cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adenocarcinoma of urinary bladder: Classification and management

Adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder is an uncommon, often aggressive urologic cancer. In an attempt to classify and define management of this tumor, 28 patients with vesical adenocarcinoma were studied. Excluded were patients with mixed transitional cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Three major classes of tumor were identified: primary vesical adenocarcinoma, urachal adenocarcinoma, and extravesical adenocarcinoma involving the bladder. Signet ring cell tumors appeared to behave more aggressively than other cell types. Radical surgery was the most effective treatment.
Segregation of vitamin A1 and vitamin A2 cone pigments in the bullfrog retina

Abstract Measurement of the early receptor potential action spectra of the dorsal and ventral areas of theRana catesbeiana retina indicates that there are at least two long-wave cone pigments in this retina and that these pigments are not homogeneously distributed. We suggest that the ventral retina contains predominantly an A1-based cone pigment absorbing maximally at 580 nm and that the dorsal retina contains a mixture of this A1-based pigment and an A2-based pigment absorbing maximally at 620 nm.
Corneal topography and contact lenses

Regardless of whether CVK is used qualitatively for RGP lens design selection or quantitatively in RGP parameter selection, it has a significant role in contact lens practice. Further advancements and testing on CVK-based RGP fitting modules and fluorescein simulations will make CVK an invaluable tool for the RGP lens fitter. Soft lens applications of CVK data are already being tested [42,43]. This technology will become the standard of care for all contact lens patients and will most likely replace the keratometer.
Agriculture, ethics, and restrictions on property rights

The argument in this essay is twofold. (1) Procedural justice requires,in particular cases, that we restrict property rights in natural resources, e.g., California agricultural land or Appalachian coal land. (2) Conditions imposed by Locke's political theory and by dense population require,in general, that we restrict property rights in finite or non-renewable natural resources such as land. If these arguments are correct, then we have a moral imperative to use land-use controls (such as taxation, planning, zoning, and acreage limitations) to restructure land ownership and land use in a far more radical way than has ever been accomplished in the past.
Effects of sodium benzoate, a widely used food preservative, on glucose homeostasis and metabolic profiles in humans

Sodium benzoate is a widely used preservative found in many foods and soft drinks. It is metabolized within mitochondria to produce hippurate, which is then cleared by the kidneys. We previously reported that ingestion of sodium benzoate at the generally regarded as safe (GRAS) dose leads to a robust excursion in the plasma hippurate level [1]. Since previous reports demonstrated adverse effects of benzoate and hippurate on glucose homeostasis in cells and in animal models, we hypothesized that benzoate might represent a widespread and underappreciated diabetogenic dietary exposure in humans. Here, we evaluated whether acute exposure to GRAS levels of sodium benzoate alters insulin and glucose homeostasis through a randomized, controlled, cross-over study of 14 overweight subjects. Serial blood samples were collected following an oral glucose challenge, in the presence or absence of sodium benzoate. Outcome measurements included glucose, insulin, glucagon, as well as temporal mass spectrometry-based metabolic profiles. We did not find a statistically significant effect of an acute oral exposure to sodium benzoate on glucose homeostasis. Of the 146 metabolites targeted, four changed significantly in response to benzoate, including the expected rise in benzoate and hippurate. In addition, anthranilic acid, a tryptophan metabolite, exhibited a robust rise, while acetylglycine dropped. Although our study shows that GRAS doses of benzoate do not have an acute, adverse effect on glucose homeostasis, future studies will be necessary to explore the metabolic impact of chronic benzoate exposure.
Electro-optical phase shift in polymer dispersed liquid crystals

An anisotropic version of the Maxwell Garnett approximation is applied for studying the electro-optical phase modulation by polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC). The PDLC contain bipolar liquid crystal droplets that can be reoriented by an external field causing a change in the optical birefringence. This approach provides an explicit link between the droplet orientation distribution and the electro-optical phase shift. For aligned droplets we find that the sharpness of the change in the birefringence may be controlled by selecting the initial orientation. For a planar distribution we find sharp transitions with a hysteresis loop whose width depends on the droplet concentration. For a random distribution, the droplet orientation and the optical phase shift change more gradually with the applied field. These results demonstrate that PDLC may be suitable for a wide range of electro-optic applications based on their field-induced phase modulation properties. In addition, it is apparent that the optical phase shift is quite sensitive to changes in droplet orientation. It should therefore be useful for studying reorientation phenomena in PDLC, overcoming the problems due to light scattering in these materials.
The Federal Reserve's Tight Monetary Policy During the 1973-75 Recession: A Survey of Possible Interpretations

This paper uses a case study of the Federal Reserve's behavior during the 1973-75 recession to distinguish the radical political economic approach from the mainstream theories of monetary policy. A...
Methods to Relieve Heat Stress for Dairy Cows in Hot, Humid Climates

Hot, humid weather causes heat stress in dairy cows leading to declines in feed intake, milk production, and fertility. These declines can be reduced or eliminated by using a heat stress relief program consisting of a combination of shades, feed and water offered under shade, ventilation, and sprinkler and fan cooling. Results from experimental studies in Florida and Kentucky indicate that sprinkling and fan cooling systems in combination with shades can improve cow comfort and increase milk production of cows in hot, humid climates.
A determination of the transition widths of some excited states in 12C

Abstract Previous measurements of the transition probabilities for low-energy excitations in 12 C, using high-energy electron scattering techniques, required considerable extrapolation of the data to obtain the desired results. The present paper reports the results of new data obtained at lower values of momentum transferred to the nucleus. Transition widths for the three lowest-energy excited states in 12 C are determined using the new data. The results of the experiment allow a much greater confidence in the method employed in this study for determining transition widths.
Assessing elastic Coulomb stress transfer models using seismicity rates in southern California and southwestern Japan

[1] We investigated whether observed changes in seismicity rate following the 1992 Landers and 1995 Kobe earthquakes correspond with predictions from Coulomb stress transfer models. To quantify the relationship between Coulomb stress change and seismicity rate change, we compared spatial changes in observed seismicity rates to the modeled changes in Coulomb failure stress (ΔCFS) for the two subject earthquakes. We begin with the simplest and most common ΔCFS model, which assumes that regional stress orientations are uniform and the stress change is resolved on optimally oriented strike-slip planes. We then extended the ΔCFS models to include the more geophysically realistic assumptions of spatially varying regional stress orientations and optimally oriented planes in three dimensions. For all the tested ΔCFS models, we found that virtually everywhere seismicity rate changes could be resolved, the rate increased regardless of whether the ΔCFS theoretically promoted or inhibited failure and that we were not able to reliably resolve seismicity rate decreases. An improvement in the correlation between the sign of the ΔCFS and where rate increases occur when estimating the ΔCFS on optimally oriented planes in three dimensions rather than two dimensions is a consequence of using optimally oriented planes and the ability to primarily observe rate increases. The region of positive ΔCFS increases by allowing more degrees of freedom so the correlation with positive rate change appears to increase. The areas of highest seismicity rate following the main shock did not correlate with the sign or the magnitude of the ΔCFS. Rather, the areas most active after the main shock were also the most active before the main shock.
Structural Insight into the Role of the Human Melanocortin 3 Receptor Cysteine Residues on Receptor Function

Melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R), expressed in the hypothalamus and limbic systems of the brain, as well as by peripheral sites, plays an important role in the regulation of energy homeostasis and other physiological functions. Past work shows that MC3R-deficiency resulted in fat mass increase, feeding efficiency increase, hyperleptinemia and mild hyperinsulinemia in mice and human. MC3R belongs to G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family and many studies indicate that some cysteine residues in GPCR play key roles in maintaining receptor tertiary structure and function. In this study, we examined the role of cysteine residues in MC3R on receptor function. Human MC3R (hMC3R) has eighteen cysteine residues where they are located in the extracellular loops (ELs), the transmembrane domains (TMs) and the intracellular loops (ILs). We replaced these cysteines with serine and expressed these receptors in HEK-293 cells which lack endogenous MC3R. Our results indicate that five cysteines in eighteen of the hMC3R are important for hMC3R function. Mutations, C305S, C311S, and C313S in EL3, resulted in significant decrease in receptor expression and receptor function while two other mutations C115S and C162S in TM3 significantly decreased NDP-MSH binding affinity and potency. These results suggest that extracellular cysteine residue 305, 311 and 313 are crucial for receptor expression and the transmembrane cysteine residue, C115 and 162 are important for ligand binding and signaling. These findings provide important insights into the importance of cysteine residues of hMC3R on receptor tertiary structure and function.
Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry of the rat: Accuracy, precision, and measurement of bone loss

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is now an established method of measuring bone mineral density (BMD) in humans. We have applied the technique to measuring BMD in the rat. The short-term precision of the technique was assessed by calculating the BMD coefficient of variation at the rat spine (1.20%), total femur (0.52%), proximal femur (1.16%), midfemur (1.00%), distal femur (0.96%), and proximal tibia (2.2%). The long-term precision of femoral measurements in rat cadavers over a 4 week period was 0.72% for the total femur and 1.2% for the distal femur. The accuracy of the technique was assessed by comparing DEXA-measured bone mineral content (BMC) in vitro and in vivo with ashed BMC. Results indicated a highly significant positive correlation between in vitro DEXA measurements and ash BMC (r = 0.99) and between in vivo DEXA measurements and ash BMC (r = 0.89). The ability of the technique to detect bone loss was assessed at the femoral site by comparing the BMD of ovariectomized (OVX) and sham-operated rats at baseline and at a 1 month follow-up. There was no significant difference in BMD between the groups at baseline. However, at 1 month follow-up the OVX group showed a significant (p < 0.001) decline in BMD at the distal femur (-8.6%) and in the total femur (-4.8%) compared with sham-operated rats. A comparison of retired breeder female rats with age-matched nulliparous rats indicated that the BMD of retired breeder rats was significantly lower than that of virgin females at all femoral sites (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Three dimensional mapping of neuropeptides and lipids in crustacean brain by mass spectral imaging

Imaging mass spectrometry is emerging as a powerful tool that has been applied extensively for the localization of proteins, peptides, pharmaceutical compounds, metabolites, and lipids in biological tissues. In this article, a three-dimensional mass spectral imaging (3D MSI) technique was developed to examine distribution patterns of multiple neuropeptide families and lipids in the brain of the crab Cancer borealis. Different matrix/solvent combinations were compared for preferential extraction and detection of neuropeptides and lipids. Combined with morphological information, the distribution of numerous neuropeptides throughout the 3D structure of brain was determined using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS). Different localization patterns were observed for different neuropeptide families, and isoforms displaying unique distribution patterns that were distinct from the common family distribution trends were also detected. In addition, multiple lipids were identified and mapped from brain tissue slices. To confirm their identities, MS/MS fragmentation was performed. Different lipid species displayed distinct localization patterns, suggesting their potential different functional roles in the nervous system.
NFATC3, A LYMPHOID-SPECIFIC NFATC FAMILY MEMBER THAT IS CALCIUM-REGULATED AND EXHIBITS DISTINCT DNA BINDING SPECIFICITY

Signals transduced by the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) regulate developmental transitions in the thymus and also mediate the immunologic activation of mature, peripheral T cells. In both cases TCR stimulation leads to the assembly of the NFAT transcription complex as a result of the calcium-dependent nuclear translocation of cytosolic subunits, NFATc, and the Ras/protein kinase C-dependent induction of a nuclear subunit, NFATn. To further understand the diverse roles of antigen receptor signaling throughout T cell development, we have identified a new NFATc family member, NFATc3, that is expressed at highest levels in the thymus. NFATc3 is the product of a gene on murine chromosome 8 that is not linked to the other NFATc genes. NFATc3, like other NFATc family members, contains a conserved rel similarity domain, and also defines a region conserved among NFATc family members, the SP repeat region, characterized by the repeated motif SPxxSPxxSPrxsxx(D/E)(D/E)swl. NFATc3 activates NFAT site-dependent transcription when overexpressed, yet exhibits a pattern of DNA site specificity distinct from other NFATc proteins. Additionally, thymic NFATc3 undergoes modifications in response to agents that mimic T cell receptor signaling, including a decrease in apparent molecular mass upon elevation of intracellular calcium that is inhibited by the immunosuppressant FK506. Given the preferential expression of NFATc3 in the thymus, NFATc family members may regulate distinct subsets of genes during T cell development.
The Research Proposal by an Academic Institution

The proposal is an essential step in securing financial support for a research project. Sponsoring sources, government agencies, and private funding groups use the research proposal to determine the merit of the proposed work, the competency of the investigator, and the reasonableness of the estimated cost.Because research is usually considered essential for a well rounded graduate program and because funds to support research projects at an academic institution often account for a significant portion of its total annual budget, the importance of proposal writing in the academic community is clear. The material presented herein is intended to provide a synopsis of the salient features of a research proposal generated by an academic institution.
Home uterine activity monitoring in the care of preterm labor: a review of the evidence

Abstract Objective: Preterm labor (PTL) that results in cervical change and spontaneous preterm birth requires organized forceful uterine contractions. Home uterine activity monitoring (HUAM) detects increases in activity and facilitates intervention. We sought to summarize randomized trials comparing pregnancy outcomes of women who did and did not receive HUAM. Methods: We worked as part of the AHCPR Evidence Report on the Management of Preterm Labor and restricted our search to randomized trials of HUAM among women who had experienced PTL in the pregnancy for which they were receiving monitoring. With ACOG and an advisory group, we developed search criteria. We did an exhaustive literature search, including the gray literature, for articles in English from 1980 to 1998. The initial search identified 37 studies; after review (masked to author and journal), 4 studies met inclusion criteria. Results: This is a systematic review of HUAM for the care of women with a history of PTL in the current pregnancy. We will report the results examining the outcomes of gestational age at delivery, infant birth weight, and term birth. Conclusions: We will present the conclusions and recommendations of the project team.
Differentiation during regeneration caused by migration of repressors in bioelectric fields

Experiments are reviewed which have led to the conclusion that differentiation occurs during regeneration in Tubularia only if a bioelectric field of sufficient strength is maintained. The electrical polarity seems to determine the polarity of morphogenesis by controlling the movement of charged repressors. The repressors work in this totipotent system by preventing recipient regions from becoming what the donor regions are becoming. It appears that any level can become the most anterior structure not forming anterior to it. Thus by a series of repressions in totipotent material all levels of a hydranth are established.
Dissolution kinetics of magnesium silicates

Abstract Kinetic dissolution experiments on serpentine, forsterite and enstatite over a wide pH range at 25°C show that there is an initial rapid exchange of surface magnesium ions with hydrogen ions followed by a longer period of hydrogen exchange and extraction of internal magnesium and silicon, with the amount extracted proportional to t 1 2 . The parabolic exchange kinetics are consistent with either of two rate controlling mechanisms: nonsteady state diffusion of ions within the mineral and quasi-steady state diffusion of ions through a leached shell surrounding the mineral. Diffusion coefficients for magnesium are greater than for silicon for each of the minerals, leading to incongruent dissolution over moderate time periods. The diffusion coefficients decrease in the order forsterite > serpentine > enstatite. Eventually the parabolic exchange rates decrease to the rate of dissolution of all material at the aqueous interface. Hence, over very long periods the amount of silicon and magnesium dissolved is proportional to t and dissolution is congruent. In highly acid solutions dissolution rates are fast and this terminal condition is reached much sooner.
Deficient transport of dehydroascorbic acid in the glucose transporter protein syndrome

The glucose transporter protein syndrome (GTPS) is caused by defective transport of glucose across the blood-brain barrier via the glucose transporter GLUT1, resulting in hypoglycorrhachia, infantile seizures, and developmental delay. Recent reports indicated that GLUT1 is a multifunctional transporter. We investigated the transport of vitamin C in its oxidized form (dehydroascorbic acid) via GLUT1 into erythrocytes of 2 patients with GTPS. In both patients, uptake of oxidized vitamin C was 61% of the mothers' values. Our findings are consistent with recent observations that vitamin C is transported in its oxidized form via GLUT1. We speculate that impaired transport of this substrate and perhaps other substrates in GTPS might contribute to the pathophysiology of this condition.
Cellulose I microfibril assembly: computational molecular mechanics energy analysis favours bonding by van der Waals forces as the initial step in crystallization

In vitro and abiotic synthesis of cellulose I have indicated that glucan sheet formation is most likely to be the first stage in crystallization of this allomorph of cellulose. Bonding schemes for the different glucan sheets found in crystals of cellulose Iα and Iβ were analysed energetically with the molecular mechanics program, MM3. Using high and low dielectric constants, favouring van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding, respectively, van der Waals-associated mini-sheets had lower energies than hydrogen bonded mini-sheets. Furthermore, the first glucan mini-sheet most likely to form is the one with the lowest energy. In the case of cellulose Iβ, this mini-sheet was the one along the (110) plane; in the case of cellulose Iα, it was the one along the (010) plane. Incorporating these results into known experimental evidence, we theorize the requirement of at least three sequential steps for native cellulose I crystallization: (1) formation of mini-sheets by van der Waals forces, (2) association of these sheets by hydrogen bonding into mini-crystals, and (3) the convergence of mini-crystals to form the crystalline microfibril.
Heat transfer characteristics of a micropolar boundary layer in a crossflow over a non-isothermal circular cylinder

Abstract A boundary layer analysis has been presented for the heat transfer characteristics of a micropolar fluid flowing past a circular cylindrical surface with non-isothermal boundary conditions. The solution of the energy equation is obtained in the form of a power series of the distance measured from the stagnation point. The results for the Nusselt number have been obtained for several values of the material parameters of the fluid. A discussion has been provided for the effect of non-isothermal wall on the heat transfer rate.
THE CLASSIFICATION OF HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI

1. The hemolytic variety of streptococcus is homogeneous, consisting of members that are nearly identical. 2. This homogeneity is most strikingly displayed in the behavior of these streptococci in the complement fixation reaction, all the strains studied reacting in a nearly identical way with all the antisera.
A pilot study of narrow-band imaging compared to white light bronchoscopy for evaluation of normal airways and premalignant and malignant airways disease.

Background The objectives of this study were to characterize the appearance of normal, dysplastic, and frankly malignant airway lesion appearance under narrow-band imaging (NBI), and to determine if NBI, when used in conjunction with white light (WL) bronchoscopy, could improve detection of dysplasia and malignancy. Patients and methods This was a prospective, partially blinded study at a university teaching hospital. Bronchoscopy was performed on 22 patients with known or suspected bronchial dysplasia or malignancy. Full airway examination was performed first under WL bronchoscopy and then under NBI. Directed endobronchial biopsies of likely dysplastic, malignant, and normal (control) areas were then performed and sent for examination by a pathologist blinded to the gross description of the lesion. Pathology interpretations were then compared to the corresponding WL and NBI images. Results There were one malignant and four dysplastic lesions in 22 patients detected by NBI when findings by WL imaging were considered normal. In cases when the WL appearance was abnormal, NBI did not improve the diagnostic yield. The increased rate of detection of dysplasia and malignancy by NBI was statistically significant (p = 0.005). Conclusion NBI identified dysplasia or malignancy that was not detected by WL inspection in 23% of subjects. Further studies are needed to determine the efficacy of NBI in detection of premalignant airways lesions in an at-risk population.
Solid state NMR on oligomeric and polymeric azines

Abstract The solid state NMR on a series of oligomeric and polymeric azines is reported. The 13 C of the methyl substituted azines shows two types of resonances: in the 10–12 ppm region characteristic of the methyl groups and in the 145–165 ppm region typified by the imine carbons. In both spectral regions the chain end carbons have different chemical shifts from the interior carbons, thus allowing an end-group analysis to estimate the polymer molecular weight. The polymer shows a single peak in the methyl region, a single peak in the imine region, as well as a single peak in the 15 N spectrum, all indicative of a long chain polymer with all equivalent repeat units. The polymer can be doped with iodine to give electrically conducting materials. The 13 C spectrum of the lightly doped polymer is similar to the undoped spectrum but the NMR of the heavily doped polymer is characteristic of band formation.
Role of Oxidative Phosphorylation in Mediating Pulmonary Vasodilation at Birth in Fetal Lambs 1691

Background: We previously reported that the high energy nucleotide ATP and its nucleoside, adenosine play a role in causing pulmonary vasodilation at birth in fetal lambs. We proposed the hypothesis that the increase in oxidative phosphorylation in red blood cells occurring with exposure to higher PaO2 at birth causes increased ATP release and pulmonary vasodilation. The objective of the present experiments was to investigate the effects of 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP), an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation and antimycin A (AMA), an inhibitor of cytochrome electron transport, on ATP release and pulmonary vasodilation occuring at birth in intact fetal lambs.Methods: 14 fetal lambs were instrumented at 124 days of gestation(term=140 d) to measure pulmonary and systemic pressures, left pulmonary flow and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). A tracheostomy was also done to insert a 3.5 ETT and animals were allowed to recover for 3 days before experiments were done. Animals were divided into 3 groups - Control (n=6), Pretreatment with DNP (n=5) and AMA (n=3). For each study, baseline variables were recorded and blood samples were obtained from left pulmonary artery and left atrium for determination of ATP levels by a sensitive Luciferin-Luciferase assay. Fetal lambs were sequentially ventilated with 10%, 21% and 100% oxygen. Hemodynamic measurements, arterial blood gases and samples for ATP measurements were obtained 10 minutes after ventilation at each FIO2. The FIO2s were selected to cause distension of lung with no change in PO2 and distension with 2 fold or 6 fold increases in PO2.Results: The red cell and plasma ATP levels in pulm artery did not change during ventilation with 10% O2 and increased with 21% O2 and 100% O2 in control studies. ATP levels did not change in DNP or AMA treated animals during ventilation. The decreases in PAP and PVR during ventilation with 21% and 100% oxygen were attenuated by DNP and AMA. The increase in pulmonary flow during ventilation at 21% and 100% O2 was lower in animals pretreated with DNP or AMA compared to Controls. Conclusion: These data show that inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation and ATP release causes an attenuation of pulmonary vasodilation at birth in fetal lambs. Oxidative phosphorylation and ATP release play a role in mediating birth related transition in pulmonary circulation.
Observations of narrowband ion cyclotron waves on the surface of the Moon in the terrestrial magnetotail

Abstract By examining the data collected by the Apollo 15 and 16 Lunar Surface Magnetometers between April and July of 1972, we have found a class of narrowband waves observed at the surface of the Moon. With frequencies ranging from 0.04 to 0.17 Hz, these narrowband waves were present only when the Moon was in the terrestrial magnetotail, and the wave properties are consistent with those of ion cyclotron waves. We propose two scenarios where anisotropies of ion temperature can occur in the vicinity of the Moon to excite the ion cyclotron waves observed at the lunar surface. Simultaneous observations at the Apollo 15 and 16 sites revealed small but persistent differences in wave amplitude and phase, suggesting that the wave signals were modified by the mini-magnetosphere above the Apollo 16 site. It is also suggested that subsurface electrical conductivity may possibly be involved in the amplitude change and small phase difference between the two sites.
Application of super smooth optics to extra-solar planet detection

The observational constraints on direct detection of extrasolar planets around nearby stars are defined. The design of an instrument capable of meeting these goals requires the efficient reduction of diffracted and scattered light by about three orders of magnitude below the airy wings of the unapodized aperture. The diffraction reduction is achieved through the high-efficiency coronagraph, which uses Gaussian occulting masks in the first focus to concentrate better diffracted light in the pupil plane. Laboratory experiments confirm this high efficiency to the limits set by the experimental setup. Scattering due to midspatial scale figure error in the mirrors must also be reduced to a comparable level.
Technology-Driven and Evidence-Based Genomic Analysis for Integrated Pediatric and Prenatal Genetics Evaluation

The first decade since the completion of the Human Genome Project has been marked with rapid development of genomic technologies and their immediate clinical applications. Genomic analysis using oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) or single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chips has been applied to pediatric patients with developmental and intellectual disabilities (DD/ID), multiple congenital anomalies (MCA) and autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Evaluation of analytical and clinical validities of aCGH showed > 99% sensitivity and specificity and increased analytical resolution by higher density probe coverage. Reviews of case series, multi-center comparison and large patient-control studies demonstrated a diagnostic yield of 12%-20%; approximately 60% of these abnormalities were recurrent genomic disorders. This pediatric experience has been extended toward prenatal diagnosis. A series of reports indicated approximately 10% of pregnancies with ultrasound-detected structural anomalies and normal cytogenetic findings had genomic abnormalities, and 30% of these abnormalities were syndromic genomic disorders. Evidence-based practice guidelines and standards for implementing genomic analysis and web-delivered knowledge resources for interpreting genomic findings have been established. The progress from this technology-driven and evidence-based genomic analysis provides not only opportunities to dissect disease-causing mechanisms and develop rational therapeutic interventions but also important lessons for integrating genomic sequencing into pediatric and prenatal genetic evaluation.
Short synthesis of ordered silicas with very large mesopores

SBA-15 silicas with cylindrical mesopores of diameter from 10 to ∼30 nm were synthesized within hours (2.5–7.5 hours) instead of one or more days required in hitherto reported syntheses of large-pore SBA-15 with (100) interplanar spacing above 13 nm. The synthesis was carried out using Pluronic P123 surfactant, 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene swelling agent and silica hydrolysis/condensation catalyst, NH4F, under low-temperature initial synthesis conditions (12–17 °C) similar to those used in our earlier report on the synthesis of SBA-15 with a wide range of pore diameters (10–26 nm). Herein, it is shown that the low temperature step at which the ordered material forms can be shortened to one hour and the mesoporous material can be recovered at this stage. However, the attainment of a larger pore size and/or better structural ordering requires a hydrothermal treatment, which can be as short as 1–6 hours, if appropriately high temperature (150–170 °C) is selected. Additionally, improved synthesis conditions are reported for ultra-large-pore SBA-15 with (100) interplanar spacing of 25–30 nm. Standard SBA-15 synthesis without a swelling agent was also streamlined. Moreover, the synthesis of large-pore FDU-12 silica with face-centered cubic structure of spherical mesopores using Pluronic F127 surfactant and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene swelling agent can be shortened to ∼9 hours. The streamlined synthesis procedures can be followed by surfactant removal via calcination with high ramping rate and short dwell time. The synthesis approach based on a short self-assembly step and short high-temperature hydrothermal treatment provides a convenient way to produce large-pore ordered mesoporous silicas suitable for numerous applications.
A cost-effective system for the aerobic stabilization and disposal of waste activated sludge solids

Abstract Five types of aerobic stabilization systems are compared with respect to construction cost, power usage, and operating features. Kinetic data for the aerobic stabilization of waste activated sludge solids are reviewed and evaluated. Guidelines are established for the rational design and operation of (1) a multicellular aerobic stabilizer, (2) a long-term (12 months) stabilized solids storage lagoon and (3) a dedicated land-disposal activity. Emphasis is placed on systems serving smaller treatment plants.
Activation of d-Tyrosine by Bacillus stearothermophilus Tyrosyl-tRNA Synthetase: 2. COOPERATIVE BINDING OF ATP IS LIMITED TO THE INITIAL TURNOVER OF THE ENZYME *

Abstract The activation of d-tyrosine by tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase has been investigated using single and multiple turnover kinetic methods. In the presence of saturating concentrations of d-tyrosine, the activation reaction displays sigmoidal kinetics with respect to ATP concentration under single turnover conditions. In contrast, when the kinetics for the activation reaction are monitored using a steady-state (multiple turnover) pyrophosphate exchange assay, Michaelis-Menten kinetics are observed. Previous investigations indicated that activation of l-tyrosine by the K233A variant of Bacillus stearothermophilus tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase displays sigmoidal kinetics similar to those observed for activation of d-tyrosine by the wild-type enzyme. Kinetic analyses indicate that the sigmoidal behavior of the d-tyrosine activation reaction is not enhanced when Lys-233 is replaced by alanine. This supports the hypothesis that the mechanistic basis for the sigmoidal behavior is the same for both d-tyrosine activation by wild-type tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase and activation of l-tyrosine by the K233A variant. The observed sigmoidal behavior presents a paradox, as tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase displays an extreme form of negative cooperativity, known as “half-of-the-sites reactivity,” with respect to tyrosine binding and tyrosyl-adenylate formation. We propose that the binding of d-tyrosine weakens the affinity with which ATP binds to the functional subunit in tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. This allows ATP to bind initially to the nonfunctional subunit, inducing a conformational change in the enzyme that enhances the affinity of the functional subunit for ATP. The observation that sigmoidal kinetics are observed only under single turnover conditions suggests that this conformational change is stable over multiple rounds of catalysis.
Intergenerational Trauma Among Substance-Using Native American, Latina, and White Mothers Living in the Southwestern United States

The high rates of traumatic experiences reported by women who use alcohol and drugs have been documented in the literature. This study builds on the existing literature by examining the experiences of intergenerational family loss trauma among 226 mothering female substance users from 3 racial and ethnic groups: Native American (26.5%), Latina (24.8%), and White (48.7%). Demographic information, substance use, intergenerational exposure to mothering, and other family traumatic losses were compared across racial and ethnic groups. Data indicate both similarities and significant differences in demographic characteristics, type of drug use, and traumatic family loss experiences—with a higher percentage of Native American women reporting instances of intergenerational family loss. The extent of intergenerational family traumatic loss among women who use substances is discussed, along with social policies that perpetuate such loss. Recommendations for effectively intervening at the individual, family, and poli...
Juvenile onset Huntington disease resulting from a very large maternal expansion

We report a 5(1/2)-year-old girl with a maternal family history of Huntington disease (HD), who presented clinically with unbalanced gait, impaired speech, and increasing difficulty with fine motor control. Onset of symptoms began at the age of 3(1/2) years. The suspected diagnosis of juvenile HD, based upon her family history, was confirmed by DNA analysis. At age 7, the patient died secondary to complications of her underlying disorder. Juvenile-onset Huntington disease is uncommon, predominantly transmitted by fathers and is always associated with very large expansions of the CAG repeat. Interestingly, this patient inherited a large CAG size expansion from her mother, who herself had symptoms of HD at the age of 18. Molecular analysis revealed that the mother had 70 CAG repeats whereas our patient had approximately 130 CAG repeats. This is the largest reported CAG expansion from a maternal transmission that has been confirmed molecularly and it demonstrates that very large expansions can also occur through the maternal lineage.
Preparing Special Educators for Cultural Diversity: How Far Have We Come?

Preparing special educators for cultural diversity is a complex task because it requires attention to all facets of instruction. This article provides an assessment of the progress made and the cur...
Software design issues for natural language processing

Etude comparative des langages de programmation LISP et PROLOG pour la conception de systemes de traduction intelligents, avec des langages plus conventionnels comme PASCAL, C ou FORTRAN
Recovery from the lethal effects of saxitoxin: a therapeutic window for4-aminopyridine (4-AP)

We have shown that saxitoxin (STX) induced lethality can be reversed by 4-AP when it is administered at the time of respiratory arrest [Benton, B. J., Spriggs, D. L., Capacio, B. R. and Chang, F.-C. T. (1995) 4-Aminopyridine antagonizes the lethal effects of saxitoxin (STX) and tetrodotoxin (TTX). International Society of Toxicology, 5th Pan American Symposium on Animal, Plant and Microbial Toxins, Frederick, MD. July/August 1995, p. 217]. The purpose of this study was to determine whether 4-AP's efficacy could be enhanced further when administered at different times relative to STX intoxication. The animals used in this study were chronically instrumented for concurrent recordings of diaphragm electromyogram (DEMG), neck skeletal muscle electromyogram, Lead II electrocardiogram, and electrocorticogram (ECoG). There were five groups of unanesthetized guinea pigs. The first group served as 4-AP controls and received a 2 mg/kg i.m. dose of 4-AP. The four remaining groups were given a lethal dose of STX (5 μg/kg i.m.); the second group, STX controls, received no 4-AP; the third group, the 4-AP treatment group, received 4-AP immediately following cardiorespiratory collapse; the fourth group was the 4-AP/STX co-administration group and 4-AP was given concurrently with STX; and the fifth group was the 4-AP pretreatment group in which 4-AP was given 10 min before STX. At the point of STX-induced cardiorespiratory collapse, the guinea pigs were ventilated and given an i.p. injection of sodium bicarbonate. Results showed that 4-AP prevented cardiorespiratory collapse in 3/7 animals in the 4-AP pretreatment group. Also, 4-AP in conjunction with artificial ventilation and sodium bicarbonate accelerated recovery from STX-induced cardiorespiratory collapse in all the treatment groups compared to the STX controls.
The Campus Tour: Ritual and Community in Higher Education

This study examines the messages that a university transmits to prospective students during a particular ritual—the campus tour. Specifically, the article discusses the ways that members of a university communicate their expectations with respect to becoming contributing members of the academic community. Three community discourses serve as the theoretical foundation for the analysis. The conclusion discusses ways that rituals could be examined and modified to create multicultural and democratic communities.
Mapping the human erythrocyte beta-spectrin dimer initiation site using recombinant peptides and correlation of its phasing with the alpha-actinin dimer site.

Abstract Human erythroid spectrin dimer assembly is initiated by the association of a specific region near the N-terminal of β-spectrin with a complementary region near the C-terminal of α-spectrin (Speicher, D. W., Weglarz, L., and DeSilva, T. M.(1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 14775-14782). Both spectrin subunits consist primarily of tandem, 106-residue long, homologous, triple-helical motifs. In this study, the minimal region of β-spectrin required for association with α-spectrin was determined using recombinant peptides. The start site (phasing) for construction of dimerization competent β-spectrin peptides was particularly critical. The beginning of the first homologous motif for both β-spectrin and the related dimerization site of α-actinin is approximately 8 residues earlier than most spectrin motifs. A four-motif β-spectrin peptide (β1-4) with this earlier starting point bound to full-length α-spectrin with a K of about 10 nM, while deletion of these first 8 residues reduced binding nearly 10-fold. N- and C-terminal truncations of one or more motifs from β1-4 showed that the first motif was essential for dimerization since its deletion abolished binding, but β1 alone could not associate with α-monomers. The first two motifs (β1-2) represented the minimum lateral dimer assembly site with a K of about 230 nM for interaction with full-length α-spectrin or an α-spectrin nucleation site recombinant peptide, α18-21. Each additional motif increased the dimerization affinity by approximately 5-fold. In addition to this strong inter-subunit dimer association, interactions between the helices of a single triple-helical motif are frequently strong enough to maintain a noncovalent complex after internal protease cleavage similar to the interactions thought to be involved in tetramer formation. Analysis of hydrodynamic radii of recombinant peptides containing differing numbers of motifs showed that a single motif had a Stokes radius of 2.35 nm, while each additional motif added only 0.85 nm to the Stokes radius. This is the first direct demonstration that spectrin's flexibility arises from regions between each triple helical motif rather than from within the segment itself and suggests that current models of inter-motif connections may need to be revised.
Influence of the wavefunctions in hopping conduction in superlattice/multiquantum well structures

Abstract We present calculations of the polar optical phonon assisted hopping conduction in a two-well multiquantum well structure. The influence of different choices of the approximate wavefunctions commonly used in hopping conduction calculations are investigated. Specifically, we determine the transition probability using finite square well, triangular well, and Airy function wavefunctions. It is found that the choice of the wavefunctions dramatically influences the magnitude of the hopping conduction current.
Achievement of ultrahigh solar concentration with potential for efficient laser pumping

Measurements are reported of the irradiance produced by a two-stage solar concentrator designed to approach the thermodynamic limit. Sunlight is collected by a 40.6-cm diam parabolic primary which forms a 0.98-cm diam image. The image is reconcentrated by a nonimaging refracting secondary with index n = 1.53 to a final aperture 1.27 mm in diameter. Thus the geometrical concentration ratio is 102, 000. The highest irradiance value achieved was 4.4 +/- 0.2 kW cm(-2), or 56,000 +/- 5000 suns, relative to a solar disk insolation of 800 W m(-2). This is greater than the previous peak solar irradiance record by nearly a factor of 3, and it is 68% of that existing at the solar surface itself. The efficiency with which we concentrated 55 W of sunlight to a small spot suggests that our two-stage system would be an excellent candidate for solar pumping of solid state lasers.
A novel free-living prochlorophyte abundant in the oceanic euphotic zone

The recent discovery of photosynthetic picoplankton has changed our understanding of marine food webs1. Both prokaryotic2,3 and eukaryotic4,5 species occur in most of the world's oceans and account for a significant proportion of global productivity6. Using shipboard flow cytometry, we have identified a new group of picoplankters which are extremely abundant, and barely visible using traditional microscopic techniques. These cells are smaller than the coccoid cyanobacteria and reach concentrations greater than 105 cells ml–1 in the deep euphotic zone. They fluoresce red and contain a divinyl chlorophyll a-like pigment, as well as chlorophyll b, α-carotene, and zeaxanthin. This unusual combination of pigments, and a distinctive prokaryotic ultrastructure, suggests that these picoplankters are free-living relatives of Prochloron7. They differ from previously reported prochlorophytes—the putative ancestors of the chloroplasts of higher plants—in that they contain α-carotene rather than β-carotene and contain a divinyl chlorophyll a-like pigment as the dominant chlorophyll.
Orexin/hypocretin plays a role in the response to physiological disequilibrium.

Summary In the decade since the discovery that pathology of the orexin/hypocretin system is causative for the sleep disorder narcolepsy, considerable progress has been made in understanding the functional role of the neuropeptide. Two, apparently separate functions of orexin have emerged as a consensus from studies to date. The first is the effect on vigilance state boundaries, as exemplified by narcolepsy. Thus the absence of orexin severely limits the ability to maintain prolonged periods of wakefulness or sleep and also allows the unregulated appearance of cataplexy as sudden muscle weakness during wakefulness. The second function is that orexin acts as a signaling molecule in transferring information about physiological disequilibrium to the central nervous system. Orexin activates the central arousal and motor systems during such disequilibrium and so may facilitate the necessary response and adaptation to restore equilibrium. A feasible relationship between these two functions is therefore that the maintenance of prolonged and active wakefulness is an integral part of this adaptive process. Furthermore, the limit placed on the onset of sleep by orexin suggests that these adaptive processes then continue during sleep to become integrated into the development of a coping strategy for the longer term.