cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: Anatomy, biomechanics and risk factors

Degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) is a major cause of spinal stenosis and is often related to low back and leg pain. We reviewed the anatomical and biomechanical predisposition of lumbar DS and discuss possible predictors and risk factors for this condition. Spinal segment L4-L5 is most vulnerable because of the great forces in this region and the increased mobility of this segment due to the specific anatomy of quadratus lumborum muscle and iliolumbar ligament. A high pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis increase the forces on the low spinal segments and probably raise the risk for DS. Individuals with relatively more sagittal orientation of the lumbar facets have a higher probability of developing DS because such joints have less ability to resist the shearing forces. Disc degeneration is not an important predisposing factor for DS. Reduced disc space caused by disc degeneration increases the facet joint articulation overlap and together with osteophyte formation and ossification of spinal ligaments, can be seen as a part of the restabilization process. Deep abdominal and paraspinal muscles, most likely, play an important role in dynamic lumbar stability. Factors found to be associated with lumbar DS include age > 50, female gender, pregnancy, African American race, and generalized joint laxity.
Mirizzi's syndrome

Mirizzi's syndrome is a partial obstruction of the biliary tree caused by a stone impacted in the cystic duct, with or without development of a cholecysto-biliary fistula. We report our experience with five cases and review current methods of diagnosis and management. Preoperative diagnosis greatly facilitates management. Diagnosis may require a combination of ultrasonography, computed tomography, and cholangiography (percutaneous or endoscopic retrograde). At surgery, dissection in the triangle of Calot should be minimized to avoid injury to the common bile duct. Often, a partial cholecystectomy is the only safe option. Defects in the common bile duct can be repaired by a variety of methods. The morbidity and mortality associated with this rare syndrome can be relatively high. A number of patients may have late biliary strictures.
Infrared Spectra and Protein Conformations in Aqueous Solutions: I. THE AMIDE I BAND IN H2O AND D2O SOLUTIONS

Abstract Infrared absorption spectra of poly-l-lysine, poly-l-glutamic acid, β-lactoglobulin, myoglobin, and αs-casein in the region of absorption of the amide I band have been observed in H2O solution, D2O solution, and in the solid state. The results indicate that characteristic frequencies exhibited by specific conformations of the investigated synthetic polypeptides are not transferable to corresponding conformations of globular proteins. The frequencies obtained for different conformations of globular proteins in H2O and D2O solution are internally consistent, in general agreement with corresponding values of fibrous proteins and with the limited data available in the literature concerning deuterated proteins in D2O solution. Dissolution in aqueous environment by itself does not noticeably alter the amide I frequencies. A tentative set of characteristic frequencies and interaction constants is obtained for the amide I' modes of N-deuterated proteins. These modes are easily observed in D2O solution and show sufficient variations in frequency to permit a distinction between the α-helical, the antiparallel-chain pleated sheet, and the solvated random configurations of globular proteins.
Viral infections and human cancers: the legacy of Denis Burkitt

Summary Denis Parsons Burkitt was born in 1911, and in the late 1950s, described the disease that has come to be known as Burkitt lymphoma based on cases he observed in Uganda. Subsequently, Burkitt lymphoma was recognized as the first human tumour associated with an infectious agent when Epstein–Barr virus was isolated from samples supplied by Burkitt. It is now recognized that over one-quarter of cancers worldwide are tied to infections. Notably, liver cancer is linked to hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections, and cervical cancer to infections involving the human papilloma viruses. In addition, immunocompromise arising from infection with the human immunodeficiency virus allows tumours (e.g., Kaposi sarcoma) caused by other viruses to arise. More than 50 years after the seminal paper by Burkitt based on his work in Africa, it is appreciated that the contribution of viral infections to cancers remains considerably higher in sub-Saharan Africa than in the rest of the world.
X-Gen: a random test-case generator for systems and SoCs

We present X-Gen, a model-based test-case generator designed for systems and systems on a chip (SoC). X-Gen provides a framework and a set of building blocks for system-level test-case generation. At the core of this framework lies a system model, which consists of component types, their configuration, and the interactions between them. Building blocks include commonly used concepts such as memories, registers, and address translation mechanisms. Once a system is modeled, X-Gen provides a rich language for describing test cases. Through this language, users can specify requests that cover the full spectrum between highly directed tests to completely random ones. X-Gen is currently in preliminary use at IBM for the verification of two different designs - a high-end multi-processor server and a state-of-the-art SoC.
Characterization of a doubly mutant derivative of the λ PRM promoter: Effects of mutations on activation of PRM☆

The mutation, prmE37, located at —14 in the PRM promoter of bacteriophage λ, reduces PRM function dramatically both in vitro and in vivo. In a search for second-site revertants of prmE37, we isolated a double mutant that exhibits a partially restored Prm+ phenotype. The second-site mutation (at —31) is identical to the mutation prmup-1. The activity of the doubly mutant (pseudo-revertant) promoter, prmE37prmup-1, was investigated in vivo using a PRM-lacZ fusion phage and found to be intermediate between that of prmE37 and wild-type PRM. However, the relative strength of the prmE37prmup-1 promoter was greater than expected following superinfection of a λ lysogen. Since nalidixic acid was found to preferentially inhibit transcription from the doubly mutant promoter under these conditions, we suggest that DNA supercoiling favors activation of this promoter by represser. In runoff transcription assays in the absence of repressor, the activity of wild-type PRM and the doubly mutant promoter were the same. However, while addition of repressor significantly stimulated wild-type PRM, it had little or no effect on the activity of the doubly mutant promoter. Values of KB, the equilibrium constant for formation of closed complexes, and kf, the rate constant for isomerization of closed to open complexes, were determined in abortive initiation assays, and the product kfKB was used as a measure of promoter strength. The results of these assays are in agreement with those obtained in runoff transcription assays. In the absence of repressor, values of kfKB for the doubly mutant promoter and wild-type PRM are the same; however, τobs, the time required for open complex formation, is significantly greater for the double mutant than for wild-type PRM at all RNA polymerase concentrations used for the abortive initiation analysis. In the presence of repressor, the doubly mutant promoter is stronger than the prmE37 promoter, but much weaker than wild-type PRM. This is due to the fact that kf for the doubly mutant promoter is increased 2.5-fold by repressor, but KB is reduced to the same extent. These two effects counteract each other, so that repressor has no net effect on the strength of the prmE37prmup-1 promoter in vitro. In contrast, repressor increases kf for wild-type PRM eightfold and increases overall promoter strength (KBKf) nearly fivefold. In the presence of repressor, the effects of the two mutations, prm E37 and prm up-1, on kf are independent. This observation is discussed in relation to revised models for open complex formation.
Localized states induced by an oxygen vacancy in rutile TiO2

Using density functional theory and model Hamiltonian analysis, we investigate the localized states induced by an oxygen vacancy in rutile TiO2. We identify two classes of localized states—the hybrid and the polaron. The hybrid state is caused by the orbital overlap between three Ti atoms next to a vacancy and is mainly derived from the Ti eg orbitals. The polaron state is caused by the local lattice distortion and is mainly composed of one particular t2g orbital from a single Ti atom. The first principles calculation shows that the polaron state is energetically favored, and the tight-binding analysis reveals the underlying connection between the bulk band structure and the orbital character of the polaron. The magnetic coupling between two nearby polaron states is found to be ferromagnetic. Using this picture, we analyze the results of recent theoretical calculations and experiments and discuss the connection to vacancies in SrTiO3.
Nonisotopic 'Sandwich' immunoassay of thyroglobulin in serum by the biotin-streptavidin technique: Evaluation and comparison with an immunoradiometric assay

In this sequential assay, the thyroglobulin in serum binds to polystyrene beads coated with two mouse monoclonal antibodies. These beads then react with a rabbit polyclonal antibody, biotinylated sheep anti-rabbit IgG, streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase, and a peroxidase substrate to yield a colored product that is measured spectrophotometrically at 492 nm. The range of the standard curve is 1.6 to 100 micrograms/L. The detection limit of the assay is 1.2 micrograms/L. The interassay coefficient of variation is 14.0% at 6.2 micrograms/L, 5.7% at 32.7 micrograms/L; the intra-assay CVs range from 7.8% to 14.8%. The reference intervals are 2.7 to 42.1 micrograms/L for euthyroid persons and less than or equal to 5 micrograms/L for athyreotic patients not on thyroxin replacement therapy. Some autoantibodies to thyroglobulin cause thyroglobulin values to be falsely low. The concentration of autoantibodies is not correlated with the analytical recovery of human thyroglobulin. The coefficient of correlation between the measurement of thyroglobulin by this assay and by an immunoradiometric assay was 0.969 for 186 autoantibody-negative samples, 0.963 for 37 autoantibody-positive samples.
Persistence of meal-entrained circadian rhythms following area postrema lesions in the rat

Rats anticipate daily meals with increased approaches to a feeder and an increase in core body temperature. Food-anticipatory activity (FAA) is thought to be under the control of a feeding-entrained circadian oscillator (FEO). Ibotenic acid and electrolytic lesions in the region of the parabrachial nuclei (PBN) in the rat severely disrupt FAA (feeder approaches) and temperature rhythms. The PBN receive dense input from the area postrema (AP), which lacks a blood-brain barrier and thus has access to humoral factors in the systemic circulation. The present study assesses development and maintenance of FAA in rats with cautery lesions of the AP. The results demonstrate that AP lesions do not alter FAA. This experiment does not support the hypothesis that the AP in the caudal brainstem detects and relays circulating signals from the periphery that trigger FAA.
Ethics-Based Environmentalism in Practice: Religious-Environmental Organizations in the United States

Debates over the “death of environmentalism” juxtapose two approaches to environmental advocacy: an issues-based environmentalism that relies on technocratic, legal, scientific, policy-oriented and issue-specific advocacy activities and an ethics-based environmentalism that has as its primary focus the promotion of deep-seated changes in individual and societal values and behavior as they pertain to stewardship of the earth. The latter is presented both as a critique of the former and as a road map for a more effective environmental movement. This study documents the practice and challenges of ethics-based environmentalism through an analysis of the religious-environmental movement in the United States. Interviews with forty-two U.S.-based religious-environmental organizations revealed that the majority of these groups see themselves as engaged in an ethics-based environmentalism grounded in frameworks that tie God to nature and emphasize action, community, and justice. Groups also identified some of the challenges inherent in ethics-based environmental advocacy, including the need to confront societal norms, work on long time horizons, access funding, recruit support, and measure and document success.
Toward a Theory-Based Measurement of Culture

In reviewing the history of the conceptualization and measurement of “culture,” one quickly realizes that there is wide-ranging and contradictory scholarly opinion about which values, norms, and beliefs should be measured to represent the concept of “culture.” We explore an alternate theory-based view of culture via social identity theory (SIT), which suggests that each individual is influenced by plethora of cultures and sub-cultures–some ethnic, some national, and some organizational. In IS research, the culture of subjects and respondents is problematic because it is typically an overly simplistic categorization. IS research nearly always assumes that an individual living in a particular place and time belongs to a single “culture,” e.g., someone living in Egypt is automatically classified as being a member of the Egyptian culture, or, more broadly, the Arab culture. This dearth of clear concepts and measures for “culture” may explain why cross-cultural research has been so exceedingly difficult to conduct. It may also explain why it has been hard to develop and refine theories. Moreover, it may give insight into why reasonable explained variance in predictive models has not been higher. Finally, it is very possible that much cross-cultural business research could be rightly accused of advancing an “ecological fallacy” by not recognizing the individual makeup of persons with respect to culture. Using SIT (or other theory bases) as grounding for cultural research programs implies the use of certain methodological approaches. Each study would have to establish the salient “cultures” in each individual’s background and include these different “cultures” as independent variables in positivist research. In qualitative research, there would need to be an equally rigorous assessment of the cultural identifiers of each individual.
Global transmission of multiple-drug resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains refractive to cephalosporin treatment

Recently, in many countries gonorrhea cases are on the rise. The World Health Organization estimated global annual gonorrhea cases of 62 million in 1999. Gonorrhea infection may increase susceptibility to and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In addition, due to sharing of same transmission route and overlapping risk groups, gonorrhea may serve as a risk marker for infection of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. In Taiwan, according to Statistics of Communicable Diseases and Surveillance of Taiwan-CDC, 2265 new cases were reported for 2010, with an incidence of 9.79 per 100,000 people. In only a few decades, Neisseria gonorrhoeae has rapidly developed resistance to multiple antibiotics, such as sulfanilamide, penicillins, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones. Recently, the third generation cephalosporins, or extendedspectrum cephalosporin (ESC), currently the last remaining treatment options in the drug pipeline, were proposed as alternative antibiotics for treatment of gonorrhea. However, susceptibility to all ESCs (oral and injectable) is decreasing rapidly. Alarmingly, treatment failures with oral ESCs have been reported in many countries. In Taiwan, according to the 2133 isolates (representing 26.7% of the 8,001 reported cases) of gonococci-National Isolate Collection for Epidemiology (G-NICE) surveillance spanning 2008e 2011, resistant rates [criteria: European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) 2011, R:
Measles seroepidemiology and decay rate of vaccine-induced measles IgG titers in Taiwan, 1995-1997.

Community-based seroepidemiologic studies were conducted to monitor the effectiveness of measles immunization programmes and to estimate the decay rate of vaccine-induced measles IgG titres. Sera collected from a mountain (792 sera), rural (875 sera) and urban (894 sera) populations in 1995–1997 were available. Measles IgG was quantified using a commercial EIA kit. Measles IgG seroprevalence and geometric mean titre (GMT) were calculated by setting the cut-off titre at 50 mIU/ml. The decay rate of measles IgG titres was estimated by assuming that the measles IgG titres, without exposing to wild measles virus, decay exponentially and constantly after 1 year post vaccination. The half-life of measles IgG titres was calculated from the corresponding decay rate. Measles IgG seroprevalences in these three populations have reached >95% in school children (7–18 years old) and >98% in young adults (19–25 years old) but varied from 87 to 96% in pre-school children (4–6 years old). Two-dose vaccinees, comparing with 1-dose vaccinees, had a significantly higher seroprevalence (98 versus 92%, P<0.01) and a slightly longer half-life of measles IgG titres (61 versus 27 months, P=0.08) but the measles IgG GMT in the two groups did not differ significantly (675 versus 618 mIU/ml, P=0.78).
Differential replication in zucchini squash of a cucumber mosaic virus satellite RNA maps to RNA 1 of the helper virus.

Abstract Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) supports the replication and encapsidation of its satellite RNA, both in solanaceous and cucurbit host plants; however, different strains of CMV support the replication of satellite RNAs with different efficiency. In addition, replication of satellite RNA is very efficient in solanaceous host plants and generally poor in cucurbit host plants. The WL 1 -satellite (WL 1 -sat) RNA is an exception, and replicates to high levels in both solanaceous and curcubit host plants with most CMV strains as the helper virus. Two strains of CMV were used in this study: Fny-CMV, which replicates the WL 1 -sat RNA efficiently in all hosts tested; and Sny-CMV, which does not replicate the WL 1 -sat RNA to detectable levels in zucchini squash ( Cucurbita pepo ), but does replicate WL 1 -sat RNA efficiently in other hosts. Using pseudorecombinants constructed between Fny-CMV and Sny-CMV we have mapped to RNA 1 the ability to support the efficient replication of WL,-sat RNA in zucchini squash.
The bee‐killing flies, genus Melaloncha Brues (Diptera: Phoridae): a combined molecular and morphological phylogeny

The phylogeny of the bee-killing flies, genus Melaloncha Brues (Diptera: Phoridae) is analysed using six genes –cytochrome oxidase I, 16S ribosomal DNA, 12S ribosomal DNA, NADH1 dehydrogenase, 28S ribosomal DNA and CAD– plus 47 morphological characters. A total of 91 specimens, including eight out-groups and 83 Melaloncha (representing 70 species) were included in the analyses. Parsimony analysis of the combined data set produced a single most parsimonious tree with varied Bremer and bootstrap support of interior nodes. Bayesian analysis of molecules only and of morphology + molecules produced trees largely in agreement with parsimony results, although with a few differences. Supported groups included subfamily Metopininae, genus Melaloncha, and subgenera Melaloncha s.s. and Melaloncha (Udamochiras) Enderlein. Within the subgenera, the previously recognized Melaloncha furcata, Melaloncha cingulata, Melaloncha ungulata and Melaloncha stylata groups were recovered, as well as some new groupings. The M. furcata group was placed as the sister group of other Melaloncha s.s., which is consistent with known host-attacking behaviour.
CROSSING OF AN INCOHERENT INTEGRAL RESONANCE IN THE ELECTRON RING ACCELERATOR

In one mode of operation of an electron ring accelerator (ERA), at the end of compression rings are slowly moved through the radial integral betatron resonance Q{sub r} = 1. Although the coherent radial oscillation frequency of the ring as a whole remains below unit, the oscillation frequencies of individual electron are (incoherently) caused to pass through the resonance because of the additional focusing from ions trapped in the ring. In this paper the effect of field errors on ring major and minor radii is evaluated--theoretically--for the cases in which the spread in the square of the electron oscillation frequency ({Delta}{sup 2}) is (a) much larger and (b) much smaller than the contribution to the square of the oscillation frequency from the ions ({Lambda}{sup 2}). It is shown that for the ERA, where case (b) applies, the increase in ring minor dimensions, for given field errors and rate of resonance crossing, is less than in case (a) by a factor of ({Delta}/{Lambda}){sup 2}. Numerical examples show that the degradation of ring quality in case (b) should, with suitable attention to the design and construction of the ERA apparatus, be acceptably small.
The empathic, physiological resonance of stress

Physiological resonance between individuals is considered fundamental to the biological capacity for empathy. Observers of pain and distress commonly exhibit increases in reported distress, autonomic arousal, facial mimicry, and overlapping neural activity. An important, unstudied question is whether physiological stress can also resonate. Physiological stress is operationalized as activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical (HPA) and sympatho-adrenomedullary (SAM) axes. People often report an aversive state resulting from the stress of another, but this could be conveyed through resonating arousal or distress, without activating the physiological stress response. Physiological stress is particularly important to examine since it commonly occurs chronically, with known negative effects on health. Salivary cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) were measured in both speakers and observers during a modified Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) to assess activation of the HPA and SAM axes (respectively). Cortisol (but not sAA) responses resonated between speakers and observers. The cortisol response of observers increased with trait empathy and was not related to the speaker's subjective fear or distress. This study provides a novel method for examining physiological resonance, and indicates that we can indeed catch another's physiological stress, suggesting a specific health risk for those in the social network of stressed individuals.
Hybridization-mediated interaction and the equilibrium magnetic behavior in uranium monopnictides

We present the results of calculations for the equilibrium magnetic behavior of a fcc lattice of U/sup 3 +/(f/sup 3/, J = (9/2)) ions coupled by the hybridization-mediated two-ion interaction. The calculations are for L-S intraionic coupling, and have been performed both with and without crystal-field interactions being present. We relate our results to the equilibrium magnetic behavior and thermal phase transitions in UP, UAs, and USb.
Superordinate Category Terms and Mass‐Count Noun Status

This article addresses the claim that superordinate categories tend to be indicated by mass nouns and that this tendency represents a linguistic universal. However, the study that first advanced this claim (Markman 1985, 1989) investigated an inadequate sample of language groups. Testing a under variety of languages, the current study, using the methods applied in that original study, showed that the tendency for superordinate categories to be indicated by mass nouns was not universal. Moreover, we discuss how the method itself, based on the morphosyntax of the mass-count distinction in English, may not apply cross-linguistically. Specifically, the nature of the mass-count distinction involves more than the presence or absence of preceding numerals, classifiers, and quantificational phrases. Consequently, we conclude that the claim of a universal tendency for superordinate categories to be indicated by mass nouns remains open to question.
The Epitaph of Alcuin: A Model of Carolingian Epigraphy

WHAT we know about Alcuin's authorship' of the famous epitaph of Pope Hadrian I, written at the request of Charlemagne, warrants the supposition that Alcuin's own epitaph, written by him shortly before his death on 19 May 804, in all probability resembled it in epigraphic workmanship.2 The elegiacs of this inscription are extant in manuscripts alone; originally they were engraved on a bronze tablet.' Although it would be an easy task to reconstruct the original epigraphic appearance of the epitaph - undoubtedly in Roman square capitals with the proper ligatures, nomina sacra, and special letters as known to us from the preserved epitaph of Hadrian - nothing would be gained from such an exercise. Like Hadrian's, the epitaph of Alcuin was in all likelihood another product of the epigraphic school of Tours.4 Since Alcuin's inscription became a formula and the model for other epitaphs of the Carolingian age, it is printed here with an epigraphic and literary commentary.5 Alcuin's authorship, reported by his anonymous biographer, will be rendered certain by the parallels between the epitaph and Alcuin's other poetry listed in the notes to the following text.6
A microRNA component of the hypoxic response

microRNAs participate in a wide variety of physiological and pathological cellular processes. Recent studies have established a link between a specific group of microRNAs and hypoxia, a key feature of the neoplastic microenvironment. A significant proportion of the hypoxia-regulated microRNAs (HRMs) are also overexpressed in human cancers, suggesting a role in tumorigenesis. Preliminary evidence suggests that they could affect important processes such as apoptosis, proliferation and angiogenesis. Several HRMs exhibit induction in response to HIF activation, thus extending its repertoire of targets beyond translated genes. In the present review, we discuss the emerging roles of HRMs in oxygen deprivation in cancer context.
On the magnitude and dynamics of eddy covariance system residual energy (energy balance closure error) in subsurface drip-irrigated maize field during growing and non-growing (dormant) seasons

There were inadvertent errors in the authorship line and text. The authorship line should read as: Sumantra Chatterjee, Suat Irmak, Jose O. Payero, Ayse Kilic, Lameck O. Odhiambo, Daran Rudnick, Vivek Sharma, and David Billesbach.
Bone mass and density in preadolescent boys with and without Down syndrome

Preadolescent boys with Down syndrome at 7–10 years of age have lower bone mass and density in the pelvis than age-matched children without Down syndrome. However, bone mass and density of total body less head and lumbar spine are not different between these two groups. This study aimed to assess bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) in preadolescent boys with and without Down syndrome (DS) at 7–10 years of age. Eleven preadolescent boys with DS and eleven age-matched children without DS participated in this study. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure BMC and BMD in whole body and lumbar spine. Both BMC and BMD of total body less head (TBLH) and lumbar spine (vertebrae L2–L4) were compared between the two groups, with and without adjusting for physical characteristics such as bone area, body height, and total lean mass. Two bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) variables were calculated to estimate volumetric BMD in the lumbar spine. Both BMC and BMD in the pelvis were lower in the DS group, after adjusting for physical characteristics. However, with and without adjusting for physical characteristics, the two groups were not different in BMC and BMD of the arms, legs, and TBLH from the whole body scan and in BMC, BMD, and BMAD of the lumbar spine from the lumbar spine scan. These findings indicate that the pelvis may be the first site to show the significant difference in BMC and BMD between preadolescent boys with and without DS. It also suggests that significantly lower BMC and BMD in whole body and lumbar spine, which is usually observed in young adults with DS, may not occur before adolescence.
Priming of influenza mRNA transcription is inhibited in CHO cells treated with the methylation inhibitor, neplanocin A.

Abstract Chinese hamster ovary cells were pretreated with Neplanocin A, a potent inhibitor of RNA methylation. Analysis of polyadenylated RNA from treated cells by high-pressure liquid chromatography revealed marked decreases of 2′- O -methylation within mRNA cap structures and of internal N 6 -methyladenosine residues. In these Neplanocin A-treated cells, influenza viral mRNA accumulation was virtually abolished. Cellular RNA from Neplanocin A-treated cells was substantially less efficient than RNA from control cells in priming cell-free influenza transcription reactions. These results suggest that the observed inhibition of influenza virus replication is due at least in part to impaired recognition of undermethylated cellular mRNA cap structures by the influenza polymerase complex.
Modeling, development, and experimental validation of a Joule–Thompson superfluid refrigerator using a pulse tube cryocooler

Abstract An economical method of refrigeration to temperatures near 1 K is introduced in this work. Unlike traditional methods, our refrigeration system does not rely on the use of a helium bath; helium enters a Dewar at room temperature and pre-cools, condenses, and sub-cools to temperatures slightly lower than the normal boiling point of helium during its heat exchange with various components that are connected to a Cryomech pulse tube cryocooler (PT-410). A fixed Joule–Thompson restriction valve is used to create a large pressure difference between the incoming high-pressure helium line and the vacuum pumped space of the 1 K pot causing the helium temperature to drop to its corresponding saturation condition in the pot upon an isenthalpic expansion across the valve. This is a comprehensive report on the performance of a Joule–Thompson superfluid refrigerator; we will discuss our model, techniques in the experimental setup, and present our data for this type refrigerator. This refrigerator reached an ultimate low temperature of 1.39 K with no applied heat load and provided 150 mW of cooling power at 1.65 K.
Microarray Analysis of p53-Mediated Transcription: Mutli-Thousand Piece Puzzle or Invitation to Collective Thinking?

Commentary toGlobal Genechip Profiling to Identify Genes Responsive to p53-Induced Growth Arrest and Apoptosis in Human Lung Carcinoma CellsMegan Robinson, Ping Jiang, Jenny Cui, Jun Li, Yuli Wang, Manju Swaroop, Steve Madore, Theodore S. Lawrence and Yi SunMicroarray Expression Profiling of p53-Dependent Transcriptional Changes in an Immortalized Mouse Embryo Fibroblast Cell LineJoanna K. Sax, Alex Stoddard, Maureen E. Murphy, Lewis Chodosh, and Wafik S. El-DeiryandMicroarray Analysis of p53 Target Gene Expression Patterns in the Spleen and Thymus in Response to Ionizing RadiationTimothy F. Burns and Wafik S. El-Deiry
Kinetics of reaction between silicic acid and amorphous silica surfaces in NaCl solutions

Abstract The condensation polymerization between silicic acid and silica surfaces has been studied in the absence of nucleation, by seeding silicic acid solutions with colloidal amorphous silica particles of known surface area. Experiments were performed at 25–50°C, 0–1 M NaCl, and 4 ≦ pH ≦ 8 in unbuffered solutions. The reaction falls into two kinetic regimes, limited at high silicic acid concentration by polymerization-dissolution events, but at lower concentration by a process whereby deposited silicic acid condenses further to silica. The overall rates of both events appear directly proportional to the silica surface area As. Polymerization is first-order in both silicic acid concentration, C, and in the surface concentration of ionized hydroxyl groups (the surface charge) on amorphous silica, [SiO−]. Thus, −dc dt ∝ k 0 A s [ SiO − ]C . Solution pH influences silica surface charge but not the rate constant, while salt concentration influences both. The salt-free polymerization rate constant is k0 = 1.03 ± 0.12 M−1 s−1 at at 25°C, and exhibits an Arrhenius temperature dependence with an apparent activation energy of 13.1 ± 0.9 kcal/mole in the range 25–100°C, based upon analysis of the present data combined with two studies from the literature. Polymerization is not diffusionally limited under these conditions. Freshly deposited silica exhibits an enhanced solubility roughly twice the equilibrium level; this means that polymerization approaches this pseudoequilibrium point rather than approaching amorphous silica solubility. This also means that silica dissolution rates vary with the surface concentration of freshly deposited silicic acid molecules; thus, the overall kinetics of silicic acid concentration decline are determined by both surface and solution concentrations of silicic acid. A rate law is proposed which reproduces these and other recent literature data; this model appears applicable to silica dissolution data as well. Conflicting reports of both the reaction stoichiometry and the effect of silica surface charge have been resolved.
Trehalose Is a Chemical Attractant in the Establishment of Coral Symbiosis

Coral reefs have evolved with a crucial symbiosis between photosynthetic dinoflagellates (genus Symbiodinium) and their cnidarian hosts (Scleractinians). Most coral larvae take up Symbiodinium from their environment; however, the earliest steps in this process have been elusive. Here we demonstrate that the disaccharide trehalose may be an important signal from the symbiont to potential larval hosts. Symbiodinium freshly isolated from Fungia scutaria corals constantly released trehalose (but not sucrose, maltose or glucose) into seawater, and released glycerol only in the presence of coral tissue. Spawning Fungia adults increased symbiont number in their immediate area by excreting pellets of Symbiodinium, and when these naturally discharged Symbiodinium were cultured, they also released trehalose. In Y-maze experiments, coral larvae demonstrated chemoattractant and feeding behaviors only towards a chamber with trehalose or glycerol. Concomitantly, coral larvae and adult tissue, but not symbionts, had significant trehalase enzymatic activities, suggesting the capacity to utilize trehalose. Trehalase activity was developmentally regulated in F. scutaria larvae, rising as the time for symbiont uptake occurs. Consistent with the enzymatic assays, gene finding demonstrated the presence of a trehalase enzyme in the genome of a related coral, Acropora digitifera, and a likely trehalase in the transcriptome of F. scutaria. Taken together, these data suggest that adult F. scutaria seed the reef with Symbiodinium during spawning and the exuded Symbiodinium release trehalose into the environment, which acts as a chemoattractant for F. scutaria larvae and as an initiator of feeding behavior- the first stages toward establishing the coral-Symbiodinium relationship. Because trehalose is a fixed carbon compound, this cue would accurately demonstrate to the cnidarian larvae the photosynthetic ability of the potential symbiont in the ambient environment. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a chemical cue attracting the motile coral larvae to the symbiont.
How rhinovirus infections cause exacerbations of asthma

Rhinovirus (RV) infections are closely linked to exacerbations of asthma, and yet most RV infections of patients with asthma cause only upper respiratory symptoms. These findings suggest that RV and other viral infections contribute to the causation of acute exacerbations of asthma, but that additional cofactors are generally required. In fact, factors related to the host, virus, and environment have been identified that affect the severity of RV infections, and propensity to develop lower respiratory tract symptoms. This review will discuss these factors and how their effects may act alone or in combination to increase the probability of RV-induced exacerbations of asthma.
Estimates of linkage disequilibrium and effective population size in rainbow trout

Background The use of molecular genetic technologies for broodstock management and selective breeding of aquaculture species is becoming increasingly more common with the continued development of genome tools and reagents. Several laboratories have produced genetic maps for rainbow trout to aid in the identification of loci affecting phenotypes of interest. These maps have resulted in the identification of many quantitative/qualitative trait loci affecting phenotypic variation in traits associated with albinism, disease resistance, temperature tolerance, sex determination, embryonic development rate, spawning date, condition factor and growth. Unfortunately, the elucidation of the precise allelic variation and/or genes underlying phenotypic diversity has yet to be achieved in this species having low marker densities and lacking a whole genome reference sequence. Experimental designs which integrate segregation analyses with linkage disequilibrium (LD) approaches facilitate the discovery of genes affecting important traits. To date the extent of LD has been characterized for humans and several agriculturally important livestock species but not for rainbow trout.
Cytochrome c: resonance Raman spectra.

Abstract Resonance Raman spectra have been recorded for cytochrome c in both reduced and oxidized forms. The reduced form exhibits intense resonance scattering, and its spectrum is similar to that of oxyhemoglobin. The oxidized form gives much weaker scattering, but shows new bands which do not appear in the spectrum of the reduced form, and may represent significant frequency shifts upon oxidation. The situation is in contrast to that observed for hemoglobin, for which the change in oxidation state produces very little change in the resonance spectrum.
Radioautographic Evidence for the Incorporation of Leucine-Carbon-14 into the Mitotic Apparatus

Mitotic apparatus isolated at metaphase from sea urchin eggs, and placed in sea water containing leucine-carbon-14 after fertilization, has been shown by radioautographs to have taken up carbon-14 in such a way that it is not removable by repeated washing, by "chasing" with leucine-carbon-12, or by treatment with hot trichloroacetic acid.
Crystal structure of a type II dehydroquinate dehydratase-like protein from Bifidobacterium longum

Dehydroquinate dehydratase (DHQD) catalyzes the third step in the biosynthetic shikimate pathway. Here we identify a Bifidobacterium longum protein with high sequence homology to type II DHQDs but no detectable DHQD activity under standard assay conditions. A crystal structure reveals that the B. longum protein adopts a DHQD-like tertiary structure but a distinct quaternary state. Apparently forming a dimer, the B. longum protein lacks the active site aspartic acid contributed from a neighboring protomer in the type II DHQD dodecamer. Relating to the absence of protein–protein interactions established in the type II DHQD dodecameric assembly, substantial conformational changes distinguish the would-be active site of the B. longum protein. As B. longum possess no other genes with homology to known DHQDs, these findings imply a unique DHQD activity within B. longum.
Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE To describe our experience of simultaneous laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) with a non-absorbable mesh, as there are few reports of simultaneous herniorrhaphy during LRP. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty patients who had simultaneous LIHR and LRP were retrospectively reviewed. All operations were completed via antegrade techniques using a non-absorbable mesh for the LIHR, as the results with absorbable mesh were disappointing. RESULTS In all, 48 clinically apparent hernias were repaired in 40 patients (mean age 60 years). Of these, 13 were left-sided, 23 right-sided, and six bilateral; 19 were direct, 14 indirect, two pantaloon, three femoral, and in 10 the type was not recorded. The mean operative duration was 172 min and the mean hospital stay was 1.5 days. Two patients had a urine leak after surgery, which resolved with no further intervention, and two developed a pelvic lymphocele, one at 4 months and the other at 2 months after surgery. Two patients required urinary catheter re-insertion for retention after surgical catheter removal at 9 and 10 days after surgery, respectively. One patient developed a deep venous thrombosis 19 days after surgery. Of the 40 patients, 36 (90%) were followed for a mean of 10 months; none had a hernia recurrence on the repaired side, while two developed a new symptomatic contralateral hernia. CONCLUSIONS LIHR is a successful and reliable way to treat symptomatic patients who are treated surgically for prostate cancer.
Superelectrophilic chemistry of amino-nitriles and related substrates

The superacid-promoted Houben-Hoesch reactions of amino-nitriles and related compounds have been studied. The nitriles form dicationic electrophiles and react with benzene in fair to good yields (12-95%). The intermediate iminium ions may also be reduced to the benzylic amines by NaBH(4) or H(2).
CONTROL OF INTERCALARY GROWTH IN THE SCAPE OF GERBERA BY AUXIN AND GIBBERELLIC ACID

A B S T R A C T With the infloreseence removed, interealary growth can be maintained in the scape of Gerbera iamesonii by application of gibberellic acid (GA, gibberellin A3) or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA); the latter usually promotes more rapid and greater elongation than the former because of a greater effect on older tissues. Simultaneous application of the two substances, even when both are at optimal levels, promotes more rapid elongation than either substance alone; in fact, the rate of elongation may equal that of the intact scape. In decapitated scapes (receptacle and involueral bracts removed with the infloreseence), GA and IAA promote cell elongation with reduced or no cell division. In deflowered scapes (receptacle and involucral bracts intact) both GA and TAA promote cell division, as well as cell elongation, so that the pattern of scape elongation is nenrly the same as that for intact scapes. Apparently the bracts and receptacle contribute something required for cell division which acts in concert with GA and IAA. Deflowered and decapitated scapes elongate at nearly the same rates initially; thus the rate of elongation does not depend on cell division. The ultimate length of the scape is dependent on cell number and, hence, cell division, since deflowered scapes attain greater lengths than those that are decapitated.
Family-Centered Care for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review

Much has been written about family-centered care (FCC) as a best practice for children with special health care needs. There is limited research on the extent to which children with autism spectrum disorders and their families receive FCC or to delineate what elements of FCC are particularly important to meet their needs. We will examine the extant literature on FCC as a collaborative and empowering practice, the perceptions of parents of children with disabilities about FCC in both the healthcare and education fields, and will review the limited research on the specific needs of families that have a child with ASD. As part of this review, we will identify future directions for research and practice in caring for children with ASD and their families.
Magnetotransport properties of InMnSb magnetic semiconductor thin films

We report on the magnetotransport properties of epitaxial thin films of ${\text{In}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{Mn}}_{x}\text{Sb}$ dilute magnetic semiconductor grown by metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy. At temperatures below 10 K, a negative magnetoresistance dominates the magnetotransport that is attributed to spin-dependent scattering by localized magnetic moments. Above 10 K, the magnetoresistance is positive and is well described by a two-band model consisting of spin-split hybridized $p\text{\ensuremath{-}}d$ subbands with different conductivities. Hall effect measurements show an anomalous behavior that persists up to room temperature, providing an indication of ferromagnetic order. In addition, magnetization measurements reveal distinct hysteresis loops at room temperature which confirms the ferromagnetism of the films.
Symbol-Digit Substitution and Individual Differences in Visual Search Ability.

Abstract Substitution tests have a long history in psychology because of their simplicity of administration and their sensitivity to individual differences related to complex cognitive performance. Despite their widespread use there is no agreement on what the substitution test measures. The present study approached this question by applying a method of componential analysis introduced by Royer [Journal of Experimental Psychology 87 (1971) 335]. Symbols were altered on 20 symbol–digit substitution forms to permit the independent evaluation of three information-processing components: feature encoding, memory, and visual search. A test–retest paradigm demonstrated that the symbol manipulation reliably influenced performance in the predicted manner. A subsequent tachistoscopic visual search experiment demonstrated the validity of the characterization of participants as good or poor searchers on the basis of their symbol–digit performance. The study illustrates the utility of creating a multiform substitution test for evaluating individual differences in feature encoding, memory, and visual search capabilities.
Estimating the Hurst effect and its application in monitoring clinical trials

In this paper, we use a direct maximum likelihood method in estimating the Hurst coefficient for fractional Brownian motion with a short length of observations. We show that the estimate is asymptotically unbiased and derive an easy to use formula for computing the variance of the estimate. We also investigate the finite sample properties via Monte Carlo simulations. The simulation studies indicate that the theoretical formulas based on large sample arguments can be used when the number of observations is relatively small. A real example for monitoring a clinical trial is used to illustrate and compare various methods.
Two-loop large Higgs mass correction to the ϱ-parameter

Abstract The two-loop correction to the ϱ-parameter in the limit of the large Higgs mass is calculated. Numerically it is found that the two-loop contribution is equal in magnitude, but of opposite sign to the one-loop correction if the Higgs mass is about 137 times the vector boson mass. The calculation suggest a breakdown of perturbation theory if the Higgs mass is larger than 3 TeV. There is no direct correspondence between our results and the poles at n = 3 of the simple non-linear σ-model at the two-loop level.