cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Venom Variation during Prey Capture by the Cone Snail, Conus textile

Observations of the mollusc-hunting cone snail Conus textile during feeding reveal that prey are often stung multiple times in succession. While studies on the venom peptides injected by fish-hunting cone snails have become common, these approaches have not been widely applied to the analysis of the injected venoms from mollusc-hunters. We have successfully obtained multiple injected venom samples from C. textile individuals, allowing us to investigate venom compositional variation during prey capture. Our studies indicate that C. textile individuals alter the composition of prey-injected venom peptides during single feeding events. The qualitative results obtained by MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry are mirrored by quantitative changes in venom composition observed by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. While it is unclear why mollusc-hunting cone snails inject prey multiple times prior to engulfment, our study establishes for the first time a link between this behavior and compositional changes of the venom during prey capture. Changes in venom composition during hunting may represent a multi-step strategy utilized by these venomous animals to slow and incapacitate prey prior to engulfment.
Quantum Properties of the Excess Proton in Liquid Water

The classical and quantum equilibrium properties of an excess proton in bulk phase water are examined computationally with a special emphasis on the influence of an explicit quantum dynamical treatment of the nuclei on the calculated observables. The potential model used, our recently developed multistate empirical valence bond (MS-EVB) approach is described. The MS-EVB model takes into account the interaction of an exchange charge distribution of the charge-transfer complex with the polar solvent, which qualitatively changes the nature of the solvated complex. The impact and importance of the exchange term on the stability of the solvated H5O2+ (Zundel) cation relative to the H9O4+ (Eigen) cation in the liquid phase is demonstrated. Classical and quantum path-integral molecular dynamics (PIMD) simulations of an excess proton in bulk phase water reveal that quantization of the nuclear degrees of freedom results in an increased stabilization of the solvated Zundel cation relative to the Eigen cation, and that species intermediate between the two are also probable. Quantum effects lead to a significant broadening of the probability distributions used to characterize the two species, and a definite differentiation and sharp characterization of the species connected to the excess proton in liquid water is found to be difficult.
Biology of the human malignant lymphomas. IV. Functional characterization of ten diffuse histiocytic lymphoma cell lines

Ten consecutive diffuse histiocytic lymphoma (DHL) cell lines established in our laboratory were studied for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genomes, lysozyme, nonspecific esterase and other cytochemical reactions, phagocytic activity, cytoplasmic immunoglobulin light and heavy chains, and surface receptors to sheep erythrocytes, complement, and the Fc fragment of immunoglobulin. In agreement with previous studies performed on biopsy specimens, our results indicate that the diffuse histiocytic lymphomas, as a histopathologic entity, represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms, the majority of which are B-lymphocyte in origin. The cell lines appear to fall into three categories based on the following criteria: 1) presence of monoclonal cytoplasmic immunoglobulins (B-lymphocytic type, 6/10 cell lines); 2) presence of non-specific esterase, phagocytic activity, and/or lysozyme (histiocytic type, 2/10 cell lines); and 3) absence of all lymphoid and histiocytic cell characteristics (null cell type, 2/10 cell lines). Despite the fact that many of the lymphoma patients had positive serologies to EBV antigens, all of the DHL cell lines were negative for the presence of EBV genomes. Both of the two B-lymphocytic type and one of the two histiocytic type lines tested were susceptible to infection with EBV, as indicated by synthesis of early antigen and also, in a small proportion of the infected cells, of viral capsid antigen. These prototypic DHL cell lines may permit the development of new criteria for the differential diagnosis and treatment of this highly malignant and diverse group of lymphomas.
Factors Associated with Referrals for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Evaluation among Community Physicians

Study Objectives:This study assessed knowledge and attitudes toward obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among community physicians and explored factors that are associated with referrals for OSA evaluati...
Robust distributed energy management for microgrids with renewables

Due to the low communication overhead and robustness to failures, distributed energy management is of paramount importance in smart grids, especially in microgrids, which feature distributed generation (DG). Distributed economic dispatch for a microgrid with renewable penetration and demand-side management operating in the grid-connected mode is considered in this paper. To address the challenge of intrinsically stochastic availability of renewable energy sources (RES), a novel power scheduling approach involving the actual renewable energy as well as the energy traded with the main grid is introduced, effecting the supply-demand balance. Its optimality amounts to minimizing the microgrid net cost, which includes conventional DG cost as well as worst-case transaction cost stemming from the uncertainty in RES. Leveraging the dual decomposition, the optimization problem formulated is solved in a distributed fashion. Numerical results are reported to corroborate the effectiveness of the novel approach.
Climatology of short‐period gravity waves observed over northern Australia during the Darwin Area Wave Experiment (DAWEX) and their dominant source regions

[1] The Darwin Area Wave Experiment (DAWEX) was designed to investigate the generation and propagation of gravity waves from intense regions of localized convection that occur regularly over northern Australia (in the vicinity of Darwin) during the premonsoon period. This multinational program was conducted during the austral spring 2001 using a range of coordinated optical, radar, and in situ balloon measurements. As part of this program, all-sky image observations of short-period gravity wave events in the near infrared OH nightglow emission (altitude ∼87 km) were made from two well-separated sites in northern Australia: Wyndham (15.5°S, 128.1°E) and Katherine (14.5°S, 132.3°E), over a 10-day period during November 2001. A total of 25 extensive wave events were observed during this period, from which the dominant horizontal wave characteristics were determined to be: wavelength 25–35 km and observed phase speed 27–75 m/s, yielding observed periods from 7 to 14 min, consistent with previous measurements at other low-latitude sites. A key finding of this study was a marked anisotropy in the wave propagation headings, with over 3/4 of the events exhibiting a strong southward component of motion and a clear preference for wave progression over the azimuthal range SE to SSW. Although this range encompasses gravity waves originating locally from the Darwin area, the majority of the wave events exhibited propagation headings consistent with more distant sources located to the north and northwest of Australia. Assuming deep convection was the dominant mechanism for the waves, the strong asymmetry in their velocity distribution appears to result from a combination of nonuniformity in the geographic occurrence of thunderstorms coupled together with significant wind filtering effects at the source altitude and within the middle atmosphere. These results are consistent with long-range, short-period wave propagation (most probably in the form of ducted waves) possibly from intense convective regions located ∼1000 km to the north over the Indonesian Island chain.
Nitrogen saturation in the Rocky Mountains

Nitrogen saturation is occurring throughout high-elevation catchments of the Colorado Front Range. Annual inorganic N loading in wet deposition to the Front Range of ∼4 kg ha-1 yr-1 is about twice that of the Pacific States and similar to many sites in the northeastern United States. In the last ten years at Niwot Ridge/Green Lakes Valley and Glacier Lakes, annual minimum concentrations of NO3- in surface waters during the growing season have increased from below detection limits to ∼10 μequiv L-1, indicating that these two catchments are at the threshold of N saturation. The Loch Vale watershed is N saturated, with annual minimum concentrations of NO3- in surface waters generally above 10 μequiv L-1; annual volume-weighted mean (VWM) concentrations of 16 μequiv L-1 in surface waters are greater than that of ∼11 μequiv L-1 NO3- in wet deposition. At these high-elevation catchments, there has been a shift in ecosystem dynamics from an N-limited system to an N-saturated system as a result of anthropogenical...
A reduction-based exact algorithm for the contact map overlap problem.

Aligning proteins based on their structural similarity is a fundamental problem in molecular biology with applications in many settings, including structure classification, database search, function prediction, and assessment of folding prediction methods. Structural alignment can be done via several methods, including contact map overlap (CMO) maximization that aligns proteins in a way that maximizes the number of common residue contacts. In this paper, we develop a reduction-based exact algorithm for the CMO problem. Our approach solves CMO directly rather than after transformation to other combinatorial optimization problems. We exploit the mathematical structure of the problem in order to develop a number of efficient lower bounding, upper bounding, and reduction schemes. Computational experiments demonstrate that our algorithm runs significantly faster than existing exact algorithms and solves some hard CMO instances that were not solved in the past. In addition, the algorithm produces protein cluste...
TISSUE LIPASES AND THE POSTHEPARIN PLASMA CLEARING FACTOR.

Abstract Parallel experiments with purified clearing factor of postheparin plasma and acetone powder extracts of rat heart and adipose tissue indicated that these are not identical enzyme systems. Serum and heparin stimulated the tissue lipases but inhibited the clearing factor. The inhibition by sodium pyrophosphate and protamine sulfate of the tissue lipases was reversed, or partially reversed, by heparin, but clearing factor was further inhibited. Extracts of frozen pulverized adipose tissue did not require serum for activity, whereas extracts of acetone powders of heart and adipose tissue showed little activity in the absence of serum. It is suggested that the means of enzyme preparation may modify the lipolytic response.
The effects of the transcendental meditation and tm-sidhi program on the aging process

To evaluate the effects of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) and TM-Sidhi program on the aging process, a standardized test of biological aging, utilizing auditory threshold, near point vision, an...
Binding of alpha-factor pheromone to Saccharomyces cerevisiae a cells: dissociation constant and number of binding sites.

Abstract The number of alpha-factor binding sites on yeast MATa cells (8,000) and the equilibrium dissociation constant (6 X 10(-9) M) were determined from direct binding experiments. These values correct our previously reported estimates (D. D. Jennes, A. C. Burkholder, and L. H. Hartwell, Cell 35:521-529, 1983) that were based on indirect isotope dilution studies, and they lead to a revised rate constant for the association process (kon = 3 X 10(5) mol-1 s-1).
Using isosurface methods for visualizing the envelope of a swept trivariate solid

We present a method for calculating the envelope surface of a parametric solid object swept along a path in three-dimensional space. The boundary surface of the solid is the combination of parametric surfaces and an implicit surface where the Jacobian of the defining function has a rank deficiency condition. Using this condition, we determine a set of square sub-Jacobian determinants that must all vanish simultaneously on the implicit surface. When the generator of the swept surface is a trivariate tensor-product B-spline solid and the path is a B-spline curve, we can give a robust algorithm to determine the implicit surface. This algorithm is based upon the "marching tetrahedra" method, which is adapted to work on 4-simplices. The envelope of the swept solid is given by the union of the parametric and implicit surfaces.
Effect of floating a gel matrix on mucin release in cultured airway epithelial cells

Confluent cultures of primary hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells grown on a thick collagen gel are highly enriched with secretory cells and constitutively release mucins. In the present experiment, we examined the possible effect of mechanical strain of cultured HTSE cells on the release of mucin. The mechanical strain of cells was accomplished by several methods: 1) by floating the gel from the culture dish by rimming; 2) by treatment with EGTA which interrupts intercellular tight junctions; 3) by treatment with collagenase which disrupts the cell-matrix adhesion; and 4) by mechanically flexing the collagen gel matrix. All these conditions caused increases of mucin release without damage on the plasma membrane. We conclude that a number of mechanical strains which might alter cell shape can stimulate mucin release from cultured HTSE cells. Such a mechanism might be operative in the physiological regulation of airway goblet cell mucin secretion where mechanical strains may be induced on epithelial cells by underlying smooth muscles. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparison of the Computerized ACTIVITYGRAM Instrument and the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall for Assessing Physical Activity in Children

Abstract This study compared the validity of children's physical activity recall through a computerized assessment (ACTIVITTYGRAM) and through a popular paper and pencil assessment (Previous Day Physical Activity Recall; PDPAR). A total of 147 sixth-grade children from two schools completed the two recall instruments. Data from both self-report instruments were obtained over the same 3 days, and these data were matched by time with data from a subsample of children who wore an accelerometry-based activity monitor (n = 28). To confirm previous validity research with the PDPAR, a larger sample (n = 128) with matched data on the PDPAR and the accelerometer were also used. Activity levels recorded from all three instruments were computed for three periods (afternoon: 3–6 pm, evening: 6–11 p.m. and afternoon/evening: 3–11 p.m.). Descriptive and correlational analyses were conducted across days and for the separate time periods to evaluate the two self-report instruments. There were no differences in mean activ...
EXACT SOLUTIONS FOR A 4-SPIN-INTERACTION ISING MODEL ON THE d=3 PYROCHLORE LATTICE

The pyrochlore lattice is a three-dimensional (d=3) periodic array of corner-sharing regular tetrahedra. An Ising model is defined upon this lattice as having a 4-spin “volume” interaction among the corner Ising spins of each elementary tetrahedron. The model is solved exactly and shown to be devoid of any finite-temperature phase transition, thereby remaining in a disordered (high-temperature) phase. Exact solutions are found for all multisite correlations which are then used to obtain exact solutions for specific heat, initial and non-linear parallel magnetic susceptibilities as well as initial perpendicular susceptibility, inelastic neutron scattering function, and the joint configurational probabilities of the Ising spins. All solutions are simple algebraic functions of K and tanh K (K being the multispin coupling parameter) and exhibit such behaviors as rounded extrema, crossing points, sigmoidal curves having non-vertical inflection points, and the like. Despite their “analytical quiescence”, most of these simple solutions are evidently the first exact explicit expressions for the selected physical quantities to appear in the literature for classical and quantal d=3 Ising models having multispin “volume” interactions, with the prospect of offering some guidance and insights upon a larger class of multisite-interaction model systems.
Genitoplasty for intersex anomalies

The child born with ambiguous genitalia requires prompt diagnosis, sex assignment and treatment. The incidence of intersex is approximately 1 in 30,000 newborns [7]. These patients are categorized based on the their gonadal presentation into female pseudo-hermaphrodites, male pseudohermaphrodites, true hermaphrodites and mixed gonadal dysgenesis [2, 6] (Table 1). The majority of these cases (60-70%) will be female pseudohermaphrodites secondary to the adrenogenital syndrome (types I-IV) (Table 2). Simply put, these patients suffer from a block in the normal production of cortisone which by negative feedback from the pituitary results in the continued stimulation and overproduction of the by products of steroid metabolism in the adrenal gland. High levels of androgenic steroids leads to various degrees of masculinization in the XX fetus with exclusively ovarian tissue for gonads. Variable degrees of phallic enlargement, fusion of the urethral folds to form a phallic urethra and proximal entry of the vagina into the urogenital sinus are the resulting effects. These babies may look like males with bilateral cryptorchidism and hypospadias. Secondary to an increase in ACTH production, these patients may also have hyperpigmentation of their skin over the external genitalia and nipples. Rarely, abnormal androgen stimulation in the fetus may come from the mother either from exogenous ingestion of androgen hormones or from maternal androgen secreting tumors [2, 6]. Excessive aldosterone production leads to salt wasting which is life threatening if not recognized and treated. Male pseudohermaphrodites encompass a wide group of patients with varying etiologies that may present as intersex patients in the newborn period or during hormonal changes associated with puberty. Together these patients all have exclusively testicular tissue with a 46,XY karyotype. The pathology in this group results from the inability of the testis to synthesis testosterone or the failure of target tissues to respond to circulating testosterone (androgen insensitivity). The decision to raise the child as a male centers around the potential for the phallus to function adequately in later sexual relations. Presently, attempts at phallic reconstruction have been disappointing [34, 35]. Because of this, in questionable cases, the tendency has been to choose a female sexual identity.
Intensities and Structural Setting of the Earthquakes of 19 April and 23 April, 1984 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Two small earthquakes and a series of aftershocks occurred in April–May 1984 in a north-south belt in faulted Cambrian and Ordovician rocks on the projection of a known north-south fault whose mapped portion ends eleven kilometers north of the recent epicenters. The April 23 earthquake was one of the largest which has occurred in Pennsylvania, being felt from Westchester County, New York to Cambria County in western Pennsylvania and south to Washington, D.C. and Sussex County, Delaware with a maximum intensity of Mercalli VI (magnitude = 4.2). The earthquakes were notable for their strong audible component, which may have extended the reported isoseismals beyond where they would normally have been mapped.
Skeletal muscle adaptation to fatty acid depends on coordinated actions of the PPARs and PGC1α : implications for metabolic disease

Dyslipidemia and intramuscular accumulation of fatty acid metabolites are increasingly recognized as core features of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Emerging evidence suggests that normal physiologic...
Anesthesia and the Lone Star State

The field of anesthesiology has changed dramatically from its humble beginnings. Rags of ether and the art of monitoring blood color for oxygenation have been replaced with precise concentrations of inhaled anesthetic and continuous pulse oximetry. It is on the shoulders of our predecessors that we stand today as anesthesiologists. We must constantly evolve to adapt to an ever-changing medical profession. It is this spirit and mind-set that will allow the field of anesthesiology to continue to advance and improve the care of our patients.
The product cycling problem in systems with uncertain production yields

The author addresses a production planning problem for a single machine producing multiple parts, where the yield rate (fraction acceptable) for each part may be uncertain, and the production policy is to cycle through the set of parts. She analyzes a simplified version of the problem that, although still quite complex, becomes solvable as a result of several properties that are demonstrated. The major simplifying assumption is that inventory for each product is zero when its production run begins. A procedure with a fixed-point flavor is developed to determine the cycle duration and the associated production policies (yield loss adjustment factors). An iterative scheme is suggested to incorporate heuristically the impact of the yield adjustment experiments; however, it is found that in most situations, only a single iteration is needed. The resulting plan is viewed as a basis for specifying targets that provide guidelines for controlling the system while considering long-term aggregate tradeoffs. In particular, the model of the planning problem captures both the effect of setup times and, at an aggregate level, the impact of yield uncertainty (not just average yields) on capacity utilization. >
Photonic Technologies for Quantum Information Processing

The last several years have seen tremendous progress toward practical optical quantum information processing, including the development of single- and entangled-photon sources and high-efficiency photon counting detectors, covering a range of wavelengths. We review some of the recent progress in the development of these photonic technologies.
Adult immunodeficiency and rheumatic disease

Several rheumatic illnesses may develop in adults with primary or acquired immunologic defects. Individuals with primary defects in B-cell antibody production, such as common variable immunodeficiency of selective IgA deficiency, and those with defects of complement components, have an increased prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus--like syndromes or other autoimmune diseases. Defects in immunoglobulin production may be complicated by inflammatory or infectious arthritis. Infection with HIV-1 may be associated with diverse rheumatic conditions, including diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome, myopathies, vasculitides, inflammatory arthritides, and infectious musculoskeletal complications. An approach to these disorders that takes into consideration the underlying mechanism of disease is presented. Appropriate strategies aimed at treatment of the underlying immunodeficiency may improve the clinical course of the associated rheumatic disorder.
Assessment of Clinical Skills Using Simulator Technologies

Simulation technologies are used to assess and teach competencies through the provision of reproducible stimuli. They have exceptional utility in assessing responses to clinical stimuli that occur sporadically or infrequently. In this article, the authors describe the utility of emerging simulation technologies, and discuss critical issues in simulator-based skills assessment and appropriate results analysis. Based on literature search and expert consensus, the authors discuss three simulation technologies: standardized patients and the objective structured clinical examination; the integrated high fidelity mannequin; virtual clinical stations and the objective structured virtual examination. The authors explore the current state of these technologies: uses, cost, limitations, and likely future applications. For instance, tele-standardized patients may test learners’ communication/management approach to challenges during tele-consultation, such as a suicidal patient several hundred miles away. Integrated mannequins may test leadership skills during psychiatric emergencies. Case-based interactive virtual clinical assessment tools may test learners’ decision-making skills or self-reflection. However, these exciting tools must be implemented systematically. Specifically, educators must define the competencies of interest precisely. Appropriate data analysis will generate dependable results, ascribing the correct proportion of outcome variability to individual learner behavior. Careful analysis and utilization of results will allow justification of the costs to major stakeholders. Simulation technologies offer exciting possibilities for skills evaluation and clinical practice improvement. When used creatively and appropriately, they form a useful adjunct in the armament of educators addressing the question, “Is this physician competent?”
Biochemical changes in rat kidney on exposure to elemental mercury vapor: effect on biosynthesis of metallothionein.

Abstract Evidence is presented that exposure of rats to elemental mercury vapor results in increased amounts of a metallothionein-like protein in kidney tissue but not in liver. After three or more daily exposures, each of 2 h duration, to elemental mercury vapor, more than 50% of the mercury in kidney tissue is bound to a protein having a molecular weight (mol. wt.) of about 10 000 as determined by Sephadex G-75 gel filtration chromatography. Cystine is incorporated into a 10 000 mol. wt. protein fraction from kidneys of rats which were injected with [U-14C]cystine after five daily 2-h exposures to mercury vapor. In contrast, no significant incorporation of [U-14C] cystine into this protein fraction was observed in kidneys of control rats or in livers of both control and mercury vapor-exposed rats. The in vivo incorporation of109Cd into the fraction followed the same pattern as that of [14C] cystine in rats injected with tracer doses of CdCl2 labeled with radioactive109Cd isotope. This 10 000 mol. wt. protein, newly synthesized in response to repeated exposures to mercury vapor, exhibited identical properties to metallothionein, namely in its subcellular localization, molecular weight, heat stability and isoelectric points. A significant incorporation of [U-14C]-cystine into this protein in rat kidney alone on exposure to mercury vapor confirms its induced biosynthesis in the kidney.
Association between helmets and facial injury after a motorcycle collision: An analysis of more than 40 000 patients from the National Trauma Data Bank

Motorcycle collisions are increasing at a precipitous rate, and reliable and valid data regarding all aspects of helmet safety are needed to better inform ongoing debates on mandatory helmet laws. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of motorcycle helmets on the likelihood of a facial injury after motorcycle collisions, using data from the National Trauma Data Bank, version 7.0, on 46 362 patients from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2006. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the independent association between helmets and facial injury with adjustment for potential confounders. Helmeted motorcyclists were less likely to suffer facial injuries after a motorcycle collision, with a lower adjusted odds ratio of facial injury (0.40; 95% CI, 0.37-0.43) and a lower prevalence of specific types of facial injury compared with their nonhelmeted counterparts.
VALUE ORIENTATIONS AND DELINQUENCY INVOLVEMENT

Current theories of juvenile delinquency have produced a bifurcation of explanations based on supposed class-linked differences among adolescents of various socioeconomic strata. The present study challenges many of the assumptions upon which current delinquency theory/research is based and suggests that future examinations of delinquency involvement be focused on the similarities in value orientations of delinquent adolescents across socioeconomic strata. Specifically, self-report data obtained from a representative sample of 412 male high school students in a mid-western SMSA indicate that (1) subscription to “conventional value orientations” inhibits involvement in delinquent activities. (2) adherence to “subterranean value orientations” serves to induce involvement in delinquent behavior patterns. and (3) these relationships remain significant when the effects of socioeconomic status and level of perceived legitimate opportunities are held constant.
Laparoscopic Radical Nephroureterectomy With En-Bloc Distal Ureteral and Bladder Cuff Excision Using a Single Position Pneumovesicum Method

We describe a completely laparoscopic approach for en-bloc dissection of the distal ureter and bladder cuff during nephroureterectomy using a pneumovesicum approach and with the need for intraoperative patient repositioning. This technique is efficient, technically feasible and adheres to the oncologic principles of radical nephroureterectomy.
Redox effects on resin extraction of herbicides from soil.

Relative soil aeration affects the surfaces upon which pesticides adsorb and non-ionic resins offer a means of observing and evaluating this factor. A non-ionic resin extractor, developed for pesticide extraction under reducing conditions, was used to adsorb a fraction of the reversibly adsorbed (active portion) herbicides. The extractor consists of cleaned XAD-2 resin encased in a dialysis membrane composed of regenerated cellulose. Anaerobiosis was achieved by incubating soil suspensions with glucose under a 95% N2 –5% H2 environment until the redox potential reached −150 mV. Nine soils with a range of physical and chemical characteristics were examined for atrazine, metribuzin, and alachlor content. Amounts of atrazine, metribuzin, and alachlor extracted from soil ranged to 100, 140, and 75 ng g −1 , respectively. Resin extractions (RE) conducted under aerobic conditions recovered about 25–50% of the pesticide extractable with conventional solid phase solvent extraction at 60 °C (SPE60). Under anaerobic conditions, equal amounts of atrazine were extracted with RE and SPE60. Slightly less metribuzin was recovered under anaerobic extraction with the exception of those soils lacking detectable amounts by SPE60. Larger amounts of alachlor were extracted with resins under anaerobic conditions than under aerobic conditions but the amounts were not correlated with those determined by SPE60. Large amounts of soil organic matter were solublized under anaerobiosis and smaller molecular weight material was extracted with the herbicides. The nature and amounts of co-extracted organic matter varied among soils. RE directly from soil suspensions enabled simultaneous determination of all three herbicides. © 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
Analysis of Options in Double-Gate MOS Technology: A Circuit Perspective

Double-gate MOS (DGMOS) technologies are emerging as possible substitutes for single-gate planar bulk devices in the near future. This paper defines and presents different DGMOS device-and circuit-design possibilities. It studies Schmitt triggers to eloquently analyze the interplay between noise immunity, circuit speed, and power dissipation as a function of device-level parameters. The asymmetric DGMOS devices and independent-gate technology can provide high noise immunity and dynamic power reduction at increased gate-delay, leakage-power, and process-sensitivity penalties. Furthermore, connected-gate DGMOS circuits work best with symmetric devices.
Cooperative Writing Direct Effects and Transfer

This study compared the performance of students who cooperated on an instruction writing task with students who worked alone. The effects of transfer from a cooperative experience to an individual ...
Decisions to update comparative drug effectiveness reviews vary based on type of new evidence.

Abstract Objective To determine the time to and key factors associated with decision to update comparative effectiveness of reviews of drugs based on periodic scans of new evidence. Study Design and Setting Based on periodic scans of new evidence, we analyzed 69 decisions on whether to update for 41 comparative effectiveness reviews conducted for the Drug Effectiveness Review Project. We used the Kaplan–Meier product limit method to estimate mean time to update and generalized estimating equation logistic regression to estimate associations between updating decisions and review topic or characteristics of new evidence. Results Mean time to update was 24.9 months. Significant predictors of a decision to update were identification of a new drug (odds ratio [OR]: 5.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.68–19.44) and the number of new relevant trials (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03–1.10). Compared with nonpsychiatric topics, psychiatric topics were most rapidly developing (mean new relevant citations: 38.4 vs. 8.2; P = 0.0127) and were updated at a faster pace (mean survival time: 10.2 vs. 27.5 months; P Conclusion Using periodic scans of new evidence, updating should be considered yearly for rapidly developing topics and biannually for other topics.
Aerosol generation by spark discharge

An aerosol generator producing particles of any desired mobility, equivalent radius, and conducting material has been developed. Particles are formed by electrode atomization in a spark discharge. A high yield of charged particles enables generation of high concentration (> 10’ cmm3) monodisperse aerosols using electrostatic classification. In order to obtain nonagglomerated particles, the aerosol can be turbulently diluted at the region of particle formation by gas injection through a nozzle. Charged Au particles in the atomic cluster size range (1.3 nm) have been produced in a concentration of 3 x 10’ cmm3.
Long‐term variability in Saharan dust transport and its link to North Atlantic sea surface temperature

[1] An understanding of the atmospheric distribution of Saharan dust is crucial for understanding many Earth-system processes. We demonstrate here a model simulation indicating that the August-September dust amount in the Tropical Atlantic is linked to the basin-wide North Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST). The increasing SSTs from 1979 to 2005 are associated with a strengthening cyclonic anomaly at 700 hPa in the tropical East Atlantic, reducing Saharan dust outflow into the Tropical Atlantic at latitudes between 10°–20°N. A decreasing dust amount over the same region is also observed by the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer. Given the previously observed anti-correlation between dust and tropical cyclone (TC) activity, the long-term variation of North Atlantic SST can then directly influence TC activity by changing a TC's maximum potential intensity and indirectly by modulating the transport of the dust-laden Saharan Air Layer.
A generalized parametric PR-QMF design technique based on Bernstein polynomial approximation

A generalized, parametric, perfect-reconstruction quadrature-mirror-filter (PR-QMF) design technique based on Bernstein polynomial approximation in the magnitude-square domain is presented. The parametric nature of this solution provides useful insights to the PR-QMF problem. Several well-known orthonormal wavelet filters, PR-QMFs, are shown to be the special cases of the proposed technique. Energy compaction performances of a few popular signal decomposition techniques are presented for AR(1) signal sources. It is observed that the hierarchical QMF filter banks considered outperform the block transforms as expected. >
Scintillation alpha counting of rocks and minerals

Scintillation counters have been developed which have advantages over parallel-plate ionization chambers for the low-level alpha counting of rocks and minerals. The design, construction, and calibration of the counters is described. Two types of counters have been studied. In one type a lucite cone is used to gather light flashes from a much larger surface area of sample than is possible with a photomultiplier tube alone. However, the gain in count rate is overbalanced by decreased pulse height, loss of plateau, and additional correction factors. In the second type of counter no cone is used, but the sample area is essentially infinite with respect to the sensitive area of the photomultiplier tube. In this situation a count rate is obtained which is 119 pct of that of the theoretical count of a thin source. Under these conditions the background can be reduced to 0.35 counts per cm2 per hour. Experiments to define the source of the background of the counters are described.
Dissecting seipin function: the localized accumulation of phosphatidic acid at ER/LD junctions in the absence of seipin is suppressed by Sei1p ΔNterm only in combination with Ldb16p

Seipin is required for the correct assembly of cytoplasmic lipid droplets. In the absence of the yeast seipin homolog Sei1p (formerly Fld1p), droplets are slow to bud from the endoplasmic reticulum, lack the normal component of proteins on their surface, are highly heterogeneous in size and shape, often bud into the nucleus, and promote local proliferation of the endoplasmic reticulum in which they become tangled. But the mechanism by which seipin catalyzes lipid droplet formation is still uncertain. Seipin prevents a localized accumulation of phosphatidic acid (PA puncta) at ER-droplet junctions. PA puncta were detected with three different probes: Opi1p, Spo20p(51–91) and Pah1p. A system of droplet induction was used to show that PA puncta were not present until droplets were formed; the puncta appeared regardless of whether droplets consisted of triacylglycerol or steryl ester. Deletion strains were used to demonstrate that a single phosphatidic acid-producing enzyme is not responsible for the generation of the puncta, and the puncta remain resistant to overexpression of enzymes that metabolize phosphatidic acid, suggesting that this lipid is trapped in a latent compartment. Suppression of PA puncta requires the first 14 amino acids of Sei1p (Nterm), a domain that is also important for initiation of droplet assembly. Consistent with recent evidence that Ldb16p and Sei1p form a functional unit, the PA puncta phenotype in the ldb16Δ sei1Δ strain was rescued by human seipin. Moreover, PA puncta in the sei1Δ strain expressing Sei1pΔNterm was suppressed by overexpression of Ldb16p, suggesting a functional interaction of Nterm with this protein. Overexpression of both Sei1p and Ldb16p, but not Sei1p alone, is sufficient to cause a large increase in droplet number. However, Ldb16p alone increases triacylglycerol accumulation in the ldb16Δ sei1Δ background. We hypothesize that seipin prevents formation of membranes with extreme curvature at endoplasmic reticulum/droplet junctions that would attract phosphatidic acid. While Ldb16p alone can affect triacylglycerol accumulation, proper droplet formation requires the collaboration of Sei1p and Ldb16.
Fever: applying research to bedside practice

Fever occurs frequently in critically ill patients and requires knowledgeable assessment and treatment by critical care nurses. Fever can result from infection or inflammation and should be differentiated from simple hyperthermia. Although temperature measurement and fever management are not often priorities in the management of a critically ill patient, the physiologic consequences of fever may affect patient morbidity. This article defines and describes fever and its pathophysiology. An evidence-based plan of care for the assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of the patient with fever is outlined, using levels of recommendation based on the strength of the available evidence. A case study is presented to illustrate application to clinical practice. Commentary about the case is provided to review the salient points of care.
PREHISTORIC MARINE MAMMAL HUNTING ON CALIFORNIA'S NORTHERN CHANNEL ISLANDS

Prehistoric marine mammal hunting is of interest to archaeologists worldwide because these animals were exploited by a wide range of coastal societies. Sorting out the roles of particular groups of fauna in prehistoric economies requires detailed attention to the analysis of the entire faunal assemblage. Although marine mammals typically provided large quantities of fat and protein and were desirable prey, they were not always central to the diets of the groups that exploited them, particularly in temperate zones. To evaluate effectively the importance of marine mammal exploitation, scholars should calculate the relative contribution of these animals to the economy, identify changes in hunting techniques, determine the relationship between fauna and other aspects of society, assess changing environmental conditions, and consider alternate explanations for those relationships. A large body of research on the northern Channel Islands of California demonstrates that fishing was relatively more important than marine mammal exploitation in subsistence and in stimulating sociopolitical and technological developments. Recent attempts to credit marine mammal hunting as a driving force in the invention of the plank canoe and the evolution of a chiefdom in the Santa Barbara Channel area misunderstand environmental factors and site histories in this region. Rather than assuming that a pan-Pacific Coast set of traditions existed to exploit these taxa, we see evidence of local and regional differences rooted in variable cultural settings, physiographic and oceanographic conditions, and available technologies. Data from the Santa Barbara Channel are used to explore the relationships among marine mammal use, sociological change, and environmental change.
32 SARCOIDOSIS PRESENTING AS ACUTE RENAL FAILURE DUE TO ISOLATED GRANULOMATOUS INFILTRATION OF THE RENAL PARENCHYMA

Purpose Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease characterized by noncaseating granulomatous reaction frequently involving the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, skin and eyes. Acute renal failure (ARF) as an isolated manifestation of sarcoidosis is rare. We describe a case of sarcoidosis presenting as transient polyarthritis and ARF due to isolated granulomatous infiltration. Case Report 57 year old white male was admitted with one week history of additive polyarthritis and ARF in August 2004. Twenty two years prior to admission he had an intestinal bypass surgery for morbid obesity. Fifteen years prior to admission he had symptomatic cholelithiasis requiring cholecystectomy and recurrent calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis requiring lithotripsy. Physical examination was notable for synovitis in elbows, metacarpophalangeal joints and bilateral knee effusions. Synovial fluid analysis revealed white blood cells 3,675/mm3. Serum creatinine was 3.5 mg/dL elevated from a baseline of 1.0 g/dL in April 2003. Other laboratory findings included serum calcium 9.0 mg/dL; 24-hour urine protein and calcium were 1.4 gram and 81 mg respectively; non-anion gap metabolic acidosis; liver function tests, serum complements, serum and urine electrophoresis and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were normal; hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C, antinuclear and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were absent. Angiotensin-converting enzyme level was 88 U/L (normal, 8-52 U/L). Chest x-ray and renal ultrasound were normal. His arthritic symptoms resolved spontaneously within a few days. Renal biopsy showed granulomatous interstitial nephritis with noncaseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis. Bacterial, fungal and mycobacterial infections were excluded. Prednisone 60 mg daily resulted in significant improvement in renal function in one month. Discussion and Conclusion Clinically apparent primary renal involvement is rare in sarcoidosis. Renal dysfunction is most often due to hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, nephrolithiasis, nephrocalcinosis, glomerulonephritis or interstitial nephritis without sarcoid granulomata. Renal granulomas seen in up to 40% cases of multisystem disease (in autoptic or bioptic circumstances) seldom cause renal impairment. We report a rare case of sarcoidosis presenting as transient polyarthritis and ARF due to isolated granulomatous renal parenchymal infiltration. While uncommon, renal sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ARF of uncertain origin. Full recovery of renal function may be expected with early diagnosis and prolonged treatment with steroids which may prevent interstitial fibrosis.
A laboratory study on the hypotension efficacy of Evodia rutaecarpa extract on the white rats hypertension models

Objective To evaluate the hypotension efficacy of Evodia rutaecarpa extract on the rats hypertension models. Methods 20 female white rats were given testosterone propionate, hypodermic injection, for achieving murine hypertension models. Then 10 model rats (the laboratory group) received Evodia rutaecarpa 2g/kg, intravenous injection in tail, respectively; and another 10 model rats received sodium nitroprusside (the control group) 0.002g/kg, intravenous injection in tail, respectively. At 5, 10 and 15 minutes after giving the medicine, the blood pressure were recorded and compared to those before giving medicine. Results At 5, 10, and 15 minutes after giving the medicine, both the blood pressure decreased in different degree in the laboratory group and the control group; there was statistically significant difference in comparison between before and after giving medicine (all P0.01). But the hypotension are more effective in the laboratory group than those in the control group (P0.01 or 0.05). Conclusion Evodia rutaecarpa has effective hypotension in rats with hypertension caused by testosterone propionate.
The epidemiological characteristic of HIV/AIDS among the elderly in Wenzhou City,1988-2013

Objective To describe the epidemiological characteristics of HIV /AIDS among the elderly who aged 50 years and older in Wenzhou city,Zhejiang,1988- 2013. Methods The information of HIV / AIDS epidemic was obtained from the surveillance system,and The distribution,transmission route and detection way of the cases were analyzed. Results A total of 446 HIV / AIDS cases were reported during the period of 1988- 2013,accounted for 20. 46% among the accumulative reported HIV / AIDS cases. Up to 90. 35% of the cases were local people. The ratio of male to female was 4. 01∶ 1. The age mean of the cases was 62. 5 ± 9. 4 years. The farmers were accounted for 51. 79% and the cases that had primary school education level or illiterate were accounted for 65. 92%. Heterosexual contact was the major transmission route,accounting for 85. 65%. 74. 0% of the elderly cases were detected from medical institutions. Conclusion The reported HIV / AIDS cases of the elderly increased significantly in Wenzhou. Sexual transmission was the major route. It is necessary to take measures to improve the awareness of AIDS prevention and control among the elderly.
Tips for succeeding at pharmacy residency phone interviews.

Several times in recent years, the annual number of pharmacy residency applicants increased faster than the number of available positions, making the task of securing a residency position highly competitive.[1][1] With the increase in pharmacy residency applications, residency programs must decide