cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Projections of physiologically characterized spherical bushy cell axons from the cochlear nucleus of the cat: evidence for delay lines to the medial superior olive.

Bushy cells in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) receive their principal excitatory input from the auditory nerve and are the primary source of excitatory input to more centrally located brainstem auditory nuclei. Despite this pivotal position in the auditory pathway, details of the basic physiological information being carried by axons of these cells and their projections to more central auditory nuclei have not been fully explored. In an attempt to clarify these details, we have physiologically characterized and anatomically labeled individual axons of the spherical bushy cell (SBC) class of the cat AVCN. The characteristic frequencies (CFs) of our injected SBC population are low, all less than 12 kHz and primarily (83%) less than 3 kHz, while their spontaneous activity is comparatively high (mean of 59 spikes/sec). In response to short tone bursts at CF, low CF (< 1 kHz) SBC units can phase-lock better than auditory nerve fibers. SBCs with CFs above 1 kHz have primary-like responses at all stimulus levels and can show robust phase-locking to an off-CF, 500 Hz tone. When compared with our previously reported population of labeled globular bushy cells (GBC; Smith et al., 1991, J. Comp. Neurol. 304:387–407), some similarities and differences are apparent in both physiological response properties and axonal projection pattern. GBCs show no low frequency bias in CFs, have lower spontaneous rates, and the high CF units exhibit a primary-like-with-notch response at high stimulus levels as a consequence of a very well timed onset component. Low CF, GBC short tone responses are indistinguishable from those of SBCs. Anatomically, the axons of SBCs cross the midline in the dorsal component of the trapezoid body and typically innervate the medial superior olive (MSO) on both sides, the ipsilateral lateral superior olive (LSO), and the contralateral ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus (VNLL). The projections to the contralateral, but not the ipsilateral MSO, show a rostral to caudal delay line configuration, similar to the scheme first proposed by Jeffress (1948, J. Comp. Neurol. 41:35–39). The form of this delay line is consistent with the topographic map of interaural time delays reported by Yin and Chan (1990, J. Comp. Neurol. 64:465–488.). Projections to the ipsilateral LSO often take an indirect route. In contrast, GBC axons travel in the ventral component of the trapezoid body, never innervate the MSO, rarely innervate the ipsilateral LSO, and always innervate the contralateral medial nucleus of the trapezoid body. The terminal specializations of both SBC and GBC axons contain round vesicles. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A prospective observational study of medication errors in a tertiary care emergency department.

Study objective We determine the rate and severity of medication errors, as well as factors associated with error occurrence in the emergency department (ED). Methods This was a prospective observational study conducted between May 1, 2008, and February 1, 2009. The pharmacist observer was present in the ED for 28 shifts (12 hours each). Information was collected on the medication use process by observing the activities of nurses caring for the patients. Errors were categorized by severity. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with a risk of medication error. Results The observer identified 178 medication errors in 192 patients during the data collection period. At least 1 error occurred in 59.4% of patients, and 37% of patients overall had an error that reached them. No errors in the study resulted in permanent harm to the patient or contributed to initial or prolonged hospitalization; however, interventions were performed to prevent patient harm that likely influenced the severity of error. Errors categorized according to stage were prescribing (53.9%), transcribing (10.7%), dispensing (0.6%), and administering (34.8%). Variables predictive of medication errors were boarded patient status (odds ratio [OR] 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03 to 4.5), number of medication orders (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.39), number of medications administered (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.38), and nursing employment status (less error if full time) (OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.86). Conclusion Medication errors in the ED are common, and most errors occur in the prescribing and administering phases. Boarded patient status, increasing number of medications orders, increasing number of medications administered, and part-time nursing status are associated with an increased risk of medication error.
Expression of the regulation of cAMP metabolism in somatic cell hybrids.

Abstract Normal rat liver cells (BRL-1) that respond to isoproterenol ( β 2 + ), prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 + ) and adenosine (Ado + ) with a rise in adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate (cAMP) content have been hybridized with rat hepatoma cells (H35) which do not respond to any of these agonists ( β 2 − , PGE 1 − and Ado − ). Both the initial hybrid line (BF5) and a subclone (BF5-1-1) expressed a β 2 + , PGE 1 + , Ado − phenotype. However, full expression of the responsive phenotype in the BF5 line was apparent only if phosphodiesterase activity was blocked, for example, by methylisobutylxanthine (MIX). Direct measurements showed the rate of degradation of cAMP to be 7 times greater in intact BF5 cells than in the BRL-1 parent. In contrast to BF5 cells, the BF5-1-1 cells did not express maximal responsiveness to any of the agonists even in the presence of MIX. The differential accumulation of intracellular cAMP observed with BRL-1, BF5 and BF5-1-1 cells in response to isoproterenol was shown not to be as a result of differential rates of excretion of cAMP. Furthermore, no differences in the apparent affinities of the β 2 -catecholamine receptors for isoproterenol were observed. It is suggested that the increased degradative capacity of BF5 cells accounts for the difference in cAMP accumulation in these cells compared with the BRL-1 parent. The reduced responsiveness of BF5-1-1 cells, however, does not appear to be solely due to increased phosphodiesterase activity. It appears that the β 2 − phenotype may not always be dominant in hybrid crosses of this type as has been reported previously.
Reaction of OH with Dimethyl Sulfide. 2. Products and Mechanisms

The technique of pulsed laser photolysis/pulsed laser-induced fluorescence was used to determine products of the following reactions: OH + CH3SCH3 → products (1) and CH3S(OH)CH3 + O2 → products (5). The non-adduct-forming channel of reaction 1 was observed to proceed via hydrogen abstraction (branching ratio, Φabs = 0.84 ± 0.26) at 298 K. Direct formation of CH3S from reaction 1 was not observed (ΦCH3S < 0.04). A small channel for producing CH3 and CH3SOH in the non-adduct-forming route could not be ruled out. HO2 was found to be produced from reaction 5 with a yield of 0.50 ± 0.15 at 234 and 258 K. An upper limit for the production of OH from reaction 5 was determined to be ΦOH < 0.05. The atmospheric implications of the results from this and the accompanying paper are discussed.
3. Bentham in a Box: Technology Assessment and Health Care Allocation:

Jeremy Bentham, the founding father of utilitarianism, would have been delighted by technology assessment. Contemporary health policy planners are, unwittingly, aping the great man's felicific calculus, as they attempt to discern the efficacy and safety of magnetic resonance imaging or cardiac bypass surgery or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. They try to design methods to calculate the effects of these technologies on mortality and morbidity and to compare the costs of one to the costs of alternatives. In recent years, the methods of technology assessment have been refined, but they remain, in essence, a copy of Bentham's proposal to plan and effect a rational course of action and to create a rational world. The great philosopher and social reformer is, of course, still with us in a dessicated form. He bequeathed his body to the fellows of University College, London, and to this day his mummified figure is encased in a glass box, sitting in his favorite chair, dressed in his own clothes, his waxen face peering out with a bemused smile.
De Moivre's “Miscellanea Analytica”, and the Origin of the Normal Curve

IN a historical note by Karl Pearson in 19241, evidence was presented which shows that Abraham De Moivre (1667–1754) invented the normal curve and the normal probability integral about 1721. The name of Gauss is usually attached to the normal curve, although it is not uncommon to find it more correctly attributed to Laplace. But as Pearson shows, De Moivre ante-dated both Laplace and Gauss in this by many years. “The matter is,” Pearson says, “a very singular one historically. De Moivre published in 1730 his Miscellanea AnalyticaMany copies of this work have attached to them a Supplementum with separate pagination, ending in a table of 14 figure logarithms of factorials from 10! to 900! by differences of 10. But only a very few copies have a second supplement, also with separate pagination (pp. 1–7) and dated Nov. 12, 1733.” The title of the second supplement is “Approximatio ad Summam Terminorum Binomii (a + b)n in Seriem expansi”, and it contains not only the first use of the normal curve, but also the first use of the approximation for large factorials commonly but improperly known as Stirling's. It is also clear that herein occurred the first correct use of the law of large numbers, usually attributed to Jacques Bernoulli (1654–1705) and often called Bernoulli's theorem. Further pertinent comments have also been made by Karl Pearson2.
Identification of glycolipid binding sites for soybean agglutinin and differences in the surface glycolipids of cultured adrenergic and cholinergic sympathetic neurons.

Abstract Cultured adrenergic neurons from newborn rat superior cervical ganglia bind the lectin soybean agglutinin (SBA) at a fivefold higher density than the same neurons which have been induced to become cholinergic ( M. Schwab and S. L. Landis, 1981 , Dev. Biol. 84, 67–78). In the present experiments, the binding sites for this lectin on the surfaces of living neurons were identified by labeling the surfaces with the galactose oxidase-[ 3 H]sodium borohydride reduction technique, with and without prior incubation with the lectin. SBA binds to and inhibits the labeling of two neutral glycolipids, a glycolipid comigrating with globoside on thin-layer chromatograms and an unidentified glycolipid. When neuronal proteins are extracted and separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate, SBA shows only very faint labeling of this fraction. Thus the SBA binding sites on these neurons appear to be two neutral glycolipids. Further support for this conclusion comes from the finding that the two neutral glycolipids detected by SBA are present in smaller amounts or are less accessible on the cholinergic than on the adrenergic neurons as measured by surface labeling. In addition to the difference in neutral glycolipids, external labeling revealed quantitative differences in the major gangliosides of the two types of cultured neurons. Thus, by using pure cultures of sympathetic neurons which can be induced to become either adrenergic or cholinergic, specific glycolipid profiles were correlated with the two neurotransmitter phenotypes.
Desmoplastic small round cell tumor with atypical immunohistochemical profile and rhabdoid-like differentiation

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare, aggressive malignant neoplasm of unknown origin, and is comprised of small round cells with a characteristic desmoplastic stroma. DSRCT typically expresses epithelial, mesenchymal and neural markers simultaneously. We describe a case of DSRCT with an atypical immunohistochemical profile and rhabdoid-like tumor cells on electron microscopy. In the present case, the neoplastic cells were positive only for vimentin, desmin (cytoplasmic membranous pattern) and CD56, and negative for smooth muscle actin, synaptophysin, CD117, CD45, myogenin, CAM5.2, pancytokeratin, WT1, EMA, CD99, neurofilament, CD34 and p53. Ki67 showed a low proliferative activity. Electron microscopy showed focal rhabdoid differentiation. However, INI-1 (SNF-5/BAF47) demonstrated preservation of nuclear positivity in the neoplastic cells. Cytogenetic studies showed translocation t(11;22)(p13;q12) confirming an EWSR1-WT1 translocation characteristic for DSRCT, and t(1;15)(q11;p11.2) of unknown significance. This case is a diagnostic challenge because of atypical immunohistochemical profile and cytogenetic study is crucial in rendering the correct diagnosis.
Secondary recurrent multiple EGIST of the mesentary: A case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare intra-abdominal tumors arising from mesenchymal stromal cells. EGISTs are mesenchymal tumors that originate outside the GI tract and tend to have similar characteristics to GISTs. To the best of our knowledge, few cases of long standing recurrent EGIST have been reported.
Solute binding at void surfaces in silicon and germanium

The strongly exothermic reactions of H and Cu with internal surfaces in Si and Ge were examined in experiments employing ion implantation, ion-beam analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The dissociation energy of the Si-H surface bond was determined to be 2.6[plus minus]0.1 eV, making the monohydride more stable than the molecular H[sub 2], whose dissociation energy per atom is 2.26 eV. Initial experiments indicate a dissociation energy for the Ge-H surface bond of [approx]1.9 eV. Copper is bound to the Si surface with an energy of 2.2[plus minus]0.2 eV relative to the solution state, as compared to a reported binding energy of 1.5 eV for Cu in the precipitated Cu[sub 3]Si phase. 5 figs, 14 refs.
Enhancement of the primary antibody response by 2-mercaptoethanol is mediated by its action on glutathione in the serum

2-Mercaptoethanol (2-ME) is widely used in rodent lymphoid cell cultures as an enhancer of multiple cellular functions. We have confirmed that the action of 2-ME must be on a serum component(s), rather than a direct action on the cells. The serum component(s) is contained within the dialyzable fraction of fetal calf serum (FCS) since: (a) dialysis of FCS diminished the ability of FCS to support an antibody response even in the presence of 2-ME; and (b) FCS dialysate, pulsed with 2-ME, restored the ability of dialyzed FCS to support an antibody response. Diminution of the reduced glutathione content of FCS by heating reduced the capacity of FCS to support an antibody response, whereas addition of 2-ME-pulsed glutathione restored the supportive capacity of heated FCS. Conversely, oxidized glutathione inhibited the antibody response in the absence of 2-ME, but that inhibition was not seen in the presence of 2-ME. We have concluded that reduced glutathione is an essential component in FCS in order for 2-ME to produce its enhancing effect. The most plausible explanation for the enhancement of antibody responses, in vitro, by 2-ME, is the concomitant reversal of the inhibitory effect of oxidized glutathione and the increased availability of reduced glutathione which can scavenge oxygen-derived radicals, thus protecting macrophages and lymphocytes from the deleterious effects of oxygen-derived free radicals.
Petty corruption in Central and Eastern Europe: the client’s perspective

This qualitative study examines the role of clients in petty corruption by analyzing actual corrupt exchanges between ordinary citizens and low level public and private employees in post-communist Hungary. Using a grounded theory approach, interviews reveal how clients from different social strata deal with low-level agents in corrupt situations. Findings suggest two contrasting forms of low-level corruption: transactions where the client and the agent do not have a prior relationship and where external factors dominate the relationship; and cases with stronger social ties between the actors, where the client has more freedom to structure the transaction. However, a client's social background frequently determines the form of corrupt transaction and the form of resources illegally exchanged in the deal.
There's no quick fix for AIDS.

The epidemiology of AIDS reflects interactions among biological, psychological and social factors. The immune response to the infectious agent is relatively ineffectual; the course of the disease it produces is chronic. The long interval between HIV infection and the appearance of clinical disease maximizes “silent” transmission. The infection is transmitted behaviourally; that is, primarily via specific sexual acts and contaminated paraphernalia employed by IV drug users. The virus entered human populations in an era when such behaviours had become very much more prevalent in response to social change. The public health response to the epidemic was seriously compromised by the stigma attached to the persons victimized by the disease; thus, the mobilization of adequate resources was markedly delayed. Irrational fears of contamination led to proposals for mandatory population-wide screening, in utter disregard of the high false to true positive ratio in screening tests when prevalence is low. Welcome as a ...
The Cation-Dinitrogen Interaction in the “Benzyldiazonium ion”: Preferential Electrostatic Complex Formation and Dinitrogen Catalysis of Benzyl Cation Rotational Automerization†‡

Diazonium ions are reactive intermediates in deamination reactions pertinent to chemical carcinogenesis. While methyldiazonium ion has been shown to exist as a short-lived intermediate in the gas phase and in solution, benzyldiazonium ions have never been observed, and the reaction intermediates in deaminations of benzyl systems remain a matter of debate. We therefore studied the benzylcation-dinitrogen interaction by ab initio methods; several important conclusions resulted. Analysis of the potential energy surface at the level MP4(sdtq)/6-31 G*/ MP 2(full)/6-31 G* + ΔVZPE(MP 2(full)/6-31 G*) revealed that a classical “benzyldiazonium ion” does not exist. The interaction of N2 with benzyl cation M-1 results in an electrostatically bound complex 2C with a long CN distance (2.935 A) as the most stable structure. A covalently bound planar benzyldiazonium ion 2A with a “normal” CN bond length (1.514 A) is the transition-state structure for automerization of the electrostatic complex with concomitant rotation about the exocyclic CC bond. The potential energy surface characteristics result from the highly efficient π-dative Ph → CH2 bonding in M-1; this is clearly demonstrated in its structure and that of its transition state for rotational automerization TS-1 by the very high activation barrier for rotation (47.6 kcalmol−1!) and by the gradient vector fields of the total electron densities of conformers of 1 and 2. The rotational barrier for 1 is reduced to 27.9 kcalmol−1 in the N2 complex 2, and the potential energy surface characteristics of benzyldiazonium ion essentially facilitate the N2-catalyzed rotational isomerization of benzyl cation. The benzyldiazonium ion system shows for the first time that the interaction of a donor molecule with a carbenium ion with a valence LUMO can lead to the formation of an electrostatic complex as opposed to dative bond formation. Dative σ-bond formation between N2 and the CH2 carbon of 1 is energetically not competitive with dative Ph → CH2 π;-bond formation.
Estimation of angiotensin II receptor activity in chronic congestive heart failure

The renin-angiotensin system has been shown to participate in the pathophysiology of chronic heart failure in many patients. However, the immediate assessment of this contribution in individual patients may sometimes be difficult. As a pharmacologic estimate of angiotensin II receptor activity, we infused the angiotensin II analogue, saralasin, in 20 patients with severe chronic congestive heart failure (CHF). The infusion resulted in blood pressure responses ranging from an agonist pressor response (increased systemic resistance) in patients with low intrinsic renin-angiotensin system activity, to an antagonist depressor response (decreased systemic resistance) in patients with marked activation of the renin-angiotensin system. The ability of the saralasin response to pharmacologically estimate angiotensin II receptor activity in CHF was further revealed by two physiologic maneuvers that decrease endogenous circulating angiotensin II and angiotensin II receptor occupancy. Both converting enzyme inhibition with captopril and sodium repletion, factors known to decrease endogenous angiotensin II activity, provoked agonist responses to saralasin infusion. Furthermore, saralasin was able to reverse the orthostatic hypotension precipitated by converting enzyme inhibition of angiotensin-dependent vascular tone. In summary, saralasin provided a means to estimate angiotensin receptor activity and may therefore serve as a probe of angiotensin-mediated vasoconstriction in the pathophysiology of chronic CHF.
Thermal anneal recovery of silicon surface barriers from argon ion implantation damage

Abstract The recovery of the electrical properties of silicon surface barriers subject to argon ion bombardment damage by isochronal furnace annealing has been studied over the temperature range 500–1000°C. Investigation of the characteristics of Al/n-Si and Al/p-Si Schottky barriers fabricated on samples implanted with variable-dose 10 keV argon ions reveals a clear dependence of the Schottky barrier height as well as the surface dopant concentration on the anneal temperature and ion dose. The recovery of the electrical barrier is not complete even at 1000°C for argon doses exceeding 1014 cm−2, and the influence of the anneal is found to be different for n-Si and p-Si.
In Situ, Noninvasive, T2*-Weighted MRI-Derived Parameters Predict Ex Vivo Structural Properties of an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction or Bioenhanced Primary Repair in a Porcine Model:

Background:Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive technology that can quantitatively assess anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft size and signal intensity. However, how those properties relate to reconstructed or repaired ligament strength during the healing process is yet unknown.Hypothesis:Magnetic resonance imaging–derived measures of graft volume and signal intensity are significant predictors of the structural properties of an ACL or ACL graft after 15 weeks and 52 weeks of healing.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:The current data were gathered from 2 experiments evaluating ACL reconstruction and repair techniques. In the first experiment, pigs underwent unilateral ACL transection and received (1) ACL reconstruction, (2) ACL reconstruction with collagen-platelet composite (CPC), or (3) no treatment. The surgical legs were harvested after 15 weeks of healing. In the second experiment, pigs underwent ACL transection and received (1) ACL reconstruction, (2) ACL reconstructio...
Optimal Permanent-Magnet Geometries for Dipole Field Approximation

The dipole approximation for magnetic fields has become a common simplifying assumption in magnetic-manipulation research when dealing with permanent magnets because the approximation provides convenient analytical properties that are a good fit at large distances. What is meant by “good fit at large distances” is generally not quantified in the literature. By using a parameterized multipole expansion and collaborating finite-element analysis (FEA) simulations to represent the magnet's field, we quantify the error associated with the dipole approximation as a function of distance from the permanent magnet. Using this expression, we find cylindrical, washer, and rectangular-cross-section bar permanent-magnet aspect ratios that minimize the error of the dipole approximation. For cylinders and rectangular-cross-section bars, these aspect ratios are a diameter-to-length ratio of √{4/3} and a cube, respectively.
Mediotrusive tooth guidance and temporomandibular joint sounds in non-patients and patients.

In 46 non-patients and 46 patients, the authors examined the presence (+) and the absence (-) of laterotrusive (LG) and mediotrusive (MG) tooth guidance, i.e. dynamic dental articulation events in contrast to static dental occlusion events. During a right and left laterotrusion/mediotrusion of the mandible, the number of compound, mutually exclusive and exhaustive tooth guidance events (possibilities) was six. In addition, the presence and the absence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds, provoked TMJ pains, and the associations between TMJ sounds and tooth guidance events were examined. In non-patients, LG+ and MG+ was relatively infrequent (30%) while LG+ and MG- was relatively frequent (70%). In patients, LG+ and MG+ was relatively frequent (58%) while LG+ and MG- was relatively infrequent (42%). LG- and MG+ was absent in non-patients and rare in patients (3%). Either unilateral or bilateral MG+ was relatively infrequent in non-patients (30%) and relatively frequent in patients (59%). Bilateral MG+ was relatively infrequent in non-patients (20%) and relatively frequent in patients (52%). Either unilateral or bilateral TMJ sounds were relatively infrequent in non-patients (39%) and relatively frequent in patients (74%). Either unilateral or bilateral provoked TMJ pains were absent in non-patients and relatively frequent in patients (72%). The authors found no evidence that TMJ sounds were associated with the ipsilateral absence of so-called balancing contacts (MG-) in non-patients and patients. Finally, no evidence supporting the use of a so-called positive predictive value, and "extension concept' of probability theory was found.
Tetrahydrocannabinol-attenuated abstinence and induced rotation in morphine-dependent rats: possible involvement of dopamine.

Rotational behaviour (turning) was induced in morphine-dependent rats during precipitated abstinence after acute pretreatment with Δ8- or Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. This tetrahydro-cannabinol-stimulated turning varied with degree of morphine dependence and was blocked by haloperidol, but not promethazine. Significant attenuation of naloxone-induced abstinence signs was also observed after acute tetrahydrocannabinol pretreatment, but only in highly (72 hr) morphine-dependent rats. The combination of tetrahydrocannabinol and haloperidol pretreatment was more effective in attenuating abstinence than was either haloperidol or tetrahydrocannabinol pretreatment alone. These data provide additional evidence for the alteration of CNS dopaminergic function in morphine dependence.
Reengineering higher education: the case of an African institution

Strong tertiary education is seen as a critical success factor in the development of society at large in the developing world, of which most nations of Africa feature prominently. Although several countries embark on educational reforms and promise access to higher education for all, various problems, including distance, lack of resources and the complexity of delivery, are major hindrances to the process itself. The lack of enabling technologies has denied the potential fruits of higher education to some deserving and qualified citizens of developing countries. The problem can be alleviated by a more effective use of current educational assets coupled with distance education knowledge diffusion. Distance education (DE) is one such use of current educational assets through the infusion of information technology. Implementing DE in an effective manner relies on the process itself, the methodologies, techniques and tools. The various centres of delivery and classrooms must be connected: via radio, telephone, computer or other electronic means. This study explores the process of reengineering higher education through DE and proposes a Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) approach that addresses the major technological, political and economic issues faced during implementation.
Predictive modeling and experimental results for laser hardening of AISI 1536 steel with complex geometric features by a high power diode laser

This paper presents predictive modeling and experimental results on laser hardening of AISI 1536 steel shafts with a complex geometric feature. A three-dimensional thermal model is used to predict the workpiece temperature distribution, which is coupled to a two-dimensional kinetic model to predict the resultant hardness and phase distribution. Surface temperature measurements are performed to validate the thermal model, while the kinetic model is validated through furnace hardening and laser hardening experiments. A 2.5-mm case depth is achieved on simple geometry parts, while a 1.5-mm case depth is obtained on parts with a groove of 2.0-mm radius. The case hardness values and distributions show good agreement with predicted results and are found to be uniform throughout, with the values between 55 and 57 in Rockwell C.
Current U.S. Prospective Trials in Head and Neck Cancer: Concern about Ototoxicity from Combined Modalities

Recently completed and current, ongoing, prospective combined modality studies in the United States utilize the single agent cisplatinum, or cisplatinum plus 5 fluorouracil (5FU), in combination with radiation therapy for advanced malignancy. While complete and partial response rates have ranged up to 90%, there has not been a demonstrated advantage in survival. Both cisplatinum and radiation therapy are known to be ototoxic. This paper addresses these studies and concerns regarding ototoxicity. Additionally, some future recommendations are made as continued improvement in survival rates for head and neck cancer are sought.
An artifact in the gas chromatographic analysis of urinary organic acids from phenylketonuric children: Decarboxylation of phenylpyruvic acid during extraction

Phenylpyruvic acid is converted at least partially to phenylacetic acid during the normal extraction procedure used to obtain urinary organic acid profiles of phenylketonuric children by gas chromatography. This decarboxylation reaction can be reduced or completely eliminated by forming oxime derivatives prior to extraction.
Target localization based on energy considerations in distributed sensor networks

Wireless distributed sensor networks (DSNs) are important for a number of strategic applications such as coordinated target detection, surveillance, and localization. Energy is a critical resource in wireless sensor networks and system lifetime needs to be prolonged through the use of energy-conscious sensing strategies during system operation. We propose an energy-aware target detection and localization strategy for cluster-based wireless sensor networks. The proposed method is based on an a posteriori algorithm with a two-step communication protocol between the cluster head and the sensors within the cluster. Based on a limited amount of data received from the sensor nodes, the cluster head executes a localization procedure to determine the subset of sensors that must be queried for detailed target information. This approach reduces both energy consumption and communication bandwidth requirements, and prolongs the lifetime of the wireless sensor network. Simulation results show that a large amount of energy is saved during target localization using this strategy.
Effects of trimethyltin on dopaminergic and serotonergic function in the central nervous system

The effects of trimethyltin (TMT) administration on regional concentrations of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), and their metabolites were determined. Acute administration of 3 or 7 mg/kg TMT (as the chloride) to adult male Long-Evans rats caused alterations in both dopaminergic and serotonergic function in brain at 7 days posttreatment. Dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) concentrations were decreased in the nucleus accumbens of rats treated with 7 mg/kg, with a trend occurring with the 3-mg/kg dose group. Conversely, concentrations of DA or DOPAC were not altered in striatum, olfactory tubercle, septum, or amygdala/pyriform cortex. Administration of 3 mg/kg TMT decreased the concentration of serotonin in striatum and nucleus accumbens, and increased the concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in hippocampus. The 7-mg/kg dose resulted in increased concentrations of 5-HIAA in striatum, nucleus accumbens, septum, amygdala/pyriform cortex, and hippocampus, and also decreased the concentration of 5-HT only in amygdala/pyriform cortex. The ratio of 5-HIAA to 5-HT (an indirect estimate of serotonin turnover) was increased in all brain regions of rats treated with 7 mg/kg, and in nucleus accumbens and amygdala/pyriform cortex of rats treated with 3 mg/kg. Conversely, no alteration in the DOPAC to DA ratio was found in any region of brain in rats killed at 7 days, nor was there a change in dopamine receptors (as measured by [3H]spiperone binding) in rats treated with 7 mg/kg TMT and killed 7 days following exposure. Thus, the acute sequelae of TMT neurotoxicity appears to involve primarily serotonergic systems, and these effects may be related to the behavioral effects resulting from TMT administration.
Nonnative English-speaking teachers in the United States: issues of identity

The present study investigated how nonnative English-speaking teachers (NNESTs) working in K-12 schools in the United States perceive their identities in relation to the school environment and its norms, their coworkers and administrators and the students and their families. Specific attention was given to the teachers’ concerns prior to arrival and how initial challenges were overcome, their experiences in establishing authority and creating a positive self-image in relation to the school community and the role that language (in particular their status as NNESTs, and their bi/multilingual skills) played in defining these concerns and experiences. Results showed that teachers’ bi/multilingual skills were crucial in defining their identities as unique professionals with cultural sensitivity to students’ realities. However, it was also evident that native-speakerism (Holliday 2006) still affects the ways in which NNESTs are perceived (both by themselves and by others) in the school environment.
Stereoselective allylation of dichlorocyclobutanones and sequential ring expansions: Construction of cis-fused cycloheptanones

Abstract Stereoselective allylation of fused dichlorocyclobuatanones, using allyl tributyltin, introduces an exo-oriented side chain on the ring. Sequential hydrohalogenation and free radical ring expansion of cyclobutanones gives, three- carbon, ring-expanded, cis-fused cycloheptanones.
Monte Carlo Solutions for Radiative Heat Transfer in Irregular Two-Dimensional Geometries

Several new methods of computing radiation heat transfer have emerged in recent Years, and thorough testing is often required to validate these. Monte Carlo methods can provide exact solutions within statistical limits, hence are attractive for validation purposes. Unfortunately, many Monte Carlo solutions currently available in the literature are not useful for testing new solution techniques for complex geometries, because they either treat simple cases or application-specific irregular geometries. The intent of this paper is to provide solutions of general interest for two-dimensional irregular geometries using the Monte Carlo method. The paper presents radiative heat flux solutions for three enclosures with absorbing, emitting, and anisotropically scattering medium. 8 refs., 6 figs.
Effects of Additives of Proteolytic and Functional Properties of Arrowtooth Flounder Surimi

Arrowtooth flounder was found to be a suitable raw material for the production of surimi. Based on SDS-PAGE and autolysis tests, proteolytic activity was not observed during the production process itself, and the 12% residual activity in the mince after washing was effectively inhibited by bovine plasma powder, egg white and a2 macroglobulin. Plasma and egg white continued to increase gel strength values when added at levels higher than necessary to prevent proteolytic activity according to punch test results. Neither carrageenan nor whey protein concentrate were effective as either a protease inhibitor or gel enhancer.
Thermochemistry of uranium compounds II. standard enthalpy of formation of α-sodium uranate (α-Na2UO4)

The enthalpy of reaction of α-sodium uranate (Na2UO4) with approximately 0.1 M HCl has been determined to be -(41935 ± 176) calth mol−1. Combination of this result with measured enthalpies of solution of NaCl in HCl(aq) and of UO2Cl2 in an aqueous mixture of NaCl and HCl, together with auxiliary data from the literature, yielded Δ H f ° ( α − N a 2 U O 4 , c , 2 9 8 . 1 5 K ) = - ( 4 4 5 . 5 6 ± 0.8 5 ) k c a l t h m o l - 1 .
Comparison of gene expression profile between human chondrons and chondrocytes: a cDNA microarray study.

Summary Objective The chondron is a basic unit of articular cartilage that includes the chondrocyte and its pericellular matrix (PCM). This current study was designed to investigate the effects of the chondron PCM on the gene expression profile of chondrocytes. Design Chondrons and chondrocytes were enzymatically isolated from human articular cartilage, and maintained in pellet culture. Pellets of chondrons or chondrocytes were collected at days 1, 3 and 5 for cDNA microarray analysis. Results In comparison with chondrocytes alone, chondrons had 258 genes, in a broad range of functional categories, either up- or downregulated at the three time points tested. At day 1, 26 genes were significantly upregulated in chondrons and four downregulated in comparison to chondrocytes. At day 3, the number of upregulated chondron genes was 97 and the number downregulated was 43. By day 5, there were more downregulated genes (56) than upregulated genes (32) in chondrons. Upregulation of a group of heat shock proteins (HSPA1A, HSPA2 and HSPA8) in chondrons was validated by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Genes related to chondrocyte hypertrophy and dedifferentiation such as SSP1 and DCN were downregulated in chondrons as compared to the expression in chondrocytes. Conclusion The presence of the PCM in chondrons has a profound influence on chondrocyte gene expression. Upregulation of the heat shock protein 70 may contribute to the robustness and active matrix production of chondrons. The intact PCM may further stabilize the phenotype of chondrocytes within chondrons.
Die‐Offs of Pre‐Spawn Adult Pink Salmon and Chum Salmon in Southeastern Alaska

Abstract About 300 pre-spawn adult pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) died in August 1981 in the intertidal reach of Porcupine Creek, a small stream in an old-growth forest. A combination of low stream flow and neap tides triggered the die-off, and about 1% of the pink salmon and chum salmon spawners died upon returning to Porcupine Creek in 1981. Anoxia, rather than temperature, caused most of the deaths because the maximum stream temperature was 19 C—well below lethal temperatures. Conditions similar to those in 1981 recur in Porcupine Creek about once every 8 years. This type of die-off also appears to be common in other streams in southeastern Alaska and can be predicted from the number of salmon returning, amount of precipitation, and height of the tide.
The Influence of Unethical Peer Behavior on Observers Unethical Behavior: A Social Cognitive Perspective.

The relationship between unethical peer behavior and observers’ unethical behavior traditionally has been examined from a social learning perspective. We employ two additional theoretical lenses, social identity theory and social comparison theory, each of which offers additional insight into this relationship. Data from 600 undergraduate business students in two universities provide support for all the three perspectives, suggesting that unethical behavior is influenced by social learning, social identity, and social comparison processes. Implications for managers and future research are discussed.
A framework for estimating stratospheric wind speeds from unknown sources and application to the 2010 December 25 bolide

SUMMARY We present a methodology for infrasonic remote sensing of winds in the stratosphere that does not require discrete ground-truth events. Our method uses measured time delays between arrays of sensors to provide group velocities (referred to here as celerities) and then minimizes the difference between observed and predicted celerities by perturbing an initial atmospheric specification.Becausewefocusoninterarraypropagationeffects,itisnotnecessarytosimulate thefullpropagationpathfromsourcetoreceiver.Thisfeatureallowsustousearelativelysimple forward model that is applicable over short-regional distances. By focusing on stratospheric returns, we show that our non-linear inversion scheme converges much better if the starting model contains a strong stratospheric duct. Using the Horizontal Wind Model (HWM)/Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter (MSISE) empirical climatology as a starting model, we demonstrate that the inversion scheme is robust to large uncertainties in backazimuth, but that uncertainties in the measured trace velocity and celerity require the use of prior constraints to ensure suitable convergence. The inversion of synthetic data, using realistic estimates of measurement error, shows that our scheme will nevertheless improve upon a starting model undermostscenarios.Theinversionschemeisappliedtoinfrasounddatarecordedfromalarge event on 2010 December 25, which is presumed to be a bolide, using data from a nine-element infrasound network in Utah. We show that our recorded data require a stronger zonal wind speed in the stratosphere than is present in the HWM profile, and are more consistent with the Ground-to-Space (G2S) profile.
A Service-Oriented Data Integration and Analysis Environment for In Silico Experiments and Bioinformatics Research

In this paper, we present a practical experiment of building a service-oriented system upon current Web services technologies and bioinformatics middleware. The system allows scientists to extract data from heterogeneous data sources and generate phylogenetic comparisons automatically. This can be difficult to accomplish using manual search tools since sequence data is rapidly accumulating. A Web-based environment enables scientists to more effectively define a task, perform the task at a desired time, monitor the execution status, and view the results. The first prototype of this system is being evaluated on a phylogenetic research application, Mother of Green (MoG). Our evaluation demonstrates that a service-oriented architecture can accelerate scientific research, increase research productivity, and provide a new approach to doing science. We also discuss issues in design and implementation of the system and identify our future research directions to enhance the system
Experimental Primary Postnatal Bovine Viral Diarrhea Viral Infections in Six-month-old Calves

Eight clinically healthy calves were inoculated intranasally, four with either noncytopathic or four with cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus, and were necropsied 5 or 12 days post-inoculation. The most frequent gross lesion associated with noncytopathic or cytopathic viral infection was proximal colonic mural edema. Consistent microscopic findings were acute to subacute tracheitis, mild enterocolitis with edema, pe- techial hemorrhages of mesenteric lymph nodes with mild follicular lymphocytic depletion, and paracortical lymphocytic hyperplasia. At necropsy, cytopathic virus was recovered from 4/4 calves and noncytopathic virus was isolated from 2/4 calves. Neutralizing antibodies to noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus were detected in the two calves from which noncytopathic virus was not recovered. Immunohistochemical analysis of lymphoid tissues demonstrated a small, randomly distributed population of mononuclear cells that contained bovine viral diarrhea viral antigen in 7/8 calves. Biotypes of bovine viral diarrhea are classified as noncytopathic or cytopathic based on effects observed in infected cell m~nolayers.~~J~ Singly, or in combi- nation, the two biotypes of bovine viral diarrhea virus induce clinical disease of the lymphoid, enteric, res- piratory, and reproductive system^.^'^^ The lesions best characterized are those associated with the rare and highly fatal mucosal disease and chronic bovine viral diarrhea. 13~19,3k36,46 Those diseases are sequelae of per- sistent, noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus in- fection established in the fetus during the first 4 months of ge~tation.~~.~~ Clinical disease has been experimen- tally induced by superinfection with the appropriate cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus.6J I The most common form of bovine viral diarrhea is lated from cattle with field cases of mucosal disease. Since the reports did not indicate that the viral isolates were purified, the isolates likely were mixtures of cy- topathic and noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea vi- rus. During a careful literature review, no reports were found of lesions induced by primary, postnatal, non- cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea viral infection in cat- tle. Our purpose was to produce primary infections with purified noncytopathic and cytopathic bovine vi- ral diarrhea viruses, to characterize the induced le- sions, and to use immunohistochemical techniques to identify sites of viral replication. a clinically mild or inapparent infection, which is in- duced by either viral biotype. This form of infection, primary postnatal, results in depressed lymphocyte counts and immune suppre~sion~~~~~ ~~ and is a contrib- uting factor in bovine respiratory di~ease.~l-~~ In ad- dition, primary postnatal infection of a pregnant bo- vine may be transmitted to and adversely affect the developing fet~~.~-~~,~~,~~ ,~~ Lesions in cattle with ex-
Hierarchical Harmonic-Balance Methods for Frequency-Domain Analog-Circuit Analysis

As a widely adopted frequency-domain method, harmonic balance (HB) provides efficient steady-state circuit analysis for analog and RF circuits. The conventional matrix-implicit Krylov subspace technique with the block-diagonal (BD) preconditioner has made it possible to compute the steady-state responses of large-scale circuits. However, not all HB problems, particularly strongly nonlinear circuit problems, can be solved reliably or efficiently using the standard BD-preconditioning technique. In this paper, hierarchical HB methods are proposed wherein robust preconditioning is provided via solution of a set of approximate linearized HB problems of progressively smaller size across multiple levels of the problem hierarchy. These subproblems are constructed using the same matrix-implicit formulation to retain the memory efficiency of Krylov subspace methods. Moreover, the number of allocated Krylov subspace matrix solvers, hence the memory usage, is significantly reduced via a recently introduced solver-sharing technique. The efficiency of our hierarchical preconditioning technique is further improved by adopting a one-step correction to the standard BD preconditioner and a multigrid-motivated iterative scheme. It has been shown that the proposed approaches can achieve up to 10 runtime speedup over the popular BD preconditioner and robust convergence even for strongly nonlinear circuits for which the BD preconditioner fails to converge.