cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Impact of Urology Resident Involvement on Overall Patient Satisfaction

Introduction To assess the impact of resident participation on patient satisfaction by comparing post-discharge satisfaction scores between academic faculty, private urologists who work with residents, and private urologists with no involvement in resident education. Methods Post-discharge Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys from academic and private urologists at a single institution with an accredited Urology residency program from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016 (n = 530) were reviewed. The surveys were de-identified and categorized based on 3 subgroups of providers: academic faculty, private with residents, and private without residents. Overall rating, physician (MD) communication, nursing (RN) communication, discharge information, and overall management during their hospitalization were assessed. Results The faculty group received an overall patient satisfaction score of 88.3% (percentage of 9 or 10). The private with resident group had an overall satisfaction score of 92.0% and the private without resident group had an overall satisfaction score of 96.7%. There was no statistical difference in patient satisfaction scores between groups across all categories with the exception of MD and RN communication. Private urologists with residents had better MD and RN communication scores than the 2 other groups (p Conclusions Resident involvement in patient care with faculty or private attendings did not have a negative effect on patient satisfaction scores of any factor measured. Patients were more satisfied with MD and RN communication when residents worked with private attendings.
Probation officer discretion in monitoring and violating supervision conditions

Probation is a sentence served in the community and includes a number of supervision conditions. If the conditions are violated, individuals could receive a sanction, including revocation. Not ever...
ConditionalQA: A Complex Reading Comprehension Dataset with Conditional Answers

We describe a Question Answering (QA) dataset that contains complex questions with conditional answers, i.e. the answers are only applicable when certain conditions apply. We call this dataset ConditionalQA. In addition to conditional answers, the dataset also features: (1) long context documents with information that is related in logically complex ways; (2) multi-hop questions that require compositional logical reasoning; (3) a combination of extractive questions, yes/no questions, questions with multiple answers, and not-answerable questions; (4) questions asked without knowing the answers. We show that ConditionalQA is challenging for many of the existing QA models, especially in selecting answer conditions. We believe that this dataset will motivate further research in answering complex questions over long documents. Data and leaderboard are publicly available at \url{this https URL}.
Dynamic Bridging for Coarse Grained Simulations of Turbulent Material Mixing

We revisit coarse-grained simulation strategies for turbulent material mixing applications involving shock-driven turbulence, based on bridging LANL’s Radiation Adaptive Grid Eulerian (xRAGE)—implicit large-eddy simulation (ILES), and Besnard-Harlow-Rauenzahn (BHR)—Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS), using Low-Mach-Corrected (LMC) hydrodynamics. Tests of a new dynamic LMC-xRAGE/BHR bridging paradigm demonstrate much-improved scale-resolving enabling higher simulated mixing and turbulence levels on coarser grids. Impact assessments are carried out based on simulations of a canonical shock-tube experiment.
The volume of the ball

This lecture was given in two hours, one before lunch and one after lunch, to a class of students in Paris at about the 9th grade level, so 14 years old. They had not yet covered Pythagoras’ theorem in class, for instance.
Organizational development strategies for integrating mental health services

The recent debates about health care reform have focused attention on the need to develop organized systems of care capable of delivering comprehensive services which are coordinated or integrated. Achieving service integration has emerged as a central and pressing objective in most mental health systems in response to existing difficulties with fragmentation of care. However, attempts at service integration often fail at the implementation stage as provider agencies zealously guard their organizational boundaries and struggle with each other for power and control. In this article, the authors formulate an organizational development approach to service integration that focuses on reducing the rigid maintenance of agency boundaries by developing informal networks among staff of local provider agencies. Eight strategies, drawn from the research literature on services integration and recently implemented by a local mental health authority, are described as potential tools for use by systems managers in accomplishing these goals.
Joint scheduling and interference cancellation in ad hoc networks

We devise a new cross-layer design scheme that combines a scheduling protocol at the medium access control (MAC) layer and interference cancellation at the physical layer. We show that this scheme greatly improves ad hoc network throughput. Specifically, at the MAC layer, transmission schedules for each node are generated with a pseudo-random number generator, and the schedules for each node are efficiently shared with all neighbors within a two-hop distance by exchanging only the corresponding pseudo-random number generator seed. [R. Rozovsky and P. R. Kumar, October 4-5, 2001] Using the knowledge of which neighbors could possibly transmit at any given time, each node performs successive interference cancellation (SlC) to resolve packet collisions, thereby allowing multiple simultaneous transmissions. We illustrate the improvement of the overall network throughput via numerical analysis.
Demonstration of sequential 100 Gb/s word TDM packet add/drop functionality using a looped-back configuration

We show sequential 100-Gbit/s packet processing by looping an all-optical packet add/drop multiplexer on itself. The packets from two different sources are routed with 17-dB contrast ratio and demultiplexed with 20-dB contrast ratio.
An actin-binding function contributes to transformation by the Bcr-Abl oncoprotein of Philadelphia chromosome-positive human leukemias

In Philadelphia chromosome-positive human leukemias, which include chronic myelogenous leukemia and some acute lymphocytic leukemias, the c-abl proto-oncogene on chromosome 9 becomes fused to the bcr gene on chromosome 22, and Bcr-Abl fusion proteins are produced. The Bcr sequences activate the Abl tyrosine kinase which is required for the transforming function of Bcr-Abl. The Bcr sequences also enhance an F-actin-binding activity associated with c-Abl. Here, we show that binding of c-Abl and Bcr-Abl proteins to actin filaments in vivo and in vitro is mediated by an evolutionarily conserved domain at the C-terminal end of c-Abl. The c-Abl F-actin-binding domain contains a consensus motif found in several other actin-crosslinking proteins. Mutations in the consensus motif are shown to abolish binding to F-actin. Bcr-Abl proteins unable to associate with F-actin have a reduced ability to transform Rat-1 fibroblasts and to abrogate the requirement for interleukin-3 in the lymphoblastoid cell line Ba/F3. In transformed cells, Bcr-Abl induces a redistribution of F-actin into punctate, juxtanuclear aggregates. The binding to actin filaments has important implications for the pathogenic and physiological functions of the Bcr-Abl and c-Abl proteins.
The 11-S sow colostral immunoglobulin. Isolation and physicochemical properties.

Abstract 1. 1. An immunoglobulin that is not present in porcine serum has been isolated from sow colostrum by chromatography on Sephadex G-200 and DEAE-Sephadex A-50, followed by preparative ultracentrifugation in a 10–40% sucrose density gradient. 2. 2. Sedimentation velocity studies on this purified protein yield an s ° 20, w value of 11.2 S which is similar to the s ° 20, w of human secretory IgA. 3. 3. The sow colostral 11-S immunoglobulin does not have the resistance to reductive cleavage that is a characteristic of human 11-S secretory IgA. Treatment with 0.2 M β-mercaptoethanol results in almost complete dissociation of the 11.2-S molecule to subunits with an s 20, w of 6.5 S. 4. 4. The relationship of the isolated sow colostral 11-S immunoglobulin to human serum IgA is evidenced by its immunologic reaction with specific antiserum to human IgA and by its lack of immunologic reaction with specific antisera to human IgG and IgM.
Semianalytical Models for Lensing by Dark Halos. I. Splitting Angles

We use the semianalytical approach to analyze gravitational lensing of remote quasars by foreground dark halos in various cold dark matter (CDM) cosmologies in order to determine the sensitivity of the predictions for probabilities of image separations to the input assumptions regarding the properties of halos and cosmological models. The power spectrum of primordial fluctuations is normalized by the cluster abundance constraints. The mass function of dark halos is assumed to be given by the Press-Schechter function. The mass density profile of dark halos is alternatively taken to be the singular isothermal sphere (SIS), the Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) profile, or the generalized NFW profile. The cosmologies being considered include the Einstein-de Sitter model (SCDM), the open model (OCDM), and the flat Λ-model (LCDM). As expected, we find that the lensing probability is extremely sensitive to the mass density profile of lenses (dark halos) and somewhat less so to the mean mass density in the universe and the amplitude of primordial fluctuations. NFW halos are very much less effective in producing multiple images than SIS halos. For NFW lenses, the SCDM model produces fewer lensing events than the OCDM/LCDM models by 2 orders of magnitude. For SIS lenses, the SCDM model produces more lensing events with small splitting angles and fewer lensing events with large splitting angles than the OCDM/LCDM models, which is due to the fact that for large-mass halos, the Press-Schechter function is very sensitive to the amplitude of primordial fluctuations. In all cases the difference between the OCDM model and the LCDM model is not dramatic. None of these models are consistent with current observations: the SIS models predict too many large splitting lenses, while the NFW models predict too few small splitting lenses. Essentially, the observed high ratio of small splitting to large splitting lenses is not predicted correctly. This indicates that there must be at least two populations of halos in the universe: small-mass halos with a steep inner density slope and large-mass halos with a shallow inner density slope. A combination of SIS and NFW halos can reasonably reproduce the current observations if we choose the mass for the transition from SIS to NFW to be ~1013 M☉, as might plausibly occur because of baryonic cooling and contraction in lower mass systems. Additionally, there is a tendency for CDM models to have too much power on small scales, i.e., too much mass concentration. From our sensitivity studies it appears that the cures proposed for other apparent difficulties of CDM would help here as well, an example being the warm dark matter variant, which is shown to produce fewer large splitting lenses than the corresponding CDM model by 1 order of magnitude.
Collagenolytic Protease Expression in Cranial Cruciate Ligament and Stifle Synovial Fluid in Dogs with Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Objective— To determine expression of collagenolytic genes and collagen degradation in stifle tissues of dogs with ruptured cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). Animals— Six dogs with CCL rupture and 11 dogs with intact CCL. Procedures— Gene expression in CCL tissue and synovial fluid cells was studied using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Collagen degradation was studied using CCL explant cultures and a synovial fluid bioassay. Results— Expression of matrix metalloproteases (MMP) was not found in young Beagles with intact CCL; however, increased expression of MMP-3 was found in CCL tissue from older hounds with intact CCL, when compared with young Beagles. In dogs with ruptured CCL, expression of MMP-2 and -9 was increased in stifle tissues, when compared with dogs with intact CCL. Similar to MMP-9, expression of tartrate-resistant acid phospatase (TRAP) and cathepsin S was only found in stifle tissues from dogs with ruptured CCL; in contrast, expression of cathepsin K was found in all ruptured and intact CCL. Collagen degradation was increased in ruptured CCL, when compared with intact CCL. Conclusion— Rupture of the CCL is associated with up-regulation of expression of MMP-2 and -9 (gelatinase A and B), TRAP, and cathepsin S, and increased degradation of collagen. Clinical Relevance— These findings suggest that MMP-2, -9, cathepsin S, and TRAP may be important mediators of progressive joint destruction in dogs with CCL rupture. These genes are markers for macrophages and dendritic cells. MMP and cathepsin S pathways may offer novel targets for anti-inflammatory medical therapy aimed at ameliorating joint degradation associated with inflammatory arthritis.
The morphology of lunar semi-diurnal variation in ƒ 0 F2 near solar noon

Abstract The variations of the midday critical frequency of the F2-layer, ƒ 0 F2 , with the phase of the moon are computed for eighteen stations within about ±40° latitude during a period of low sunspot activity. The results show that the phase of the lunar variation of ƒ 0 F2 is determined by the magnetic and not by the geomagnetic or the geographic latitude. The reversal from the equatorial type of variation with a maximum near 04 lunar hour to the higher latitude type with a maximum near 10 lunar hour occurs at about ±11° magnetic latitude. The variation of amplitude with latitude shows a sharp maximum on the magnetic equator, associated with the equatorial electro-jet, and two broad maxima at about ±20° magnetic latitude. The latter are closely associated with the well-known maxima in the variation of noon ƒ 0 F2 with latitude.
The identification and structure-activity relations of a cardioactive FMRFamide-related peptide from the blue crab Callinectes sapidus.

Abstract The pericardial organs and thoracic ganglia of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus were resected and extracted. The extracts were fractionated by HPLC and the fractions analyzed by a radioimmunoassay (RIA) to FMRFamide. Multiple peaks of immunoreactivity were present and one of these, upon fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-ms) and microsequencing, yielded the sequence GYNRSFLRFamide. The amount of this peptide in each crab is between 7 and 13 pmol. Several incomplete sequences were also characterized, suggesting a precursor with multiple copies of peptides related to GYNRSFLRFamide might occur. The peptide caused a dose-dependent increase in heart rate; threshold was 10 to 30 nM, and the EC50 was 323±62 nM . A structure-activity study of GYNRSFLRFamide on the crab heart suggests that, for full potency, a peptide should be at least a heptapeptide with the sequence XXZFLRFamide, where X is any amino acid and Z is either asparagine or serine.
Electronic Structure of NaBr

In this paper, ab initio energy bands for NaBr are obtained by means of the nonrelativistic mixed-basis (MB) method. The calculation is performed self-consistently in the Hartree-Fock limit, accurate to first order in interatomic overlap. We assume the core states to be nonoverlapping. Koopman's theorem is assumed here. Correlation effects are then included and are found to be important in that they reduce substantially the band gap, and also the widths of the valence bands. The resultant bands are fitted with a pseudopotential and the density of states of the valence and conduction bands are obtained as are the joint density of states for both valence and core excitations. These results are compared to recent optical and soft-x-ray absorption studies of NaBr, and the valence results are compared to x-ray emission studies. The experimental comparisons favor the more distinctive results of this calculation such as the wide (4 eV) $4p$ valence bands and the structured state density of the conduction bands.
Older drivers and motor vehicle crashes

Older drivers are a source of great public concern, particularly after well-publicized incidents in which an older driver has caused a grievous event. As their numbers grow, understanding the risks that older drivers pose to themselves and other road users is important for appropriate clinical and policy decisions.
X-Linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease caused by a novel point mutation in the connexin-32 gene

We report the clinical and electrophysiological findings of a patient with X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and a novel point mutation in the connexin-32 gene. A 31-year-old man presented with a 5 year history of progressive imbalance and distal weakness in his legs. Electrophysiological studies confirmed an asymmetric, predominantly axonal sensorimotor neuropathy with some demyelinating features. Genetic testing revealed a G/A transition (Ala40Thr) in a conserved transmembrane region of the connexin-32 gene.
DID THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION MISREPRESENT SCIENTIFIC MATERIAL TO THE US SUPREME COURT

Summay.-On January 31, 1986, the American Psychological Association (APA) filed an amicus curiae brief with the US Supreme Court favoring constitutional protection for consensual sodomy. The APA claimed that: (1) the Bell, Weinberg, and Hammersmith survey found that "62% of heterosexual men reported that their first sexual experience was with another male; 39% of homosexual men reported such experience," (2) "data do not support" a linkage between childhood homosexual activity and sexual orientation, and (3) "there are no empirical data to support the popular myth that homosexual orientation or behavior results hom 'contagion' by other homosexuals." I t is judged that, in violation of standards for scientific reporting, the Bell, et al. finding was pulled out of context so that it favored the APA position, and the studies the APA cited in this section oE the brief were either contrary to, nonsup. portive of, or did not bear upon the APA's contentions. Professional scientific organizations have a special obligation to (a) be accurate in representations to the US Supreme Court and (b) adhere to accepted standards of scholarship in their use of citations.
Oncoprotein Signalling and Mitosis

Studies of the roles of oncoproteins in cell cycle progression have concentrated on G1 because transformation is frequently associated with loss of G1 checkpoint control. However, it has become evident that G2 and mitotic checkpoints are often compromised in transformed cells and that many tumour suppressor proteins and oncoprotein kinases regulate and/or are activated in G2 and M. Disruption of p53 and ATM tumour suppressor protein functions can eliminate G2 and M checkpoints. The Src family kinases are activated in mitosis and collectively play an indispensable role in progression through G2/M. In addition, evidence suggests that Mos and elements of the Ras/Raf/MAPK cascade are also active in mitosis and appear likely to regulate G2 and/or M. Potential targets of these kinases include likely regulators of gene expression and microtubule dynamics such as Sam68 and Oncoprotein 18/stathmin. The ability of some oncoproteins to perturb orderly progression through both G1 and/or S and G2 and/or M is probably important for transformation.
DEBYE-SCALE PLASMA STRUCTURES ASSOCIATED WITH MAGNETIC-FIELD-ALIGNED ELECTRIC FIELDS

We report a new type of spatially coherent plasma structure that is associated with quasistatic, magnetic-field-aligned electric fields in space plasmas. The solitary structures form in a magnetized plasma, are multidimensional, and are highly supersonic. The size along ${\mathbf{B}}_{0}$ is a few ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{D}$ and increases with increasing amplitude, unlike a classical soliton. The perpendicular size appears to be influenced by ion motion. We show that the structures facilitate ion-electron momentum exchange and suggest that an aggregate of structures may play a role supporting large-scale, parallel electric fields.
Temperament: a salient correlate of risk factors for alcohol and drug abuse.

Abstract A sample of sons of substance abusing (SA+; n = 39) and normal fathers (SA−; n = 45) were studied to determine the relative contribution of temperament characteristics and paternal lifetime history of substance abuse as factors that are putatively linked to risk for substance abuse. Cluster analyses of sons' and fathers' scores on the Revised Dimensions of Temperament Survey (DOTS-R) yielded ‘difficult’ temperament and normative temperament clusters. In a comparison of risk liability associated with SA+ SA− status versus temperament cluster membership, boys in the difficult temperament cluster were differentiated from boys in the normative temperament cluster on cognitive, behavior, family and peer affiliation risk factors. In subsequent logistic regression analyses, 85% of sons in the difficult temperament cluster and 72% of sons in the normative temperament cluster were correctly classified by their risk factor scores.
Relative Intensity Correction of Raman Spectrometers: NIST SRMs 2241 through 2243 for 785 nm, 532 nm, and 488 nm/514.5 nm Excitation:

Standard Reference Materials SRMs 2241 through 2243 are certified spectroscopic standards intended for the correction of the relative intensity of Raman spectra obtained with instruments employing laser excitation wavelengths of 785 nm, 532 nm, or 488 nm/514.5 nm. These SRMs each consist of an optical glass that emits a broadband luminescence spectrum when illuminated with the Raman excitation laser. The shape of the luminescence spectrum is described by a polynomial expression that relates the relative spectral intensity to the Raman shift with units in wavenumber (cm(-1)). This polynomial, together with a measurement of the luminescence spectrum of the standard, can be used to determine the spectral intensity-response correction, which is unique to each Raman system. The resulting instrument intensity-response correction may then be used to obtain Raman spectra that are corrected for a number of, but not all, instrument-dependent artifacts. Peak area ratios of the intensity-corrected Raman spectrum of cyclohexane are presented as an example of a methodology to validate the spectral intensity calibration process and to illustrate variations that can occur in this measurement.
Conducting an inventory of informal community-based resources for children with physical disabilities: Enhancing access and creating professional linkages

This article describes the process involved in conducting a sample inventory of community-based sports, recreation/leisure, and arts resources that include children with physical disabilities in Monroe County, New York. The inventory instrument, Community Resource Inventory for Children with Physical Disabilities, was designed to examine organizational or group capacity to provide activities for children with physical disabilities. The inventory was administered by phone to organizations and groups identified as meeting the definition of a community-based resource. One hundred and six CBR informants were interviewed, each reporting one or two recreational activities provided at their site. The activities included arts, sports, or leisure offerings, with a total of 127 activities identified in the sample. The results of the study support the premise that community-based resources are receptive to providing activities for children with physical disabilities and to potential collaboration with therapists. Numerous barriers exixts, however, including environmental inaccessibility, lack of personnel training, and including environmental inaccesssbility, lack of personnel training, and costs of participation. The results suggest several educational and system-based changes that may promote future collaborative efforts between therapists and community-based organizations.
Anticipatory saccades during smooth pursuit eye movements and familial transmission of schizophrenia

Abstract Background: Smooth pursuit eye movement (SPEM) abnormalities are a putative marker of genetic risk for schizophrenia. Accurate SPEM performance requires the subject to activate neural systems responsible for smooth pursuit tracking, while simultaneously suppressing activity of neurons responsible for saccadic movements that would move the eye ahead of the target. This study examined whether specific aspects of SPEM dysfunction cosegregate with genetic risk in parents of schizophrenic probands. Methods: Eighteen probands and their parents had SPEM recorded. Parents with an ancestral history of schizophrenia were hypothesized to be more likely than their spouses without such a history to carry a genetic risk for schizophrenia. Results: Ten families had a single parent with a positive ancestral history for schizophrenia. The frequency of anticipatory saccades, which were mostly small, and the fraction of total eye movement that they represented were the only measures that differentiated the more likely genetic carrier parents in these families from their spouses and age-matched normals. Conclusions: Failure to suppress saccadic anticipation of target motion during smooth pursuit appears an aspect of SPEM dysfunction related to presumed genetic risk for schizophrenia.
External monitoring of endpoint configuration compliance

We describe a system for externally monitoring endpoint configuration compliance of an end user system that provides a high assurance monitoring function and data. Typical approaches to monitoring for endpoint configuration compliance rely on the integrity of the endpoint's operating system and do not protect the monitoring function from subversion or spoofing by threats from within the monitored system. Our approach utilizes (1) a virtual machine architecture on the endpoint system to protect the monitoring function and (2) virtual machine introspection of the end user's environment. In this paper we describe our approach to external monitoring of endpoint configuration compliance, present the technical details of our monitoring system, and discuss some of the issues associated with external monitoring.
Characteristic length scale in cleavage cracking across high-angle grain boundary

The factors that govern cleavage cracking across high-angle grain boundaries are investigated theoretically. According to previous experimental observations, a cleavage front overcomes the resistance of a high-angle grain boundary by first penetrating across it at a number of break-through points (BTP) and then separating apart persistent grain-boundary islands (PGBI). In the current study, this process is modeled as a competition between grain boundary shearing and crack front transmission. The numerical calculation shows that at a large grain boundary there exists an optimum BTP distance at which the grain boundary toughness is minimized, and when the BTP distance is relatively large its influence is secondary, fitting well with the experimental results.
Adapting Sequential Monte-Carlo Estimation to Cooperative Localization in Wireless Sensor Networks

Localization is a key function in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Many applications and internal mechanisms require nodes to know their location. This work proposes a new sequential estimation algorithm for distributed cooperative localization, whose simplicity makes it amenable to self-localization in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), characterized by their restricted resources in energy and computation. The algorithm is inspired in sequential Monte-Carlo estimation techniques, viz. particle filters, that excel in robustness and simplicity for estimation applications. However, particle filters require significant amounts of memory and computational power for managing large numbers of particles. The presented technique reduces the number of particles, while retaining the convergence, accuracy and simplicity properties, as demonstrated in simulation experiments.
16α‐Hydroxylation of Estradiol: A Possible Risk Marker for Breast Cancer

From these results we may conclude that estradiol 16 alpha-hydroxylation is highly correlated with tumor incidence, and that the reaction is partly regulated by MMTV and the rest by genetic influences. Elevated hydroxylation appears to be an autosomal dominant trait that is highly specific for estradiol. It is also pertinent that the product of the 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone reaction is a potent estrogen that is capable of binding covalently to amino acids and nucleotides, including the estrogen receptor molecule. The results obtained in these studies establish the usefulness of the mouse model for studying the interrelationship between enhanced 16-hydroxylation of estradiol and the incidence of mammary tumors.
Electrochemical behavior of the dissolution of gold-silver alloys in cyanide solutions

The dissolution behavior of gold and silver from Au/Ag alloys in aerated cyanide solutions has been investigated using rotating disc electrodes. The variables studied included concentration of cyanide, oxygen partial pressure, and rotating speed of the disc. The dissolution potential and the rate of dissolution were obtained in view of the anodic and cathodic current-potential relationships. The results were discussed in terms of the mixed potential theory. The results showed that the dissolution rate of gold and silver from the alloys was partially controlled by chemical reaction but largely controlled by transport of either oxygen or cyanide, depending on their relative concentrations under the experimental conditions employed in this study. The diffusion coefficient of free cyanide, Dcn−, was found to be (1.25 ± 0.05) X 10−5 cm2/s. The diffusion coefficient of oxygen,\(D_{O_2 } \), was calculated to be (1.29 ± 0.02) X 10−5 cm2/s.
Introduction to special section: early Mars.

Ongoing studies of the evolution of the Martian cratered highlands, the nature of the planet's early climate, and the recent announcement of possible evidence of ancient life in the ALH 84001 meteorite have reinvigorated interest in the conditions that prevailed on Mars during its first billion years of geologic history. To address this interest and assess our current understanding of these issues, the Lunar and Planetary Institute hosted a 4-day Conference on Early Mars in Houston in April of 1997. The papers contained in this special section are a product of that meeting. The purpose of the conference was twofold: (1) to consider how impacts, volcanism, and the presence of abundant water affected the physical and chemical environment that existed on Mars 4 Gyr ago, particularly as it related to the nature of the global climate, the origin of the valley networks, the geologic and mineralogic evolution of the surface, the aqueous geochemistry of groundwater, and the existence of local environments that may have been conducive to the development of indigenous life and the preservation of its signature in the geologic record; and (2) to discuss what observations or experiments might he included in future spacecraft missions to test the ideas and expectations arising from purpose 1. While pertinent issues of early atmospheric and solar evolution were also addressed, the primary discussion at the conference focused on the evidence and constraints provided by the geologic records of Earth, the Moon, and Mars and analysis of the SNC meteorites. The papers contained in this special section span the full range of these topics, including the stability of the early atmosphere to erosion by the solar wind, the geologic environment from which the SNC meteorites originated, geomorphic evidence regarding the nature of the early Martian climate and hydrologic cycle, the potential impact of the past and present environment on the preserved signature of ancient life, and a discussion of the capabilities of a lander-based X ray diffraction and fluorescence instrument to assess the potential for past fossilization from the mineralogy of the current local surface environment. The issues raised at the conference, and by the papers included in this special section, will be the focus of ongoing attention as the intensity and scope of Mars exploration increases over the next decade.
Descendants de Chouans: Histolre et culture populalre dans la Vendée contemporalne

Descendants de Chouans: Histolre et culture populalre dans la Vendee contemporalne. BERNADETTE BUCHER. Paris: Editions de la Maison des sciences de I'homme, 1995. xvi + 338 pp., photographs, tables, bibliography, index.
The Holistic Teacher.

Our decisions about education partly derive from the way we view the school population-how we perceive children. Voluminous academic material supports the view of the child as a learner before he/she enters school, and any observant adult is awed and delighted by the child's capacity to learn without recourse to theory. Indeed, this capacity is so innate and natural that we sometimes fail to notice it. As
Effect of Receptor Number on Desensitization of the Mouse Thromboxane Receptor

Desensitization of G-protein coupled receptors limits the physiologic effects of an agonist. Short-term desensitization mechanisms are critically dependent on receptor phosphorylation by protein kinases. The effectiveness of these regulatory mechanisms might be limited by substrate (receptor) availability. To investigate the role of receptor number in the desensitization of G-protein coupled receptors, we transfected a mouse mesangial cell line with a genomic clone encoding the mouse thromboxane A2 (TxA2) receptor and obtained cell lines that expressed low (approximately 250-500 fmol/mg protein) or high (2500-4000 fmol/mg protein) levels of TxA2 receptors. Activation of TxA2 receptors stimulated phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis and increased intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels. Prior exposure to the TxA2 agonist (15S)-hydroxy-11alpha,9alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5Z,+ ++13E-dienoic acid (U46619) reduced subsequent (15S)-hydroxy- 11alpha,9alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5Z,13E-dieno ic acid-induced increases in inositol trisphosphates and intracellular calcium levels by approximately 50% in clones expressing low numbers of TxA2 receptors, but had little effect on TxA2 receptor responsiveness in clones expressing high receptor numbers. Failure of TxA2 receptors to desensitize caused sustained increases in intracellular calcium levels and phosphoinositide hydrolysis. Thus, homologous desensitization of TxA2 receptors is attenuated in cells expressing high levels of receptors for TxA2. These data suggest that receptor number plays a key role in the short-term regulation of G-protein coupled receptors.
On the production and release of chemical transmitters and related topics in cellular control.

Abstract This paper makes some neurophysiological and biochemical predictions concerning transmitter production and release which are suggested by psychological postulates. A main theme is the joint control of presynaptic excitatory transmitter production by presynaptic and postsynaptic levels of membrane potential. This control is presumed to be effected by the interaction of the pairs (Na + , K + ) and (Ca ++ , Mg ++ ) of antagonistic ions whose binding properties to intracellular sites and enzymes set various cellular production levels. It is suggested that nerve cells are capable of learning as ‘chemical dipoles’. A qualitative rationale is discussed for such phenomena as the following: joint inward fluxes of Na + and Ca ++ due to membrane excitation; distribution of mitochondria and synaptic vesicles near the synaptic cleft; sensitivity of RNA interaction to Mg ++ concentration; stronger binding of Ca ++ relative to K + within the synaptic knobs; mobilization and depletion of transmitter by presynaptic spiking; post-tetanic potentiation; excitatory transients in transmitter release after a rest period; feedback inhibition of transmitter onto a late stage of transmitter production; transport down the axon of some lighter molecules produced in the cell body; proportionality of cell body membrane area to nuclear volume; intracellular tubules as faithful transport mechanisms between nerve cell body and nucleus, and from nucleus along axon to synaptic knobs; division of cell shape into a cell body, axon, and synaptic knobs as a structural manifestation of the underlying chemical dipole.
Application of failure detection, identification, and accommodation methods for improved aircraft safety

This paper provides an overview of technologies being developed under NASA's Aviation Safety Program to reduce aircraft accidents due to vehicle loss of control and system failures.
An unusual gene arrangement for the putative chromosome replication origin and circadian expression of dnaN in Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942

Abstract In eubacteria, the clustering of DnaA boxes around the dnaN (β subunit of DNA polymerase III) and dnaA genes usually defines the chromosome replication origin (oriC). In this study, the dnaN locus from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942 was sequenced. The gene order in this region is cbbZp-dnaN-orf288-purL-purF which contrasts with other eubacteria. A cluster of eleven DnaA boxes (consensus sequence: TTTTCCACA) was found in the intergenic region between dnaN and cbbZp. We also found a 41-bp sequence within this region that is 80% identical to the proposed oriC of Streptomyces coelicolor. Therefore, we propose that this intergenic region may serve as an oriC in Synechococcus. Using bacterial luciferase as a reporter, we also showed that dnaN is rhythmically expressed, suggesting that DNA replication could be under circadian control in this organism.
Nuclear modification factor of nonphotonic electrons in heavy-ion collisions, and the heavy-flavor baryon-to-meson ratio

The nuclear modification factor ${R}_{\mathit{AA}}$ of nonphotonic electrons in $\mathrm{Au}+\mathrm{Au}$ collisions at $\sqrt{{s}_{\mathit{NN}}}=200$ GeV is studied by considering the decays of heavy-flavor hadrons produced in a quark coalescence model. Although an enhanced ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}_{c}/{D}^{0}$ ratio is predicted by the coalescence model, it is peaked at small transverse momenta ($~2$ GeV) due to the large difference between heavy and light quark masses. As a result, the enhanced ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}_{c}/{D}^{0}$ ratio, which is expected to suppress the electron ${R}_{\mathit{AA}}$ as the branching ratio of ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}_{c}$ decay into electrons is smaller than that of ${D}^{0}$, does not lead to additional suppression of the electron ${R}_{\mathit{AA}}$ at large transverse momenta ($\ensuremath{\geqslant}5$ GeV), where the suppression is mainly due to heavy quark energy loss in produced quark-gluon plasma. Also, the enhanced ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}_{b}/{\overline{B}}^{0}$ ratio predicted by the coalescence model has even smaller effect on the nonphotonic electron ${R}_{\mathit{AA}}$ as bottom baryons and mesons have similar branching ratios for semileptonic decays into electrons.
Falling From Grace: Understanding an Ethical Sanctioning Experience

Although an ethical sanction is viewed as an incredibly stressful event for professional counselors, the experience of being sanctioned is not well known. This article provides an overview of the sanctioning process, a discussion of professional silence, and a case example of a sanctioning experience for a counselor. The sanctioning experience is described in a 3-stage response sequence and is illustrated with journal entries from a sanctioned counselor. Response interventions for each stage are suggested, and implications for the counseling profession are offered.
In vivo and in vitro biosynthesis of free fatty alcohols inEscherichia Coli K-12

In vivo studies have indicated that exogenous free fatty acids may serve as precursors of the free fatty alcohols ofEscherichia coli K-12. Following disruption of the cells, the enzymatic activity capable of catalyzing the reduction of long chain fatty aldehydes to fatty alcohols was localized in the 100,000 x g supernatant fraction. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form, was the required cofactor. The product of the reaction was characterized rigorously as 1-hexadecanol when hexadecanal was the substrate. Three independent, but complementary, assay methods were developed to assay the aldehyde reductase activity. By employing these methods, an equivalence between nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form, oxidation and 1-hexadecanol synthesis was established. Two protein fractions catalyzing the reduction of fatty aldehydes to fatty alcohols were detected in the 100,000 x g supernatant fraction following ammonium sulfate fractionation and diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography. Enzymatic activity (70%) applied to the diethylamino-ethyl-cellulose column was eluted at a phosphate concentration of 0.115 M. The remaining 30% was eluted at a concentration of 0.23 M. Following sephadex chromatography, it was observed that the enzyme eluting at 0.115 M phosphate had an apparent mol wt of 250,000 Daltons while that eluting at 0.23 M had an apparent mol wt of 62,000 Daltons. The enzymes were similar with respect to substrate specificity, pH optima, ionic strength optima, and stability with respect to thiol inhibitors, suggesting different sized aggregates of similar subunits.
The reaction dynamics of sodium with ozone

The reaction of sodium atoms (Na) with ozone (O3) has been studied using crossed molecular beams at a collision energy of 18 kcal/mole. The only product observed was NaO. The reaction occurs via an electron‐transfer mechanism that yields NaO which is forward scattered with respect to the sodium beam. The translational energy distribution peaks near the forward stripping limit but extends out to the maximum allowed by energy conservation. The fragmentation ratio of NaO upon electron bombardment ionization I(NaO+)/[I(NaO+)+I(Na+)] as a function of product translational energy has been measured for an electron energy of 200 V.
A comparison of outcomes associated with carotid artery stent placement performed within and outside clinical trials in the United States.

Background A discrepancy between characteristics of patients treated with carotid angioplasty and stent placement (CAS) within and outside clinical trials, particularly characteristics with direct impact on clinical outcome, may limit generalization of clinical trial results. The objective of this study was to identify differences in demographic and clinical characteristics and outcomes related to CAS in patients treated within clinical trials and those treated outside clinical trials in a large national cohort. Methods We determined the frequency of CAS performed within and outside clinical trials and associated in-hospital outcomes using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Survey data files from 2005 to 2009. All the in-hospital outcomes were analyzed after adjusting for potential confounders using multivariate analysis. Results Of the 81,638 patients who underwent CAS, 16,078 (19.6%) underwent the procedure as part of a clinical trial. The mean age of the patients was significantly lower in patients treated with CAS as part of a clinical trial than those treated with CAS outside a clinical trial. The proportion of women and nonwhites was lower among patients treated with CAS as part of a clinical trial. The in-hospital mortality was two-fold higher among patients treated with CAS outside clinical trials (1.12% vs 0.53%; P = .0005). The rate of composite endpoint of stroke, cardiac events, and death was significantly higher among patients treated with CAS outside clinical trials ( P = .02). After adjusting for age, gender, presence of renal failure, and hospital bed size, CAS performed as part of a clinical trial was associated with lower rates of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 0.467; 95% confidence interval, 0.290-0.751; P = .0017) and composite endpoint of stroke, cardiac events, and death (odds ratio, 0.752; 95% confidence interval, 0.594-0.952; P = .0180). Conclusions Our results suggest that CAS procedures performed as part of clinical trials was associated with lower rates of in-hospital mortality and composite endpoint of stroke, cardiac events, and death in United States. These findings highlight the need for strategies that ensure appropriate adoption of CAS to ensure that the benefits observed in clinical trials can be replicated in general practice.
Growth of an invertebrate shredder on native (Populus) and non-native (Tamarix, Elaeagnus) leaf litter

SUMMARY 1. Large-scale invasions of riparian trees can alter the quantity and quality of allochthonous inputs of leaf litter to streams and thus have the potential to alter stream organic matter dynamics. Non-native saltcedar (Tamarix sp.) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) are now among the most common trees in riparian zones in western North America, yet their impacts on energy flow in streams are virtually unknown. 2. We conducted a laboratory feeding experiment to compare the growth of the aquatic crane fly Tipula (Diptera: Tipulidae) on leaf litter from native cottonwood (Populus) and non-native Tamarix and Elaeagnus. Tipula showed positive growth on leaf litter of all three species; however, after 7 weeks, larvae fed Tamarix leaves averaged 1.7 and 2.5 times the mass of those fed Elaeagnus and Populus, respectively. Tipula survival was highest on Populus, intermediate on Tamarix and lowest on Elaeagnus. 3. High Tipula growth on Tamarix probably reflects a combination of leaf chemistry and morphology. Conditioned Tamarix leaf litter had intermediate carbon : nitrogen values (33 : 1) compared to Populus (40 : 1) and Elaeagnus (26 : 1), and it had intermediate proportions of structural carbon (42%) compared to Elaeagnus (57%) and Populus (35%). Tamarix leaves are also relatively small and possibly more easily ingested by Tipula than either Elaeagnus or Populus. 4. Field surveys of streams in the western U.S.A. revealed that Tamarix and Elaeagnus leaf packs were rare compared to native Populus, probably due to the elongate shape and small size of the non-native leaves. Thus we conclude that, in general, the impact of non-native riparian invasion on aquatic shredders will depend not only on leaf decomposition rate and palatability but also on rates of leaf litter input to the stream coupled with streambed retention and subsequent availability to consumers.
Ultrasound guided embryo transfer significantly improves pregnancy rates in women undergoing oocyte donation

Objectives: Recent reports suggest ultrasound (US) guided embryo transfer (ET) improves pregnancy rates. Using the ovum donation model to eliminate confounding variables, we assessed the impact of US guided ET on pregnancy rates, implantation rates, and multiple gestation rates. Methods: All women who underwent IVF-ET cycles using donated oocytes from November 1997 to September 1998 (n=137) were evaluated retrospectively. ET from November 1997 to April 1998 were performed without US, while all ET from May 1998 to September 1998 were performed using transvaginal or transabdominal US. ET was further categorized as easy or difficult. Difficult ET was defined as requiring at least two attempts and/or the presence of blood on the catheter and/or >5 min. Results: Pregnant patients (n=73) were similar with respect to the number and morphology of the embryos transferred compared to non-pregnant patients (n=65). US guidance significantly improved implantation and pregnancy rates in cycles with easy transfers [28.8 vs. 18.4% and 63.1 vs. 36.1%, respectively (P<0.05)] without impacting multiple pregnancy rates. Conclusion: US guided ET is simple and reassuring and appears to significantly improve pregnancy outcomes in ovum donation cycles by optimizing the placement of embryos.