cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interest in pharmacotherapy and primary care alcoholism treatment among medically hospitalized, alcohol dependent patients.

Abstract This study assessed medically hospitalized alcoholics attitudes about pharmacotherapy and interest in primary care-based treatment. The survey included 50 medical inpatients with current alcohol dependence. Participants were asked to indicate their agreement with the following statements: (1) I need to stop drinking, (2) Some medications can help prevent drinking, (3) If a medication did help prevent drinking, I would like to receive this from a doctor, and (4) I would like a primary care doctor to treat or help treat my drinking problems. Eighty four percent agreed they needed to stop drinking, 50% agreed that medications help prevent drinking, 66% agreed they would like to receive an effective medication to help prevent drinking, and 32% were interested in primary care treatment. Medically hospitalized patients with alcohol dependence were interested in effective medication for relapse prevention, but primary care follow-up alone may not adequately address patients' perceived treatment needs.
Chemical and autoflocculation of microorganisms in biological wastewater treatment.

Experimental evidence is presented which indicates that both chemical and autoflocculation of microorganisms occur by the same mechanism. Basically, long chain polymeric species attach themselves between the microbial particles and agglomerate them into flocculant particles of sufficient magnitude to subside from suspension under quiescent conditions. Properties of the polymers which are produced during autoflocculation are investigated and these polymers are shown to be capable of causing the agglutination of inorganic colloids such as alumina. It is hypothesized that these biologically generated flocculating polymers could belong to a class of compounds known as transport enzymes. The experimental data qualitatively agrees with this hypothesis.
Management of medically refractory ascites.

Abstract Background: Medically refractory ascites is a clinical entity for which there exists few effective therapeutic options. Available treatment modalities include diuresis and sodium restriction, peritoneovenous shunt, liver transplant, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts and surgical shunts, and large-volume paracentesis. Herein we review the current therapeutic options for medically refractory ascites focusing on indications, benefits, and drawbacks of each specific therapy. Data sources: Data and recommendations are based on the authors’ cumulative experience with complicated cirrhotic and cancer patients and on past and current literature addressing intractable ascites. Conclusions: The absence of a single, effective therapy in the management of refractory ascites speaks to the complex nature of this complication. Although most patients will respond to medical management, thoughtful application of available therapeutic options in patients who fail, as described herein, not only makes decisions regarding their care easier but also provides the best palliation in a vexing clinical scenario.
Physician extenders in physical medicine and rehabilitation: a roundtable discussion.

Health care delivery in the United States will face many challenges in the coming years. With the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a larger number of people will have access to health care coverage, and this is expected to put a strain on an already predicted shortage of physicians. The American Association of Medical Colleges predicts a physician shortage of 63,000 by 2015 and 91,500 by 2020 [1]. This shortage is occurring as ew care models, such as accountable care organizations (ACO) and patient centered edical homes (PCMH), are being developed. PCMHs are designed to use a team concept f care coordination and the use of different types of physician extenders as critical team embers [2]. Both physician assistants (PA) and nurse practitioners (NP) are physician xtenders who have been integrated into the many primary care practices to increase access nd accomplish care coordination. In fact, advanced practice providers are now being rained and are functioning so independently that they are often no longer referred to as id-level providers [3]. This article consists of a panel of practicing physiatrists who discuss ow they have integrated different types of physician extenders into their physical medicine nd rehabilitation (PMR however, the following discussion is a sample from 5 ifferent physicians in 5 different settings and how they have used physician extenders.
Cycloaddition reactions of sodium dinitroxytrioxide (Angeli's salt)

Abstract Angeli's salt undergoes a quantitative reaction with 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran in a methanol/water solution at room temperature to give a product (1) explicable by an initial [4+2] cycloaddition reaction. Under the same conditions, Angeli's salt reacts with 1-naphthaldehyde to give 1-naphthoic acid in good yield. This reaction can also be explained by an initial [2+2] cycloaddition to give a hydroxamic acid, which is then hydrolyzed to the car☐ylic acid.
The impact of density on jail violence

Abstract The operation of jails over their rated capacities is frequently thought of as a major contributor to increased tension among inmates, an additional burden on corrections officers, and a hindrance to classification procedures. The increased tensions combined with difficult working conditions are expected by administrators to contribute to correctional violence. Data for the current study were collected from 646 jails. Spatial density was found to be a significant predictor of inmate–inmate and inmate–staff assaults, but not in the manner that was expected. Increased density was associated with lower assault rates in the participating facilities. The measures of social density were not associated with either type of assaults once other variables, such as jail-level inmate characteristics or inmate supervision variables were considered. Variables such as aggregate inmate age, race, trial status, inmate/officer ratio, transiency of the jail population, and the use of direct supervision were included in the analysis.
UNUSUAL TAIL MEASUREMENTS OF BUBO VIRGINIANUS FROM TEXAS

We performed Exploratory Data Analysis on data sets assembled to determine subspecies limits of great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) in Texas; the results revealed unusual patterns of tail measurements. In the subspecies B. v. pallescens, tail lengths of males (206.0 mm) were longer than those of females (202.5 mm). Additionally, tail length was longer in intergrades (males = 209.4, females = 213.5) than for either subspecies (B. v. virginianus males = 206.2, females = 209.0; B. v. pallescens males = 206.0, females = 202.5).
High dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation for human immunodeficiency virus-associated non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has allowed the exploration of more dose-intensive therapy such as autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in selected patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). METHODS The authors report on the use of myeloablative chemotherapy with ASCT in two HIV positive patients with NHL. The first patient underwent ASCT at the time of first disease remission for poor risk, diffuse, large cell NHL and the second patient had multiply recurrent, chemosensitive Burkitt lymphoma. ASCT was performed in both patients using a transplant conditioning regimen of high dose cyclophosphamide, carmustine, and etoposide (CBV). RESULTS The target dose of ≥ 5 × 106/kg CD34 positive peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) utilized for ASCT was collected using granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) after chemotherapy for mobilization while both patients were receiving concomitant HAART for HIV infection. HAART was continued during CBV conditioning. Prompt hematopoietic recovery was observed after ASCT. Both patients remained in clinical disease remission from their lymphoma at 28 months and 20 months after transplant, respectively. CONCLUSIONS ASCT is feasible in patients with HIV-associated NHL. Adequate numbers of CD34 positive PBSC can be procured from patients receiving HAART and chemotherapy for NHL. Selected patients with HIV-related lymphoma can tolerate the high dose CBV myeloablative chemotherapy regimen without increased acute regimen-related toxicity. Reinfusion of G-CSF-mobilized PBSC can lead to rapid recovery of hematologic function and sustained engraftment after ASCT. Given the poor prognosis of patients with HIV-associated NHL treated with conventional chemotherapy, further investigation of this approach should be considered. Cancer 2000;89:680–9. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Influence of straits and bottom topography on the structure of barotropic currents in a flow-through basin

The development of currents and eddies in a basin of variable depth with two straits is studied within the framework of the nonlinear theory of long waves taking into account turbulent viscosity and the Coriolis parameter. The problem is solved numerically. We perform the comparative analysis of the results of modeling of currents in a homogeneous liquid. It is shown that these results depend on the location of the straits and bottom topography. Only jet currents are formed in basins of constant depth with symmetric straits. Eddy structures periodically appear in the presence of asymmetric straits.
SPM spectral broadening compensation using organic dyes with negative n 2

Spectral broadening caused by SPM degrades performance of light-wave, multichannel communication systems. We propose a novel method in LCOF to compensate the SPM spectral broadening in systems using different concentrations of negative n2 organic dyes.
Silicides and ohmic contacts

Abstract Silicides and ohmic contacts are an interesting and important part of integrated circuit technology. The integration of silicides and ohmic contacts in advanced CMOS devices uses knowledge from many different fields; solid state physics for the electrical properties of the contacts, materials science for solid state reactions, oxidation and dopant interactions, wet chemistry for patterning, and plasma chemistry and physics for patterning and deposition. This paper gives an overview of the scientific and technological aspects of silicides and ohmic contacts, including the electrical properties of metal-Si contacts, metal and silicide deposition techniques, metal-Si reactions, silicide patterning processes, silicide stability, and device degradation due to silicides. We focus on silicides and ohmic contacts used in advanced CMOS devices, including NiSi, TiSi2 and CoSi2 salicides, WSi2 and TiSi2 polycides, and W studs.
Azotobacter vinelandii ribonucleic acid polymerase: I. Inhibition by congo red

Ribonucleic acid polymerase model with initiating purine triphosphate binding to product terminus site and pyrimidine triphosphate engaging in exchange binds to substrate site
Eliminating unit productions from LR parsers

In this paper we show how one can improve upon an algorithm by Aho and Ullman [3] for eliminating unit productions from an LR(k) parser so that the elimination concerned can be made in all cases, instead of only in the special case required by [3] where no two unit productions have the same left-hand side. In most practical grammars this special case does not in fact arise. Since the elimination of unit productions both reduces the size of the parser and increases its speed, it is of value to have a general method for achieving this objective. The algorithm provided eliminates from the parser all nonterminals that occur as left-hand sides of unit productions. This substantially contributes to the reduction in size obtained, and also provides a solution to an open problem by Aho and Ullman [3]. An application of the Algorithm to the parser construction method of Pager [19] is considered, and a method is provided for the use of default reductions and the elimination of final states in conjunction with the elimination of unit reductions. The sizes of the parsers obtained using the parser's algorithm are compared with those of Anderson, Eve, and Horning [4].
Policies to Prevent Firearm Injuries

Prologue: As 1993 drew to a close, President Bill Clinton signed into law the Brady billy which imposes a five-day waiting period on the purchase of handguns. The bill, named for former White House...
A human monoclonal antibody to an HLA‐DRw53 (MT3)‐like epitope on class II antigens

We report the production of a lymphoblastoid human B cell line, which secretes monoclonal antibody with HLA-DRw53-like specificity. The immune lymphocytes were obtained from a patient who had been undergoing immunotherapy at Memorial Hospital with allogeneic cultured melanoma cells. The antibody producing cell line was established by transformation of immune B cells with Epstein-Barr virus and stabilized by serial selection of antibody-positive cell clusters. The cell line (R39.14) has been producing a cytotoxic antibody of IgM, kappa type during nearly two years of continuous culture. The specificity pattern was determined on a panel of HLA-DR-typed lymphoblastoid cell lines, and resembled the HLA-DRw53 specificity closely. In studies of informative families the R39.14 specificity segregated with DRw53-bearing haplotypes, which included DR-4, 7 and DRw9 antigens. The R39.14 specificity was found to be expressed in similar quantities on all antibody positive homozygous cell lines tested. Blocking experiments with monoclonal class II specific antibodies revealed R39.14 to reside on a DR molecule in close association with the determinant detected by the 109d6 mouse monoclonal antibody.
Chemical cross-linking of the cytosolic and nuclear forms of the Ah receptor in hepatoma cell line 1c1c7.

Summary Both cytosolic and high salt nuclear extracts were isolated from Hepa 1c1c7 cells incubated with 2-azido-3[1251]iodo-7, 8-dibromo-dibenzo-p-dioxin ([125I]N3Br2DpD). The [125I]N3Br2DpD-labeled cytosolic fraction was subjected to chemical cross-linking with dimethyl pimelimidate and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Chemical cross-linking of the cytosolic form of the AhR revealed monomeric (97 kDa), dimeric (185 kDa), trimeric (281 kDa), and tetrameric (327 kDa) complexes. In a time course of exposure to the cross-linking reagent, the largest form given above became the predominant AhR form observed in the cytosolic extracts. The 327 kDa cytosolic species apparently consists of a 97 kDa AhR, an ∼ 88 kDa protein, an ∼ 96 kDa protein, and an ∼ 46 kDa protein. Nuclear extracts from [125I]N3Br2DpD-labeled Hepa 1c1c7 cells were applied to sucrose density gradients. The 6 S nuclear receptor peak fractions were pooled and subjected to chemical cross-linking. Analysis by SDS-PAGE revealed a monomeric (97 kDa) ligand binding protein and a dimeric (182 kDa) complex. This would suggest that the nuclear 6 S AhR consists of a 97 kDa AhR and an ∼ 85 kDa protein. These findings would indicate that the AhR exists in cytosol as a tetrameric species, while in the nucleus the AhR exists as a heterodimer.
Replication Initiation: A new controller in Escherichia coli

A new factor involved in the sequestration of recently active replication origins in Escherichia coli, SeqA, has been discovered and appears to be a multifaceted negative regulator of replication initiation.
Manufacturing excellence&#8212;The challenge of the 1980's

One must sort out from volaminous data bank the key issues that will effect his business and profession during the 1980's. When this data is reduced to a workable format it does suggest in my mind the 80's will require changes in the way we do business and the management of manufacturing operations. The author sees four areas of major change: 1. Productivity Improvement. 2. Technology of Manufacturing. 3. Management of People and their participation in running the business. 4. Image of Product Quality The author over-views these changes in that order.
The protonated 4,4'-diaminotriphenylmethyl cation as a reagent and cyclohexanone as an absorbant for sulphur dioxide determination.

Abstract Protonated 4,4′-diaminotriphenylmethyl cation, DATM, has been investigated as a colorimetric reagent for the determination of sulphur dioxide. The bisulphite addition compound with formaldehyde alkylates a primary arylamine group in the protonated reagent to re-establish resonance, and hence produces a colour that is proportional in intensity to the concentration of either bisulphite or formaldehyde (the other being in excess). The large bathochromic spectral shift results in a negligible blank correction. Cyclohexanone in aqueous solution has been found to stabilize bisulphite solutions for up to 6 hr. The stabilization by cyclohexanone has been compared with stabilization by tetrachloromercurate(II). The Beer-Lambert law is obeyed with good precision for both sulphite and formaldehyde determination.
Efficacy of Herbicides When Spray Solution Application Is Delayed

Information is limited concerning the impact of delaying applications of pesticides after solution preparation on efficacy. Experiments were conducted to determine weed control when diclosulam, dimethenamid-P, flumioxazin, fomesafen, imazethapyr, pendimethalin, and S-metolachlor were applied preemergence the day of solution preparation or 3, 6, and 9 days after solution preparation. Herbicide solutions were applied on the same day regardless of when prepared. Control of broadleaf signalgrass, common lambsquarters, entireleaf morningglory, and Palmer amaranth by these herbicides was not reduced regardless of when herbicide solutions were prepared. Surprisingly entireleaf morningglory control by all herbicides increased when herbicide application was delayed by 9 days. In separate experiments, control of broadleaf signalgrass by clethodim, common ragweed by glyphosate and lactofen, entireleaf morningglory by lactofen, Italian rye grass by glyphosate and paraquat, and Palmer amaranth by atrazine, dicamba, glufosinate, glyphosate, imazethapyr, lactofen, and 2,4-D was affected more by increase in weed size due to delayed application than the time between solution preparation and application.
A position-effect control for gene transposition: State of expression of yeast mating-type genes affects their ability to switch

Mating-type switches of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae occur by unidirectional transposition of copies of unexpressed mating-type genetic information, residing at HML and HMR loci, into the expressed MAT locus. The HML and HMR loci remain unchanged. In contrast, in appropriate strains where the silent loci are also allowed to express, for example in mar mutants, efficient switches of HML and HMR are shown to occur at rates equivalent to those observed for MAT. Thus the position-effect control on the direction of transposition is affected by the state of expression of the locus under study; the expressed loci switch regardless of their location.
Reaching zero rapidly

The controlled process $X(t)$ with values in $( { - \infty ,0} ]$ is given by a stochastic differential equation: \[dX(t) = \mu (t)dt + \sigma (t)dW_t ,\quad X(0) = x\] where the nonanticipative controls $\mu $ and $\sigma $ are to be chosen so that $(\mu (t),\sigma (t))$ remains in a given set $\mathcal{S}$. The object is to maximize (minimize) the expectation of $\beta ^T $ where $0 1)$ and T is the hitting time of zero. A complete solution is given for any $\mathcal{S}$, and an application is made, to continuous-time red-and-black.
CO2 as a probe for monitoring the surface defects on TiO2(110): Temperature-programmed desorption

The adsorption and thermal desorption of CO2 bound to both oxidized and reduced TiO2(110) surfaces has been studied using temperature-programmed desorption. For the stoichiometric and fully oxidize...
Echocardiographic Characterization of a Rare Type of Coronary Artery Fistula Draining into Superior Vena Cava

We describe an incidental finding of a rare type of anomalous coronary artery originating from the right coronary sinus of Valsalva and draining into the superior vena cava. This was suspected on transthoracic echocardiography but was further clarified with the use of coronary angiography and transesophageal echocardiography. Echocardiography was a major tool for delineating the origin of the fistula, its complicated course, and the drainage site.
Autogenous Regulation of a Network of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) Mediates the Osteogenic Differentiation in Murine Marrow Stromal Cells

The expression patterns of (bone morphogenetic proteins) BMPs during fracture repair and pre-natal bone development suggest that these processes are regulated through the coordinated actions of multiple BMPs. Murine bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) in culture provide a well recognized ex vivo system of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation in which the effects of BMPs can be examined. Studies were performed to determine if MSC differentiation is dependent on the endogenous expression of multiple BMPs and to characterize their interactions. MSCs were harvested from the bone marrow of tibiae and femora of 8 to 10-week-old male C57/B6 mice and prepared by standard methods. Osteogenic differentiation was assessed by histological assays, alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity and assays for the expression of multiple mRNAs for BMPs and osteogenic development. The role of autogenously expressed BMPs in controlling the osteogenic differentiation of marrow stromal cells in vitro was assessed in both gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments. Gain of function experiments were carried out in the presence of exogenously added BMP-2 or -7 and loss-of-function experiments were carried out by BMP antagonism with noggin and BMP-2 antibody blockade. Osteogenic differentiation was concurrent with and proportional to increases in the expression of BMPs-2, -3, -4, -5, -6 and -8A. BMP antagonism with either noggin or BMP-2 antibody blockade inhibited osteogenic differentiation by 50% to 80%, respectively, and reduced the expression of endogenous levels of BMPs-2, -3, -5 and -8A. In contrast, antagonism induced the expression of BMP-4 and -6. The addition of rhBMP-2 or -7 enhanced osteogenic differentiation and produced a reciprocal expression profile in the endogenous BMPs expression as compared to BMP antagonism. BMP antagonism could be rescued through the competitive addition of rhBMP-2. These studies demonstrated that osteogenic differentiation was regulated by a complex network of multiple BMPs that showed selective increased and decreased expression during differentiation. They further demonstrated that BMP-2 was a central regulator in this network.
Diffusion of hydrogen and deuterium on stepped tungsten surfaces II. W(023)

Abstract The diffusion of 1 H and 2 H on a (023) surface of a tungsten field emitter has been studied by the fluctuation method. This surface consists of (110) oriented terraces separated by (100)-oriented steps. Activated and tunneling diffusion are observed both parallel and perpendicular to steps with very little anisotropy. The activation energies and prefactors for diffusion differ considerably from those found on W(110) and it is hypothesized that the observed values are dominated by diffusion across steps. The activation energies for 1 H are higher than those for 2 H by ~ 2 kcal and prefactors for 1 H are also much higher than for 2 H. This is interpreted as activated polaronic diffusion largely controlled by substrate deformation, with the energy differences arising from zero point energy differences for the two isotopes during lattice distortion. At half coverage a switch from an initial activated to a slower one is seen at 151 ⩽ T ⩽ 166 K and interpreted as a hydrogen-assisted reconstructive phase transition involving the non-close-packed (100) oriented steps. Tunneling diffusion shows only very small isotope effects probably because of polaronic contributions which counteract the isotope effect for pure hydrogen tunneling.
Space Marching Calculations About Hypersonic Configurations Using a Solution-Adaptive Mesh Algorithm

A solution-adaptive marching algorithm is developed and applied to a three-dimensional parabolized Navier-Stokes equation solver. The resulting algorithm obtains accurate solutions by using a spatial-marching/adaptive grid procedure. The adaptation step redistributes grid points line by line in both crossflow directions, with grid point motion controlled by forces analogous to tensional and torsional spring forces with the tensional force proportional to the error measure or weighting functions. The solution-adaptive marching procedure is applied to the hypersonic flow about two generic aircraft configurations. The first of these is an all-body-type geometry with elliptical cross sections and is studied at angles of attack of 0.5, and 15 deg. The second geometry is a generic blended-wing-body design. Results are presented that demonstrate the improvements in flowfield resolution obtainable with the solution-adaptive marching procedure over conventional fixed grid techniques. Computed pitot pressure profiles obtained using the solution-adaptive algorithm show improved agreement with experimental data compared to predictions obtained using a fixed grid.
Dark borders: film noir and American citizenship

Jonathan Auerbach, Durham, NC, Duke University Press, 2011, £ 15.99, ISBN 978-0-8223-5006-4 In Dark Borders: Film Noir and American Citizenship, Jonathan Auerbach starts by quoting statements made ...
Embedding e-finance in e-government: a new e-government framework

E-government and e-finance are two different but closely related topics, evolved from e-commerce and e-business. Literature says that what e-government basically does is to utilise the current information technology, internet technology and e-commerce practices to provide citizens and organisations with easier access to government information and services and deliver public services to those who need them. However, e-government will not be a complete concept without e-finance and some other e-components. This research provides a new framework for the future e-government models and studies the role of e-finance in e-government.
Chain orientation and anisotropies in optical and dielectric properties in thin films of stiff polyimides

Thin films of poly(p-phenylene biphenyltetracarboximide) (BPDA-PDA), prepared by thermal imidization of the precursor poly(amic acid) on substrates, have been investigated by optical waveguide, ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS), infrared (IR), and dielectric spectroscopies. The polyimide films exhibit an extraordinarily large anisotropy in the refractive indices with the in-plane index n∥ = 1.806 and the out-of-plane index n⊥ = 1.589 at 1064 nm wavelength. No discernible effect of the film thickness on this optical anisotropy is found between films of ca. 2.1 and ca. 7.8 μm thickness. This large birefringence is attributed to the preferential orientation of the biphenyltetracarboximide moieties with their planes parallel to the film surface, coupled with the strong preference of BPDA-PDA chains to align along the film plane. The frequency dispersion of the in-plane refractive index n∥ is consistent with the results calculated by the Lorentz–Lorenz equation from the UV-visible spectrum exhibiting several absorption bands in the 170–500 nm region. The contribution from the IR absorption in the range 7000–400 cm,−1 computed by the Spitzer-Kleinmann dispersion relations from the measured spectra, adds ca. 0.046 to the in-plane refractive index n∥. Tilt-angle–dependent polarized IR results indicate nearly the same increase for the out-of-plane index n⊥. Application of the Maxwell relation then leads to the out-of-plane dielectric constant e⊥ ≃ 2.7 at 1.2 × 1013 Hz, as compared with the measured value of ca. 3.0 at 106 Hz. Assuming this small difference to remain the same for the in-plane dielectric constants e∥, we obtain a very large anisotropy in the dielectric properties of these polyimide films with the estimated in-plane dielectric constant e∥ ≃ 3.4 at 1.2 × 1013 Hz, and e∥ ≃ 3.7 at 106 Hz. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Rhizosphere carbon deposition, oxidative stress and nutritional changes in two poplar species exposed to aluminum

Species and hybrids in the genus Populus have become the focus of investigation for use in biofuels production and their capacity to sequester carbon (C) in the environment. The identification of species resistant to marginal edaphic sites may be important in both of these endeavors. Plant growth, total dissolved organic carbon (TOC) and low molecular weight organic acid (OA) production, antioxidative enzyme activities and mineral content were assessed in Populus tremuloides L. and Populus trichocarpa Torr. & Gray seedlings under exposure to aluminum (Al). Both species were sensitive to Al, with significant reductions in shoot and root biomass at and above 50 microM Al. Exposure to Al induced 40-fold increases in TOC deposition in P. tremuloides and 100-fold increases in P. trichocarpa. In P. tremuloides, Al treatment induced root exudation of malic and citric acids, while Al increased exudation of citrate and oxalate in P. trichocarpa. Organic acids accounted for 20-64% of total C released upon Al exposure, with the proportion of OAs increasing in P. tremuloides and decreasing in P. trichocarpa. Dose-dependent responses of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase were observed in both root and leaf tissues, indicating that Al exposure induced oxidative stress in poplar. Treatment at and above 100 microM Al reduced the concentrations of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in roots and leaves, whereas Al at or above 50 microM reduced root and leaf phosphorous (P) concentrations. The majority of Al taken up was retained in the root system. Even with the induction of OA exudation and accumulation, P. tremuloides and P. trichocarpa remained sensitive to Al, as evidenced by elevated antioxidative enzyme activities, which may reflect inhibition of Ca or P uptake and destabilization of cell homeostasis in these poplar species. Although plants exhibited reductions in growth and evidence of oxidative and nutritional stress, total C rhizodeposition rates for both species increased with increasing Al exposure concentration. Estimated C deposition rates of 16 mg C plant(-1) day(-1) were four-times larger than previously reported values for forest tree species, indicating that edaphic stress plays an important role in C flux to the rhizosphere.
Role of Specific Nutritional Components on Plasma Lipids, Lipoproteins and Coronary Heart Disease

Heart and blood vessel diseases are the major causes of death in this country. They accounted for over 50 percent of all deaths annually; nearly three times the death rate from cancer, the next highest cause. Cardiovascular diseases cause over 60% of all deaths among people over 65 years of age and over 150,000 deaths per year in individuals below age 65. An estimated 30 million persons in the United States have diseases of the heart and blood vessels; this results in a huge burden of acute and chronic illness and disability. Some 27 million of these victims of cardiovascular disorders suffer from hypertension, 4 million from coronary heart disease, and 1.8 million from rheumatic heart disease. Approximately eight out of every one thousand children are born with congenital heart disease and half of these do not survive past one year of age.
Differential gene expression in Thermotoga neapolitana in response to growth substrate

We have previously shown that β-galactosidase activity expressed in Thermotoga neapolitana cells grown on lactose is subject to repression by glucose when they are grown on both substrates whereas β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase activities observed in cells grown on cellobiose are not repressed by growth on both glucose and cellobiose. To examine the differential expression of bgalA, bgalB, bglA and bglB in T. neapolitana, total RNA was isolated from cells growing on either glucose, lactose or cellobiose as the sole source of carbon and transcripts encoding these genes were quantitated by Northern blot analyses. BglA expression was induced by cellobiose while bglB was expressed under all three conditions at a lower level. Expression of the β-galactosidase genes, bgalA and bgalB, was detected only in lactose-grown cells. β-Glucosidase enzyme activity was only found in cell extracts of cellobiose-grown cells while β-galactosidase activity was found in both lactose- and cellobiose-grown cell extracts. Our results show that in cellobiose-grown cells, the high β-glucosidase activity is likely due to expression of bglA and that neither bgalA nor bgalB is responsible for the β-galactosidase activity.
Role of the hepatic sympathetic nerves in the regulation of net hepatic glucose uptake and the mediation of the portal glucose signal.

Portal glucose delivery enhances net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU) relative to peripheral glucose delivery. We hypothesize that the sympathetic nervous system normally restrains NHGU, and portal gl...
Blast injuries and heterotopic ossification

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is perhaps the single most significant obstacle to independence, functional mobility, and return to duty for combat-injured veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Recent research into the cause(s) of HO has been driven by a markedly higher prevalence seen in these wounded warriors than encountered in previous wars or following civilian trauma. To that end, research in both civilian and military laboratories continues to shed light onto the complex mechanisms behind HO formation, including systemic and wound specific factors, cell lineage, and neurogenic inflammation. Of particular interest, non-invasive in vivo testing using Raman spectroscopy may become a feasible modality for early detection, and a wound-specific model designed to detect the early gene transcript signatures associated with HO is being tested. Through a combined effort, the goals of early detection, risk stratification, and development of novel systemic and local prophylaxis may soon be attainable.
Fostering Theoretical Thinking in Undergraduate Classes

H ow should educators teach students to make better theoretical arguments, that is, an argument that is logical and fruitful? Logical thinking is about making valid deductions from a set of premises and avoiding fallacies. Fruitful thinking involves making an argument that fits reality. Theoretical thinking, then, emphasizes building a sound argument with relevant and interesting empirical implications. In this way, theoretical thinking complements the more common educational mantra of teaching students to think critically, which tends to focus on the detection of fallacies or other flaws in an argument. Emphasizing detection instead of construction, however, limits the development of analytical and independent thinking. To better teach the range of thinking skills most educators want their students to acquire calls for a focus on the understanding and construction of theoretical arguments, and this calls for greater emphasis on learning at least a basic system of logic. A focus on theory building instead of the detection of fallacies improves thinking in four ways. First, emphasizing theory enables students to build better arguments. Arguments are unpersuasive when they make illogical connections or are underdeveloped. Whereas learning logic can help reduce invalid deductions, acquiring a fuller understanding of the parts of an argument can help students put some flesh on their often skeletal initial arguments. Second, focusing on theory enables students to better analyze an argument. Fallacy identification exercises are useful, but arguments may go astray in other ways, such as having inaccurate premises or a mismatch between concepts and indicators. Third, calling attention to the importance of theory facilitates empirical investigation. Empirical evidence is needed to answer many political questions, but the appropriate empirical evidence to marshal and assess depends on the theory or competing theories at issue. Fourth, a focus on theory promotes intellectual humility and caution. Theories are never proven, only tentatively confirmed, and understanding the role of theory in identifying causal mechanisms helps students appreciate the danger of drawing inferences beyond a theory’s domain. To begin building their own theory, students must start at the beginning: What is theory, and why are theories important? Although theory building is more of an art, a process of discovery, than a science, if we keep certain ideas in mind, we can help students build more fruitful theories.1 I offer some suggestions that instructors can use to guide class discussions and create a variety of theory building or theory analysis exercises. I also provide some examples of class assignments at the end of the article.
Isolation of microsatellite loci from the scleractinian corals, Montastraea cavernosa and Porites astreoides

The ability to assess genetic variation is critical for determining genetic diversity and population structure. In corals, slow evolutionary rates in mitochondrial genomes have left allozymes as the only markers presently available to investigate patterns of intraspecific genetic variation. Characteristics of microsatellites render them more informative than allozymes for such analyses; however, few coral microsatellites are available. This study describes polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from two scleractinian coral species. Most loci exhibit significant heterozygote deficiencies, likely due to nonrandom mating or Wahlund effects. These markers are being used to investigate gene flow among populations, providing insight into reef connectivity.
Global Carbon Dioxide and Methane Fluxes from Shallow-Water Marine Carbonate Frameworks

Suboxic and anoxic conditions are widely observed within coral reefs and other shallow-water marine carbonate frameworks. These conditions result from the importation of organic matter by the advection of seawater through the frameworks, with subsequent decomposition of these materials within the frameworks. These processes result in the buildup of end products such as CO2, and CH4 in the framework porewaters, which can then be transported by advection, diffusion, and turbulent mixing to the overlying and adjacent seawater. Estimates of porewater-to-seawater transport rates from several sources were multiplied by porewater concentrations to yield gross fluxes of CO2, and CH4 to the overlying seawater. Using published estimates of the global area of coral reefs and carbonate platforms, these flux rates were extrapolated to give global CO2, and CH4 fluxes of 9600 and 0.6 Tg yr-1, respectively, for coral reefs, and 16 and 0.005 Tg yr-1 for carbonate platforms. In comparison, the global rates of net ocean—atmosphere exchange for CO2, and CH4 have been estimated as 350,000 and 10 Tg yr-1, respectively. These results suggest that these very large sedimentary systems may be important, but not dominant, components in global carbon cycles, although more research will be needed to determine their exact role.
Explaining the Failure of Mexico's National Commission of Human Rights (Ombudsman's Office) after Democratization: Elections, Incentives, and Unaccountability in the Mexican Senate

Mexico’s ombudsman’s office (the Comision Nacional de Derechos Humanos (CNDH)), established in 1990 by a nondemocratic government, posed no threat to the then ruling party. Counter to expectations, even after Mexico democratized in 2000, the CNDH remained unwilling to challenge officials for human rights violations. I argue that this is because the ombudsman (the head of the CNDH) is chosen by Mexican Senators who are not accountable—due to secret voting and a prohibition on reelection—to the Mexican public. While civil society wanted a powerful ombudsman, the three main parties did not. Ignoring the public, Senators responded to their parties and appointed a compliant individual to serve as ombudsman, thereby ensuring that the CNDH would not challenge those who held political power. The paper suggests that where accountability institutions, such as human rights offices, are chosen by unaccountable actors (in this case the Mexican Senate), the development of such accountability institutions will be limited.
Imperfection as the Norm

Although we generally teach economics as if markets formed a perfect system, in reality, there are many instances of partial and complete market failure in the real economy. Imperfections complicate models and analyses. Therefore, it is better to first introduce students to the model of the ideal-typical perfect system. In addition, in many circumstances, equilibrium and partial equilibrium models derived from the ideal-typical system have yielded good insights and results. However, ignoring imperfections carries several costs, including neglect of the role of institutions, and probably too much confidence in the self-correcting power of markets by policy makers.
Anticoagulation clinics and the monitoring of anticoagulant therapy

Abstract Patients attending an anticoagulation clinic were studied to delineate predisposing risk factors for bleeding and thromboembolic episodes. Seventy-three patients were observed for a total of 921.8 patient-treatment months. The mean duration of treatment was 12.6 months (range 3–36 months). No major bleed occurred (a bleed which caused discontinuation of therapy, hospitalization or death). Thirty-two patients had minor bleeding episodes (0.42 bleeds per patient-year of treatment). The average prothrombin time ratio during the third to the sixth month of therapy was predictive of the bleeding risk. There was no association between bleeding and age, sex, indication for anticoagulation therapy or associated illnesses. Four thromboembolic episodes occurred (0.05 per patient-year of treatment), 3 arterial and 1 venous. At the time of the one venous thromboembolic event the prothrombin time ratio was subtherapeutic. In all 3 patients with arterial thromboembolism the mean 3- to 6-month prothrombin time ratio was less than or equal to the lower limit of the recommended range of 1.6–2.5. In our study prothrombin time ratios of 1.3–1.5 for venous thromboembolic disease and 1.6–2.5 for arterial thromboembolic disease were not associated with thromboembolism or major bleeding. Anticoagulation clinics facilitate the close monitoring of patients on oral anticoagulant therapy.
Meal composition and plasma amino acid ratios: Effect of various proteins or carbohydrates, and of various protein concentrations☆

The effects of meals containing various proteins and carbohydrates, and of those containing various proportions of protein (0 percent to 20 percent of a meal, by weight) or of carbohydrate (0 percent to 75 percent), on plasma levels of certain large neutral amino acids (LNAA) in rats previously fasted for 19 hours were examined. Also the plasma tryptophan ratios (the ratio of the plasma trytophan concentration to the summed concentrations of the other large neutral amino acids) and other plasma amino acid ratios were calculated. (The plasma tryptophan ratio has been shown to determine brain tryptophan levels and, thereby, to affect the synthesis and release of the neurotransmitter serotonin). A meal containing 70 percent to 75 percent of an insulin-secreting carbohydrate (dextrose or dextrin) increased plasma insulin levels and the tryptophan ratio; those containing 0 percent or 25 percent carbohydrate failed to do so. Addition of as little as 5 percent casein to a 70 percent carbohydrate meal fully blocked the increase in the plasma tryptophan ratio without affecting the secretion of insulin - probably by contributing much larger quantities of the other LNAA than of tryptophan to the blood. Dietary proteins differed in their ability to suppress the carbohydrate-induced rise in the plasma tryptophan ratio. Addition of 10 percent casein, peanut meal, or gelatin fully blocked this increase, but lactalbumin failed to do so, and egg white did so only partially. (Consumption of the 10 percent gelatin meal also produced a major reduction in the plasma tyrosine ratio, and may thereby have affected brain tyrosine levels and catecholamine synthesis.) These observations suggest that serotonin-releasing neurons in brains of fasted rats are capable of distinguishing (by their metabolic effects) between meals poor in protein but rich in carbohydrates that elicit insulin secretion, and all other meals. The changes in brain serotonin caused by carbohydrate-rich, protein-poor meals may affect subsequent food choice and various serotonin-mediated behaviors.
DNA and RNA, Biophysical Aspects

Biophysical aspects of DNA and RNA are covered. A brief introduction into DNA and RNA chemical structure is given. Main helical structures of DNA and RNA are described: A, B, B’, Z forms and parallel-stranded DNA. Special emphasis is given to a variety of functional RNA molecules, which have been discovered recently. DNA topology, DNA supercoiling and DNA unusual structures induced by negative supercoiling (triplexes, cruciforms) are described. Theoretical models to study RNA and RNA are indicated. Nanostructures and nanodevices based on DNA and RNA are discussed and single molecule experiments with DNA are briefly covered.
POPULATION STRUCTURE IN SALT MARSH SONG SPARROWS PART I. ENVIRONMENT AND ANNUAL CYCLE

The Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) that live on the salt marshes of San Francisco Bay, California, have attracted the attention of students of birds for the past sixty years. The principal reason for this has been their morphological distinctness from all other Song Sparrows, including those that live in areas close to the salt marshes. Such a pattern of differentiation and distribution has always raised the problem of how the salt-marsh populations maintain themselves as distinct entities. The study reported now is a continuation of previous work on salt-marsh Song Sparrows; the questions asked were, what characteristics of salt-marsh populations influence or have some relationship to the maintenance of their morphologic and/or genetic integrity, and how do these characteristics express themselves? Certain details bearing on these questions that are supplied in this and a succeeding paper have been interpreted in the light of the theoretical and factual framework partly supplied by such authors as Wright (1940; 1943), Mayr (1942; 1953), Miller (1947), and Marshall (1948). The Song Sparrows studied exist partly isolated from other populations of Song Sparrows on San Pablo salt marsh, Richmond, Contra Costa County. They offered advantages not otherwise generally available to the worker in population ecology of birds: they were abundant and were situated in a discrete unit of salt marsh; they belonged to a group genetically distinctive to the extent of being accorded the taxonomic status of race (M. m. samuelis); they were non-migratory; they had been studied from a general ecological viewpoint by Marshall (loc. cit.); and they belonged to a widespread species for which Nice (1937; 1943) had compiled a definitive life history based on studies in Ohio. Thus, most of the effort in studying the birds was directed to the investigation of population structure. Since these Song Sparrows differ in certain respects from those in Ohio, a number of features of their life history that bear on population structure are included. I have not offered a comparison of these differences except where it has seemed to be particularly significant. Generous help and counsel in the preparation of this report have been given me by Alden H. Miller, Frank A. Pitelka and Ray F. Smith; their suggestions have applied to all parts of the study. Responsibility for validity at all levels remains mine, however. The habitat photographs were taken by Joseph G. Hall. My wife, Lora Lee Johnston, assisted with preparation of manuscript. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the aid of these people.