cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling hospital surgical delivery process design using system simulation: Optimizing patient flow and bed capacity as an illustration

Objectives: It is increasingly recognized that hospital operation is an intricate system with limited resources and many interacting sources of both positive and negative feedback. The purpose of this study is to design a surgical delivery process in a county hospital in the U.S where patient flow through a surgical ward is optimized. Method: The system simulation modeling is used to address questions of capacity planning, throughput management and interacting resources which constitute the constantly changing complexity that characterizes designing a contemporary surgical delivery process in a hospital. Results: The steps in building a system simulation model is demonstrated using an example of building a county hospital in a small city in the US. It is used to illustrate a modular system simulation modeling of patient surgery process flows. Conclusions: The system simulation model development will enable planners and designers how they can build in overall efficiencies in a healthcare facility through optimal bed capacity for peak patient flow of emergency and routine patients.
Evaluation of immunoglobulin M western blot analysis in the diagnosis of congenital syphilis.

Western immunoblots of solubilized Treponema pallidum antigens were reacted with sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and developed with enzyme-conjugated antibodies to immunoglobulin M (IgM). A blot was considered positive if reactions included bands at the 47-, 17-, and 15.5-kilodalton positions along with a variable pattern at other low-molecular-weight positions. Sera from 23 of 25 symptomatic infants diagnosed with congenital syphilis yielded positive reactions. Of 80 asymptomatic infants considered at risk for developing symptomatic infection, 16 exhibited IgM patterns consistent with those seen in congenital syphilis, although 5 of these 16 gave reactions that were equivocal. To exclude false-positive reactions due to IgM rheumatoid factor, sera were fractionated and the IgM fractions were retested. Only the five initially equivocal sera gave nonreactive blots with the IgM fractions, whereas all others gave more prominent reactions that were qualitatively similar to those seen in serum samples. Sera from 18 normal infants failed to show any IgM reactivity to T. pallidum antigens on Western blots. The IgM Western blot was both more sensitive and more specific than the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed (IgM) test using fractionated serum. Of the 17 CSF samples from infants with symptomatic congenital syphilis, 14 showed IgM reactivity in Western blots, whereas only 12 had a reactive CSF in the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test. Our results indicate that this technique can be used to identify both symptomatic and asymptomatic infection in infants with T. pallidum, in some cases before standard serologic studies can confirm the diagnosis. Images
Glycopeptide antibiotics: evolving resistance, pharmacology and adverse event profile

The first glycopeptide antibiotic was vancomycin, isolated from the soil in the 1950s; since then, the class has expanded to include teicoplanin and the new semisynthetic glycopeptides dalbavancin, oritavancin and telavancin. They are bactericidal, active against most Gram-positive organisms, and in a concentration-dependent manner, inhibit cell wall synthesis. Resistance to vancomycin has emerged, especially among enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus through a variety of mechanisms. This emerging resistance to vancomycin makes proper dosing and monitoring of the area under the curve/MIC critically important. The chief adverse effect of vancomycin is nephrotoxicity, which is also intricately related to its dose. The efficacy of the semisynthetic glycopeptides has been demonstrated in skin and soft-tissue infections, but remains to be seen in serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.
Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contains the most diverse genes known in vertebrates, the class I and II loci. These highly polymorphic genes encode cell surface receptors that play a central role in controlling immunological self/nonself recognition, and subsequently, tissue rejection, autoimmunity and immune responses to infectious diseases. The polymorphisms of MHC genes have been maintained by natural selection over long periods of evolutionary time. Keywords: genetic diversity; immunology; host–parasite coevolution; sexual selection
Modeling the Interstellar Medium-Stellar Wind Interactions of λ Andromedae and Indi

A numerical study is presented of the interaction between the partially ionized interstellar medium (ISM) and the stellar wind of the very active RS CVn-type binary star λ And (G8 IV-III+?). Similar to results found for the heliosphere-ISM interaction, a termination shock, a tangential discontinuity (the "astropause"), and a bow shock are found in the model. More importantly, a hydrogen wall forms in the model, and its neutral density, temperature, and velocity are investigated. As an application, the additional absorption of the Lyα line of λ And due to the hydrogen wall is calculated and compared with high-resolution UV spectra obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Variation of stellar wind parameters results in different astrospheres and hydrogen walls, with distinct Lyα absorption. Although not studied here, variation of interstellar parameters will alter the astrospheres as well, just as in the heliospheric case. Thus, establishing a good model fit to the HST data is a tool to constrain the combination of parameters of stellar wind and ambient interstellar medium. A second numerical study is undertaken for the nearby star Ind (K5 V). Again, a hydrogen wall is encountered, and the correction to interstellar Lyα absorption demonstrated. While Ind is interesting in that it has a high relative velocity with respect to the ISM, λ And is interesting in that it is a large, extremely active star that we therefore model with a higher mass-loss rate than the Sun. The numerous assumptions that are made in the models preclude a definitive measurement of mass-loss rates for these stars at this point, but our models suggest that for Ind the observed Lyα absorption can be reproduced adequately by a wind with roughly the solar mass-loss rate. For λ And, a mass-loss rate of roughly 10 times solar is suggested, which is actually lower than one might have expected since the star has about 55 times the surface area of the Sun.
Diagnosis of paradoxical embolism with contrast echocardiography

Contrast echocardiography is useful in detecting rightto-left intracardiac shunting. Clinical events that cause reversal of the normal interatrial pressure gradient can lead to transient right-to-left shunting across a patent foramen ovale, creating conditions conducive to paradoxical embolism. We present a patient with pulmonary embolism and associated systemic embolization. During the acute stage, contrast echocardiography demonstrated right-to-left shunting at the atria1 level throughout the respiratory cycle. After the patient’s clinical recovery, contrast echocardiography demonstrated atrial right-toleft shunting only upon release of Valsalva’s maneuver. A 60-year-old woman was transferred to Moffitt Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, because of left arm pain, a pulseless left upper extremity, and increasing dyspnea. The day before her admission, the patient had been admitted to another hospital with a complaint of weakness over a 3-week period and acute right arm pain. Physical examination revealed a pulseless right upper extremity and angiography revealed an occlusion of the right axillary artery. A Fogarty embolectomy was successful in removing a pathologically confirmed thrombus. The morning of the transfer, the patient complained of acute shortness of breath and left arm pain. Arterial blood gases on 2 L of nasal oxygen revealed a PO, of 30 mm Hg, PcoZ of 29 mm Hg, and pH of 7.54. The patient was transferred to Moffitt Hospital. There was no history of pleuritic chest pain, hemoptysis, calf tenderness, immobilization, fever, chills, or sweats. The patient did not smoke. She had undergone varicose vein stripping and a hysterectomy several years previously, but was otherwise healthy and active. Physical examination in the emergency department revealed an alert, anxious woman in moderate respiratory distress. Her temperature was 38°C and pulse 110 bpm and regular. Respirations were 3O/min; blood pressure was 110/70 mm Hg in the right arm and unobtainable in the left arm, and paradoxical pulse was 3 mm Hg. The lungs were clear without rubs or assymetrlc breath sounds. Jugular venous pressure was 12 cm H,O with A wave accentuation. The carotid pulse was of normal upstroke and contour. There was a l+ left parasternal precordial lift, and the point of maximal impulse was in the midclavicular line. S, was normal; S, was
Characterization of a human REL-estrogen receptor fusion protein with a reverse conditional transforming activity in chicken spleen cells

Overexpression of the human REL transcription factor can malignantly transform chicken spleen cells in vitro. In this report, we have created and characterized a cDNA encoding a chimeric protein (RELΔ424–490-ER) in which sequences of a highly transforming REL mutant (RELΔ424–490) are fused to the ligand-binding domain of the human estrogen receptor (ER). Surprisingly, RELΔ424–490-ER is constitutively nuclear in A293 cells, and RELΔ424–490-ER activates transcription in the absence, but not in the presence, of estrogen in κB-site reporter gene assays. Furthermore, RELΔ424–490-ER transforms chicken spleen cells in the absence of estrogen, but the addition of estrogen blocks the ability of RELΔ424–490-ER-transformed cells to form colonies in soft agar, even though estrogen induces increased nuclear translocation of RELΔ424–490-ER in these cells. ERα can also inhibit REL-dependent transactivation in trans in an estrogen-dependent manner, and ERα can interact with REL in vitro. Thus, the RELΔ424–490-ER fusion protein shows an unusual, reverse hormone regulation, in that its most prominent biological activities (transformation and transactivation) are inhibited by estrogen, probably due to an estrogen-induced interaction between the ER sequences and sequences in the Rel homology domain. Nevertheless, these results indicate that the continual activity of REL is required to sustain the transformed state of chicken spleen cells in culture, suggesting that direct and specific inhibitors of REL may have therapeutic efficacy in certain human lymphoid cancers.
Mixed Analog/Digital Gonadotrope Biosynthetic Response to Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone

Mammalian reproduction requires gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-mediated signaling from brain neurons to pituitary gonadotropes. Because the pulses of released GnRH vary greatly in amplitude, we studied the biosynthetic response of the gonadotrope to varying GnRH concentrations, focusing on extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and egr1 mRNA and protein production. The overall average level of ERK activation in populations of cells increased non-cooperatively with increasing GnRH and did not show evidence of either ultrasensitivity or bistability. However, automated image analysis of single-cell responses showed that whereas individual gonadotropes exhibited two response states, inactive and active, both the probability of activation and the average response in activated cells increased with increasing GnRH concentration. These data indicate a hybrid single-cell response having both digital (switch-like) and analog (graded) features. Mathematical modeling suggests that the hybrid response can be explained by indirect thresholding of ERK activation resulting from the distributed structure of the GnRH-modulated network. The hybrid response mechanism improves the reliability of noisy reproductive signal transmission from the brain to the pituitary.
The female athlete

Over the past 30 years, the number of women participating in organized sports has grown dramatically. Several forms of menstrual irregularities have been described in the female athlete: primary and secondary amenorrhoea, oligomenorrhoea, short luteal phases and anovulation. The incidence of menstrual irregularities is much higher in activities where a thin body is required for better performance. The hormonal pattern seen in these athletes is a hypothalamic amenorrhoea profile. There appears to be a decrease in gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulses from the hypothalamus, which in turn decreases the pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and shuts down stimulation of ovary. Recently, another type of amenorrhoea has been described in swimmers which is characterized by mild hyperandrogenism. Athletes with low weight are at risk of developing the female athletic triad, which includes amenorrhoea, osteoporosis and disordered eating. Athletes with this triad are susceptible to stress fractures. Other issues include the pregnant athlete. Intensive exercise during pregnancy can cause bradycardia. Safe limits of aerobic exercise in pregnancy depend on previous exercise habits. Infertility, which may develop with exercise, is probably reversible with reduction of exercise or weight gain. High impact sports activities may produce urinary incontinence. Oestrogen replacement therapy is often prescribed in amenorrhoeic athletes, but bone loss may not be completely reversible.
Dynamic anterior cervical plates for multilevel anterior corpectomy and fusion with simultaneous posterior wiring and fusion: efficacy and outcomes

Dynamic anterior cervical plates for multilevel anterior corpectomy and fusion with simultaneous posterior wiring and fusion: efficacy and outcomes
The effect of fiber annealing on the properties of an optically transparent PMMA composite

Abstract The effect of fiber annealing on the optical and mechanical properties of glass-fiber-reinforced poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites has been studied. Annealing glass fibers at different temperatures can slightly change their refractive index, thereby changing the temperature where the optical transmission of the composites is a maximum. An explanation is given for the increase in maximum transmission which occurred for composites containing annealed glass fibers. Annealing the glass fibers is a means of fine-tuning the optical properties of the composites. The mechanical properties of the composite are superior to PMMA for fibers annealed below 500°C.
L'art de “quémander” a la renaissance l'exemple de bonaventure des périers

Inscription du desir d'elever le statut de l'auteur-quemandeur dans la premiere nouvelle des " Nouvelles recreations ". Le commun effort de l'auteur et du lecteur dans la semblable entreprise de lecture-ecriture
The Effect of Gap Length on Double-Strand Break Repair in Drosophila

When a double-strand break has a gap between the broken ends, the missing information can be restored through synthesis from a homologous template. Here we address the question of how long such a gap can be before this process fails. We measured the frequency of homologous repair in the Drosophila germ line following the creation of gaps of specific sizes ranging from 3.8 to 210 kb. We found that gaps of ≤11 kb can be repaired with approximately the same efficiency as breaks with no gap at all. However, a gap of 44 kb was repaired only rarely, and one of 210 kb was not repaired at a measurable frequency. We conclude that DNA gap repair is a length-limited process, but that this limitation is critical only for gaps ≫11 kb.
Brainstem correlates of gustatory similarity in the hamster

Responses of neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and parabrachial pons (Pb pons) of the hamster to 10 gustatory stimuli were compared to behavioral similarities among these compounds. Animals were given a conditioned taste aversion to one of the 10 stimuli by pairing it with an induced gastrointestinal illness. Following this procedure, the degree of generalization of the learned taste aversion to each of the other compounds was measured. Behavioral similarity profiles were derived for each stimulus from the similarities in the generalization profiles of each pair of compounds. The across-neuron correlations in the firing rates evoked by these stimuli in the NTS cells corresponded quite well to these behavioral profiles, as did these neural correlations among Pb pontine cells, except for those correlations involving quinine. Sucrose-best cells in the Pb pons are too broadly responsive to account for the behavioral similarity functions for sweet-tasting stimuli, although other best-stimulus categories of cells (NaCl- and HCl-best) showed response profiles quite similar to the behavioral profiles, as did all best-stimulus classes of cells in the NTS.
Natural Resources, Conflict, and Conflict Resolution: Uncovering the Mechanisms

The interpretation of the resource-conflict link that has become most publicized—the rebel greed hypothesis—depends on just one of many plausible mechanisms that could underlie a relationship betwe...
The Trouble with Wilderness; Or, Getting Back to the Wrong Nature

This will seem a heretical claim to many environmentalists, since the idea of wilderness has for decades been a fundamental tenet-indeed, a passion-of the environmental movement, especially in the United States. For many Americans wilderness stands as the last remaining place where civilization, that all too human disease, has not fully infected the earth. It is an island in the polluted sea of urban-industrial modernity, the one place we can turn for escape from our own too-muchness. Seen in this way, wilderness presents itself as the best antidote to our human selves, a refuge we must somehow recover if we hope to save the planet. As Henry David Thoreau once famously declared, "In Wildness is the preservation of the World."' But is it? The more one knows of its peculiar history, the more one realizes that wilderness is not quite what it seems. Far from being the one place on earth that stands apart from humanity, it is quite profoundly a human creation-indeed, the creation of very particular human cultures at very particular moments in human history. It is not a pristine sanctuary where the last remnant of an untouched, endangered, but still transcendent nature can for at least a little while longer be encountered without the contaminating taint of civilization. Instead, it is a product of that civilization, and could hardly be contaminated by the very stuff of which it is made. Wilderness hides its unnaturalness behind a mask that is all the more beguiling because it seems so natural. As we gaze into the mirror it holds up for us, we too easily imagine that what we behold is Nature when in fact we see the reflection of our own unexamined longings and desires. For this reason, we mistake ourselves when we
Optical excitations in small particles and thin films

The optical absorption in small cubic particles and thin films, composed of an ionic crystal or a free-electron metal, is calculated by using both a local dielectric constant and more-exact microscopic methods. It is found that a local theory gives a qualitatively correct description of the absorption in cubes but not in thin films. The electric field is calculated in thin metallic films, and the results are applied to the theory of surface-enhanced Raman scattering.
Electromagnetic Surface-Wave Propagation over a Rectangular-Bonded Wire Mesh

The electromagnetic surface wave which can propagate over a rectangular wire mesh of infinite extent is considered. The propagaton constant is determined both from a rigorous Floquet formulation and an approximate method using averaged boundary conditions. The agreement is fairly good for sufflciently small mesh dimensions. The rectangular mesh is found to be highly anisotropic, and the possibility of an effective anisotropic transfer inductance representation for the mesh is discussed briefly.
Amino acid absorption and incorporation after hypophysectomy.

Uptake of the amino acidsl-glycine,l-leucine,dl-methionine, anddl-ornithine by the small bowel of the rat was enhanced during a 4 to 5 day period following hypophysectomy but was subsequently depressed. Synthesis of small-bowel protein was depressed soon after hypophysectomy. These early effects were independent of the reduced food intake by the hypophysectomized animals.
Normal Quantity and Distribution of Mast Cells and Eosinophils in the Pediatric Colon

ABSTRACT The normal number and distribution of mast cells (MCs) and eosinophils in colonic mucosa are largely unknown. Accordingly, we examined colonic biopsies obtained during endoscopic examinations of pediatric patients. The study included 41 patients (21 males and 20 females). The mean age was 11.72 years (range 3.3–19.7 years). Patients were followed for a mean time of 23.4 months (range 12–50 months). Our results showed a gradual decrease in the number of eosinophils in the lamina propria from the cecum to the descending colon (14.2 ± 6.1 and 10.7 ± 5.6 eosinophils//high-power field [hpf], respectively), with another peak in the rectosigmoid (12.4 ± 6.1 eosinophils/hpf). Eosinophils within the surface and crypt epithelium were more commonly encountered in the cecum and the rectosigmoid. Eosinophils clusters were rare but were more frequently found in the cecum and rectosigmoid. The largest number of MCs was observed in the descending colon and the lowest in the rectosigmoid (17.56 ± 7.28 and 14.5 ± ...
Spatio-temporal wind variability in complex terrain

Spatial and temporal characteristics of the wind velocity in complex terrain, relevant to wind energy resources were investigated in this study. Data from one 80 m and four 50 m towers located within a range of 200 km in western Nevada, U.S., operated from August 2003 to March 2008 were used in the analysis. The average multi-annual wind speed did not show significant increase trends with increased elevation, the differences are mainly governed by the complexity of the topography including local circulations and channeling. Due to a slower increase of the standard deviation of the wind speed compared to the increase of the average wind speed, the turbulence intensity slowly decreased with an increase of the average wind speed. The wind speed was modeled using the Weibull distribution, while the wind direction was modeled using the von Mises distribution. In spite of differences in the basic wind speed statistics, the auto- and cross-correlations show a strong coherence between the wind speed and direction with slowly decreasing amplitude of the multi-day periodicity with increasing lag periods. A non-zero centerline of the diurnal component in the autocorrelation function indicated a possible long-term periodicity. Besides a pronounced diurnal periodicity at all locations, the spectral analysis showed significant annual periodicity with similar characteristics at all five locations.
The influence functions for the least trimmed squares and the least trimmed absolute deviations estimators

Abstract The influence functions for Rousseeuw's (1987) least trimmed squares (LTS) estimator and for Tableman's (1994) least trimmed absolute deviations (LTAD) estimator are derived in the univariate case. The half-sample estimators which possess, by construction, the 50% breakdown point property satisfy three of the four robustness criteria defined by Hampel (1986). They have bounded influence functions, finite gross-error sensitivity, and finite rejection point. However, they have infinite local-shift sensitivity. Hence, these estimates can be highly sensitive to small perturbations in the data. Small shifts in centrally located data (inliers) can cause their values to change by relatively large (though bounded) amounts.
Broad-band ion accumulation with an internal source MALDI-FTICR-MS.

A new method is described which allows a broad mass range of ions from multiple MALDI events to be accumulated in an FTICR analyzer cell prior to detection. Signal intensity and signal-to-noise ratio are observed to grow in direct proportion to the number of laser shots, providing a substantial improvement to the analysis of low-level samples compared to more commonly used signal-averaging methods. In addition, calibrant ions desorbed from a separate sample spot can be added to the analyzer cell after an analyte population has been accumulated, providing an internal mass standard without the necessity of mixing calibrant and analyte. This method provides excellent mass accuracy by eliminating mass errors due to space charge effects.
Social Motives Underlying Rational Selective Exploitation: The Impact of Instrumental Versus Social‐Emotional Allocator Orientation on the Distribution of Rewards in Groups

Prior research has demonstrated that allocators frequently distribute lesser rewards to employees with constrained mobility, and that this tendency is more pronounced among more competent employees. This phenomenon is termed “rational selective exploitation.” This allocation rule is rational in that it serves to maintain membership among the most desirable group members–those who contribute most to the group's task goals–but is exploitative in that it produces an erosion of equity: Although deserving of high rewards, the outcomes of competent but entrapped employees are lower than those of their counterparts with greater mobility. Four experiments tested several predictions concerning reward allocation processes. First, allocators distributed greater rewards to more competent employees. This tendency was more pronounced under conditions of instrumental allocator orientation than under conditions of social-emotional orientation. Second, allocators distributed greater rewards to more mobile employees. This tendency was more pronounced under conditions of instrumental orientation and constrained labor pool, and was weakly promoted by the anticipation of future allocations. Third, employee competence and employee mobility interacted; the tendency to allocate greater rewards to more mobile employees was especially pronounced among highly competent employees. This interaction of competence with mobility–the rational selective exploitation effect–was stronger under conditions of instrumental allocator orientation than under conditions of greater social-emotional concern, and was weakly promoted by the anticipation of future allocations.
Electrically confined quantum dot intersubband optoelectronic devices

Here we will present a novel method of forming QD based on the lateral confinement on QW by electrical field. The electrical field would deplete the QW into a very small region, forming a "quantum disk". The field induced lateral confinement combined with the vertical confinement of the QW would form a three dimensional confinement.
Learning in a 14-unit T-maze is impaired in rats following systemic treatment with Nw-nitro-L-arginine

We examined whether inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NO synthase) impairs learning in male Fischer-344 rats (9 mo) in a shock-motivated 14-unit T-maze. Rats were pretrained in one-way active avoidance of foot shock to a criterion of 13/15 avoidances in a straight runway. The next day, rats received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of 0.9% NaCl as controls or Nw-nitro-l-arginine (N-Arg: 3.0, 4.5, or 6.0 mg/kg) to inhibit NO synthase 30 min before maze training. During 15 trials, rats were required to negotiate each of 5 segments within 10 s to avoid footshock. Performance variables included errors (deviations from the correct pathway), runtime from start to goal, shock frequency and duration. N-Arg treatment impaired performance on all variables in a dose-dependent manner. Specifically, only the 6 mg/kg N-Arg dose significantly increased errors compared to controls over the last 10 trials but not the first 5 trials. Controls and rats treated with 3 or 4.5 mg/kg N-Arg were retested in the maze 7–10 days following training, with half receiving N-Arg (6 mg/kg i.p.) 30 min in advance. In this retention test, maze performance was not significantly affected; thus, these results indicated that NO synthase inhibition primarily impaired acquisition without impacting upon noncognitive aspects of performance. This conclusion was further reinforced by the demonstration that 6 mg/kg N-Arg did not significantly affect sensorimotor performance in a rotarod task. When rats were treated with sodium nitroprusside, an NO donor, at 1 min, but not 30 min, prior to training, the N-Arg induced impairment (6 or 8 mg/kg i.p.) in maze learning was significantly attenuated.
A component architecture for platform-independent space link extension services

We are proposing a novel method of specifying and implementating CCSDS Space Link Extension (SLE) services.
Comparing daily versus less frequent blood glucose monitoring in patients with mild gestational diabetes

AbstractObjective: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing. This study was designed to determine if different frequencies in blood glucose (BG) monitoring, without regard to other variables, would allow timely detection of hyperglycemia requiring pharmacologic treatment in mild GDMs.Methods: Retrospective chart review, limited to self-glucose monitoring values, of 120 mild GDM patients who required pharmacologic therapy. Three data sets were constructed from each patient’s BG log: (1) all available BG; (2) every other day’s BG blocked; (3) only every third day’s BG available for review. The blocked BG datasets were compared with daily values.Results: 95% and 97% of subjects were started on pharmacologic therapy before or within 7 d of the reference date using every other day and every third day BG logs, respectively.Conclusions: Based exclusively on BG values, without regard to other clinical information, every other day or every third day BG monitoring in mild GDM does not del...
Thyroid hormone and the D-type cyclins interactin regulating enterocyte gene transcription

Thyroid hormone (T3) is an important regulator of gut mucosal development and differentiation, inducing intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) and repressing lactase gene transcription. In contrast, cyclin D1 (CD1) appears to be a growth promoter in the gut, functioning to maintain the undifferentiated state. The present studies were designed to examine the effects of CD1 on T3 action within intestinal epithelia. Caco-2 cells were maintained in hypothyroid medium and transiently transfected with either rat lactase (3.0 kb) or human IAP (2.4 kb) luciferase (Luc) reporter plasmids. Coaansfections were carried out using two T3 receptor (TR) isoforms, TRW1 and TRβ-1, as well as plasmids expressing CDl, CD3, CA, or CB1. Cells were then treated ±10 nmol/L T3 for 24 hours and luciferase activity was determined. with T3 treatment, IAP-Luc activity was induced (TRα-1 = eightfold, TRβ-1 = ninefold), but these effects were dramatically inhibited (>50%) by CD1 and CD3. In contrast, CA and CBl did not alter T3-mediated IAP gene activation. The ability of CD1 and CD3 to inhibit T3 action was also tested in the context of the lactase gene, which is negatively regulated by T3. As expected, lactase reporter gene activity was repressed by T3 treatment in the case of both receptor isoforms, TRW1 = 30% and TRP-1 = 40%. In contrast to its effects on the IAP gene, CD1 did not inhibit T3-mediated changes in lactase reporter gene activity. The D-type cyclins (CD1 and CD3), but not CA or CB1, specifically inhibit T3-mediated activation of the IAP gene. In contrast, the D-type cyclins do not inhibit T3-mediated repression of the lactase gene. These studies have identified a novel molecular interaction that exists between the pathways of growth and differentiation within intestinal epithelia.
Regulation of TNF-α-induced IL-6 Production in MG-63 Human Osteoblast-like Cells

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) stimulates osteoblast production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), an inflammatory cytokine implicated in osteoclastic bone resorption. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that TNF-α-induced IL-6 production in MG-63 osteosarcoma cells occurs via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. TNF-α activated p38 MAPK and stimulated IL-6 secretion by MG-63 cells, and inhibitor abrogated TNF-α-dependent IL-6 secretion. Transfection of IL-6 full-length and 5'-deletion gene promoter reporter constructs indicated that p38 MAPK activation by TNF-α enhanced IL-6 gene expression, and that the p38 MAPK-responsive region resided in the proximal 260-bp segment. Transfection of NFκB and C/EBPβ-sensitive reporter promoter constructs demonstrated that NFκB activity was enhanced and that constitutive C/EBPβ was inhibited by TNF-α, with both effects being p38 MAPK-dependent. In conclusion, although p38 MAPK activation by TNF-α stimulates IL-6 secretion by MG-63 cells, it has opposing effec...
Cross‐talk suppression between the CpxA–CpxR and EnvZ–OmpR two‐component systems in E. coli

Many bacteria possess large numbers of two-component signalling systems, which are composed of histidine kinase-response regulator pairs. The high level of sequence similarity between some systems raises the possibility of undesired cross-talk between a histidine kinase and a non-cognate response regulator. Although molecular specificity ensures that phospho-transfer occurs primarily between correct partners, even a low level of inappropriate cross-talk could lead to unacceptable levels of noise or interference in signal transduction. To explore mechanisms that provide insulation against such interference, we have examined cross-talk between the histidine kinase CpxA and non-cognate response regulator OmpR in Escherichia coli. Our results show that there are two mechanisms that suppress cross-talk between these two proteins, which depend on the corresponding cognate partners CpxR and EnvZ and on the bifunctional nature of the histidine kinases CpxA and EnvZ. When cross-talk is detectable, we find it is independent of CpxA stimulus. We also show that cross-talk suppression leads to mutational robustness, i.e. it masks the effects of mutations that would otherwise lead to increased cross-talk. The mechanisms that provide insulation against interference described here may be applicable to many other two-component systems.
Investigation of space-charge flow in magnetron injection guns

A combined theoretical and experimental study has been carried out on the space-charge flow in a magnetron injection gun (MIG). The theoretical analysis considers both nonrelativistic and relativistic cases and is concerned with the beam current density, perveance, axial- and rotational-kinetic energy of the electrons and relates these quantities to conditions at the cathode. An understanding of hollow beam space-charge flow has been obtained from the experimental investigation of a MIG which has been designed for maximum operating flexibility. The accelerating anode consists of six separate discs which may be biased independently thus providing a means for varying the potential distribution in the gun and suppressing or enhancing emission from any portion of the cathode. Three separate conical cathodes have been investigated with half-angles of 4, 8 and 12 degrees. The guns have been tested in an electron beam analyzer in which the beam is intercepted by a movable collector-aperture system. By varying the emission from the cathode, it has been observed that the flow is quasi-laminar. High magnetic fields were observed to alter the current density distribution but did not appreciably affect the thickness of the beam. Evaluation of the results provides a better understanding of the space-charge flow and is helpful in leading to the design of an optimum MIG configuration.
Linkages among US Interest Rates and East Asian Purchases of US Treasury Securities

Abstract Recent increases in East Asian purchases of US treasury securities has led to growing concern over its impact on the US economy, particularly on the US long-term and short-term interest rates. The vector error-correction model results revealed the presence of long-run causal relations among the federal funds rate, the 10-year Treasury rate and the East Asian demand in addition to a unidirectional short-run causal relation from the 10-year rate to the Federal funds rate. The variance decomposition and impulse response findings indicated that the Asian demand for US assets has a limited but negative impact on the 10-year US Treasury interest rate. The transmission of the East Asian demand shock on both interest rates was almost immediate. The Federal funds rate is found to have a significant negative impact on the long-term rate.
SU-E-T-16: Statistical Variability and Confidence Intervals for Planar Dose QA Pass Rates.

Purpose: The most common metric for comparing measured to calculated dose planes is a pass rate generated using percent difference, distance‐to‐agreement (DTA), or some combination of the two (e.g. gamma evaluation). The grid of analyzed points often corresponds to a dosimeter array with low areal‐density of point detectors. This work examines the statistical uncertainty of planar dose comparison pass rates and proposes methods for establishing confidence intervals for pass rates obtained with low detector‐density arrays. Methods: Absolute dose planes were acquired via EPID for twenty intensity‐modulated fields of varying complexity. Matching calculated dose planes were created via treatment planning system. Pass rates for each dose plane pair (centered to CAX) were calculated with various %/DTA composite analysis techniques. Software was designed to selectively sample the high‐density EPID matrix to simulate many low‐density measured grids, each representing a different alignment with respect to CAX. Simulations were repeated (100 positional iterations per field) using grids of varying detector‐densities and both random and orthogonal point‐detector orientation. For each simulation, pass rates were calculated with various composite analysis techniques. Results: Repositioning simulated low‐density grids leads to a distribution of possible pass rates for each measured/calculated dose plane pair, independent of whether the detector grid is random or uniform. Distributions can be predicted using a binomial distribution by which a confidence interval (function of sampling density and observed pass rate) is approximated for each pass rate. For example, 95% confidence intervals for IMRT pass rates (2%,2mm) average +/−5.3% and +/−3.8% with 1‐detector/cm2 and 2‐detector/cm2 grids, respectively. Conclusions: Pass rates for low‐density array measurements are not absolute and should be reported with both a full description of calculation method and confidence intervals quantifying their uncertainty. Results extend to 3D detector arrays. The concept of fixed ‘action levels’ for pass rates must be reexamined for low‐density array measurements.
Truth in Interpretation The Case of Psychoanalysis

This article explores and attempts to resolve some issues that arise when psychoanalytic explanations are construed as a type of historical or narrative explanation. The chief problem is this: If one rejects the claim of narratives to verisimilitude, this appears to divorce the notion of explanation from that of truth. The author examines, in particular, Donald Spence's attempt to deal with the relation of narrative explanations and truth. In his critique of Spence's distinction between narrative truth and historical truth, the author develops some suggestions regarding the role of truth in narrative explanations.
Zone melt growth of GaAs for gamma ray detector applications

Abstract Vertical Zone Melt Growth (VZM) is being investigated as a technique for preparation of bulk GaAs crystals with applications as ambient temperature gamma ray detectors/spectrometers. Zone refining (repeated passes of a molten zone across a crystal) and zone levelling (one pass of a molten zone which is gallium rich) are being investigated for improving the purity of bulk GaAs and lowering the deep level donor defect (EL2) concentration. GaAs which has been zone refined and GaAs which has been zone levelled with a gallium rich melt have been grown, characterized and processed as detectors. In this paper, we discuss details of the VZM growth of GaAs and the crystalline and electronic properties achieved by zone levelling and zone refining.
Fiber optics dosimetry

Abstract Nuclear radiation induced darkening of optical fibers has been employed to extend the range of glass dosimetry to that of personal dosimetry. Dosimeters constructed using this principle have proved sufficiently rugged and reliable for civil defense applications.
Important competency requirements for managers in the hospitality industry.

Abstract This research attempted to identify core competencies that are important to the success of future managers in the hospitality industry. A total of 296 usable questionnaires collected from hospitality managers and students in the Southeastern United States were used for analysis. Factor analysis generated six dimensions of core competencies: hospitality skills, interpersonal skills, supervisory skills, food and beverage management skills, leadership, and communication skills. Analysis on the perceived importance of the six identified competencies for the success of future hospitality managers revealed significant differences between managers and students on food and beverage management skills, interpersonal skills, and leadership. Findings provide hospitality educators and managers with useful insights when planning curriculum for enhancement of the skills and competencies of future leaders.
Optical switching through photoisomerization: basics of the mechanism in rhodopsin and stilbene.

ABSTRACT Vertebrate vision is based on the unique conversion of light into nerve impulses. Detailed understanding ofthe primary photochemical events is important with respect to potential applications in molecular optoelectronicdevices. In our studies we apply modern theory, computer simulations, and experimental knowledge to developnew understanding of the photochemical processes and ultimately devise means to control their outcome. We use acombination of quantum theory and quasiclassical calculations to model excitation with laser pulses, excited statedynamics, internal conversion, and relaxation to photoproducts. In rhodopsin, the primary photochemical eventinvolves an 11-cis to 11-trans photoisomerization. Recent time-resolved measurements provide the time-scales for disappearance of the reactant and the appearance of products. We find microscopical details of the internal conversion which are in accordance with the experimental results. This new perspective to the microscopic mechanism reveals
GRK2-dependent S1PR1 desensitization is required for lymphocytes to overcome their attraction to blood

Lymphocytes egress from lymphoid organs in response to sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P); minutes later they migrate from blood into tissue against the S1P gradient. The mechanisms facilitating cell movement against the gradient have not been defined. Here, we show that heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK2) functions in down-regulation of S1P receptor-1 (S1PR1) on blood-exposed lymphocytes. T and B cell movement from blood into lymph nodes is reduced in the absence of GRK2 but is restored in S1P-deficient mice. In the spleen, B cell movement between the blood-rich marginal zone and follicles is disrupted by GRK2 deficiency and by mutation of an S1PR1 desensitization motif. Moreover, delivery of systemic antigen into follicles is impaired. Thus, GRK2-dependent S1PR1 desensitization allows lymphocytes to escape circulatory fluids and migrate into lymphoid tissues.
Electron Decay of the Positive Pion

The existence of the pi yields e mode was confirmed with a branching ratio f = ( pi yields e + v)/( pi yields mu + v) very close to the value of 1.2B x 101 predicted by the universal A-V theory. A double-focusing magnetic spectrometer modified to accommodate three detectors was used to select the pi electrons of energy E + 69.8 Mev. The branching ratio calculated from the data is f=(1.03 plus or minus 0.20) x 10/aup -4/. (W.D.M.)
What can we learn from antihyperon-hyperon production?

Abstract Exclusive antihyperon-hyperon production provides a test for models of strangeness production and final state interactions. Of primary interest is whether the reaction mechanism is better described in terms of meson-baryon or quark-gluon degrees of freedom. The sensitivity of these reactions to final state interactions should provide information on the Y Y states, which are not directly accessible by scattering experiments. Good agreement with existing data can be found for both quark and meson exchange models, but recently measured target depolarization data in Λ Λ production should distinguish between them. These measurements may also test models proposed to explain the negative polarization of strange quarks in the proton.
Rate of resonant two-photon ionization in the presence of a partially coherent radiation field

A treatment is given of two-photon ionization in which particular attention is paid to the influence of the bandwidth of the ionizing light on the ionization rate. The model adopted for the atom is a common one, including two bound levels and a continuum. The model of the laser is general enough to allow short-term temporal fluctuations of amplitude or phase, and these fluctuations give rise to the laser bandwidth. It is found that the fluctuations have the most interesting effects on the ionization rate when the laser coherence time is shorter than the atomic memory time, as could be expected. In addition to laser bandwidth, we consider the influence on the ionization rate of the detuning of the laser from the intermediate-state resonance, the laser power, and the finite lifetime of the intermediate state. Comparisons with related earlier calculations are made and similarities and differences are pointed out.
Stability of Escherichia coli β-galactosidase in sodium dodegyl sulfate

1. 1. The kinetics and concentration-dependence of the inactivation of E. coli β-galactosi- dase by SDS have been studied. 2. 2. The enzyme is relatively resistant to denaturation by SDS so that it is possible that routine SDS polyacrylamide gel studies would not reveal the smallest protein subunits.
C-Src activation by ErbB2 leads to attachment-independent growth of human breast epithelial cells.

Nontumorigenic human mammary epithelial cells (184.A1 line) were stably transfected with ErbB2 or with Ha-Ras. Transformation with ErbB2, but not ras, resulted in a 5-6 fold increase in c-src activity without affecting c-src content of cells. Similar activation of c-src by ErbB2 was also observed in other non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial cells, including the human line MCF10A and the mouse line NMuMG. Activation of c-src appeared to be dependent on active ErbB2 tyrosine kinase, as the ErbB2 inhibitor tyrphostin AG 825 blocked the induction of c-src kinase activity, as well as the ability of transformed cells to grow on soft agar, but not plastic. The src-selective inhibitor PP1 effectively reduced c-src activity, as well as growth of ErbB2-transformed cells on soft agar, but not on plastic. These results indicate that activation of c-src is a consequence of ErbB2 kinase activity in human breast cancer cells overexpressing ErbB2, and that increased activity of c-src may be responsible for attachment-independent growth of the cells.