cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of end stage lung disease in systemic sclerosis

Recognition of the two types of lung disease is important because their predictors and treatment differ Pulmonary disease is now the leading cause of death in patients with scleroderma. Of the 2000 patients in the Pittsburgh scleroderma databank, 211 patients have died of lung disease over the past 20 years. One hundred and thirteen died from isolated pulmonary hypertension and 98 died of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. These account for 21.5% of the 981 deaths and 44% of the scleroderma related deaths. Recently, progress has been made in the treatment of specific lung problems in scleroderma so it is imperative that we have a better understanding of the predictors of these complications. Most important is the acknowledgement and recognition that there are two types of lung disease in scleroderma which are very different in their pathogenesis, clinical associations, predictive factors, and treatment. The investigators of “Predictors of end stage lung disease in a cohort of patients with scleroderma” in this issue of the Annals admit that a limitation of their study was that they were unable to separate their patients into the two types of lung disease.1 By combining these two types of lung disease they were unable to identify factors that would have likely been predictors of one of the forms of lung disease. It is extremely important to look carefully at the two types of lung disease individually and not lump them all together as end stage lung disease. Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis is felt to result from an alveolitis, which leads to interstitial fibrosis.2 In some patients there may be a significant vascular component, as there is in other manifestations of the disease. However, the interactions of these two components is incompletely understood and thus, we will focus primarily on the inflammation and fibrosis component. In interstitial …
Redox involvement in acid secretion in the amphibian gastric mucosa.

Gastric fundic metabolism was studied by spectroscopic observation in frog mucosa during transitions of secretory status in vitro and by direct measurement of pyridine nucleotides and associated metabolites in biopsies of dog fundic mucosa also during secretory oxidation of the redox components from flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) to cytochromea3. Addition of histamine resulted in reduction of these components with onset of secretion by about 50%. In contrast, the effect of apparently, burimamide and subsequently histamine on the ratio of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, reduced (NAD+/NADH) was relatively slight. Further, the presence of burimamide substantially reduces the effect of amytal on the pyridine nucleotide spectrum and abolishes the effect of amytal on FAD and the cytochromes. Measurements of lactate, pyruvate, α-ketoglutarate, NH3 and glutamate in the dog showed that whereas the calculated NAD+/NADH ratio in the cytoplasm declined with onset of secretion, the calculated mitochondrial ratio rose. No change was noted in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced (NADP+/NADPH) ratio. It is concluded that (1) H2 antagonists act by blocking substrate flow into the mitochondrial respiratory chain, (2) conversely, histamine stimulation acts at the level of substrate mobilization, and (3) there may be a cross-over in the mitochondrial chain between NAD+ and FAD.
Risk Factors for Behavioral Dysfunction: The Relative Impact of Maltreatment, SES, Physical Health Problems, Cognitive Ability, and Quality of Parent-Child Interaction.

An analysis to identify risks for behavioral dysfunction is described in which maltreatment is viewed as one of multiple factors putting behavioral outcome at risk. Based on a study of physically abused and neglected, and nonabused, non-neglected children (n = 206) assessed at two points in time--preschool age and school age--variables representative of several domains (parenting, family environment, and child characteristics) were identified as significantly affecting children's behavioral functioning. Based on teachers' ratings, the children were assigned to one of three groups: high, medium, and low functioning. Discriminant analysis was used to determine which factors discriminated among the three groups. Results indicated that behavioral functioning is most strongly differentiated by the sociocultural and family climate in which the child is raised with physical and emotional maltreatment being significant but less powerful influences. Language: en
The yeast Pif1p DNA helicase preferentially unwinds RNA–DNA substrates

Pif1p is the prototypical member of the PIF1 family of DNA helicases, a subfamily of SFI helicases conserved from yeast to humans. Baker's yeast Pif1p is involved in the maintenance of mitochondrial, ribosomal and telomeric DNA and may also have a general role in chromosomal replication by affecting Okazaki fragment maturation. Here we investigate the substrate preferences for Pif1p. The enzyme was preferentially active on RNA–DNA hybrids, as seen by faster unwinding rates on RNA–DNA hybrids compared to DNA–DNA hybrids. When using forked substrates, which have been shown previously to stimulate the enzyme, Pif1p demonstrated a preference for RNA–DNA hybrids. This preferential unwinding could not be correlated to preferential binding of Pif1p to the substrates that were the most readily unwound. Although the addition of the single-strand DNA-binding protein replication protein A (RPA) stimulated the helicase reaction on all substrates, it did not diminish the preference of Pif1p for RNA–DNA substrates. Thus, forked RNA–DNA substrates are the favored substrates for Pif1p in vitro. We discuss these findings in terms of the known biological roles of the enzyme.
Physiological concomitants of affect during psychiatric interviews

Abstract Lexically derived affects were related to skin resistance, heart rate, and muscle potentials in nine psychiatric patients during three recording sessions over a three month span. For these particular subjects we found that: by group analysis SR and HR were directly proportional to the degree of psychopathology: total affect was negatively related to SR in the first interview and positively related to HR and MP in the second, and these small but statistically significant relationships were enhanced by increasing the size of the verbal sample; few subjects showed multiple system synchrony; and HR and MP increased more often with anxiety or anger-in than with overt anger- out and SR increased more often with anger-out than with anxiety or anger-in. We confirmed our previous observations that: physiological measures are singly considerably consistent for individuals; physiological patterns and psychophysiological patterns are considerably variable within and between individuals. Although we found some specificity of physiological patterns for anxiety, anger-out and anger-in, we proposed that these were secondary relationships, with both affect and pattern primarily related to a hypothetical degree of central integration. We proposed an hypothesis that: peripheral physiological patterns, to the extent that they are subject to psychological influence, are related to the degree of involvement with an object and the position of that object in psychological space.
13C-NMR studies of commercial and partially self-condensed hexakis(methoxymethyl)melamine (HMMM) resins

13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was employed to study the linkages in three commercial fully methylocated melamine-formaldehyde (HMMM) resins and their partially self-condensed resins by acid catalysis, in order to probe the structures linking melamine units. Distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer (DEPT) experiments show that the partially self-condensed resins contain both methylene ether and methylene linkages between melamine units. The extent of these linkages were estimated by quantitative 13C-NMR spectroscopy using inverse gated decoupling techniques. The results show that the ratios of methylene ether and methylene linkages to the triazine moiety vary from resin to resin. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
75Se selenomethionine as a scanning agent for the differential diagnosis of the cold thyroid nodule

A localized area of thyroid tissue which fails to concentrate radioiodine or 99m Tc pertechnetate (a cold thyroid nodule) is highly suspicious for the presence of thyroid carcinoma. Cystic disease of the thyroid may produce an identical scan. A neoplastic cold thyroid nodule utilizes amino acid for protein synthesis, while a cystic cold nodule concentrates neither halogen nor amino acids. The conversion from a halogen "cold" to a selenomethionine "hot" nodule usually indicates the presence of a solid lesion in the area of interest. Nodules that remain cold are usually caused by benign cystic disease of the thyroid. False negative studies occurred in five cases in our series of 21 patients with malignant neoplasms of the neck (24%). Seventy-six per cent of patients with neck neoplasms had positive scans. A benign adenoma of the thyroid cannot be differentiated from a carcinoma, however selenomethionine may help answer the question of whether a clinically palpated lesion is solid or cystic. In view of the high rate of false negatives in this small series, this test must be used with caution in guiding clinical therapy.
Combining forecasts for elections: Accurate, relevant, and timely

Abstract This paper increases the efficiency and understanding of forecasts for Electoral College and senatorial elections by generating forecasts based on voter intention polling, fundamental data, and prediction markets, then combining these forecasts. The paper addresses the most relevant outcome variable, the probability of victory in state-by-state elections, while also solving for the traditional outcomes, and ensuring that the forecasts are easy to update continuously over the course of the main election cycle. In an attempt to maximize both these attributes and the accuracy, I create efficient forecasts for each of these three types of raw data, with innovations in aggregating the data, then correlate the aggregated data with the outcomes. This paper demonstrates that all three data types make significant and meaningful contributions to election forecasting. Various groups of stakeholders, including researchers, election investors, and election workers, can benefit from the efficient combined forecasts defined in this paper. Finally, the forecast is tested on the 2012 elections and excels out-of-sample.
Recent results of high heat flux testing at the Plasma Materials Test Facility

High heat flux testing for the US fusion power program is the primary mission of the Plasma Materials Test Facility (PMTF) located at Sandia National Laboratory. This facility, an official Department of Energy User Facility, has been in operation for over 15 years and has provided much of the high heat flux data used in the design and evaluation of plasma facing components for many of the world's magnetic fusion tokamak experiments. In addition to domestic tokamaks such as Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor at Princeton, the DIII-D tokamak at General Atomics, and Alcator C-Mod at MIT, components for international experiments like TEXTOR, Tore- Supra, and Jet also have been tested at the PMTF. High heat flux testing spans a wide spectrum including thermal shock tests on passively cooled materials, thermal response and thermal fatigue tests on actively cooled components, critical heat flux burnout testes, braze reliability tests, and safety related tests. The program's main focus now is on testing of beryllium and tungsten armor tiles bonded to divertor, limiter, and first wall components for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The ITER project is a collaboration among the US, EU, RF, and Japanese fusion programs. This article provides a brief overview of the high heat flux testing capabilities at the PMTF, and describes some recent test results.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Heritability and Interrelationships of Pod Length and Seed Weight in Guar

This study was undertaken to estimate heritability of pod length and seed weight in guar, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub., and to determine genetic relationships between the two traits. Narrow-sense heritability (h2) estimates ranged from 0.63 to 0.68 for pod length and from 0.54 to 0.57 for seed weight. An additive-dominance model was adequate to explain gene action involved in the inheritance of both traits. Estimates indicate a minimum of 5 loci or chromosome segments control pod length and 2 control seed weight. Phenotypic correlations between pod length and seed weight were highly significant and positive. Genotypic correlations between the two traits were low and positive. Moderate to high heritability values for the two traits indicate that selection for improvement in either trait should be fairly rapid. Low genotypic correlations between the traits should not pose a significant barrier in developing large seed, grain-type cultivars.
Consumers' Service Involvement: An Exploratory Examination

While product involvement has received considerable attention in the research literature on consumers, service involvement has received comparatively little despite its potential usefulness. The present study utilized a survey to explore descriptively 231 consumers' involvement across six services. To this end, the factor structure, internal consistency, and subscale relationships were examined for the Revised Personal Involvement Inventory, which was developed within a goods context by McQuarrie and Munson in 1986. Further, the relations of scale dimensions to selected outcome measures were assessed
Intra- and Inter-Tumor Heterogeneity of BRAFV600EMutations in Primary and Metastatic Melanoma

The rationale for using small molecule inhibitors of oncogenic proteins as cancer therapies depends, at least in part, on the assumption that metastatic tumors are primarily clonal with respect to mutant oncogene. With the emergence of BRAF(V600E) as a therapeutic target, we investigated intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity in melanoma using detection of the BRAF(V600E) mutation as a marker of clonality. BRAF mutant-specific PCR (MS-PCR) and conventional sequencing were performed on 112 tumors from 73 patients, including patients with matched primary and metastatic specimens (n = 18). Nineteen patients had tissues available from multiple metastatic sites. Mutations were detected in 36/112 (32%) melanomas using conventional sequencing, and 85/112 (76%) using MS-PCR. The better sensitivity of the MS-PCR to detect the mutant BRAF(V600E) allele was not due to the presence of contaminating normal tissue, suggesting that the tumor was comprised of subclones of differing BRAF genotypes. To determine if tumor subclones were present in individual primary melanomas, we performed laser microdissection and mutation detection via sequencing and BRAF(V600E)-specific SNaPshot analysis in 9 cases. Six of these cases demonstrated differing proportions of BRAF(V600E)and BRAF(wild-type) cells in distinct microdissected regions within individual tumors. Additional analyses of multiple metastatic samples from individual patients using the highly sensitive MS-PCR without microdissection revealed that 5/19 (26%) patients had metastases that were discordant for the BRAF(V600E) mutation. In conclusion, we used highly sensitive BRAF mutation detection methods and observed substantial evidence for heterogeneity of the BRAF(V600E) mutation within individual melanoma tumor specimens, and among multiple specimens from individual patients. Given the varied clinical responses of patients to BRAF inhibitor therapy, these data suggest that additional studies to determine possible associations between clinical outcomes and intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity could prove fruitful.
Science with Gunny

Abstract Professor I.C. Gunsalus has not only performed outstanding research for more than 60 years but also is largely responsible for a much closer interaction between physicists and biologists. In this brief paper, I sketch the story of how this interaction came about.
Topological vector spaces, compacta, and unions of subspaces

Abstract In the first two sections, we study when a σ -compact space can be covered by a point-finite family of compacta. The main result in this direction concerns topological vector spaces. Theorem 2.4 implies that if such a space L admits a countable point-finite cover by compacta, then L has a countable network. It follows that if f is a continuous mapping of a σ -compact locally compact space X onto a topological vector space L , and fibers of f are compact, then L is a σ -compact space with a countable network (Theorem 2.10). Therefore, certain σ -compact topological vector spaces do not have a stronger σ -compact locally compact topology. In the last, third section, we establish a result going in the orthogonal direction: if a compact Hausdorff space X is the union of two subspaces which are homeomorphic to topological vector spaces, then X is metrizable (Corollary 3.2).
Sand ridges off Sarasota, Florida: A complex facies boundary on a low-energy inner shelf environment

Abstract The innermost shelf off Sarasota, Florida was mapped using sidescan-sonar imagery, seismic-reflection profiles, surface sediment samples, and short cores to define the transition between an onshore siliciclastic sand province and an offshore carbonate province and to identify the processes controlling the distribution of these distinctive facies. The transition between these facies is abrupt and closely tied to the morphology of the inner shelf. A series of low-relief nearly shore-normal ridges characterize the inner shelf. Stratigraphically, the ridges are separated from the underlying Pleistocene and Tertiary carbonate strata by the Holocene ravinement surface. While surficial sediment is fine to very-fine siliciclastic sand on the southeastern sides of the ridges and shell hash covers their northwestern sides, the cores of these Holocene deposits are a mixture of both of these facies. Along the southeastern edges of the ridges the facies boundary coincides with the discontinuity that separates the ridge deposits from the underlying strata. The transition from siliciclastic to carbonate sediment on the northwestern sides of the ridges is equally abrupt, but it falls along the crests of the ridges rather than at their edges. Here the facies transition lies within the Holocene deposit, and appears to be the result of sediment reworking by modern processes. This facies distribution primarily appears to result from south-flowing currents generated during winter storms that winnow the fine siliciclastic sediment from the troughs and steeper northwestern sides of the ridges. A coarse shell lag is left armoring the steeper northwestern sides of the ridges, and the fine sediment is deposited on the gentler southeastern sides of the ridges. This pronounced partitioning of the surficial sediment appears to be the result of the siliciclastic sand being winnowed and transported by these currents while the carbonate shell hash falls below the threshold of sediment movement and is left as a lag. The resulting facies boundaries on this low-energy, sediment-starved inner continental shelf are of two origins which both are tied to the remarkably subtle ridge morphology. Along the southeastern sides of the ridges the facies boundary coincides with a stratigraphic discontinuity that separates Holocene from the older deposits while the transition along the northwestern sides of the ridges is within the Holocene deposit and is the result of sediment redistribution by modern processes.
Interfacial turbulence and spontaneous emulsification in alkali—acidic oil systems

Abstract The phenomenon of spontaneous emulsification, which takes place between an alkaline solution and an oil containing an organic acid, has both scientific interest in the modeling of mass transfer processes and practical applications of industrial importance in processes such as the enhanced recovery of crude oil. We have conducted an experimental investigation in order to determine the mechanisms responsible for the spontaneous emulsification observed in reacting alkali—acidic oil systems with and without added preformed surfactant. Both model oils (i.e. high and low viscosity) and a crude oil are used in this study, along with a petroleum sulfonate as a preformed surfactant. The effects of pH, sodium concentration, and preformed surfactant are studied on the spontaneous emulsification phenomenon. Interfacial turbulence as a means for spontaneous emulsification has been established by direct microscopic observation of roll cells in both the model and crude-oil systems. We have observed that the roll-cell size and formation time depend strongly on the pH and ionic strength of the alkaline solution. For a particular roll-cell size, the addition of preformed surfactant causes the cells to take longer to form, causing an interfacial resistance to mass transfer and making the interface more rigid. We show that interfacial turbulence is a necessary but not sufficient condition for spontaneous emulsification. Low interfacial tension is also a necessary condition, along with cellular rotational velocity, which is found to increase with pH. The effect of pH can be explained in terms of the concentration gradient of unionized acid in the oil phase, the sensitivity of interfacial tension to preformed surfactant concentration, and the rate of acid ionization. Moreover, these systems appear ideal for investigating the interfacial turbulence phenomenon.
Language and memory: Redintegrative memory for shapes facilitated by naming

Redintegrative memory for novel shapes (remembering the whole shape when only a part is presented) was studied as a function of whether or not S had learned names for the shapes. Naming markedly facilitated short-term redintegrative recognition, but had no effect on simple recognition. The results support the hypothesis that naming facilitates the formation of an integrated representation in which information about the different contours of the shape is more closely linked than in a nonverbal representation.
Stratified turbulence in the nearshore coastal ocean: Dynamics and evolution in the presence of internal bores

High-frequency measurements of stratified turbulence throughout the water column were collected over a 2 week period in the nearshore environment of southern Monterey Bay, CA, using a cabled observatory system and an underwater turbulence flux tower. The tower contained a vertical array of acoustic Doppler velocimeters and fast-response conductivity-temperature sensors, providing a nearly continuous data set of turbulent velocity and density fluctuations and a unique look into the stratified turbulence field. The evolution of various turbulence quantities and direct measurements of the vertical turbulent diffusivity is examined in the presence of nearshore internal bores, both in the near-bed region and in the stratified interior. We show that individual bores can drive substantial changes in local turbulence and mixing dynamics, with considerable differences between the leading and trailing edges of the bores. Using direct observations of the flux Richardson number, our measurements confirm previous observations that show the highest mixing efficiencies (Γ) occurring in regions of buoyancy-controlled turbulence. Parameterizations of the flux Richardson number as a function of the turbulence activity number are also presented. Finally, we demonstrate that the commonly used assumption of a constant mixing efficiency (Γ = 0.2) for calculating turbulent diffusivities leads to significant overestimates compared to diffusivity values calculated using the directly measured mixing efficiency. Implications of the results are discussed.
Trapping and recombination measurement by a light modulation technique

Abstract A technique is described by which recombination lifetime may be resolved from trapping effects. Analysis is shown by which trap capture and release times may be measured as well as density and energy level of trapping levels. It is shown that superlinearity in CdSe sintered layers arises not from “activation”, as described in currently held models of variation of recombination time with light level, but rather is associated with increase of mobility with light level.
Bladder Cancer Associated Glycoprotein Signatures Revealed by Urinary Proteomic Profiling

Current methods in the noninvasive detection and surveillance of bladder cancer via urine analysis include voided urine cytology (VUC) and some diagnostic urinary protein biomarkers; however, due to the poor sensitivity of VUC and high false-positive rates of currently available protein assays, detection of bladder cancer via urinalysis remains a challenge. In the study presented here, a rapid, high-sensitivity technique was developed to profile the N-linked glycoprotein component in naturally micturated human urine specimens. Concanavalin A (Con A) affinity chromatography coupled to nanoflow liquid chromatography was utilized to separate the complex peptide mixture prior to a linear ion trap MS analysis. Of 186 proteins identified with high confidence by multiple analyses, 40% were secreted proteins, 18% membrane proteins, and 14% extracellular proteins. In this study, the presence of several proteins appeared to be associated with the presence of bladder cancer, including α-1B-glycoprotein that was dete...
Sleep disturbance in psychiatric disorders: effects on function and quality of life in mood disorders, alcoholism, and schizophrenia.

Introduction. While the precise role of sleep in maintaining optimal health and function remains unknown, it is clear that disturbances of sleep have a profound impact on the lives of affected individuals. In psychiatric disorders, not only is there a relationship between sleep disturbances and impaired function, problems with sleep also appear to affect the course of the disorder.Methods. We carried out a literature review of sleep studies in mood disorders, alcoholism and schizophrenia to determine how associated alterations in sleep architecture and disturbances of sleep are related to patient function and quality of life, and the course of these disorders.Results. The literature speaks to the need to address sleep problems in the overall management of mood disorders, alcoholism and schizophrenia. The support for this viewpoint is best established for mood disorders. There is also relatively strong support for treatment in alcoholism. Schizophrenia, however, has received scant attention and the literat...
Associations Among Selected Motor Skills and Health-Related Fitness: Indirect Evidence for Seefeldt's Proficiency Barrier in Young Adults?

Purpose: This exploratory study examined the notion of Seefeldt's (1980) hypothesized motor skill “proficiency barrier” related to composite levels of health-related physical fitness (HRF) in young adults. Method: A motor skill competence (MSC) index composed of maximum throwing and kicking speed and jumping distance in 187 young adults aged 18 to 25 years old was evaluated against a composite index of 5 health-related fitness (HRF) test scores. MSC (high, moderate, and low) and HRF indexes (good, fair, and poor) were categorized according to normative fitness percentile ranges. 2 separate 3-way chi-square analyses were conducted to determine the probabilities of skill predicting fitness and fitness predicting skill. Results: Most correlations among HRF and MSC variables by gender demonstrated low-to-moderate positive correlations in both men (12/15; r = .23–.58) and women (14/15; r = .21–.53). Chi-square analyses for the total sample, using composite indexes, demonstrated statistically significant predic...
ACTIVATION OF SIGNALLING BY THE ACTIVIN RECEPTOR COMPLEX

Activin exerts its effects by simultaneously binding to two types of p rotein serine/threonine kinase receptors, each type existing in various isoforms. Using the ActR-IB and ActR-IIB receptor isoforms, we have investigated the mechanism of activin receptor activation. ActR-IIB are phosphoproteins with demonstrable affinity for each other. However, activin addition strongly promotes an interaction between these two proteins. Activin binds directly to ActR-IIB, and this complex associates with ActR-IB, which does not bind ligand on its own. In the resulting complex, ActR-IB becomes hyperphosphorylated, and this requires the kinase activity of ActR-IIB. Mutation of conserved serines and threonines in the GS domain, a region just upstream of the kinase domain in ActR-IB, abrogates both phosphorylation and signal propagation, suggesting that this domain contains phosphorylation sites required for signalling. ActR-IB activation can be mimicked by mutation of Thr-206 to aspartic acid, which yields a construct, ActR-IB(T206D), that signals in the absence of ligand. Furthermore, the signalling activity of this mutant construct is undisturbed by overexpression of a dominant negative kinase-defective ActR-IIB construct, indicating that ActR-IB(T206D) can signal independently of ActR-IIB. The evidence suggests that ActR-IIB acts as a primary activin receptor and ActR-IB acts as a downstream transducer of activin signals.
A cladistic analysis of Dialeurodes, Massilieurodes and Singhiella, with notes and keys to the Nearctic species and descriptions of four new Massilieurodes species (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

. A large subset of the whitefly genus Dialeurodes was analysed using cladistics. Thirty-five characters and thirty-five species were analysed. The results suggest that the species can be divided into three groups. Appropriate generic names are assigned to these groups based on the placement of the type species of Dialeurodes Cockerell, Massilieurodes Goux and Singhiella Sampson, to each of which species are assigned based on their placement in the cladograms or based on examination of original descriptions. Thirteen species are assigned to Dialeurodes, twenty-four to Singhiella (twenty-three new combinations) and fifteen to Massilieurodes including eleven new combinations and four new species, Massileurodes alabamensis sp.n., M. americanus sp.n., M. curiosa sp.n. and M. myricae sp.n. Discussions of the three genera are provided, along with keys for the identification of the Nearctic species. Descriptions of the adults of three previously described species are presented. Illustrations are provided for all North American members of the three genera.
Bunch Length Measurements Using a Transverse RF Deflecting Structure in the SLAC Linac

The development of future free electron lasers (FEL) and linear colliders requires high brightness electron beams with bunch lengths on the order of 100-fsec. Reliable measurement of such a short bunch is not a trivial problem. Furthermore, x-ray FELs will require the ability to observe variable electron beam characteristics, such as emittance and peak current, within the length of the bunch. A simple way to measure bunch length and possibly unfold beam quality variations over the bunch length is to 'streak' the bunch using a transverse RF deflecting structure at its zero-crossing phase. Several S- band deflecting structures were constructed and tested at SLAC in the 1960's. One of these 2.4-m long structures has been installed in the SLAC linac for beam testing. We report on bunch length measurements performed using this structure and comment on future methods and applications.
Genetic Diversity in the Protective Antigen Gene of Bacillus anthracis

Bacillus anthracis is a gram-positive spore-forming bacterium that causes the disease anthrax. The anthrax toxin contains three components, including the protective antigen (PA), which binds to eucaryotic cell surface receptors and mediates the transport of toxins into the cell. In this study, the entire 2,294-nucleotide protective antigen gene (pag) was sequenced from 26 of the most diverse B. anthracis strains to identify potential variation in the toxin and to further our understanding of B. anthracis evolution. Five point mutations, three synonymous and two missense, were identified. These differences correspond to six different haploid types, which translate into three different amino acid sequences. The two amino acid changes were shown to be located in an area near a highly antigenic region critical to lethal factor binding. Nested primers were used to amplify and sequence this same region of pag from necropsy samples taken from victims of the 1979 Sverdlovsk incident. This investigation uncovered five different alleles among the strains present in the tissues, including two not seen in the 26-sample survey. One of these two alleles included a novel missense mutation, again located just adjacent to the highly antigenic region. Phylogenetic (cladistic) analysis of the pag corresponded with previous strain grouping based on chromosomal variation, suggesting that plasmid evolution in B. anthracis has occurred with little or no horizontal transfer between the different strains. Bacillus anthracis is the causative organism of the potentially fatal disease anthrax. Virulent forms of B. anthracis carry two large plasmids, pX01 (ca. 174 kb) and pX02 (ca. 95 kb). Virulence factors include toxin and capsule production, encoded on pX01 and pX02, respectively. The anthrax toxin is composed of three proteinaceous subunits: (i) lethal factor (LF), the toxin component thought to kill host cells by disrupting the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway (2); (ii) edema factor (EF), an adenylyl cyclase that causes skin edema in the infected host (6); and (iii) protective antigen (PA), which binds to eucaryotic cell surface proteins, forms homoheptamers, and then binds to and internalizes EF and LF.
Thermodynamics, dimension and the Weil–Petersson metric

In this paper we study branched coverings of metrized, simplicial trees F : T → T which arise from polynomial maps f : C → C with disconnected Julia sets. We show that the collection of all such trees, up to scale, forms a contractible space PTD compactifying the moduli space of polynomials of degree D; that F records the asymptotic behavior of the multipliers of f ; and that any meromorphic family of polynomials over ∆∗ can be completed by a unique tree at its central fiber. In the cubic case we give a combinatorial enumeration of the trees that arise, and show that PT3 is itself a tree. Resume Dans ce travail, nous etudions des revetements ramifies d’arbres metriques simpliciaux F : T → T qui sont obtenus a partir d’applications polynomiales f : C → C possedant un ensemble de Julia non connexe. Nous montrons que la collection de tous ces arbres, a un facteur d’echelle pres, forme un espace contractile PTD qui compactifier l’espace des modules des polynomes de degre D. Nous montrons aussi que F enrigistre le comportement asymptotique des multiplicateurs de f et que tout famille meromorphe de polynomes definis sur ∆∗ peut etre completee par un unique arbre comme sa fibre centrale. Dans le cas cubique, nous donnons une enumeration combinatoire des arbres ainsi obtenus et montrons que PT3 est lui-meme un arbre.
An Investigation of Protein Levels for Broiler Starter and Finisher Rations and the Time of Ration Change by Response Surface Methodology

Abstract A response surface experiment was conducted with male broilers to examine quantitatively the protein levels in starter and finisher rations and the time of ration change to optimize body weight, carcass weight, feed conversion, and net profit. Starter and finisher protein levels and time of ration change treatments were arranged in a central composite design with 15 treatment combinations. Treatment protein levels ranged for the starter rations from 13 t o 33%, finisher rations from 8 to 18%, and the time of ration change varied from 14 to 42 days. The center point of the design was at 23% protein for the starter, 18% protein for the finisher, and a time of ration change at 28 days. Results showed that the responses could be described by quadratic equations and that the plotted contour surfaces were ellipsoid. Optimal protein levels for starter and finisher rations and times of change were calculated for body weight (starter 26%, finisher 19%, and time of change 27 days), carcass weight (starter 27%, finisher 18%, and time of change 35 days), feed conversion (starter 30%, finisher 26%, and time of change 24 days), and net profit (starter 22%, finisher 19%, and time of change 24 days).
Dietary Oligofructose and Inulin Protect Mice from Enteric and Systemic Pathogens and Tumor Inducers

Prebiotics induce changes in the population and metabolic characteristics of the gastrointestinal bacteria, modulate enteric and systemic immune functions, and provide laboratory rodents with resistance to carcinogens that promote colorectal cancer. There is less known about protection from other challenges. Therefore, mice of the B6C3F1 strain were fed for 6 wk a control diet with 100 g/kg cellulose or one of two experimental diets with the cellulose replaced entirely by the nondigestible oligosaccharides (NDO) oligofructose and inulin. From each diet, 25 mice were challenged by a promoter of colorectal cancer (1,2-dimethylhydrazine), B16F10 tumor cells, the enteric pathogen Candida albicans (enterically), or were infected systemically with Listeria monocytogenes or Salmonella typhimurium. The incidences of aberrant crypt foci in the distal colon after exposure to dimethylhdrazine for mice fed inulin (53%) and oligofructose (54%) were lower than in control mice (76%; P 80% for control mice), but fewer of the mice fed inulin died (60%; P < 0.05), with mice fed oligofructose again intermediate. The mechanistic basis for the increased resistance provided by dietary NDO was not elucidated, but the findings are consistent with enhanced immune functions in response to changes in the composition and metabolic characteristics of the bacteria resident in the gastrointestinal tract.
Quantitative assessment of mutant allele burden in solid tumors by semiconductor-based next-generation sequencing.

Objectives: Identification of tumor-specific somatic mutations has had a significant impact on both disease diagnosis and therapy selection. The ability of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to provide a quantitative assessment of mutant allele burden, in numerous target genes in a single assay, provides a significant advantage over conventional qualitative genotyping platforms. Methods: We assessed the quantitative capability of NGS and a primer extension–based matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time-of-flight (PE-MALDI) assay and directly correlated NGS mutant allele burden determination to morphologic assessment of tumor percentage in H&E-stained slides. Results: Our results show a 100% concordance between NGS and PE-MALDI in mutant allele detection and a significant correlation between NGS and PE-MALDI for determining mutant allele burden when mutant allele burden is 10% or more. Conclusions: NGS-based mutation screening provides a quantitative assessment comparable to that of PE-MALDI. In addition, NGS also allows for a high degree of multiplexing and uses nanogram quantities of DNA, thereby preserving precious material for future analysis. Furthermore, this study provides evidence that H&E-based morphologic assessment of tumor burden does not correlate to actual tumor mutant allele burden frequency.
The impact of nurse/physician collaboration on patient length of stay.

Aim This study examines the relationship between nurse/physician collaboration and patient length of stay (LOS). Background The quality of nurse/physician relationships has been shown to have an impact on patient outcomes. As the acuity level of patients admitted to hospitals continue to rise, the need for collaboratively determined care is essential for avoiding errors and promoting quality. Methods Data were collected on four units located in two Midwest hospitals. Nurses (n = 135) were asked to complete a survey seeking perceptions of nurse/physician collaboration. The survey data were then linked with patient (n = 310) data, including LOS, diagnostic-related groups (DRG) category and other patient-specific characteristics. Results Perceptions of nurse/physician collaboration were positively linked with actual LOS (P < 0.001) and inversely related to deviation from expected LOS (i.e. patient stay longer than expected) (P < 0.01). Patients receiving care from nurses who perceived greater collaboration were elderly and had higher levels of acuity. Longer LOS for these patients may be a result of their higher acuity level. Conclusions and implications for Nursing Management This study found that collaboratively determined care may result in longer LOS, but could prevent complications that may otherwise go untreated. Nurse administrators must implement strategies that foster the development of nurse/physician collaboration.
The prevention of pneumococcal disease in children.

Streptococcus pneumoniae accounts for half of all cases of acute otitis media, and it remains a major cause of illness and death in children. The strategies for prevention now include the use of a conjugate vaccine to induce immunity in infants, who are the group at highest risk.
In vivo evaluation of a breast-specific magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound system in a goat udder model

Purpose: This work further evaluates the functionality, efficacy, and safety of a new breast-specific magnetic resonance guided high intensity focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) system in an in vivo goat udder model. Methods: Eight female goats underwent an MRgFUS ablation procedure using the breast-specific MRgFUS system. Tissue classification was achieved through the 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition of several contrasts (T1w, T2w, PDw, 3-point Dixon). The MRgFUS treatment was performed with a grid trajectory executed in one or two planes within the glandular tissue of the goat udder. Temperature was monitored using a 3D proton resonance frequency (PRF) MRI technique. Delayed contrast enhanced-MR images were acquired immediately and 14 days post MRgFUS treatment. A localized tissue excision was performed in one animal and histological analysis was performed. Animals were available for adoption at the conclusion of the study. Results: The breast-specific MRgFUS system was able to ablate regions ranging in size from 0.4 to 3.6 cm3 in the goat udder model. Tissue damage was confirmed through the correlation of thermal dose measurements obtained with realtime 3D MR thermometry to delayed contrast enhanced-MR images immediately after the treatment and 14 days postablation. In general, lesions were longer in the ultrasound propagation direction, which is consistent with the dimensions of the ultrasound focal spot. Thermal dose volumes had better agreement with nonenhancing areas of the DCE-MRI images obtained 14 days after the MRgFUS treatment. Conclusions: The system was able to successfully ablate lesions up to 3.6 cm3. The thermal dose volume was found to correlate better with the 14-day postablation nonenhancing delayed contrast enhanced-MR image volumes. While the goat udder is not an ideal model for the human breast, this study has proven the feasibility of using this system on a wide variety of udder shapes and sizes, demonstrating the flexibility that would be required in order to treat human subjects.
Interfacing chemistry with microdevices: Potential and challenges of chemical microsensors

Recent advances in micro- and nanotechnology determine current trends in the field of chemical sensor technology enabling micro- and nanofabrication of device components and entire sensing systems. However, not all properties of chemical sensing systems necessarily improve with decreasing physical dimensions. Challenges of applying chemical sensors in a real-world environment are discussed and implicit consequences for scaling down chemical sensing systems to the micro- and nanoscale are derived. General aspects of miniaturized chemical sensor technology is contrasted with selected examples elucidating trends in the field of mid-infrared optical sensors and scanning probe tip integrated electrochemical sensing devices.
Prepubertal physical activity up-regulates estrogen receptor β, BRCA1 and p53 mRNA expression in the rat mammary gland

Findings in BRCA1 mutation carriers suggest that physical activity, particularly during childhood, may be linked to a reduced risk of developing breast cancer. We investigated whether physical activity at puberty alters the expression of BRCA1 and two other tumor suppressor genes--p53 and estrogen receptor (ER)-beta--in rats. In addition, the effects on ER-alpha expression, mammary proliferation and functional epithelial differentiation were investigated as markers of altered mammary cancer risk in rats exposed to regular physical activity at puberty. Female Sprague Dawley rat pups were randomized to voluntary exercise, sham-exercise control and non-manipulated control groups. Treadmill training (20-25 m/min, 15% grade, 30 min/day, 5 days/week) started on postnatal day 14 and continued through day 32. Third thoracic mammary glands (n = 5 per group and age) were obtained at days 32, 48 and 100 and assessed for changes in morphology through wholemounts, and at 100 days cell proliferation by using Ki67 staining, protein levels of ER-alpha and ER-beta by immunohistochemistry, and mRNA expression levels of BRCA1, p53, ER-alpha and ER-beta by real-time PCR. Mammary glands of rats exposed to exercise during puberty contained fewer terminal end buds (TEBs) and a higher number of differentiated alveolar buds and lobules than the sham controls. However, cell proliferation was not significantly altered among the groups. ER-alpha protein levels were significantly reduced, while ER-beta levels were increased in the mammary ducts and lobular epithelial structures of 100-day old rays which were voluntarily exercised at puberty, compared to sham controls. ER-beta, BRCA1 and p53 mRNA levels were significantly higher in the mammary glands of 100-day-old exercised versus sham control rats. Pubertal physical activity reduced mammary epithelial targets for neoplastic transformation through epithelial differentiation and it also up-regulated tumor suppressor genes BRCA1, p53 and ER-beta, and reduced ER-alpha/ER-beta ratio in the mammary gland. It remains to be determined whether the up-regulation of BRCA1, and perhaps p53, explains the protective effect of childhood physical activity against breast cancer in women who carry a germline mutation in one of the BRCA1 alleles.