cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stress, Anxiety, and Well-being in Nurse Anesthesia Doctoral Students

An emerging degree program of student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) enrolled in a doctoral program of study exemplifies a highly challenging educational path with intense clinical and academic requirements. The focus of this study was to address the lack of research about SRNAs' stress, anxiety, and well-being by exploring responses from the newest doctoral cohorts. Students who were enrolled in a doctoral nurse anesthesia program of study from a small urban university completed valid and reliable questionnaires measuring self-perceived stress, anxiety, and distress. Other questions revealed students' perceptions of performance, experiences, and suggestions for improvement. Results were analyzed using statistical software (SPSS version 24.0, IBM Corp) and open-coded thematic analysis. Significant results revealed that as numbers of SRNAs with low well-being increased, so did levels of anxiety (P=.02), perceived stress (P=.001), and perceived impacts on academic performance (P=.003). Open-ended questions described students' perceptions of stress, new-onset anxiety, poor well-being, and a lack of support and provided suitable suggestions for improving well-being in students. The prevalence of stress, anxiety, and low well-being among SRNAs enrolled in a doctoral program suggests the need for developing interventions and educational changes to improve the well-being of students in the anesthesia community.
Structural-functional coupling changes in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Alterations in both structural connectivity (SC) and functional connectivity (FC) have been reported in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, the relationship between FC and SC remains less understood. This study used functional connectivity MRI and diffusion tensor imaging to examine coupling of FC and SC within the limbic network of TLE, as well as its relation to epilepsy duration, regional changes, and disease laterality in 14 patients with left TLE, 10 with right TLE, and 11 healthy controls. Structural and functional networks were separately constructed and the correlation estimated between structural and functional connectivity. This measure of SC–FC coupling was compared between left/right TLE and controls, and correlated with epilepsy duration. Elastic net regression was used to investigate regional structural and functional changes associated with SC–FC coupling. SC–FC coupling was decreased in left TLE compared to controls, and accompanied by reductions in FC for left and right TLE and in SC for left TLE. When examined in relation to disease duration, an increase in SC–FC coupling with longer epilepsy duration was observed, associated predominantly with structural loss of the fusiform and frontal inferior orbital gyrus in left TLE and functional hub redistribution in right TLE. These results suggest that decoupling between structural and functional networks in TLE is modulated by several factors, including epilepsy duration and regional changes in the fusiform, frontal inferior orbital gyrus, posterior cingulate, and hippocampus. SC–FC coupling may provide a more sensitive biomarker of disease burden in TLE than biomarkers based on single imaging modalities.
A Snapshot of the Auxiliary

In this photo, circa 1934, you see the women of the St. James Lutheran Womens Auxiliary. It is easy to see they are German, short, squat, with big noses, the sadness of the Dakotas in their sullen mouths. These are exceptions: Mrs. Kyte, English, who hated me. I hated her and her husband. Mrs. Norain, Russian, kind. She saved me once from a certain whipping. Mrs. Hillborn, Swedish I think. Cheerful. Her husband
Effects of Adrenergic Antagonists in States of Increased Renin Secretion

We have previously shown that renin release provoked by upright posture and administration of various pharmacologic agents is inhibited by adrenergic receptor blocking agents (1). Likewise, administration of cyclic 3′,5′ adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and sympathomimetic amines, such as isoproterenol and norepinephrine, has also been shown to stimulate renin secretion, actions that likewise are blocked by adrenergic antagonists (2). These observations suggest that the adrenergic blockers may be inhibiting renin secretion at an intracellular site distal to cyclic AMP production and that this pathway may mediate many, if not all, stimuli for renin secretion. In the present study, we have assessed the effect of adrenergic blocking agents on a variety of other stimuli which are known to increase renin secretion; these include acute hemorrhage, adrenalectomy, chronic salt depletion and acute renal artery constriction.
Microbiological characteristics in a zero-valent iron reactive barrier.

Zero-valent iron (Fe0)-based permeable reactive barriertreatment has been generating great interest for passivegroundwater remediation, yet few studies have paid particularattention to the microbial activity and characteristics withinand in the vicinity of the Fe0-barrier matrix. The presentstudy was undertaken to evaluate the microbial population andcommunity composition in the reducing zone of influence byFe0 corrosion in the barrier at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plantsite. Both phospholipid fatty acids and DNA analyses were usedto determine the total microbial population and microbialfunctional groups, including sulfate-reducing bacteria,denitrifying bacteria, and methanogens, in groundwater andsoil/iron core samples. A diverse microbial community wasidentified in the strongly reducing Fe0 environment despitea relatively high pH condition within the Fe0 barrier (up topH ∼ 10). In comparison with those found in the backgroundsoil/groundwater samples, the enhanced microbial populationranged from ∼ 1 to 3 orders of magnitude and appeared to increase from upgradient of the barrier to downgradient soil. Inaddition, microbial community composition appeared to change overtime, and the bacterial types of microorganismsincreased consistently as the barrier aged. DNA analysisindicated the presence of sulfate-reducing and denitrifyingbacteria in the barrier and its surrounding soil. However, theactivity of methanogens was found to be relatively low,presumably as a result of the competition by sulfate/metal-reducing bacteria and denitrifying bacteria because of the unlimited availability of sulfate and nitrate in the site groundwater. Results of this study provide evidenceof a diverse microbial population within and in the vicinity ofthe iron barrier, although the important roles of microbial activity, either beneficially or detrimentally, on the longevityand enduring efficiency of the Fe0 barriers are yet to be evaluated.
Polysaccharide Produced by Anacystis nidulans: Its Ecological Implication

An extracellular polysaccharide from Anacystis nidulans was extracted from cell-free medium. Analysis showed that the polysaccharide consisted of glucose, galactose, and mannose in the ratio of 60:14:20. The production of polysaccharide depends on the age of culture, the growth temperature, and the form of nitrogen available.
Effect of prolactin on phospholipid biosynthesis by alveolar cell carcinoma (A549) in monolayer tissue culture

By means of an alveolar cell carcinoma (A549) model, the effect of prolactin on pulmonary surfactant phospholipid biosynthesis was investigated. Preliminary results suggest that phosphatidylcholine synthesis via the phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase pathway in addition to phosphatidylglycerol may be stimulated by the presence of prolactin.
Mammalian X Chromosome Inactivation

X chromosome inactivation in mammals requires expression of the gene Xist, which maps to the X chromosome inactivation centre (Xic) and encodes an untranslated RNA. Truncation of Xist RNA by gene targeting is lethal for female embryos and prevents the inactivation of the X chromosome carrying the deletion. This indicates that Xist RNA is necessary for initiation and propagation of the inactivation process. Xist is transcribed from the inactive X and its expression is silenced by DNA methylation, suggesting that methylation is crucial for shielding the active X chromosome against the inactivation process. Gene transfer experiments using transgenes the size of yeast artificial chromosomes have determined that a 450 kb fragment of DNA carrying Xist acts as an inactivation centre and is sufficient for initiation, propagation and maintenance of the inactive state. The elements for counting and choosing X chromosomes are part of the transgene. We have shown that X inactivation is mediated by a post-translational mechanism, i.e. the stabilization of Xist RNA, rather than by the regulation of the Xist promoter.
Legal aspects of electronic commerce and their implications for the accounting profession

The electronic commerce (e-commerce) revolution is changing the business processes dramatically. It permits new kinds of interactions among business firms, their customers and suppliers, as well as internally within the firms. E-commerce is shaking the foundations of many industries and is leading to new types of e-business models. The vast potential of this exciting way of doing business has led many universities to offer courses, options, majors, and even degrees in e-commerce. The objectives of this paper are to describe some of the legal issues that impact e-commerce activities and to explore their implications for the accounting profession. While both business-to-business e-commerce and business-to-consumer e-commerce are expanding at a brisk pace, laws dealing with e-commerce are lagging behind. This paper provides a brief overview of several legal issues that have emerged in the arena of e-commerce including the following: jurisdictional issues, web linking practices, intellectual property and copyrights, libel laws, sales and use tax issues, encryption regulation, privacy rights, domain name disputes, electronic agreements, and digital signatures. Implications of e-commerce related legal issues for the accounting profession and accounting students are also discussed.
BEGINNINGS OF STERILIZATION IN AMERICA An interview with Dr. Harry C. Sharp, who performed the first operation nearly forty years ago

During the late 1890s genitourinary surgeons began to use the operation of vasectomy mainly in connection with prostate operations. This interview records the recollections of Harry C. Sharp who performed the 1st vasectomy for eugenical sterilization on October 12 1899. The patient was an inmate at the penal institution in Jeffersonville Indiana who complained of excessive masturbation. The technique used then was approximately the same as used today. Many prison inmates requested the operation and in 1907 the Indiana state legislature passed the 1st eugenics sterilization law. No ill effects were noted in any of the patients.
Clinical Features of Hypersensitivity Reactions to Carboplatin

PURPOSE: To characterize the clinical features of carboplatin-associated hypersensitivity reactions. PATIENTS: Patients with gynecologic malignancies treated at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from June 1995 through July 1998 who experienced a carboplatin-associated hypersensitivity reaction were the subjects of this evaluation. RESULTS: Of the 205 patients treated with carboplatin during this time period, 24 (12%) developed a carboplatin hypersensitivity reaction. The median number of platinum (carboplatin plus cisplatin) courses for the first episode was eight (range, six to 21). Only three patients (13%) developed this toxicity during their initial chemotherapy regimen, with the remainder experiencing a reaction during their second (n = 15) or third (n = 6) carboplatin treatment program for recurrent disease. Thirteen patients (54%) developed at least moderately severe symptoms (diffuse erythroderma, tachycardia, chest tightness, wheezing, facial swelling, dyspnea, hypertension, or hypotension). In app...
What were they thinking? Nursing students' thought processes underlying pain management decisions.

Abstract Patients' pain has not been adequately controlled due to inaccurate assessments, inadequate treatments, and inconsistent nursing care. The purpose of the study was to determine the extent of nursing students' accuracy in assessment ratings and treatment choices for patients in a case vignette who were experiencing pain and then to determine the thought processes underlying their decisions. Written rationales in response to two patient scenarios reveal students' thought processes when recording pain intensity levels on a numerical scale and choosing corresponding dosages of analgesics. Data collected from junior and senior nursing students provide insight for nurse educators and point to areas where curricula and instruction may be enhanced. Reforming teaching and learning practices when educating students about pain management could decrease patient suffering and lead to improved comfort and satisfaction.
Electrolyte-controlled redox conductivity and n-type doping in poly(bis-EDOT-pyridine)s

We report the use of electrolyte variations as a means to actively control redox and n-type doping processes in π-conjugated electroactive polyheterocycles. Specifically, a series of donor−acceptor bis-EDOT-pyridine polymers, poly[2,5-bis-(2,3-dihydro-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-pyridine] (PBEDOT-Pyr) and poly[5,8-bis(3-dihydro-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-2,3-diphenyl-pyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine (PBEDOT-PyrPyr(Ph)2), have been investigated. The use of soft, bulky cations, such as n-alkylammonium, allows true n-type doping to be observed in cyclic voltammetry, differential-pulse voltammetry, and in situ conductance experiments. Color changes are also observed upon conversion of the polymers from their neutral to reduced states. Hard, electrophilic cations, such as lithium and sodium, induce minimal current and conductivity responses for these polymeric systems. This “pinning” of the cation−anion pair causes a decrease in the electrochemical and conductivity response. Optical changes upon reduction are obse...
Sizing router buffers

All Internet routers contain buffers to hold packets during times of congestion. Today, the size of the buffers is determined by the dynamics of TCP's congestion control algorithm. In particular, the goal is to make sure that when a link is congested, it is busy 100% of the time; which is equivalent to making sure its buffer never goes empty. A widely used rule-of-thumb states that each link needs a buffer of size B = overlineRTT x C, where overlineRTT is the average round-trip time of a flow passing across the link, and C is the data rate of the link. For example, a 10Gb/s router linecard needs approximately 250ms x 10Gb/s = 2.5Gbits of buffers; and the amount of buffering grows linearly with the line-rate. Such large buffers are challenging for router manufacturers, who must use large, slow, off-chip DRAMs. And queueing delays can be long, have high variance, and may destabilize the congestion control algorithms. In this paper we argue that the rule-of-thumb (B = (overlineRTT x C) is now outdated and incorrect for backbone routers. This is because of the large number of flows (TCP connections) multiplexed together on a single backbone link. Using theory, simulation and experiments on a network of real routers, we show that a link with n flows requires no more than B = (overlineRTT x C) √n, for long-lived or short-lived TCP flows. The consequences on router design are enormous: A 2.5Gb/s link carrying 10,000 flows could reduce its buffers by 99% with negligible difference in throughput; and a 10Gb/s link carrying 50,000 flows requires only 10Mbits of buffering, which can easily be implemented using fast, on-chip SRAM.
An internal consistency test and its implications for the initial steps in bacterial photosynthesis

Comparison of theoretical expressions for superexchange and chemical intermediate mechanisms for electron transfer from the bacteriochlorophyll dimer to a pheophytin reveals a common factor influencing their rates. If the former mechanism is to dominate the latter an internal consistency test becomes possible and is derived. Consequences are investigated for matrix elements, singlet-triplet splitting of the BChl_2+BPh - radical pair and other properties. Two possible alternative mechanisms are also considered. To discriminate among some of the possibilities the study of the effect of an applied electric field on BChl depletion and on the initial rates is suggested.
RFID Security: A Taxonomy of Risk

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and other automated identification technologies (AIT) are being used by government and industry to replace barcodes and existing pen and paper processes in areas such as asset tracking, toll collection, supply chain automation, border and port security, and cargo and container tracking [1]. The diversity and scope of RFID and related technologies makes security an increasingly important consideration. In most implementations, RFID is being used as a core technology to support the automation of business processes that are critical to the success of the organization. Comprehensive threat models, however, do not yet exist for RFID systems, making it difficult for system designers and operators to effectively manage risk. This paper proposes a taxonomy for classifying the security risks associated with RFID systems.
Relationship between Estradiol, Ergocryptine, and Thyroid Hormone: Effects on Prolactin Synthesis and Prolactin Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Levels*

The effects of combinations of estradiol, ergocryptine, and T3 on PRL synthesis and PRL mRNA levels in monolayer cultures of pituitary cells have been investigated. Incubation of pituitary cells with [35S]methionine, followed by analysis of the newly synthesized proteins on a polyacrylamide gel, suggested that estradiol blocked the ability of ergocryptine to inhibit PRL synthesis, but that estradiol did not affect the ability of T3 to inhibit PRL synthesis. Quantitative studies utilizing immunoprecipitation of newly synthesized PRL demonstrated that PRL synthesis was reduced to 52% of control in ergocryptine-treated cells and returned to 83% of control in cells treated with ergocryptine plus estradiol. In the same experiment, T3 treatment reduced PRL synthesis to 50% of control, and PRL synthesis remained at 50% of control values after treatment with T3 plus estradiol. A concentration of 0.1 nM T3, which had little effect by itself, augmented the ability of ergocryptine to inhibit PRL synthesis, even in t...
Wave-Induced Mass Transport Affects Daily Escherichia coli Fluctuations in Nearshore Water

Characterization of diel variability of fecal indicator bacteria concentration in nearshore waters is of particular importance for development of water sampling standards and protection of public h...
Antiperspirants and the hyperhidrosis patient

Hyperhidrosis is the production of excess sweat of the armpits, hands, feet, or face. The sweating can be simply unsightly or a true impairment to the optimal functioning of children and adults. This dermatologic problem can be treated with topical antiperspirants, oral medications, or by injections of botulinum toxin. This article examines the physiology of sweat reduction and the efficacy of various therapies, and presents a practical approach for the treatment of this condition.
Structural studies on maturing actin filaments.

We have previously reported that actin undergoes a conformational transition (which we named "maturation") during polymerization, and that the actin-binding protein, caldesmon (CaD), when added at an early phase of polymerization, interferes with this process. The pre-transition filament is characterized by relatively low pyrene-fluorescence intensity when pyrene-labeled actin is used as a reporter of subunit assembly into filaments, whereas the mature filament emits a characteristic enhanced fluorescence. Previously reported co-sedimentation experiments suggest that filament formation is not inhibited by the presence of CaD, despite blocking the transition associated with filament maturation. In this study we visualized structural effects of CaD on the assembly of actin filaments by TIRF and electron microscopy. CaD-free actin forms "rough" filaments with irregular edges and indistinct subunit organization during the initial phase (~20 min under our conditions) of polymerization as reported previously by...
Empirical equations for the 60-cycle spark-over gradients in commercial oil

INTENSIVE experimental work on dielectric phenomena in liquids has been done during the last 40 years. There is considerable interest on the engineer's part in obtaining reliable information about the dielectric properties of liquids, especially of commercial oil, used as insulation and as a cooling medium for transformers, circuit breakers and much other electrical apparatus. Many valuable experimental results have been obtained for dielectric strength, corona, dielectric losses and other dielectric properties of commercial oil.1?5 In connection with the first-mentioned problem, that of the dielectric strength or oil, numerous details have been carefully studied: for example, the influence of electrode geometry, the rate of voltage rise, humidity, dissolved gases and different kinds of contamination. However, as Whitehead has mentioned,6 ?Breakdown in liquids could readily become a compendium of unrelated observations? because very little was known about the physical background of this field.
Transplantation and immunoincompatibility reactions among reef-building corals

Intracolony or syngeneic transplants of pieces of living coral, either occurring naturally on reefs or produced experimentally, were consistently compatible. In contrast, intercolony allografts performed extensively inAcropora formosa and inPorites andrewsii were incompatible, as were allografts occurring naturally in additional species observed in reef communities. Diverse interspecific combinations of coral xenografts generally displayed greater incompatibilities. Four levels of immuno-reactivity, with manifestations ranging from mild to severe, were distinguishable as follows: a) contact avoidance reactions, b) allogeneic contact incompatibility, c) chronic xenogeneic incompatibility, and d) acute interspecific aggression.Allogeneic incompatibility, most studied inA. formosa, was characterized by soft tissue contact avoidance wherever possible; absence of tissue death despite extensive enforced contact (18–20 days); and late interfacial cementation terminating allogeneic soft tissue contact. The properties ofchronic xenogeneic incompatibility as found in diverse species combinations, are slow onset (>7 days), bidirectional or unidirectional killing in contact zones, and short-range or localized effectiveness.Acute interspecific aggression initiated byFungia fungites as a dominant “aggressor ” is distinguished by early occurrence (2–7 days) and unidirectional contact killing. The presence or absence of these acute xenogeneic reactions sharply discriminated between species within each of the generaAcropora, Pocillopora, andPorites. No hierarchy of aggressive interactions was evident at the generic level.
Central and Endocrine Aspects of Tongue-Flicking and Exploratory Behavior in Anolis carolinensis

Tongue-flicking in reptiles is frequently seen to increase in novel habitats and is presumed to involve the acquisition of chemical information. Like most behavioral patterns, however, tongue-flicking
DRAQ5‐based DNA content analysis of hematolymphoid cell subpopulations discriminated by surface antigens and light scatter properties

Background: Analysis of cell cycle kinetics offers important information regarding the behavior of normal and neoplastic cells. Most often, cell cycle determinations by flow cytometry (FCM) have been performed using whole-sample analysis with intercalating dyes like propidium iodide (PI). The cell cycle phase assessment in individual cell subsets in heterogeneous samples is best performed using combined antigen/ scatter and DNA analysis. DRAQ5, a novel DNA binding dye that excites at 488 nm and emits in the far red spectra, rapidly penetrates intact live cells while preserving their light scatter properties and expression of surface antigens. We evaluated the ability of this dye to measure cell cycle phases in a variety of clinical hematolymphoid samples. Methods: We first compared whole sample DRAQ5 and PI cell cycle analyses in 26 clinical hematolymphoid samples. Next, we analyzed cell subpopulations in 39 samples of nonpathologic bone marrow by performing simultaneous CD45/CD34 and DRAQ5 staining. We assessed cell cycle characteristics specific to each population identified by CD45/CD34/side light scatter: lymphocytes, monocytes, immature and mature granulocytes, nucleated erythroid cells, and early precursors. Results: Whole sample DNA cell cycle analyses by DRAQ5 and PI showed no significant differences in S-phase. DRAQ5, however, produced slightly larger coefficients of variation. DRAQ5-based DNA content analysis was easily performed on the distinct marrow cell subpopulations, since light scatter and antigen expression were completely preserved. Significant differences in S-phase were noted between subpopulations of cells exhibiting different degrees of maturation. Conclusions: Because of its simplicity of use, excitability with 488 nm lasers, and the ability to stain viable cells, DRAQ5 should prove most useful in the kinetic evaluation of normal and neoplastic hematolymphoid cell subsets identified by light scatter and antigenic expression. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Key terms: DRAQ5; DNA content; cell cycle; S-phase; flow cytometry; proliferation; tumor kinetics; bone marrow; combined antigen and DNA content analysis
Author collaboration and impact: A note on citation rates of single and multiple authored articles

The acceptance rate of articles which are collaboratively authored tends to be higher than that for single-authored papers, thereby suggesting a generally positive relationship between collaboration and quality. The analysis of ten-year citation rates of 270 randomly selected articles in three applied fields likewise shows a similar relationship, with somewhat higher citation frequencies for multi-authored papers than for single-authored ones. The relationships persist whether self-citations are included or excluded. However, these differences are not statistically significant for articles in clinical psychology or in educational measurement. Only multi-authored articles in management science show a statistically significant higher citation rate. Other aspects of the collaborative process and effects are discussed.
Ultrashort-segment Barrett's oesophagus, carditis and intestinal metaplasia at the oesophagogastric junction: pathology, causation and implications

Abstract Intestinal metaplasia (IM) arising near the gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ) is one of the most controversial topics in gastrointestinal pathology. Much of the confusion lies in the difficulty in precisely identifying the GOJ by endoscopy, since it is critical to know the relationship of the site of the biopsy specimen to the squamocolumnar junction and the GOJ. It is often difficult for the pathologist to determine if IM present in the biopsy specimen represents ultrashort-segment Barrett's oesophagus (columnar-lined oesophagus) or IM of the gastric cardia/proximal stomach. IM in these sites typically arises in an inflammatory background (so-called ‘carditis'), although there are at least two forms of ‘carditis' adding further to this confusion. Although data are sparse, there is a suggestion that the risk of progression to dysplasia/adenocarcinoma is significantly greater if the IM is arising in the tubular oesophagus compared with the gastric cardia/proximal stomach. Should future data support this contention, it will become incumbent upon the pathologist to determine the origin of IM in biopsy specimens from this site.
Can laparoscopy for colon resection reduce the need for discharge to skilled care facility

Background A significant proportion of patients, especially the elderly undergoing colon resections, are likely to be discharged to a skilled care facility. This study aims to examine whether the technique of colectomy, open versus laparoscopic, contributed to their discharge to a skilled care facility.
Recurrent cardiac failure of environmental origin.

Generalized cellular hypoxia can precipitate cardiac failure through high demand on the heart.
Nitric oxide regulates basal systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance in healthy humans.

BACKGROUNDThe endothelium synthesizes and releases a relaxing factor with the physiochemical properties of nitric oxide (NO). However, the role of endothelium-derived NO in the basal regulation of systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance in humans is not known. Our primary objectives were to determine the effects of inhibiting NO synthesis on blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance and to establish the role of endothelium-derived NO in the regulation of normoxic pulmonary vascular tone.METHODS AND RESULTSWe studied the systemic and pulmonary hemodynamic effects of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 0.03 to 1.0 mg.kg-1.min-1 IV), an NO synthase inhibitor, in 11 healthy volunteers, aged 33 +/- 2 years. An arterial cannula and a pulmonary artery catheter were placed in each subject to measure blood pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Cardiac output was determined by the Fick technique, and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances were calculated. Serum NO ...
Health-Based Cyanotoxin Guideline Values Allow for Cyanotoxin-Based Monitoring and Efficient Public Health Response to Cyanobacterial Blooms

Human health risks from cyanobacterial blooms are primarily related to cyanotoxins that some cyanobacteria produce. Not all species of cyanobacteria can produce toxins. Those that do often do not produce toxins at levels harmful to human health. Monitoring programs that use identification of cyanobacteria genus and species and enumeration of cyanobacterial cells as a surrogate for cyanotoxin presence can overestimate risk and lead to unnecessary health advisories. In the absence of federal criteria for cyanotoxins in recreational water, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) developed guideline values for the four most common cyanotoxins in Oregon’s fresh waters (anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, microcystins, and saxitoxins). OHA developed three guideline values for each of the cyanotoxins found in Oregon. Each of the guideline values is for a specific use of cyanobacteria-affected water: drinking water, human recreational exposure and dog recreational exposure. Having cyanotoxin guidelines allows OHA to promote toxin-based monitoring (TBM) programs, which reduce the number of health advisories and focus advisories on times and places where actual, rather than potential, risks to health exist. TBM allows OHA to more efficiently protect public health while reducing burdens on local economies that depend on water recreation-related tourism.
On the use of incomplete constitutive information in thermoelasticity

The extent to which non-linear thermoelastic constitutive data may be determined by controllable states is delineated, and thermomechanical states that may be analyzed completely with such incomplete data are catalogued. These include non-homogeneous finite deformations coupled with quite general temperature fields in plane, cylindrical and spherical geometries. Two problems involving the states are worked out as examples.
Peak effect and anomalous flow behavior of a flux-line lattice.

Dynamics of a ``quasi-two-dimensional'' flux-line lattice in the layered superconductor 2H-${\mathrm{NbSe}}_{2}$ for field normal to the layers is investigated at high fields. Comparisons with numerical simulations imply the presence of plastic flow for soft lattices. Dimensionality effects are more pronounced in the disorder-dominated regime, where a power-law scaling form for the I-V curve yields the conductivity exponent above the percolation threshold.
Protein kinase C phosphorylates leukemia RNA polymerase II.

Abstract Purified RNA polymerase II from chicken leukemia cells was found to be an effective substrate for protein kinase C but not cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Protein kinase C catalyzed the incorporation of 1–2 mol of phosphate per mol of polymerase II and the reaction was totally calcium and lipid dependent. Electrophoresis studies revealed a time-dependent increase of phosphate incorporation into RNA polymerase II subunits of 220 KDa, 180 KDa and 150 KDa, with a preferential phosphorylation of the 180 KDa polypeptide. The phosphorylated enzyme has a preference for using single-stranded DNA as the template for transcription, including transcription of the single-stranded myb oncogene sequence. Phosphoamino acid analysis indicated that both serine and threonine residues were phosphorylated at equal amounts. Phosphorylation by protein kinase C increased the affinity of substrate-polymerase binding and the initial rate of RNA synthesis, suggesting a mechanism by which gene expression can be activated by protein kinase C.
Critical scaling of the ac conductivity for a superconductor above T c

We consider the effects of critical superconducting fluctuations on the scaling of the linear ac conductivity, $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega}),$ of a bulk superconductor slightly above ${T}_{c}$ in zero applied magnetic field. The dynamic renormalization-group method is applied to the relaxational time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau model of superconductivity, with $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ calculated via the Kubo formula to $O({\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{2})$ in the $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=4\ensuremath{-}d$ expansion. The critical dynamics are governed by the relaxational $\mathrm{XY}$-model renormalization-group fixed point. The scaling hypothesis $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega})\ensuremath{\sim}{\ensuremath{\xi}}^{2\ensuremath{-}d+z}S(\ensuremath{\omega}{\ensuremath{\xi}}^{z})$ proposed by Fisher, Fisher, and Huse is explicitly verified, with the dynamic exponent $z\ensuremath{\approx}2.015,$ the value expected for the $d=3$ relaxational $\mathrm{XY}$ model. The universal scaling function $S(y)$ is computed and shown to deviate only slightly from its Gaussian form, calculated earlier. The present theory is compared with experimental measurements of the ac conductivity of ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$ near ${T}_{c},$ and the implications of this theory for such experiments is discussed.
Disruption of drug-dependent learning (memory retrieval) using an ethanol drug state: a replication.

Eight groups (n=8 per group) of rats were trained to escape foot shock by turning in the correct direction in a T-maze and 24 h after reaching criterion all groups were tested with no foot shock. The four experimental groups were given alternating drug and nondrug test days while the four control groups always experienced the same drug state in training and in testing. Two experimental groups (transfer) heard a 1 kHz tone that was simultaneously paired with foot shock during training, and the tone continued to be sounded on all test trials. These two groups responded significantly (P<0.05) above random level with low response latencies on all days of testing, regardless of drug state. The other two experimental groups (DDL) did not receive the tone, and these groups demonstrated dissociated performance. The present study, using 2400 mg/kg ethanol, replicated the DDL and memory retrieval results of our previous chlordiazepoxide studies.
Expressed sequence tags and genes associated with loline alkaloid expression by the fungal endophyte Neotyphodium uncinatum.

Loline alkaloids (LA), which are 1-aminopyrrolizidines with an oxygen bridge, are produced by Epichloe (anamorph=Neotyphodium) species, endophytes of grasses. LA are insecticidal, thus, helping to protect host plants from insect herbivory. The objective of this study was to identify genes associated with LA biosynthesis. Suppression subtractive hybridization PCR was used to isolate transcripts up-regulated during LA production in cultures of Neotyphodium uncinatum. Subtracted cDNAs were cloned and a λ-phage cDNA library from an LA-expressing N. uncinatum culture was screened with subtracted cDNA. In BLAST searches, several cDNAs identified had sequence similarities to aspartate kinases and another with O-acetylhomoserine-(thiol)lyase. Differential expression of these two genes in LA-producing cultures of N. uncinatum was confirmed and in a survey of 23 isolates from 21 Neotyphodium and Epichloe species these two genes strictly correlated with LA production. These findings open up the possibility for detailed studies on genes and enzymes involved in LA production.
Short-term memory and dual task performance

Two hypotheses concerning the way in which short-term memory interacts with another task in a dual task situation are considered. It is noted that when two tasks are combined, the activity of controlling and organizing performance on both tasks simultaneously may compete with either task for a resource; this resource may be space in a central mechanism or general processing capacity or it may be some task-specific resource. If a special relationship exists between short-term memory and control, especially if there is an identity relationship between short-term and a central controlling mechanism, then short-term memory performance should show a decrement in a dual task situation. Even if short-term memory does not have any particular identity with a controlling mechanism, but both tasks draw on some common resource or resources, then a tradeoff between the two tasks in allocating resources is possible and could be reflected in performance. The persistent concurrence cost in memory performance in these experiments suggests that short-term memory may have a unique status in the information processing system.
Measurement error models in chemical mass balance analysis of air quality data

Abstract The chemical mass balance (CMB) equations have been used to apportion observed pollutant concentrations to their various pollution sources. Typical analyses incorporate estimated pollution source profiles, estimated source profile error variances, and error variances associated with the ambient measurement process. Often the CMB model is fit to the data using an iteratively re-weighted least-squares algorithm to obtain the effective variance solution. We consider the chemical mass balance model within the framework of the statistical measurement error model (e.g., Fuller, W.A., Measurement Error Models, Wiley, NewYork, 1987), and we illustrate that the models assumed by each of the approaches to the CMB equations are in fact special cases of a general measurement error model. We compare alternative source contribution estimators with the commonly used effective variance estimator when standard assumptions are valid and when such assumptions are violated. Four approaches for source contribution estimation and inference are compared using computer simulation: weighted least squares (with standard errors adjusted for source profile error), the effective variance approach of Watson et al. (Atmos, Environ., 18, 1984, 1347), the Britt and Luecke (Technometrics, 15, 1973, 233) approach, and a method of moments approach given in Fuller (1987, p. 193). For the scenarios we consider, the simplistic weighted least-squares approach performs as well as the more widely used effective variance solution in most cases, and is slightly superior to the effective variance solution when source profile variability is large. The four estimation approaches are illustrated using real PM2.5 data from Fresno and the conclusions drawn from the computer simulation are validated.
Changes in Pain from a Repetitive Thermal Stimulus: The Roles of Adaptation and Sensitization

This study examined processes that contribute to the changing painfulness of a repeatedly presented thermal (heat) stimulus. The 3-second pulses were presented to the side of the hand at a rate of 4/min, too slow to engage wind-up. Over the course of 32 trials, pain intensity (measured by verbal report on a 0-100 scale) first declined and then (in most cases) rose again, indicating adaptation and sensitization, respectively. The magnitude of adaptation grew across a series of 3 runs, indicating that adaptation has a slow as well as a fast component. The rate of sensitization depended on stimulus temperature, but not on subjective pain intensity; this result implies that sensitization takes place at an early processing stage. Adaptation and sensitization were comparable in participants with fibromyalgia, temporomandibular disorders, and in healthy controls, indicating that these processes occur before the perceptual amplification that characterizes fibromyalgia and temporomandibular disorders. The ability of vibration to reduce pain has previously been shown to involve segmental inhibition; the finding in the present study that vibratory gating of pain is significantly (inversely) related to the rate of sensitization suggests that the latter also reflects segmental processes. Several lines of evidence thus point to the conclusion that adaptation and sensitization occur at early stages of sensory information processing.
A ROWS is a ROSE: Spelling, sound, and reading

Skilled readers generally are assumed to make little or no use of words’ phonological features in visual word identification. Contrary to this assumption, college students’ performance in the present reading experiments showed large effects of stimulus word phonology. In Experiments 1 and 2, these subjects produced larger false positive error rates in a semantic categorization task when they responded to stimulus foils that were homophonic to category exemplars (e.g., ROWS for the category A FLOWER) than when they responded to spelling control foils. Additionally, in Experiment 2, this homophony effect was found under brief-exposure pattern-masking conditions, a result consistent with the possibility that phonology is an early source of constraint in word identification. Subjects did, however, correctly reject most homophone foils in Experiments 1 and 2. Experiment 3 investigated the source of this ability. The results of Experiment 3 suggest that subjects detected homophone impostors, such as ROWS, by verifying target foil spellings against their knowledge of the correct spellings of category exemplars, such as ROSE.
Clinical use of array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) for prenatal diagnosis in 300 cases.

Objective To evaluate the use of array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) for prenatal diagnosis, including assessment of variants of uncertain significance, and the ability to detect abnormalities not detected by karyotype, and vice versa. Methods Women undergoing amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) for karyotype were offered aCGH analysis using a targeted microarray. Parental samples were obtained concurrently to exclude maternal cell contamination and determine if copy number variants (CNVs) were de novo, or inherited prior to issuing a report. Results We analyzed 300 samples, most were amniotic fluid (82%) and CVS (17%). The most common indications were advanced maternal age (N = 123) and abnormal ultrasound findings (N = 84). We detected 58 CNVs (19.3%). Of these, 40 (13.3%) were interpreted as likely benign, 15 (5.0%) were of defined pathological significance, while 3 (1.0%) were of uncertain clinical significance. For seven (∼2.3% or 1/43), aCGH contributed important new information. For two of these (1% or ∼1/150), the abnormality would not have been detected without aCGH analysis. Conclusion Although aCGH-detected benign inherited variants in 13.3% of cases, these did not present major counseling difficulties, and the procedure is an improved diagnostic tool for prenatal detection of chromosomal abnormalities. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automatic generation of digital anthropomorphic phantoms from simulated MRI acquisitions

In SPECT imaging, motion from patient respiration and body motion can introduce image artifacts that may reduce the diagnostic quality of the images. Simulation studies using numerical phantoms with precisely known motion can help to develop and evaluate motion correction algorithms. Previous methods for evaluating motion correction algorithms used either manual or semi-automated segmentation of MRI studies to produce patient models in the form of XCAT Phantoms, from which one calculates the transformation and deformation between MRI study and patient model. Both manual and semi-automated methods of XCAT Phantom generation require expertise in human anatomy, with the semiautomated method requiring up to 30 minutes and the manual method requiring up to eight hours. Although faster than manual segmentation, the semi-automated method still requires a significant amount of time, is not replicable, and is subject to errors due to the difficulty of aligning and deforming anatomical shapes in 3D. We propose a new method for matching patient models to MRI that extends the previous semi-automated method by eliminating the manual non-rigid transformation. Our method requires no user supervision and therefore does not require expert knowledge of human anatomy to align the NURBs to anatomical structures in the MR image. Our contribution is employing the SIMRI MRI simulator to convert the XCAT NURBs to a voxel-based representation that is amenable to automatic non-rigid registration. Then registration is used to transform and deform the NURBs to match the anatomy in the MR image. We show that our automated method generates XCAT Phantoms more robustly and significantly faster than the previous semi-automated method.
Antibody deficiency associated with an inherited autosomal dominant mutation in TWEAK

Mutations in the TNF family of proteins have been associated with inherited forms of immune deficiency. Using an array-based sequencing assay, we identified an autosomal-dominant deficiency in TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK; TNFSF12) in a kindred with recurrent infection and impaired antibody responses to protein and polysaccharide vaccines. This mutation occurs in the sixth exon of TWEAK and results in the amino acid substitution R145C within the conserved TNF-homology domain of the full-length protein. TWEAK mutant protein formed high molecular weight aggregates under nonreducing conditions, suggesting an increased propensity for intermolecular interactions. As a result, mutant TWEAK associated with B-cell–activating factor (BAFF) protein and down-regulated the BAFF-mediated activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway through inhibition of p100 processing to p52, resulting in inhibition of BAFF-dependent B-cell survival and proliferation. As BAFF mediates T-cell–independent isotype switching and B-cell survival, our data implicate TWEAK as a disease-susceptibility gene for a humoral immunodeficiency.
Qualitative data for precision, closed-die forging via “line-averaged” residual plastic-strains

Abstract Plastic-strains are widely used in predicting the formation of defects during the forging process. Simulation correlations normally involve measured grain-distortions and physically observed cracks, voids or folds. However, direct correlation with plastic-strain is not done because of the lack of internal plastic-strain measurements. This paper presents some “line-averaged” plastic-strains measured after a precision closed-die (PCD), isothermal forging and hence are termed “residual”. Line-average refers to the fact that two of the “pointwise” strains ( ϵ rr and ϵ zz ) are obtained by averaging over some finite length. Internal displacements were measured using initially vertical arrays of tracer particles (IVATP) at discrete radial locations. The deformed IVATP permit a continuous measurement of three strains ϵ rr ϵ θθ and ϵ zr at discrete radial locations if ϵ zz is assumed constant per IVATP. A measure-of-error for this assumption is the relative volume-change and some values are presented. The history of Von Mises's effective strain is presented via strain-contours and strain-surfaces as a function of reductions-in-height of the work piece. These contours and strain-surfaces provide insight into the complex plastic-strain behavior that can occur during PCD forging. Also, these histories are useful for qualitative comparisons with plastic-strains predicted by simulation programs.