cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase by linker insertion mutagenesis

Thirty-four mutants of phage T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP) were generated by linker-insertion mutagenesis and characterized with respect to their ability to carry out various steps in the transcription cycle. A number of mutants with interesting biochemical properties were identified. These include: (1) Mutant RNAPs that are catalytically active but that bind weakly to a T7 promoter; one of these mutants is affected in a region of the RNAP that exhibits homology with the sigma subunit of Escherichia coli RNAP. Another is affected in a region that has been previously implicated in the discrimination of T7 versus T3 promoters (Joho, et al., 1990). (2) Mutant RNAPs that can bind to the promoter but are transcriptionally inactive; some of these RNAPs lack catalytic activity, others are catalytically active but are unable to initiate productive transcription at a T7 promoter. Among the latter class of mutants are enzymes that appear to be weakened in their ability to melt open (or to remain associated with) double-stranded DNA; these RNAPs make only abortive initiation products and are unable to proceed to the formation of a productive elongation complex. The mutations causing this phenotype affect regions of the RNAP that exhibit homology with the catalytic site of DNA polymerase I (Delarue et al., 1990). (3) A C-terminal insertion mutant with properties similar to a previously characterized "foot" mutant (Mookhtiar et al., 1991). This RNAP appears to be defective in the very early steps of transcription and may be unable to translocate and/or empty the active site. (4) A mutant that is transcriptionally active, but is unable to complement the growth of T7 gene 1- phage. This phenotype may result from disruption of a function of the RNAP that is distinct from its role in RNA synthesis.
A versatile method for carbon-nitrogen bond formation via ene reactions of acylnitroso compounds

Abstract The use of acylnitroso compounds of the general formula RCONO as enophiles in the formation of carbon-nitrogen bonds is described. Both inter- and intramolecular ene reactions have been studied. For the intermolecular examples, nitrosocarbonylmethane, thermally liberated from its Diels-Alder adduct with 9,10-dimethylanthracene, is reacted with various olefins giving the corresponding N-alkylhydroxamic acids in moderate to high yields, providing an efficient method for allylic amidation. The regiochemistry of the intermolecular reaction is observed to be the result of kinetic control, and the direction of addition is consistent with attack by the olefin on electron-deficient nitrogen. Several examples of intramolecular ene cyclization are demonstrated, providing efficient entry into both spiro and fused bicyclic nitrogen containing systems which can be viewed as derived from annulation of 5- and 6- membered nitrogen containing rings onto 5- and 6-membered carbocycles, respectively. Various examples of this hetero-annulation scheme are described. Experimental details are also privided describing typical reaction procedures.
Studies on the nature and specificity of the induction of several adaptive enzymes responsive to cortisol

IT IS becoming increasingly evident that the complex processes of growth and differentiation have control mechanisms capable of coordinating the biosynthetic and degradative pathways of metabolism. There are many reports indicating that an increased rate of synthesis of certain enzymes is one of the biochemical effects elicited by the glucocorticoids.(r*s) Part of the regulatory role that hormones play in the metabolism of mammalian cells probably involves alterations in the activities of certain enzymes.@*4) Although the biochemical significance of these observations is evident, as is emphasized by this symposium, it is difficult to evaluate the functional importance of these enzymes in relation to physiological responses to glucocorticoids. Many current investigations are concerned with the question, “How do glucocorticoids stimulate enzyme synthesis ?” Several studies have related treatment with moderate doses of glucocorticoids to slight increases in the RNA content of liver.@-7) The inhibitory effect of actinomycin D on the response of the adaptive enzymes implies a requirement for new templates of RNA in enzyme induction.(s) Garren and Howell@) observed that cortisone was effective in stimulating the uptake of CrJ-erotic acid into nuclear, but not cytoplasmic RNA, suggesting that messenger RNA is responding specifically to the glucocorticoids. Recent studies by Feigelson and Feigelson indicate that the incorporation of glycine 2-Cl-4 into acid-soluble adenine and total RNA was stimulated to about the same extent after treatment with cortisone, several amino acids, and ammonium salts. This lack of specificity cautions against interpreting some of the available data too precisely in terms of a relationship between changes in RNA turnover and the effects of glucocorticoids on enzyme induction. Other observations equally pertinent to this problem suggest that glucocorticoids may be acting indirectly as inducers of specific enzymes by altering the concentrations of amino acids in liver and other tissues.(rlJs) Among the adaptive enzymes which respond to cortisol or various stressproducing conditions (starvation, high protein diet, alloxan diabetes),
Technique used in Hall effect analysis of ion implanted Si and Ge

Abstract Hall effect and sheet resistivity measurements are commonly used to evaluate ion implanted layers. We describe the general principles, sources of error, and factors influencing the measurements. Implantation conditions, sample preparation and measurement technique used for van der Pauw geometry are discussed. Considerations important in annealing, layer removal and measurement temperature are also presented.
Dental visits for orofacial injury: defining the dentist's role.

There were an estimated 5.9 million episodes of care for orofacial trauma in the U.S. private practice sector in 1991. More than 4 million were seen by general dental practitioners, the rest by specialists. An in-depth understanding of the injuries and the extent and cost of the care could establish a focused injury prevention strategy.
Effects of biodegradable plastic components on metabolism of an estuarine benthos

We examined the metabolic response of an estuarine benthic community to additions of three materials being considered for use in manufacture of biodegradable substitutes for plastics. Diver-collected cores containing benthos were dosed with 59 g/m2 of three test materials, cornstarch, a bacterial polyester (PHBV), and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), or left undisturbed as controls. Fluxes of dissolved nutrients (ammonia, nitrate + nitrite, phosphate, silica) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) were similar in control cores and cores dosed with EVOH during a 1-month test period at 20°C. Fluxes in cores dosed with starch and PHBV differed significantly from controls but not from each other. After 2 weeks of incubation, production of DIC was higher in cores containing starch and PHBV, while efflux of ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite was reduced. After 4 weeks of incubation, production of DIC was similar among all treatments and controls, while efflux of ammonia was high in the starch- and PHBV-containing cores compared to controls and cores with EVOH. Fluxes of silica and phosphate were similar in all cores during the experiment. These results indicate that both starch and PHBV are carbon-rich substrates readily metabolized by the benthic community but that their presence significantly alters normal nutrient exchange patterns. This response is expected because of the high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of starch and PHBV and indicates that impacts of these two materials would be similar. However, the high biological oxygen demand of such materials and resulting disturbance of normal nutrient regeneration patterns of the benthos (delayed ammonia efflux and potential stimulation of denitrification) must be considered in developing strategies for their disposal.
Essential Responsibilities of Student Affairs Administrators: Identifying a Purpose in Life and Helping Students Do the Same

As part of a larger investigation into the spiritual lives of student affairs administrators, the first author interviewed twenty-four practitioners representing four types of institutions to determine how they think about issues related to their purpose in life. The results of the study provide insight into the importance of reflecting upon such issues in order to be equipped to assist students in their own identification of a purpose in life.
Technologies for exascale systems

To satisfy the economic drive for ever more powerful computers to handle scientific and business applications, new technologies are needed to overcome the limitations of current approaches. New memory technologies will address the need for greater amounts of data in close proximity to the processors. Three-dimensional silicon integration will allow more cache and function to be integrated with the processor while allowing more than 1,000 times higher bandwidth communications at low power per channel using local interconnects between Si die layers and between die stacks. Integrated silicon nanophotonics will provide low-power and high-bandwidth optical interconnections between different parts of the system on a chip, board, and rack levels. Highly efficient power delivery and advanced liquid cooling will reduce the electrical demand and facility costs. A combination of these technologies will likely be required to build exascale systems that meet the combined challenges of a practical power constraint on the order of 20 MW with sufficient reliability and at a reasonable cost.
Effect of Chemical Agents on Heat Deterioration of GR-S

Abstract A detailed study of Tables III and IV, in which the effect of chemical agents on high temperature aging are evaluated by relaxation and oxygen absorption indexes and conventional test indexes, shows a much higher evaluation consistency for the Table III indexes and presents some doubt regarding the significance of the data given in Table IV and Figure 8. Although the conventional tests have the advantage of speed and convenience, the difficulties of obtaining truly significant correlation between laboratory aging tests and practical performance are considerable. The methods reported in this paper may, therefore, be of value in supplementing the numerous aging tests already in use in various laboratories.
Eisosomes mark static sites of endocytosis

Endocytosis is the process by which a cell's plasma membrane encircles a substance and then pinches off an intracellular vesicle in which to trap and transport the substance. It facilitates the cellular uptake of nutrients and macromolecules, and recycles plasma membrane components. Until now no mechanism to specify where in the cell's membrane endocytosis will occur had been identified: it remained possible that sites of endocytosis might be chosen at random. But now a protein assembly to do the job has been identified in yeast. The complex, named the eisosome (for portal body), forms immobile structures at the cell cortex that co-localize with sites of endocytosis. Endocytosis functions to recycle plasma membrane components, to regulate cell-surface expression of signalling receptors and to internalize nutrients in all eukaryotic cells. Internalization of proteins, lipids and other cargo can occur by one of several pathways that have different, but often overlapping, molecular requirements1,2,3,4,5. To mediate endocytosis, effectors assemble transiently underneath the plasma membrane, carry out the mechanics of membrane deformation, cargo selection and vesicle internalization, and then disassemble. The mechanism by which endocytosis initiates at particular locations on the plasma membrane has remained unknown. Sites of endocytosis might be formed randomly, induced by stochastic protein and/or lipid clustering. Alternatively, endocytosis might initiate at specific locations. Here we describe large immobile protein assemblies at the plasma membrane in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that mark endocytic sites. These structures, termed eisosomes (from the Greek ‘eis’, meaning into or portal, and ‘soma’, meaning body), are composed primarily of two cytoplasmic proteins, Pil1 and Lsp1. A plasma membrane protein, Sur7, localizes to eisosomes. These structures colocalize with sites of protein and lipid endocytosis, and their components genetically interact with known endocytic effectors. Loss of Pil1 leads to clustering of eisosome remnants and redirects endocytosis and endocytic effector proteins to these clusters.
SU-E-T-181: Feasibility and Robustness of Using Overlapping VMAT Arcs for Conformal Irradiation of Large Irregular PTVs

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility and robustness of using multiple overlapping arcs for delivering volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) to irregular PTVs with large superior-inferior (SI) dimensions. Methods: A patient with stage IV alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, with a combined PTV length of 56 cm in SI direction, was planned and treated in our department using two VMAT arcs overlapped along the SI direction to take advantage of the much needed dose sculpting capabilities of VMAT. The overlapping VMATs, each consisted of two arcs, were optimized simultaneously using Varian Eclipse system. The susceptibility of the resulting plan to uncertainties associated the set up of two separate isocenters during treatment was investigated by comparing the dose distributions resulted from small shifts introduced into the isocenter position. The robustness of this technique was further assessed for plans generated using different amount of overlap between the overlapping arcs. Results: When the plan was generated with 6 cm overlap between adjacent arcs, maximum dose variations observed near overlapping edges was up to 9.2%, 10%, and 26.7% for setup uncertainties of 2 mm, 3 mm, and 5 mm, respectively. By increasing the junction overlap to 16 cm, maximum dose variations was reduced to 4.2%, 6.5%, and 10.2% for setup uncertainties of 2 mm, 3 mm, and 5 mm, respectively. In general, dose variation was found to increase dramatically with increasing magnitude of setup uncertainty. The technique can be made more robust against setup uncertainty by using large overlap between adjacent VMAT arcs. Conclusion: Overlapping VMAT arcs can be used effectively for conformal irradiation of PTVs with large SI dimension. The dosimetric impact of uncertainties in required isocenter shifts can be minimized by planning with large overlap between adjacent arcs and by keeping setup uncertainty ≤ 2mm.
Adenosine blocks hormone-induced meiotic maturation by suppressing purine de novo synthesis.

We have examined adenosine (Ado) suppression of FSH-induced germinal vesicle breakdown (GVB) and its relationship to purine de novo synthesis. Oocyte-cumulus cell complexes (OCC) from PMSG-primed, immature mice were cultured 17-18 hr in medium containing 4 mM hypoxanthine (HX) or 300 microM dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) to maintain meiotic arrest, and FSH was added to stimulate meiotic maturation. In the absence of FSH, Ado (1-250 microM) had no effect in dbcAMP-arrested oocytes but dose-dependently suppressed maturation in HX-treated oocytes. FSH-induced maturation was prevented by Ado, though more effectively in dbcAMP-supplemented cultures. Ado affected the magnitude, but not the kinetics pattern, of the response to FSH. Inosine also blocked meiotic induction, but only in dbcAMP-arrested oocytes. Purine de novo synthesis was nearly doubled in OCC by FSH treatment, and this response was completely prevented by Ado. FSH had no effect on HX salvage, although Ado reduced this activity by 98%. Inosine effects on metabolism were intermediate between the control and Ado groups. Experiments with radiolabeled energy substrates showed that Ado suppressed FSH activation of the pentose phosphate pathway but did not prevent significant activation of glycolysis or oxidation of pyruvate. Finally, in cultured follicles from primed mice, hCG-induced maturation was blocked by Ado as effectively as by the purine de novo synthesis inhibitor, azaserine. It is concluded that Ado has an inhibitory action on hormone-induced maturation that is due, at least in part, to suppression of glucose metabolism, leading to compromised purine de novo synthesis.
Detection and characterization of mammalian DNA polymerase beta mutants by functional complementation in Escherichia coli.

Abstract We have designed and utilized a bacterial complementation system to identify and characterize mammalian DNA polymerase beta mutants. In this complementation system, wild-type rat DNA polymerase beta replaces both the replicative and repair functions of DNA polymerase I in the Escherichia coli recA718 polA12 double mutant; our 263 DNA polymerase beta mutants replace E. coli polymerase I less efficiently or not at all. Of the 10 mutants that have been shown to contain DNA sequence alterations, 2 exhibit a split phenotype with respect to complementation of the growth defect and methylmethanesulfonate sensitivity of the double mutant; one is a null mutant. The mutants possessing a split phenotype contain amino acid residue alterations within a putative nucleotide binding site of DNA polymerase beta. This approach for the isolation and evaluation of mutants of a mammalian DNA polymerase in E. coli may ultimately lead to a better understanding of the mechanism of action of this enzyme and to precisely defining its role in vertebrate cells.
The high resolution crystal structure of deoxyhemoglobin S

We have refined the crystal structure of deoxyhemoglobin S (β Glu6 → Val) at 2.05 A resolution to an R-factor of 16.5% (free R = 21.5%) using crystals isomorphous to those originally grown by Wishner and Love. A predominant feature of this crystal form is a double strand of hemoglobin tetramers that has been shown by a variety of techniques to be the fundamental building block of the intracellular sickle cell fiber. The double strand is stabilized by lateral contacts involving the mutant valine interacting with a pocket between the E and F helices on another tetramer. The new structure reveals some marked differences from the previously refined 3.0 A resolution structure, including several residues in the lateral contact which have shifted by as much as 3.5 A. The lateral contact includes, in addition to the hydrophobic interactions involving the mutant valine, hydrophilic interactions and bridging water molecules at the periphery of the contact. This structure provides further insights into hemoglobin polymerization and may be useful for the structure-based design of therapeutic agents to treat sickle cell disease.
Negative curvature and hyperfullerenes

Abstract The existence of a negative curvature fullerene unit that possesses sp2 hybridization is proposed. With the aid of this basic unit, a new class of structures may be formed that has topological properties similar to the normal fullerenes. Rather than being made of carbon atoms, these hyperfullerenes are made of the negative curvature carbon networks.
A two-step procedure for obtaining highly purified particulate guanylate cyclase from rat lung.

Abstract Cuanylate cyclase (CTP pyrophosphate lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.21, the enzyme catalyzing the formation of cyclic CMP, from GTP, exists in both soluble and membrane-bound forms.1-6 These enzymes have been implicated as key regulatory components in a variety of biological events such as secretion7-10, and smooth muscle relaxation.11-14 Understanding the role these enzymes play in cellular regulation is predicated upon obtaining purified preparations of guanylate cyclase. Several procedures for purifying the soluble enzyme to apparent homogeneity from a variety of tissues have been reported.15-19 The particulate enzyme has been purified to apparent homogeneity from sea urchin sperm20,21 but, to date, homogeneous preparations of particulate guanylate cyclase from mammalian tissues have not been obtained. Here we report our efforts in purifying particulate guanylate cyclase about 8,200- to 52,000-fold from homogenates of rat lung. Portions of this work have appeared in abstract form.
An Experimental Approach to Economic Voting

The relationship between economic conditions and political behavior has received great attention for several decades. While it is widely accepted that incumbents are more likely to get reelected when the economy performs better, some methodological challenges have made it difficult to test this theory on survey data. This article reports on a series of studies that manipulate individual assessments of economic conditions, and use the downstream of these experiments to identify the causal effect of those assessments on presidential approval. Our findings suggest that changes in voter’s perceptions of the economy indeed translate into substantial changes in political support for the president.
Use of Myoepithelial Cell Markers in the Differential Diagnosis of Benign, In situ, and Invasive Lesions of the Breast.

Immunohistochemical markers for myoepithelial cells are commonly used to distinguish invasive from noninvasive lesions in the breast. The approach takes advantage of the fact that conventional invasive carcinomas lack surrounding myoepithelial cells, whereas nearly all benign lesions and in situ carcinomas retain their myoepithelial cell layer. Although conceptually straightforward, the interpretation of myoepithelial cell markers can be complicated by misleading patterns of reactivity (such as stromal or tumor cell staining) or lack of reactivity (due to reduced numbers of myoepithelial cells or variable antigenicity). In this article, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of commonly used myoepithelial cell markers, their general utility in distinguishing invasive from noninvasive processes, and pitfalls in their interpretation. We also examine whether the detection of myoepithelial cells is helpful in the evaluation of papillary lesions, another common application. Myoepithelial cell markers can be diagnostically useful in the distinction of many benign, in situ, and invasive lesions, but they must be interpreted in conjunction with careful morphologic analysis.
Automatic control of simulated moving beds

Simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography has become a widely used separation technology in the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. However, operation of SMBs at their economic optimum is still an open issue because of the absence of proper process control schemes. This work proposes an on-line optimization-based control concept to avoid the tradeoff between the robustness and productivity of the process and to accelerate the development of SMB separations. The control concept requires minimal information on the system, i.e., Henry's constants and the average porosity of the columns. This paper illustrates how a controller that is based only on the linear adsorption isotherm parameters can find the correct operating conditions for the SMB applied to a system characterized by a nonlinear competitive isotherm in order first to fulfill the product specifications and then to optimize the economics of the operation. The performance of the controller is assessed for several scenarios addressing the main challenges in SMB operation.
Alpha2-adrenoceptors as a target for formamidine pesticides: In vitro and in vivo studies in mice

While the toxicity in insects of formamidines such as chlordimeform (CDM), its demethylated metabolite DCDM, and amitraz (AMZ) appears to involve activation of an octopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase, their mechanism of action in mammals remains elusive. There is increasing evidence, however, that alpha 2-adrenoceptors might mediate certain effects of CDM, DCDM, and AMZ. In the present study, we investigated whether formamidines can interact directly with adrenoceptors in mouse forebrain both in vitro and after in vivo administration. Formamidines were potent inhibitors of the binding of [3H]clonidine to alpha 2-adrenoceptors with IC50's of 13 microM, 29 nM, and 130 nM for CDM, DCDM, and AMZ, respectively. Binding of [3H]yohimbine was inhibited with similar potencies. All compounds also inhibited with equal (CDM) or lower potency the binding of [3H]spiperone to dopamine D2 receptors and were weak inhibitors or inactive toward alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptors, cholinergic muscarinic, GABAA, opiate mu, benzodiazepine, and histamine 1 receptors. Administration of formamidines to mice caused a dose-dependent decrease of [3H]clonidine binding. [3H]Clonidine binding returned to control values within 5 hr following administration of CDM and DCDM, but was still significantly decreased up to 48 hr after AMZ. Among different brain regions, [3H]clonidine binding was decreased to a larger extent in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and midbrain. In vitro and ex vivo kinetic binding studies indicated that the effect of formamidines on alpha 2-adrenoceptors was due to a decrease in affinity and not to an alteration of the density of [3H]clonidine binding sites. The results of these biochemical studies support the hypothesis that alpha 2-adrenoceptors represent an important target for formamidine neurotoxicity in mammals.
Characterization of Tinnitus by Tinnitus Patients

A questionnaire was administered to 528 tinnitus patients to obtain data on their reactions to tinnitus. Results include a discussion of: (a) population characteristics, (b) perceptual characteristics, (c) the impact of tinnitus on daily life, and (d) etiology. Significant gender differences are also discussed. Tinnitus was not an occasional phenomenon, but was present for more than 26 days per month in 74% of the patients. Other important findings about tinnitus include: (a) Hearing levels at 1000 and 4000 Hz were less than or equal to 25 dB HL for 18% of the tinnitus patients, which suggests that some patients had normal hearing or mild hearing losses; (b) the prevalence of tinnitus in patients with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) was 30% for males and only 3% for females; (c) about 25% of the patients reported tinnitus severity had increased since tinnitus onset; (d) the effects of tinnitus were more severe in patients who reported tinnitus as their primary complaint and in patients diagnosed as having Meniere's syndrome tinnitus; and (e) some patients reported that noise exacerbated their tinnitus, whereas others reported that a quiet background exacerbated their tinnitus.
Trajectory-Based Thermal Protection System Sizing for an X-33 Winged Vehicle Concept

A trajectory-based thermal protection system sizing is implemented for an X-33 winged-body vehicle concept. The heat pulse is discretized at eight points along the suborbital trajectory. An aerothermal database is generated from both laminar and turbulent  ow calculations. With the aerothermal database and one-dimensional thermal protection system stackups, a number of thermal protection system (TPS) sizings are generated. Three major conclusions from the analysis in this study are as follows: 1) The procedure for performing the TPSmappingworks well, 2) for the TPS design, a number of traceability issues exist between the X-33 and the full-scale reusable launch vehicle, and 3) for the X-33 TPS material selection, predictions of transition to turbulence and turbulent heating are critical.
Interventional Management for Cancer Pain

Cancer pain is a distressing result of disease, both primary and metastatic, as well as complications caused by cancer treatment. Medication management often is insufficient to adequately treat the ensuing pain or the complications of medical management limit acceptable dosage for pain control. In these instances, interventional modalities are an additional tool in the pain physician’s armamentarium. Most commonly employed are intrathecal opioids, local anesthetic and clonidine infusions, neurolytic-nerve and sympathetic-ganglion blockade, and radiofrequency techniques. These are discussed in this article concomitantly with current outcome data as reported in the medical literature.
An Efficient Algorithm for Computing Optimal s, S Policies

This paper presents an algorithm to compute an optimal s, S policy under standard assumptions stationary data, well-behaved one-period costs, discrete demand, full backlogging, and the average-cost criterion. The method is iterative, starting with an arbitrary, given s, S policy and converging to an optimal policy in a finite number of iterations. Any of the available approximations can thus be used as an initial solution. Each iteration requires only modest computations. Also, a lower bound on the true optimal cost can be computed and used in a termination test. Empirical testing suggests very fast convergence.
EXCITED ISOBARIC STATES IN MEDIUM-A NUCLEI

Experimental evidence is presented for the existence of excited isobaric states from the (p,n) reaction on mediumA, nonmirror, even nuclei (Ar/sup 40/, Ti/ sup 48/, Fe/sup 56/, Ni, Zn, and Se). It is concluded that these states correspond to the excited isobaric states of the target nuclei. The proton energy is 17 Mev. Excited isobaric states are not observed in (p,n) reactions on odd-even nuclides V/sup 51/ and Co/sup 59/. (T.F.H.)
Acoustic response properties of lagenar nerve fibers in the sleeper goby, Dormitator latifrons

Auditory and vestibular functions of otolithic organs vary among vertebrate taxa. The saccule has been considered a major hearing organ in many fishes. However, little is known about the auditory role of the lagena in fishes. In this study we analyzed directional and frequency responses from single lagenar fibers of Dormitator latifrons to linear accelerations that simulate underwater acoustic particle motion. Characteristic fre- quencies of the lagenar fibers fell into two groups: £ 50 Hz and 80-125 Hz. We observed various temporal response patterns: strong phase-locking, double phase- locking, phase-locked bursting, and non-phase-locked bursting. Some bursting responses have not been previ- ously observed in vertebrate otolithic nerve fibers. Lagenar fibers could respond to accelerations as small as 1.1 mm s )2 . Like saccular fibers, lagenar fibers were directionally responsive and decreased directional selectivity with stimulus level. Best response axes of the lagenar fibers clustered around the lagenar longitudinal axis in the horizontal plane, but distributed in a diversity of axes in the mid-sagittal plane, which generally reflect morphological polarizations of hair cells in the lagena. We conclude that the lagena of D. latifrons plays a role in sound localization in elevation, particularly at high stimulus intensities where responses of most saccular fibers are saturated.
Complexity of Weighted Approximation over Rd

We study approximation of multivariate functions defined over Rd. We assume that all rth order partial derivatives of the functions considered are continuous and uniformly bounded. Approximation algorithms U(f) only use the values of f or its partial derivatives up to order r. We want to recover the function f with small error measured in a weighted Lq norm with a weight function �. We study the worst case (information) complexity which is equal to the minimal number of function and derivative evaluations needed to obtain error �. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions in terms of the weight � and the parameters q and r for the weighted approximation problem to have finite complexity. We also provide conditions guaranteeing that the complexity is of the same order as the complexity of the classical approximation problem over a finite domain. Since the complexity of the weighted integration problem is equivalent to the complexity of the weighted approximation problem with q=1, the results of this paper also hold for weighted integration. This paper is a continuation of 7], where weighted approximation over R was studied.
A process for making microcellular thermoplastic parts

A novel process to produce microcellular thermoplastic parts is described. This is achieved by integrating the deformation process in the foaming cycle in such a way that the cell nucleation and growth processes are effectively uncoupled from deformation. The nitrogen-polystyrene system is studied and the relationships between the essential process parameters are established. It is experimentally shown that the pressures associated with deformation do not reduce the number of bubbles nucleated. The process synthesized is demonstrated by making a microcellular polystyrene container.
Effect of a self-care book on physician visits. A randomized trial.

A self-care book that guides patients in seeking home care or physician care for 63 medical problems was assessed in three randomly selected groups of families to determine the book's effect on the number of visits to physicians. The first group was given the book and an optional seminar on its use; the second group was identical to the first but each family was promised $50 if their visits to physicians dropped by one third; the third group was a control group (total, 699 families). The book had no significant effect on the number of physician's visits during six- and 12-month study periods even though one half of the families read most or all of the book, and more than one third used it for a specific medical problem. Large-scale distribution of this self-care book therefore did not result in significantly less dependence on physicians for treatment of acute medical problems. ( JAMA 243:2317-2320, 1980)
The Loving Arrow: Pointed Diction in God's Word

B eginning early in the seventeenth century several professors of rhetoric in the Society of Jesus developed systems of pointed diction {dictio arguta) in a series of well-known handbooks that were published throughout the seventeenth century. Jacob Masen's Ars nova argutiarum (1649), Michael Radau's Orator Extemporaneus (1650), and Emanuele Tesauro's // Cannocchiale aristotelica (1654) provided initial impulses which had a particularly strong impact in Germany and which extended beyond their use in Jesuit schools. Their systems were later adapted by Christian Weise {De poesi hodiernorum politicorum, 1678) and Daniel Georg Morhof {Commentatio de disciplina argutiarum, 1693) for use in Lutheran academies. In their wake, an entire generation of Lutheran schoolmen and their students eventually embraced this new way of speaking and writing. Although the direct dependence of the Lutheran schoolmen on their Jesuit colleagues—in particular Masen and Tesauro—is well documented,^ their acceptance of the Jesuit tech-
Solid-Phase Synthesis of Bleomycin Group Antibiotics. Elaboration of Deglycobleomycin A5

The solid-phase syntheses of two deglycobleomycin A5 analogues were achieved using a commercially available polystyrene resin containing triphenylmethyl-linked spermidine. The final products were deblocked and released from the resin, analyzed, and purified by C18 reversed phase HPLC and characterized by high-field 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The purified products relaxed supercoiled plasmid DNA in a concentration-dependent fashion and to the same extent as authentic material derived from natural BLM A5.
Analytic evaluation of integrals in variational calculations of scattering theory

Abstract Analytic procedures are presented for the evaluation of the free-free exchange integrals which occur in the variational approach to scattering theory. Expressions are obtained which are suitable for numerical calculation on a computer. The method is based on a (known) analytic formula for the complex Laplace transform of the exponential integral function.
Role of Erk1/2 activation in prion disease pathogenesis: Absence of CCR1 leads to increased Erk1/2 activation and accelerated disease progression

Prion diseases are neurodegenerative infections with gliosis and vacuolation. The mechanisms of degeneration remain unclear, but chemokines may be important. In current experiments CCR1 knock-out (KO) mice succumbed more rapidly to scrapie infection than WT controls. Infected KO mice had upregulation of CCL3, a CCR1 ligand, and CCR5, a receptor with specificity for CCL3. Both infected KO and WT mice had upregulation of CCR5-mediated signaling involving activation of Erk1/2 in astrocytes; however, activation was earlier in KO mice suggesting a role in pathogenesis. In both mouse strains activation of the Erk1/2 pathway may lead to astrocyte dysfunction resulting in neurodegeneration.
Extra output biased learning

A method for improving back-propagation-based training by augmenting the output patterns with additional relevant information is presented. It is suggested that the augmented output provides additional constraints that more precisely specify the allowable function. This results in faster training and better generalization. Improvement depends on the size of the intersection of the two classes of possible mapping functions. In so far as the intersection is not empty, performance may improve. An empirical advantage of the extra-output technique is that after a network has been trained to realize a desired function, the extra output units may be detached. The resulting network computes more rapidly in that it has fewer connections to manipulate
Geochemistry of organic contaminants in Narragansett Bay sediments

Abstract Organic contaminants from several different chemical classes were analyzed in surface sediments along a transect from the head to the mouth of Narragansett Bay. The chemical classes included total hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, substituted benzotriazoles and phthalic acid esters. Sediment concentrations of all compounds were highest in the Providence River and decreased with distance downbay. The observed decreases were approximately exponential for all compounds; however, the distances at which the concentrations decreased to one-half of their initial concentrations (half-distances) were different. The depth distributions of these compounds in sediment cores from three locations were also investigated. A sediment core collected near the head of the bay (Conimicut Point) showed a well defined historical record of contaminant input to the bay. At a mid-bay location (North Jamestown), however, the record was smeared because of extensive bioturbation. A sediment core collected near the mouth of the bay (Rhode Island Sound) showed a subsurface increase for all of the measured compounds. The results of detailed analyses suggest that this horizon may have been influenced by dredge spoil material originally from the head of the bay.
Alternative adherence marker schemes

Various possible adherence markers are mentioned, including inert particulate matter, soluble and insoluble dyes, polymer attached dyes, spin-labeled substances, and radioactive and stable isotope tracers. Methods for detection might include nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron spin resonance (ESR), x-ray, gas chromatography, and simple fluorescence or absorption. Emphasis is placed on systems involving safety, reliability, and redundancy. No clear-cut superiority of any method is apparent.
How to do it: thoracoscopic left ventricular assist device implantation using robot assistance.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) improve quality of life and reduce mortality of patients with heart failure.1 Although LVAD outcomes improve, unavoidable consequences of implantation remain. Given the likeliness of prior cardiac surgery, LVAD candidates for a “bridge to transplant” raise concerns regarding the number of redo sternotomies. Each sternotomy places patients at greater risk for mortality, morbidity, and resource use (eg, blood transfusions and length of stay).2 These increased risks are attributed to patients' heart failure associated with sternum-adherent dilated right ventricles (RVs).3 Direct cardiac dissection of adhesions via sternotomy can be poorly tolerated and trigger postoperative RV failure by prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, bleeding, excessive transfusions, and inflammation. An alternative to redo sternotomy is a robotic endoscopic approach via thoracic chest ports. This indirect approach to the retrosternal space improves adhesion visualization, allowing more precise dissection. Reports of robotic use for redo or high-risk cases led us to assess robotic utility to reduce the invasiveness and morbidity in patients undergoing LVAD implantation.
HPV Communication: Review of Existing Research and Recommendations for Patient Education†

The potential for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing in cervical cancer prevention programs has been a topic at the forefront of cervical cancer policy discussions in recent years. To prevent some of the anxiety and psychological distress often experienced on HPV diagnosis and during the period of management, mass patient education must accompany the incorporation of HPV DNA testing into screening protocols. To contribute to a growing body of work that provides an empiric basis for development of effective counseling messages about HPV and HPV testing, this paper highlights women's most common information gaps and psychosocial concerns and describes the different perspectives offered by women's usual sources of information about HPV, including the crucial role of the clinical community in creating a shared decision making environment in which screening decisions and results can be discussed.
Polyadenylic acid in the cytoplasm of rat liver

Abstract Polyadenylic acid has been isolated from the deoxycholate-soluble fraction of rat liver microsomes. This polymer is not extracted with phenol at neutral pH, but can be obtained at pH 9.0. Poly A exists in the cell as a homopolymer of relatively high molecular weight. It has a sedimentation value of about 10 s at pH 5.1. The presence of poly A may account for the high adenylic acid content reported for some pulse-labeled RNA fractions.
Introductory remarks to the Lagrangian session

After listening to the Eulerian observations discussed yesterday, I decided to focus today's discussion on several points that have surfaced regarding Lagrangian and Eulerian systems and ways of thinking about the data from each. Since this is an introductory note to the Lagrangian session, perhaps these comnents will help in our transition from an Eulerian way of thinking, in which we were engrossed yesterday, to a Lagrangian framework. This discussion and the ones that follow should produce a general idea of the state of the art in Lagrangian measurement techniques and associated devices.
Storage media effect on bond strength of orthodontic brackets.

Introduction In testing bond strengths, various storage media are used. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 6 storage media and rinsing on the shear bond strength of bonded orthodontic brackets. Methods Bovine teeth were stored in 6 storage media for 7 months before bonding: dry (no medium), filtered water, 10% formalin, 1% chloramine T, 10% chloramine T, isotonic saline solution, and 70% ethanol. These teeth were further subdivided into 2 groups; 1 group was rinsed with oil-free air and water spray before bonding orthodontic brackets, and the other group not rinsed. All specimens were tested in the shear-peel mode to failure. Results The 10% formalin rinsed sample had statistically significantly higher bond strength (16.9 ± 6.56 MPa), and storage in ethanol (rinsed, 9.04 ± 5.61 MPa; not rinsed, 9.08 ± 3.5 MPa) and dry (8.34 ± 3.80 MPa) produced significantly lower bond strengths. No difference was found between the other modes of storage or rinsing. The adhesive remnant index values showed no statistically significant difference between any groups. Conclusions For bond strength studies, storage media can have an effect on bond strength results. Dry, formalin, and ethanol storage should be avoided. Water, isotonic saline solution, and chloramine T storage produced comparable bond strengths. Rinsing or not rinsing had no effect on bond strength with these storage media.
Image Segmentation, Registration and Visualization of Serial MR Images for Therapeutic Assessment of Polycystic Kidney Disease in Transgenic Mice

In vivo small animal imaging provides a powerful tool for the study of a variety of diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an established technology for the assessment of therapies. In this study, we used high-resolution MRI to evaluate polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in transgenic mice. We used a customized mouse coil to acquire serial MR images from both wide-type and transgenic PKD mice immediately prior to, and 2-week and 4-week after therapy. We developed image segmentation, registration and visualization methods for this novel imaging application. We measured the kidney volumes for each mouse to assess the efficacy of the therapy. The segmentation results show that the kidney volumes are consistent, which are 348.7 plusmn 19.7 mm 3 for wild-type mice and 756.3 plusmn 44.1 mm3 for transgenic mice, respectively. The image analysis methods provide a useful tool for this new application
A MODEL FOR THE EFFECT OF CIGARETTE SMOKING ON LUNG CANCER INCIDENCE IN CONNECTICUT

Population based data on smoking history derived from NCHS surveys were used to develop a model for lung cancer incidence in Connecticut. Trends in smoking prevalence suggest that, while the prevalence in men increased earlier than women, more male smokers have quit than their female counterparts. These trends in smoking prevalence suggest striking gender differences in a period effect for the smoking prevalence. Estimates of the proportion of current smokers, ex-smokers, and the mean duration of smoking were used in a model for the lung cancer incidence rates. The form for the relationship between smoking history and the incidence rate for these subgroups was based on information from cohort studies. The models represented a mixture of the smoking subgroups where the effect of smoking was considered to be either a multiplicative effect on the underlying age distribution, or a separate effect in which the level of exposure was the sole contribution to risk among smokers. The multiplicative model explained more than 80 per cent of the deviance for the period and cohort effects, while the non-multiplicative model could only account for trends in females. Hence, these results suggest that a sizeable portion of the period and cohort contributions to the lung cancer incidence trends in Connecticut can be attributed to the multiplicative model that utilizes this smoking information, although the lack of more detailed information is a limiting factor in developing the model.