cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interventions for irritable bowel syndrome: a nursing model

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common problem affecting a significant portion of the U.S. population. Nurses are involved directly in the planning and implementing of therapeutic interventions for this patient population. Using a Human Response Model, the authors of this article review intervention studies for IBS. This model provides a context for integration of Person (vulnerability) and Environment (risk) factors that may modify the patient's response to a given therapeutic regimen. Human responses are categorized as Physiological, Pathophysiological, and Behavioral/Experiential. Interdisciplinary therapeutic strategies include motility manipulations via pharmacological agents, dietary modifications, and self-care enhancement. Areas for nursing research are described.
Experimental observation of light induced conical intersections in a diatomic molecule

We observe quantum interferences in the angular distributions of H 2 + photodissociation arising from the geometric singularity induced by strong laser fields. This is the first experimental observation of light induced conical intersections in diatomic molecules.
Large scale DNA sequencing: new challenges emerge--the 2007 Human Genome Variation Society scientific meeting.

The annual scientific meeting of the Human Genome Variation Society (HGVS) was held on 23 October 2007, in San Diego, CA. The major theme of this meeting was “New DNA Sequencing Technologies & Human Genome Variation.” A series of speakers provided information on several new technologies that produce DNA sequence data on a scale far beyond what was possible even a few years ago. These new technologies produce up to gigabases of nucleotides on a single run. Already, two individuals have had their entire genome sequenced, resulting in the identification of many novel DNA variants. Several new questions now need to be answered. What impact do these novel variants have on the phenotypes? How are we to associate private variants in a single individual with disease, especially when current association studies require genotyping thousands of individuals? Further work will be required to create methodologies to analyze these variants to determine if they are potentially disease-producing or are phenotypically silent. For the technology to be useful in a medical setting it will be crucial to answer to these questions. Hum Mutat 29(5), 765–768, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Electron extraction from a CsI photocathode into condensed Xe, Kr, and Ar

Abstract We have studied the electron extraction from a CsI photocathode into gaseous (0–55 atm) and liquid Xe, Kr, and Ar. Two experimental setups were used. In the first one the photocathode was irradiated with a UV lamp and the photocurrent was directly measured. In the liquid phase, the QE was 2–3 times higher than that in vacuum for LXe and LKr. In LAr, 50% of the vacuum value was achieved. For Xe at a pressure higher than 50 atm, we observed that the QE increased with increasing pressure and gave a value higher than that measured in vacuum. In the second setup, 5.5 MeV alpha particles were used as the source of ionization and scintillation in the liquids, and both the charge and scintillation signals were measured. From the scintillation signal, the intrinsic energy resolution was measured to be 2.8%, 5.2% and 8.4% FWHM, respectively, in LXe, LKr and LAr. Stable operation was demonstrated for all three cryogenic liquids.
Effects of electron spiralling on the anisotropy and polarization of photon emission from an electron beam ion trap

We present a theoretical formalism for calculating the anisotropy and polarization of photon emission due to a spiralling beam of electrons colliding with an ensemble of atoms or ions. For an axisymmetric beam with a given velocity angular distribution, the polarization and angular distribution of the resulting radiation can be characterized by the expansion coefficients of the distribution function in terms of Legendre polynomials. We present simple expressions for dipole and quadrupole radiation and apply the results to the case of an electron beam ion trap.
The Effect of Assortative Mating upon Genetic Association Studies: Spurious Associations and Population Substructure in the Absence of Admixture

Spurious associations due to confounding factors are an often cited and intensely debated concern for genetic association studies. Great attention has been focused upon the specific threat of confounding due to population stratification. This emphasis has spurred the development of many statistical genetic methods to detect and correct for the potentially confounding effects of admixture. Unfortunately, this emphasis on admixture has led some authors to suggest that if ethnically homogenous populations are used, spurious associations are unlikely to occur. We show that under small and realistic degrees of assortative mating over time, spurious associations arise even in ethnically homogeneous populations. We demonstrate that structured association and genomic control tests can, under certain conditions, correct for these spurious associations. We conclude that investigators should not assume spurious associations will not occur in association studies using ethnically homogenous populations and recommend the use of genomic control methods and/or family-based association tests within genetic association studies.
Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Analysis of Population Responses Following Introduction of Backcrossed Insects Against Native Populations on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

A pilot test was conducted on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, to study the potential for suppressing populations of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), by releasing backcrossed insects that possessed an inherited male sterility derived from the hybridization of H. subflexa (Guenee) and H. virescens . Following the release of nearly 40,000 backcrossed insects per day from 27 August to 17 December 1980, 95% of the tobacco budworms collected in February 1981 were progeny from released backcrossed females. This degree of sterility within the native tobacco budworm reduced the larval population on Bastardia viscosa (Kotb.) >80% and prevented population increase on pigeon pea ( Cajanus cajan (L.) Druce), the two most important host plants for tobacco budworm on St. Croix. The backcrossed phenotype became extinct within 5 yr of the last release, apparently because of genetic drift and selection. As the frequency of backcross declined, tobacco budworm populations returned to prerelease levels.
Direct RF synchronization of a 22 GHz monolithic AlInGaAs quantum well laser with sub-picosecond pulse generation

A 22 GHz AlInGaAs two-section mode-locked laser is presented here. 860 fs optical pulses with timing jitter of 280 fs (1 Hz–100 MHz) are generated by direct RF modulation of the saturable absorber.
Quantification of the group B soyasaponins by high-performance liquid chromatography.

High-performance liquid chromatographic methods were developed for the isolation and quantitative determination of the group B soyasaponins, including 2,3-dihydro-2,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-...
Law Enforcement Response to “Frequent Fliers”: An Examination of High-Frequency Contacts Between Police and Justice-Involved Persons With Mental Illness

This article examines a subset of justice-involved persons with mental illness who have repeated contacts with law enforcement officers. Previous work has alluded to this sub-population—often terme...
Contrasts in discussion behaviors of German and American managers

Abstract While some recent studies have produced an overview of the comparison and contrasts of German and American value orientations and behaviors, the problems of transcultural adaptation for American (USA) and West German managers who must work together are not completely resolved. Our research of the literature and pilot development interviews at a German subsidiary in Pittsburgh alerted us to cultural contrasts which present the potential for motivation reduction due to conflict in small group discussions between German and American managers. While our interviews were not conducted with research rigor, we did obtain feedback from foreign transfer personnel and German managers which confirmed the conclusions in the literature. In addition, the German/American cultural contrasts indicate that cross-cultural instruction and training for members of each culture must correspond to the differences in cultural learning modes. At some point, the training programs of German and American managers should be combined, primarily to accommodate the American learning mode of role modeling. While presentation of German/American contrasts suggests a fixed polarity, the reader should be aware that the postwar influence of A merica in West Germany, as well as individual differences, must be taken into account when discussing generalizations. The relationship between cultural learning modes and instruction and training design is discussed. Recommendations are made for developing a cooperative relationship between industry, higher education, and private consultants for the purpose of creating the preparatory program needed for American and German co-venture managers.
Gains without pains? Growth after positive events

While past research suggests that people experience positive psychological changes after adverse events, little is known about psychological changes that happen after positive events. Adult participants (N = 605) went online to complete a new self-report instrument measuring positive psychological changes linked to positive events, changes that I provisionally call post-ecstatic growth. Factor analysis indicated that this growth happens in four domains: deeper spirituality, increased meaning and purpose in life, improved relationships, and greater self-esteem. Participants were particularly likely to report growth after events that evoked feelings of inspiration and meaning, and events that led them to see new opportunities.
Lipid arrangement in fluid model membranes: analysis by cross-linking of phosphatidylethanolamines.

Abstract Binary mixtures of fluid phase phosphatidylethanolamines at pH 10 were treated with the bifunctional cross-linking reagent dimethylsuberimidate. Analysis of the dimeric species formed demonstrated that the phospholipid species in dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine / dielaidoylphosphatidylethanolamine mixtures at 52°C and dielaidoylphosphatidylethanolamine / dilauroylphosphatidylethanolamine mixtures at 41° C were randomly arranged. Analysis of the dimeric species formed in dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine / dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine mixtures at 68°C showed that this mixture was very close to being randomly arranged, with just a slight propensity of like phospholipid species to cluster.
APPLICATION OF REPLICA TECHNIQUES TO THE STUDY OF CERAMIC SURFACES WITH THE OPTICAL MICROSCOPE

A method of preparing transparent replicas of ceramic surfaces for study with the optical microscope is described. Photomicrographs and projection prints of surface details which are difficult to analyze microscopically by direct methods of observation are presented. The surface-replica material used will penetrate openings as small as the limit of resolving power of the ordinary light microscope and can be studied effectively by (1) direct observation by transmitted light in a microscope having the simplest available optical system, (2) used as a transparency and projected on a screen, and (3) placed in a photographic enlarger and used as a negative to produce direct projection photographic prints. The method is particularly useful when duplicate samples of the same specimen are required, when the specimen cannot be destroyed by grinding or cutting, or when reflected light from a surface destroys contrast in detail.
Pion double charge exchange on nickel isotopes and generalized seniority

Forward angle ([theta][sub lab]=5[degree]) differential cross sections for pion double charge exchange ([pi][sup +],[pi][sup [minus]]) on [sup 60]Ni, [sup 62]Ni, [sup 64]Ni, and [sup nat]Ni have been measured at a [pi][sup +] kinetic energy of 293.4 MeV for reactions resulting in the double isobaric analog states. These cross sections are compared with the general trends seen in other double-charge-exchange reactions and with a generalized seniority model based on a sequential reaction mechanism. Results for nonanalog reactions involving the residual Zn ground states are also presented.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the AAA Protein P97

The mechanocoupling of energy stored in triphosphate nucleosides provide the power necessary for many fundamental in vivo processes. The highly abundant protein p97 (also known as valosin-containing protein) is one of the most widely studied members of the AAA protein family (ATPases Associated with various cellular Activities), and is involved in numerous cellular functions such as nuclear envelope assembly, retrotranslocation of misfolded proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol, reformation of the Golgi following mitosis, and the IκBα pathway. Structurally, each monomer is composed of two hydrolysis domains (D1 and D2 with only D2 being catalytically active under standard cellular conditions), an N-terminal domain that interacts with effector proteins, a C-terminal domain, and linker regions between them. In solution, proteins hexamerize into stacked-ring shaped complexes with rings formed by each of the hydrolysis domains. Here, we present results from molecular dynamics simulations on each of the four predominant hydrolysis states (no nucleotide, ATP, transition state, and ADP). Initial in silico work focused on resolving differences between high- and low-resolution experimentally determined structures through the use of the molecular dynamics flexible fitting (MDFF) method. From these simulations, unrestrained all-atom, long time scale molecular dynamics simulations were performed on each state. Results show important differences in structure and dynamics of the protein in each hydrolysis state and assist in characterization of the p97 hydrolysis pathway.
TCT-661 Assessments of Lipid Plaque and Thrombus With a Novel High-Definition 60-MHz IVUS Imaging System: Comparison with Conventional 40-MHz IVUS and Optical Coherence Tomography

Despite its superior image resolution to IVUS, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is limited in comprehensive vessel analysis due to limited signal penetration. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of novel 60MHz IVUS imaging in qualitative and quantitative assessment compared with conventional
Developmental changes in pituitary responsiveness to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in the female rat: ovarian-adrenal influence during the infantile period.

Pituitary LH and FSH responses to synthetic LHRH as estimated by increases in plasma FSH and LH 15 and 45 min following its iv injection were enhanced during the first 2 weeks of life, reaching a maximum around day 10-15 and declining thereafter. No A.M.-P.M. variations in pituitary responsiveness were observed at any age studied. The increased pituitary response found in infantile rats did not appear to b e caused by a slower rate of disappearance of LHRH in blood of the younger animals. Ovariectomy-adrenalectomy (Ovx-Adrx) or Ovx at day 10, but not Adrx alone, resulted in elevated LH and FSH levels 5 days later and almost complete obliteration of the FSH response to LHRH. The LH response was not tered. Treatment with 5a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT)but not with estradiol benzoate (EB) or testosterone propionate (TP) suppressed the post-Ovx-Adrx rise in plasma LH and FSH. Progesterone (P) potentiated the effect of DHT. Restoration of basal plasma LH and FSH levels (by DHT and/or P) restored FSH responsivenes...
Alkaline extraction of cholecystokinin-immunoreactivity from rat brain.

Abstract Alkaline aqueous extractants remove from rat brain 2 to 4 times the CCK-immunoreactivity that is removed by acidic or neutral aqueous extractants. The distribution among the various hormonal forms appears to be independent of the extractant: about 1 10 in the larger basic forms (CCK-33 and CCK-39); about 1 4 as the C-terminal dodecapeptide (CCK-12) and the remainder as the octapeptide (CCK-8). In contrast, alkaline and acidic aqueous solutions are equally efficient in extraction of enkephalin-immunoreactivity from the same tissues. We are presently unable to account for the very different efficiencies of the various extractants in removing CCK-immunoreactivity from brain.
Monolithic two-dimensional GaAs/AlGaAs laser arrays fabricated by chlorine ion-beam-assisted micromachining

Chlorine ion-beam-assisted etching (IBAE) has been used to micromachine laser facets and deflecting mirrors for monolithic two-dimensional GaAs/AIGaAs laser arrays. Three laser cavity/deflector designs have been successfully implemented. The first utilizes a parabolic deflecting mirror to directly focus the laser radiation; the second consists of a folded cavity with a vertical facet, a top surface facet, and an internal 45° reflector; and the third has a folded cavity with an internal Al0.2Ga0.8As/Al0.8Ga0.2As dielectric mirror stack and a top surface facet formed in a single etch step with two internal 45° reflectors. The parabolic deflecting mirrors are currently modeled forf- 0.8 collection efficiency, making the first design attractive in incoherent arrays for high-power applications such as pumping Nd:YAG lasers. The other two structures are of interest for incoherent or coherent arrays used in high- and medium-power applications, since the top surface facets can easily be antireflection coated. The design with a dielectric mirror stack is particularly simple to fabricate.
The effect of inhaled nitric oxide on pulmonary ventilation-perfusion matching following smoke inhalation injury.

Background: We previously reported that inhaled nitric oxide (NO) improved pulmonary function following smoke inhalation. This study evaluates the physiologic mechanism by which inhaled NO improves pulmonary function in an ovine model. Methods: Forty-eight hours following wood smoke exposure to produce a moderate inhalation injury, 12 animals were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated (F IO2 , 0.40; tidal volume, 15 mL/kg; PEEP, 5 cm H 2 O) for 3 hours. For the first and third hours, each animal was ventilated without NO: for the second hour, all animals were ventilated with 40 ppm NO. Cardiopulmonary variables and blood gases were measured every 30 minutes. The multiple inert gas elimination technique (MIGET) was performed during the latter 30 minutes of each hour
Does Self-Esteem Moderate the Associations between Protective Behavioral Strategies and Negative Outcomes Associated with Alcohol Consumption?.

Previous research has shown that protective behavioral strategies tend to be associated with lower levels of alcohol consumption and fewer negative alcohol-related consequences. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether self-esteem would moderate the association between protective behavioral strategies and alcohol-related outcomes. Participants were undergraduates (94 men and 363 women) between the ages of 18-25 who reported that they had consumed alcohol within the past 30 days. Results showed that greater use of protective behavioral strategies was associated with lower rates of alcohol consumption, less harmful drinking patterns, and fewer negative consequences for everyone except men with low self-esteem. The implications of these findings for understanding the link between protective behavioral strategies and alcohol-related outcomes are discussed. Language: en
Dietary Interventions for Weight Loss and Maintenance: Preference or Genetic Personalization?

Obesity and related co-morbidities are major health problems throughout the world. Dietary interventions are the most common strategies employed for weight loss in overweight and obese individuals. A large body of evidence has shown that many diets varying in quantity and quality of macronutrients are effective in promoting weight loss, but there is still extensive debate about what types of diet are most effective for treating overweight and obesity. Likewise, long-term weight loss and maintenance are difficult for overweight and obese people. On the other hand, significant inter-individual variation in weight loss in response to dietary composition has long been noted, partly accounted for by an individual’s genetic makeup. Identification of gene–diet interactions in weight loss may provide useful information for the development of personalized approaches to weight loss. This review summarizes dietary intervention studies for weight loss and maintenance, and recent studies of gene–diet interaction with regard to weight loss.
Thrombosis of the Left Main Coronary Artery Following Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

Thrombosis of the left main coronary artery complicating percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has, to our knowledge, not previously been reported. This report describes iatrogenic left main thrombosis treated by operative thrombectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting.
Effect of Additional Light During Growing Period on Egg Production of October Hatched White Leghorn Pullets

Abstract TOMHAVE (1954) compared the performance of October hatched New Hampshire pullets subjected to normal daylight with that of others receiving supplemental artificial light to simulate day-length of pullets hatched in March. The length of supplemental light varied from a low of one hour in October to a high of five hours in December. After 23 weeks of age all birds were placed under 14 hours of light daily. Body weight was slightly greater, age at sexual maturity was somewhat retarded (7–14 days), and egg size was greater in pullets reared under supplemental light. Little difference was observed in mortality or egg production over a laying period of 164 days. The report of Wilson et al. (1956), which summarized the results in several studies, shows that age at sexual maturity and egg production are affected adversely by continuous light during the growing period. Because fall-hatched White Leghorns make up a …
Involvement of c-Myc in growth inhibition of Hep 3B human hepatoma cells by a vitamin K analog

Background/Aims A synthetic vitamin K analog, compound 5 (Cpd 5), is a potent inhibitor of cell growth. The aim was to investigate whether c-Myc was involved in Cpd 5-induced cell growth inhibition. Methods Human hepotoma cells (Hep 3B) were cultured and treated with Cpd 5, and c-Myc protein expression and phosphorylation were investigated using Western blot analysis. Results Cpd 5 was found to inhibit c-Myc protein expression and induce c-Myc phosphorylation in Hep 3B cells. The phosphorylation of c-Myc was induced by both Cpd 5-mediated persistent extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and Cpd 5 increased glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) activity. When using GSK-3 inhibitor, SB216763, c-Myc phosphorylation was significantly decreased and c-Myc levels were restored in Cpd 5 treated cells, suggesting that Cpd 5-mediated increase of GSK-3 activity enhanced c-Myc degradation and resulted in reduction of c-Myc levels. The lower c-Myc levels were found to cause altered expression of two c-Myc target genes, growth arrest gene gadd45 and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Conclusions The results suggest that Cpd 5-mediated c-Myc phosphorylation resulted in enhanced c-Myc protein degradation and reduced c-Myc protein levels, which may contribute to cell growth inhibition by Cpd 5.
Social Values and Social Structure

The exchanges that individualist, prosocial, and competitive actors will make and the kind of negotiations they will carry out in dyads and power structures are predicted here for the first time. The predictions are generated by bridging two previously independent streams of thought, network exchange theory and social value orientations. In so doing, this article shows that formal, mathematical theory and metric predictions are not threatened by using multiple actors with contrasting utilities. Results offered here are hypothetical and provide a baseline against which empirical studies can be compared. A later paper will compare these predictions with experiments now ongoing.
Effect of fish oil supplementation on the excretion of the major metabolite of prostaglandin E in healthy male subjects

We investigated the effect of fish oil supplementation on the synthesis of prostaglandin E (PGE)in vivo by measuring the excretion of its catabolite, PGE-M, in 24-hr urine by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Forty healthy male volunteers (24–57 years of age) consumed a controlled basal diet providing 40% of energy from fat (P/S ratio about 0.8∶1), 130 mg/1000 kcal cholesterol, and a minimum of 22 mg/day of α-tocopherol (α-T), for three experimental periods lasting a total of 28 weeks. During period 1 (10 weeks) the diet was supplemented with placebo (PO) capsules (15×1 g/day) consisting of a blend of fats approaching the fatty acid profile of the basal diet. This was followed by a second 10-week period during which the subjects received 15×1 g/day capsules of fish oil concentrate (FOC). During period 3 (8 weeks) they continued the 15 g/day intake of FOC but received an additional 200 mg/day of α-T. PO and FOC capsules contained 1 mg α-T/g fat as antioxidant. A 14% reduction of PGE-M excretion was observed after 10 weeks of FOC supplementation (period 2), compared to an identical period of placebo supplementation (period 1), P=0.009. PGE-M excretion during the last week of period 3 was not significantly different from that at the end of period 2. The reduction in PGE synthesis in response to the relatively high marine oil supplementation was large in many subjects participating in this study.
The integration of computer conferencing into the medical school curriculum.

A computer conference was developed for use with students, faculty, and staff at a large state funded medical school. The conference was intended to increase communication among these groups which study, work, and train at a variety of locations across the state. To date, 583 participants (91% are students, 6% are faculty, and 2% are staff) have discussed a variety of academic, ethical, social, and administrative issues. Conference use is required during the obstetrics-gynecology third year clerkship, and has also been used to evaluate courses and critique course examinations. The procedures for creating a computer conference, implementing its use in the curriculum, and evaluating its effectiveness are discussed.
Context-dependent functions of specific microRNAs in neuronal development

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate multiple developmental processes at the post-transcriptional level. Recent rapid progresses have demonstrated critical roles for a number of miRNAs in neuronal development and function. In particular, miR-9 and miR-124 are specifically expressed in the mammalian nervous system, and their respective nucleotide sequences are 100% identical among many species. Yet, their expression patterns and mRNA targets are less conserved throughout evolution. As a consequence, these miRNAs exhibit diverse context-dependent functions in different aspects of neuronal development, ranging from early neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation to dendritic morphogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Some other neuronal miRNAs also exhibit context-dependent functions in development. Thus, post-transcriptional regulation of spatial and temporal expression levels of protein-coding genes by miRNAs contributes uniquely to the proper development and evolution of the complex nervous system.
Overview of radar data compression

Radar data is routinely transmitted in real-time from the coterminous United States (CONUS) radar sites and placed on the Internet for incorporation into nowcasting, hydrology and modeling applications in near-realtime. Radar data are also archived for on-demand retrieval by the National Climate Data Center (NCDC). Data compression is used operationally to reduce bandwidth and storage requirements. There are several data compression techniques used operationally on radar data. Custom compression techniques have been devised for radar data that outperform generic techniques but the radar operations groups ultimately use off-the-shelf solutions. The underlying ideas behind compressibity are useful beyond just reducing the amount of data for transmission and archival. The compressibility of radar data has been found useful for devising quality control algorithms, especially for the detection and removal of test patterns.
Training program growth...: from flat line to pulsating

IT Training and Communications is a division of Information Technology Services (ITS), which provides computer application training for the faculty and staff at Saint Louis University. In the beginning, IT Training and Communications provided training in word processing, database and spreadsheet programs. However, the University community needs were growing in the areas of spreadsheet/database management, database design, and web base applications, as well as in fundamental computer skills. In response to requests from the Saint Louis University's community, we began the process of redeveloping our computer application training program. We decided that all of the courses that we offered should be redesigned into "level" classes, allowing users to build their skills received from training as they applied them in their work environment. A complete course description for each level would be provided so that participants would be able to determine which level of class they should attend, based on the course content and skills taught. In addition, IT Training and Communications wanted to maintain a record of participant's attendance to provide recognition for the time and effort participants spent enhancing their computer knowledge as well as personal and professional growth. Each participant would receive a bound course book, diskette, and a certificate of completion for each level completed.Although we had developed a great program on paper, our resources (people and time primarily) were very limited. Several questions raised their ugly heads:How can we develop 30 different levels of classes?Who will write and design the training materials?How can we accomplish this with a staff of two and no designated budget?How are we going to offset the cost of providing new training materials?How can we provide a fast-turn around?.The ultimate solution was to seek out a resource that could provide materials for us that we could customize to meet our growing needs. We wanted to be sure to meet our customer's needs of providing training that is pertinent to our academic environment, while maintaining the flexibility to apply the training in a variety of academic settings (faculty needs, staff needs, researcher needs, etc.). Not only did we find such a resource, but we were also successful in meeting the challenges of getting this "just in time" learning quickly to our customers.This paper discusses the challenges IT Training and Communications faced in redeveloping the computer application training program, the solutions we found, and the successes that continue as a result of our effort.
Ginkgo Biloba Leave Extract: Biological, Medicinal, and Toxicological Effects

Ginkgo biloba leave extract is among the most widely sold herbal dietary supplements in the United States. Its purported biological effects include: scavenging free radical; lowering oxidative stress; reducing neural damages, reducing platelets aggregation; anti-inflammation; anti-tumor activities; and anti-aging. Clinically, it has been prescribed to treat CNS disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and cognitive deficits. It exerts allergy and changes in bleeding time. While its mutagenicity or carcinogenic activity has not been reported, its components, quercetin, kaempferol and rutin have been shown to be genotoxic. There are no standards or guidelines regulating the constituent components of Ginkgo biloba leave extract nor are exposure limits imposed. Safety evaluation of Ginkgo biloba leave extract is being conducted by the U.S. National Toxicology Program.
Recovery of uranium from lignites

Abstract There is a renewed interest in lignites as a source of fuel and for the possible by-product recovery of uranium. This paper summarizes the experimental work carried out at Oak Ridge National Laboratory during 1952 to 1954 that deals with the sulfuric acid leaching of lignite ash for uranium recovery. A discussion of the possible utilization of sulfur dioxides in flue gases should be of value to those companies planning to process lignites.
Separating Processes in Object Perception

In this article, I consider research by Needham and colleagues examining the role of object knowledge on infant's segregation of scenes into objects. I suggest that research in this area would benefit from closer connections to computational, psychophysical, and neurophysiological research on adult perceptual segmentation and grouping. I sketch a framework for understanding the components of object perception and apply it to the paradigm and displays used by Needham. This analysis suggests two ideas. First, it would be valuable to demonstrate the role of object knowledge in cases that are less impoverished in terms of perceptual information for segregation and more typical of object arrangements in ordinary scenes. Second, some method is needed to distinguish whether infants' object knowledge affects perceptual organization of new scenes or produces specific beliefs, inferences, or expectations about particular objects and scenes. As a specific example of the benefits of connecting developmental and adult research, some recent research in adult perception is described. The research indicates that in adult object segregation, two types of processes may be distinguished: basic perceptual processes of object segregation and more cognitive processes involving recognition. I suggest that Needham's research may be revealing the developmental origins of the latter processes.
A controlled study of ischemic stroke risk in migraine patients

Abstract To help resolve the uncertain relationship between migraine headache and ischemic stoke, we performed a hospital-based, case-control study. Eighty-nine cases ages 15–65 with a head computed tomography (CT) scan supported diagnoses of ischemic stroke were matched to 178 control subjects. Using information obtained by telephone interview, the patients were placed into three categories according to explicit criteria: classic migraine; common migraine; and no migraine headache. Overall, the association between migraine and ischemic stroke is significantly increased only in patients with classic migraine [odds ratio (OR) = 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–6.6]. In addition, classic migraine does not appear to increase ischemic stroke when hypertension, diabetes or smoking are present; however, when these other risk factors are absent, classic migraine is strongly and significantly associated with the risk of ischemic stroke [no hypertension, OR = 5.7 (95% CI 1.6–20.2); no diabetes, OR =3.4 (95% CI 1.2–9.3); non-smoker OR =4.3 (95% CI 1.2–15.0)]. Since none of the migraine patients in our study had a migrainous stroke, an underlying disorder other than prolonged vasospasm may be responsible for the observed increased risk. Our data suggest that classic migraine may be a marker for patients at increased risk for ischemic stroke unrelated to a migraine attack.
Decreased Maternal Plasma Apelin Concentrations in Preeclampsia

Background. Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder that complicates 3–7% of pregnancies. The development of preeclampsia has not been completely elucidated and current therapies are not broadly efficacious. The apelinergic system appears to be involved in hypertensive disorders and experimental studies indicate a role of this system in preeclampsia. Thus, an epidemiological evaluation of apelin protein concentration in plasma was conducted in case–control study of pregnant women. Methods. Data and maternal plasma samples were collected from pregnant women with confirmed preeclampsia (n = 76) or normotensive controls (n = 79). Concentrations of apelin peptides were blindly measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were subjected to statistical analyses. Results. Plasma apelin concentrations, measured at delivery, were lower in preeclampsia cases compared with controls (mean ± standard deviation: 0.66 ± 0.29 vs. 0.78 ± 0.31 ng/mL, p = 0.02). After controlling for confounding by maternal age, s...
Reactivity of ferrate(V) with carboxylic acids: A pre-mix pulse radiolysis study

Abstract Rates of reduction of ferrate(VI) to ferrate(V) by a number of organic acid and ester radicals (monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, amino acids, malonic acid esters), generated by the pulse radiolysis technique, vary from 107–109 dm3 mol-1 s-1. The rate at which these radicals reduce ferrate(VI) depends upon the nature of the substituents at the α-carbon atom and decrease in the order α- C-NH2>α-C-OH>α-C-H.A similar dependence upon the α-C-groups(s) has been observed for the oxidation of the parent organic acid by ferrate(V), for which the rate constants vary from 101-106 dm3 mol-1 s-1. An oxidation mechanism is being proposed in which ferrate(V) oxidizes the carboxylic acid by a two-electron process. The rate of the oxidation process is dependent on the protonation of ferrate(V). For example, in the oxidation of gluconic acid with H2FeVO4-/HFeVO42-; k10(H2FeVO4- + gluconate) = 1.1 × 106 dm3 mol-1 s-1 and k11(HFeVO42- + gluconate) = 2.0 × 105dm3 mol-1 s-1. The oxidation mechanisms for malate and asparate by OH radicals and ferrate(V) are compared.
National Trauma Institute prospective evaluation of the ventilator bundle in trauma patients: Does it really work?

BACKGROUNDSince its introduction by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the ventilator bundle (VB) has been credited with a reduction in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The VB consists of stress ulcer prophylaxis, deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis, head-of-bed elevation, and daily seda
Depletion of heavy isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen in tissue water of intertidal plants: implications for water economy

Stable oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios of leaf and thallus water of the intertidal seagrasses Phyllospadix scouleri and P. torreyi and the marine algae Egregia menziesii, Gelidium coulteri, and Corallina vancouverensis from three locations in California, USA, were determined in 1987. Compared with subtidal seawater, most plant-water samples were depleted in the heavy isotopes 18O and deuterium. Depletion of heavy isotopes was greatest in plants growing at the highest intertidal elevations. This was an unexpected result, because enrichment of heavy isotopes occurs during evapotranspiration in terrestrial plants. Two possible mechanisms for this isotopic depletion are proposed: direct uptake of heavy isotope-depleted water vapor and preferential diffusion of 16O and 1H into littoral plants from water remaining in the intertidal zone at low tide.
Cryptic splice site activation during RNA processing of MLL/AF4 chimeric transcripts in infants with t(4;11) positive ALL.

Abstract Co-expression of multiple variants of the MLL / AF4 fusion transcript is a common phenomenon in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with t(4;11)(q21;q23). Different transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms were found to contribute to the heterogeneity of the chimeric transcripts. Multiple splice variants are generated by utilizing alternative splice sites that result in the joining of different MLL -exons within the breakpoint cluster region to one of three exons in the AF4 fusion partner. To address the question of how splice site selection occurs during RNA processing, we investigated der(11) transcripts in 10 infants with t(4;11) positive ALL. Specific RT–PCR products were analyzed by Southern blot hybridization, SSCP, endonuclease digestion, cloning and sequencing. In patients co-expressing as many as six different chimeric mRNA species, activation of cryptic splice sites has been detected in MLL -exons 8 and 10. This led to the formation of four novel transcript variants, three of which maintained open reading frames (ORFs). Patients with cryptic donor site activation in MLL -exon 8 did not have any MLL -exon 8/ AF4 transcripts using the authentic 5′ splice site, although this site is 100% homologous to the consensus sequence. However, since MLL -exon 8 does not end in-phase, the use of the authentic splice site would result in loss of the ORF of the fusion message. The activated cryptic splicing sites are located in the vicinity of the polypurine stretches present in MLL -exons 8 and 10, which are known to function as splicing enhancers recognized by SR proteins. We postulate that both the nonsense-mediated decay eliminating correctly spliced MLL -exon 8/ AF4 mRNAs and activation of suboptimal splicing sites contribute to the diversity of MLL / AF4 RNA species.
An application of interactive analysis and computer graphics in stochastic modeling

This paper will describe the application of an interactive queueing network analyzer and an interactive graphics system to the analysis of a multiple processor computer system. The application of these tools greatly increased the productivity of the modelers and resulted in insights which would have otherwise been difficult, if not impossible, to obtain. With this experience as background, we discuss how the increasing availability of computing resources, especially high resolution interactive computer graphics and sophisticated modeling packages, is likely to have a profound influence on the applied stochastic modeler.
Tbx5-Hedgehog Molecular Networks Are Essential in the Second Heart Field for Atrial Septation

The developmental mechanisms underlying human congenital heart disease (CHD) are poorly understood. Atrial septal defects (ASDs) can result from haploinsufficiency of cardiogenic transcription factors including TBX5. We demonstrated that Tbx5 is required in the second heart field (SHF) for atrial septation in mice. Conditional Tbx5 haploinsufficiency in the SHF but not the myocardium or endocardium caused ASDs. Tbx5 SHF knockout embryos lacked atrial septum progenitors. We found that Tbx5 mutant SHF progenitors demonstrated cell-cycle progression defects and that Tbx5 regulated cell-cycle progression genes including Cdk6. Activated hedgehog (Hh) signaling rescued ASDs in Tbx5 mutant embryos, placing Tbx5 upstream or parallel to Hh in cardiac progenitors. Tbx5 regulated SHF Gas1 and Osr1 expression, supporting both pathways. These results describe a SHF Tbx5-Hh network required for atrial septation. A paradigm defining molecular requirements in SHF cardiac progenitors for cardiac septum morphogenesis has implications for the ontogeny of CHD.
Anencephalus and spina bifida: An ecological approach

The ecological approach to the etiology of disease involves consideration of the complex interactions of factors related to the host, agent, and environment. Although the ecological approach was developed with regard to infectious diseases, this article suggests its application as a meaningful approach to understanding the etiology of anencephalus and spina bifida. Host, agent, and environmental factors thought to be important in the development of these malformations are discussed. Translation of this conceptual approach into a testable model is needed.
Turbulence, watermass stratification and harmful algal blooms: an alternative view and frontal zones as “pelagic seed banks”

Abstract Watermass stratification has been considered the essential physical condition that dinoflagellates require to bloom because of their relative inability, unlike diatoms, to tolerate the elevated shear-stress associated with water-column mixing, turbulence and high velocity, coastal currents. The swimming speeds of 71 flagellate taxa, with a focus on dinoflagellates, are compared to the turbulence fields and vertical velocities that develop during representative wind conditions, upwelling and at frontal zones. The results suggest that the classical stratification–dinoflagellate bloom paradigm needs revision. Tolerance of turbulence, growth within well-mixed watermasses and survival and dispersal while entrained within current systems are well developed capacities among dinoflagellates. Their secretion of mucous, often copious during blooms, is suggested to be an environmental engineering strategy to dampen turbulence. Biophysical tolerance of turbulence by dinoflagellates is often accompanied by high swimming speeds. Motility speeds of many species exceed in situ vertical current velocities; this also allows diel migrational patterns and other motility-based behavior to persist. Species belonging to “mixing-drift” life-form assemblages can increase their swimming speeds through chain formation, which helps to compensate for the increased turbulence and vertical water-column velocities of their habitats. The ability of dinoflagellate species to tolerate the vertical velocities of offshore, frontal zones, where abundant populations often develop, suggests that fronts may serve as “pelagic seed banks”, occurring as pelagic analogues of nearshore seed beds, from which seed stock is dispersed. The different ecologies associated with the hypothesized, “pelagic seed banks” of vegetative cells and the “seed beds” of resting stage cells deposited onto sediments are discussed. There is a contradiction in the stratification–HAB paradigm: the quiescent conditions of a stratified watermass, with its characteristic nutrient-poor conditions are expected to promote stasis of the population, rather than growth and blooms. The analyses suggest that dinoflagellate blooms do not preponderate in stratified watermasses because the bloom species are biophysically intolerant of the higher velocities and turbulence of more mixed watermasses. The watermass stratification that often accompanies flagellate blooms is probably a secondary, parallel event and less essential than some other factor(s) in triggering the observed bloom.
Testing for Malignant Hyperthermia in North America and Australia

There are 14 biopsy centers for malignant hyperthermia (MH) in the United States and Canada, and 3 in Australia. In recent years 3 biopsy centers in North America have closed for funding reasons or because the center director changed the emphasis of his/her activities.
Civic Space in Regional Frameworks: Resilient Approaches to Urban Design

This chapter explores a systems- and performance-based design approach through the analysis of two projects—the Lower Don Lands and the Papago Trail—by Stoss Landscape Urbanism. Both designs operate on disturbed sites to bolster ecological, economic and social activity. The focus is on function and adaptability over time.
Carnap's Forgotten Criterion of Empirical Significance

The waning popularity of logical empiricism and the supposed discovery of insurmountable technical difficulties led most philosophers to abandon the project to formulate a formal criterion of empirical significance. Such a criterion would delineate claims that observation can confirm or disconfirm from those it cannot. Although early criteria were clearly inadequate, criticisms made of later, more sophisticated criteria were often indefensible or easily answered. Most importantly, Carnap�s last criterion was seriously misinterpreted and an amended version of it remains tenable.