cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prostaglandin effects upon cyclic AMP levels, corticosterone output, and aldosterone output in the adrenal of the frog, Rana berlandieri forreri.

The mechanism of prostaglandin action in the adrenal of the frog (Rana berlandieri forreri) was evaluated in vitro. The prostaglandins evoked transient (PGA2, PGB1, PGE2), continued (PGA1, PGB2, PGF1α, PGF2α), or no effects (PGE1) upon cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels. Further, the cAMP levels were depressed (PGA1, PGB1, PGB2), elevated (PGA2, PGE2, PGF1α, PGF2α), or unchanged (PGE1) compared to the controls. Prostaglandins regulate cAMP levels in the frog adrenal. In addition, specific prostaglandins evoke specific effects in this regard. The frog adrenal corticosterone and aldosterone outputs are modulated by the prostaglandins. The modulations produced differ with the prostaglandins tested. The greatest adrenocortical sensitivity is to PGB2 which evoked about a 13-fold increase in corticosterone output and a 5-fold increase in aldosterone output at 16 min. Only PGF1α inhibited steroid output; the other prostaglandins stimulated steroid outputs to varying degrees. A close correlation of the prostaglandin-evoked corticosterone and aldosterone output responses with the cAMP changes was not present in the frog adrenal. The prostaglandins differentially affected cAMP levels and when compared to adrenocorticoid outputs, different prostaglandins produce different effects. The responses of the frog adrenal indicate that the mechanisms controlling adrenocortical function are more complex than originally visualized. In this regard, the site(s) of action (plasma membrane, mitochondrion, etc.) of a given factor must also be considered. Thus, the current concepts must be broadened to include a number of interacting factors among which are the cyclic nucleotides and the prostaglandins.
On the Impact of Approximate Computation in an Analog DeSTIN Architecture

Deep machine learning (DML) holds the potential to revolutionize machine learning by automating rich feature extraction, which has become the primary bottleneck of human engineering in pattern recognition systems. However, the heavy computational burden renders DML systems implemented on conventional digital processors impractical for large-scale problems. The highly parallel computations required to implement large-scale deep learning systems are well suited to custom hardware. Analog computation has demonstrated power efficiency advantages of multiple orders of magnitude relative to digital systems while performing nonideal computations. In this paper, we investigate typical error sources introduced by analog computational elements and their impact on system-level performance in DeSTIN-a compositional deep learning architecture. These inaccuracies are evaluated on a pattern classification benchmark, clearly demonstrating the robustness of the underlying algorithm to the errors introduced by analog computational elements. A clear understanding of the impacts of nonideal computations is necessary to fully exploit the efficiency of analog circuits.
An Integrated System for the Assessment and Treatment of Psychological, Social, and Spiritual Distress

More and more health care is dictated by specific standards of practice and detailed clinical pathways. Increasingly, options for care not specified in those pathways are not used. Pastoral care is among the options included in the treatment pathways. When included, there is usually no more than a mention that psychological, social, or spiritual care will be offered—without a specific plan. In light of that, this article presents a newly developed, integrated system for rapidly assessing distress in outpatients with cancer, triaging them to the proper psychological, social, or spiritual caregiver, and then treating the distress along predetermined pathways. The pastoral care pathways are presented in detail.
The Neutrino Strikes Again

The editor in chief describes how the conferences he's attended so far this year will affect our editorial calendar offerings in the latter half of 2007.
Contraceptive efficacy of a monophasic oral contraceptive containing desogestrel

Desogestrel, a new gonane progestin, has been shown to be comparable in efficacy with oral contraceptives currently in use in the United States. Results from several large efficacy studies conducted in Europe encompassing 42,640 patients in 183,212 cycles resulted in six pregnancies for a Pearl index of 0.04. This low rate, which was compared with those observed in recent U.S. clinical trials, reflects differences in study methodology. An additional indicator of an oral contraceptive's efficacy is its ability to suppress ovarian function, including follicular development and increases in plasma estradiol levels. Desogestrel has been found to be among the strongest suppressors of ovarian activity.
Field calibration of reference reflectance panels

A procedure for calibrating reference reflectance panels using the sun as the radiation source and a pressed-polytetrafluoroethylene powder standard is described. The directional/directional reflectance factor and the directional/hemispheric reflectance factor are examined. Directional/directional voltage responses for pressed-halon are analyzed. Three painted BaSO4 and one painted halon were calibrated using the proposed procedure. The effects of diffuse irradiance on reflectance-factor measurements are investigated. It is determined that the method has an accuracy on the order of 1 percent. The advantages and disadvantages of this method are discussed.
Sensorimotor impairment and elevated levels of dopamine metabolites in the neostriatum occur rapidly after intranigral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine or gamma-hydroxybutyrate in awake rats.

Abstract The unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (8 μg) into the ventral tegmental area of awake rats produced a rapidly developing and irreversible sensory neglect to contralateral tactile stimuli. This neglect developed in a caudal to rostral direction on the affected body surface and coincided with significant elevation in the concentrations of dopamine and two of its metabolites, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the ipsilateral neostriatum. The unilateral injection of procaine or gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) into the substantia nigra of awake animals also produced a contralateral neglect that developed in a caudal to rostral direction, but the behavioral effect of these drugs diminished within 1 hr. Concentrations of dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid in the neostriatum were markedly elevated during continuous infusions of procaine or gammahydroxybutyric acid. The extent of sensory neglect and changes in dopamine metabolism in the neostriatum varied according to the amount of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid injected into the nigra and according to the proximity of injections of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid to the pars compacta. The rapid onset of sensory neglect following microinjections of 6-hydroxydopamine, procaine or gamma-hydroxybutyric acid is consistent with the ability of each of these drugs to block the conduction of impulses in mesostriatal neurons and suggests that concomitant increases in levels of dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid in the neostriatum resulted from decreases in the release of dopamine coupled with increased synthesis of dopamine. These findings also indicate that the catabolism of dopamine to dihydroxyphenylacetic acid or homovanillic acid may originate intraneuronally, without prior release of dopamine and its recapture by mesostriatal terminals, if the flow of impulses in this pathway has been blocked.
Changes in the corpuscle of Stannius during the spawning journey of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

Abstract In an effort to clarify the function of the corpuscle of Stannius in Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ), histological studies were made of specimens from Canadian fish taken at various stages in the spawning journey. The general architecture and cell types of the corpuscle changed in several ways; these were more closely related to time in fresh water than to gonadal development. An anatomical unit composed of ganglion cells, nerves, and thick-walled blood vessels was consistently noted between the corpuscle and adjacent renal tissue. The relation of these observations to the overall function of the teleostean kidney with its several mechanisms for homeostatic control of electrolytes and steroid activity is briefly discussed.
Purification of the nitrogenase proteins from Clostridium pasteurianum.

Abstract A method is described for the purification of the nitrogenase proteins from Clostridium pasteurianum by two polyethylene glycol precipitations and chromatography on columns of DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-100 and Sephadex G-200. The Mo-Fe protein and the Fe protein have been purified 70–80-fold from the crude extract, and they appear essentially pure when tested by anaerobic polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Soil oxygen flux measured polarographically in an Alaskan tussock tundra

Soil oxygen flux was measured polarographically in undisturbed tussock tundra and in an old vehicle track at Eagle Creek, Alaska. Because some polarograms did not show effective voltage plateaus, the polarographic method was tested for use in the tundra by experimental manipulation of soil water content and microbial oxygen demand. The response of soil oxygen flux was as predicted for artificially waterlogged systems, and the response to increased microbial demand indicated relatively high oxygen availability. Soil oxygen flux ranged from 25.9 ng O2 cm−2 min−1 in Sphagnum mats to 3.9 ng O2 cm−2 min−1 in unvegetated ruts of the vehicle track. Most sites in unvegetated ruts did not have measurable soil oxygen flux. In contrast, oxygen flux beneath Eriophorum vaginatum tussocks growing in the vehicle track averaged 10.7 ng O2 cm−2 min−1.
ARREARAGES ON CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCKS LISTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE: AN ANALYSIS OF EXPERIENCE, 1935–62*

FROM 1935-62 there were 248 issues of cumulative preferred stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange which had dividends in arrears. During that period 230 arrearages were settled. The total dollar amount of arrearages on these shares was close to the $1 billion level from 1935-52. It was not until 1952 that arrearages showed a substantial decrease. In 1958 arrearages dropped below $100 million for the first time. They have since not exceeded that amount. The objectives of this study are twofold-to examine the economic and social significances which preferred stock arrearages have had and to determine the degree of compensation, if any, given for the accrued dividends when the arrearages were settled. To achieve these objectives the study is organized in the following manner: First is an exploration of the legal framework which surrounds the preferred stock contract. The legal development of the contract and the various alternatives which boards of directors can employ to remove accrued dividends are discussed. The next section is an examination of the cumulative preferred issues listed on the New York Stock Exchange from December 31, 1935 to December 31, 1962. Tabulations were made of the number of arreared issues and their respective dollar amount of arrearages throughout this period. The data were analyzed to extract trends and explanations of their behavior. Closer attention is then given to the economic behavior of the preferred stocks which became arreared from 1950-62. The dividend policy on these preferreds is scrutinized with respect to the level of annual earnings and the working capital position of the individual firms. The study concludes with an investigation of each preferred issue on which arrearages were settled by corporate recapitalizations or mergers from 1951-62. It is in this section that the question of the value placed on the accrued dividends in corporate reorganizations is answered. The major findings of the study include:
The perceived clarity of children's speech varies as a function of their default articulation rate

The current study investigated whether variation in children's default articulation rate might reflect individual differences in the development of articulatory timing control, which predicts a positive correlation between rate and perceived clarity (motor skills hypothesis), or whether such variation is better attributed to speech external factors, which predicts that faster rates result in poorer target attainment (undershoot hypothesis). Two different speech samples were obtained from 54 typically developing children (5;2 – 7;11). Six utterances were extracted from each sample and measured for articulation rate and segmental duration. Fourteen adult listeners rated the utterances for clarity (enunciation). Acoustic correlates of perceived clarity, pitch, and vowel quality were also measured. The findings were that age-dependent and individual differences in children's default articulation rates were due to segmental articulation and not to suprasegmental changes. The rating data indicated that utterances produced at faster rates were perceived as more clearly articulated than those produced at slower rates, regardless of a child's age. Vowel quality measures predicted perceived clarity independently of articulation rate. Overall, the results support the motor skills hypothesis: Faster default articulation rates emerge from better articulatory timing control.
Manganese hydride potential energy curves

Abstract The potential energy curves of the 7Σ+ and the 5Σ+ states of MnH are calculated using restricted Hartree-Fock, unrestricted Hartree-Fock and the perfect pairing generalized valence bond methods. Both of these states are bound, with the 7Σ+ lowest in energy. The bonding for both states is to the 4s2 shell rather than to any of the five singly occupied d orbitals. The MnH bonding orbitals are sp hydribs. These results are compared to similar studies of H on Sc, Fe, Ni and Cu. The implications of these results to hydrocarbon catalysis by first row transition metal catalysis are considered.
Photoconductive THz Antenna Designs With High Radiation Efficiency, High Directivity, and High Aperture Efficiency

Several linear polarized photoconductive terahertz antennas are reported and compared. A bowtie-shaped antenna, which is a variation on the standard photoconductive dipole antenna, is presented. It has satisfactory terahertz (THz) radiation performance characteristics. This bowtie-shaped antenna is combined with a silicon-based lens and with an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) to enhance its directivity properties. These antennas provide the baseline designs in our study. A capacitively loaded dipole antenna is introduced, which naturally leads to an array implementation. The simulation results show that the peak directivity of a two-element array can be increased by 2.0 dB. The directivity and front-to-back ratio of the capacitively loaded dipole array are further enhanced by introducing a meta-film superstrate. Superdirective and high-efficiency performance characteristics are demonstrated. A THz grid antenna and its generalization to a grid antenna array are also developed. Comparisons demonstrate that these planar designs significantly outperform the lens-based reference case.
Evaluation of Vision Correction Alternatives for Myopic Adults

Prior to 1980, eyeglasses and contact lenses were the only widely available corrective treatments for myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness. In recent years, surgical procedures such as radial keratotomy RK and photorefractive keratectomy PRK have become viable corrective alternatives for myopic adults. I developed a decision model that a myopic adult can use to periodically revisit his or her decision regarding vision correction, given the expected costs, benefits, and risks of the surgical and nonsurgical alternatives. I exercised this decision model using my own personal values, and found that although the expected outcomes of the surgeries are already preferable to the perpetual use of external corrective lenses, my best near-term decision was to delay surgery and give the surgeons a chance to further improve their success rates.
Comparing batteries to generators as power sources for use with mobile robotics

This paper considers the scaling principles associated with the power and energy density of batteries and generators as applied to mobile robots and similarly-sized vehicles. We seek to identify, based on present technology, the size range at which a generator inclusive of a direct current electric motor, gearbox, and internal combustion engine can be effectively used to replace modern batteries. Models were derived to scale each component of the generator as a function of power, mass, efficiency, and speed. For a given power, energy, or mass requirement, these models illustrate that generators based on conventional technology are ill-suited for smaller robots. The results indicate that there is an intermediate robot size above which a hybrid generator/battery architecture is desirable. Using these scaling principles with modest extensions of existing battery technologies, it is also possible to infer the near-future performance of robot power technology and thus illustrate whether the generator-versus-battery tradeoff will shift toward or away from a hybrid robot topology for smaller vehicle systems.
Influenza A Virus RNA Polymerase Has the Ability To Stutter at the Polyadenylation Site of a Viral RNA Template during RNA Replication

The viral polymerase of influenza virus, a negative-strand RNA virus, is believed to polyadenylate the mRNAs by stuttering at a stretch of five to seven uridine residues which are located close to the 5′ ends of the viral RNA templates. However, a mechanism of polyadenylation based on a template-independent synthesis of the poly(A) tail has not been excluded. In this report, we present new evidence showing the inherent ability of the viral polymerase to stutter at the poly(U) stretch of a viral RNA template during RNA replication. Variants which possess 1- to 13-nucleotide-long insertions at the poly(U) stretch have been identified. These results support a stuttering mechanism for the polyadenylation of influenza virus mRNAs.
Effects of Aerosol Ipratropium Bromide on Cardiac Vagal Tone

Thirty-one adult asthmatic subjects, aged 18 to 40 years, were administered both ipratropium bromide and placebo, in two sessions, held at least 2 days apart, in balanced order. Pulmonary function, heart period (milliseconds between heart beats), and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (a measure of cardiac vagal tone) were assessed before drug administration and 45 min thereafter. Ipratropium bromide had no significant effect on cardiac vagal tone, while it did produce improvement in pulmonary function.
Embryology of the spine and associated congenital abnormalities

Abstract Background context The spine is a complex and vital structure. Its function includes not only structural support of the body as a whole, but it also serves as a conduit for safe passage of the neural elements while allowing proper interaction with the brain. Anatomically, a variety of tissue types are represented in the spine. Embryologically, a detailed cascade of events must occur to result in the proper formation of both the musculoskeletal and neural elements of the spine. Alterations in these embryologic steps can result in one or more congenital abnormalities of the spine. Other body systems forming at the same time embryologically can be affected as well, resulting in associated defects in the cardiopulmonary system and the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Purpose This article is to serve as a review of the basic embryonic development of the spine. We will discuss the common congenital anomalies of the spine, including their clinical presentation, as examples of errors of this basic embryologic process. Study design/setting Review of the current literature on the embryology of the spine and associated congenital abnormalities. Methods A literature search was performed on the embryology of the spine and associated congenital abnormalities. Results Development of the spine is a complex event involving genes, signaling pathways and numerous metabolic processes. Various abnormalities are associated with errors in this process. Conclusion Physicians treating patients with congenital spinal deformities should have an understanding of normal embryologic development as well as common associated abnormalities.
An unexpected inverse relationship between HbA1c levels and mortality in patients with diabetes and advanced systolic heart failure.

Background In diabetes, poor glycemic control, as indexed by hemoglobin A1 c (HbA 1c ), is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and new-onset heart failure (HF). However, in patients with diabetes and HF, the relationship between glucose control and survival has not been investigated. Our study aimed to evaluate the relationship between HbA 1c levels and mortality in patients with diabetes and advanced systolic HF. Methods We studied a cohort of 123 patients with diabetes and advanced systolic HF referred to a single center with HbA 1c values measured at presentation. The patients were grouped based on HbA 1c : HbA 1c ≤7.0 (n = 49) and HbA 1c >7.0 (n = 74). Results The cohort was 70% men, ejection fraction of 25% ± 7, 59% ischemic etiology, HbA 1c 7.9 ± 1.8, and diabetes duration of 8.6 ± 9.0 years. The HbA 1c groups were similar in age; sex; New York Heart Association class; body mass index; diabetes duration; and insulin, metformin, and glitazone use. HbA 1c >7.0 was associated with higher ejection fraction, increased β-blocker, and sulfonlyurea use. Patients with HbA 1c ≤7.0 had significantly increased all-cause mortality, compared with those with HbA 1c >7.0 (35% vs 20%, hazard ratio 2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.2, P 1c ≤7.0 remained associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio 2.3, 95% CI 1.0-5.2). Conclusions Paradoxically, elevated HbA 1c levels were associated with improved survival in this cohort of patients with diabetes and advanced HF. Further investigation is necessary to determine the nature of this relationship and optimal HbA 1c in patients with diabetes and HF.
Asset price bubbles and stock market interlinkages

The effect of stock market interlinkages on asset price bubbles are considered. Bubbles can occur when there is an agency problem between banks and the people they lend money to because the banks cannot observe how the funds are invested. This causes a risk shifting problem and asset prices are bid up above their fundamental. The greater is uncertainty about asset returns or about the amount of aggregate credit the greater is the bubble. Stock market interlinkages can moderate or exacerbate asset price bubbles.
Inactivation of Murine Poliomyelitis Viruses by Heat

Because of the possibility of transmitting human poliomyelitis by means of contaminated milk, it is desirable to know if the heating of milk by pasteurization (143 F (61.7 C) for 30 minutes)1 will kill various strains of this virus, if they should be present. Determinations of this kind are not easily performed or readily interpreted. For instance, the temperature necessary to inactivate viruses in general may vary widely, depending on the individual strain of virus, the original titre of the virus, the time of exposure, and type of medium in which the virus is distributed, and the technical methods used to guarantee a satisfactory penetration of heat to all parts of the medium. Although the methods of testing have varied, it would appear that certain viruses are very thermolabile, being completely killed at relatively low temperatures, while others are relatively thermostable.2"4 The thermal death point of human or murine strains of poliomyelitis virus has not been definitely determined, and much of the work was done about 30 years ago. Most of the previous and particularly the early reports regarding the heat
An anonymous fair exchange e-commerce protocol

In this paper we propose an e-commerce protocol for trading digital products over the Internet. The novel features of our protocol include: (1) ensuring fair exchange, (2) not requiring manual dispute resolution in case of unfair behavior by any party, (3) assuring each party that the item he is about to receive is indeed the correct one, (4) not requiring the active involvement of a trusted third party unless a problem occurs, and (5) ensuring anonymity for both the customer and the merchant. No existing e-commerce protocol that we know of has all these features.
Nature of the Surface Crossing Process in Bacteriorhodopsin: Computer Simulations of the Quantum Dynamics of the Primary Photochemical Event

The quantum dynamics of the primary photoisomerization event in bacteriorhodopsin is studied by a semiclassical trajectory approach. The relevant surface crossing probability is evaluated from the wave functions and potential surfaces of a hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) Hamiltonian of the complete chromophore−protein−solvent system. The QM/MM model combines consistently the quantum mechanical Hamiltonian of the chromophore with the microscopic electric field of the ionized groups and induced dipoles of the protein−solvent system. The QCFF/PI Hamiltonian of the chromophore is adjusted to reproduce relevant ab initio results. The nonadiabatic coupling term is calculated numerically from the corresponding wave functions. The simulations are performed by combining the ENZYMIX and QCFF/PI molecular modeling programs. The effect of the protein on the absorption spectrum of the chromophore is examined. It is found that this spectrum reflects the effect of the protein permanent ...
The Effect of Enhanced Storybook Interaction on Signing Deaf Children’s Vocabulary

The link between vocabulary and later literacy is well documented in the research base. One way children gain vocabulary is through incidental learning. Deaf or hard-of-hearing children (D/HH) often struggle with incidental learning and require vocabulary intervention to increase their lexicon. An effective vocabulary intervention is storybook reading. When dialogic methods are added to storybook reading, the gains are greater than with traditional storybook reading. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an enhanced storybook reading intervention, which included scripted questions and picture prompts, on the vocabulary of young signing D/HH children. We utilized a multiple baseline across content probe design. We discovered a functional relation between the storybook intervention and picture vocabulary identification for several participants. This outcome offers insight into appropriate interventions to increase vocabulary for signing D/HH children.
The social cost of uniform regulatory standards in a hierarchical government

Abstract Regulatory agencies charged with public health and safety typically promulgate uniform regulatory standards, which suggests the agencies are concerned mainly to reduce harmful externalities, with little concern for firms' costs. A focus on benefits, to the exclusion of costs, in standard-setting and enforcement leads to inefficiencies. We show that, even when the legislature cannot peg the budget to a specific enforcement policy, it can reduce the distortions by limiting the enforcement agency's budget and by permitting the agency to partially self-finance from rebates of noncompliance fines.
Effect of Nitric Oxide on the Anticancer Activity of the Topoisomerase-Active Drugs Etoposide and Adriamycin in Human Melanoma Cells

Nitric oxide (·NO) was originally identified as an innate cytotoxin. However, in tumors it can enhance resistance to chemotherapy and exacerbate cancer progression. Our previous studies indicated that (·NO/·NO-derived species react with etoposide (VP-16) in vitro and form products that show significantly reduced activity toward HL60 cells and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages. Here, we further confirm the hypothesis that (÷)NO generation contributes to VP-16 resistance by examining interactions of ·NO with VP-16 in inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS)-expressing human melanoma A375 cells. Inhibition of iNOS catalysis by N(6)-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine dihydrochloride (L-NIL) in human melanoma A375 cells reversed VP-16 resistance, leading to increased DNA damage and apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that coculturing A375 melanoma cells with LPS-induced macrophage RAW cells also significantly reduced VP-16 cytotoxicity and DNA damage in A375 cells. We also examined the interactions of (·)NO with another topoisomerase active drug, Adriamycin, in A375 cells. In contrast, to VP-16, (·)NO caused no significant modulation of cytotoxicity or Adriamycin-dependent apoptosis, suggesting that (⋅)NO does not interact with Adriamycin. Our studies support the hypothesis that (·)NO oxidative chemistry can detoxify VP-16 through direct nitrogen oxide radical attack. Our results provide insights into the pharmacology and anticancer mechanisms of VP-16 that may ultimately contribute to increased resistance, treatment failure, and induction of secondary leukemia in VP-16-treated patients.
Fluorescent Intensity of Dye Solutions under Different pH Conditions

Fluorescent tracers are widely used for assessment of spray quantity in the field due to their relatively high sensitivity, low cost and user safety. However, many concerns have been raised over their measurement accuracy due to questions of stability of fluorescence during tests. Stable analysis of fluorescence is essential to ensure accurate evaluation of pesticide spray application efficiency. The objective of this research was to determine the stability of fluorescent intensity of five tracers dissolved in solutions with various pH conditions in an effort to minimize analytical errors in the measurement of spray deposition and drift. The fluorescent intensity of five fluorescent tracers commonly used for the quantitative assessment of spray deposition and off-target loss was investigated with wash solutions over pH conditions from 6.9-10.4. The tracers selected in the tests were Brilliant Sulfaflavine (BSF), Fluorescein, Pyranine, Tinopal, and Eosin. The fluorescence of Pyranine was the most sensitive to the solution pH conditions, followed by Fluorescein and Tinopal, while BSF and Eosin had a nearly constant fluorescent intensity over the pH range from 6.9-10.4. The fluorescence of Fluorescein increased 1.3 times, Tinopal 1.25 times, and Pyranine 3.0 times as the pH value increased from 6.9- 8.4, but it became nearly constant when pH value was greater than 8.4. However, Pyranine, Fluorescein, and Tinopal showed much stronger fluorescence than BSF and Eosin. A solution containing Fluorescein at pH 8.4 and higher demonstrated 83 times greater fluorescent intensity than the solution containing the same amount of BSF. In conclusion, the fluorescence of tracers should be examined under various pH conditions during the selection of tracers for pesticide spray deposition and drift trials.
A Framework for Comparing Customer Satisfaction across Individuals and Product Categories

Abstract A framework is presented which integrates economic and psychological perspectives in order to compare customer satisfaction across individuals and product categories. The framework lays the foundation for the development of a national index for customer satisfaction that is now in place in Sweden. An important property of any such index is that it allows for comparisons across customers, firms, and industries. A number of propositions are forwarded regarding potentially systematic differences in satisfaction across people and products.
Hydroxyl Radical Kinetic Measurements in Low Temperature Nanosecond Pulsed Non-equilibrium Plasmas

Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy is used to study the temporal evolution of hydroxyl radical (OH) concentration in hydrogen-air repetitively pulsed nanosecond discharges at equivalence ratios of 0.5 and 1.0, and pressure and initial temperature of 40 Torr and 300 K, respectively, with the number of pulses in a 40 kHz burst varied between one and one thousand. Relative OH concentration data is put on an absolute scale by calibration with an atmospheric pressure near-adiabatic flat flame Hencken burner. Experimental time-resolved absolute OH radical concentrations as a function of time after initiation of a single discharge pulse, and as a function of number of pulses in the 40 kHz burst are found to agree well with predictions from a recently developed hydrogen-air plasma chemistry model which incorporates non-equilibrium plasma processes, low temperature H2 – air chemistry, non-empirical scaling of nanosecond discharge pulse energy coupled to the plasma, and quasi-one-dimensional conduction heat transfer.
Carbon Sequestration from Remotely-Sensed NDVI and Net Ecosystem Exchange

Aircraft eddy flux measurements of net ecosystem exchange were acquired in 1999 over four southeastern Wyoming landscapes: a coniferous forest, a mixed dryland/irrigated agricultural area, a mixed-grass prairie, and a sagebrush steppe. A linear relationship between net ecosystem exchange and the absorbed photosynthetically active radiation was used to determine the efficiency of radiation use, which was used with remotely-sensed normalized difference vegetation index to calculate gross primary production. Chamber measurements of total ecosystem respiration for the sagebrush and grassland sites were used to develop a functional relationship with daily average temperature. The sagebrush and forest sites were net carbon sinks, whereas the grassland and agricultural sites were in carbon balance. Combining the use of remote sensing with net ecosystem exchange measurements avoids problems associated with small-scale flux sampling to determine areas of carbon sequestration. With large areas of the globe covered by rangelands, the potential for carbon sequestration may be significant.
Candidate sites for lunar observatories, with a recommended example: The NE Orientale Basin

This paper discusses site selection criteria for a Moon‐based observatory, using an area on the NE flank of the Orientale Basin at 80° W on the lunar equator as a recommended example. Such a site would provide the following advantages: visibility of essentially the entire celestial sphere, continual line of sight to Earth, dynamic accessibility for minimum energy landings and takeoffs, closeness to the far side for installation of instruments requiring a radio silent environment, trafficable and workable terrain, closeness to geologically important features, and closeness to volcanic features with potential resources. Polar and far side sites have advantages as well, and no one site can meet all requirements. It is suggested that other candidate sites be evaluated by the criteria used for the Orientale Basin.
Sexually dimorphic behavioral responses to prenatal dioxin exposure.

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats received a single oral dose of 0, 20, 60, or 180 ng/kg 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on day 8 of gestation. Each litter contributed a single male-female pair trai...
Four-Factor Structure of the Correctional Personnel Rating Scale

Correctional officer performance appraisals often neglect to target important job behaviours, particularly those involving ineffective as well as effective work behaviours, and interactions with other staff and inmates. The Correctional Personnel Rating Scale (CPRS) was designed to capture these behaviours as well as traditional routine task-related behaviours. Two performance ratings were obtained, using the CPRS, for each of 742 correctional officers. An exploratory factor analysis identified four factors that reliably assessed (1) desirable work behaviours, (2) undesirable work behaviours, (3) emotional control, and (4) inmate relations. Findings indicate that the CPRS is an effective, comprehensive tool for assessing correctional officers’ job performance.
Energetic analysis of an antigen/antibody interface: Alanine scanning mutagenesis and double mutant cycles on the hyhel‐10/lysozyme interaction

Alanine scanning mutagenesis of the HyHEL-10 paratope of the HyHEL-10/HEWL complex demonstrates that the energetically important side chains (hot spots) of both partners are in contact. A plot of deltadeltaG(HyHEL-10_mutant) vs. deltadeltaG(HEWL_mutant) for the five of six interacting side-chain hydrogen bonds is linear (Slope = 1). Only 3 of the 13 residues in the HEWL epitope contribute >4 kcal/mol to the free energy of formation of the complex when replaced by alanine, but 6 of the 12 HyHEL-10 paratope amino acids do. Double mutant cycle analysis of the single crystallographically identified salt bridge, D32H/K97, shows that there is a significant energetic penalty when either partner is replaced with a neutral side-chain amino acid, but the D32(H)N/K97M complex is as stable as the WT. The role of the disproportionately high number of Tyr residues in the CDR was evaluated by comparing the deltadeltaG values of the Tyr --> Phe vs. the corresponding Tyr --> Ala mutations. The nonpolar contacts in the light chain contribute only about one-half of the total deltadeltaG observed for the Tyr --> Ala mutation, while they are significantly more important in the heavy chain. Replacement of the N31L/K96 hydrogen bond with a salt bridge, N31D(L)/K96, destabilizes the complex by 1.4 kcal/mol. The free energy of interaction, deltadeltaG(int), obtained from double mutant cycle analysis showed that deltadeltaG(int) for any complex for which the HEWL residue probed is a major immunodeterminant is very close to the loss of free energy observed for the HyHEL-10 single mutant. Error propagation analysis of double mutant cycles shows that data of atypically high precision are required to use this method meaningfully, except where large deltadeltaG values are analyzed.
A different depression: clinical distinctions between bipolar and unipolar depression

Delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis can prolong the suffering of patients with bipolar disorder. Accurate early diagnosis is sometimes difficult, however, particularly because patients often present in the depressive phase, which can easily be mistaken for unipolar depression. Unfortunately, therapy appropriate for unipolar depression can increase the risk of manic switch or cycle acceleration in bipolar disorder, especially in those with a family history of bipolarity and suicide, although some antidepressants may be useful in some bipolar patients. In addition, most currently available mood stabilizers, though effective in managing mania, do not effectively resolve depression. In contrast, lamotrigine has shown activity in bipolar depression and has a very low risk of manic switch. Bipolar depression, compared with unipolar depression, is more likely to be associated with hypersomnia, motor retardation, mood lability, early onset, and a family history of bipolar disorder. Awareness of these distinctions can greatly improve diagnosis of bipolar disorder and provide an opportunity for effective therapeutic intervention.
Utilizing Rasch measurement models to develop a computer adaptive self-report of walking, climbing, and running.

Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to show how the Rasch model can be used to develop a computer adaptive self-report of walking, climbing, and running.Method. Our instrument development work on the walking/climbing/running construct of the ICF Activity Measure was used to show how to develop a computer adaptive test (CAT). Fit of the items to the Rasch model and validation of the item difficulty hierarchy was accomplished using Winsteps software. Standard error was used as a stopping rule for the CAT. Finally, person abilities were connected to items difficulties using Rasch analysis ‘maps’.Results. All but the walking one mile item fit the Rasch measurement model. A CAT was developed which selectively presented items based on the last calibrated person ability measure and was designed to stop when standard error decreased to a pre-set criterion. Finally, person ability measures were connected to the ability to perform specific walking/climbing/running activities using Rasch maps.Conclusions. Rasch me...
Cyclin D1 Activity Regulates Autophagy and Senescence in the Mammary Epithelium

Overexpression of cyclin D1 is believed to endow mammary epithelial cells (MECs) with a proliferative advantage by virtue of its contribution to pRB inactivation. Accordingly, abrogation of the kinase-dependent function of cyclin D1 is sufficient to render mice resistant to breast cancer initiated by ErbB2. Here, we report that mouse cyclin D1KE/KE MECs (deficient in cyclin D1 activity) upregulate an autophagy-like process but fail to implement ErbB2-induced senescence in vivo. In addition, immortalized cyclin D1KE/KE MECs retain high rates of autophagy and reduced ErbB2-mediated transformation in vitro. However, highlighting its dual role during tumorigenesis, downregulation of autophagy led to an increase in senescence in cyclin D1KE/KE MECs. Autophagy upregulation was also confirmed in human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) subjected to genetic and pharmacological inhibition of cyclin D1 activity and, similar to our murine system, simultaneous inhibition of Cdk4/6 and autophagy in HMECs enhanced the senescence response. Collectively, our findings suggest a previously unrecognized function of cyclin D1 in suppressing autophagy in the mammary epithelium.
Diagnosis of Hydatidiform Moles by Polymorphic Deletion Probe Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization

Because products of conception often contain maternal and villous tissues, the determination of maternal and villous genotypes based on genetic polymorphisms can help discern maternal and paternal chromosomal contribution and aid in the diagnosis of hydatidiform moles. Polymorphic deletion probe (PDP) fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes based on copy number variants are highly polymorphic and allow in situ determination of genetic identity. By using three informative PDPs on chromosomes 2p, 4q, and 8p, we compared maternal with villous genotypes and determined the ploidy of villous tissue. PDP FISH was performed on 13 complete moles, 13 partial moles, 13 nonmolar abortions, and an equivocal hydropic abortion. PDP FISH permitted definitive diagnosis of complete moles in five of 13 cases for which maternal and villous genotypes were mutually exclusive. A complete mole was highly suspected when all three PDP loci showed homozygous villous genotypes. The diagnosis of a complete mole by PDP FISH yielded a theoretical test sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 91.8%, an observed test sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 92.3%. Triploidy was observed in all partial moles, in which diandric triploidy was confirmed in six cases. In the equivocal hydropic abortion, PDP FISH combined with p57 immunofluorescence revealed placental androgenetic/biparental mosaicism. PDP FISH can be used in clinical practice and research studies to subclassify hydatidiform moles and evaluate unusual products of conception.
Cytoplasmic Organisation and the Properties of Cell Water: Speculations on Animal Cell Cryopreservation

The idea that the aqueous regions of cytoplasm consist of a concentrated and chaotic solution or proteins (and other macromolecules), coenzymes and metabolites of various kinds, and inorganic ions has been with us for a long time and still seems to be the commonly accepted paradigm. During the last 10 years, however, evidence has been steadily accumulating which suggests that the situation is far more complicated and interesting. In this brief essay I will summarise some of the principal reasons to believe that cytoplasmic organisation may extend to the level of individual macromolecules, and that the “crowded solution paradigm” is largely an assumption based upon cell disruption metholodolgy. Mention will also be made of the potential importance of cytoplasmic organisation in determining the physical properties of intracellular water. Both matters will be considered briefly in the context of animal cell cryopreservation.
Clean Intermittent Catheterization in the Elderly

Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) has become the gold standard for bladder management in a host of neurologic and non-neurologic disease states causing urinary retention. While CIC has been extensively studied, there has been limited research in applying CIC to the elderly population. In this review paper, we evaluate the lessons learned about the feasibility, complications, and obstacles to compliance associated with CIC and apply them to an elderly population. With the use of improved teaching methods, devices to assist with passing the catheter, and ongoing education and follow-up, we believe that CIC can be a viable option for bladder management in elderly patients with urinary retention.
The Pros and Cons of Manufacturers’ Reps as a Channel of Distribution for Small Industrial Companies

This research project investigated the marketing activities of smaller industrial firms ($250M–10MM in sales) and their channels of distribution. Concern here was with the competitiveness of companies without the market position and financial resources of the larger market leaders. The investigation focused generally on (a) company sales force/channel composition, (b) use of industrial distributors, and (c) specifically upon the use of manufacturers’ representatives.
Infection of the infrapatellar bursa. A report of two cases.

We report the cases of two patients to alert the physician that tenderness proximal to the insertion of the patellar ligament associated with the absence of passive flexion of the knee in a patient who has a sterile effusion may indicate an infection of the infrapatellar bursa.
Can BRAF V600E mutation alter F-18 FDG uptake?

1615 Objectives BRAF somatic mutations are found in primary and metastatic melanomas. Commonly found BRAF mutants stimulate RAF/MEK (mitogen-activated ERK-activating kinase)/ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) pathway activation. BRAF V600E is the most common of the BRAF mutations. The objective of this study is to determine if BRAF V600E mutation in melanoma alters F-18 FDG PET/CT uptake in patients with melanoma. Methods 29 patients with melanoma who had prior PET/CT and subsequent resection were reviewed. However, only 17 patients had enough residual tissue to further evaluation for the BRAF V600E to be included in the study. PET/CT studies were evaluated at the primary and metastatic sites. Pathology was assessed to see the size of the biopsied lesions to ensure that enough of the tissue was present to be localized on the PET/CT scan. Results BRAF V600E testing was positive in 9 of 17 patients. PET/CT was positive in 5 of 9 patients (55%) and negative on 4 of 9 patients (45%). In patients who had negative BRAF V600E test, PET/CT was positive on 6 of 8 patients (75%) and negative on 2 of 8 patients (25%). Conclusions A negative PET/CT scan in a patient with a positive BRAF V600E should be scrutinized more carefully as there is a higher probability of a false negative PET/CT scan.