cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ADRENAL NEOPLASIA IN SEVEN FERRETS

Medical records from 7 ferrets presented to the VMTH with histologically confirmed adrenal neoplasia were reviewed. Three neutered female ferrets had adrenal cortical adenoma; four ferrets (2 neutered females, 2 neutered males) had adrenal cortical carcinoma. Ultrasound identified unilateral enlargement or abnormal shape of the adrenal gland in all ferrets. Only 1 ferret had adrenomegaly on abdominal radiographs. Adrenomegaly was identified in 1 ferret by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All ferrets were treated by adrenalectomy followed by a tapered dose of prednisone. Surgical complications were limited to fatal hemorrhage from the caudal vena cava in 1 ferret. Remission of clinical signs occurred in all 6 ferrets which survived surgery. The time of follow up varied from 3 to 16 months. The 3 ferrets with adrenal adenomas were still alive 3 to 7 months after surgery. AH 3 ferrets with adrenal carcinoma developed metastasis and were euthanized from 2 to 16 months after surgery.
Axisymmetric stress concentration problems in cosserat elasticity

Das stationare thermoelastische Problem fur den Halbraum, das sich fur einen Warmedipol auf der Begrenzungsebene ergibt, und das Boussinesquesche Problem fur eine konzentrierte Last werden mit Hilfe der Cosseratschen Elastizitatstheorie behandelt. Dabei bleibt die Ordnung der Singularitat in den Verzerrungen und Verschiebungen unverandert. Im Gegensatz zur klassischen Theorie erweist sich hier das thermoelastische Problem nicht als eben. Die Resultate der klassischen Aufgabe und jene des Problems mit Momentenspannungen stellen Grenzfalle dar.
eIF3: A ConnecTOR of S6K1 to the Translation Preinitiation Complex

In the November 18 issue of Cell, Holz et al. (2005) discover an unidentified function for the eIF3 translation initiation factor as a scaffold for the dynamic associations of many preinitiation complex components, including the growth-regulating kinases mTOR and S6K1.
Phylogenetic systematics of the tribe Millettieae (Leguminosae) based on chloroplast trnK/matK sequences and its implications for evolutionary patterns in Papilionoideae.

Phylogenetic relationships in the tribe Millettieae and allies in the subfamily Papilionoideae (Leguminosae) were reconstructed from chloroplast trnK/matK sequences. Sixty-two accessions representing 57 traditionally recognized genera of Papilionoideae were sampled, including 27 samples from Millettieae. Phylogenies were constructed using maximum parsimony and are well resolved and supported by high bootstrap values. A well-supported ‘‘core Millettieae’’ clade is recognized, comprising the four large genera Millettia, Lonchocarpus, Derris,and Tephrosia. Several other small genera of Millettieae are not in the core Millettieae clade. Platycyamus is grouped with Phaseoleae (in part). Ostryocarpus, Austrosteenisia,and Dalbergiella are neither in the core Millettieae or Phaseoleae clade. These taxa, along with core Millettieae and Phaseoleae, form a monophyletic sister group to Indigofereae. Cyclolobium and Poecilanthe are close to Brongniartieae. Callerya and Wisteria belong to a large clade that includes all the legumes that lack the inverted repeat in their chloroplast genome, which confirms previousrbcL and phytochrome gene family phylogenies. The evolutionary history of four characters was examined in Millettieae and allies: the presence of canavanine, inflorescence types, the dehiscence of pods, and the presence of winged pods. trnK/matK sequence analysis suggests that the presence of a pseudoraceme or pseudopanicle and the accumulation of nonprotein amino acids are phylogenetically informative for Millettieae and allies with only a few exceptions.
Focus Issue: Noncoding RNAs in cancer

Through various means, noncoding RNAs regulate the expression of genes, many of which are associated with cellular homeostasis. Noncoding RNAs--especially microRNAs--are critical regulators of the mechanisms underlying numerous processes in cell biology, particularly those involved in the development and progression of cancer. This special issue of Science Signaling sheds light on the physiological and pathophysiological functions of this distinct class of molecules.
Natural history of the E1‐like superfamily: Implication for adenylation, sulfur transfer, and ubiquitin conjugation

The E1-like superfamily is central to ubiquitin (Ub) conjugation, biosynthesis of cysteine, thiamine and MoCo and several secondary metabolites. Yet, its functional diversity and evolutionary history is not well-understood. We develop a natural classification of this superfamily and use it to decipher the major adaptive trends occurring in the evolution of the E1-like superfamily. Within the Rossmann fold, E1-like proteins are closest to NAD(P)/FAD-dependent dehydrogenases and S-AdoMet-dependent methyltransferases. Hence, their phosphotransfer activity is an independent catalytic “invention” with respect to such activities seen in other Rossmannoid folds. Sequence and structure analysis reveals a striking diversity of residues and structures involved in adenylation, sulfotransfer and substrate-binding between different E1-like families, allowing us to predict previously uncharacterized functional adaptations. E1-like proteins are fused to several previously undetected domains, such as a predicted sulfur transfer domain containing a novel superfamily of the TATA-binding protein fold, different types of catalytic domains, a novel winged helix-turn-helix domain and potential adaptor domains related to Ub conjugation. Based on these fusions we develop a generalized model for the linking of E1 catalyzed adenylation/thiolation with further down-stream reactions. This is likely to involve a dynamic interplay between the E1 active sites and diverse fused C-terminal domains. We also predict participation of E1-like domains in previously uncharacterized bacterial secondary metabolism pathways, new cysteine biosynthesis systems, such as those associated with archaeal O-phosphoseryl tRNA, metal-sulfur cluster assembly (e.g. in nitrogen fixation) and Ub-conjugation. Evolutionary reconstructions suggest that the last universal common ancestor (LUCA) contained a single E1-like domain possessing both phosphotransfer and thiolating activities and participating in multiple sulfotransfer reactions. The E1-like superfamily subsequently expanded to include 26 families clustering into three major radiations. These are broadly involved in ubiquitin activation, cofactor and cysteine biosynthesis, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. In light of this we present evidence that in eukaryotes other E1-like enzymes, such as Urm1, were independently recruited for Ubl conjugation, probably functioning without conventional E2-like enzymes.
The impact of surface albedo on the retrievals of low‐level stratus cloud properties: An updated parameterization

An updated version of Dong et al. (1998, hereafter D98) parameterization is developed from a total of 40 hours of data with a broad range of surface albedos (0.1-0.8) during the 2000-2002 winter seasons at the DOE ARM SGP site. The updated parameterization includes the impact of surface albedo on the retrievals of stratus cloud microphysical and radiative properties, and has a significant improvement over D98 when surface albedo is high. Comparing the retrievals, the cloud-droplet effective radii (r(sub e)) calculated from the updated parameterization have a higher correlation coefficient (0.733) and lower Root-Mean-Square (RMS) error (1.74 m or 17.4%) than those (0.602, 4.0 m or 40%) from the D98. The cloud albedos also have a much higher correlation coefficient (0.983) and lower RMS (3%) than those 0.465, 26%) from the D98. The upper limit of surface albedo is 0.3 in applying the D98.
Methyl bromide alternatives in tobacco, tomato and pepper transplant production.

Abstract Metam-sodium, chloropicrin, 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D), 1,3-dichloropropene plus 17% chloropicrin (1,3-D+C-17) and 1,3-dichloropropene plus 35% chloropicrin (1,3-D+C-35) were evaluated alone and together under a polyethylene cover as alternatives for methyl bromide in tobacco, tomato and pepper transplant production over a two-year period. Eleven different weed species, 10 genera or species of fungi, two arthropods and four species of nematodes were evaluated in three different sites. All of the fumigant candidates were successful in controlling some of the pests. However, metam-sodium alone and in combination with 1,3-D+C-17, chloropicrin, and 1,3-D+C-35 were the most efficacious. Seventy-nine different parameters were measured over the two-year period including plant stands, vigour, plant heights and control of weeds, fungi, arthropods and nematodes. Metam-sodium and methyl bromide plus 2% chloropicrin (MeBrC) were not significantly different ( P =0.05) from each other in 76 of the 79 parameters evaluated; MeBrC was significantly better than metam-sodium for three of the 79 parameters. The combination of metam-sodium plus 1,3-D+C-17 was not significantly different from MeBrC for 74 of the 79 parameters tested. MeBrC was more efficacious than metam-sodium plus 1,3-D+C-17, for two of the 79 parameters, and metam-sodium plus 1,3-D+C-17 was significantly better than MeBrC for three of 79 parameters.
Preoperative preparation of patients with advanced liver disease.

ObjectiveTo review the characteristic features of patients with advanced liver disease that may lead to increased perioperative morbidity and mortality rates.DesignLiterature review.ResultsPatients with end-stage liver disease are at high risk of major complications and death following surgery. The
Walt Whitman and the King of Bohemia: The Poet in the Saturday Press

Examines the "poems, parodies, homages, reviews, and essays concerning Whitman that were either first published or reprinted in the Saturday Press," totaling "no fewer than 46 items--excluding advertisements," and proposes that these pieces "serve as a record of how the reading public responded to Whitman's controversial poems as he transitioned visibly into the role of vocational poet" and reveal how Henry Clapp, the publisher of the Press, molded Whitman "into a factional poet of the North"; concludes by looking at the two Whitman items Clapp published in his second, postwar, run of the Saturday Press.
Effects of forest clearcutting in New England on stream macroinvertebrates and periphyton

Clearcutting may alter stream biota by changing light, temperature, nutrients, sediment particle size, or food in the stream. We sampled macroinvertebrates during late summer of 1979 in first and second order headwater streams draining both two- and three-year-old clearcuts and nearby uncut reference areas in northern New England, USA. Periphyton were sampled throughout the summer by placing microscope slides in these streams for 13–37 days. Periphyton cell densities on these slides following incubation were about six times higher in cutover than in reference streams. Green algae (Chlorophyceae) accounted for a higher proportion of total cell numbers in cutover than in reference streams, whereas diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) dominated the reference streams. The macroinvertebrate density in cutover streams was 2–4 times greater than that in the reference streams, but the number of taxa collected was similar in both cutover and reference streams. Higher numbers of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) and/or true flies (Diptera) in the cutover streams accounted for the differences. Because nutrient concentrations in the cutover streams were nearly the same as those in the reference streams, these differences in macroinvertebrate and periphyton densities were apparently caused by higher light levels and temperature in the streams in the clearcuts. Leaving buffer strips along streams will reduce changes in stream biology associated with clearcutting.
Overview: molecular changes associated with large bowel cancer and their potential as markers and chemotherapeutic agents.

The search for molecular changes that may be diagnostic of malignancy in the colonic epithelium is complicated by the diversity of cell types and complex cell kinetics of a tissue in which most of the cells are destined to leave within hours or days. Methods for cell separation and nuclear fractionation now permit biochemical studies of those cells that retain or regain the capacity for DNA synthesis and that are likely to include the transformed cell population. Among the changes associated with malignant transformation to be described are alterations in nuclear protein composition and metabolism, qualitative and quantitative differences in adenosine deaminase activities, activation of the guanylate/cyclic GMP system, and modification of both DNA and chromosomal proteins by alkylating carcinogens. DNA modification to produce O6-methyl-guanine correlates well with the incidence of tumor induction by methyl-azoxymethanol. Modifications of chromosomal proteins to produce methylated derivatives of lysine and arginine have been observed after the administration of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine. Such changes are likely to lead to aberrant interactions between DNA and regulatory elements in chromatin, and may not be subject to repair.
Chemical Composition of Tektites

IN a recent communication1, Prof. H. Urey makes the following statement : “Tektites have chemical compositions remarkably similar to those of the more acid sedimentary rocks. This is true for the major and minor constituents. (I have been privileged to see analyses as yet unpublished on these minor constituents.) Such a chemical composition is not produced by any other naturally occurring chemical processes that we know of, except perhaps in very rare and special circumstances”. Similar statements have appeared in other papers dealing with tektites, and give the impression that their compositions can be explained only by the fusion of sedimentary rocks.
Phylogenetic relationships of the Santalales and relatives.

Determining relationships among parasitic angiosperms has often been difficult owing to frequent morphological reductions in floral and vegetative features. We report 18S (small-subunit) rRNA sequences for representative genera of three families within the Santalales (Olacaceae, Santalaceae, and Viscaceae) and six outgroup dicot families (Celastraceae, Cornaceae, Nyssaceae, Buxaceae, Apiaceae, and Araliaceae). Using Wagner parsimony analysis, one most parsimonius tree resulted that shows the Santalales to be a holophyletic taxon most closely related toEuronymus (Celastraceae). The santalalean taxa showed approximately 13% more transitional mutations than the group of seven other dicot species. This suggests a higher fixation rate for mutations in these organisms, possibly owing to a relaxation of selection pressures at the molecular level in parasitic vs nonparasitic plants. Outgroup relationships are generally in accord with current taxonomic classifications, such as the grouping of Nyssaceae and Cornaceae together (Cornales) and the grouping of Araliaceae with Apiaceae (Apiales). These data provide the first nucleotide sequences for any parasitic flowering plant and support the contention that rRNA sequence analysis can result in robust phylogenetic comparisons at the family level and above.
Development of gap junctions in normal and mutant ovaries of Drosophila melanogaster

An ovarian follicle of Drosophila consists of an oocyte, 15 nurse cells, and hundreds of follicular epithelial cells. A freeze-fracture analysis of the surfaces between glutaraldehyde-fixed ovarian cells showed that all three cell types were interconnected by gap junctions. This is the first report of gap junctions between adjacent nurse cells, between nurse cells and oocytes, and between follicle cells and oocytes in Drosophila. Since we did not observe intramembranous particle clumping into crystalline patterns and since structurally different gap junctions occurred at different times in development and at different cell-cell interfaces, it is unlikely that fixation artifacts influenced particle distribution in our experiments. A computer-assisted morphometric analysis showed that the extent, size, and morphology of gap junctions varied with development and that these junctions can cover up to 9% of the cell surfaces. To test the role of gap junctions in follicular maturation, we studied ovaries from flies homozygous for the female sterile mutation fs(2)A17, in which follicles develop normally until yolk deposition commences. During the development of mutant follicles, gap junctions became abnormal before any other morphological aspect of the follicle. These studies show that gap junctions are available to play an important role in coordinating intercellular activities between all three cell types in ovarian follicles of Drosophila.
The conformation of the d(ACCCGGGT) duplex in aqueous solution.

Abstract The nonexchangeable base and sugar protons of the octanucleotide d(ACCCGGGT)2 have been assigned using two dimensional homonuclear Hartmann-Hahn relayed spectroscopy (HOHAHA), double quantum filtered homonuclear correlation spectroscopy (DQFCOSY) and nuclear Overhauser spectroscopy (NOESY) in D2O at 12°C. The observed NOE's between the base protons and their own H2′ protons and between the base protons and the H2′ protons of the 5′adjacent nucleotide and the observed coupling constants between the deoxyribose 1′ and 2′,2″ protons indicate that this duplex assumes a right-handed B-type helix conformation in solution.
Risk factors for human infection with West Nile Virus in Connecticut: a multi-year analysis

Background The optimal method for early prediction of human West Nile virus (WNV) infection risk remains controversial. We analyzed the predictive utility of risk factor data for human WNV over a six-year period in Connecticut.
Modeling the Coupled Strain and Magnetization Response of Magnetic Shape Memory Alloys under Magnetomechanical Loading

This article is concerned with the modeling of the magnetic shape memory alloy (MSMA) constitutive response caused by the reorientation of martensitic variants under mechanical and magnetic fields. The presented model is able to better capture the complexity of the magnetomechanical MSMA behavior by accounting not only for the mechanism of field-induced variant reorientation, but also the magnetization rotation away from magnetic easy axes and the magnetic domain wall motion at low stress and magnetic field levels. Following the general formulation of the model, reduced versions of the constitutive equations are derived for three specific loading cases: (1) magnetic-field-induced variant reorientation at constant stress; (2) stress-induced variant reorientation at constant magnetic field; (3) variant reorientation under collinear magnetic field and stress with perpendicular bias field. For each of these cases the nonlinear and hysteretic strain and magnetization response of MSMAs are predicted and compare...
Comparison of intraabdominal pressures using the gastroscope and laparoscope for transgastric surgery.

The peroral transgastric endoscopic approach for intraabdominal procedures appears to be feasible, although multiple aspects of this approach remain unclear. This study aimed to measure intraperitoneal pressure in a porcine model during the peroral transgastric endoscopic approach, comparing an endoscopic on-demand insufflator/light source with a standard autoregulated laparoscopic insufflator. All experiments were performed with 50-kg female pigs under general anesthesia. A standard upper endoscope was advanced perorally through a gastric wall incision into the peritoneal cavity. The peritoneal cavity was insufflated with operating room air from an endoscopic light source/insufflator. Intraperitoneal pressure was measured by three routes: (1) through the endoscope biopsy channel, (2) through a 5-mm transabdominal laparoscopic port, and (3) through a 16-gauge Veress needle inserted into the peritoneal cavity through the anterior abdominal wall. The source of insufflation alternated between on-demand manual insufflation through the endoscopic light source/insufflator using room air and a standard autoregulated laparoscopic insufflator using carbon dioxide (CO2). Six acute experiments were performed. Intraperitoneal pressure measurements showed good correlation regardless of measurement route and were independent of the type of insufflation gas, whether room air or CO2. On-demand insufflation with the endoscopic light source/insufflator resulted in a wide variation in pressures (range, 4–32 mmHg; mean, 16.0 ± 11.7). Intraabdominal pressures using a standard autoregulated laparoscopic insufflator demonstrated minimal fluctuation (range, 8–15 mmHg; mean, 11.0 ± 2.2 mmHg) around a predetermined value. Use of an on-demand unregulated endoscopic light source/insufflator for translumenal surgery can cause large variation in intraperitoneal pressures and intraabdominal hypertension, leading to the risk of hemodynamic and respiratory compromise. Safety may favor well-controlled intraabdominal pressures achieved with a standard autoregulated laparoscopic insufflator.
An Interview with Heather Joseph

Heather Joseph talks about her career with SPARC and BioOne. She discusses the NIH mandate that NIH-funded research will be deposited into PubMed Central, and she shares her views on some of the controversial issues the mandate has raised about copyright, peer review, and embargo periods. She also addresses the recent decision by the Harvard faculty to make their scholarly output accessible through the university’s institutional repository, and she suggests ways that librarians can help their faculties prepare for open access.
Optical spectroscopy of known and suspected Herbig-Haro objects

Optical spectra of a number of suspected Herbig-Haro objects are presented. From these, the nature of these nebulosities are determined. Several of the nebulae are of very high density, perhaps due to their extreme youth. Extinctions measured toward DG Tau HH and the L1551 IRS 5 optical jet are in each case substantially less than the stellar values. It is suggested that this phenomenon reflects the existence of appreciably thick circumstellar dust disks around these, and two additional, exciting stars. Shock model diagnostics suggest that the emission lines in these Herbig-Haro nebulae arise in modest velocity shocks with sizable preshock densities in several cases. Radial velocities enable lower limits to be placed on the mass loss rates of those stars that have been detected in the radio continuum.
A Gum‐Like Electrolyte: Safety of a Solid, Performance of a Liquid

Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) with fl exibility [ 1,2 ] and safety are increasingly demanded and have become critical for the development of various industry sectors including electronics, electric vehicles, aircraft and biomedical electronics. [ 3 ] An ideal electrolyte for safe and fl exible LIBs should possess the high ionic conductivity of liquid electrolyte levels, good safety and mechancial properties of solid electrolyte materials, conformability/fl exibility and excellent contact/adhesion with electrodes and so on. However, it is a challenge to integrate these properties in one electrolyte and the existing electrolytes are facing various unsolved issues. [ 3,4 ]
Duplicate record elimination in large data files

The issue of duplicate elimination for large data files in which many occurrences of the same record may appear is addressed. A comprehensive cost analysis of the duplicate elimination operation is presented. This analysis is based on a combinatorial model developed for estimating the size of intermediate runs produced by a modified merge-sort procedure. The performance of this modified merge-sort procedure is demonstrated to be significantly superior to the standard duplicate elimination technique of sorting followed by a sequential pass to locate duplicate records. The results can also be used to provide critical input to a query optimizer in a relational database system.
Early Diagnosis and Evolution of Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa

A 5-month-old girl with retinitis pigmentosa was the healthy offspring of a family with progressive autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Serial evaluation by both electroretinograph and ophthalmoscopy over a four-year period confirmed the diagnosis and indicated that as early as 5 months of age, electroretinographic abnormalities were present in the patient. These consisted of a reduction in the dark-adapted b-wave amplitude, prominent X-wave, and no suppression of the second b-wave response to paired light stimuli at 75 msec. Progressive reduction in the scotopic electroretinography amplitude has occurred over the ensuing four years, although light-adapted (cone) function still appears normal. Clinical evidence of retinitis pigmentosa became apparent only late in the patient's third year when fine peripheral pigment clumping and vessel attentuation could be seen.
Inhibition of the estrous cycles of rats by REM sleep deprivation

The effects of REM sleep deprivation were tested on the estrous cycles of groups of 90-and 270-day-old Sprague-Dawley female rats in a design that controlled for stress. REM deprivation was found to have a disruptive effect on the estrous cycle that was independent of age and/or sexual experience.
Pediatric Psychopharmacotherapy: A Review of Recent Research

In the past 5 years, we have witnessed the continuation of important trends in clinical research that began earlier in the decade. With regard to the treatment of specific disorders in children and adolescents, the most significant developments have been the examination of the tricyclics for the treatment of depression and the initiation of controlled studies for the treatment of Tourette syndrome. Unfortunately, the findings from the depression studies have been uniformly negative, and the results of research on both depression and tic disorders show a relatively high rate of placebo responsivity, which raises nagging questions about the role of case reports and open trials. Another important trend in pediatric psychopharmacotherapy is the search for substitutes for the neuroleptics. Potential candidates include agents such as lithium, naltrexone, fenfluramine, clonidine, and carbamazepine. The most underresearched disorders are a combination of the least common (e.g. schizophrenia, mania) and those that are apparently perceived as less serious (e.g. sleep disorders, certain anxiety disorders). Not surprisingly, the most studied disorder and treatment is hyperactivity and stimulant medication, respectively. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the social implications of the associated symptoms and their response to stimulant drugs, aided greatly by the use of direct observation procedures. Researchers are beginning to attend to the implications of comorbidity for assessing response to medication. There has been additional confirmation of efficacy of stimulant treatment for preschoolers and adolescents. Dose-response issues remain to some extent unresolved, the primary impediments being interpretive misconceptions associated with trend analysis, an overreliance on the syndromal perspective and too little attention to target behaviors and their clinical implications, and the failure to operationalize the minimal effective dose with regard to the normalization and supranormalization of target and collateral behaviors. Disagreement over whether hyperactivity is a learning or a behavior disorder (or both) and what academic underproductivity means clinically and socially is also impeding progress. With regard to developmental disorders, controlled studies indicate that fenfluramine and naltrexone are effective for managing associated symptoms in some individuals. However, given the limited amount of research on these agents, their status as clinically useful palliatives must be considered tentative.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Thermal effects on horseradish peroxidase uptake in laser nerve transections.

The authors previously reported that rat tibial nerves transected with CO2 or KTP/532 laser transmit less horseradish peroxidase (HRP) than those transected with a scalpel. This may be due to laser-specific effects or to thermal phenomena that are laser-independent. This study investigated potential thermal effects on the transmission of HRP through the tibial branch of the sciatic nerve in rats. Bilateral nerve transections were performed on 18 animals using a scalpel (control) or an electrocautery device, which simulated the thermal effects produced by lasers. HRP retrograde transport and deposition in the rat spinal cord were analyzed. Thirteen of 15 animals showed a higher number of HRP-labelled neurons on the scalpel side compared to the electrocautery side; a paired student's t test showed a significant difference (P = .028) in the numbers of HRP-stained cell bodies between the control group (x = 687.13 +/- 119.3) and the electrocautery group (x = 388.1 +/- 111.2). In conclusion, reduced HRP uptake in tibial nerves transected with lasers may be in part due to thermal effects produced by the lasers.
Response: Educational self-help approaches in childhood asthma☆

Asthma self-management programs are most effective if they succeed in increasing individual control over the symptoms, thereby reducing the unpredictability and variability of asthma. Before any attempt at self-care as defined by Levin et al. l can be implemented, certain barriers need to be resolved. As workers in this field have come to realize, the intrinsic interand intrasubject variability of the asthmatic syndrome creates certain limitations, demands, and different emphases when developing self-management strategies, as noted in several studies. ‘-I7 Most of the comments that follow apply to moderate-to-severe asthma since mild episodic asthma is rarely a problem. First of all, the limitations deal with the process of seeking the correct diagnosis; this often requires the self-care initiative discussed by Levin et al.’ and is often stifled by the medical care maze some individuals are made to face. One often receives calls from confused parents and patients regarding the diagnosis, the treatment, and which specialist to see-the allergist or the pulmonologist. The diagnosis of asthma remains a problem for many whose disease is misdiagnosed and mismanaged, thus delaying the initiation of appropriate care. lx The next point that may create confusion for the person with asthma is the variety of treatment modalities presently available. lgPzl This, coupled with the individuality of the asthmatic syndrome, adds to the complexity of the situation in the layperson’s view, a situation somewhat similar to the diabetic’s situation.22 Once the correct diagnosis of asthma has been made and the person linked with a competent physician, the appropriate individualized care is initiated and Bandura’s self-efficacy theory23 can be implemented. Special emphases should deal with a disease histor-
Ultra stable clocks for use in space

Abstract A number of experiments in the field of gravitation and relativity have been proposed that require highly stable frequency standards to be operated in space for extended periods. Clocks for such applications must have high frequency stability, small size and weight, low power comsumption, and high reliability. We discuss the characteristics of atomic clocks that are currently available for use in space and that may be available over roughly the next decade.
Procedural Signaling, Party Loyalty, and Traceability in the U.S. House of Representatives

In this article, we take advantage of a new source of data providing updates from the Majority Leader’s Office that signal the leadership’s positions on floor votes. We offer a more nuanced explanation of voting in the U.S. House as our findings suggest that not all procedural votes are created equal. While the most liberal members of the party vote with the leadership on procedural votes at high rates and nearly 100 percent of the time when signaled by the majority leader, moderate members are significantly less likely to support the party and are not responsive to these signals.
Oxidative stress in the cardiorenal metabolic syndrome.

Excess visceral adiposity contributes to inappropriate activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system despite a state of volume expansion and of salt retention that contributes to subclinical elevations of pro-oxidant mechanisms. These adverse effects are mediated by excess generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and diminished antioxidant defense mechanisms. Excess tissue (i.e., skeletal muscle, liver, heart) free oxygen radicals contribute to impairments in the insulin-dependent metabolic signaling pathways that regulate glucose utilization/disposal and systemic insulin sensitivity. The generation of ROS is required for normal cell signaling and physiological responses. It is a loss of redox homeostasis that results in a proinflammatory/profibrotic milieu that promotes impairments in insulin metabolic signaling, reduced endothelial-mediated vasorelaxation, and associated cardiovascular and renal structural and functional abnormalities. These maladaptive processes are increasingly recognized as important in the progression of hypertension in the cardiorenal metabolic phenotype. There is increasing evidence to support a critical role for Ang II signaling through the AT1R and aldosterone actions through the MR in conjunction with an altered redox-mediating impaired endothelial, cardiac and renal function in this metabolic phenotype. There are emerging clinical data that indicate that therapies that target the renin angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) also attenuate oxidative stress, and improve endothelial, cardiac and renal functions, which collectively contribute to reductions in hypertension.
“It has to do with the theater”: Bruce Conner's Ratbastards*

OCTOBER 127, Winter 2009, pp. 109–132. © 2009 October Magazine, Ltd. and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Bruce Conner’s engagement with the medium of assemblage was relatively brief—his first forays date to his arrival in San Francisco in 1957, while his purposefully grandiloquent farewell to the medium, LOOKING GLASS, was completed in 1964—but intensively productive.1 Among the nearly 200 works made over those eight years, a subset, completed within the first few years of the artist’s settling in San Francisco, is of particular interest.2 These were Conner’s first and some of his most forceful assemblages, works that registered the artist’s initial encounter with his new urban surroundings.3 Possessed of a claustrophobic energy and dark sensibility, these idiosyncratic objects are identifiable by their muted tonal range, a product of the grimy, faded character of their constitutive materials—everything from fragments of charred wood and rope, to frayed photographs of pin-ups and femme fatales, to scraps of grubby lace, ribbon, and fabric, to the odd discrete object, such as a bicycle wheel or doll’s head. One might group this subset of works under the loose rubric of “Ratbastards,” as many have titles that include the words “rat” or “ratbastard” (an evocative term Conner
O Programa Brasileiro de genética evolucionária de populações, de Theodosius Dobzhansky

In the 1940s and 50s the Rockefeller Foundation established a program for the development of population genetics at the Universidade de Sao Paulo under the direction of the Russian/North American geneticist Theodosius Dobzhansky. The great success of this program was said to have been the result of the kind of research organization, in teams, that Dobzhansky introduced. An evaluation of this conclusion is analyzed, based on the reminiscence of the Swiss geneticist, Hans Burla, a foreign member of the original Dobzhansky group.
Novel use of the Amplatzer plug for closure of a patent ductus arteriosus

We report the novel use of an Amplatzer vascular plug for closure of a large tubular patent ductus arteriosus in a small child.
Treatment options for the pharmacological therapy of neonatal meningitis.

Neonatal bacterial meningitis has a relatively low incidence in developed countries, but continues to cause morbidity and mortality despite advances in antimicrobial therapy. Bacterial pathogens commonly associated with neonatal meningitis include Group B streptococci, Escherichia coli K1 and other coliforms, Listeria monocytogenes and staphylococci. As it can be difficult to differentiate meningitis from septicaemia in neonates, empirical antibiotic therapy should be effective for both. Selection of an empirical antibiotic regimen should be based on: (a) bacterial prevalence and susceptibility; (b) drug characteristics; (c) postnatal age at the onset of disease; and (d) patient-specific factors. A penicillin in combination with an aminoglycoside or cefotaxime is commonly used in empirical therapies. The increased risk of staphylococcal infection in older neonates requires consideration of an antistaphylococcal antibiotic in the empirical therapy regimen. Once a causative organism has been identified, antimicrobial therapy should be directed towards that pathogen. Duration of therapy remains empirical, but should be at least 7 days for documented bacterial meningitis. Viral meningitis continues to have a high mortality despite the availability of antiviral agents.
Interaction of Escherichia coli MutS and MutL at a DNA mismatch.

MutS and MutL are both required to activate downstream events in DNA mismatch repair. We examined the rate of dissociation of MutS from a mismatch using linear heteroduplex DNAs or heteroduplexes blocked at one or both ends by four-way DNA junctions in the presence and absence of MutL. In the presence of ATP, dissociation of MutS from linear heteroduplexes or heteroduplexes blocked at only one end occurs within 15 s. When both duplex ends are blocked, MutS remains associated with the DNA in complexes with half-lives of 30 min. DNase I footprinting of MutS complexes is consistent with migration of MutS throughout the DNA duplex region. When MutL is present, it associates with MutS and prevents ATP-dependent migration away from the mismatch in a manner that is dependent on the length of the heteroduplex. The rate and extent of mismatch-provoked cleavage at hemimethylated GATC sites by MutH in the presence of MutS, MutL, and ATP are the same whether the mismatch and GATC sites are incis or in trans. These results suggest that a MutS-MutL complex in the vicinity of a mismatch is involved in activating MutH.
Sustained Kilowatt Lasing in a Free-Electron Laser with Same-Cell Energy Recovery

TJNAF recently commissioned its high-average-power infrared free-electron laser (FEL). It incorporates a superconducting accelerator that recovers about 75% of the electron-beam power and converts it to radio-frequency power. In achieving first lasing, the accelerator operated straight-ahead to deliver 38 MeV, 1.1 mA cw average current through the wiggler for lasing at wavelengths near 5 {micro}m. The waste beam was then sent directly to a dump. Stable operation at up to 311 W cw was achieved in this mode. Using a transport loop to send the waste electron beam back to the linac for energy recovery, the machine recently lased cw at up to 1720 W average power at 3.1 {micro}m, for which the electron-beam energy and average current were 48 MeV and 4.4 mA, respectively.
The solubility of 14C-labelled barium carbonate in aqueous systems

Abstract The solubility of 14C-labelled barium carbonate has been determined in basic aqueous solutions with and without added Ba2+ present and in aqueous solutions containing no added Ba2+ or OH− ions. By use of activity coefficients from the literature, Ksp has been determined to be 4.0 × 10−10 ± 0.5 × 10−10 at 25°.
Electrophysiology of single heart cells from the rabbit tricuspid valve.

1. The electrophysiology of single myocytes isolated from the rabbit tricuspid valve was studied using the patch-clamp method (whole-cell configuration). Cell dispersion was achieved by collagenase treatment, using the Langendorff retrograde perfusion procedure. 2. After isolation, and while incubating in the recovery (Kraftbruhe) solution, cells had clear striations and were mostly spindle-shaped, or rod-like (less than 10%), with length varying from 35 microns to over 150 microns, and diameter from 3 to 10 microns. 3. Upon exposure to Tyrode solution, the calcium-tolerant cells were mostly rounded with smooth surfaces and well-defined borders. The mean diameter of these cells was 15 +/- 5 microns (S.D., n = 9). A smaller percentage (about 30%) retained the original elongated shape. 4. Patch pipette recordings showed the presence of spontaneous activity in about 30% of round cells, and less frequently in elongated cells. Maximum diastolic potentials (MDPs) in the round cells averaged -82 +/- 6 mV, with a take-off potential of -56 +/- 3 mV (n = 9), and an average maximum upstroke velocity (Vmax) value of 6.3 +/- 0.6 V/s (n = 4). In quiescent cells, the mean resting potential was 69 +/- 12 mV (n = 43). 5. Voltage clamp ramps revealed a steady-state I-V relation with a negative slope region. The mean input resistance value was 25 +/- 9 M omega (n = 16) for the elongated, and 883 +/- 481 M omega (n = 8) for the round cells. 6. Hyperpolarizing 5 s pulses (holding potential = -50 mV) occasionally revealed a slow, time-dependent inward current whose peak increased progressively as a function of clamp potential. The slowly activating current was sensitive to caesium 2 mM), indicating its similarity to the so-called 'pacemaker current' (iF). In alternate voltage- and current-clamp experiments, blocking of iF did not stop pacemaker activity, but there was up to a fourfold increase in pacemaker cycle length. 7. In some cells, 5 s hyperpolarizing steps from a holding potential of -40 or -50 mV produced large, inwardly directed and voltage-dependent current surges that decayed rapidly with time, similar to the inactivation described for the inward rectifier current, iK1. The current was very prominent at voltages more negative than -100 mV, and its decay process was best fitted by two time constants, one fast and one slow. For example, at -150 mV the time constants were 61 and 634 ms. The inward current was blocked by barium (1 mM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Modeling error in evaluation of the CVBEM matrix system

A new matrix system expansion is developed for the complex variable boundary element method (or CVBEM). The expansion includes identification of matrix components that contain the entire approximation error due to basis function approximations. Bounds for error are developed by use of Taylor series expansions of the problem solution from each nodal point used in the model discretization.
Subgroups of patients with cancer with different symptom experiences and quality-of-life outcomes: a cluster analysis.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To identify subgroups of outpatients with cancer based on their experiences with the symptoms of fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, and pain; to explore whether patients in the subgroups differed on selected demographic, disease, and treatment characteristics; and to determine whether patients in the subgroups differed on two important patient outcomes: functional status and quality of life (QOL). DESIGN: Descriptive, correlational study. SETTING: Four outpatient oncology practices in northern California. SAMPLE: 191 outpatients with cancer receiving active treatment. METHODS: Patients completed a demographic questionnaire, Karnofsky Performance Status scale, Lee Fatigue Scale, General Sleep Disturbance Scale, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Multidimensional Quality-of-Life Scale Cancer, and a numeric rating scale of worst pain intensity. Medical records were reviewed for disease and treatment information. Cluster analysis was used to identify patient subgroups based on patients symptom experiences. Differences in demographic, disease, and treatment characteristics as well as in outcomes were evaluated using analysis of variance and chi square analysis. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Subgroup membership, fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, pain, functional status, and QOL. FINDINGS: Four relatively distinct patient subgroups were identified based on patients experiences with four highly prevalent and related symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The subgroup of patients who reported low levels of all four symptoms reported the best functional status and QOL. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: The findings from this study need to be replicated before definitive clinical practice recommendations can be made. Until that time, clinicians need to assess patients for the occurrence of multiple symptoms that may place them at increased risk for poorer outcomes.
Utilization of a thermostable alkaline protease from an alkalophilic thermophile for the recovery of silver from used X-ray film

Abstract To improve the processing capacity for the recovery of silver from used X-ray film, a thermostable alkaline protease (Protease B18) was newly obtained from a thermophilic alkalophile. When the enzyme was used to hydrolyze casein, it had a higher optimum pH and temperature, around 13.0 and 85°C, respectively, compared with Protease B21-2, which is an alkaline protease from a methophilic alkalophile. The enzyme was most active toward gelatin on film at pH 10 and the time required to decompose the gelatin layer decreased with an increase in enzyme activity. The gelatin layer was efficiently broken down within 2 min at 1,000 U/ml. These results indicate that the utilization of Protease B18' will make it possible to increase the processing capacity without scaling up the plant.
Photo-response non-uniformity error tolerance testing methodology for CMOS imager systems

An image sensor system-level pixel-to-pixel photo-response non-uniformity (PRNU) error tolerance method is presented in this paper. A scheme is developed to determine sensor PRNU acceptability and corresponding sensor application categorization. Many low-cost imaging systems utilize CMOS imagers with integrated on-chip digital logic for performing image processing and compression. Due to pixel geometry and substrate material variations, the light sensitivity of pixels will be non-uniform (PRNU). Excessive variation in the sensitivity of pixels is a significant cause of the screening rejection for these image sensors. The proposed testing methods in this paper use the concept of acceptable degradation applied to the camera system processed and decoded images of these sensors. The analysis techniques developed in this paper give an estimation of the impact of the sensor's PRNU on image quality. This provides the ability to classify the sensors for different applications based upon their PRNU distortion and error rates. The human perceptual criteria is used in the determination of acceptable sensor PRNU limits. These PRNU thresholds are a function of the camera system's image processing (including compression) and sensor noise sources. We use a Monte Carlo simulation solution and a probability model-based simulation solution along with the sensor models to determine PRNU error rates and significances for a range of sensor operating conditions (e.g., conversion gain settings, integration times). We develop correlations between industry standard PRNU measurements and final processed and decoded image quality thresholds. The results presented in this paper show that the proposed PRNU testing method can reduce the rejection rate of CMOS sensors. Comparisons are presented on the sensor PRNU failure rates using industry standard testing methods and our proposed methods.