cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parent satisfaction with services in an emergency department located at a paediatric teaching hospital.

Objective: To evaluate parents' satisfaction with the services provided in an emergency department located at a paediatric hospital. Methodology: A descriptive study in which the parents of children with non-life-threatening illnesses attending an emergency department completed a questionnaire describing their satisfaction with services in the department. Results: The majority of parents were satisfied with the services provided. However, less satisfied parents reported having to wait significantly longer before receiving medical attention than satisfied parents. Consistent with this finding, 77% of less satisfied parents reported that staff did not attend to their children's needs quickly enough and 62% felt that there were insufficient staff available to provide help. Twenty-nine per cent of the less satisfied parents reported that they did not know what was required for the ongoing care of their children after their discharge from the emergency department. Conclusions: In order to address the concerns of less satisfied parents, emergency departments need to give careful attention to the maintenance of reasonable waiting times, the provision of adequate staffing, and the quality of staff-parent communication. Addressing these issues may improve the ongoing care of children after their discharge from emergency departments.
Massive acute hemolysis secondary to clostridium perfringens sepsis in a recently transfused oncology patient with multiple alloantibodies

Sepsis with clostridia species is seen infrequently in oncology patients, and the massive acute intravascular hemolysis known to be associated with these organisms is rare. The urgency of making the diagnosis of clostridial sepsis is imperative since the course is rapidly fatal if untreated. We describe a patient with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, known to have recent transfusions as well as multiple red cell alloantibodies, who developed massive nonimmunologic hemolysis associated with Clostridium perfringens sepsis. Because the hemolysis of C. perfringens sepsis can mimic that of a severe delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction, care must be taken to differentiate these conditions, especially in view of the frequency of transfusion in these patients as well as their predisposition to develop disseminated infections.
Reaction energetics and crystal structure of Li 4 BN 3 H 10 from first principles

Using density functional theory we examine the crystal structure and the finite-temperature thermodynamics of formation and dehydrogenation for the quaternary hydride ${\mathrm{Li}}_{4}{\mathrm{BN}}_{3}{\mathrm{H}}_{10}$. Two recent studies based on x-ray and neutron diffraction have reported three bcc crystal structures for this phase. While these structures possess identical space groups and similar lattice constants, internal coordinate differences result in bond length discrepancies as large as $0.2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{\AA{}}$. Geometry optimization calculations on the experimental structures reveal that the apparent discrepancies are an artifact of x-ray interactions with strong bond polarization; the relaxed structures are essentially identical. Regarding reaction energetics, the present calculations predict that the formation reaction $3{\mathrm{LiNH}}_{2}+{\mathrm{LiBH}}_{4}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\mathrm{Li}}_{4}{\mathrm{BN}}_{3}{\mathrm{H}}_{10}$ is exothermic with enthalpy $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}{H}^{T=300\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}}=\ensuremath{-}11.8\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kJ}∕(\mathrm{mol}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\mathrm{f.u.})$, consistent with reports of spontaneous ${\mathrm{Li}}_{4}{\mathrm{BN}}_{3}{\mathrm{H}}_{10}$ formation in the literature. Calorimetry experiments have been reported for the dehydrogenation reaction, but have proven difficult to interpret. To help clarify the thermodynamics we evaluate the free energies of seventeen candidate dehydrogenation pathways over the temperature range $T=0--1000\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. At temperatures where ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ release has been experimentally observed $(T\ensuremath{\approx}520--630\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K})$, the favored dehydrogenation reaction is ${\mathrm{Li}}_{4}{\mathrm{BN}}_{3}{\mathrm{H}}_{10}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\mathrm{Li}}_{3}{\mathrm{BN}}_{2}+{\mathrm{LiNH}}_{2}+4{\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, which is weakly endothermic $[\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}{H}^{T=550\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}}=12.8\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kJ}∕(\mathrm{mol}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2})]$. The small calculated $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}H$ is consistent with the unsuccessful attempts at rehydriding reported in the literature, and suggests that the moderately high temperatures needed for H desorption result from slow kinetics.
Drug resistance in ovarian cancer: from the laboratory to the clinic.

Abstract Objective: To provide a review of the basic mechanisms of drug resistance in ovarian cancer and novel strategies to modulate drug resistance for the general obstetrician-gynecologist. Data Sources: Relevant articles published through December 1996 were identified using the MEDLINE data base. Additional sources were found by cross-referencing. Methods of Study Selection: Publications identified by the search were reviewed and evaluated critically for their relevance to drug resistance in ovarian cancer. Tabulation, Integration, and Results: Each reference was reviewed for its contribution to the knowledge regarding mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer or strategies to modulate resistance. Conclusion: Ovarian cancer patients have high response rates to initial chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery. However, most will develop resistance to chemotherapy during the course of their treatment. There are multiple mechanisms resulting in drug resistance. Strategies to modulate drug resistance include dose intensity, various pharmacologic agents, and gene therapy.
Transglutaminase Expression in Rat Parotid Gland after Isoproterenol Stimulation

Transglutaminases (E.C. 2.3.2.13) are calcium-dependent enzymes that catalyze the covalent cross-linking of proteins, and occur in multiple molecular forms in a variety of tissues. Distribution of each form of transglutaminase varies with different tissues. Studies were undertaken to characterize the form of transglutaminase expressed in rat parotid gland, and to examine a possible physiological role for the enzyme. It was found that chronic treatment of rats with the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (IPR) resulted in the induction of parotid transglutaminase activity. The properties of this transglutaminase appeared to be distinct from those of the well-characterized guinea pig liver cytosol transglutaminase (TGase C). The findings that protein polymerization (observed on SDS-PAGE) and incorporation of radioactive putrescine, a polyamine, into protein occur in the presence of exogenous transglutaminase and calcium indicated that certain rat parotid salivary proteins are or could be substrates for this ...
Triangular element for analysis of perforated plates under inplane and transverse loads

A C0-type triangular element formulation in orthogonal curvilinear coordinates has been developed, based on assumptions of transverse inextensibility and constant shear angle through thickness, for analysis of perforated plates subjected to in-plane and transverse loads. The assumed quadratic-displacement potential-energy approach is utilized in obtaining an element stiffness matrix and consistent load vector, which are numerically integrated. Numerical results have been obtained using a straight-sided triangular version, which behaves like a subparametric element, for stretching and bending analyses of perforated plates.
Microfilaments, Cell Shape Changes, and Morphogenesis of Salivary Epithelium

The evidence supporting the idea that microfilament-mediated cell shape changes produce morphogenetic movements of the salivary epithelium is reviewed. The correlations between microfilaments and morphogenesis and microtubules and morphogenesis, as revealed by experiments with cytochalasin B and colchicine respectively, are compared and contrasted. On the basis of a correlation between microfilament integrity and epithelial morphogenesis, and an actin-like nature of microfilaments to bind heavy meromyosin, it is proposed that microfilament contraction is required for cleft formation in the epithelium. Several ways in which microfilament activity might be regulated during morphogenesis are discussed in the framework of experiments that may comment on such regulation.
Enhanced H2 adsorption in isostructural metal-organic frameworks with open metal sites: strong dependence of the binding strength on metal ions.

Metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) with open metal sites exhibit a much stronger H2 binding strength than classical MOFs, due to the direct interaction between H2 and the coordinately unsaturated metal ions. Here we report a systematic study of the H2 adsorption on a series of isostructural MOFs, M2(dhtp) (M = Mg, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn). The experimental, initial isosteric heats of adsorption for H2 (Qst) of these MOFs range from 8.5 to 12.9 kJ/mol, with increasing Qst in the following order: Zn, Mn, Mg, Co, and Ni. The H2 binding energies derived from first-principles calculation follow the same trend as the experimental observation on Qst, confirming the electrostatic Coulomb attraction between the H2 and the open metals being the major interaction. We also found a strong correlation between the metal ion radius, the M−H2 distance, and the H2 binding strength, which provides a viable, empirical method to predict the relative H2 binding strength of different open metals.
Interleukin-1, stromal cells, granulopoiesis, and the inflammatory response.

A number ofin vitro studies carried out in our laboratory over the past ten years have led to some clarification of the role of mononuclear phagocytes in hematopoietic regulation. The results of these studies have demonstrated that mononuclear phagocytes produce proteins, notably interleukin-1 (IL-1), that induce the expression of multilineage hematopoietic growth factors by human vascular endothelial cells, fibroblasts, T-lymphocytes, and thymic epithelial cells. More recently we and others have identified these induced factors as G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-6, and IL-1. Although IL-1 seems to stimulate expression of these genes by inducing the accumulation of gene transcripts, interestingly the accumulation results from prolongation of mRNA half-life. We propose that the inductive capacity of IL-1 results from its activation of ribonuclease inhibitory activity in the cytoplasm of IL-1 induced cells and hypothesize that this may be a general mechanism by which IL-1 induces gene expression.
Application of 3-D digital deconvolution to optically sectioned images for improving the automatic analysis of fluorescent-labeled tumor specimens

The analysis of fluorescent stained clusters of cells has been improved by recording multiple images of the same microscopic scene at different focal planes and then applying a three dimensional (3-D) out of focus background subtraction algorithm. The algorithm significantly reduced the out of focus signal and improved the spatial resolution. The method was tested on specimens of 10 micrometers diameter ((phi) ) beads embedded in agarose and on a 5 micrometers breast tumor section labeled with a fluorescent DNA stain. The images were analyzed using an algorithm for automatically detecting fluorescent objects. The proportion of correctly detected in focus beads and breast nuclei increased from 1/8 to 8/8 and from 56/104 to 81/104 respectively after processing by the subtraction algorithm. Furthermore, the subtraction algorithm reduced the proportion of out of focus relative to in focus total intensity detected in the bead images from 51% to 33%. Further developments of these techniques, that utilize the 3-D point spread function (PSF) of the imaging system and a 3-D segmentation algorithm, should result in the correct detection and precise quantification of virtually all cells in solid tumor specimens. Thus the approach should serve as a highly reliable automated screening method for a wide variety of clinical specimens.
Self-modifying finite automata: an introduction

Abstract We present here a new model of computation: the Self-Modifying Finite Automaton (SMFA). This is similar to a standard finite automaton, but changes to the machine are allowed during a computation. It is shown here that a weak form of this model has the power to recognize an important class of context-free languages, the metalinear languages, as well as some significant non-context-free languages. Less restricted forms of SMFAs accept even more.
The geomagnetic tail.

Satellite observations of geomagnetic tail in magnetosphere near midnight meridian plane, discussing formation, shape, plasma sheet and models
The α-Helical Peptide Nucleic Acid Concept: Merger of Peptide Secondary Structure and Codified Nucleic Acid Recognition

A novel platform for nucleic acid recognition that integrates the alpha-helix secondary structure of peptides with the codified base-pairing capability of nucleic acids is reported. The resulting alpha-helical peptide nucleic acids (alpha PNAs) are composed of a repeating tetrapeptidyl unit, aa(1)-aa(2)-aa(3)-Ser(B), where aa(1) through aa(3) represent generic ancillary amino acids and B = nucleobases linked to Ser via a methylene bridge. Effective syntheses of constituent Fmoc-protected nucleoamino acids (Fmoc-Ser(B)-OH, where B = thymine, cytosine, and uracil) are described along with a protocol for the solid-phase synthesis of 21mer alpha PNAs containing five such nucleobases. By varying the ancillary amino acids, two distinct classes of alpha PNAs were constructed, having a net charge of -1 or +6, respectively, at physiological pH. The modular nature of the alpha PNA platform was illustrated by the synthesis of symmetrical disulfide-bridged alpha PNA dimers containing 10 nucleobases. Hybridization of these alpha PNAs with ssDNA has been examined by thermal denaturation, gel electrophoresis, and circular dichroism (CD) and the data indicated that alpha PNA binds to ssDNA in a cooperative manner with high affinity and sequence specificity. In general, b2 alpha PNAs bind faster and more strongly with ssDNA than do the corresponding b1 alpha PNAs. Parallel alpha PNA-DNA complexes are more stable than their antiparallel counterparts. CD studies also revealed that the hybridization event involves the folding of both species into their helical conformations. Finally, NMR experiments provided conclusive evidence of Watson-Crick base pairing in alpha PNA-ssDNA hybrids.
Asymptotic Behavior of Thermal Nonequilibrium Steady States for a Driven Chain of Anharmonic Oscillators

We consider a model of heat conduction introduced in [6], which consists of a finite nonlinear chain coupled to two heat reservoirs at different temperatures. We study the low temperature asymptotic behavior of the invariant measure. We show that, in this limit, the invariant measure is characterized by a variational principle. The main technical ingredients are some control theoretic arguments to extend the Freidlin–Wentzell theory of large deviations to a class of degenerate diffusions.
Applicability of a random-field model to the Gd(fod) 3 -induced relaxation of 6-methylcoumarin

Abstract The effects of the Gd(fod) 3 reagent on the proton relaxation of 6-methylcoumarin have been examined by a combination of selective and nonselective inversion-recovery measurements. The increases in proton relaxation are compared to the predictions of a random-field model. It is found that this model fails to provide an internally consistent account of the Gd(fod) 3 -induced relaxation. In particular, the relative increase in the zero-quantum transition probability is more than 30 times larger than expected.
Origin of mitochondrial enzymes. IV. On the character of the product of cytochrome c synthesis by the endoplasmic reticulum

Summary Following an interval of incorporation of radioactive δ-aminolevulinic acid, the pattern of labeling of the multiple forms of cytochrome c of rat liver tissue was determined. The results obtained indicate that the product of the synthetic activity of the endoplasmic reticulum must be a minor, nonfunctional form (Form IV) and that it is this entity which is transferred to the mitochondrion from the endoplasmic reticulum.
Optimum Degradation Tests for Comparison of Products

Life tests are often conducted to compare products, designs, or processes to select the one that has the highest reliability. To make a sound decision, engineers may require the tests to continue until all or most of the test units fail. As such, the test time is often excessive, especially when we test high-reliability products. For some products, a failure is said to have occurred when a performance characteristic reaches a specified threshold. For these products, reliability is defined by the performance characteristic. Then comparing the reliabilities of two products can be turned into comparison of their performance characteristics. During testing, it is possible to measure the performance characteristics at different times. Measurement data can be employed to predict whether or not the performance characteristics of the two products will be significantly different at the time of interest, e.g., design life, warranty time, or specified test time. When there are sufficient data to make such a prediction with a high degree of confidence, the test can be terminated. As a result, the test time is reduced. This paper presents a method for comparing the performance characteristics of two products with a reduced test time, where the log performance characteristics are -normally distributed with a mean as a (transformed) linear function of time, and a constant standard deviation. In particular, the paper describes a test method, test termination rules, and degradation modeling. Then we develop an overlap probability as a metric to measure the difference between two products. The confidence interval for the overlap probability is calculated. The reliability and its confidence interval are computed from the degradation data. The paper also delineates optimum test plans which choose sample size and test time to minimize the variance of an estimate related to the overlap probability, and simultaneously satisfy the constraints on test budget and available sample size. The test plans are robust against the pre-estimates of model parameters. The proposed method is illustrated with a practical example. The application shows that the method is effective at reducing test time.
Three hypotheses concerning the establishment and maintenance of psychosomatic processes

A number of recent experiments have seemingly demonstrated that responses typically considered to be respondent can be controlled by their consequences as in operant conditioning. The present paper discusses the possible implications of these findings for the establishment and maintenance of psychosomatic ailments. Hypotheses considered involve processes typically termed anxiety-relief responses, the Napalkov phenomenon, and vicious-circle behavior. Related treatment procedures are briefly discussed.
Nominalism, realism and planning in a changing community

Much urban‐rural turnaround migration has been motivated by a search for gemeinschaft qualities. Newcomers expect such qualities as they arrive in relatively small towns. Oldtimers have different and more empirically grounded perceptions. Oldtimers are largely newcomers who have remained instead of quickly moving away in disillusionment. As they stay their perceptions are modified. People become less critical of the community and less committed to their earlier beliefs. The realities of oldtimers and newcomers differ and change, creating problems for individuals and for the community. The process of disillusionment affects most in‐migrants with romanticized expectations. It also creates a perplexing problem for planning development of such locations since both the constituency and their individual beliefs are in a state of perpetual flux. Panel data are used to describe this process in the context of Bozeman, Montana, a rapidly growing town in a high natural amenity location.
Tricyclic Augmentation of Fluoxetine

AbstractThe addition of low-dose tricyclic antidepressant (e.g., 10-50 mg of DMI) was employed as a treatment adjunct for 20 outpatients with major depressive disorder and/or dysthymia whose response to fluoxetine alone had been inadequate. Retrospective assessment revealed complete resolution of depression (full response) in 13 patients (65%) after adjunct was added. Improvement was evident within seven days of introduction of the adjunct in seven of the responders (54.8%). One patient worsened, experiencing increased agitation. No treatment-emergent side effects were observed in the other 19 patients. TCA plasma levels obtained in nine patients while combination treatment was ongoing were higher than would be expected for that dose of TCA used alone, but none of the levels were in the toxic range.
Evidence that the antigen receptors of cytotoxic T lymphocytes interact with a common recognition pattern on the H-2Kb molecule

Abstract Recognition of class I MHC antigens involves interaction between TCRs of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and the two a helices of MHC molecules. Using a combined panel of H-2K b mutants selected by either a CTL clone or MAbs, we have shown evidence that the TCRs of 59 K b -specific CTL clones shared a common binding pattern on the H-2K b molecule. Mutations of amino acid residues at the C-terminal regions, but not the N-terminal regions, of the a helices abrogated the recognition by the majority of the clones. The data suggests that TCRs predominantly recognize the class I MHC molecule with an orientation that is parallel to the β-pleated strands and diagonal to the α helices.
Critical imperfect nesting in (TMTSF)2PF6

We have investigated the temperature, pressure, and field dependence of the spin density wave (SDW) transition in the organic superconductor (TMTSF${)}_{2}$${\mathrm{PF}}_{6}$ and derived parameters for this transition. The SDW can be characterized by the degree to which the two Fermi surfaces couple or ``nest'' as measured by the imperfect nesting bandwidth ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathit{b}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$. Perfect nesting (maximum ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathrm{SDW}}$) occurs for ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathit{b}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$=0, and increasing pressure increases ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathit{b}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ and suppresses ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathrm{SDW}}$ to 0 K at a critical value ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathit{b}}^{\ensuremath{'}\mathrm{*}}$. The increase of ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathrm{SDW}}$ with field has been shown to be orbitally driven, and the field dependence is nearly quadratic for fields in the c direction. We have made quantitative observations of the field dependence of ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathrm{SDW}}$ at ambient pressure to 29 T and under hydrostatic pressure to 8 T. From our measurements at ambient pressure we are able to extract ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathit{b}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ and ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathit{b}}^{\ensuremath{'}\mathrm{*}}$ using mean field theory and observe ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathrm{SDW}}$=12.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 K, ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathit{b}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$=4.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 K, and ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathit{b}}^{\ensuremath{'}\mathrm{*}}$=11.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 K. Under a hydrostatic pressure of 5.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 kbar, ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathit{b}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ increases to 11.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 K with ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathrm{SDW}}$ decreasing to 3.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 K. The high pressure results are consistent with the value of ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathit{b}}^{\ensuremath{'}\mathrm{*}}$ from the ambient pressure measurements. We also observe no dependence of ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathrm{SDW}}$ with field in the a or b directions, in contrast to previous results. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
The quasi-normal modes of the Schwarzschild black hole

The quasi-normal modes of a black hole represent solutions of the relevant perturbation equations which satisfy the boundary conditions appropriate for purely outgoing (gravitational) waves at infinity and purely ingoing waves at the horizon. For the Schwarzschild black hole the problem reduces to one of finding such solutions for a one-dimensional wave equation (Zerilli's equation) for a potential which is positive everywhere and is of short-range. The notion of quasi-normal modes of such one-dimensional potential barriers is examined with two illustrative examples; and numerical solutions for Zerilli's potential are obtained by integrating the associated Riccati equation.
Quantitative fractography of SiC whisker-Si3N4 matrix composites

An SEM quantitative stereophotogrammetry technique was developed and employed to analyse the fracture surfaces of VLS SiC whisker-Si3N4 matrix composites. This technique has quantitatively established that increased surface roughness is associated with increased fracture toughness for these composites. Matrix grain morphology and whisker/matrix interfacial characteristics are contributing factors to composite surface roughness.
Mechanisms of Hearing Loss after Blast Injury to the Ear

Given the frequent use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) around the world, the study of traumatic blast injuries is of increasing interest. The ear is the most common organ affected by blast injury because it is the body’s most sensitive pressure transducer. We fabricated a blast chamber to re-create blast profiles similar to that of IEDs and used it to develop a reproducible mouse model to study blast-induced hearing loss. The tympanic membrane was perforated in all mice after blast exposure and found to heal spontaneously. Micro-computed tomography demonstrated no evidence for middle ear or otic capsule injuries; however, the healed tympanic membrane was thickened. Auditory brainstem response and distortion product otoacoustic emission threshold shifts were found to be correlated with blast intensity. As well, these threshold shifts were larger than those found in control mice that underwent surgical perforation of their tympanic membranes, indicating cochlear trauma. Histological studies one week and three months after the blast demonstrated no disruption or damage to the intra-cochlear membranes. However, there was loss of outer hair cells (OHCs) within the basal turn of the cochlea and decreased spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and afferent nerve synapses. Using our mouse model that recapitulates human IED exposure, our results identify that the mechanisms underlying blast-induced hearing loss does not include gross membranous rupture as is commonly believed. Instead, there is both OHC and SGN loss that produce auditory dysfunction.
The differential diagnosis of acute and chronic glomerulonephritis

Abstract The differential diagnosis of acute and chronic glomerulonephritis includes a wide variety of organic renal and vascular diseases together with some of the functional causes of proteinuria. The modern clinician can improve his diagnostic accuracy and therapy by proper integration with the laboratory. The most important advances in this field have come from improved examination of the urinary sediment, better bacteriologic studies, more widespread use of serologic techniques such as the antistreptolysin titer and measurement of serum complement, more frequent testing of discrete renal functions, and the recent introduction of renal biopsy, which permits invaluable correlation between clinical findings, function, and histology. These laboratory aids supplement but will never supplant keen observation and the continued delineation of the natural history of glomerulonephritis.
Molecular mechanisms of E2F-dependent activation and pRB-mediated repression

Alterations in transcription of genes regulated by members of the E2F family of transcription factors can be viewed as a measure of the ebb and flow in a constantly evolving battle between repressor and activator complexes. Various chromatin regulatory complexes have been linked to Rb/E2F proteins, and changes in histone modifications correlate with states of E2F-dependent transcription. E2F has traditionally been viewed in the context of cell-cycle control. However, several recent studies have revealed a new aspect of E2F function in which pRB/E2F-family proteins confer stable repression of transcription. Such repression is evident in both actively proliferating cells and in cells that have withdrawn from the cell cycle.
Computerized Axial Tomography in the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disorders

Computerized axial tomography (CAT) was used to study 39 patients with known thyroid disease and 14 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. In all, CAT was performed only when information that was required for diagnosis or therapy was not available from other less expensive techniques. The greatest value was found in the evaluation of cryptic symptoms or structures in the neck after surgery for thyroid cancer, the assessment of the extent of thyroid cancer, the localization of aberrant thyroid tissue, the etiology of unexplained recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and the identification and delineation of mediastinal goiter. In six of 14 patients undergoing neck exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism CAT correctly localized the site of the enlarged parathyroid glands including one mediastinal parathyroid adenoma and one patient with two parathyroid adenomas.
Effects of urine from pregnant and lactating female house mice on sexual maturation of juvenile females.

The effects of urine from pregnant and lactating female mice on puberty in young females were examined. In Experiment I urine from pregnant or lactating females painted daily on the external nares of young females led to earlier sexual maturation than treatment with water or urine from singly-caged, nonlactating, multiparous adult females. In Experiment II urine from either pregnant or lactating females, injected daily into perforated plastic capsules containing cotton, effected earlier maturation in female mice caged with these capsules than did the urine of singly-caged females or water. In Experiment III the effectiveness of these treatments on reproduction per se was confirmed: young females reaching maturity earlier as the result of urine treatments were in fact ovulating and were capable of conceiving and bearing young. One explanation for the presence of the urinary pheromone(s) involves changes in hormone levels during pregnancy and/or lactation and urinary excretion levels of hormones, hormone metabolites, or chemical compounds which are hormone dependent. The pheromone excretion, triggered by external factors, may be a general signal to other females that environmental and/or social conditions are favorable for reproductive activities.
Hole superconductivity in a generalized two-band model

We study superconductivity in a two-band model that generalizes the model introduced by Suhl, Matthias, and Walker: All possible interaction terms coupling both bands are included. The pairing interaction is assumed to originate in the momentum dependence of the intraband interactions that arises in the model of hole superconductivity. The model generically displays a single critical temperature and two gaps, with the larger gap associated with the band with strongest holelike character to the carriers. The dependence of the critical temperature and of the magnitudes of the gaps on the various parameters in the Hamiltonian is studied.
Left ventricular topographic alterations in the completely healed rat infarct caused by early and late coronary artery reperfusion

Abstract Topographic changes in the completely healed (6 weeks) left ventricle of the rat, caused by early (30 minutes) and delayed (90 minutes) coronary artery reperfusion, were examined. With early reperfusion the extent of the scar, as a percentage of left ventricular (LV) circumference, was reduced compared to the extent of the scar in rats with permanent occlusion (27 ± 3% vs 42 ± 2%, p p = NS) or prevent dilation of the LV cavity compared with permanent occlusion. However, the healed free wall/noninfarcted septum ratio was significantly greater in rats with late reperfusion than in those with permanent occlusion (0.98 ± 0.06 vs 0.73 ± 0.07, p
Efficient generation of genetically distinct pigs in a single pregnancy using multiplexed single-guide RNA and carbohydrate selection.

Background Manipulating the pig genome to increase compatibility with human biology may facilitate the clinical application of xenotransplantation. Genetic modifications to pig cells have been made by sequential recombination in fetal fibroblasts and liver-derived cells followed by cross-breeding or somatic cell nuclear transfer. The generation of pigs for research or organ donation by these methods is slow, expensive and requires technical expertise. A novel system incorporating the bacterial nuclease Cas9 and single-guide RNA targeting a 20 nucleotide site within a gene can be expressed from a single plasmid leading to a double-strand break and gene disruption. Coexpression of multiple unique single-guide RNA can modify several genetic loci in a single step. We describe a process for increasing the efficiency of selecting cells with multiple genetic modifications. Methods We used the CRISPR/Cas system to target the GGTA1, CMAH and putative iGb3S genes in pigs that have been naturally deleted in humans. Cells lacking galactose α-1,3 galactose (α-Gal) were negatively selected by an IB4 lectin/magnetic bead. α-Gal negative multiplexed single-guide RNA-treated cells were used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and transferred to fertile sows. We examined the levels of α-Gal and Neu5Gc expression of 32 day fetuses and piglets and analyzed the targeted genes by DNA sequencing. Results Liver-derived cells treated with multiple single-guide RNA and selected for an α-Gal null phenotype were significantly more likely to also carry mutations in simultaneously targeted genes. Multiplex single-guide RNA-treated cells used directly for SCNT without further genetic selection produced piglets with deletions in the targeted genes but also created double- and triple-gene KO variations. CRISPR/Cas-treated cells grew normally and yielded normal liters of healthy piglets via somatic cell nuclear transfer. Conclusions The CRISPR/Cas system allows targeting of multiple genes in a single reaction with the potential to create pigs of one genetic strain or multiple genetic modifications in a single pregnancy. The application of this phenotypic selection strategy with multiplexed sgRNA and the Cas9 nuclease has accelerated our ability to produce and evaluate pigs important to xenotransplantation.
Respiratory viral infections in patients with chronic, obstructive pulmonary disease

Summary Objectives The purpose of the present study was to apply reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays to clinical specimens collected from patients with acute respiratory illness and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods One hundred and ninety-four samples from two different study cohorts were analysed using RT-PCR assays for picornaviruses, coronaviruses 229E and OC43, influenza A and B viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza types 1–3 viruses, and human metapneumovirus and a PCR assay for adenoviruses. The results were added to results obtained previously using cell culture and serologic methods. Results RT-PCR assays identified an additional 35 respiratory virus-associated illnesses not identified previously by cell culture or serology ( n =46). Picornaviruses and coronaviruses were the most common viral infections identified only by RT-PCR. Overall, 41.8% of the acute respiratory illnesses evaluated were associated with a respiratory virus infection, with picornaviruses, coronaviruses and influenza viruses being the most common infections recognized. No human metapneumovirus infections were identified by RT-PCR assay. Conclusions Respiratory viral infections are commonly associated with acute respiratory illness in COPD patients, and the use of RT-PCR assays significantly increases the ability to diagnose these infections.
Cuticular lipids of the imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta and richteri

Abstract Hydrocarbons comprise 65 to 75% of the cuticular lipids from the adult imported fire ants Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri , with triglycerides, free fatty acids, wax esters, and sterols present in decreasing quantities. The hydrocarbons range from 23 to 30 total carbons and are all saturated. Four homologous series of hydrocarbons are present and they were identified by mass spectrometry as n -alkanes, internally branched monomethylalkanes, 3-methylalkanes, and an unusual dimethylalkane in which the branching methyl groups are separated by a single methylene unit. Significant differences exist in the hydrocarbon composition among the larvae, pharate pupae, pupae, and adults, with n -alkanes more prevalent in the early stages and internally branched monomethylalkanes absent in some groups. The wax esters range from 22 to 32 total carbons and the triglyceride fatty acids and free fatty acids are primarily 18 : 1, 16 : 0, 18 : 2, and 18 : 0. Sterols present in the cuticular extracts are cholesterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol.
Neuropsychological dysfunction following elective cardiac operation: I. Early assessment

Two neuropsychological tests were administered to 227 men and women, ages 25 to 69 years, before and after coronary bypass and cardiac valve operations to provide current information regarding the incidence of postoperative decrements in neuropsychological dysfunction and the factors associated with them. Biographical, psychological, and medical-surgical data were studied together with changes in scores on the Trail Making Tests and the Visual Reproduction (VR) Test of the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS). Postoperative decrements greater than one standard deviation were observed in each of the four scores derived from these testings for 11% to 17% of the patients. Yet 70% of all patients remained within one standard deviation of original performance on all four scores. Among the preoperative correlates of significantly reduced test performance were age greater than 60 years, end-diastolic pressure greater than 30 mm Hg, moderate to severely enlarged heart size on preoperative x-ray film, and use of propranolol or chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride. Significant perioperative correlates included measure of duration of operation (such as total time of operation greater than 7 hours, time on the pump greater than 2 hours, and aortic cross-clamp time greater than 2 hours), total estimate of blood loss greater than 2,000 ml, hypotension, difficult intubation, and insertion of an intra-aortic balloon. Postoperative factors significantly associated with declines in test scores included electrolyte (Na+, K+, Cl-) abnormalities, longer stay in the intensive care unit, bizarre behavior or disorientation, and depression score. These findings suggest that those patients with more precarious heart function, a more protracted operation, and/or increased metabolic disturbances are especially prone to neuropsychological dysfunction following cardiac operations.
Voltammetric detection of cancer biomarkers exemplified by interleukin-10 and osteopontin with silica nanowires

We report real-time voltammetric detection of potential lung cancer biomarkers, namely, interleukin-10 (IL-10) and osteopontin (OPN), using localized silica nanowires as templates, through an electrochemical alkaline phosphatase (AP) based assay. The high surface to volume ratio associated with nanowires enhances the loading of a specific capture antibody toward a particular cancer antigen. An AP enzyme attached to the cancer antigens (IL-10 and OPN) via detector antibodies hydolyses (dephosphorylates) the p-nitrophenyl phosphate substrate to a yellow, water-soluble product, p-nitrophenol (pNP). This was detected in a small test volume of 3 μL, using a microelectrode cell fabricated in Au. The electro-oxidation of pNP occurs between 0.85 and 0.9 V with anodic peak current showing linear dependence with the capture antibody and antigen concentrations, respectively. The detection of IL-10 down to 1 fg/mL in ideal pure solution and 1 pg/mL in clinically relevant samples was achieved reproducibly. Moreover, b...
Gazelle, Lion, Hyena, Vulture, and Worm: A Teaching Metaphor on Competition Between Early and Late Market Entrants

Many marketing educators and students have come to understand business competition through metaphors of marketing as war. Such metaphors are useful, but like any metaphor, their effectiveness is inherently contingent upon students' familiarity with the underlying contexts (e.g., warfare or military situations). Hence, such metaphors may fall short in helping students understand competition and the players involved in it. In this paper, I present a simple teaching approach based on a five-creature metaphor—gazelle, lion, hyena, vulture, and worm. This approach can serve as an adjunct or alternative to the conventional perspective of marketing as war. Here, I provide qualitative data revealing student preconceptions about my approach and quantitative data reflecting their evaluations of its educational enjoyment and utility. The findings suggest that marketing students understand the semantic context of my metaphor, recognize its applications, and perceive its lessons as being relevant to their other busine...
Criteria for the evaluation of product managers—An application of multiple group solution

One of the criticisms of factor analytic applications is that it is seldom used in verification of hypothesis and thus most of the interpretation is ex post facto. This paper presents a discussion and application of a technique, Multiple Group Solution, which can be used to verify a hypothesis about the number and nature of factors in a set of data. For this procedure to be meaningful, it is important to hypothesize factors a priori on the basis of existing theory or previous related research. The application of this technique is concerned with the criteria used to evaluate product managers. Because the role of the product manager includes such diverse areas as appraising markets and products and utilizing the various resources available within the company, a question arises as to what evaluative criteria should be used. The superiors of product managers were asked to rate nineteen criteria on their importance for appraising product management performance. The results of a principal component analysis were then compared to “a priori” hypothesized factors.
Individualism, academic writing, and ESL writers

Abstract Recent research has pointed to the cultural values implicit in L1-oriented composition pedagogy—a form of pedagogy which is increasingly being encountered by university ESL writers. In this article we examine four principles and practices of L1-oriented composition which appear to tacitly incorporate a U.S. mainstream ideology of individualism: voice, peer review, critical thinking, and textual ownership. We discuss ways in which these principles and practices may not comport well with the cultural approaches taken by many ESL students, depending substantially on past studies to support our discussion. In concluding, we argue that the ideology of individualism described in this article also underlies recent critiques of cross-cultural writing research, and we end by restating the primary rationale of cross-cultural writing research—that sociocultural knowledge regarding our students contributes vitally to knowing who they really are.
Measurement of mean red-cell thickness by the use of a probability function.

WHEN attempting to find the mean thickness of any kind of circular and biconcave-red cell, one has either to be content with the mean corpuscular thickness, obtained by treating the cell as a cylinder and dividing the mean cell volume by πr2, or one has to measure the dimensions of red cells on edge1, thus obtaining the greatest thickness, the least thickness, and so on. The former method does not take the shape of the cell into consideration, and the latter method is laborious. This communication describes a new method, intermediate in accuracy but sufficiently reliable for many purposes. It depends on the fact that the number of red cells seen on edge, in a preparation in which the cells are randomly oriented, depends on the mean dimensions of the cells, including the diameter. Virtually no cell will be seen exactly on edge; but a number will present themselves in the direction of observation in such a way that their observed thickness will be less than a selected value w—where w is a little larger than t, the true mean thickness. The probability f of such cells being seen in the preparation is an expression for which we are indebted to Dr. R. T. Cox (the proof of this expression is a little too long to be included here; but we shall be glad to communicate it to anyone who is interested), and which treats the cross-section of the red cell as a rectangle with a semicircle at each end.
Back to Sleep: A Culture Change to Improve Practice

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains a significant cause of newborn and infant mortality in the United States. Newborn intensive care unit nurses have a unique opportunity to influence infant outcomes through parent education regarding SIDS prevention. Recently, studies have shown that verbal and written education is not enough impact to alter some parental decisions on sleep position. Parents of premature infants are more than twice as likely to place their infants prone after discharge from a neonatal intensive care unit. These data suggest that parents are more likely to practice what they observe health care providers do than what they say. The unit practice council of a large metropolitan level II newborn intensive care unit used quality improvement processes to affect a change in unit culture to one of safety and quality by implementing evidence-based practice related to SIDS prevention into parent discharge education through a combination of modeling care with traditional teaching strategies.
Rapid screening and selection of monoclonal antibodies by bivariate flow cytometric analyses

We describe a bivariate flow cytometric assay to rapidly identify hybridomas producing new monoclonal antibodies recognizing subpopulations that are unreactive with existing immunological reagents. In this screen, whole cells in microtiter wells are labeled first with a red-linked test antibody, and then with a green-linked cocktail of existing monoclonal antibody reagents. The multiply-stained fluorescent cells are analyzed flow cytometrically and bivariate distributions of red vs. green-linked antibody fluorescence are generated. Test antibodies that recognize different subpopulations than those labeled by antibodies in the cocktail are readily identified. The use of an antibody cocktail conjugated with a single fluorophore allows comparison of the reactivity of the test antibody with multiple existing antibodies in a single analysis. This screen allows rapid (approximately 100 test antibodies can be evaluated in 40 min) identification of potentially interesting new antibodies for discrimination of subpopulations in heterogeneous tissues. We describe application of this assay to identify antibodies useful to mark hemopoietic subpopulations.