cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Climate friendly parks: Performing greenhouse gas inventories at US national parks and implications for public sector greenhouse gas protocols

Abstract Through the Climate Friendly Parks Program, the United States National Park Service, in partnership with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, has conducted greenhouse gas emission inventories for approximately 20 national parks. When organized according to scopes as recommended in the draft Public Sector Standard prepared by the World Resources Institute, the greenhouse gas emission inventory results indicate that the national park’s scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions are low relative to scope 3 emissions. For most parks, the majority of scope 3 emissions occur from visitor vehicle travel. A recent Executive Order issued by President Obama in October 2009 requires that agencies include specified scope 3 emission sources in their greenhouse gas inventories and set targets for reducing scope 3 emissions. As the NPS considers actions to reduce scope 3 emissions the bureau should ensure that the mitigation actions align with the NPS mission and consider the bureau’s role as it relates to broader national GHG mitigation efforts. Ultimately, the national park’s greatest ability to reduce GHG emissions may lie in demonstrating sustainable techniques and technologies that can be replicated by visitors beyond the park’s boundaries.
A qualitative study of adult AAC users’ experiences communicating with medical providers

AbstractPurpose: To study the experiences of adults who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and methods when interacting with medical providers, specifically primary care providers. Method: Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted with 12 participants, four of whom also participated in an online focus group. Diagnoses of the participants included cerebral palsy, undifferentiated developmental disability, head and neck cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and primary lateral sclerosis. Transcripts from the interviews and the focus group were analyzed to create a list of codes. From these codes themes that captured particular concepts discussed were identified. Results: Participants described multiple frustrations in communicating with medical care providers. Themes that arose included: planning and preparing for the appointment, time barriers, inappropriate assumptions, relationship building and establishing rapport, medical decision making and implementing the plan. All ...
Frequency of sickling disorders in U.S. blacks.

THERE has been considerable recent interest in screening for sickling disorders and related hemoglobinopathies. It is recognized that the sickle-cell trait and the hemoglobin C trait are common amo...
The Earliest Events in Protein Folding: A Structural Requirement for Ultrafast Folding in Cytochrome c

The folding dynamics of reduced cytochrome c (redcyt c) obtained from tuna heart, which contains a tryptophan residue at the site occupied by His33 in horse heart cytochrome c, was studied using nanosecond time-resolved optical rotatory dispersion spectroscopy. As observed previously for horse heart redcyt c, two time regimes were observed for secondary structure formation in tuna redcyt c: a fast (microseconds) and a slow (milliseconds) phase. However, the fast phase of tuna redcyt c folding was much slower and smaller in amplitude than the same phase in horse. The differences in the fast folding phases suggest that for horse heart redcyt c, the conformers that undergo the fastest observed folding have the His18-Fe-His33 heme configuration, which appears to be necessary, but not sufficient, to poise an unfolded chain conformation for fastest folding in redcyt c.
Reproductive seasonality of a recently designated bottlenose dolphin stock near Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A

Reproductive seasonality of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) can be affected by numerous ecological and behavioral factors. In 2009, stock boundaries were revised to recognize a Charleston Estuarine System Stock (CESS) of bottlenose dolphins in Charleston, South Carolina. The CESS is a well-studied population with long-term data collected from photo-identification and stranding studies. From 2004 to 2008, a systematic mark-recapture photo-identification study was conducted in the Charleston Estuary to estimate population size of the CESS. Sightings data from this photo-identification study coupled with strandings data (1993–2008) were analyzed to determine the reproductive seasonality of this local population. Both neonate sightings and strandings depicted a primary season of reproduction in the spring into early summer with a small peak in neonate sightings in early autumn, and were significantly different from circular uniform and Von Mises distributions (strandings: P < 0.01, V = 2.8644; sightings: P < 0.01, V = 3.2302). This study increases the knowledge of seasonal reproductive patterns of estuarine stocks of bottlenose dolphin stocks in the southeastern United States. The results will also help wildlife managers detect unusual neonate mortality events, and provide information about critical habitat relevant for evaluating and mitigating coastal development projects.
Food safety issues: a summary report of a panel session addressing pre- and post-harvest strategies to improve public health.

ABSTRACT The paper presents a summary of a panel presentation by animal scientists and public health veterinarians on food safety methods to improve public health of the public consuming beef and poultry. Pre-harvest methods discussed include vaccination to decrease shedding of Esherichia coli O157:H7, direct-fed microbials (DFMs), calving methods, and responsible use of antimicrobials. Post-harvest methods discussed include increased sampling and use of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) methods, test-and-hold of meat products prior to release for public consumption, development of attainment categories, the use of pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for genotyping and serotyping, and an 11-step surveillance program. The public health concern and financial consequences of contamination with E. coli O157:H7 is discussed. A “carrot and stick” approach for both producers and processors to increase vaccination and product testing is recommended.
Biological asymmetries and the fidelity of eukaryotic DNA replication.

A diploid human genome contains approximately six billion nucleotides. This enormous amount of genetic information can be replicated with great accuracy in only a few hours. However, because DNA strands are oriented antiparallel while DNA polymerization only occurs in the 5'----3' direction, semi-conservative replication of double-stranded DNA is an asymmetric process, i.e., there is a leading and a lagging strand. This provides a considerable opportunity for non-random error rates, because the architecture of the two strands as well as the DNA polymerases that replicate them may be different. In addition, the proteins that start or finish chains may well be different from those that perform the bulk of chain elongation. Furthermore, while replication fidelity depends on the absolute and relative concentrations of the four deoxyribonucleotide precursors, these are not equal in vivo, not constant throughout the cell cycle, and not necessarily equivalent in all cell types. Finally, the fidelity of DNA synthesis is sequence-dependent and the eukaryotic nuclear genome is a heterogeneous substrate. It contains repetitive and non-repetitive sequences and can actually be considered as two subgenomes that differ in nucleotide composition and gene content and that replicate at different times. The effects that each of these asymmetries may have on error rates during replication of the eukaryotic genome are discussed.
Observations on the composition of certain colonic tumors.

Three colonic tumors are presented, within which adenocarcinomatous areas were associated with foci suggestive of carcinoidal differentiation. The phenomenon is not regarded as purely coincidental. It is proposed that this possibility may reflect a closer histogenetic relationship between the argentaffin and colonic mucin-secreting cells than has been appreciated. It is, furthermore, suggested that the phenomenon may occur within other organs containing both endocrine and nonendocrine components.
Virtual reality training improves junior residents’ operating room performance: Results of a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study of the complete laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract Introduction: Previous studies evaluating the effect of virtual reality (VR) training on operating room performance have only analyzed the latter portion of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), while including many residents beyond their second year of training. The aim of this study was to better understand the impact of VR training on subjects with limited laparoscopic surgical experience during completion of an entire laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: Twelve surgical residents (PGY 1 & 2) were randomized to either standard training (n = 6) or VR training (n = 6). In the VR training group subjects were required to reach expert established performance criterion levels on the manipulation diathermy task of the Minimally Invasive Surgical Trainer (MIST-VR). All subjects then performed a video-recorded LC under the supervision of a surgeon blinded to training status. Recordings were assessed by two blinded surgeon investigators using scores based on expert-defined errors with inter-rater reliability >0.9. Results: VR trained subjects completed the full LC 20% faster than controls (39 min. vs. 31 min.), made half as many errors while exposing cystic structures (5.3 vs 10), and one-third fewer errors in dissecting the gallbladder (5.5 vs. 8.2). Overall, controls made 40% more errors (11.7 vs 19.7, p Conclusions: Criterion based VR training to expert performance levels for junior surgical residents results in fewer intra-operative errors and greater performance consistency during the entire laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure.
Challenges and perspectives in the implementation of NOTICE architecture for vehicular communications

The NOTICE architecture is a new concept in vehicular ad-hoc networking (VANET) that aims at providing automated notification of traffic incidents on highways in order to reduce congestion and improve overall traffic safety. The basic component of NOTICE is a system of sensor belts that collect information from passing cars through a wireless radio link. An indicator of performance for the NOTICE system is the incident detection time which depends on various parameters among which we note the vehicle speed, the time required by communicating radios for connection setup and information exchange, the amount of information to be transmitted, or the radio technology employed. In this paper we present a numerical performance study of the NOTICE system with realistic values of these parameters in an attempt to provide some basic specifications for the physical layer of the system.
Time-Resolved X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Photoreduced Base-off Cob(II)alamin Compared to the Co(II) Species in Clostridium thermoaceticum

We have made significant improvements in pump-probe time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy that enable us to structurally describe chemical intermediates with short lifetimes. We demonstrate that X-ray pre-edge data for a 1 mM compound can be acquired with a high signal-to-noise ratio by time-resolved discrimination of fluorescent signals from a 13-element germanium detector. With the utilization of this novel time-multiplexed laser photolysis system coupled to a flow cell, we characterized the structure of the initial photoproduct of five-coordinate base-off Co(III) methylcobalamin. The X-ray pre-edge spectra of five- and six-coordinate species have a strong 1s-3d transition at about 10 eV below the edge. In four-coordinate, square-planar species the 1s-3d intensity is significantly reduced, but they show a 1s-4p peak at about 6 eV below the edge. We used this `fingerprint` to monitor the structural change upon photolysis. Since the quantum yield of the base-off species is 0.48, the observed spectrum upon photolysis is a mixture of photoproduct and initial states. The photoproduct of the base-off methylcobalamin shows a substantial decrease in the 1s-3d peak and significant increase in the 1s-4p peak. This indicates the formation of a four-coordinate species. The four-coordinate species in the free cobalamin is very unstable and can onlymore » be detected by time-resolved methods. This indicates a special role for the protein in maintaining an unusual four-coordinate Co(II) corrinoid. 23 refs., 5 figs.« less
Phase and intensity characterization of femtosecond pulses from a chirped-pulse amplifier by frequency-resolved optical gating

Frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG) measurements were made to characterize pulses from a Ti:sapphire chirped-pulse amplified laser system. By characterizing both the pulse intensity and the phase, the FROG data provided the first direct observation to our knowledge of residual phase distortion in a chirped-pulse amplifier. The FROG technique was also used to measure the regenerative amplifier dispersion and to characterize an amplitude-shaped pulse. The data provide an experimental demonstration of the value of FROG for characterizing complex pulses, including tailored femtosecond pulses for quantum control.
Divergent evolution and the spatial structure of soil landscape variability

Abstract The spatial structure of soil variability at the landscape scale was examined on adjacent geomorphic surfaces dating from 80 to 200 ka in eastern North Carolina. The purpose was to determine whether there is evidence at broader scales (distances of 102–104 m) for the divergent evolution observed in the field at very detailed scales (distances of 100–102 m). The state probability function (SPF), which measures spatial dependence for categorical environmental data along a transect, was applied to soil series mapped at a 1:24,000 scale. The older Talbot Terrace and younger Pamlico Terrace surfaces showed distinctly different patterns of spatial variability. The range of spatial dependence was shorter on the older surface (about 200 vs. 300 m), and the SPF was higher at any given distance, indicating more variability. The SPF for the Pamlico surface also indicates a periodicity related to fluvial dissection of the landscape, which is not readily detectable on the Talbot transect despite its greater degree of dissection. The results confirm earlier field studies which suggest that pedogenesis is marked by divergence, whereby differences in initial conditions or local perturbations persist and increase to produce a more variable soil cover.
Controlled release of polypeptides from polyanhydrides.

Abstract The effects of both polymer hydrophobicity and addition of stabilizers on the release and integrity of polymer-encapsulated proteins were studied. By using very hydrophobic poly[1,3-bis(p-carboxyhydroxy)hexane anhydride] with sucrose as an excipient, both recombinant bovine somatotropin and zinc insulin were released intact over 3 weeks. The released proteins appeared to maintain their integrity as judged by acidic reverse-phase HPLC, size-exclusion HPLC, radioimmunoassay, and conformation-sensitive immunoassays. Our results also suggest how polymer hydrophobicity can be used to enhance protein stability.
The performance of exchange rate forecasting models: An economic evaluation

Theoretical models of exchange rate determination have not proven useful as accurate predictors of movements in exchange rates. However, these conclusions are the result of evaluation on the basis of statistical criteria of performance; implicitly assuming such criteria are optimal in the subsequent economic decision framework. This assumption is suspect, though, because statistical criteria do not account for market timing is applied in this study to four forecasting models of both the Canadian dollar/US dollar and the West German mark/US dollar exchange rates over the period 1976:11–1984:8. Of these models, only the unconstrained static and dynamic forecasting models exhibited significant markete timing value with respect to the Canadian dollar and then only over a one month time horizon. The constrained dynamic model had market timing abillity at the three month time horizon under Decision Rule I. With respect to the West German mark, the constrained static forecasting model showed market timing abilit...
Synthesis and characterization of [Mo7O16(O3PCH2PO3)3] :8- a mixed-valent polyoxomolybdenum diphosphonate anion with octahedrally and tetrahedrally coordinated molybdenum

Two new compounds containing the title diphosphono-polyoxometalate anion and diprotonated ethylenediamine (enH2) or piperazine (ppzH2) countercations have been hydrothermally synthesized and struct...
Larvicidal Effects of Boric Acid and Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate to Cat Fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae)

Borate products varied in efficacy against larval cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis felis Bouche, with some effective at rates of 23 μg/cm2 when larvae were exposed to the compounds in sand. Powdered boric acid, granular boric acid, and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Polybor) at rates of 200 μg/cm2 produced ≥90% mortality of larvae exposed in carpet for 96 h. LC50 values of larvae exposed in treated carpets for 96 h were 23 μg/cm2 for powdered boric acid, 40 μg/cm2 for granular boric acid, and 47 μg/cm2 for polybor.
Divergent Egg Physiologies in Two Closely Related Grasshopper Species: Taeniopoda eques versus Romalea microptera (Orthoptera: Romaleidae)

ABSTRACT We compared egg survivorship and egg development time at different soil moistures for two closely related grasshopper species from divergent habitats: marsh-inhabiting Romalea microptera (Beauvois) versus desert-inhabiting Taeniopoda eques (Burmeister). These two species can interbreed and produce viable offspring. In nature, both species have a similar 8–9 mo subterranean egg stage, but their soil environments differ dramatically in water content. We predicted that the eggs of the two species would exhibit differential survivorship and development times under different moisture levels. Our laboratory results show that the eggs of both species survived a wide range of soil moistures (≈ 0.5 to 90%), maintained for 3 mo. However, the eggs of the marsh grasshopper, R. microptera, better tolerated the highest soil moistures (95 and 100%), whereas the eggs of the desert species, T. eques, better tolerated the lowest soil moistures (0.0 and 0.1%). Sixty-five percent of marsh-inhabiting H. microptera eg...
Gαq Binds Two Effectors Independently in Cells: Evidence for Pre-determined Pathways

G proteins transduce signals along diverse pathways, but the factors involved in pathway selection are largely unknown. Here, we have studied the ability of Gαq to select between two effectors, phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) and phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K). Specifically, we expressed eCFP and eYFP tagged proteins in HEK293 cells and monitor their interactions throughout stimulation using Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET). We find separate and stable pools of Gαq-PLCβ and Gαq-PI3K complexes existing in both the baal and stimulated states. These separate complexes exist despite the ability of Gαq to simultaneously bind both effectors as determined by in vitro measurements using purified proteins. Pre-formed G protein-effector complexes will limit the number of pathways a given signal will take and may simplify predictive models.
Auxiliary particles and Fumi's theorem

Abstract Fumi's theorem relates the ground state energy to phase shifts and hence the scattering matrix. In turn a theorem associated with the auxiliary particles relates the ground state energy to its self-energy, on shell and implies that the latter can be written in terms of the scattering matrix. These relationships are described along with the role of the infrared divergences.
Charge Collection Measurements for Heavy Ions Incident on n- and p-Type Silicon

We present the results of charge collection measurements for heavy ions incident on n- and p-type silicon for a range of doping densities and bias conditions. The total collected charge agrees reasonably well for most particles with the simple model we presented last year. However, the model begins to break down for very highly ionizing particles. The experiments also indicate that the collection time increases with ionization density, so that significant recovery of the struck junction may occur during the collection process. We also found that recombination is only a small effect; and the charge collection does not seem to depend strongly on angle of incidence, at least for the cases where we performed measurements. We discuss the implications of all these findings for circuits operating in a cosmic ray environment.
Tunable Lenses Using Transparent Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

Focus tunable, adaptive lenses provide several advantages over traditional lens assemblies in terms of compactness, cost, efficiency, and flexibility. To further improve the simplicity and compact nature of adaptive lenses, we present an elastomer-liquid lens system which makes use of an inline, transparent electroactive polymer actuator. The lens requires only a minimal number of components: a frame, a passive membrane, a dielectric elastomer actuator membrane, and a clear liquid. The focal length variation was recorded to be greater than 100% with this system, responding in less than one second. Through the analysis of membrane deformation within geometrical constraints, it is shown that by selecting appropriate lens dimensions, even larger focusing dynamic ranges can be achieved.
A Developed Toolkit for Analysis of Large Deflections of Beams

In the presented paper, an interesting and unconventional approach for analysis of non-linear bending of a flexible cantilever beam subjected to an inclined end-load is explored utilizing LabVIEW. The numerical scheme employed in the LabVIEW Virtual Instrument (VI) developed in this study utilizes elliptic integrals to generate the theoretical solution. The procedure employed in the study is capable of determining not only the primary deflected shape, but also other possible stable configurations of the beam subjected to an end-load. In earlier research done by the author, it was proven that depending upon the specific beam and loading parameters, multiple deflected configurations are possible for flexible beams subjected to loads. Utilizing the front panel of the developed VI, the user can conveniently control the beam and load parameters and interactively generate the internal shear and moment reactions along the length of the beam and the deflected configurations. Provisions are included in the VI to ensure that the maximum normal and shearing stresses exerted on the beam do not exceed the beam’s allowable stresses. A visual indicator placed on the front panel of the created VI alerts the user if this occurs. Virtual Instrument developed in this study will be prepared in a form to allow the users to be able to run the toolkit remotely over the web for any desired input. A special executable version of this VI will also be created to further enhance the accessibility of the toolkit. This executable file can run on any computer with or without LabVIEW installed. The developed toolkit will allow the students, educators, and researchers to create a variety of “what if” scenarios and gain a better insight into predicting the behavior of beams undergoing large deflections. The sample solutions included in this paper will clearly demonstrate the utility and efficiency of the developed toolkit. The procedure developed in this study can further be extended to obtain the solutions for other cases, such as deflections of beams with initial curvature, and beam subjected to other static and dynamic loads.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Early educational intervention research and Cronbach's two disciplines of scientific psychology

Abstract Cronbach (1957) described the division of scientific psychologists into two disciplines: (a) experimental psychologists, who perform laboratory experiments in which they manipulate variables to generate changes in group or individual performance in order to derive general laws; and (b) correlational psychologists, who study existing variations among species, social groups, and individuals. Early intervention (here, early education) researches share the experimentalists' interest in manipulating variables, but without their careful control. They share the correlationists' interest in group differences, but not their restriction against intruding on the groups. In limbo between the two disciplines, they have, on occasion, turned their research into a crusade.
THE ENHANCING EFFECT OF BONE MARROW CELLS ON THE PRIMARY IMMUNE RESPONSE OF THE ISOLATED PERFUSED SPLEEN

The addition of bone marrow cells or peripheral lymphocytes to the isolated pig spleen markedly enhanced the primary antibody response after 3-day perfusion and antigenic challenge in vitro. The splenic preparation without added cells or with the addition of marrow cells to an irradiated spleen gave a limited response. Contributory evidence is provided that at least two distinct cell types are needed for antibody production. For optimal antibody response by an isolated perfused spleen, marrow cells or peripheral lymphocytes should be added to the system.
Recognition of three-dimensional elastic volumes using cross sections

Recognition of three-dimensional (3-D) elastic volumes is a computationally expensive process since it is performed involving not only the entire object and model surfaces but also their deformed versions. This paper describes a computationally inexpensive matching method for elastic volumes using only their cross-sections. In the proposed algorithm, it is assumed that object and model surfaces of unit volume are standing on the x-y base plane and scanned along the z-axis parallel to the x-y base plane. The resultant slices are represented by a stack of pictures with the values 1 and 0 corresponding to object and background areas. The object regions in these images are translated to the origin of the x-y plane and their major and minor axes are aligned with the x and y coordinate axes. The object region boundaries are detected by a set of simple 0-to-1 and 1-to-0 transition templates. The gradient vector is computed along the boundary points and matching is performed in the direction of the gradient vectors by computing the Euclidean distance between the object boundary points and the corresponding points in the model cross section boundary. The distances measured in various slices are averaged and the minimum average distance is used to identify the model best matching to the object being processed. The method is tested using computer generated surfaces of undeformed shapes with successful matching results.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Reply to JS White

Dear Sir: Studies using dietary conditions with exaggerated nutritional compositions are often used to define the potential for biological responses and to act as starting points for understanding nutritional effects on health. The monkeys in the study consumed 30% more fructose than the unhealthiest humans, with fructose approximating the 95th percentile of total carbohydrate consumption (1, 2). This intake was modeled on the clinical study by Stanhope et al (3), which showed changes in adiposity, plasma lipids, and insulin sensitivity. Monkeys supplemented with fructose at this same amount (4) similarly experienced detrimental changes in these variables. Thus, our goal was to evaluate the influence of an extreme change in fructose while holding adiposity constant by careful focus on caloric and body weight control. One advantage of animal models, especially Old World monkeys with gastrointestinal tracts more comparable to humans, is sufficient longer-term environmental control to unmask perturbations induced by manipulation of nutritional variables. A potential next step would be to narrow the intake range over which health effects may be seen, while matching all dietary ingredients including protein source. Casein is known to be proatherogenic in the context of cholesterol-loaded dietary experiments (5); however, we actually reported no elevations in plasma or liver cholesterol concentrations (free or esterified) with high-fructose/casein diets, endpoints that are known risk factors for atherosclerosis (6). We therefore believe that the lack of differences seen in these endpoints in our study suggests that protein source did not primarily influence metabolic health, microbial translocation, and liver injury outcomes. We conclude that consumption of very high amounts of simple carbohydrate is likely to impair intestinal integrity and initiate liver and metabolic changes. Human and rodent studies involving exaggerated diets support the greater potency of fructose compared with glucose in initiation of such changes (3, 7), and future experiments should refine these findings using relevant diets in relevant animal studies.
Toys as tools of connection and disconnection: ethnographic perspectives on children’s consumption, inequality, and contemporary cultures of care

Allison's Pugh's, Longing and Belonging, and Anne Allison's, Millennial Monsters, are excellent contributions to a recently growing literature on children or youth, parents, and consumption (e.g., Anagnost 2004; Chin 2001; Clarke 2007; Cook 2004, 2008, 2009; Paugh and Izquierdo 2009; Zelizer 1994; see also Allison 1991). They sound a few important notes in concert as they unpack the driving forces and sociopolitical consequences of consumption for young people in the United States and beyond, and both ethnographies provide convincing evidence against the popular assumption that consumerism is a frivolous, self-indulgent activity devoid of social import or moral value. Yet they also offer distinct perspectives on just what kinds of sociality are at stake when children and parents purchase, display, or play with sought-after commodities like Gameboys and Pokemon trading cards. For this reason, the two monographs?each of them highly compelling in its own way?are even more productive and thought provoking when read as a pair, for the contrasting and complementary scopes of their ethnographic visions help illuminate the vast terrain of social contexts that ideally are engaged by critical scholarship on consumption and the cultures of childhood. Pugh's study is based in Oakland, California, "a fairly unequal city in a nation of unequal cities" (29). The research took place at three schools: a mostly African
Microspectrophotometric determination of the 2C and 4C nuclear complement in the root and shoot of the dormant maize embryo

Abstract Feulgen microspectrometry was conducted to determine the proportions of 2C and 4C nuclei in cells of the root and shoot of the dormant maize embryo. A cold hydrolysis technique was employed, and squashes were made of the roots and shoots separately. Results showed a mixed population of cells in both the root and shoot. The proportion of 2C and 4C nuclei was approximately 1:1 in the root and 5:1 in the shoot, suggesting that the root cells were arrested in G 1 and G 2 stages of the cell cycle in equal proportions during embryo maturation, whereas most of the shoot cells were arrested in G 1 .
In vitro metabolism of chlorpromazine by cytochromes P450 4F4 and 4F5 and the inhibitory effect of imipramine

The metabolism of chlorpromazine by expressed recombinant cytochromes P450 4F4 and 4F5 cloned from rat brain was analyzed to characterize the individual activities of the isoforms. Both isoforms metabolized chlorpromazine to both the N-demethylated and the S-oxide products. When isoforms were incubated with chloropromazine in the presence of increasing concentrations of imipramine, imipramine significantly inhibited both N-demethylation and S-oxidation of chlorpromazine. A dilution of the serum fraction of anti-4F antibody was also found to significantly inhibit both S-oxidation and N-demethylation of chlorpromazine by both 4F4 and 4F5.
Retinoblastoma-repression of E2F-dependent transcription depends on the ability of the retinoblastoma protein to interact with E2F and is abrogated by the adenovirus E1A oncoprotein

The product of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene interacts with the transcription factor E2F. Two distinct types of interactions can be detected between the retinoblastoma gene product (Rb) and E2F. The first type involves an Rb-binding protein, RBP60. The Rb/E2F complex formed in the presence of RBP60 is able to bind DNA and migrates with a distinct mobility in gel retardation assays. The second type of Rb/E2F complex is seen in the absence of RBP60. This second type of Rb/E2F complex does not form a band-shift complex in gel retardation assays and its formation results in an apparent inhibition or loss of the DNA binding activity of E2F. Using a series of Rb-mutants we show that these two types of Rb/E2F complexes depend on common domains of the Rb protein. The T/E1A-binding region as well as the carboxyl-terminus of the Rb protein are critical for these two types of Rb/E2F interactions. We also show that the retinoblastoma protein represses the E2F-dependent transcription, and this Rb-repression of the E2F-dependent transcription depends on the ability of Rb to interact with E2F. Moreover, the adenovirus E1A gene product, which binds Rb, counteracts the Rb-repression and restores E2F-dependent transcription.
Cognitive reserve in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis

Background: Consistent with the cognitive reserve hypothesis, lifetime intellectual enrichment protects MS patients from cognitive impairment. As studies have focused predominately on patients with relapsing–remitting courses, it is unknown whether lifetime enrichment is protective against cognitive impairment in patients with secondary-progressive MS (SPMS), a more advanced disease course.Objective: Examine whether greater lifetime intellectual enrichment moderates/reduces the deleterious effect of SPMS on memory and cognitive efficiency.Methods: Twenty-five SPMS patients and 25 healthy controls (HC) completed neuropsychological tasks, yielding two composite scores: memory and cognitive efficiency. An estimate of lifetime enrichment was created from educational attainment and vocabulary knowledge. Regression analyses predicted memory and cognitive efficiency, with age, sex, intellectual enrichment and group (SPMS, HC) controlled in step one, and the interaction between intellectual enrichment and group e...
Hyperinsulinemia, upper body adiposity, and cardiovascular risk factors in non-diabetics

Previous studies have suggested that hyperinsulinemia and upper body adiposity are each separately associated with elevated BP and triglyceride (TG) levels, and with lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. The joint effect of hyperinsulinemia and upper body adiposity on lipids, lipoproteins, and BP, however, has not been previously studied. We hypothesized that the effect of body fat distribution on cardiovascular risk factors might be mediated through hyperinsulinemia. We measured BP, lipids and lipoproteins, HDL subfractions, and insulin and glucose concentrations as part of the San Antonio Heart Study, a population-based study of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors. Insulinemia and glycemia were assessed as the sum of the fasting, half-hour, one-hour, and two-hour insulin and glucose levels, respectively, measured during a standardized oral glucose tolerance test. Individuals who had diabetes according to National Diabetes Data Group criteria were excluded from the analyses. In univariate analyses, both hyperinsulinemia and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), a measure of upper body adiposity, were positively associated with TG and negatively associated with total HDL and HDL2 cholesterol levels. However, when the effects of glycemia and insulinemia were controlled for by analysis of variance, WHR was no longer significantly related to TG levels. By contrast, WHR continued to be inversely related to total HDL and HDL2 cholesterol even after adjustment for glycemia and insulinemia. Hyperinsulinemia was only weakly related to HDL cholesterol. These results suggest that insulinemia and glycemia might mediate the effects of upper body adiposity on TG, although not on HDL and HDL2 cholesterol. Hyperinsulinemia was also positively associated with diastolic and systolic BP in men.
Prospective Evaluation of Real‐time Use of the Pulmonary Embolism Rule‐out Criteria in an Academic Emergency Department

Objectives: The pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria (PERC rule) is a nine-component decision rule derived to exclude pulmonary embolism (PE) without the use of formal diagnostic testing (D-dimer, computed tomography pulmonary angiography, ventilation–perfusion lung scanning, or venous ultrasonography) when all nine components are negative (“PERC negative”). This study examined whether clinicians who document PERC negative also document results of all nine components of the PERC rule. Methods: This was a pilot study at a single-center, urban teaching emergency department (ED) with a residency program in emergency medicine. Patients were over 17 years of age with at least one of nine predefined chief complaints. Clinicians were asked three questions regarding suspicion for PE, intent to use the PERC rule, and the result. Charts were independently reviewed by two authors for fidelity of the nine PERC components. Patients were followed for PE outcome at 14 days. Results: The study examined 526 patients cared for by 82 clinicians, who indicated suspicion for PE in 183 of 526 (35%) and intent to use the PERC rule in 115 of 526 (22%) cases, of whom 65 of 115 were documented as PERC negative. No formal test for PE was ordered in 49 of 65 (75%), and 46 of 49 had incomplete documentation to support PERC negative. The most common deficiency was omission of two risk factors for PE in the rule (prior venous thromboembolism or recent surgery). Six patients had PE diagnosed within 14 days, but none of these had been deemed PERC negative. Conclusions: Clinicians seldom document all nine data elements of the PERC rule in patients they deem PERC negative. These data suggest the need for paper or electronic aids to support use of the PERC rule. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:1016–1019 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Constraints on microstructural two-point correlation functions

Abstract Correlation functions are useful for representation of microstructural geometry. An equation is derived for limiting behavior of direction dependent two-point correlation functions in terms of orientation distribution of the interface normals and total interfacial area. These constraints are used to identify models for correlation functions that are not physically realizable.
Determining patient 6-degrees-of-freedom motion from stereo infrared cameras during supine medical imaging

Patient motion during SPECT acquisition causes inconsistent projection data and reconstruction artifacts which can significantly affect the diagnostic accuracy of SPECT. The tracking of motion by infrared monitoring spherical reflectors (markers) on the patient's surface can provide 6-Degrees-of-Freedom (6-DOF) motion information capable of providing clinically robust correction. Object rigid-body motion can be described by 3 translational DOF and 3 rotational DOF. Polaris marker position information obtained by stereo infrared cameras requires algorithmic processing to correctly record the tracked markers, and to calibrate and map Polaris co-ordinate data into the SPECT co-ordinate system. Marker data then requires processing to determine the rotational and translational 6-DOF motion to ultimately be used for SPECT image corrections. This processing utilizes an algorithm involving least-squares fitting, to each other, of two 3-D point sets using singular value decomposition (SVD) resulting in the rotation matrix and translation of the rigid body centroid. We have demonstrated the ability to monitor 12 clinical patients as well as 7 markers on 2 elastic belts worn by a volunteer while intentionally moving, and determined the 3 axis Euclidian rotation angles and centroid translations. An anthropomorphic phantom with Tc-99m added to the heart, liver, and body was simultaneously SPECT imaged and motion tracked using 4 rigidly mounted markers. The determined rotation matrix and translation information was used to correct the image resulting in virtually identical "no motion" and "corrected" images. We plan to initiate routine 6-DOF tracking of patient motion during SPECT imaging in the future.
Visual discrimination learning: Interactions of auditory input pattern, articulation, and instructions

Visual discrimination learning was affected by the pattern of stimulus names which Ss heard. A positive pattern facilitated, a negative pattern did not effect, and a mixed pattern interfered with discrimination learning. Interpretation of articulation and instructional effects was complicated by a significant Pattern by Articulation by Instructions interaction which primarily reflected differences between minimally and fully informed, articulating Ss with a negative pattern and minimally and fully informed, non-articulating Ss with a mixed pattern.
Varicocele surgery: a decade’s experience at a children’s hospital

OBJECTIVES To review our experience at a children's hospital over a 10-year period with the Palomo, Ivanissevich, subinguinal and laparoscopic techniques for varicocele, assessing the success and complication rates according to specific procedure, and the added effect that the modifications of microsurgery and artery-sparing has had on these rates. A second objective was to assess the rate of testicular compensatory growth after surgery for testicular hypotrophy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Ninety-two patients with >1 year of follow-up between 1996 and 2006 were assessed retrospectively. The median (range) age at surgery was 15 (8-21) years. Patients were stratified based on the surgical technique used by eight different urology faculty members. Microsurgery and attempted artery-sparing were applied to some Palomo, Ivannisevich, and subinguinal cases but not to laparoscopic procedures. RESULTS The laparoscopic (100%) and Palomo (93%) techniques had significantly higher success rates than the Ivanissevich approach (69%). The success rate with the subinguinal technique (88%) was intermediate between the more successful supra-inguinal and less successful inguinal approaches. There was a higher hydrocele rate (32%) in the laparoscopic approach. Artery sparing significantly lowered hydrocele rates but had no effect on success rates. Incorporating microsurgery also had no effect on success rates but resulted in no hydrocele formation. One case of testicular atrophy occurred in a patient undergoing microsurgical artery-sparing subinguinal spermatic vein ligation. There was compensatory growth in 68% of patients operated on for testicular hypotrophy. CONCLUSIONS During our 10-year experience the laparoscopic and Palomo approaches were the most successful. The subinguinal approach (usually incorporating microsurgery and artery sparing) had an intermediate success rate. The Ivanissevich approach was least successful. Hydroceles did not occur when microsurgery was used, and were significantly less common with artery sparing. The only case of testicular atrophy was with a microsurgical artery-sparing subinguinal approach. When the spermatic vein was ligated for testicular hypotrophy there was compensatory growth in two-thirds of testes.
Nonprimordial Deuterium in the Interstellar Medium

Contrary to a widespread assumption, deuterium is not simply destroyed in stars: deuterium is also synthesized in the atmospheres of active stars. This nonprimordial synthesis of D arises when protons accelerated in flares interact with the atmosphere, create a flux of free neutrons, and these neutrons then undergo radiative capture on atmospheric protons. Radiative capture does not result in excess production of Li, Be, or B. Ejection of flare-processed material contaminates the interstellar medium (ISM), as was originally suggested by Coleman & Worden. Estimates of the amount of flare-created D are subject to considerable uncertainties, but we find, using stellar parameters within permitted ranges, that flares may contribute significantly to the current ISM D content. Observational data indicate that different clouds of gas in the ISM exhibit variations in the value of D/H. We suggest that contamination of the ISM by D-enriched material ejected from stellar flares contributes to the observed D/H inhomogeneity. More precise estimates of the efficiency of D ejection from flares into the solar wind are required to evaluate this suggestion.
Pulmonary eosinophils express HLA-DR in chronic eosinophilic pneumonia

Abstract Background: Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is a rare idiopathic disorder. What role the eosinophil plays in the pathogenesis of this disease is unknown. The recent finding that mature eosinophils can express the class II major histocompatibility complex molecule HLA-DR suggests an immunologic role, perhaps through antigen presentation. The purpose of this research was to determine whether lung-derived eosinophils exhibit in vivo expression of HLA-DR. Methods: Eosinophils were obtained simultaneously from bronchoalveolar lavage and peripheral blood from a 59-year-old woman with asthma and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. Eosinophil-enriched aliquots of peripheral blood were cocultured with human lung fibroblasts (with or without additional granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor). The percentage of cells expressing HLA-DR was quantitated by flow cytometric analysis. Results: Eosinophils derived from bronchoalveolar lavage displayed in vivo expression of HLA-DR (86%) in contrast to those from peripheral blood (7%), suggesting compartmentalization of eosinophil activation within the lung. Peripheral blood eosinophils retained the capacity for HLA-DR expression when coincubated with lung fibroblasts (83%) with augmentation by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (93%). Conclusion: These data demonstrate that lung eosinophil HLA-DR expression occurs in vivo; it may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung injury.
Antibiotic resistance patterns in coagulase-negative staphylococci after treatment with topical erythromycin, benzoyl peroxide, and combination therapy.

Summary Antibiotic resistance of the resident cutaneous bacterial flora is a well recognized consequence of systemic antibiotic therapy. In this study, we followed the development of antibiotic resistance of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), the most numerous aerobic bacteria found on the skin surface, during treatment with three topical antimicrobial agents used to treat acne vulgaris. Groups of 20 subjects received either topical erythromycin, benzoyl peroxide or a combination of the two for 16 weeks. After 12 weeks of treatment with erythromycin, the aerobic flora was dominated by S. epidermidis which was completely resistant to erythromycin. In addition there was an increase in resistance to clindamycin and tetracycline. Treatment with benzoyl peroxide and the combination of erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide resulted in a significant reduction in the number of aerobic bacteria without any change in the resistance pattern to erythromycin or other antibiotics.