cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is Listening the Same as Learning

“What is the most effective strategy for, or methodology of, teaching English?” is a genuine question raised from time to time in the mind of every well-meaning teacher of English who feels the burden of students. Almost all teaching methods that have been imported from the monolingual West have proved to be either ineffective or inappropriate in the multilingual Indian context in spite of honest attempts by academics in trying them out here. These methods are either based either on literature or on language structures or on communication. India has a long history of treating teachers as “sages on the stage” with wisdom and knowledge flowing from them on to students who are supposed to be at the feet of the former. Hence, all these western methods become helpless or hopeless in a culturally alien soil. Teaching/learning a foreign language or a second language needs special strategies that are entirely different from the conventional talking/listening mode. There must therefore be a paradigm shift in the attitude of both teachers and learners with regard to the notion of teaching and learning English. It is hypothesized in the paper that any strategy either indigenous or imported can become most effective if teacher talk time is minimized and student talk time increases in English classes.
Hepatocyte-specific GOLM1 Knockout Mice and Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines Provide Insights into Potential Roles for the GOLM1 HCC Serum Biomarker

Golgi Protein – 73kDa (GP73/GOLM1) is a resident cis-Golgi Type II membrane protein that is nearly undetectable in normal hepatocytes, but whose expression increases in hepatocellular carcinoma (HC...
Economies-of-Scale for Real Estate Investment Trusts

Using the translog cost function to estimate economies-of-scale for a sample of Real Estate Investment Trusts for the years 1992-1994, we find significant evidence that economies-of-scale exist for...
Isolated fetal pyelectasis and the risk of Down syndrome: a meta-analysis

Objectives We performed a meta-analysis to examine the performance of second-trimester (14–24 weeks' gestation) isolated fetal pyelectasis as a marker for trisomy 21 and to calculate its associated weighted pooled likelihood ratios. Methods PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were searched using the terms ‘pyelectasis’ and ‘pelviectasis’. Studies were included if fetuses with isolated pyelectasis were reported separately from fetuses with other soft markers of aneuploidy and/or structural anomalies and if knowledge of the fetal karyotype was unknown at the time of ultrasound examination. Results Individual study statistics were pooled as weighted positive and negative likelihood ratios with 95% CIs, using a random-effects model. Ten observational studies were included (2148 cases of isolated pyelectasis). Isolated fetal pyelectasis was defined in seven out of 10 studies as a renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter of ≥ 4 mm. Isolated fetal pyelectasis was associated with pooled positive and negative likelihood ratios of 2.78 (95% CI, 1.75–4.43) and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98–1.00), respectively. Conclusions The detection of isolated fetal pyelectasis on mid-trimester ultrasound is associated with an increased likelihood of trisomy 21. If the finding of isolated fetal pyelectasis is used to adjust the trisomy 21 risk from maternal serum screening tests, a positive likelihood ratio of 2.78 should be used in the calculation. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Municipal Publications; Their Collection and Use in Reference Service.

Municipalities having bibliographic control and checklists of their publications are the exception rather than the rule. Because of the complexity of the subject, reference librarians encounter major obstacles in locating materials of interest to their clientele. As a result, they need to understand the benefits of documents, to draw upon a variety of diverse sources, and if necessary to refer patron requests to the appropriate municipal agency.
Thin Layer Chromatography

The article contains sections titled: 1. Introduction 2. Choice of the Sorbent Layer 2.1. Properties of Presently Available Sorbents 2.2. Binders 2.3. Suppliers 3. Sample Cleanup 4. Sample Application 5. The Mobile Phase 6. Development 6.1. Apparatus 6.2. Development Techniques 7. Visualization 7.1. Nondestructive Visualization Methods 7.2. Destructive Visualization Methods 7.3. Reactive Visualization Methods 7.4. Application of Visualization Reagents 8. Quantitation
Effects of nitrogen fertilization of grapefruit trees on soil acidification and nutrient availability in a Riviera fine sand

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer applied in the NH4+ form results in some degree of soil acidification, which could influence nutrient availability to plants and nutrient losses through leaching. Effects of various N rates (0 – 168 kg N ha-1 yr-1) on soil acidification and nutrient availability were investigated in a Riviera fine sand with 26-year-old white Marsh grapefruit (Citrus paradisi MacFadyen) trees. Soil pH significantly decreased with increasing NH4–N rates. Application of 112 kg N ha-1 yr-1 for four years decreased the pH by 0.7 to 1.7 unit. Soil acidification was greater when the NH4+ form of N fertilizer was applied as dry soluble granular material compared to fertigation or controlled release forms. The marked effect of NH4–N fertilization on the pH of the Riviera fine sand was due to its low buffering capacity. Soil acidification increased the concentration of extractable Fe and P but decreased that of K, Zn and Mn. Soil pH was positively correlated with concentration of Ca, but negatively with concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn in six-month-old spring flush leaves of the grapefruit trees. Leaf P concentrations, however, were poorly correlated with soil pH. This study also demonstrated an increase in leaching of P and K below the grapefruit trees rootzone with a decrease in soil pH.
Adaptive optimal control for linear stochastic systems with additive noise

In this paper, an optimal control design scheme is proposed for continuous-time linear stochastic systems with unknown dynamics. Both signal-dependent noise and additive noise are considered. A non-model based optimal control design methodology is employed to iteratively update the control policy online by using the system state and input information. A new adaptive dynamic programming algorithm is developed, and the convergence result for the proposed methods is presented. The effectiveness of the obtained method is also illustrated by a practical simulation example of 2-DOF vehicle suspension control system.
Isolation and characterization of the Escherichia coli msbB gene, a multicopy suppressor of null mutations in the high-temperature requirement gene htrB.

Abstract Previous work established that the htrB gene of Escherichia coli is required for growth in rich media at temperatures above 32.5 degrees C but not at lower temperatures. In an effort to determine the functional role of the htrB gene product, we have isolated a multicopy suppressor of htrB, called msbB. The msbB gene has been mapped to 40.5 min on the E. coli genetic map, in a 12- to 15-kb gap of the genomic library made by Kohara et al. (Y. Kohara, K. Akiyama, and K. Isono, Cell 50:495-508, 1987). Mapping data show that the order of genes in the region is eda-edd-zwf-pykA-msbB. The msbB gene codes for a protein of 37,410 Da whose amino acid sequence is similar to that of HtrB and, like HtrB, the protein is very basic in nature. The similarity of the HtrB and MsbB proteins could indicate that they play functionally similar roles. Mutational analysis of msbB shows that the gene is not essential for E. coli growth; however, the htrB msbB double mutant exhibits a unique morphological phenotype at 30 degrees C not seen with either of the single mutants. Analysis of both msbB and htrB mutants shows that these bacteria are resistant to four times more deoxycholate than wild-type bacteria but not to other hydrophobic substances. The addition of quaternary ammonium compounds rescues the temperature-sensitive phenotype of htrB bacteria, and this rescue is abolished by the simultaneous addition of Mg2+ or Ca2+. These results suggest that MsbB and HtrB play an important role in outer membrane structure and/or function.
A comparison of the economic benefits of urban green spaces estimated with NDVI and with high-resolution land cover data

Abstract Many cities around the world have undertaken greening programs (e.g., planting urban trees, adding or enhancing parks, providing incentives for green roofs) to benefit from the amenities of urban green spaces. To evaluate the economic benefits of these programs, hedonic pricing is the approach of choice but its application depends on the availability of adequate land cover data. In this context, this paper contrasts results from Cliff–Ord spatial hedonic models applied to single family houses in Los Angeles (California, USA) with land use data at two spatial resolutions: (1) high resolution (0.6 m) but relatively expensive classified land cover (CLC) data; and (2) moderate-resolution (30 m) but low-cost Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data from satellite imagery. Our results show that elasticities of price with respect to NDVI and with respect to tree canopy cover (TCC) are weakly correlated and often give conflicting signals for prioritizing tree planting efforts. In addition, correlations between NDVI and CLC grass measures are low, which suggest that hedonic models based on NDVI would miss the benefits of grassy areas. Our spatial lag-Tobit models that predict tree canopy cover from NDVI, structural characteristics, neighborhood amenities, and socio-demographic variables highlight the relative importance of the latter in explaining tree canopy cover in the vicinity of single family houses in Los Angeles; these characteristics are much less important to explain parcel TCC. Overall, our results highlight the advantages of using high-resolution CLC data over moderate resolution NDVI data to estimate the economic benefits of urban greening programs.
Theory of plasma chemical transport etching of gold in a chlorine plasma

Abstract The behavior of the reactive ion etching of gold in a chlorine plasma reported earlier is shown in this paper to be interpretable in terms of a theory of chemical vapor transport, modified to account for the effect of species generated in the plasma and transported across the plasma sheaths to the reacting surfaces. The interpretation of the experiments in terms of such a theory is required because the volatile compound of gold generated at the etched surface must be transported to another surface where it is consumed by a reaction which is the reverse of etching, and gold is deposited. It is shown that the mass transport of the volatile product is not only due to the differences in temperature between the surfaces where the reactions occur, but is also driven by differences in the surface reaction effective free energy. These free energy differences arise from differences in the transport of the plasma-produced species across the plasma sheaths to the reacting surfaces. The dependences of the etch rate on the film area (the “loading”), on the gas flow and on the relative temperatures of the surfaces between which transport occurs also arise from these considerations and explain the salient features of the reactive ion etching of gold in a chlorine plasma.
Molecular effects in tritium beta decay. II. Rotation-vibration excitation, dissociation, and rotational predissociation in the decay of the T2 and TH molecules.

Probabilities have been computed for transitions induced by a \ensuremath{\beta}-decay process from the ground rovibronic state of the ${\mathrm{T}}_{2}$ molecule to various bound rovibrational and scattering states connected with the first six $^{1}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}$ electronic states of the $^{3}$${\mathrm{HeT}}^{+}$ ion. Analogous calculations were performed for the TH source but only the ground electronic state of the daughter system was considered. For transitions from the ${\mathrm{T}}_{2}$ source to the ground electronic state of the daughter ion a probability equal to 0.4083 is associated with bound rovibrational states while 0.1659 is associated with scattering states. The same values for the TH source are 0.5572 and 0.0136, respectively. It is shown that the use of a TH source is not advantageous in a neutrino-mass experiment. Numerical accuracies of our calculations have been checked by making extensive use of sum rules. The total error in the final result is discussed.
Removal of atrazine from water using covalent sequestration.

Monochlorotriazines including atrazine and its major metabolites, deethylatrazine and deisopropylatrazine, are susceptible to nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Competitive reactions to rank the relative reactivity of nucleophiles with atrazine reveal that constrained secondary amines are the most reactive. When the nucleophile is attached to a solid support, atrazine can be sequestered from solution. As proof of concept, polystyrene resins displaying constrained secondary amines are shown to sequester atrazine, deethylatrazine, and deisopropylatrazine from water. Sequestration can be followed spectrophotometrically or using a liquid chromatography mass spectrometry protocol. The kinetics of sequestration are similar to that of granulated charcoal. Evidence for covalent bond formation comes from control experiments with unreactive herbicides and degradation analysis of the solid support. Using both 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, covalent adducts are identified in ratios close to what is calcu...
Single-cell detection of trans-splicing ribozyme in vivo activity.

The Tetrahymena trans-splicing ribozyme can edit RNA in a sequence-specific manner, but its efficiency needs to be improved for any functional rescues. This communication describes a simple method that uses a bacterial enzyme β-lactamase to report trans-splicing activity of Tetrahymena ribozyme in single living mammalian cells by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. This enzyme-based single-cell detection method is highly sensitive and compatible with living cell flow cytometry, and should allow a cell-based systematic screening of a vast library of ribozymes for better trans-spliced ribozyme variants.
Selection and Host Overlap in Two Desert Papilio Butterflies

The two California desert Papilio (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) species, P. indra fordi Comstock & Martin and P. rudkini Comstock, are frequently sympatric in range but mutually exclusive in host plant source. In 1966, optimal rainfall conditions led to a large simultaneous emergence of the adults of both species, synchronizing the growth of the resulting larvae, and larvae of both species switched to feeding on both foodplants wherever defoliation of the usual foodplant had already occurred from earlier larval feeding. By feeding on different foodplants in years of normal population levels, larval competition is avoided and many host plants remain unused. But apparently when population peaks are reached simultaneously, the selective advantage of separate hosts breaks down and direct competition through foodplant overlap occurs.
Velocity Measurements Made Holographically Of Diffusely Reflecting Objects

Holographic measurements of optical phase are used in primarily three forms, double-exposure holographic interferometry, real-time holographic interferometry, and time-average holographic interferometry. A fourth type which utilizes moire' principles and which has many variations is possible. This fourth type is essentially multiple-beam interferometry.
Recent Research in Sukumaland, Tanzania

A volume is being prepared, under the over-all guidance and editorship of Gottfried O. Lang and Peter F. M. McLoughlin, on progress among the Sukuma, Tanzania's largest tribal group. The book is both historical and interdisciplinary, covering aspects of geography, economics, agricultural economics, anthropology, political science, sociology, and history. Occupying some 20,000 square miles east and south of Lake Victoria, the Sukuma own approximately one-fifth of Tanzania's livestock and produce most of the country's cotton, the second largest export by value. Chapters will pay particular attention to the factors which have been responsible for Sukumaland's positive economic, social, and political changes, as well as to those elements which have precluded or delayed change. The orientation is practical; development experience will be analysed so that current and future policies and procedures may profit from a more precise definition of trends, problems, and prospects. An appendix will synthesise contributors, research methodologies, techniques, and problems.
Unusual Clinical Presentations of Secundum Atrial Septal Defect

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most common congenital cardiac anomalies found in the adult population. Although usually asymptomatic in childhood, ASD will be symptomatic in approximately 75 percent of adults. The most common symptoms include fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, and palpitations. However, the presentation of ASD can be protean. We present four patients with secundum ASD with unusual clinical manifestations. Patient 1 had moderately severe mitral regurgitation. Patient 2 had pulmonary edema with generalized left ventricular impairment Patient 3 had chest pain typical of angina pectoris. Patient 4 had right-to-left shunt following an orthopedic surgical procedure. These patients had chest radiographs and electrocardiograms typical of secundum ASD, but their presentations were uncommon. In three of four of these patients, dramatic resolution of symptoms followed surgical repair of their ASD.
Formation of subnuclear foci is a unique spatial behavior of mating MAPKs during hyperosmotic stress.

The assembly of signaling components and transcription factors in ordered subcellular structures is increasingly implicated as an important regulatory strategy for modulating the activity of cellular pathways. Here, we document the inducible formation of subnuclear foci formed by two mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae upon hyperosmotic stress. Specifically, we demonstrate that activation of the hyperosmotic stress response pathway induces the mating pathway MAPK Fus3 and the filamentation pathway MAPK Kss1 to form foci in the nucleus that are organized by their shared downstream transcription factor Ste12. Foci formation of colocalized Ste12, Fus3, and Kss1 requires the kinase activity of the hyperosmotic response MAPK Hog1 and correlates with attenuated signaling in the mating pathway. Conversely, activation of the mating pathway prevents foci formation upon subsequent hyperosmotic stress. These results suggest that Hog1-mediated spatial localization of Fus3 and Ste12 into subnuclear foci could contribute to uncoupling the pheromone and osmolarity pathways, which share signaling components, under high-osmolarity conditions.
Production and Carbon Isotopic Composition of Bacterial CO2 in Deep Coastal Plain Sediments of South Carolina

The production and carbon isotopic composition of bacterial CO2 in cores of deep Coastal Plain sediments from South Carolina were measured. Rates of bacterial CO2 production in laboratory incubations ranged from 0 to 2,750 nanomoles of CO2 per gram of sediment per day. On average, C02 production was greater in downdip sediments than in updip sediments. There was no relation between CO2 production and total organic carbon content of the sediment. The carbon isotopic composition of bacterial CO2 ranged from -29.7 to -18.0 per mil and is controlled in part by the isotopic composition of the sedimentary organic matter from which the CO2 is derived. The isotopic composition of CO2 from downdip sediments was enriched in 13C by about 50/00, on average, relative to CO2 from updip sediments. Measurements of the production and carbon isotopic composition of bacterial CO2 given here provide evidence linking bacterial CO2 to dissolved inorganic carbon in Coastal Plain aquifers of South Carolina.
Holographic characterization of individual colloidal spheres' porosities

Holograms of colloidal spheres recorded through holographic video microscopy can be analyzed with the theory of light scattering to measure individual spheres' sizes and refractive indexes with part-per-thousand resolution. This information, in turn, can be interpreted to estimate each sphere's porosity.
T duality, and the K theoretic partition function of type IIA superstring theory

Abstract We study the partition function of type IIA string theory on 10-manifolds of the form T 2 × X , where X is 8-dimensional, compact, and spin. We pay particular attention to the effects of the topological phases in the supergravity action implied by the K-theoretic formulation of RR fields, and we use these to check the T-duality invariance of the partition function. We find that the partition function is only T-duality invariant when we take into account the T-duality anomalies in the RR sector, the fermionic path integral (including 4-fermi interaction terms), and 1-loop corrections including worldsheet instantons. We comment on applications of our computation to speculations about the role of the Romans mass in M-theory. We also discuss some issues which arise when one attempts to extend these considerations to checking the full U-duality invariance of the theory.
The epidemiology of high-risk prostate cancer.

Purpose of reviewConcern for over and under-treatment of men with prostate cancer has led to an increased focus on the identification and selective treatment of men with high-risk features. The purpose of this review is to summarize the epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment trends of men with hi
The sources and forms of phosphorus in marine aerosol particles and rain from Northern New Zealand

Abstract Various forms of phosphorus were measured in marine aerosol particles and rain samples collected from the northern tip of the North Island of New Zealand. Approximately 58 % of the total phosphorus in the aerosol particles was organic and 7 % was soluble in deionized water. The remaining 35 % was not released by treatment with potassium persulfate, and it was defined as a refractory fraction. Stepwise regression analyses suggested that (1) the concentrations of organic phosphorus in the aerosol particles were related to those of sodium, which was regarded as sea salt tracer, (2) the concentrations of water soluble phosphorus were correlated with those of aluminum, which was considered an indicator of crustal material and (3) total phosphorus was derived from the ocean and from the earth's crust. The mass particle-size distribution of the refractory and organic phosphorus combined was similar to that of sodium and aluminum. However, on submicrometer particles the concentrations of all forms of phosphorus appeared to increase relative to those of sodium, suggesting that small particle phosphorus may be derived from a non-marine source, possibly weathered crustal material or wind blown fertilizer. The wet deposition rates for water soluble and organic phosphorus were calculated to be 0.30 and 0.61 μg cm −2 y −1, respectively. The dry deposition of these two forms of phosphorus combined (0.14 μg cm −2 y −1 ) was clearly lower than the wet deposition rate. Total deposition of phosphorus to the site was estimated to be 1.5μgcm−2y−1.
Buffer effects on EcoRV kinetics as measured by fluorescent staining and digital imaging of plasmid cleavage.

We have developed a protocol to quantify polymer DNA cleavage which replaces the traditional radiolabeling and scintillation counting with fluorescent staining and digital imaging. This procedure offers high sensitivity, speed, and convenience, while avoiding waste and error associated with traditional 32P radiolabeling. This protocol was used to measure cleavage of pBR322 plasmid DNA by EcoRV, a type II restriction enzyme. EcoRV was found to exhibit an order of magnitude difference in binding in two apparently similar buffers used in previous investigations. To determine the origin of this effect, we measured reaction kinetics in buffers of different chemical nature and concentration: Tris, bis-Tris propane, Tes, Hepes, and cacodylate. We found that buffer concentration and identity had significant effects on EcoRV reaction velocity through large changes in specific binding and nonspecific binding (reflected in the Michaelis constant Km and the dissociation constant for nonspecific binding Kns). There were only small changes in Vmax. The source of the buffer effect is the protonated amines common to many pH buffers. These buffer cations likely act as counterions screening DNA phosphates, where both the protonated buffer structure and concentration affect enzyme binding strength. It appears that by choosing anionic buffers or zwitterionic buffers with a buried positive charge, buffer influence on the protein binding to DNA can be largely eliminated.
Emergence timing and fitness consequences of variation in seed oil composition in Arabidopsis thaliana

Early seedling emergence can increase plant fitness under competition. Seed oil composition (the types and relative amounts of fatty acids in the oils) may play an important role in determining emergence timing and early growth rate in oilseeds. Saturated fatty acids provide more energy per carbon atom than unsaturated fatty acids but have substantially higher melting points (when chain length is held constant). This characteristic forms the basis of an adaptive hypothesis that lower melting point seeds (lower proportion of saturated fatty acids) should be favored under colder germination temperatures due to earlier germination and faster growth before photosynthesis, while at warmer germination temperatures, seeds with a higher amount of energy (higher proportion of saturated fatty acids) should be favored. To assess the effects of seed oil melting point on timing of seedling emergence and fitness, high- and low-melting point lines from a recombinant inbred cross of Arabidopsis thaliana were competed in a fully factorial experiment at warm and cold temperatures with two different density treatments. Emergence timing between these lines was not significantly different at either temperature, which aligned with warm temperature predictions, but not cold temperature predictions. Under all conditions, plants competing against high-melting point lines had lower fitness relative to those against low-melting point lines, which matched expectations for undifferentiated emergence times.
Silicon nanotechnology for biofiltration and immunoisolated cell xenografts

Silicon-based clean-room technology is employed for the microfabrication of a particle filter with uniform pore dimensions in the 20–40-nm range. Surface and bulk micromachining are integrated in the fabrication process, resulting in a filtering membrane with large active area, flow rate and resistance to pressure. The microfabricated membrane is especially suitable for biofluid purification, including viral elimination. The nanofilter is a technological precursor for a microfabricated, silicon-based capsule to be employed in the reaction-free xenotransplantation of cells. Results are presented below that address the issue of biocompatibility of the microfabricated capsule components and materials.
Determination of 2-iminothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid☆

Abstract Procedures are described for determination of 2-iminothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, using diazotized sulfanilic acid or the mereury-diphenyl-thiocarbazone reaction. The compound should first be separated from interfering substances such as are found in urine. Paper electrophoresis, ion displacement, or chromatography suffice for this purpose.
A School "On Fire": One Principal's Road to Success

This principal has been a success in leading her school to excellence. The following criteria may not work in every setting, but any school would benefit by incorporating at least one of them.
Effect of bitumen-derived coke on deactivation of an HDM catalyst

Abstract A large-pore hydrodemetallation catalyst was treated with anthracene (AN) or a bitumen feed (BIT) in mineral oil solvent to obtain coke levels up to 12% carbon. In some runs, carbazole was added to the AN-coking run and in others, a nickel porphyrin compound was added to the BIT-coking run. Physical properties of the coked catalysts were determined, as well as catalyst activities for hydrogenation (HYD) and for hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) using a mixture of naphthalene and indole in n -heptane. It was found that the coke produced via BIT appeared to be porous, while that from AN was non-porous. A significant enhancement in nitrogen on the catalyst over that in the bitumen feed was observed. Catalytic activities of the coked catalysts decreased with increasing coke content, with HDN activity loss being greater than HYD activity. Neither the nature of the coke precursor, nor the presence of nitrogen or nickel on the catalyst, affected the extent of deactivation. Apparent activation energies decreased with increasing coke content. The role of coke on catalyst deactivation is discussed in terms of its effect on the distribution of different catalytically active sites for the reactions.
Preparation and Photophysical Properties of Phosphino- and Phosphine Oxide-Linked Siloles

Siloles containing Ph2P or Ph2P(═O) units linked to the silole ring at the 2,5-positions have been prepared, and their optical properties were studied. Coordination of the phosphorus centers in 1,1-dimethyl-2,5-bis(p-diphenylphosphinophenyl)-3,4-diphenylsilole to gold produced a novel luminescent digold complex.
Application of Doppler ultrasound to blood pressure measurement in small infants.

An automatic instrument which can transmit and detect ultrasound waves has been used to measure blood pressure in 28 infants weighing from 4.5 to 11 pounds. Results were in close agreement with values simultaneously obtained by direct intra-aortic measurement. In the majority of patients, the mean systolic pressure obtained by the ultrasonic technique was 2.48 mm. Hg below the aortic value; mean diastolic pressure was recorded at 3.32 mm. Hg higher. A range of accuracy for a 4×9 cm. cuff has been determined.
Genome wide association (GWA) predictors of anti‐TNFα therapeutic responsiveness in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Background Inter-individual variation in response to anti-TNFα therapy may be explained by genetic variability in disease pathogenesis or mechanism of action. Recent genome wide association studies (GWAS) in IBD have increased our understanding of the genetic susceptibility to IBD.
Single-molecule mobility in confined and crowded femtolitre chambers.

The effects of increased crowding and confinement on the mobility of individual fluorescent molecules were studied using Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) in a microfluidic device with sealable femtolitre-volume chambers, and compared to three dimensional stochastic Monte Carlo simulations. When crowding and the degree of confinement were increased simultaneously, extended correlation times of fluorescent intensity fluctuations were observed with FCS compared to varying either crowding or confinement alone. Both experimental data and simulation suggest these extended correlation times were due to increased fluorophore adsorption–desorption events at the chamber lid in the presence of crowders. The data in increasingly confined and crowded chambers described here captures some of the salient features of crowding in cell-like environments.
The Treatment of Difficult Urinary-Tract Infections with Carbenicillin Indanyl Sodium

Oral carbenicillin indanyl sodium was used in 15 courses of therapy in 12 patients with either recurrent symptomatic bacteriuria or urinary-tract infections caused by pathogens resistant to currently available oral antimicrobial agents. In this group, representative of the most refractory type of urinary-tract infection, therapy with this drug resulted in cure in six of 14 completed courses (43%). Relapses occurred after two courses (14%) and reinfection after five courses (36%) of therapy. Infection was persistent in one patient and appeared to be the result of the in-vivo development of resistance to carbenicillin during therapy. Although treatment was discontinued in one patient because of the development of a hypersensitivity reaction, side-effects were minor. Carbenicillin indanyl sodium appears to be an effective agent for the treatment of difficult urinary-tract infections.
Invasive Shrubs and Forest Tree Regeneration

Invasive shrubs are having important effects on forests in the United States. Over 100 species were found that have actual or potential effects on forest structure and function. The number of invasive shrub species in each state is correlated with both latitude and state population. The majority of these shrubs have attractive fruits that are widely distributed by birds and other animals. Their reproduction is also helped by evergreen or extended-deciduous leaf habits and by the ability to reproduce vegetatively in a majority of these invasive species. In addition to suppressing native tree reproduction, invasive shrubs have many other effects on forest function; however, information is not yet available in either of these categories for a substantial number of invasive shrubs. Because most of these species can resprout, physical control is of limited effectiveness, while herbicides are much more successful. Only limited research has been conducted on both fire and biological control. Despite these negati...
PERITONEAL RESIDUAL VOLUME INDUCES VARIABILITY OF ULTRAFILTRATION WITH ICODEXTRIN

BackgroundIcodextrin induces ultrafiltration (UF) during long-dwell exchanges by creating a difference in oncotic pressure between the peritoneal cavity and plasma; however, the mechanisms governin...
Enzyme changes in red and white muscle, liver, and plasma of exercised guinea pigs maintained on high or low levels of vitamin C.

Abstract The relationship between tissue and plasma enzyme activity was examined in exercised guinea pigs maintained on high or low levels of vitamin C. The responses of “tissue specific” enzymes, creatinephosphokinase in red and white muscle, fructose-1-phosphate aldolase in liver, and fructose-1,6-diphosphate aldolase in both tissue types, indicated muscle rather than liver contributed to the rise in plasma enzyme activity after exercise. Moreover, the data suggested plasma creatinephosphokinase and fructose-1,6-diphosphate aldolase originated mainly from the red muscle. Without exception each of the significant tissue enzyme changes occurred in the hypovitaminotic group, implying a causal relationship between vitamin C and muscle metabolism. There was an augmented rise in plasma enzyme activity in the hypovitaminotic animals which was correlated in several instances with a decline in muscle enzyme activity, suggesting that vitamin C deprivation may increase membrane permeability. The consistently low creatinephosphokinase activity in the muscles of hypovitaminotic animals suggests Vitamin C may be required for the optimal in vivo activity of this enzyme.
The Michigan Internet AuctionBot: a configurable auction server for human and software agents

Market mechanisms such as auctions will likely rep resent a common interaction medium for agents on the Internet The Michigan Internet AuctionBot is a ex ible scalable and robust auction server that supports both software and human agents The server manages many simultaneous auctions by separating the interface from the core auction procedures This design provides a responsive interface and tolerates system and network disruptions but necessitates careful timekeeping proce dures to ensure temporal accuracy The AuctionBot has been used extensively in classroom exercises and is available to the general Internet population Its exi ble speci cation of auctions in terms of orthogonal pa rameters makes it a useful device for agent researchers exploring the design space of auction mechanisms
Holding medium for cell surface phenotypic analysis.

Abstract Peripheral blood samples from 20 normal adults and 12 patients with diagnosed B cell lymphoproliferative disease were phenotyped with a panel of 20 monoclonal antibodies (Coulter) using a whole blood lysis technique at zero time and after storage in M199 containing insulin, transferrin and l -glutamine at 24, 48 or 72 h. The samples were analyzed using flow cytometry (EPICS V) to determine the percentage of positive events for each sample. A 2-way analysis of variance showed that there were no significant differences between the initial sample and those phenotyped after 24, 48 or 72 h. These data suggest that this medium can be utilized for the storage and transport of blood samples from patients and ensure satisfactory cell surface phenotypic analysis.
Temperature regulation following nickel intoxication in the mouse: effect of ambient temperature.

1. The purpose of this study was to examine the interaction between ambient temperature (Ta) and the effects of nickel chloride on the thermoregulatory system of the mouse. 2. Male mice of the BALB/c strain were injected with nickel chloride at dosages of 0, 0.1, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg intraperitoneally and placed in an environmental chamber set at a Ta of either 10, 20, 30 or 35°C for 60 min. Colonic temperature was then measured after one hour of exposure at a given Ta. 3. The thermoregulatory effects of nickel chloride were highly dependent on Ta. Nickel chloride had no effect on body temperature at Ta 's of 30 and 35°C. 4. 10 mg/kg dosage of nickel chloride caused a significant reduction in colonie temperature at a Ta, of 20°C. At a Ta of 10°C the 5 and 10 mg/kg dosages of nickel chloride caused a significant lowering of body temperature. 5. Using segmented linear regression techniques it was shown that the threshold dose of nickel chloride for causing hypothermia was 9.6 and 3.3 mg/kg at Ta's of 20 and 10°C, respectively. 6. This study has shown that two stressors, low Ta and nickel chloride intoxication, when applied independently have no effect on body temperature; however, when applied simultaneously, they have a significant toxic effect on thermoregulation.
Spinal cord and ACTH release in adrenalectomized rats following electrical stimulation.

Rapid ACTH release following stimulation of an extremity has been proposed to occur by mediation through vascular and neural paths. The vascular paths presumably involve release of substances into the blood at the site of stimulation which subsequently release ACTH from the pituitary. Blood ACTH levels in adrenalectomized rats were measured by the adrenal ascorbic acid method in hypophysectomized rats. The contribution of the vascular path to the mediation of ACTH release was estimated by assaying aortic blood for ACTH content after electrical stimulation of the hindlegs of 3-hour and 48-hour cord-sectioned rats. No response to the flow of electric current through the hindlegs was observed. It was concluded that no contribution to ACTH release was rendered by the vascular path. In contrast electrical stimulation of the intact neural paths in the forelegs of cord-sectioned rats resulted in ACTH release equivalent to that observed in intact cord rats. This indicated that absence of ACTH release in response ...
Cochlear implantation in auditory neuropathy.

Objective: Auditory neuropathy is a recently described clinical entity characterized by sensorineural hearing loss in which the auditory evoked potential (ABR) is absent but otoacoustic emissions are present. This suggests a central locus for the associated hearing loss. In this study the results observed in a child with auditory neuropathy who received a cochlear implant are presented and compared with those of a matched group of children who were recipients of implants. Methods: A single-subject, repeated-measures design, evaluating closed-set and open-set word recognition abilities was used to assess the subject and a control group of matched children with implants who had also experienced a progressive sensorineural hearing loss. Results: The subject demonstrated improvements in vowel recognition (82% correct) by 1 year after implantation, which were only slightly lower than the control group. Consonant recognition and open-set word recognition scores were significantly lower. Conclusion : Caution should be exercised when considering cochlear implantation in children with auditory neuropathy. As with conventional hearing aids, less than optimal results may be seen.
Databases: Accuracy and readiness for use

Decisions for improving health care rely on data often contained in databases. A database is a compilation of information, often a group of variables, that is stored electronically in a computerized system. It can be specific to one organization, a group of several facilities, or a nationwide effort. Databases comprise elements specific to the endeavour. Types of databases include clinical, administrative, research, or combinations of these. The purpose of electronic storage of specific data and the uses for the results of database analyses need consideration regarding accuracy, validity, and reliability. All databases are accurate to the extent that each element and each point of data collection and entry are valid and reliable. The purposes of this paper are to explore methods for determining accuracy of the data in a database, reliability and validity of database elements, and to determine when a database is ready for use.
On the one and one-half dimensional relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell-Fokker-Planck system with Non-vanishing viscosity

The relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell-Fokker-Planck system is used in modelling distribution of charged particles in plasma. It consists ofa transport equation coupled with the Maxwell system. The diffusion term in the equation models the collisions among particles, whereas the viscosity term signifies the dynamical frictional forces between the particles and the background reservoir. In the case of one space variable and two momentum variables, we prove the existence of a classical solution when the initial density decays fast enough with respect to the momentum variables. The solution which shares this same decay condition along with its first derivatives in the momentum variables is unique.
The inhibition of photochemical smog VIII. Dispersion of the chemical inhibitor

Abstract In laboratory and simulated atmospheric chemical studies, it has been shown that diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA) can effectively inhibit photochemical smog formation. Here we show that a grid of point sources of 20 lbs h−1 for every 1 4 km 2 located about 100 meters high will be sufficient to maintain DEHA concentrations ⩾ 0.02 ppm over the whole area, while keeping the maximum concentration to which humans will be exposed to
A Comparison of the Water Budgets between Clouds from AMMA and TWP-ICE

AbstractTwo field campaigns, the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) and the Tropical Warm Pool–International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE), took place in 2006 near Niamey, Niger, and Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, providing extensive observations of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) near a desert and a tropical coast, respectively. Under the constraint of their observations, three-dimensional cloud-resolving model simulations are carried out and presented in this paper to replicate the basic characteristics of the observed MCSs. All of the modeled MCSs exhibit a distinct structure having deep convective clouds accompanied by stratiform and anvil clouds. In contrast to the approximately 100-km-scale MCSs observed in TWP-ICE, the MCSs in AMMA have been successfully simulated with a scale of about 400 km.These modeled AMMA and TWP-ICE MCSs offer an opportunity to understand the structure and mechanism of MCSs. Comparing the water budgets between AMMA and TWP-ICE MCSs suggests that TWP-I...
Validating instance-based learning mechanisms outside of ACT-R☆

Instance-based learning theory (IBLT) has explained human decision-making in several decision tasks. IBLT works by retrieving past experiences (i.e., instances) using a subset of cognitive mechanisms from a popular cognitive architecture, ACT-R. Until recently, most IBLT models were built within the ACT-R architecture. However, due to an integrated view of cognition and ACT-R's complexity, it is difficult to distinguish between the specific contributions of ACT-R mechanisms used in IBLT from all the other mechanisms existent in ACT-R. Also, models built within the ACT-R architecture are often difficult to explain, communicate, and reuse in other systems. This research validates the main mechanisms of IBLT when used within ACT-R and when used in isolation, outside of ACT-R. Our results show that an IBLT model performs equally well in capturing human behavior within and outside of ACT-R, demonstrating the independence of these mechanisms from any complex interaction with other mechanisms in ACT-R. We discuss the implications of our results for a modular view of cognition.
Light and electron microscopic characterization of dopamine-immunoreactive axons in human cerebral cortex.

The distribution and synaptic connections of dopamine axons were studied by light and electron microscopy in human cerebral cortex. For this purpose, dopamine immunoreactivity was characterized in apparently normal anteriolateral temporal cortex, which was removed to gain access to the medial temporal lobe during tumor excision or treatment of epilepsy. Nissl sections showed this to be granular neocortex. Dopamine fibers were distributed throughout this cortex, although there were relatively more fibers in layers I–II and in layers V–VIa, compared to layers III–IV and VIb, resulting in a bilaminar pattern of labeling. In all layers, fibers were seen to form numerous varicosities, and to vary in size from thick to very fine. Fibers were relatively straight, sparsely branched and were oriented in various planes within the cortex. However, in layer I, they often ran parallel to the pial surface. In order to analyze the functional interactions of dopamine fibers, individual cortical layers were surveyed for dopamine synapses. These were usually symmetrical (Gray's type II), although 13% of them were asymmetrical. Approximately 60% of dopamine synapses were made with dendritic spines, and 40% with dendritic shafts, and this ratio was similar in all layers. On both spines and shafts, it was common to see dopamine synapses closely apposed to an unlabeled asymmetric input, suggesting a dopamine modulation of excitatory input. Some postsynaptic dendritic shafts had features of pyramidal cells, including formation of spines. Since pyramidal cells are the major type of cortical spiny neuron, they probably represent the main target of dopamine synapses in this cortex. There were also dopamine profiles apposed to membrane densities on unlabeled axon terminals, suggesting another type of synaptic interaction. These findings provide the first documentation of dopamine synapses in the human cortex, and show that they form classical synaptic junctions. The location of these synapses on spines and distal dendrites, and their proximity to asymmetric synapses, suggest a modulatory role on excitatory input to pyramidal cells. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Brain natriuretic factor. Augmentation of cellular cyclic GMP, activation of particulate guanylate cyclase and receptor binding.

The newly discovered peptide, brain natriuretic factor (BNF), caused a concentration-dependent increase (up to 400-fold) in intracellular cyclic GMP levels in cultured endothelial, smooth muscle and fibroblast cells. The extent of cGMP augmentation was comparable to that produced by atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). The activity of the membrane-bound guanylate cyclase of different rat tissues and cultured cells was markedly stimulated by the peptide and the addition of ATP potentiated the stimulation. As opposed to tissue particulate guanylate cyclase, the enzyme in cell membranes was slightly more sensitive to activation by BNF than to stimulation by ANF. On bovine aortic smooth muscle (BASM) cells, specific high-affinity binding sites (Bmax=398 fmol/106 cells, Kd=0.52 nM) for BNF were observed for which ANF could compete with apparently equal affinity. These results suggest that activation of the cGMP pathways constitutes a common mechanism of action for both BNF and ANF.