cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transpapillary stenting for pancreaticocutaneous fistulas

Because transpapillary stents have been successfully placed to treat the ductal disruptions associated with pseudocysts, pancreatic ascites and pleural effusions, and pancreaticoenteric fistulas, we reviewed our experience with endoscopically placed prostheses in patients who had persistent pancreaticocutaneous fistulas but an otherwise intact duct. Nine patients who underwent endoscopic transpapillary stent placement for ongoing pancreaticocutaneous fistulas at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Fistulas were present for a mean (+/-SEM) of 35 +/- 11 days and averaged 225 +/- 55 ml of output daily. Etiology of the fistulas included percutaneous pseudocyst drainage in four patients, pancreatic necrosis in two, complications of pancreatic surgery in two, and perforation of the duct of Santorini at the time of minor sphincterotomy in one. All patients had an otherwise intact duct at the time of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Six patients had transpapillary stents placed that did not bridge the area of leakage and three had prostheses placed across the ductal disruption. Eight of nine fistulas were successfully closed by means of this technique including five within 48 hours. There was one instance of stent migration and one patient developed prosthesis occlusion and an infected pseudocyst, which was treated with stent exchange. Stents were retrieved 10 to 14 days after fistula closure and no patient has had a recurrence at a median follow-up of 3 years. Transpapillary stents appear to effect closure of pancreaticocutaneous fistulas that fail to respond to conventional therapy.
Basin-scale distributions of stable nitrogen isotopes in the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean: Contribution of diazotroph nitrogen to particulate organic matter and mesozooplankton

Abstract New N inputs via biological N 2 -fixation play a critical role in supporting oceanic primary production and influencing global biogeochemical cycles. Numerous studies have documented significant N 2 -fixation rates in the North Atlantic, but relatively little is known of the pathways and fluxes of new N through planktonic food webs. Here, we report the natural abundance of 15 N in, and contribution of diazotroph N (N D ) inputs to, suspended particles and mesozooplankton collected along two transects in the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean (STNA). Samples were collected in April–May 2000 along the two main transects to evaluate spatial trends of 15 N within the Western Atlantic and across the basin. We found that N 2 -fixation is a key component in supporting both primary and secondary productions throughout the STNA. N D contribution was generally higher for suspended particles than for mesozooplankton, and we observed a high N D contribution to suspended particles over large spatial scales in the western and central STNA. Mesozooplankton N D incorporation suggests that diazotroph production supports oceanic food webs over longer timescales (e.g., weeks to months) than that of particle turnover (e.g., days). Larger mesozooplankton (1000–4000 μm) generally incorporated more N D than smaller mesozooplankton (250–1000 μm), and thus may exert a stronger influence on an N D movement within the water column. Spatial and vertical patterns of variation in mesozooplankton δ 15 N also suggest either broad geographical differences in an N D contribution to secondary production, or temporal variations in N D incorporation via mesozooplankton communities.
Drug pricing in pediatrics: the egregious example of indomethacin

Indomethacin for closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants has been the standard of care since the 1970s. Indomethacin was the first drug specifically approved for use in infants by the US Food and Drug Administration as the result of collaborations between academic pediatricians and the pharmaceutical company Merck. Indomethacin was not a new chemical entity when evaluated for PDA, and it remains today one of the most frequently used over-the-counter nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. The unique aspect of indomethacin for PDA is that the drug is formulated for intravenous use. There are no other approved uses for intravenous indomethacin in the United States. Ovation Pharmaceuticals acquired the distribution rights for … Address correspondence to Alan H. Jobe, MD, PhD, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Division of Pulmonary Biology, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039. E-mail: alan.jobe{at}cchmc.org
Exercise conditioning in older coronary patients. Submaximal lactate response and endurance capacity.

BACKGROUNDOlder coronary patients are at high risk of cardiac disability. Exercise conditioning programs have been demonstrated to improve functional capacity, particularly in younger coronary patients. In this study, the effects of aerobic conditioning on submaximal and maximal indicators of exercise performance were examined in 45 older coronary patients.METHODS AND RESULTSForty-five patients (mean age, 69 +/- 6 years; range, 62 to 82 years) entered 3-month and 12-month (n = 11) endurance training programs. Training effects were assessed during an exhaustive submaximal exercise protocol with measurement of endurance time, serum lactate, perceived exertion, and expired ventilatory measures. Exhaustive endurance time increased by more than 40% (30 +/- 10 to 41 +/- 10 minutes), with associated decreases in serum lactate, perceived exertion, minute ventilation, heart rate, and systolic blood pressure during steady-state exercise. Respiratory exchange ratio during steady-state exercise, an indicator of subst...
Experimental aqueous alteration of the Allende meteorite under oxidizing conditions : Constraints on asteroidal alteration

Abstract We have performed an experimental study of the aqueous alteration of the Allende CV3 carbonaceous chondrite under highly oxidizing conditions, in order to examine the alteration behavior of Allende’s anhydrous mineralogy. The experiments were carried out at temperatures of 100, 150, and 200 °C, for time periods between 7 and 180 days, with water/rock ratios ranging from 1:1 to 9:1. Uncrushed cubes of Allende were used so that the spatial relationships between reactant and product phases could be examined in detail. Scanning electron microscope studies show that in all the experiments, even those of short duration (7 days), soluble salts of Ca and Mg (CaSO4, CaCO3, and MgSO4) precipitated on the sample surface, indicating that these elements are rapidly mobilized during alteration. In addition, iron oxides and hydroxides formed on the sample surfaces. The sulfates, carbonates, and the majority of the iron-bearing secondary minerals are randomly distributed over the surface of samples. In some instances the iron oxides and hydroxides are constrained to the boundaries of altering mineral grains. Transmission electron microscope studies show that the FeO-rich olivine in the interior of the samples has altered to form interlayered serpentine/saponite and Fe-oxyhydroxides. The degree of alteration increases significantly with increasing water/rock ratio, and to a lesser extent with increasing duration of heating. The serpentine/saponite forms both by direct replacement of the olivine in crystallographically oriented intergrowths, and by recrystallization of an amorphous Si-rich phase that precipitates in pore space between the olivine grains. The alteration assemblage bears many similarities to those found in altered carbonaceous chondrites, although in detail there are important differences, which we attribute to (a) the relatively high temperatures of our experiments and (b) comparatively short reaction times compared with the natural examples. In terms of mineral assemblage, our experiments most closely resemble alteration in the CI chondrites, although the degree of alteration of our experiments is much lower. CI chondrites contain serpentine/saponite intergrowths and veins of Ca-sulfate and Ca-carbonate as well as the Fe-oxyhydroxide, ferrihydrite. However, the phyllosilicate phases formed in our experiments are somewhat coarser-grained than the finest phyllosilicate fraction present in CI chondrites, suggesting that alteration of the CI chondrites occurred at lower temperatures. In terms of mineral assemblage, our experiments also appear to come close to matching CR chondrites, although we infer that CR alteration probably occurred at temperatures
Complete determination of the Pin1 catalytic domain thermodynamic cycle by NMR lineshape analysis

The phosphorylation-specific peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Pin1 catalyzes the isomerization of the peptide bond preceding a proline residue between cis and trans isomers. To best understand the mechanisms of Pin1 regulation, rigorous enzymatic assays of isomerization are required. However, most measures of isomerase activity require significant constraints on substrate sequence and only yield rate constants for the cis isomer, $$ k_{cat}^{cis} $$ and apparent Michaelis constants, $$ K_{M}^{App} $$ . By contrast, NMR lineshape analysis is a powerful tool for determining microscopic rates and populations of each state in a complex binding scheme. The isolated catalytic domain of Pin1 was employed as a first step towards elucidating the reaction scheme of the full-length enzyme. A 24-residue phosphopeptide derived from the amyloid precurser protein intracellular domain (AICD) phosphorylated at Thr668 served as a biologically-relevant Pin1 substrate. Specific 13C labeling at the Pin1-targeted proline residue provided multiple reporters sensitive to individual isomer binding and on-enzyme catalysis. We have performed titration experiments and employed lineshape analysis of phosphopeptide 13C–1H constant time HSQC spectra to determine $$ k_{cat}^{cis} $$ , $$ k_{cat}^{trans} $$ , $$ K_{D}^{cis} $$ , and $$ K_{D}^{trans} $$ for the catalytic domain of Pin1 acting on this AICD substrate. The on-enzyme equilibrium value of [E·trans]/[E·cis] = 3.9 suggests that the catalytic domain of Pin1 is optimized to operate on this substrate near equilibrium in the cellular context. This highlights the power of lineshape analysis for determining the microscopic parameters of enzyme catalysis, and demonstrates the feasibility of future studies of Pin1-PPIase mutants to gain insights on the catalytic mechanism of this important enzyme.
The Delphi method, impeachment and terrorism: Accuracies of short-range forecasts for volatile world events

Abstract Two experiments examined the effects of iterated polling and feedback on prediction accuracy for volatile world events using the Delphi paradigm. In both experiments, participants predicted rapidly changing geopolitical events. The first experiment occurred during the litigation surrounding the Clinton/Lewinsky affair in 1998. Results indicated that feedback improved individual and group accuracy for predictions of whether an event would occur. These types of predictions derived from group consensus were approximately 90% accurate, which was significantly higher than the average individual participant's accuracy. Neither polling nor feedback had much effect on time course predictions. The second experiment occurred during the American military action against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in 2001. In Experiment 2, participants were polled three times to determine if increasing the number of iterated polls would improve Delphi accuracy. The results showed that accuracy improved from the first to the second poll but not from the second to the third. The groups predicted whether these scenarios would occur with approximately 75% accuracy, which was significantly higher than the accuracy of any individual participant. Once again, the Delphi procedure did not enhance time course predictions in Experiment 2.
Default mode network connectivity encodes clinical pain: An arterial spin labeling study

Neuroimaging studies have suggested the presence of alterations in the anatomo-functional properties of the brain of patients with chronic pain. However, investigation of the brain circuitry supporting the perception of clinical pain presents significant challenges, particularly when using traditional neuroimaging approaches. While potential neuroimaging markers for clinical pain have included resting brain connectivity, these cross-sectional studies have not examined sensitivity to within-subject exacerbation of pain. We used the dual regression probabilistic Independent Component Analysis approach to investigate resting-state connectivity on arterial spin labeling data. Brain connectivity was compared between patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP) and healthy controls, before and after the performance of maneuvers aimed at exacerbating clinical pain levels in the patients. Our analyses identified multiple resting state networks, including the default mode network (DMN). At baseline, patients demonstrated stronger DMN connectivity to the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC), left inferior parietal lobule, and right insula (rINS). Patients’ baseline clinical pain correlated positively with connectivity strength between the DMN and right insula (DMN–rINS). The performance of calibrated physical maneuvers induced changes in pain, which were paralleled by changes in DMN–rINS connectivity. Maneuvers also disrupted the DMN–pgACC connectivity, which at baseline was anticorrelated with pain. Finally, baseline DMN connectivity predicted maneuver-induced changes in both pain and DMN–rINS connectivity. Our results support the use of arterial spin labeling to evaluate clinical pain, and the use of resting DMN connectivity as a potential neuroimaging biomarker for chronic pain perception.
Photoionization studies of C2H5I and C6H6 perturbed by Ar and SF6

Abstract We present photoionization spectra of C 2 H 5 I and C 6 H 6 doped into Ar and SF 6 , and photoabsorption spectra of C 2 H 5 I doped into Ar. The observation of subthreshold photoionization in C 2 H 5 I/SF 6 and C 6 H 6 /SF 6 is discussed in terms of dopant (D)/perturber (P) interactions involving the excited state processes of D * +P→D + +P − and D * +P→[DP] + +e − , where D * is a discrete Rydberg state of the dopant. The density-dependent energy shifts of high- n Rydberg states observed in the subthreshold photoionization spectra are used to obtain the zero-kinetic-energy electron scattering length for SF 6 . Similarly, the zero-kinetic-energy electron scattering length of Ar obtained from the density-dependent energy shifts of C 2 H 5 I Rydberg states is presented. (Electron scattering lengths obtained here for SF 6 and Ar accord with values previously obtained using the density-dependent energy shifts of high- n Rydberg states of CH 3 I doped into these two perturber gases.)
Modality interfacing: the impact of a relay station.

We evaluated the effect of a deploying a relay station on demographic discrepancies, image segmentation for routing, quality control (QC), and technologist workflow in a distributed architecture type picture archiving and communication system (PACS) environment. A currently existing PACS environment for computed tomography (CT) was evaluated before and after the implementation of a relay station for demographic error-rate and correct study routing to the workstations. Assessment of the technologists’ perceptions with respect to numerous workflow factors was performed with a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using a chi-square test. The demographic error rate for CT examinations was nearly abolished with relay station deployment (14.0% pre-Relayv 0.55% post-Relay,P<.001, χ2). The technologists’ perception was favorable, with a substantial majority indicating that a positive impact is made on correcting demographic errors (90%), facilitating QC (67%), and ensuring proper routing (77%). A majority also felt the user interface was intuitive (93.3%) and preferred relay (90%) over film handling but that training should be provided both by didactic sessions and “hands on” time with a trainer. The times to perform tasks were favorable for the relay station (1 to 5 minutes) versus film production and handling (2 to 15 minutes). In conclusion, the relay station prospectively eliminates demographic errors, effectively segments images from the same study routing them to different workstations, and can be seamlessly integrated into the technologists’ current workflow. This can be scalable and a lower cost solution as opposed to deploying dedicated PACS QC workstations. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A00RM031 00006
Pulmonary metastasis of giant cell tumor of the bone diagnosed by fine‐needle aspiration biopsy

Giant cell tumor is a benign but locally aggressive tumor that primarily affects the epiphyses of long bones of young adults. Pulmonary metastases in giant cell tumor are rare (about 1-9%). Here, we report a case of metastatic pulmonary giant cell tumor in a patient who had a previous history of giant cell tumor of the distal femur with multiple recurrences. The diagnosis of pulmonary metastasis was achieved by cytologic evaluation with concurrent immunohistochemical studies in material obtained by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The aspirate smears contained clustered and dispersed mononuclear and osteoclast-like giant cells that had bland nuclei with inconspicuous nucleoli. All multinucleated cells showed immunoreactivity to KP-1 antibody, a histiocytic marker (not lineage specific) and only a subset of mononuclear cells (30%) stained with this marker. Twenty percent of the mononuclear cells also displayed increased Ki-67 and p53 protein expression. The pulmonary metastasis was similar morphologically and immunophenotypically to the recurrent giant cell tumor of the bone.
A Cost-Effective IR Card

The construction of IR cards that are easily prepared from inexpensive materials is described. The main body of the card can be used over and over again, and sufficient quantities are easily prepared so that each student in a lab can have his or her own IR card, even in large laboratories.
P03-233 Job stress associated with managed care mental health services among social workers in the USA

This study examined the complex interrelationships among work related stressors associated with managed care mental health services and burnout of social workers. The recent national trends in mental health care in the USA, driven by the rising costs of inpatient treatment have resulted in a reduced psychiatric inpatient census, increase in outpatient clients with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI), new regulations and constraints, and increases in management activities and paperwork. The new economic decisions about mental health care have also resulted in changes in the work roles of social workers as well as other helping professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists), and in new ethical dilemmas, and disillusionment regarding mental health practice. A total of 591 social workers practicing in mental health agencies in New York State completed self-administered and anonymous questionnaire packets that included several measures: Level of conflict that workers experience when interfacing with managed care organizations (CMC), organizational commitment, emotional exhaustion, and turnover intentions. Results showed that CMC had statistically significant correlations with organizational commitment and with emotional exhaustion. The researcher discusses the role of social work schools and other related academic programs as well as agencies in offering new educational opportunities and training in order to improve workers’ skills which are necessary for communicating and negotiating with managed care organizations.
Midden formation by octopuses: The role of biotic and abiotic factors

Many octopus species consume their prey in a shelter, where discarded prey items accumulate to form a midden. The shelters of Octopus bimaculatus rarely have middens. Some discarded prey items are present at 20% of the shelters of O. bimaculatus, but these do not accumulate to form middens. A field experiment using artificial middens demonstrated that currents and/or surge moved some bivalve shells, and hermit crabs rapidly removed snail shells from the middens. Snails are very important in the diet of O. bimaculatus but not most other octopus species; middens do not form around O. bimaculatus shelters because hermit crabs remove the discarded snail shells.
Total mediastinal traverse with isolated internal mammary artery transection.

Transmediastinal gunshot wounds are infrequent but life-threatening injuries. The course of the projectile and the bullet track often is unpredictable. Prompt and specific diagnostic and therapeutic interventions are necessary to quickly identify and repair potentially life-threatening injuries to the heart, great vessels, and the aerodigestive tract. Multiple diagnostic algorithms exist for work-up of these injuries, and the therapeutic interventions are diverse and challenging. We describe a patient with total mediastinal traverse, who presented with right-sided hemopneumothorax. The work-up revealed surprisingly an isolated left internal mammary artery transection with a significant hemorrhage that mandated surgical intervention in left chest. (J Card Surg 2004;19:136-138)
Radiated noise from airfoils in realistic mean flows

The long-term objective of the research described is to use computational aeroacoustics methodology and parallel computers to increase the understanding of broadband blade noise. In a systematic progression toward simulations of completely realistic configurations and conditions, some simplified problems that address the important features of the flow are investigated. A two dimensional Navier-Stokes code, implemented using the message passing library and Fortran 90 on the IBM SP2, is used to perform the calculations. Results are presented for the interaction of a vortical gust and NACA airfoils, including nonlinear effects. The influence of gust frequency and airfoil thickness is described. A multigrid method is used to obtain converged steady-state solutions before the gust is introduced in a source region inside the domain.
Oxygen tension of tissues by the polarographic method. II Detection of right to left shunts by changes in skin oxygen tension resulting from inhalation of oxygen.

Normal individuals breathing pure oxygen obtain full saturation of their hemoglobin, whereas those with right to left shunts do not. Oxygen hemoglobin dissociation curves indicate that increases to full oxygen saturation of hemoglobin are accompanied by marked increases of the oxygen tension. When breathing oxygen fails to produce full saturation, relatively little change in oxygen tension occurs. When the cutaneous circulation is rapid, changes in skin oxygen tension have been shown to vary directly with changes in blood oxygen tension. Taking advantage of these facts the authors have described a method of detecting significant right to left shunts by polarographic measurements of skin oxygen tension.
Incremental value of magnetic resonance imaging in the advanced management of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a major public health burden throughout the world. The high incidence of prostate cancer, combined with earlier detection and downstaging at the time of diagnosis, and the slow natural progression and biological heterogeneity of the disease, has made its management a complex and controversial issue. There is growing demand for patient-specific therapies that can minimize treatment morbidity while maximizing treatment benefits. There are a number of clinical parameters and clinical nomograms to help with the choice of treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique which makes safer, more individualized therapies possible due to high spatial resolution, superior contrast resolution, multiplanar capability, and a large field of view. Other MRI techniques such as MR spectroscopic imaging, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI or perfusion MRI, and diffusion-weighted imaging complement MRI by reflecting tissue biochemistry, Brownian motion of water molecules, and capillary wall permeability, respectively. This editorial review highlights the incremental value of MRI in the advanced management of prostate cancer to non-invasively improve cancer staging, biologic potential, treatment planning, therapy response, local recurrence, and to guide target biopsy for clinical suspected cancer with previous negative biopsy. Finally, some future prospects for MRI in prostate cancer management are given.
Effect of antiandrogen and/or antiestrogen blockade on human prostate epithelial and stromal cell protein synthesis.

To evaluate the role of small amounts of DHT in prostate tissue as a stimulus to epithelial cell growth (protein synthesis) we studied tissue from patients given various androgen-blocking drugs prior to transurethral resection of the prostrate (TURP) and measured epithelial protein synthesis and DHT in the tissue specimens. We also studied the effects on stromal cell protein synthesis of an antiestrogen, tamoxifen. Test drugs prior to TURP included Megace 160mg per day, Megace 160mg per day plus Tamoxifen 40 mg per day, Megace 160 mg a day plus ketoconazole 1200mg per day and tamoxifen 40 mg/day. The tissue was processed immediately and epithelial and stromal cells separated by digestion of tissue with 0.5% collagenase. After separation, epithelial cells were labeled with either [3H]leucine or l-[35S]methionine. Stromal cells were labelled with [3H]proline. DHT was measured in whole prostate tissue. Megace alone and Megace plus tamoxifen significantly decreased both [3H]leucine incorporation into protein and tissue concentration of DHT; Megace plus ketoconazole significantly decreased l-[35S]methionine incorporation into protein and DHT. Tamoxifen significantly decreased stromal protein synthesis. When the data correlating DHT with epithelial protein synthesis using both labeling techniques were combined, the curves were parallel and a strong correlation was noted between DHT and protein synthesis over a wide range of values (P < 0.001). These results suggest that in hormone-dependent prostate cancer even small amounts of prostrate DHT such as may occur from adrenal androgens following castration may significantly stimulate growth of the tumor epithelial cells. Since tamoxifen decreased stromal protein synthesis, estrogen is likely a significant growth stimulus to the increased stromal mass characteristic of benign prostatic hypertrophy.
Kinetic Determination of Trypsin with an Ammonia Gas-Sensing Membrane Electrode

Abstract Trypsin activity is monitored in a simple kinetic method with an ammonia gas sensor. The method is based upon the hydrolysis of α-benzoyl-arginine amide resulting in the production of ammonia. Day-to-day precision range of ±1.9% to 4.4% and a within-run precision range of ± 1.8% to 4.2% were measured for the working range of 0.5 to 20 μg mL−1 trypsin. An average of 97 ± 3.4% added trypsin was recovered from rat pancreatic juice in recovery experiments.
Internal medicine residents' preferences regarding medical ethics education.

Three hundred and twenty-three residents in six internal medicine programs in three states were surveyed concerning what they wanted to learn about medical ethics and how they would prefer to learn it; they were also asked to indicate what medical ethics education they had already received. Specific
The Personality Beliefs Questionnaire-Short-Form: Relationship of Personality Disorders Schemata with Entitlement and Dysfunctional Thoughts

The Personality Beliefs Questionnaire-Short Form (PBQ-SF), designed to assess dysfunctional beliefs based on Beck et al.’s (1990) cognitive formulations of personality disorders, has received little attention in research. The present study assessed the construct validity of the PBQ-SF by exploring its relations with conceptually relevant scales--the Psychological Entitlement Scale and the Warpy Thoughts Entitlement, Relationship, and Achievement subscales. Participants were 228 college students. Analyses using ipsatized scores indicated that dysfunctional entitlement beliefs were highly characteristic of individuals who endorsed antisocial and narcissistic beliefs, but minimally characteristic of individuals endorsing dependent beliefs. Dysfunctional relationship beliefs were least characteristic of individuals who endorsed narcissistic and schizoid beliefs, but most characteristic of those who endorsed borderline beliefs. Dysfunctional achievement schemata were most characteristic of individuals who endorsed obsessive-compulsive beliefs. Consistent with Butler et al.’s findings, our results support the convergent validity of PBQ-SF average score as a measure of general dysfunctional beliefs.
Reconfigurable 800–1500MHz double stub tuner using MEMS capacitive switches

Impedance matching is important for small antenna tuning. In this paper we propose a reconfigurable double stub tuner using commercial MEMS capacitive switches. These MEMS switches reconfigure a bank of capacitors placed at the end of stubs for impedance matching. Specifically, a double stub tuner is optimized for tuning across 800-1500MHz. Using an Agilent ADS model for the commercial MEMS capacitor chip, simulations show that this double stub tuner can cover a wide impedance range tuning (2Ω<;Re(ZL)<;500Ω and - 500Ω<;Im(ZL)<;0Ω) with low insertion loss. The tuner parameters are carefully chosen to enable the proposed tuning range while minimizing insertion losses.
The newsvendor problem with an in-season price adjustment

Consider a retailer stocking a seasonal item facing a stochastic demand where information about the demand becomes more accurate as the selling season progresses. The retailer places orders before the start of the season and in-season reorders are not possible. This article extends the classical newsvendor model by allowing the retailer to make an in-season price adjustment after conducting a review and using the realized demand to obtain an accurate estimate of the remaining demand. Our results include answers to the following questions. What price should the retailer choose? How much should the retailer have ordered at the start of the season given the option of adjusting prices in-season? This model was motivated by a problem in car rental revenue management and has applications in perishable assets revenue management (PARM), where price adjustments are needed towards the end of the selling season.
Unbiased estimation of the variance of the Graybill‐Deal estimator of the common mean of several normal populations

An identity for the chi-squared distribution is used to derive an unbiased estimator of the variance of the familiar Graybill-Deal (1959) estimator of the common mean of several normal populations with possibly different unknown variances. This result appears to be new. It is observed that the unbiased estimator is a convergent series whose suitable truncation allows unbiased estimation up to any desired degree of accuracy.
A hybrid modeling approach to resolve pollutant concentrations in an urban area

Abstract A modeling tool that can resolve contributions from individual sources to the urban environment is critical for air-toxics exposure assessments. Air toxics are often chemically reactive and may have background concentrations originated from distant sources. Grid models are the best-suited tools to handle the regional features of these chemicals. However, these models are not designed to resolve pollutant concentrations on local scales. Moreover, for many species of interest, having reaction time scales that are longer than the travel time across an urban area, chemical reactions can be ignored in describing local dispersion from strong individual sources making Lagrangian and plume-dispersion models practical. In this study, we test the feasibility of developing an urban hybrid simulation system. In this combination, the Community Multi-scale Air Quality model (CMAQ) provides the regional background concentrations and urban-scale photochemistry, and local models such as Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model (HYSPLIT) and AMS/EPA Regulatory Model (AERMOD) provide the more spatially resolved concentrations due to local emission sources. In the initial application, the HYSPLIT, AERMOD, and CMAQ models are used in combination to calculate high-resolution benzene concentrations in the Houston area. The study period is from 18 August to 4 September of 2000. The Mesoscale Model 5 (MM5) is used to create meteorological fields with a horizontal resolution of 1×1 km 2 . In another variation to this approach, multiple HYSPLIT simulations are used to create a concentration ensemble to estimate the contribution to the concentration variability from point sources. HYSPLIT simulations are used to model two sources of concentration variability; one due to variability created by different particle trajectory pathways in the turbulent atmosphere and the other due to different flow regimes that might be introduced when using gridded data to represent meteorological data fields. The ensemble mean concentrations determined by HYSPLIT plus the concentrations estimated by AERMOD are added to the CMAQ calculated background to estimate the total mean benzene concentration. These estimated hourly mean concentrations are also compared with available field measurements.
In vitro evolution of nucleic acids

The author reviews recent published reports of in vitro selection and evolution of nucleic acids. These nucleic acids will bind to a target ligand or catalyze a specific chemical reaction. The terms aptamers and systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) are explained. The review focuses on protein binders, small molecule binders, and ribozymes obtained by directed evolution. The reference list identifies articles of special or outstanding interest.
Asymptotically dense spherical codes .II. laminated spherical codes

For pt. I see ibid., vol.43, no.6, p.1774-85, 1997. New spherical codes called laminated spherical codes are constructed in dimensions 2-49 using a technique similar to the construction of laminated lattices. Each spherical code is recursively constructed from existing spherical codes in one lower dimension. Laminated spherical codes outperform the best known spherical codes in the minimum distance sense for many code sizes. The density of a laminated spherical code approaches the density of the laminated lattice in one lower dimension, as the minimum distance approaches zero. In particular, the three-dimensional laminated spherical code is asymptotically optimal, in the sense that its density approaches the Fejes Toth (1959) upper bound as the minimum distance approaches zero. Laminated spherical codes perform asymptotically as well as wrapped spherical codes in those dimensions where laminated lattices are optimal sphere packings.
Social capital and self-presentation on social networking sites: a comparative study of Chinese and American young generations

In recent years, using social networking sites (SNSs hereafter), such as QQ, Xiaonei.com, and Kaixin001.com, has become a popular activity among Chinese Internet users. Yet little is known about whether Chinese users' activities in this emerging online social venue differ from Westerners', reflecting their fundamental cultural orientations such as individualism and collectivism. This study focuses on potential similarities and differences between Chinese and American young generations in the nature of social relationships and self-presentation strategies that they develop and employ on SNSs. A greater level of bonding social capital in SNSs was observed among American young users than their Chinese counterparts, and no significant difference in bridging social capital between the two groups of SNS users was found. Results also revealed that Chinese and American college-aged young generations employed different self-presentation strategies in SNSs. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
A clinical approach to transforming enactment.

An earlier paper (Varga, 2005) developed the thesis that despite the current multiplicity of schools, the unifying core of all psychoanalytic approaches remains Freud’s foundational project, resolving psychopathology via analysis of transference. The obstacles to perceiving this have been twofold. On the one hand, there is the ongoing split between the Freudian and interpersonal/relational approaches. On the other hand, there is the proliferation of developmental models of psychopathology and practice. The earlier paper addressed both of these obstacles to perceiving the unifying core by redefining analysis of transference as transformation of enactment. Employing the insight of the interpersonal/relational schools that the analytic situation is inherently one of coparticipation in a relationship, transference is more fully understood as not just intrapsychic projection of pathological ideas and feelings onto the figure of the analyst, but, rather, as the analyst’s necessary participation in the patient’s pathogenic ways of relating via unconscious enactment in their relationship. The recognition that the analyst transforms the patient’s psychopathology through participation in it, rather than analyzes it from an external position, integrates the Freudian and interpersonal/relational schools, as well as addresses weaknesses inherent in each approach. With regard to the Freudian school, there is the correction of clinical, relational, and epistemological difficulties flowing from the illusory view that the analyst can relate to the patient as a nonparticipatory external observer. With regard to the interpersonal/relational schools, there is the correction of the tendency to misconceive therapeutic action as flowing from the patient’s experience of the patient-
Stabilization Wedges: Solving the Climate Problem for the Next 50 Years with Current Technologies

Humanity already possesses the fundamental scientific, technical, and industrial know-how to solve the carbon and climate problem for the next half-century. A portfolio of technologies now exists to meet the world’s energy needs over the next 50years and limit atmospheric CO 2 to a trajectory that avoids a doubling of the preindustrial concentration. Every element in this portfolio has passed beyond the laboratory bench and demonstration project; many are already implemented somewhere at full industrial scale. Although no element is a credible candidate for doing the entire job (or even half the job) by itself, the portfolio as a whole is large enough that not every element has to be used.
Arabidopsis Transcriptome Profiling Indicates That Multiple Regulatory Pathways Are Activated during Cold Acclimation in Addition to the CBF Cold Response Pathway

Many plants, including Arabidopsis, increase in freezing tolerance in response to low, nonfreezing temperatures, a phenomenon known as cold acclimation. Previous studies established that cold acclimation involves rapid expression of the CBF transcriptional activators (also known as DREB1 proteins) in response to low temperature followed by induction of the CBF regulon (CBF-targeted genes), which contributes to an increase in freezing tolerance. Here, we present the results of transcriptome-profiling experiments indicating the existence of multiple low-temperature regulatory pathways in addition to the CBF cold response pathway. The transcript levels of ∼8000 genes were determined at multiple times after plants were transferred from warm to cold temperature and in warm-grown plants that constitutively expressed CBF1, CBF2, or CBF3. A total of 306 genes were identified as being cold responsive, with transcripts for 218 genes increasing and those for 88 genes decreasing threefold or more at one or more time points during the 7-day experiment. These results indicate that extensive downregulation of gene expression occurs during cold acclimation. Of the cold-responsive genes, 48 encode known or putative transcription factors. Two of these, RAP2.1 and RAP2.6, were activated by CBF expression and thus presumably control subregulons of the CBF regulon. Transcriptome comparisons indicated that only 12% of the cold-responsive genes are certain members of the CBF regulon. Moreover, at least 28% of the cold-responsive genes were not regulated by the CBF transcription factors, including 15 encoding known or putative transcription factors, indicating that these cold-responsive genes are members of different low-temperature regulons. Significantly, CBF expression at warm temperatures repressed the expression of eight genes that also were downregulated by low temperature, indicating that in addition to gene induction, gene repression is likely to play an integral role in cold acclimation.
Altered expression of miRNA-21 and its targets in the hippocampus after traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) initiates many different signaling cascades throughout the brain that impact both pathophysiological and neuroprotective processes. Cellular mechanisms that can modulate these processes may play an important role in determining the nature and extent of the damage suffered after TBI and therefore influence overall outcome after injury. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an important class of noncoding regulatory RNAs providing an epigenetic mechanism for the regulation of protein expression levels of target genes. We report that miR-21 expression is significantly up-regulated in the hippocampus after rodent TBI, with expression levels peaking by 3 days postinjury and returning to near sham levels by 15 days postinjury. In situ localization of miR-21 transcripts indicates widespread expression in normal brain, with a pronounced increase in expression after TBI evident throughout the cortex and hippocampus, including the dentate gyrus and CA3 cell layer. We used a combination of the miRanda, TargetScan, and PicTar prediction algorithms to identify 99 potential target genes that possess miR-21 binding sites within their 3′ untranslated regions. Analysis of these genes' annotated Gene Ontology molecular function and biological process terms revealed an overrepresentation of genes involved in enzyme-linked receptor signaling, transcriptional regulation, and developmental processes. These results suggest that increased miR-21 expression in the hippocampus may influence multiple components of TBI pathophysiology. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Acceleration of anterograde axonal transport in cat sciatic nerve by diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate.

The effect of a neurotoxic dose of 5.0 mg/kg, s.c. diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DFP) on anterograde transport of 35S-methionine labeled proteins in cat peripheral nerve was studied. Seven days after dosing, after 24 h of flow there was 48% less radioactivity in the distal portion of the nerve. A lesser effect was also found at 4 and 14 days after dosing. After 10 or 14 h of flow, the height of the crest was unchanged, but the distance of the crest from the ganglia was greater in the DFP-treated animals. These experiments indicate that DFP treatment accelerates fast anterograde transport.
Passive wing pitch reversal in insect flight

Wing pitch reversal, the rapid change of angle of attack near stroke transition, represents a difference between hovering with flapping wings and with a continuously rotating blade (e.g. helicopter flight). Although insects have the musculature to control the wing pitch during flight, we show here that aerodynamic and wing inertia forces are sufficient to pitch the wing without the aid of the muscles. We study the passive nature of wing pitching in several observed wing kinematics, including the wing motion of a tethered dragonfly, Libellula pulchella, hovering fruitfly, hovering hawkmoth and simplified dragonfly hovering kinematics. To determine whether the pitching is passive, we calculate rotational power about the torsion axis owing to aerodynamic and wing inertial forces. This is done using both direct numerical simulations and quasi-steady fluid force models. We find that, in all the cases studied here, the net rotational power is negative, signifying that the fluid force assists rather than resists the wing pitching. To further understand the generality of these results, we use the quasi-steady force model to analyse the effect of the components of the fluid forces at pitch reversal, and predict the conditions under which the wing pitch reversal is passive. These results suggest the pitching motion of the wings can be passive in insect flight.
The Shift of the Northern Node of the NAO and Cyclonic Rossby Wave Breaking

AbstractSeveral studies have found an eastward shift in the northern node of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) during the winters of 1978–97 compared to 1958–77. This study focuses on the connection between this shift of the northern node of the NAO and Rossby wave breaking (RWB) for the period 1958–97. It is found that the region of frequent cyclonic RWB underwent a northeastward shift at high latitudes in the latter 20-yr period. On a year-to-year basis, the cyclonic RWB region moves along a southwest–northeast (SW–NE)-directed axis. Both latitude and longitude of the winter maximum frequency of cyclonic RWB occurrence are positively correlated with the NAO index.To investigate the role of location of cyclonic RWB in influencing the NAO pattern, the geographical location of frequent cyclonic RWB is divided into two subdomains located along the SW–NE axis, to the south (SW domain) and east (NE domain) of Greenland. Two composites are assembled as one cyclonic RWB occurrence is detected in one of the t...
Integrated Geographic Data Bases: The GADS Experience

A large class of problems faced by decision makers requires access to information with geographical attributes. Examples of such problems include facility siting, resource allocation, assignment of sales or service territories, development of advertising strategies, urban planning, etc. In problem solving utilizing data with geographical attributes, the data can often be best understood when it can be displayed and interpreted in the form of a map. An interactive decision support system called GADS (Geo-data Analysis and Display System) has been developed to provide decision makers with interactive access to geographic data and to provide them with functions supporting both "problem finding" and "problem solving". This system has been successfully utilized by a variety of decision makers solving real problems in both government and private industry.
Temperature-induced rheological variability in an emulsion system.

A study has been made on the effect of emulsification temperature and cooling rate on certain physical properties of a beeswax-mineral oil emulsion. The emulsion, which was prepared at five temperatures and cooled at three rates, was evaluated for plastic viscosity, thixotropy, yield value, water separation rate, and initial average particle size. It was shown that both the emulsification temperature and cooling rate significantly altered these properties.
Pulsatile Stimulation with Recombinant Single Chain Human Luteinizing Hormone Elicits Precocious Sertoli Cell Proliferation in the Juvenile Male Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta)

In this study, we determined the relative role of LH and FSH in initiating the pubertal proliferation of Sertoli cells in primates. Sixteen juvenile male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) bearing venous catheters received intermittent intravenous infusions of single chain human LH (schLH) or recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) or a combination of both for 11 days. The schLH infusion elicited a physiological testosterone response. On Day 11, monkeys were castrated, and one-half of a testis was fixed in Bouin's fluid. Infusion of the gonadotropins, either alone or in combination, effected a significant increase in testicular weight, seminiferous cord diameter, and the number of Sertoli cells per testis (schLH, 295 +/- 46 x 10(6); rhFSH, 342 +/- 64 x 10(6); LH+FSH, 298 +/- 26 x 10(6) versus vehicle, 204 +/- 26 x 10(6)). The latter finding indicated that LH, in addition to FSH, plays a critical role in the initiation of the pubertal proliferation of Sertoli cells in primates. Moreover, combined gonadotropin treatment led to the appearance of germ cells as mature as early primary spermatocytes, indicating that initiation of spermatogenesis had been set in motion. Because the duration of hormone stimulation was only 11 days, the latter result suggests that Leydig and Sertoli cells of the juvenile monkey testis can immediately transduce a gonadotropin signal to the germ cell.