cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SWITCHABLE POLARITY SOLVENTS AS DRAW SOLUTES FOR FORWARD OSMOSIS

Abstract Switchable polarity solvents (SPS), mixtures of carbon dioxide, water, and tertiary amines, are presented as viable forward osmosis (FO) draw solutes allowing a novel SPS FO process. In this study substantial osmotic strengths of SPS are measured with freezing point osmometry and were demonstrated to induce competitive fluxes at high salt concentrations on a laboratory-scale FO unit utilizing a flat sheet cellulose triacetate (CTA) membrane. Under the experimental conditions the SPS degrades the CTA membrane; however experiments with polyamide reverse osmosis (RO) membranes display stability towards SPS. Once the draw is diluted the major fraction of the switchable polarity solvent can be mechanically separated from the purified water after polar to nonpolar phase shift induced by introduction of 1 atm carbon dioxide to 1 atm of air or nitrogen with mild heating. Trace amounts of SPS can be removed from the separated water with RO in a process that avoids solution concentration polarization. The separated nonpolar phase can be regenerated to a full strength draw and recycled with the re-addition of 1 atm of carbon dioxide.
Respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin for prophylaxis against respiratory syncytial virus disease in infants and children with congenital heart disease

Abstract Objective: To examine the effectiveness of respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin administered intravenously (RSV-IGIV) in reducing hospitalization for treatment of RSV in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: Children younger than 4 years of age were randomly assigned to a treatment group receiving RSV-IGIV, 750 mg/kg, monthly or to a control group not receiving infusions. Surveillance for respiratory tract infections was carried out and management decisions were made by physicians blinded to treatment group. Results: Hospitalization for treatment of an RSV infection occurred in 32 of 214 (15%) of control children and 21 of 202 (10%) of the children receiving RSV-IGIV, a 31% reduction ( P = .16). However, in infants younger than 6 months of age at study entry, 20 of 82 (24%) in the control group and 10 of 96 (10%) in the RSV-IGIV group had RSV hospitalizations (58% reduction, P = .01). The incidence of hospitalization for any respiratory tract symptomatology was lower in the RSV-IGIV group (34 of 202, 17%) than in the control group (57 of 214, 27%; P = .02). There was a significantly higher frequency of unanticipated cyanotic episodes and of poor outcomes after surgery among children with cyanotic CHD in the RSV-IGIV group (22 of 78, 28%) than in the control group (4 of 47, 8.5%; P = .009). Conclusion: RSV-IGIV should not be used for prophylaxis of RSV disease in children with cyanotic CHD. RSV-IGIV did not reduce RSV hospitalization in all children with CHD, but it was effective in preventing RSV hospitalization in infants younger than 6 months of age. Further studies in these children are indicated. (J Pediatr 1998;133:492-9)
Will Xenotransplantation Ever Be Feasible

In several recent conferences, the principal questions have been whether xenotransplantation technology should be encouraged and, if so, how it should be regulated. Because the prospect of successful transplantation of animal organs into humans is still remote, the rush to achieve consensus about clinical application would be inexplicable were it not for two ostensibly unrelated issues. The first is the small but undeniable theoretical hazard of causing new human infections with the intermingling of tissues from different species. The second, advanced by animal-rights advocates, concerns the spiritual and ethical relationship of humans to animals.
Analysis and shape optimization in incompressible flows with unstructured grids

Abstract The aim of this study is to develop and validate numerical methods that perform shape optimization in incompressible flows using unstructured meshes. The three-dimensional Euler equations for compressible flow are modified using the idea of artificial compressibility and discretized on unstructured tetrahedral grids to provide estimates of pressure distributions for aerodynamic configurations. Convergence acceleration techniques like multigrid and residual averaging are used along with parallel computing platforms to enable these simulations to be performed in a few minutes. This computational frame-work is used to analyze sail geometries. The adjoint equations corresponding to the “incompressible” field equations are derived along with the functional form of gradients. The evaluation of the gradients is reduced to an integral around the boundary to circumvent hurdles posed by adjoint-based gradient evaluations on unstructured meshes. The reduced gradient evaluations provide major computational savings for unstructured grids and its accuracy and use for canonical and industrial problems is a major contribution of this study. The design process is driven by a steepest-descent algorithm with a fixed step-size. The feasibility of the design process is demonstrated for three inverse design problems, two canonical problems and one industrial problem.
A comparison of the relative reaction rates of alkenes towardhydroboration and toward oxymercuration

Abstract A correlation between the relative rates of hydroboration and those ofoxymercuration of a series of alkenes indicates similar steric requirements in the transition states of the two reactions.
Patients' Attitudes Toward Implanted Defibrillator Shocks

In addition to its beneficial effect on patient survival, the implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) changes a patient's life physically, socially, and psychologically. For improved patient management, it is important to understand the quality-of-life changes that accompany this mode of treatment. To this end, 119 patients were surveyed retrospectively and interviewed concurrently regarding their emotional, physical, and behavioral responses to ICD shocks and to the device itself. Most (55%) correctly estimated the total number of shocks they had received within a 10% margin. They found the shocks severe, 79% assigning a score between 3 and 5 on a scale of 1-5. Common descriptions of the shock sensation were a blow to the body or a spasm causing the entire body to jump. Most patients tolerated the shocks as lifesaving, but 23% dreaded shocks and 5% even said they would rather be without the ICD and take their chances. After a shock, 50% of patients called their physician and 42% continued their daily routine. Thirty percent went to a hospital emergency room or called a rescue service. Sixty-five percent had no preshock prodromes. Fifty-four percent were interested in the programmable option of a warning signal prior to a shock, while 31% preferred no warning. Of the 74% who were advised not to drive after implantation, 29% drove anyway. Five patients were shocked while driving with no resulting accidents. We conclude that most patients find ICD shocks moderately uncomfortable, but they tolerate them because of the lifesaving protection provided by the device. Language: en
Burmese Kinship Terminology1

THE attraction of componential analysis has been the increase in formal precision it has brought to such hallowed anthropological topics as kinship terminology. Proponents of the method feel that it leads to a deeper understanding of the meaning of a set of terms and of the way speakers use them. However, if other analytical techniques can be used without sacrifice of formal precision to supplement or replace componential analysis, the following question arises: How is one to choose between two alternative descriptions which use contrasting techniques? The criteria of simplicity and elegance, while unexceptionable in the abstract, may be slippery and inconclusive in particular cases. Perhaps some insight into the problem, though not a solution to it, may be formed by presenting two parallel descriptions of the same terminological system utilizing contrasting formal methods. It is with this goal in mind that two different descriptions of Burmese kinship terminology are given in this paper. The kinship terms are listed and defined by some of the kin types to which they apply and then are subjected to a more or less conventional componential analysis. Following this, an alternative description is given which relies as far as possible upon relative product definitions. This latter type of definition makes use of terms that have been defined previously, to build up the meaning of additional terms. English uncle, for instance, can be defined as parent's brother, once the meaning of parent, brother and 's are known. No description can depend exclusively upon relative product definitions, since a start must be made with terms whose meanings are known in some other way. Of the descriptions presented in this paper, therefore, the first is reasonably pure, since it makes use only of the intersecting semantic dimensions of componential analysis. The second is inevitably mixed, for it relies both upon certain primitive terms which are defined much as they are in the componential analysis, and upon relative products that build upon the primitive terms. Many other descriptions are possible, including those consisting of varying mixtures of the two given here. Quite possibly some of these others would seem less extreme and more elegant than either of those given, for contrary to more usual practice, I make no claim to a simple or elegant solution. Rather, I have tried to construct two typologically extreme solutions in the hope that the contrast between them will prove illuminating. One complicating feature of Burmese kin terminology must be omitted from both descriptions. Burmese speakers know and use many alternative terms which are synonymous with respect to the semantic criteria recognized
Impact of Intracardiac Electrophysiologic Testing on the Management of Elderly Patients With Recurrent Syncope or Near Syncope

Seventy-five patients, 75 years of age and over, experienced recurrent syncope, with the etiology remaining unclear but presumably cardiogenic, after cardiac and neurologic examinations and noninvasive laboratory testing (including an electrocardiogram and ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring). The mean number of previous syncopal spells was 14 (range, 1 to 64) over a mean of 36 months (range, 1 to 480 months). These patients underwent invasive electrophysiologic testing and a potential cause for syncope was identified in 68%. Abnormal findings at electrophysiologic testing included: sinus node dysfunction (55%); abnormal His-bundle conduction (39%); and ventricular tachycardia (14%), with some patients having more than one abnormality. No major complications were associated with the electrophysiologic testing. Patients were subsequently treated with permanent cardiac pacing or antiarrhythmic drugs or both, depending upon results of the electrophysiologic study. Follow-up examinations (mean of 26 months; range, 1 to 70) were possible in 90% of patients. No further syncope occurred in 84% of patients with an abnormal electrophysiologic study who received subsequent therapy to prevent the identified abnormality. Thus, in this difficult group of patients with recurrent syncope of uncertain etiology, electrophysiologic testing was safe and indicated abnormalities of conduction or rhythm in 68% of patients; treatment to correct these abnormalities prevented recurrent syncope in 84%.
Comments on Two stable equilibria of a coupled ocean-atmosphere model'

Manabe and Stouffer (1988) previously have presented the results of experiments with a global coupled ocean-atmosphere climate model, which suggests that the climate of the earth may be bimodal in character. They couple a general circulation model of the world oceans (OGCM) to a general circulation models of the atmosphere (AGCM) by imposing continuity of heat and freshwater fluxes and stresses at the ocean-atmosphere interface. They attribute the large difference between the results and the modern ocean to a systematic bias in the model surface ocean freshwater flux. The authors of this comment attribute the bias in the MS OAGCM and the necessity of the freshwater flux correction to a failure of the model to adequately simulate surface freshwater fluxes, in particular for the GIN sea. The authors feel that if the GIN Sea is indeed critical, a possible solution may be to use a nested ocean-atmosphere grid in this region similar to that implemented for ocean eddies by Spall and Holland (1991).
Health Reform: Getting The Essentials Right

As the ninety-year history and failure of health care reform illustrates, it is easy for policymakers to disagree about the details of any new plan. In this Perspective, the author suggests trying a new approach this time: enacting a plan that encompasses four essential principles and then making midcourse adjustments later to get the details right. He defines the essentials as the Four Cs: coverage, cost control, coordinated care, and choice.
Seasonal effects in prolactin response to m-chlorophenylpiperazine challenge in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Prolactin (PRL) response to the partial serotonin (5-HT) agonist m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) has been used as a probe of serotonergic function in a variety of psychiatric populations. Blunting of the PRL response to m-CPP has been reported in subjects with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as compared to normal controls (Hollander et al 1992; Zohar et al 1987). Blunting of the PRL response to m-CPP challenge has been reported in bulimic patients, and of particular interest was that the PRL response was found to significantly vary with season (Brewerton et al 1992). In light of evidence for serotonin involvement in OCD and reports of seasonal effects in 5-HT function, it is of interest to determine whether there are seasonal effects in PRL response to m-CPP challenge in patients with OCD. The study addresses whether the PRL response to m-CPP challenge varies across seasons in subjects with OCD. Of additional interest was whether any seasonal variation is more consistent with 1) differences in photoperiod, such that a combined season of spring/summer (long photoperiod) differs from a combined season of fall/winter (short photoperiod); or 2) hypothesized differences in the rate of change of 5-HT turnover
The government wants your DNA

The article discusses research in forensics as of March 2013, with a focus on the police and government practice of collecting civilian DNA and concerns about civil rights infringements. Topics include personal privacy and how police are collecting DNA from individuals charged with nonviolent crimes, techniques for DNA sampling and processing information in databases, and how the U.S. Supreme Court can adjudicate the legality of collecting genetic samples from arrested individuals. Additional information is presented on legal action to protect individual genetic privacy.
Proteins of equine herpesvirus type 3. I. Polypeptides of the purified virion.

Abstract Enveloped virions of equine herpesvirus type 3 (EHV-3) were purified from the extracellular fluids of infected horse embryo fibroblast cell cultures (KyED) by sequential banding in dextran-10 and potassium tartrate density gradients. The preparations of purified virus consisted of enveloped herpesvirus particles with little extraneous cellular material demonstrable by electron microscopy or by overt addition of labeled cellular proteins prior to purification. Structural polypeptides of the purified EHV-3 virions were analyzed by electrophoresis in SDS-polyacrylamide slab gels cross-linked with N,N′-diallytartardiamide. Thirty-four polypeptides, ranging in molecular weight from 14 × 103 to 220 × 103 were resolved in Coomassie brilliant blue-stained electropherograms of the purified virions. Ten of these proteins were larger than 100 × 103 and two were larger than 200 × 103. A 148 × 103 capsid protein was a major structural polypeptide of the EHV-3 virion. Coelectrophoresis of the proteins of EHV-3 virions with those of the genetically unrelated equine herpes-virus type 1 (EHV-1) revealed a similarity in size range and number of the virion structural proteins; however, the molecular weights and proportional composition of the majority of EHV-3 polypeptides differed significantly from those of the virion proteins of EHV-1.
Synthesis of Closo-1,7-Carboranyl Alkyl Amines

Of the three closo-carborane isomers (C2B10H12), closo-1,2-carborane has been used most widely in the synthesis of carboranyl amines. However, closo-1,2-carboranes are prone to deboronation to nido-7,8-carborane under various conditions including attack by basic amino groups. In order to overcome this problem, closo-1,7-carboranyl ethyl-, propyl-, and butylamine were synthesized, which should be more stable towards basic deboronation than their closo-1,2-carboranyl counterparts. These closo-1,7-carboranyl amines (5, 18 and 19) were synthesized using two different methods, both starting from the corresponding closo-1,7-carboranyl alkyl iodides (3, 14 and 15). One of the carboranyl alkyl amine (5) was conjugated with folic acid to form a closo-1,7-carborane-folic acid bioconjugate (20).
The tonicity of an eye drop and its dilution by tears.

By instilling drops containing fluorescein in man, it was found that increasing their tonicity above that of the body fluids leads to their immediate dilution by osmosis in the eye. No increased penetration of a drug is achieved, therefore, by increasing its concentration so that the drop becomes hypertonic.
Pressure and preheat dependence of laminar flame speeds of H2/CO/CO2/O2/He mixtures

Abstract Laminar flame speeds of lean H2/CO/CO2 (syngas) fuel mixtures have been measured for a range of H2 levels (20–90% of the fuel) at pressures and reactant preheat temperatures relevant to gas turbine combustors (15 atm and up to 600 K). A conical flame stabilized on a contoured nozzle is used for the flame speed measurement, which is based on the reaction zone area calculated from chemiluminescence imaging of the flame. An O2:He mixture (1:9 by volume) is used as the oxidizer in order to suppress the hydrodynamic and thermo-diffusive instabilities that become prominent at elevated pressure conditions for lean H2/CO fuel mixtures. All the measurements are compared with numerical predictions based on two leading kinetic mechanisms: a H2/CO mechanism from Davis et al. and a C1 mechanism from Li et al. The results generally agree with the findings of an earlier study at atmospheric pressure: (1) for low H2 content ( 60%) H2 content fuels, especially at very lean conditions. At elevated pressure, however, the effect is less pronounced than at atmospheric conditions. The exaggerated temperature dependence of the current models may be due to errors in the temperature dependence used for so-called “low temperature” reactions that become more important as the preheat temperature is increased. There is also evidence of slight radiative heat transfer effects on the laminar flame speed for lean syngas mixtures associated with CO2 addition to the fuel (up to 40%) at elevated pressure and preheat temperature.
Proteolytic response to feeding level in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Abstract In fish, a quadratic relationship between feed intake and feed efficiency is observed most-often, with optimal nutrient retention occurring at moderate levels of feed restriction. Determining how mechanisms controlling nutrient utilization are affected by feed intake, with a particular emphasis on those that impact protein turnover, will enable a better understanding of the metabolic processes that contribute to variations in nutrient retention. In the present study, rainbow trout were fed for 10 weeks at different levels of satiation and indices of growth, nutrient retention, and protein degradation were determined. As-fed and dry-weight feed efficiency, specific growth rate, and protein, lipid, and energy retention displayed a positive quadratic response to feeding level (P
Variational approach to a non‐local identification problem related to non‐linear ion transport

A variational approach to a non-linear non-local identification problem related to the non-linear transport equation is studied. Introducing a similarity transformation, the problem is formulated as an identification problem for a non-linear differential equation of second order with an additional non-local condition. For the solution of the forward problem stability in H 1 -norm with respect to the identification parameter is obtained. Using this result the existence of a solution to the identification problem is proved. Some results of computational experiments are given.
The Hidden Effect of Intangible Financial Information on the Market Value of Hospitality Firms in the United States

Intangible assets may not be fully captured in the traditional financial statements. Therefore, this study investigated the extent to which tangible financial information explains the market value of hospitality firms, and then it examined the discrepancy between tangible information and intangible information on firm value. This study found that book value of current assets was a significant predictor of a firm's market value, but only 31.9% of the variability of firms' market performance could be explained by tangible financial information. This suggests that about 68% of the variability of a firm's market performance might be explained by unrecorded intangibles and the interconnectedness of intangibles.
Glycation of human erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase: Effect on the physical and kinetic properties

Abstract Background Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is a significant antioxidant enzyme that plays a key role in protecting the body from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their toxicity. As a biocatalyst, the enzyme has been shown to reduce hydrogen peroxide to water and lipid hydroperoxides to their respective alcohols. The increased levels of ROS in patients with diabetes have been speculated to arise, in part, from alterations in the activity of glutathione antioxidant enzymes, perhaps, by mechanisms such as the glycation of the protein, in vivo. Methods Under physiological conditions of temperature and pH, we investigated the susceptibility of human glutathione peroxidase to glycation, determined the effects of glycation on the physical and kinetic properties of the enzyme, and identified the protein's vulnerable amino acid sites of glycation. Results Circular dichroism, UV and mass spectrometry studies revealed that methylglyoxal and dl -glyceraldehyde are potent glycators of glutathione peroxidase; destabilizing its structure, altering its pH activity and stability profiles and increasing its Km value. Conclusions In comparison to dl -glyceraldehyde, methylglyxol was a more potent glycator of the enzyme and was found to nonenzymatically condense with Arg-177, located near the glutathione binding site of GPx.
Reversion of an ilvB mutation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the presence of a derivative of RP1 plasmid

We have isolated a derivative of RP1, a broad-host-range plasmid, in whose presence the ilvB112 mutation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PU21 reverts at a high frequency. This derivative of RP1 (RP1-ilvB+ complex) may have arisen by a fusion of the P. aeruginosa ilvB gene with RP1 during their co-transfer into strain PU21. The RP1 derivative is not very stable in the PU21 background but it can apparently be stabilized by its integration into the host chromosome, resulting in an Hfr-type donor strain, SP500.
Comparison of simulation and flight-test data for missile systems

Simulation models are frequently used to analyze missile performance. These models produce data that must be compared to corresponding flight-test data. This report describes statistical tests usef...
Native and Exotic Rosaceous Hosts of Apple, Plum, and Quince Curculio Larvae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the Northeastern United States

Native and exotic rosaceous fruits were sampled to determine hosts of apple curculio, Anthonomus quadrigibbus Say, plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst), and quince curculio, C. crataegi Walsh, larvae. One or more species of these univoltine weevils infested 22 of 24 (91.7%) rosaceous species, including 13 native ones. Weevil infestations tended to be greater in exotic fruits than native fruits. The plum curculio had the broadest host range (19 species), followed by the apple curculio (9 species), and the quince curculio (6 species). Principal apple curculio hosts were native Amelanchier spp., Crataegus spp., and Prunus serotina Ehrhart. The apple curculio did not attack apple, Malus domestica Borkhausen, or most other exotic fruits in areas sampled. Ten native fruits, mainly Amelanchier spp. and Prunus spp., and nine exotic orchard fruits were infested by the plum curculio. The quince curculio developed in fruits of two native Crataegus spp. and four exotic orchard species. Selective removal of wild rosaceous reservoirs of these curculios may reduce fruit damage in commercial orchards.
Magnetic susceptibility quantification for arbitrarily shaped objects in inhomogeneous fields

Magnetic susceptibility measurement has wide-ranging applications in MR technical development and medical applications. A general susceptibility quantitation method for objects of arbitrary shapes in inhomogeneous magnetic fields is presented in this study. Based on the mean value properties of magnetic fields, the polarizing magnetic field at the location of interest inside an object can be exactly obtained in situ from the field values on a spherical surface enclosing the object. With numerical computation of the self-demagnetizing field and correction of contact shifts, magnetic susceptibilities were quantitatively measured for CuSO(4) phantoms based on their MR gradient echo phase maps.
Lasers and electro-optic technology in natural resource management

As pressure on our limited land base continues to increase managers of public lands must have more accurate information within a shorter time to make logical defensible decisions which are acceptable to the public. Remote sensing technology provides many tools required to gather much of the information used by decision makers. Some of the most important remote sensing tools are based on laser and electro-optical technology. This paper provides an overview of some applications of laser and electro-optical devices by managers of natural resources. It is important for workers in other fields to be aware of the problems and needs of resource managers as it is important for resource managers to be knowledgeable about developments in technical areas. Sharing information will promote opportunities to develop new tools and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of management. Personal knowledge and literature searches provide examples. While the variety of uses in somewhat limited their importance is increasing as managers and analysts become more accustomed to using products of this technology. Lasers and electro-optical instruments will continue to be a very important part of our data collection process. 2. 0© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Recent Advances in Design for Environment at Motorola

Summary Motorola is a large electronics company that uses design for environment (DfE) t o address our customers' environmental needs. In working to integrate environmental considerations into product design, Motorola has encountered new challenges in product design, and as a result has had to develop new frameworks and employ new analytical tools. This article describes those challenges and Motorola's efforts to date. The examination of how products are designed in Motorola led to the realization that there are distinct phases in design: concept development, detail design, and prototype manufacture. In the earlier phases where the greatest flexibility for product reconfiguration exists, there is the least amount of detailed information available for use in making environmental assessments. In an effort to match the data availability to the environmental assessment needs, Motorola developed a tiered approach to DE using a matrix-based abridged life-cycle assessment (LCA) in the concept development stage, a scoring system based in part on multiattribute value theory in the detail design stage, and potentially full-scale life-cycle assessment in the prototype manufacturing stage.
Embolization of a spinal arteriovenous malformation: correlation between motor evoked potentials and angiographic findings: technical case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Endovascular procedures for the treatment of spinal arteriovenous malformations place the spinal cord at risk of ischemia. This report illustrates the usefulness of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in detecting functional changes within the spinal cord motor pathways during embolization of a spinal arteriovenous malformation under general anesthesia. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 28-year-old man presented with a history of progressive lower extremity numbness and weakness followed by bladder dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging and angiography disclosed a T11-T12 spinal arteriovenous malformation. INTERVENTION: During the endovascular procedure, before injection of particles, the disappearance of MEPs from the tibialis anterior muscle led to prompt angiographic reevaluation, which disclosed the arrest of spinal blood flow secondary to radiculomedullary artery occlusion by the catheter. Embolization and catheter withdrawal were followed by temporary recovery of spinal blood flow and MEPs. A second arrest of spinal cord blood flow, caused by severe vasospasm of the feeding radiculomedullary artery, was documented by a control angiogram, and its functional relevance was revealed by a second disappearance of MEPs. The therapeutic effect of papaverine infusion and induced moderate hypertension was confirmed angiographically by complete reopacification of the anterior spinal artery and confirmed neurophysiologically by the complete recovery of MEPs. At the end of the procedure, no additional neurological deficits were noted. CONCLUSION: During spinal cord embolization, MEPs may play a critical role in early detection of spinal cord dysfunction by aiding in the prevention of damage to the spinal cord as well as by predicting the clinical outcome.
Automorphism groups of punctured surfaces

Abstract We compute the structure of the complete groups of automorphisms of the 4-punctured sphere, the 5-punctured sphere and the twice punctured torus by constructing equivariant retracts of the Harer complexes of cut systems.
Evaluation of the RapID yeast plus system for the identification of yeast

We evaluated the RapID Yeast Plus System using 117 fresh and frozen clinical yeast isolates. The Uni-Yeast-Tek System was used to establish the correct identification. The Vitek System was used as the arbiter for any discrepant results, along with morphology. Of 117 isolates tested, the RapID Yeast Plus System identified 96.6% correctly. The RapID Yeast Plus System is an accurate and reliable alternative to other commonly used yeast identification systems.
Mining heterogeneous gene expression data with time lagged recurrent neural networks

Heterogeneous types of gene expressions may provide a better insight into the biological role of gene interaction with the environment, disease development and drug effect at the molecular level. In this paper for both exploring and prediction purposes a Time Lagged Recurrent Neural Network with trajectory learning is proposed for identifying and classifying the gene functional patterns from the heterogeneous nonlinear time series microarray experiments. The proposed procedures identify gene functional patterns from the dynamics of a state-trajectory learned in the heterogeneous time series and the gradient information over time. Also, the trajectory learning with Back-propagation through time algorithm can recognize gene expression patterns vary over time. This may reveal much more information about the regulatory network underlying gene expressions. The analyzed data were extracted from spotted DNA microarrays in the budding yeast expression measurements, produced by Eisen et al. The gene matrix contained 79 experiments over a variety of heterogeneous experiment conditions. The number of recognized gene patterns in our study ranged from two to ten and were divided into three cases. Optimal network architectures with different memory structures were selected based on Akaike and Bayesian information statistical criteria using two-way factorial design. The optimal model performance was compared to other popular gene classification algorithms such as Nearest Neighbor, Support Vector Machine, and Self-Organized Map. The reliability of the performance was verified with multiple iterated runs.
STEROIDS AND STEROLS IN UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD.

An investigation of 2 pools of umbilical cord blood by means of paper, column, thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography has led to the detection of 23 steroids and of 5 sterols, the criteria for the identification of each of which are specified. The majority of these compounds appeared to exist in blood as sulfo-conjugates, recoverable by a transesterification procedure. The majority of the steroids and all 5 sterols were found to be digitonin-precipitable, Δ5-3β-hydroxy compounds. These findings, and the results of experiments designed to measure total plasma Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroids and ketosteroids in young infants, are interpreted to indicate that the origin of the Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroids detected in umbilical cord blood is the fetal zone of the adrenal cortex. The fetal zone appears to be markedly deficient in 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. The relationship of this enzymatic deficiency to cortisol synthesis and of cortisol metabolism to the intrauterine development of the fetal zone of the adre...
Calcium-Controlled Secretion Is Effected through a Guanine Nucleotide Regulatory Protein in Parathyroid Cells

Calcium regulates parathyroid secretion through mechanisms yet to be elucidated. We have investigated this phenomenon through use of pertussis toxin which catalyzes ADP-ribosylation and inactivation of a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, possibly Ni or No. Calcium inhibition of PTH release is blocked in cells treated with pertussis toxin, and there is concomitant ADP-ribosylation of a 40-kilodalton protein. The ionophore A23187 inhibits secretion in toxin-treated as well as in control cells. We conclude that a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein is involved in calcium regulation of PTH secretion at a locus proximal to the intracellular site effecting inhibition of secretion. (Endocrinology 119: 2700–2703, 1986)
Adolescent cancer survivors' smoking intentions are associated with aggression, attention, and smoking history.

Introduction The present study examines behavioral and psychosocial factors associated with smoking intentions and experimentation among adolescent survivors of pediatric cancer.
Costly Coasean Bargaining and Property Right Security

This paper examines how transaction costs affect Coasean bargaining with secure and insecure property rights in the lab. Consistent with the theory that secure property rights lowers the cost of non-cooperation, we find that bargaining eficiency is inversely related to property right security. Less secure property rights increased economic efficiency twofold. Property owners with secure rights are more likely to opt for their riskless outside option rather than pay the costs of bargaining.
Thermal potential, mechanical instability, and melting entropy

The concept of the thermal potential, introduced in earlier publications in connection with calculations of elastic properties, thermal expansion, and melting temperatures, is shown to be a unifying principle connecting the thermodynamic properties of the solid and molten states. Recently discovered extrapolations connecting the thermodynamic properties of the solid and molten states are demonstrated to be governed by the characteristics of the thermal potential. A simple model of the melting entropy is presented and combined with previously derived expressions involving parameters of the thermal potential to quantitatively connect the heat of fusion with the volume change at melting. The melting entropy is calculated for a group of cubic crystals with the use of the derived expressions, and good agreement is found with observed values. A principal conclusion of this work is that the shear modulus, heat content, and volume, which are discontinuous at the melting temperature, are continuous functions of each other and related through the parameters of the thermal potential.
Can independent coronal multiplanar reformatted images obtained using state-of-the-art MDCT scanners be used for primary interpretation of MDCT of the abdomen and pelvis? A feasibility study

Abstract Purpose To evaluate if coronal reformatted images can be used for primary interpretation of MDCT of the abdomen and pelvis using 64-slice MDCT. Materials and methods IRB approval was obtained. We reviewed MDCT studies of the abdomen and pelvis of 220 consecutive patients performed with 64 row MDCT with constant scanning parameters. Based on a 0.625 mm raw data set, transverse images were reconstructed at 5 mm and coronal images at 3 mm using standard reconstruction algorithms. Reader familiarity was achieved by simultaneous evaluation of transverse and coronal reformats in an initial group of 20 separate cases for findings in consensus. Two subsequent phases of image analysis were then performed in two groups of 100 patients each. In the first phase two radiologists evaluated the added utility of simultaneous review of MDCT of transverse and coronal reformatted images over transverse images alone in 100 consecutive patients referred for MDCT of the abdomen and pelvis. In the second phase, the same radiologists evaluated whether coronal multiplanar reformats could be used for primary interpretation of MDCT of the abdomen and pelvis in a separate but similar cohort of 100 consecutive abdominopelvic MDCT studies. The number of lesion(s), their location, size of smallest lesion, presence of artifacts and likely diagnosis were noted at each image interpretation. Image quality and confidence for interpretation was evaluated using five-point and three-point scale, respectively. The time required for primary interpretation of coronal reformats and transverse images were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results Both readers detected additional findings (n = 37, 35), respectively, on simultaneous review of transverse and coronal reformats as compared with transverse images alone (p Conclusion Independent coronal multiplanar reformatted images obtained using state-of-the-art MDCT scanners show promise as the preferred orientation and can be useful for primary interpretation of MDCT of the abdomen and pelvis.
A Comparison of Methods for Measuring Small-Mammal Dispersal by Use of a Monte-Carlo Simulation Model

A principal obstacle to study of dispersal movements by small mammals has been the difficulty with which dispersal is observed. A simple, discrete-time, Monte-Carlo simulation model was used to make quantitative comparisons of three methods of estimating dispersal rates in a situation in which, unlike nature, the true amount of dispersal was known. Simulations were used to explore the effects of grid size, probability of capture, spacing behavior, and intertrapping-time interval on estimates of dispersal based on the body-mass, removal-grid, and distance-criterion methods. Results from all methods differed among grid sizes, and results from all but the distance method varied with probability of capture. Intertrapping interval affected the body-mass method and distance method, but not the removal-grid method. None of the methods were sensitive to changes in interindividual spacing. On a 5.0-ha grid, distance and body-mass methods were more accurate in classifying both residents and dispersers than was the removal-grid method. On a 1.0-ha grid, the distance method misclassified a smaller proportion of residents as dispersers than either of the other methods, but misclassified most dispersers, and the body-mass method was superior to the removal-grid method in classifying both residents and dispersers.
Application of the non-isothermal approach to the kinetics of organometallic reactions: the substitution of (η5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)dicarbonylrhodium(I)

Abstract A non-isothermal method for determining the rate constant for a solution phase reaction as a function of temperature, and the quasithermodynamic parameters, are described. Non-isothermal methods for studying the kinetics of reactions offer several advantages, including savings in time and materials, and enhanced accuracy. The method is demonstrated by a study of the reactions of ( η 5 -pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)dicarbonylrhodium with P(OMe) 3 , P(n-Bu) 3 , PPh 3 and P(i-Pr) 3 .
Natural history of the Adams-Oliver Syndrome: A report of progressive Central and Peripheral nervous system involvement in a mother and son

Natural history of the Adams-Oliver Syndrome: A report of progressive Central and Peripheral nervous system involvement in a mother and son
Atrophic and Static (Neurodevelopmental) Schizophrenic Psychoses: Premorbid Functioning, Symptoms and Neuroleptic Response

The question of whether schizophrenic-like disorders are neurodevelopmental or degenerative in origin has been argued since the time of Kraepelin. The authors provide evidence for the existence of two etiologically distinct endophenotypes of the psychoses contained within the rubric of familial non-affective psychosis (schizophrenia), one atrophic and the other neurodevelopmental. The atrophic psychosis, identified by progressive ventricular enlargement throughout adult illness, evidences progressive impairment of interests, relationships, and withdrawal from latency through adolescence, with emergence of trait-like negative symptoms which are only marginally responsive to conventional neuroleptics. This psychosis also exhibits delayed response of positive symptoms during neuroleptic treatment, and may also proceed to a praecox dementia in later life. In contrast, a putative neurodevelopmental psychosis, associated with static ventricles during the course of adult illness, also demonstrates preadolescent impairments, but impairments which do not progress to marked negative symptoms. Conventional neuroleptics appear to have little effect (except sedation) on positive symptoms, but appear to induce negative symptomatology and partial disengagement from the burden of persistent psychotic thought processes in such static ventricle psychoses. Thus, separate patterns of illnesses with different prodromal features, different treatment response patterns, and different patterns of residual (negative) symptoms appear to characterize patients with psychosis who have expanding as opposed to stable cerebral-ventricles at doses of neuroleptic at 10 mg haloperidol equivalents/day.
Anatomy and ultrastructure of the excretory system of the lizard, Sceloporus cyanogenys

The anatomy and ultrastructure of the lizard kidney (Sceloporus cyanogenys) have been studied by light and electron microscopy. The number of glomeruli was counted in serial sections and estimated to be 2,000 (in the two kidneys). Beginning with the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule the nephron segments are sequentially: (a) proximal tubule; (b) intermediate ciliated segment consisting of a proximal and distal part; (c) distal tubule, which can be divided into two segments, followed by (d) connecting tubule and (e) initial collecting duct. The initial collecting ducts from several nephrons open into the collecting duct. Tubular epithelium in this lizard has similarities to that of other reptiles. The lateral borders do not overlap like in mammals, but interdigitate by fingerlike projections. The length of the nephron segments was measured in disected tubules and the diameter was measured on light and electron micrographs. From these measurements estimates of inner tubular surface area were made. Together with data from physiological studies (Stolte et al., '76; Schmidt-Nielsen, '76) the estimated surface area was used to calculate transport rates per unit area across the epithelium. Comparisons of structure and transport rates per unit area across the epithelium. Comparisons of structure and transport rates were made between S. cyanogenys and other reptiles and mammals.
The atomic level journey from aqueous polyoxometalate to metal oxide

Abstract Aqueous precursors tailored for the deposition of thin film materials are desirable for sustainable, simple, low energy production of advanced materials. Yet the simple practice of using aqueous precursors is complicated by the multitude of interactions that occur between ions and water during dehydration. Here we use lithium polyoxoniobate salts to investigate the fundamental interactions in the transition from precursor cluster to oxide film. Small-angle X-ray scattering of solutions, total X-ray scattering of intermediate gels, and morphological and structural characterization of the lithium niobate thin films reveal the atomic level transitions between these states. The studies show that (1) lithium–[H2Nb6O19]6− has drastically different solution behaviour than lithium–[Nb6O19]8−, linked to the precursor salt structure (2) in both compositions, the intermediate gel preserves the polyoxoniobate clusters and show similar local order and (3) the morphology and phases of deposited films reflect the ions behaviour throughout the journey from cluster solution to metal oxide.
A study of the model and algorithms for handling location-dependent continuous queries

Advances in wireless and mobile computing environments allow a mobile user to access a wide range of applications. For example, mobile users may want to retrieve data about unfamiliar places or local life styles related to their location. These queries are called location-dependent queries. Furthermore, a mobile user may be interested in getting the query results repeatedly, which is called location-dependent continuous querying. This continuous query emanating from a mobile user may retrieve information from a single-zone (single-ZQ) or from multiple neighbouring zones (multiple-ZQ). We consider the problem of handling location-dependent continuous queries with the main emphasis on reducing communication costs and making sure that the user gets correct current-query result. The key contributions of this paper include: (1) Proposing a hierarchical database framework (tree architecture and supporting continuous query algorithm) for handling location-dependent continuous queries. (2) Analysing the flexibility of this framework for handling queries related to single-ZQ or multiple-ZQ and propose intelligent selective placement of location-dependent databases. (3) Proposing an intelligent selective replication algorithm to facilitate time- and space-efficient processing of location-dependent continuous queries retrieving single-ZQ information. (4) Demonstrating, using simulation, the significance of our intelligent selective placement and selective replication model in terms of communication cost and storage constraints, considering various types of queries.
Sentinel node and positron emission tomography mapping in lung cancer.

Radioguided lymph node mapping can potentially improve staging in locoregional non-small cell lung cancer. This is accomplished by using advanced pathologic techniques to detect micrometastases in selected thoracic lymph nodes. The use of isosulfan blue, technetium-99m and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) as mapping agents have been reported. Despite several limitations in this technique, it may facilitate the selection of patients for novel therapies, resulting in improved outcomes for lung cancer patients.