here, we show that the C. elegans Rho/Rac-family guanine nucleotide exchange factor, VAV-1, which is homologous to the mammalian Vav proto-oncogene, has a crucial role in all three behaviors. vav-1 mutants die as larvae because VAV-1 function is required in the pharynx for synchronous contraction of the musculature. In addition, ovulation and the defecation cycle are abnormal and arrhythmic. We show that Rho/Rac-family GTPases and the signaling molecule inositol triphosphate (IP 3 ) act downstream of VAV-1 signaling and that the VAV-1 pathway modulates rhythmic behaviors by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca 2+ .
The Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor α in Down-Regulation of Osteoblast Phex Gene Expression in Experimental Murine Colitis

Background & Aims: Reduced bone mass is a common complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), although the mechanisms that contribute to osteopenia are not completely understood. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is up-regulated in patients with IBD and has detrimental effects on osteoblasts. Phex gene is expressed predominantly in osteoblasts, and its disruption results in defective bone mineralization. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether TNF-α regulates Phex gene expression thus contributing to the abnormal bone metabolism observed in IBD. Methods: Phex gene expression was evaluated in calvaria of 6–7-week-old mice administered with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) with or without neutralizing anti–TNF-α antibody, dietary curcumin, or systemically with recombinant TNF-α. TNF-α–treated UMR-106 osteoblasts were also examined. Phex promoter activity was assayed in transiently transfected TNF-α–treated UMR-106 cells. Results: Compared with control animals, Phex messenger RNA (mRNA) expression decreased by 40%–50% in both TNBS colitis and TNF-α–injected mice. Dietary curcumin and anti–TNF-α antibody counteracted the detrimental effect of TNBS on Phex gene expression. TNF-α–treated UMR-106 cells showed a concentration-dependent and transcriptionally mediated decrease in Phex mRNA and gene promoter activity, with the −133 to −74 bp region of the Phex promoter likely involved in the mechanism of TNF-α action. Coinciding with decreased Phex protein level, TNF-α drastically reduced mineralization in UMR-106 osteoblasts. Conclusions: Acute colitis and TNF-α decrease Phex mRNA and protein expression via a transcriptional mechanism. TNF-α–mediated reduction in Phex protein is at least in part responsible for inhibition of osteoblast mineralization, and the described mechanism may contribute to the abnormal bone metabolism associated with IBD.