cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and effective treatment for most surgical diseases of the adrenal gland. However it has been suggested that catecholamine effects associated with pheochromocytoma render the laparoscopic approach a more challenging and a more morbid procedure. The purpose of this study was to compare the operative characteristics and outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma to those of aldosteronoma and incidentaloma. Patient records and operative reports were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, diagnoses, operative management, and outcomes for patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy between June 1994 and July 2002 at two academic medical centers. A total of 74 patients were included and analyzed by diagnosis. Differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. Twenty-eight patients with pheochromocytoma, 27 with aldosteronoma, and 19 with incidentally discovered nonfunctioning adrenal masses underwent laparascopic adrenalectomy. Patients undergoing resection for pheochromocytoma trended toward more operative blood loss (150 ml) compared to aldosteronoma (88 ml) and incidentaloma (75 ml). Eight patients were converted to an open procedure for a 10.8% conversion rate. The mean operative time was 171 min and there was a 10.8% perioperative complication rate. The mean hospital stay was 3.4 days. These results were not statistically significant between diagnostic groups. Despite concern about increased operative times and morbidity associated with pheochromocytoma, our experience supports that laparoscopic adrenalectomy may be performed as safely as, and achieve outcomes similar to, those for other diseases.
Effect of growth hormone on levels of differentially processed insulin-like growth factor I mRNAs in total and polysomal mRNA populations.

As a result of multiple transcription initiation sites and differential splicing involving the first exons and alternate exon use, many insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mRNA species are produced. In the present study, we have assessed the effect of GH on transcription start site usage and splicing and have determined the apparent in vivo translatability of IGF-I mRNAs with different 5'-untranslated region (UTR) sequences by comparing their abundance in total and polysomal RNA fractions from control, hypophysectomized, and GH-treated hypophysectomized rats. Hypophysectomy decreased the level of all IGF-I mRNA species, but those initiated at start site 3 in exon 1 and the major start site in exon 2 were preferentially reduced. These same variants were preferentially increased by GH treatment. Under all conditions, exon 1 mRNAs with shorter 5'-UTR sequences were enriched in polysomal RNA at the expense of IGF-I mRNAs with long 5'-UTR sequences, in accordance with the scanning model of translation initiat...
Source-sink Relationships, Seed Sucrose Levels and Seed Growth Rates in Soybean

Field experiments using two soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) cultivars (‘Elgin 87’ and ‘Essex’) were conducted for 2 years near Lexington, KY, USA to evaluate the effect of source-sink alterations on seed carbohydrate status and growth. Sucrose concentrations in developing cotyledons of control plants were consistently low (<50 m M) early in seed development, but they increased to 100–150 m M by physiological maturity. The concentrations increased in both years by 47 to 59% when 90% of the pods were removed from ‘Elgin 87’, but the increase had no effect on individual seed growth rate (SGR). Shading (80%) reduced cotyledon sucrose levels and SGR in both years. The critical cotyledon sucrose concentration (the concentration providing 80% of the maximum cotyledon growth rate) was estimated fromin vitro cotyledon growth at sucrose concentrations of 0–200 m M. These critical concentrations varied from 72–124 m M;in planta control cotyledon sucrose concentrations were below this critical level during the first half of seed growth but exceeded it in the later stages of growth in all experiments. The estimated critical concentration was consistent with the failure of in planta SGR to respond to an increase in assimilate supply and with the reduction in SGR associated with a decrease in assimilate supply. The results suggest that soybean SGR is generally sink limited if photosynthesis increases during seed filling, but source limited if photosynthesis is reduced.
Chemisorptive bonding on metal surfaces using photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract The primary objective of any electron spectroscopic approach, when applied to the study of chemical bonding at surfaces, is to determine the detailed compositional and configurational stale of the surface-adsorbate interface. Each such state gives rise to a unique distribution in space and momentum of surface valence electrons, which largely determines the physical and chemical nature of the surface bond. In addition, chemical shifts associated with core electron levels can provide additional supportive information on the bonding mechanism. Photoelectron spectroscopy utilizing the continuously tunable, linearly polarized photon beam sources available from intense synchrotron radiation sources considerably broadens the applicability of such studies. There are some recent rather exciting applications which utilize the dependency of surface orbital ionization features on the energy and polarization of the incident radiation, as well as on the angle of detection. This review will be specifically concerned with elucidation of the bonding and orientation of simple molecules on transition metals using pholoelectron spectroscopy, particularly in conjunction with synchrotron radiation sources. Extraction of information on orbital symmetry and bond direction will be discussed, based on the use of orbital photoionization cross sections calculated for fixed molecular orientation, Emphasis will be on the chemisorplive bonding of CO, although preliminary results on other more complicated surface-molecule interactions will also be considered.
Field distributions in the crossover from ballistic to diffusive wave propagation

We have measured the probability distributions of a microwave field transmitted through a random medium in the crossover from ballistic to diffusive propagation. The joint distribution of in-phase and out-of-phase components of the field is nearly Gaussian, even in samples with thickness less than the scattering mean free path. In these samples, the phase distribution of the residual field, which is the difference between the field and its ensemble average, is nearly flat. The extent of the deviation of the residual field from complete randomization depends upon the frequency, sample length, and modes of excitation.
The molecular basis for bundle selectivity of myosin X

Eukaryotic cells organize their contents through trafficking along cytoskeletal filaments. When presented with many apparently similar alternatives within the cortex, it is important to understand if and how myosin motors identify the few actin filaments that lead to their correct destinations. Recently we showed that myosin X, an actin-based motor that concentrates at the distal tips of filopodia, selects the fascin-actin bundle at the filopodial core for motility. Myosin X, while poorly processive on single actin filaments, takes long processive runs on actin filaments tightly bundled by fascin. Such a fascin bundle is the precise actin structure to which myosin X motors localize in vivo. Using single molecule optical trapping experiments we have determined the step size of this motor to be 17 nm, which is nearly half of the 36 nm pseudo-helical actin repeat required for motors to be processive on single actin filaments. These results indicate that straddling two filaments within a bundle stimulates this motor's function. Our initial model attributed this motility to the short lever arms of myosin X, consisting of 3 IQ repeats rather then the six found in the processive myosin V. To test this, chimeras were constructed where the heads, the IQ domains and the post IQ sequence (containing the coiled-coil dimerization domains) of Myosin V and Myosin X were used to create six combinatorial constructs. Single molecule fluorescence studies of these constructs revealed that the post IQ region and not the short lever arm of this motor is the main contributor to its unique selectivity. This result provides remarkable insight into the ability of nature to fine-tune myosin motors to serve their specific functions in the cell.
Rac1 and RhoG promote cell survival by the activation of PI3K and Akt, independently of their ability to stimulate JNK and NF-kappaB

Small GTPases of the Rho family play a central role in cellular processes that involve the reorganization of the actin-based cytoskeleton. Rho-related GTPases, which include Rac and Cdc42, can also regulate gene expression often through the activation of kinase cascades leading to enhanced activity of stress activated protein kinases (SAPKs), including JNK and p38 MAP kinases. As SAPKs are implicated in programmed cell death, these observations suggest that Rho GTPases may promote the initiation of the apoptotic process. However, recent reports suggest that Rho GTPases can have either a protective or a pro-apoptotic role, depending on the particular cellular context. In an effort to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these divergent biological activities, we asked whether there was indeed a correlation between the ability to induce SAPKs and apoptosis by Rho family members. We found that although constitutively activated (Q61L) mutants of Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoG, a Rac1 related GTPase of unknown function, potently induce JNK in COS 7 cells, none of these GTPases could induce apoptosis, nor enhance uv-induced cell death. In contrast, Rac1 and RhoG efficiently protected cells from uv-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Rac1 and RhoG can activate both apoptotic and anti-apoptotic pathways. Whereas the former is mediated through JNK, the latter is independent on the transcriptional activation of NF-kappaB, a pro-survival pathway, but results from the direct interaction of these GTPases with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and the stimulation of Akt. Together, these findings indicate that members of the Rho family of small GTP-binding proteins can provoke the concomitant stimulation of two counteracting signaling pathways, and that their balance ultimately determines the ability of these GTPases to promote cell survival or death.
Effects of Psychomotor Instruction on Elementary General Music Students' Singing Performance

This study is an investigation of the effects of a year-long program of vocal instruction I on measures of respiration (vital capacity, peak flow, duration) and singing performance (high pitch, low...
Modification of Properties of Yttria Stabilized Zirconia Epitaxial Thin Films by Excimer Laser Annealing

This study focuses on the ultrafast improvement of surface wettability, electrical, and room temperature magnetic characteristics of cubic zirconia single crystalline thin films after laser annealing. The point defects generated by the laser treatment are envisaged to play a critical role in altering the above properties. Yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin films were epitaxially grown on Si(100) substrates by pulsed laser deposition technique and subsequently annealed by a KrF excimer laser beam (τ = 25 ns) using low-energy laser pulses. An atomically sharp interface, parallel to the film free surface, between laser annealed layer and the pristine region was observed. The single crystalline nature of thin films was preserved following the laser treatment. The laser–solid interaction with YSZ led to the introduction of point defects, i.e., oxygen vacancies, resulting in a strained structure which, in turn, resulted in the formation of a tetragonal-like zirconia. With the increase of number of laser puls...
THERMOCHROMISM OF INTRAMOLECULAR CHARGE TRANSFER EMISSION BANDS. PROBING THE TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE OF FRANCK-CONDON FACTORS

Abstract The temperature dependence of the charge transfer emission band, Franck—Condon maximum has been determined for two donor—spacer—acceptor molecules in six solvents with dielectric constants between 4 and 10. The CT band maximum shifted to higher energies (27 cm −1 K −1 in Et 2 O, 14 cm −1 K −1 in ClCH 2 CH 2 Cl) with increasing temperature. Analysis of the thermochromism solvent dependence using a continuum model yielded values of the geometric factor, e 2 (1/ r A + 1/ r D −2/ R cc ), of 22.9 and 28.5 kK for DSAs 1 and 2 . Solvent-independent thermocheomism of ≈ 8 cm −1 K −1 was found in both DSA molecules. Possible sources of this thermochromism are discussed.
Theories of visual rhetoric: Looking at the human genome

For too long, journal articles and textbooks on scientific and technical discourse have adopted a positivistic approach to visuals. Unfortunately, this approach is problematic. It ignores that visu...
Folding thermodynamics and kinetics of the leucine-rich repeat domain of the virulence factor Internalin B.

Although the folding of α-helical repeat proteins has been well characterized, much less is known about the folding of repeat proteins containing β-sheets. Here we investigate the folding thermodynamics and kinetics of the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain of Internalin B (InlB), an extracellular virulence factor from the bacterium Lysteria monocytogenes. This domain contains seven tandem leucine-rich repeats, of which each contribute a single β-strand that forms a continuous β-sheet with neighboring repeats, and an N-terminal α-helical capping motif. Despite its modular structure, InlB folds in an equilibrium two-state manner, as reflected by the identical thermodynamic parameters obtained by monitoring its sigmoidal urea-induced unfolding transition by different spectroscopic probes. Although equilibrium two-state folding is common in α-helical repeat proteins, to date, InlB is the only β-sheet-containing repeat protein for which this behavior is observed. Surprisingly, unlike other repeat proteins exhibiting equilibrium two-state folding, InlB also folds by a simple two-state kinetic mechanism lacking intermediates, aside from the effects of prolyl isomerization on the denatured state. However, like other repeat proteins, InlB also folds significantly more slowly than expected from contact order. When plotted against urea, the rate constants for the fast refolding and single unfolding phases constitute a linear chevron that, when fitted with a kinetic two-state model, yields thermodynamic parameters matching those observed for equilibrium folding. Based on these kinetic parameters, the transition state is estimated to comprise 40% of the total surface area buried upon folding, indicating that a large fraction of the native contacts are formed in the rate-limiting step to folding.
Variability in the reported management of pulmonary metastases in osteosarcoma.

Nearly 20% of patients with newly diagnosed osteosarcoma have detectable metastases at diagnosis; the majority of which occur in the lungs. There are no established recommendations for the timing and modality of metastasectomy. Members of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) were emailed an anonymous 10-min survey assessing their management practices for pulmonary findings at the time of an osteosarcoma diagnosis. The questionnaire presented three scenarios and discussed the choice to perform surgery, the timing of resection, and the choice of surgical procedure. Analyses were stratified by medical profession. One hundred and eighty-three physicians responded to our questionnaire. Respondents were comprised of orthopedic surgeons (37%), medical oncologists (31%), pediatric oncologists (22%), and other medical subspecialties (10%). There was variability among the respondents in the management of the pulmonary nodules. The majority of physicians chose to resect the pulmonary nodules following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (46–63%). Thoracotomy was the preferred technique for surgical resection. When only unilateral findings were present, the majority of physicians did not explore the contralateral lung. The majority of respondents did not recommend resection if the pulmonary nodule disappeared following chemotherapy. The survey demonstrated heterogeneity in the management of pulmonary metastases in osteosarcoma. Prospective trials need to evaluate whether these differences in management have implications for outcomes for patients with metastatic osteosarcoma.
Acetaminophen toxicity to cultured rat embryos

We tested the effects of acetaminophen on cultured rat embryo development. When added directly to culture media at 300 microM, a concentration approximately twice the human therapeutic blood level, acetaminophen caused abnormalities in the cultured embryos. Sera from both rats and monkeys following gavage with acetaminophen were also toxic to cultured embryos. The sera toxicities were related to acetaminophen concentrations, and the toxicity could be removed by serum dialysis. With regard to the metabolism of acetaminophen, glutathione levels in the yolk sac decreased in a concentration related fashion with addition of the drug. Also, buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, appeared to enhance acetaminophen embryo toxicity, and N-acetylcysteine, a glutathione precursor, appeared to protect embryos from acetaminophen toxicity. These results suggested that acetaminophen embryo toxicity resulted from direct exposure of embryos to acetaminophen and not a maternal metabolite.
Low-bromide containing MC catalyst for the autoxidation of para-xylene

Abstract The autoxidation of para -xylene (pX) was carried out with the usual MC catalyst, Co(OAc) 2 /Mn(OAc) 2 /Br − , in the presence of acid additives, but with significantly lower concentrations of bromide. However, the reaction came to a halt after only 15% of the theoretical uptake of oxygen had occurred, presumably due to the loss of inorganic bromide (Br − ) in the form of benzylic bromides. But, a tiny amount of Zn(OAc) 2 restored the effectiveness of the catalyst, even with lower bromide, down to 0.28 mmol L −1 . Autoxidation of pX occurs by a chain mechanism that involves formation of the dibromide radical which abstracts a hydrogen atom from para -xylene to form the carbon-centered radical ArCH 2 . However, excess dibromide radicals are formed during fast chain reactions, which react with ArCH 2 to produce undesired benzylic bromides, in parallel with its involvement in the oxidation of substrates. It is believed that Zn(OAc) 2 acts as a bromophilic agent and stores excess Br − in the form of monobromozinc(II), and minimized the loss of Br − .
Addition of enemas to oral lavage preparation for colonoscopy is not necessary

To evaluate whether the addition of enemas to oral electrolyte lavage is helpful for colonoscopic preparation, we conducted a prospective, randomized, observer-blinded trial to compare oral lavage plus enemas with oral lavage alone. The quality of preparation, mucosal visualization, and the volume of retained colonic fluid did not differ between the two groups. Twenty-two percent of the patients in the group who received oral lavage plus enemas compared with 12% of the patients in the group that only received oral lavage stated that they would refuse to repeat the preparation for future colonoscopic examination. Seventeen percent of the patients in the group that received oral lavage plus enemas demonstrated anorectal trauma or inflammation compared with only 5% in the group that received oral lavage alone (p = 0.09). These results indicate that the addition of enemas to oral lavage preparation for colonoscopic evaluation cannot be routinely recommended. However, enemas may be considered on an individual basis in the occasional patient unable to consume the complete oral lavage or in whom residual stool is found during colonoscopic evaluation after oral lavage preparation.
ESR study of interactions of γ‐irradiated cellulose I and cellulose II with ammonia, water, and sodium hydroxide solutions

The types of long-lived free radicals formed in predried cellulose I and cellulose II, after irradiation in a nitrogen atmosphere at 25°C by γ-radiation from 60Co, were resolved by selectively scavenging some of the radicals and then recording the ESR spectra generated. The effects of anhydrous ammonia (both gas and liquid), water, solutions of sodium hydroxide, and temperature of heating on the ESR spectra generated by the irradiated celluloses were recorded. Most of the free radicals formed in the irradiated celluloses are apparently trapped in the amorphous or less ordered regions of the cellulosic structure. About 70% of the radicals formed in irradiated cellulose I and about 90% of the radicals formed in irradiated cellulose II are scavenged by contacting the samples with water. The ESR spectra of the free radicals scavenged by water are almost identical for both irradiated celluloses. Contact of the irradiated celluloses with ammonia (liquid) scavenged most of the trapped free radicals. It also appears likely that the long-lived free radical sites in the highly ordered regions in both irradiated celluloses are the same. As shown by the effects of orientation of irradiated cellulosic fibers in the magnetic field on the ESR spectra recorded, differences in spectra for the irradiated celluloses are probably related to conformations of the trapped radicals which are dependent on differences in crystal lattice types of cellulose I and II.
Correction of slant in handwritten numerals for automated document processing

Abstract A new slant-correction algorithm that searches for the minimum in the width space of a numeral, based on a binary search on the angular slant values, is presented here. It is based on the idea that if a numeral is transformed through a series of slanted positions, it usually attains its minimum width when it is least slanted.
Speech Intelligibility of Children With Cochlear Implants, Tactile Aids, or Hearing Aids

Speech intelligibility was measured in 31 children who used the 3M/House single-channel implant (n=12), the Nucleus 22-Channel Cochlear Implant System (n=15), or the Tactaid II + two-channel vibrotactile aid (n=4). The subjects were divided into subgroups based on age at onset of deafness (early or late). The speech intelligibility of the experimental subjects was compared to that of children who were profoundly hearing impaired who used conventional hearing aids (n=12) or no sensory aid (n=2). The subjects with early onset of deafness who received their single- or multichannel cochlear implant before age 10 demonstrated the highest speech intelligibility, whereas subjects who did not receive their device until after age 10 had the poorest speech intelligibility. There was no obvious difference in the speech intelligibility scores of these subjects as a function of type of device (implant or tactile aid). On the average, the postimplant or tactile aid speech intelligibility of the subjects with early onse...
Comparability of the Measured Labor Force of Older Women in Japan and the United States

Older women in Japan are more likely to be in the labor force than are women in the United States, according to national Census and survey data. However, differences in measured participation, rather than reflection major differences in labor force behavior or utilization between the two countries, may be due to differences in enumeration procedures. The definition of unpaid family work and the timing of the census are different in Japan and the United States and affect the comparability of the measured level of and changes over time in participation by older women in the labor force.
In situ calibration of atmospheric-infrasound sensors including the effects of wind-noise-reduction pipe systems

A worldwide network of more than 40 infrasound monitoring stations has been established as part of the effort to ensure compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Each station has four to eight individual infrasound elements in a kilometer-scale array for detection and bearing determination of acoustic events. The frequency range of interest covers a three-decade range-roughly from 0.01 to 10 Hz. A typical infrasound array element consists of a receiving transducer connected to a multiple-inlet pipe network to average spatially over the short-wavelength turbulence-associated "wind noise." Although the frequency response of the transducer itself may be known, the wind-noise reduction system modifies that response. In order to understand the system's impact on detection and identification of acoustical events, the overall frequency response must be determined. This paper describes a technique for measuring the absolute magnitude and phase of the frequency response of an infrasound element including the wind-noise-reduction piping by comparison calibration using ambient noise and a reference-microphone system. Measured coherence between the reference and the infrasound element and the consistency between the magnitude and the phase provide quality checks on the process.
Mushroom poisoning--from diarrhea to liver transplantation.

Mushroom poisoning from the genus Amanita is a medical emergency, with Amanita phalloides being the most common species. The typical symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea are nonspecific and can be mistaken for gastroenteritis. If not adequately treated, hepatic and renal failure may ensue within several days of ingestion. In this case series, patients poisoned with Amanita virosa are described with a spectrum of clinical presentations and outcomes ranging from complete recovery to fulminant hepatic failure. Although there are no controlled clinical trials, a few anecdotal studies provide the basis for regimens recommended to treat Amanita poisoning. Use of i.v. penicillin G is supported by most reports. Silibinin, although preferred over penicillin, is not easily available in the United States. In those with acute liver failure, liver transplantation can be life saving.
Gain in cellular organization of inflammatory breast cancer: A 3D in vitro model that mimics the in vivo metastasis

Background The initial step of metastasis in carcinomas, often referred to as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), occurs via the loss of adherens junctions (e.g. cadherins) by the tumor embolus. This leads to a subsequent loss of cell polarity and cellular differentiation and organization, enabling cells of the embolus to become motile and invasive. However highly malignant inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) over-expresses E-cadherin. The human xenograft model of IBC (MARY-X), like IBC, displays the signature phenotype of an exaggerated degree of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in situ by tumor emboli. An intact E-cadherin/α, β-catenin axis mediates the tight, compact clump of cells found both in vitro and in vivo as spheroids and tumor emboli, respectively.
Prostacyclin biosynthesis by cultured human myometrial smooth muscle cells: Dependency on arachidonic or linoleic acid in the culture medium

Abstract Myometrial smooth muscle cells in culture were incubated for 18 hours in medium that contained serum (10%); under these conditions, there was a six to 26-fold increase in the amount of 6-keto-prostaglandin F 1α that accumulated in the medium (i.e., prostacyclin production) compared with that present after incubation in serum-free medium. In serum-free and serum-containing media; treatment of these cells with dexamethasone (10 −8 mol/L) or cortisol (10 −7 mol/L) suppressed the biosynthesis of prostacyclin by approximately 80% and 64%, respectively. Arachidonic acid (bound to fatty acid-free human serum albumin) added to serum-free medium caused a concentration-dependent increase in the production of prostacyclin by myometrial cells. Arachidonic acid was maximally effective at a concentration of 10 −5 mol/L and caused a five- to 28-fold increase in the biosynthesis and secretion of prostacyclin. Linoleic acid (bound to albumin) in serum-free medium also caused a concentration-dependent increase in the production of prostacyclin; however, the amount of prostacyclin produced in the presence of linoleic acid was lower than that produced in the presence of an equimolar concentration of arachidonic acid. In the presence of arachidonic (10 −5 mol/L) or linoleic acids (10 −4 mol/L) in serum-free medium, the addition of dexamethasone (10 −8 mol/L) or cortisol (10 −7 mol/L) suppressed but did not inhibit completely prostacyclin production. These findings are indicative that arachidonic and linoleic acids in the culture medium support prostacyclin biosynthesis by human myometrial smooth muscle cells. The inhibition of prostacyclin production by glucocorticosteroids in the absence or presence of extracellular arachidonic (or linoleic) acid may be caused by inhibition of phospholipase AZ activity.
Writers at work: baseball yesterday and today

Warren Goldstein, Playing for Keeps: A History of Early Baseball, Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press, 1989. Pp.182; index, notes. James Edward Miller, The Baseball Business: Pursuing Pennants and Profits in Baltimore, Chapel Hill and London: The University of North Carolina Press, 1990. Pp.382; index, notes, illus. George F. Will, Men at Work: The Craft of Baseball, New York and London: Macmillan, 1990. Pp.353; index, illus.
Transcriptional regulation by the nuclear receptor superfamily.

Abstract In the past year, additional experimental data have expanded our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie nuclear receptor control of regulatory programs. It is increasingly clear -that steroid members (e.g. glucocorticoid and estrogen) and non-steroid members (e.g. retinoic acid, thyroid hormone, and vitamin D) of the nuclear receptor superfamily may utilize distinct strategies in achieving their complex control of gene regulation.
The Exciting Mechanism of the Parallel-Plate EMP Simulator

It is said that the parallel-plate electromagnetic-pulse (EMP) simulator is essentially a parallel-plate waveguide. This is not true. An analysis of the subpulses emitted from subregions of the sloping triangular and parallel rectangular plates shows that, when the length b of the parallel-plate section is close to the height h between the two parallel plates (which is true in most practical cases), the simulator is essentially a cone-plate radiator rather than a parallel-plate waveguide. The EMP in the working volume is contributed by the current pulses on the triangular plate near the pulse generator, so that the parallel plate actually plays a rather small role in forming the EMP in the working volume.
Variability of dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene sequence within and among nonhuman primate species.

Abstract The dopamine D4 receptor is one of five receptors known to function in mammalian dopaminergic pathways. The DNA sequence of the human dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) has previously been investigated in several populations and found to be highly polymorphic at both the DNA and amino acid levels, exhibiting at least 25 alleles. This variation results from differences in the number and DNA sequence of a 48-bp (16-amino acid) repeat unit in the coding region of DRD4. In the present study, DRD4 DNA sequence was examined in at least two individuals from each of five nonhuman primate species. All five species exhibit intraspecies variability, including both single nucleotide substitutions and variation in the number of 48-bp repeat units. No differences were found between the two alleles of one individual from a sixth nonhuman species. Within each species, all of the DRD4 alleles share species-specific features, indicating that while repeat-unit variation is nearly ubiquitous, ancestral variation has been lost and subsequently regenerated in each of the evolutionary lineages studied. Chimpanzees and gorillas share a unique 12-bp deletion in the coding region of DRD4, outside the repeat-unit segment of the gene. This suggest that the extant chimpanzee DRD4 is more closely related to the gorilla DRD4 than either is to the human DRD4.
Recent developments in high-power two-wavelength vertical external-cavity surface-emitting lasers

Two-color, high-power, tunable lasers are highly beneficial for the generation of new wavelengths through various nonlinear methods. Vertical external cavity surface emitting lasers (VECSEL) are particularly flexible for intracavity wavelength control. We report a novel VECSEL cavity capable of generation high-power, tunable, two-color generation. The laser employs overlapping VECSEL cavities in a two-chip T-shape cavity configuration which uses a polarizing beam splitter/combiner to fold one cavity and thus allows for two-color orthogonally polarized high power outputs. The tunable collinear, orthogonally polarized two-color is ideal for type II nonlinear conversion. A continuous wave (CW) output power in excess of 13 W for the two-color emissions was demonstrated to be the sum of the output from each of the overlapped cavities. In a high Q cavity, birefringent filters were used to facilitate tunability, and wavelength separation was varied from 35 nm to 52 nm. In a modified T-Cavity configuration, high power intracavity type-II sum frequency generation resulted in tunable blue-green emission with more than 750 mW output. By selecting identical or different chips in the cavity, the wavelength separation and tuning can cover a wide range from zero to several hundreds of nm opening doors for broad mid- to far-infrared applications.
Antimicrobial Evaluation of N-Alkyl Betaines and N-Alkyl-N,N-Dimethylamine Oxides with Variations in Chain Length

Alkyl betaines and alkyl dimethylamine oxides have been shown to have pronounced antimicrobial activity when used individually or in combination. Although several studies have been conducted with these compounds in combinations, only equimolar concentrations of the C(12)/C(12) and C(16)/C(14) chain lengths for the betaine and the amine oxide, respectively, have been investigated. This study investigates the antimicrobial activity of a wide range of chain lengths (C(8) to C(18)) for both the betaine and amine oxide and attempts to correlate their micelle-forming capabilities with their biological activity. A broth microdilution method was used to determine the MICs of these compounds singly and in various molar ratio combinations. Activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was investigated. Antimicrobial activity was found to increase with increasing chain length for both homologous series up to a point, exhibiting a cutoff effect at chain lengths of approximately 16 for betaine and 14 for amine oxide. Additionally, the C(18) oleyl derivative of both compounds exhibited activity in the same range as the peak alkyl compounds. Critical micelle concentrations were correlated with MICs, inferring that micellar activity may contribute to the cutoff effect in biological activity.
System design for lunar-based optical and submillimeter interferometers

The designs and performances of lunar optical and submillimeter interferometer systems for the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) are described. Attention is given to the conceptual design of these systems and to the concepts for the launch, transport, deployment, maintenance, and toleration of the lunar environment (both natural and induced by crew activity). Consideration is also given to the requirements for SEI resources (such as cargo space and crew time), the data return concepts, and the flight system technonogy develpment needs.
The Effects of Age Cohort, Job Family and Task Variety on Industrial Accidents Rates

The present study consisted of a multivariate analyses of approximately 3500 accident cases taken from a large petro-chemical complex outside of Houston, Texas. The accident reports were coded using a system similar to that recommenced by the National Safety Council, and from it frequencies and rates were generated for analyses. Log-linear analysis was conducted to test for age, job and task effects on accident rates as well as interactions between them. All models were found to be significant at P.05 level, indicating that age, job and task all have important impact in determining accident rates. The significance of the interactions show that age has a differential impact on the rate of accidents found within given jobs and tasks.
Behavior and fine structure of spindle fibers during mitosis in endosperm

Endosperm ofHaemanthus katherinae has been used as material. Changes in arrangement of spindle fibers, their movements, and behavior of substructures as seen in living cells with the Nomarski system are described. The same cell has been observed with the light microscope and subsequently after the usual procedures with the electron microscope. Arrangement of microtubules forming different types of spindle fibers and their relation to each other during the progress of mitosis is described. Kinetochore structure has also been studied. It is suggested that kinetochore fibers are transported to the poles during anaphase. This conclusion is supported by fine structure studies.
Recent developments in deep ocean hydrothermal exploration

Since the first discovery of hydrothermal activity in the late 1970's no more than ∼20% of the world's deep ocean mid-ocean ridge system has been investigated systematically for high-temperature hydrothermal circulation. Yet the exploration that has been conducted, under the auspices of the InterRidge program and, more recently, the Census of Marine Life has revealed that hydrothermal activity exists along ridges of all spreading rates and in every deep ocean basin. Furthermore, a plausible hypothesis has emerged that the world's largest and longest-lived seafloor hydrothermal systems may be generated on that 50% of the global ridge-crest (25–30,000km in extent) that is classified as slow or ultra-slow spreading, extending the length of the Atlantic Ocean from the high Arctic and the Norwegian-Greenland Sea through to the SW Indian Ocean as far as the Rodriguez Triple Junction. This section of the global ridge crest remains predominantly unexplored yet is already known to host multiple discrete biogeographic provinces. Clearly, increased efficiencies of exploration are required, migrating from conventional, systematic surveys of the water column by tow-yo'd CTD-rosette packages and suitably instrumented deep-tow vehicles (the 1990's state of the art) via pioneering AUV approaches demonstrated in the first decade of the 21st Century to the long-range, artificially intelligent vehicles of the future.
Identification of uranyl surface complexes on ferrihydrite: Advanced EXAFS data analysis and CD-MUSIC modeling.

Previous spectroscopic research suggested that uranium(VI) adsorption to iron oxides is dominated by ternary uranyl−carbonato surface complexes across an unexpectedly wide pH range. Formation of such complexes would have a significant impact on the sorption behavior and mobility of uranium in aqueous environments. We therefore reinvestigated the identity and structural coordination of uranyl sorption complexes using a combination of U LIII-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and iterative transformation factor analysis, which enhances the resolution in comparison to conventional EXAFS analysis. A range of conditions (pH, CO2 partial pressure, ionic strength) made it possible to quantify the variations in surface speciation. In the resulting set of spectral data (N = 11) the variance is explained by only two components, which represent two structurally different types of surface complexes: (1) a binary uranyl surface complex with a bidentate coordination to edges of Fe(O,OH)6...
THE ADULT AND LARVAL MORPHOLOGY AND LIFE HISTORY OF THE ENTOPROCT BARENTSIA GRACILIS (M. SARS, 1835).

The morphology of the entoproct Barentsia gracilis (M. Sars, 1835), has been studied primarily by routine light microscopy techniques supplemented with observations by electron microscopy. In general, the B. gracilis adult is similar in structure to other members of the Pedicellinidae. Differences noted include: the presence of conspicuous fibers, probably collagenous, which appear to reinforce the stalk- calyx connection, the presence of a distinct glandular- appearing area (also present in the larva) of unknown function, and the presence of two rows of latero- frontal cilia on the tentacles. The first detailed morphology of an entoproct larva is also presented and the striking similarity to the adult noted. Due to the confused state of Barentsia systematics, it was found that B. gracilis, B. geniculata, and B. benedeni may very well be the same animal. This is due to the great variability, apparently due to ecological factors, found in the key taxonomic characters such as stalk morphology. The feeding behavior of the adult is described and the larval feeding and rejection mechanism is reported for the first time. The larva, while still in the brood pouch, uses its ciliary girdle to remove food from the parent's food groove. The larval feeding current is generally similar to that of the adult, with modifications which are related to the lack of tentacles in the larva. The larva differs from the adult in having special ciliated rejection pathways for the removal of excess food particles.
A randomized phase II trial comparing every 3-weeks carboplatin/paclitaxel with every 3-weeks carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract Background: The optimal schedule of taxane administration has been an area of active interest in several recent clinical trials. Methods: To address a pure schedule question, we randomized 161 patients with advanced stage IIIB or IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to either paclitaxel 225 mg/m2 every 3 weeks × 4 cycles or 75 mg/m2/week × 12 (cumulative dose on each arm = 900 mg/m2). Both arms received concurrent carboplatin AUC 6 every 3 weeks × 4 cycles. Results: The two arms were well-balanced in terms of known prognostic factors. The overall response rate and survival outcomes were similar on the two arms. There was significantly more grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia and grade 2–4 anemia on the weekly arm but less severe myalgias/arthralgias and alopecia. No difference in the rates of peripheral neuropathy was observed; however, patients on the every 3 weeks arm reported significantly more taxane therapy-related side-effects on the functional assessment of cancer therapy taxane subscale. Conclusions: This randomized trial exploring schedule-related issues with carboplatin/paclitaxel confirms the versatility of this regimen.
Period-doublings to chaos in a simple neural network

The author considers a discrete-time neural network which consists of only two neurons with the sigmoidal nonlinear function as the neuron activation function and has no external inputs and no time delay. He treats the simple network as a one-parameter family of two-dimensional maps with the neuron gain as the parameter, and mathematically proves the existence of period-doublings to chaos in the network with an excitatory neuron and an inhibitory neuron. Specifically, it is proved that, for a certain class of singular connection weight matrices, the simple neural network is dynamically equivalent to a one-parameter full family of (one-dimensional) S-unimodal maps on the interval which is well-known to become chaotic through the period-doubling route as the parameter varies. >
Polymer deformation. XI. Biaxial deformation of polyethylene single crystals

Uniaxial deformation of polyethylene single crystals has been reported in the previous papers of this series. This paper presents an extension of this study to the simultaneous biaxial deformation of polyethylene single crystals. Diamond-shaped crystals containing {110} fold domains and truncated crystals containing in addition {100} domains were used in these experiments. The results show that these crystals fail at deformations as low as 6%, giving rise to cracks predominantly in the a direction. Electron diffraction patterns suggest that {310} twinning is more favorable than {110} twinning at the lower degrees of deformation. No phase change from orthorhombic to monoclinic unit cell is observed.
Review of Computer-generated Outpatient Health Behavior Interventions:

Objective: To evaluate evidence of the effectiveness of computer-generated health behavior interventions—clinical encounters "in absentia"—as extensions of face-to-face patient care in an ambulatory setting. Data Sources: Systematic electronic database and manual searches of multiple sources (1996-1999) plus search for gray literature were conducted to identify clinical trials using computer-generated health behavior interventions to motivate individuals to adopt treatment regimens, focusing on patient-interactive interventions and use of health behavior models. Study Selection: Eligibility criteria included randomized controlled studies with some evidence of instrument reliability and validity; use of at least one patient-interactive targeted or tailored feedback, reminder, or educational intervention intended to influence or improve a stated health behavior; and an association between one intervention variable and a health behavior. Data Extraction: Studies were described by delivery device (print, automated telephone, computer, and mobile communication) and intervention type (personalized, targeted, and tailored). We employed qualitative methods to analyze the retrieval set and explore the issue of patient- interactive computer-generated behavioral intervention systems. Data Synthesis: Studies varied widely in methodology, quality, subject number, and characteristics, measurement of effects and health behavior focus. Of 37 eligible trials, 34 (91.9 percent) reported either statistically significant or improved outcomes. Fourteen studies used targeted interventions; 23 used tailored. Of the 14 targeted intervention studies, 13 (92.9 percent) reported improved outcomes. Of the 23 tailored intervention studies, 21 (91.3 percent) reported improved outcomes. Conclusions: The literature indicates that computer-generated health behavior interventions are effective. While there is evidence that tailored interventions can more positively affect health behavior change than can targeted, personalized or generic interventions, there is little research comparing dif- ferent tailoring protocols with one another. Only those studies using print and telephone devices reported a theoretic basis for their methodology. Future studies need to identify which models are best suited to which health behavior, whether certain delivery devices are more appropriate for dif- ferent health behaviors, and how ambulatory care can benefit from patients' use of portable devices.
Resonant Satellite Torques on Low Optical Depth Particulate Disks. I. Analytic Development

Abstract We investigate the torque exerted by a satellite on an annulus centered at a mean motion resonance. The annulus is made of noninteracting (test) particles uniformly distributed in semimajor axis. We obtain an analytic expression for the time evolution of the angular momentum of the annulus. We find that in the linear approximation, the net torque on the disk equals that obtained by P. Goldreich and S. Tremaine (1978, Icarus 34, 240–253) for a fluid disk in quasi-steady state. The same torque is obtained for disks of particles initially on circular orbits as for disks of particles on moderately eccentric orbits with periapses uniformly distributed in longitude. Poisson demonstrated that no secular torque can be obtained in the restricted three-body problem. As the satellite pumps up the eccentricity of a particle's orbit, it also changes the particle's semimajor axis in such a way that eventually the torque is reversed. The period and amplitude for this interchange of angular momentum with the satellite depends on the distance from resonance, being larger the closer the particle is to the resonance. The width of the annulus over which the bulk of the torque is exerted shrinks as time increases. Our linear analysis allows arbitrarily large eccentricities for particles near resonance, which is clearly unphysical. The torque in a nondissipative disk is limited in time by nonlinear effects of the interaction close to resonance. We present quantitative estimates of where in semimajor axis, and when in time, the linear approximation breaks down.