cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Successful targeting of mouse Y chromosome genes using a site-directed insertion vector.

Summary: Gene targeting via homologous recombination in mouse ES cells is now a routine method for addressing gene function in vivo. Several hundred genes mapping to all autosomes and the X chromosome have been mutated and analyzed in this way. In contrast, despite repeated attempts in several laboratories, including our own, there have been no reports of successful targeting of mouse Y chromosome genes. We show here that this problem can be overcome through the use of insertional targeting, rather than the usual replacement strategy. Using this method we have successfully targeted the mouse Y located Dby (dead box Y) and Eif2s3y (elongation initiation factor) genes. In addition, as Y chromosome genes are transcribed in ES cells, successful targeting and disruption of gene expression can be easily confirmed by RTPCR analysis of selected clones. genesis 32:1–7, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Progestins affect reproductive behavior and androgen receptor dynamics in male guinea pig brain.

Abstract The present study extends previous studies of ours by comparing the anti-androgenic effect of a progestin agonist (R5020) with progesterone (P). Intact male guinea pigs treated with P (1 and 10 mg/day) and R5020 (100 μg/day) had greater latency to mount and lower numbers of mounts and intromissions compared to controls. Ejaculation and plasma testosterone concentration were not affected. Specific brain regions were analyzed for androgen receptor (AR) content. Progestins produced fewer ( P
Cationic copolymerization of 2‐methylene‐5,5‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxane with 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxolane and 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxane

Copolymers of the cyclic ketene acetals, 2-methylene-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane, 3, (M 1 ) with 2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane, 4, (M 2 ) or 2-methylene-1,3-dioxane, 5, (M 2 ), were synthesized by cationic copolymerization. An experimental method was designed to study the reactivity of these very reactive and extremely acid sensitive cyclic ketene acetal monomers. The reactivity ratios, calculated using a computer program based on a nonlinear minimization algorithm, were r 1 = 6.36 and r 2 = 1.25 for the copolymerization of 3 with 4, and r 1 = 1.56 and r 2 = 1.42 for the copolymerization of 3 with 5. FTIR and 1 H-NMR spectra when combined with the values of r 1 and r 2 showed that these copolymers were formed by a cationic 1,2-polymerization (ring-retained) route. Furthermore the tendency existed to form very short blocks of M 1 or M 2 within the copolymers. Cationic copolymerization of cyclic ketene acetals have the potential to be used for synthesis of novel polymers.
Comparative study of different numerical approaches in space–time CESE framework for high-fidelity flow simulations

With the advancement of computer hardware, the trend of research in computational fluid dynamics is moving towards development of highly accurate, unstructured-mesh compatible, robust and efficient numerical methods for simulating problems involving strong transient effects and relatively complex geometries as well as physics. The space–time conservation element and solution element method is a genuinely multi-dimensional, unstructured-mesh compatible numerical framework, which was built from a consistent and synergetic integration of conservation laws in the space–time domain to avoid the limitations of conventional schemes, such as the use of 1-D flux reconstruction with a Riemann solver. It has been shown that the framework can be used for time-accurate simulations of a variety of problems involving unsteady waves, strong flow discontinuities, and their interactions with remarkable accuracy. However, this method at its current state has encountered the challenge in balancing the robustness and numerical accuracy when highly stretched meshes were used in viscous flow simulation. In this paper, we briefly discuss various numerical approaches developed for this framework thus far as well as their strengths and weaknesses, and conduct a comparative study of their numerical accuracies using some 2-D viscous benchmark test cases. The application of this method in realistic, complex 3-D problems is also included here to demonstrate its computational efficiency in large-scale computing.
Trends in neurosurgery. The 1989 AANS presidential address.

✓ This overview of neurosurgical practice examines patterns of case management, using several areas such as head injury, brain tumors, and the delivery of health care to illustrate the changes that have taken place over the past 40 years and the changes that might be expected in the next 40 years. The rapid pace of progress has indicated further exciting growth of this specialty into the 21st century; however, what remains constant is the dynamic character of the neurosurgeon. This view of the past and the possibilities for future innovation enables neurosurgeons of all generations to have a sense of pride in the achievements generated by their peers.
Iontophoresis of norepinephrine onto neurons of the pigeon's lateral geniculate nucleus: characterization of an inhibitory response.

Abstract A group of neurons in the pigeon's lateral geniculate equivalent nucleus (LGNe) shows associative enhancement of their response to light during visually conditioned heart rate change. The source of the relevant unconditioned stimulus input to LGNe for this enhancement has been identified as the locus coeruleus (LC). Thus, we have begun to examine neurotransmitters synthesized in LC for possible involvement in associative modification of neuronal discharge in LGNe. As a first step, we have examined the responses of LGNe neurons to iontophoretic application of norepinephrine (NE) and identified the receptor mediating one response class. The majority of neurons in LGNe show inhibition of maintained activity in response to iontophoretic application of NE or its agonists. The potency of the NE agonists is α-methyl NE > epinephrine > NE > phenylephrine > isoproterenol. This profile is characteristic of an α2-adrenoceptor. The α2-agonist clonidine also induces inhibition of maintained activity. The α2-antagonists WB-4101 and yohimbine block the NE-inhibition while the α1-antagonist prazosin and β-antagonist sotalol do not. It is thus suggested that the receptor mediating the NE-inhibition of maintained activity has the characteristics of an α2-adrenoceptor.
Adverse cardiac events in emergency department patients with chest pain six months after a negative inpatient evaluation for acute coronary syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the diagnostic test setting—inpatient versus outpatient—on adverse cardiac events (ACEs) after six months in emergency department (ED) patients with chest pain who were admitted to the hospital and subsequently had a negative evaluation for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: The authors retrospectively studied a consecutive sample of ED patients with chest pain over a nine-month period. All patients were admitted to the hospital and underwent negative evaluations for ACS, defined as the absence of diagnostic changes on serial electrocardiograms or cardiac markers (creatine kinase—MB and troponin T), and a negative diagnostic cardiac study. Subjects were classified according to cardiac diagnostic study setting—either inpatient or outpatient. Diagnostic testing included exercise treadmill, angiography, stress echocardiography, or stress thallium scans. Acute cardiac events at six months were defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, cardiac arrest, or emergent revascularization. Results: The six-month rate of ACEs among 157 subjects was 14%, with 2% cardiac mortality. The outpatient group had higher ACE risk when compared with the inpatient group using multivariate logistic regression, both for the entire cohort (OR 3.5, p < 0.03) and for a subgroup excluding patients with prior coronary artery disease (OR 6.7, p < 0.05). The outpatient group included 19 of 52 (37%) noncompliant subjects who did not receive a diagnostic study. Conclusions: Long-term cardiac morbidity of patients after a negative ACS evaluation may be higher than previously thought. Risk of ACE is significantly higher in subjects scheduled for outpatient diagnostic tests. Inpatient diagnostic testing is justified for subjects at risk for poor compliance.
Overview on Super Strengthening Phenomenon Taking Place During Intensive Quenching of Steels

This paper presents an overview on the super strengthening phenomenon that takes place during intensive quenching (IQ) of steels. It is shown that for obtaining an additional strengthening of material, one should pay special attention to whether the part cooling rate within the martensite range is high enough and whether compressive stresses are formed at the surface of steel parts. For hardening high carbon alloy steels with a low martensite start temperature, a two-step quenching procedure is recommended. At the first step of quenching, the martensite transformation is delayed, and, at the second step of quenching, the part cooling rate is accelerated within the martensite range. For hardening low and medium carbon steels, an IQ-3 quench method is recommended when a so-called direct convection cooling is applied for providing a maximal cooling rate within the martensite range and maximal compressive stresses at the surface of steel parts. To calculate a part cooling rate within the martensite range, a generalized equation is provided. Data on mechanical properties for different steels proving a presence of the super strengthening effect are provided also. A practical use of the super strengthening phenomenon is discussed in the paper.
Intra- and interspecific responses to Rafinesque’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) social calls.

Bats respond to the calls of conspecifics as well as to calls of other species; however, few studies have attempted to quantify these responses or understand the functions of these calls. We tested the response of Rafinesque’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) to social calls as a possible method to increase capture success and to understand the function of social calls. We also tested if calls of bats within the range of the previously designated subspecies differed, if the responses of Rafinesque’s big-eared bats varied with geographic origin of the calls, and if other species responded to the calls of C. rafinesquii. We recorded calls of Rafinesque’s big-eared bats at two colony roost sites in South Carolina, USA. Calls were recorded while bats were in the roosts and as they exited. Playback sequences for each site were created by copying typical pulses into the playback file. Two mist nets were placed approximately 50–500 m from known roost sites; the net with the playback equipment served as the Experimental net and the one without the equipment served as the Control net. Call structures differed significantly between the Mountain and Coastal Plains populations with calls from the Mountains being of higher frequency and longer duration. Ten of 11 Rafinesque’s big-eared bats were caught in the Control nets and, 13 of 19 bats of other species were captured at Experimental nets even though overall bat activity did not differ significantly between Control and Experimental nets. Our results suggest that Rafinesque’s big-eared bats are not attracted to conspecifics’ calls and that these calls may act as an intraspecific spacing mechanism during foraging.
Electrothermally actuated tip-tilt-piston micromirror with integrated varifocal capability.

MEMS micromirrors have proven to be very important optical devices with applications ranging from steerable mirrors for switches and cross-connects to spatial light modulators for correcting optical distortions. Usually beam steering and focusing are done with different MEMS devices and tilt angles in excess of 10 degrees are seldom obtained. Here we describe a single MEMS device that combines tip/tilt, piston mode and varifocal capability into a single, low cost device with very large tilt angles. Our device consists of a 400 micron diameter mirror driven with thermal bimorphs. We have demonstrated deflection angles of ± 40 degrees along both axes, a tunable focal length which varies between −0.48 mm to + 20.5 mm and a piston mode range of 300 microns - four separately controllable degrees of freedom in a single device. Potential applications range from smart lighting to optical switches and devices for telecom systems.
Assessing Effects of the Nonindigenous Pike Killifish on Indigenous Fishes in Tampa Bay, Florida, Using a Weighted‐Evidence Approach

Abstract Nonindigenous fish introductions may result in significant negative ecological and economic effects. Pike killifish Belonesox belizanus, a small-bodied piscivorous fish native to Central America, was introduced into South Florida in 1957 and raised concerns because of its consumption of small-bodied fishes. The present study examined the negative effects on indigenous fishes from a second pike killifish population that invaded Tampa Bay several decades later. Four data sets were used to test several hypotheses based on earlier observations from South Florida: potential indigenous prey fish populations are less abundant or less frequently occurring or have a larger size composition (1) in invaded water bodies than in uninvaded water bodies and (2) following invasion than before invasion (with no concurrent change in uninvaded systems). For each prey species, the result of each hypothesis test was scored (2 = accept, 1 = tentatively accept, and 0 = reject) and the average score of all hypotheses wa...
Attenuation of apoptosis in vitro and ischemia/reperfusion injury in vivo in mouse skeletal muscle by P2Y6 receptor activation

Activation of the G(q)-coupled P2Y(6) receptor heterologously expressed in astrocytes significantly attenuates apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). We have extended the analysis of P2Y(6) receptor-induced cytoprotection to mouse skeletal muscle cells endogenously expressing this receptor. The endogenous P2Y(6) receptor agonist UDP and synthetic agonist MRS2693 protected C2C12 skeletal muscle cells against apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner (0.1-10 nM) as determined by propidium iodide staining, histochemical analysis using hematoxylin and Hoechst 33258, and DNA fragmentation. The insurmountable P2Y(6) receptor antagonist MRS2578 blocked the protection. TNFalpha-induced apoptosis in C2C12 cells correlated with activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. The NF-kappaB activation was attenuated by 10nM MRS2693, which activated the antiapoptic ERK1/2 pathway. In an in vivo mouse hindlimb model, MRS2693 protected against skeletal muscle ischemia/reperfusion injury. The P2Y(6) receptor is a novel cytoprotective receptor that deserves further exploration in ameliorating skeletal muscle injury.
The spectrum of a Hermitian matrix sum

Abstract An announcement by Lidskii, (B.V. Lidskii, Functional Anal. Appl. 10 (1982) 76–77 (Russian), 139–140 (English)), claimed to establish the explicit description of the spectrum of a Hermitian matrix sum in the form conjectured by Horn (A. Horn, Pacific J. Math. 16 (1962) 225–241), but no supporting proof has been published. This paper begins an analysis of the claim, and is the first step towards bridging the distance between the elementary methods of Horn's (1962) paper and the partial solution of the same problem using noncommutative harmonic analysis by Dooley et al. (I. Dooley, R. Repka, N. Wildberger, Lin. Mult. Alg. 36 (1993) 79–102). The methods of Horn/Lidskii lead to combinatorial issues of independent interest.
Primary gastric T-Cell lymphoma with cutaneous involvement: A case report and review of the literature

Primary gastric T-cell lymphomas are extremely rare. We report a Ki-1 negative primary gastric T-cell lymphoma of the anaplastic large cell type associated with extensive involvement of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and other organ involvement in a patient not known to be immunocompromized. Biopsy of the stomach and distal esophagus showed infiltration of gastric mucosa and the squamous epithelium by nests of large atypical cells with vacuolated or clear cytoplasm, consistent with large cell lymphoma. Immunohistochemical staining of these specimens revealed neoplastic cells bearing LCA (CD45) and T-cell markers (UCHL1/CD45R0 and CD3). This represents the only case so far with synchronous presentation of gastric, esophageal, and cutaneous involvement without evidence of regional lymph node involvement. There was no association with HTLV-1 or HIV infection. The patient had a fulminant course and a poor response to chemotherapy.
Swan-Ganz catheter-induced pulmonary haemorrhage and infarction

(1996). Swan-Ganz catheter-induced pulmonary haemorrhage and infarction. Clinical Intensive Care: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 1-2.
Design of denominator separable 2-D IIR filters

Abstract Optimal design of an important class of two-dimensional (2-D) digital IIR filters from spatial impulse response data is addressed. The denominator of the desired 2-D filter is assumed to be separable into two 1-D factors. The filter coefficients are estimated by minimizing the l 2 -norm of the error between the prescribed and the estimated spatialdomain responses. The denominator and numerator estimation problems are theoretically decoupled into separate problems. The decoupled criteria have reduced dimensionalities. The denominator criterion is simultaneously optimized w.r.t. the coefficients in both dimensions using an iterative algorithm. The numerator coefficients are found in a straightforward manner. If the desired response is known to be symmetric, the proposed algorithm can be constrained to produce optimal denominators which are identical in both domains. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated with simulation examples.
The Use of Multimedia Instruction in Counselor Education: A Creative Teaching Strategy

ABSTRACT Computers and multimedia instruction have significantly changed the face of education and have greatly enhanced the learning process. The use of creative technological teaching strategies offers an effective, meaningful way of instruction delivery. In this article, the author examines several creative multimedia instructional approaches used in counselor preparation programs, as well as students' attitudes toward computer-based instruction, and ethical considerations when using these strategies.
Metals, trace elements, and organochlorine compounds in bottom sediment of Tuttle Creek Lake, Kansas, U.S.A.

Bottom-sediment cores were used to investigate the occurrence of 44 metals and trace elements, and 15 organochlorine compounds in Tuttle Creek Lake, a reservoir with an agricultural basin in northeast Kansas, U.S.A. On the basis of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sediment-quality guidelines, concentrations of Ag, As, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn frequently or typically exceeded the threshold-effects levels for toxic biological effects. Organochlorine compounds either were not detected or were detected at concentrations generally below the threshold-effects levels. Statistically significant positive depositional trends were determined for several elements. However, because the vertical profiles of element concentrations typically indicated a bimodal distribution and much of the variability could be attributable to analytical variance, the statistical trends may not represent actual trends. DDE concentrations reflected the history of DDT use. Substantial increases in grain corn and soybean production, irrigated land, and hog production in the basin have not had a discernible effect on sediment quality in the reservoir. Future research focused on small impoundments throughout the basin may enhance understanding of the effects of human activity on sediment quality within the Tuttle Creek Lake system and elsewhere.
Oxidation of silanes II. The reaction of ozone with aryldimethylsilanes

Abstract A series of aryldimethylsilanes has been oxidized by ozone to yield the aryl-dimethylsilanols. The reaction occurs rapidly at −78° in methylene dichloride. Competitive studies of pairs of aryldimethylsilanes for a deficient quantity of ozone has been carried out. The rate of reaction is first order in the silane. However, the order with respect to ozone is unknown. A correlation of relative rates with σ of the aryl-ring substituent has been established with ϱ = −1.43. The reaction is postulated to involve electrophilic attack of ozone on the silane.
Cognitive Treatment of Obsessions

“Pure obsessions” or “ruminations” without overt compulsions have traditionally been considered rare. However, several treatment programs around the world have shown that the proportion of patients who do not report overt compulsions ranges from 1.5% to 44%, with a median of 20% (for a review, see Freeston & Ladouceur, 1997). Furthermore, epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the proportion of cases of OCD suffering from pure obsessions in the community may be very high, even up to 50%–60% (Weissman et al., 1994). Common themes for obsessions refer to harming, sexuality, contamination, concerns with illness or disease, religion, concerns about mental processing, superstition (e.g., lucky and unlucky numbers), or otherwise neutral thoughts (“What if I cannot stop thinking about my breathing?”). The thoughts are usually egodystonic, but not all patients are convinced that the thoughts are irrational (see Kozak & Foa, 1994). Although the patients do not engage in any overt compulsions, they often engage in avoidance behavior or mental rituals, such as replacing a bad thought with a good one, silent prayer, or mentally reviewing events. Ruminations can be just as incapacitating as compulsions (Solyom, Ledwidge, & Solyom, 1986), and a major shortcoming of the treatmentoutcome studies published in the past 20 years is that they mainly examined OCD patients with overt rituals, usually of the checking or cleaning type (Ball, Baer, & Otto, 1996). Success with behavioral treatments for patients suffering from pure obsessions is variable (e.g., Beech & Vaughn, 1978; Foa, Steketee, & Ozarow, 1985). From Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Contact author: Sabine Wilhelm, PhD, OCD Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Building 149, 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129. E-mail: wilhelm@psych.mgh.harvard.edu.
NEUROECONOMICS AND THE ECONOMIC SCIENCES

Neuroeconomics is the newest of the economic sciences with a focus on how the embodied human brain interacts with its institutional and social environment to make economic decisions. This paper presents an overview of neuroeconomics methods and reviews a number of results in this emerging field of study.
Synonyms provide semantic preview benefit in English

While orthographic and phonological preview benefits in reading are uncontroversial (see Schotter, Angele, & Rayner, 2012 for a review), researchers have debated the existence of semantic preview benefit with positive evidence in Chinese and German, but no support in English. Two experiments, using the gazecontingent boundary paradigm (Rayner, 1975), show that semantic preview benefit can be observed in English when the preview and target are synonyms (share the same or highly similar meaning, e.g., curlers-rollers). However, no semantic preview benefit was observed for semantic associates (e.g., curlers-styling). These different preview conditions represent different degrees to which the meaning of the sentence changes when the preview is replaced by the target. When this continuous variable (determined by a norming procedure) was used as the predictor in the analyses, there was a significant relationship between it and all reading time measures, suggesting that similarity in meaning between what is accessed parafoveally and what is processed foveally may be an important influence on the presence of semantic preview benefit. Why synonyms provide semantic preview benefit in reading English is discussed in relation to (1) previous failures to find semantic preview benefit in English and (2) the fact that semantic preview benefit is observed in other languages even for non-synonymous words. Semantic preview benefit is argued to depend on several factors-attentional resources, depth of orthography, and degree of similarity between preview and target.
Development of an Electroless Method to Deposit Corrosion-Resistant Silicate Layers on Metallic Substrates

A novel electroless method for depositing corrosion-resistant silicate layers on metallic substrates from aqueous solutions has been developed. The silicate layer was deposited from an aqueous solution of sodium silicate 3.22 weight ratio sodium silicate, 37.5% solution in water from PQ Corporation and sodium borohydride. The technique is demonstrated by forming a passive film on galvanized steel. Deposition parameters such as concentration of the bath, temperature, and pH have been optimized based on the corrosion characteristics of the final coating. Studies on the coating reveal the formation of a very thin 5n m zinc disilicate layer followed by a much thicker 500 nm silica layer. Accelerated corrosion tests showed that the silicate coatings have higher corrosion resistance and better stability when compared to chrome passivates. Silica coatings developed by this method show promise as an alternative to chrome passivation for corrosion protection.
Early trends in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide values after left ventricular assist device implantation for chronic heart failure

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) acutely decrease left ventricular wall stress. Thus, early postoperative levels of N-terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) should decrease. This study investigated postoperative changes in NT-proBNP levels, the parameters related to changes, and the possible association with complications by performing a retrospective analysis of changes in daily NT-proBNP (pg/ml) levels from admission to discharge both before and after LVAD implantation in a tertiary referral center. For 72 patients implanted with HeartMate II LVADs, baseline NT-proBNP levels were elevated at 3,943 ng/ml (interquartile range 1,956 to 12,964). Preoperative stabilization led to marked decreases in NT-proBNP. Levels peaked 3 days after surgery and subsequently decreased. Patients with complicated postoperative courses had higher early postoperative elevations. By discharge, NT-proBNP decreased markedly but was still 2.83 (1.60 to 5.76) times the age-based upper limit of normal. The 26% reduction in NT-proBNP between admission and discharge was due mostly to the preoperative reductions and not those induced by the LVAD itself. The decrease was not associated with decreases in LV volume. In conclusion, preoperative treatment reduces NT-proBNP values. The magnitude of early postoperative changes is related to the clinical course. Levels at discharge remain markedly elevated and similar to values after preoperative stabilization despite presumptive acute LV unloading.
Embedding participatory agendas in industry: the legacy of PD

PD has a long history of reaching out to and involving practitioners working in commercial, not-for-profit, and governmental organizations to achieve the goal of having a more inclusive and representative set of voices included in design and development processes. In the early days of PD there was an assumed connection between academic researchers and workplace participants in defining project objectives and developing strategies to achieve them. As opportunities to embed PD in organizations became more limited due to a weakening of worker rights legislation and the adoption of PD approaches outside Scandinavia it became important for PD to find new ways to establish and maintain connections to industry in order to foster participatory practices beyond the academy. In this talk I will reflect on PD's connections to commercial, not-for-profit, and governmental organizations and will point to opportunities and challenges to strengthen those ties going forward.
Identification and Characterization of a Bile Acid 7α-Dehydroxylation Operon in Clostridium sp. Strain TO-931, a Highly Active 7α-Dehydroxylating Strain Isolated from Human Feces

Clostridium sp. strain TO-931 can rapidly convert the primary bile acid cholic acid to a potentially toxic compound, deoxycholic acid. Mixed oligonucleotide probes were used to isolate a gene fragment encoding a putative bile acid transporter from Clostridium sp. strain TO-931. This DNA fragment had 60% nucleotide sequence identity to a known bile acid transporter gene from Eubacterium sp. strain VPI 12708, another bile acid-7α-dehydroxylating intestinal bacterium. The DNA (9.15 kb) surrounding the transporter gene was cloned from Clostridium sp. strain TO-931 and sequenced. Within this larger DNA fragment was a 7.9-kb region, containing six successive open reading frames (ORFs), that was encoded by a single 8.1-kb transcript, as determined by Northern blot analysis. The gene arrangement and DNA sequence of the Clostridium sp. strain TO-931 operon are similar to those of a Eubacterium sp. strain VPI 12708 bile acid-inducible operon containing nine ORFs. Several genes in the Eubacterium sp. strain VPI 12708 operon have been shown to encode products required for bile acid 7α-dehydroxylation. In Clostridium sp. strain TO-931, genes potentially encoding bile acid-coenzyme A (CoA) ligase, 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, bile acid 7α-dehydratase, bile acid-CoA hydrolase, and a bile acid transporter were similar in size and exhibited amino acid homology to similar gene products from Eubacterium sp. strain VPI 12708 (encoded by baiB, baiA, baiE, baiF, and baiG, respectively). However, no genes similar to Eubacterium sp. strain VPI 12708 biaH or baiI were found in the Clostridium sp. strain TO-931 bai operon, and the two putative Eubacterium sp. strain VPI 12708 genes, baiC and baiD, were arranged in one continuous ORF in Clostridium sp. strain TO-931. Intergene regions showed no significant DNA sequence similarity, but primer extension analysis identified a region 115 bp upstream from the first ORF that exhibited 58% identity to a bai operator/promoter region identified in Eubacterium sp. strain VPI 12708. These results indicate that the gene organization, gene product amino acid sequences, and promoters of the bile acid-inducible operons of Clostridium sp. strain TO-931 and Eubacterium sp. strain VPI 12708 are highly conserved.
The Affordable Care Act on Loyalty Programs for Federal Beneficiaries

Objective:To discuss changes in the law that allow community pharmacy loyalty programs to include and offer incentives to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.Summary:The retailer rewards exception of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and its change to the definition of remuneration in the civil monetary penalties of the Anti-Kickback Statute now allow incentives to be earned on federal benefit tied prescription out-of-pocket costs. The criteria required to design a compliant loyalty program are discussed.Conclusion:Community pharmacies can now include Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in compliant customer loyalty programs, where allowed by state law. There is a need for research directly on the influence of loyalty programs and nominal incentives on adherence.
Introducing Accessibility Requirements through External Stakeholder Utilization in an Undergraduate Requirements Engineering Course

Undergraduate software engineering courses aim to prepare students to deliver software in a variety of domains. The manner in which these courses are conducted varies, though team projects with real or imaginary stakeholders are common. While the key course concepts vary from the entire lifecycle to specific aspects of design, concepts like accessibility are rare. This paper will present a study of team projects in a requirements engineering course. One group of students conducted projects with accessibility requirements while another group of students delivered projects without accessibility requirements. The course content was the same, including discussion of accessibility. To support the understanding of accessibility, stakeholders with disabilities were included in the requirements engineering process. Both teams benefited from the experience as indirect knowledge acquisition occurred. Students from a previous offering of the course, with no external stakeholder interaction, demonstrated lower levels of accessibility understanding.
Sample-based prior probability construction using biological pathway knowledge

Small samples are commonplace in genomic/proteomic classification, the result being inadequate classifier design and poor error estimation. The problem has recently been addressed by utilizing prior knowledge in the form of a prior distribution on an uncertainty class of feature-label distributions. A critical issue remains: how to incorporate biological knowledge into the prior distribution. For genomics/proteomics, the most common kind of knowledge is in the form of signaling pathways. In this paper, we address the problem of prior probability construction by proposing a series of optimization paradigms that utilize the incomplete prior information contained in pathways. In the special case of a Normal-Wishart prior distribution on the mean and inverse covariance matrix (precision matrix) of a Gaussian distribution, these optimization problems become convex.
Do color appearance judgments interfere with detection of small threshold stimuli

The application of adaptive optics to vision science creates the potential to directly probe the link between the retinal mosaic and visual perception. However, interrogation on a cellular level requires small, threshold stimuli and therefore an implicit detection model. Unfortunately the parameters governing detection at cone threshold are poorly constrained, and whether or not appearance judgments interact with detectability under these conditions is unknown. We tested the assumption that subjects can report stimulus appearance without compromising sensitivity by having four subjects rate either detection certainty, color appearance, or both, for small, brief, monochromatic (580 nm) point stimuli presented to the dark adapted fovea. Reporting color, either alone or in conjunction with detection certainty, did not impair detection. Sensitivity actually increased in the simultaneous reporting task, while color reports were effectively unaltered. These results suggest that 1. color mechanisms contain information relevant for detection at cone threshold, 2. subjects cannot voluntarily make full use of this information in a simple detection task, and 3. simultaneous reporting is a viable method of investigating multiple stimulus attributes for small threshold stimuli.
Long-term Outcome After Neonatal Meconium Obstruction

Objective. It is unclear whether children with cystic fibrosis (CF) who present with neonatal meconium ileus have a different long-term outcome from those presenting later in childhood with pulmonary complications or failure to thrive. We examined a cohort of patients with meconium ileus, and compared their long-term outcome with children who had CF without meconium ileus and neonates who had meconium obstruction without CF (meconium plug syndrome). Study Design. Comparative study using retrospective and follow-up interview data. Patients. Group 1 consisted of 35 surviving CF patients who presented with meconium ileus between 1966 and 1992. Two control groups were also studied: 35 age- and sex-matched CF patients without meconium ileus (group 2), and 12 infants presenting with meconium plug syndrome during the same time period (group 3). Outcome Measures. Pulmonary, gastrointestinal, nutritional, and functional status were reviewed, and surgical complications were recorded. Results. Mean follow-up was 12.6 ± 6, 12.6 ± 6, and 9.3 ± 4 years in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Patients without CF (group 3) demonstrated better growth and functional status, and had a lower incidence of pulmonary and gastrointestinal problems. Although the presence of meconium ileus among CF patients was associated with an earlier diagnosis, there were no significant differences between groups 1 and 2 with respect to hepatobiliary, nutritional, functional, or respiratory status. Meconium ileus was associated with a higher risk of meconium ileus equivalent (20% vs 6%), although this difference was not statistically significant. Long-term surgical complications (adhesive small bowel obstruction and blind loop syndrome) were seen in 27% of children with meconium ileus; there were no long-term surgical complications in groups 2 or 3, because these infants did not have any neonatal surgical procedures. Children presenting with complicated meconium ileus had a higher rate of long-term surgical complications than those with uncomplicated meconium ileus (36% vs 17%), and those managed with resection or enterostomy had more complications than those treated by enterotomy and lavage (33% vs 0%). Conclusions. Long-term outcome is similar in CF patients who present with meconium ileus and those who do not, except for a slightly higher incidence of meconium ileus equivalent, and a significantly higher rate of surgical complications. The risk of surgical complications is highest in those presenting with complicated meconium ileus and those undergoing resection or enterostomy. Patients with meconium obstruction who do not have CF have an excellent long-term prognosis. This information will be useful in counseling the families of infants presenting with neonatal meconium obstruction.
Querying meanings of adolescent peer resistance: a school choice decision revisited

For more than three decades, adolescent research within psychology has addressed developmental questions regarding resistance to peer influences from a psychosocial perspective, emphasizing autonomy development. Inferences about development have been drawn from age-related differences on peer resistance/conformity questionnaires. In this paper, we illustrate an alternative sociocultural/dialogical person-in-context approach to the study of peer resistances and development. This approach directs attention to the meanings of resistant acts as arising from adolescents' transactions with immediate and larger sociocultural contexts, and to the evaluation of development as qualitative system transformation. Our study concerns voiced resistance by eighth-grade girls to peer labeling of their sexual orientation because of the girls' choice (3 years earlier) to attend an all-girl college-preparatory middle school. Resistances expressed in interviews are evaluated within the context of current and prior I-other pos...
Dissociable Roles of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Nucleus Accumbens Core in Goal-Directed Actions for Differential Reward Magnitude

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) are 2 structures within a larger corticolimbic network mediating goal-directed actions, especially when the procurement of different goals is sensitive to impulsive tendencies. The present study investigated the role of these structures in goal-directed action for differential reward by training rats to respond for sucrose reward at a nosepoke operandum such that longer duration nosepokes (up to 2 s) resulted in correspondingly larger volumes of reward. After 16 weeks of training, neurotoxic lesions of either the mPFC or the NAc-core were performed, followed by reassessment of sustained response behavior. Lesions of mPFC increased choice impulsivity by shifting responding away from large rewards toward rewards of smaller sizes. The total volume of reward earned remained unchanged, thereby dissociating the lesion effects on response parameters from overall motivation for reward. In contrast, NAc-core lesions decreased the total amount of responding and total volume of reward earned without altering choice impulsivity across differing nosepoke durations and reward sizes. These results suggest that the mPFC mediates the ability to maintain behavioral responding over longer durations for larger magnitude rewards, while the NAc-core mediates the initiation of responding, perhaps by affecting motivational drive, independent of reward magnitude.
Superconducting low-velocity linac for the Argonne positive-ion injector

A low-velocity superconducting linac has been developed as part of a positive-ion injector system, which is replacing a 9-MV tandem as the injector for the ATLAS accelerator. The linac consists of an independently phased array of resonators and is designed to accelerate various ions over a velocity range 0.008 >
Polyploidy in Algae

The green algae and the charophytes represent the most widely studied groups of algae in respect to their ploidy levels. In some genera increased size accompanies ploidy level changes as well as certain morphological modifications, but in other genera no evident obvious changes can be discerned. In the other major groups of algae, namely the Rhodophycophyta and Phaeophycophyta, few cases of polyploidy have been documented adequately. In the remaining groups, unusual nuclear phenomena and/or behavior have hampered studies and few species have adequately been studied in regard to their polidy levels.
Galactosylsphingosine galactosyl hydrolase in rat brain: probable identity with galactosylceramide galactosyl hydrolase.

— Activities of rat brain galactosylsphingosine (psychosine) and galactosylceramide (galactocerebroside) galactosyl hydrolases were compared using several criteria. Aqueous homogenates of rat brain were extracted at -30°C with a mixture of ether-methanol (3:1, v/v). This procedure eliminated most of endogenous galactosylceramide and improved the linearity of the enzymatic reaction without inactivating the enzyme. The thermostability of both enzymes was identical while the reference 4-methylumbelliferyl β-galactosidase was less thermostable. The enzymes, solubilized from the ether-methanol powder, were quantitatively precipitated in the combined ammonium sulphate fractions of 20–30% and 30–40% saturation. DEAE-cellulose column chromatography gave identical elution patterns for the two enzymes, with a single major and two minor peaks. Electrofocusing of the major activity peak, obtained from the DEAE-cellulose column, produced a sharp single peak of galactosylsphingosine- and galactosylceramidehydrolysing activities at an isoelectric point of pH 4.45. Developmental changes of these enzymes were identical, showing the most rapid rise concomitant with the period of active myelination. During development, at different purification steps, and in different organs, the ratio of the activities of galactosylsphingosine and galactosylceramide galactosyl hydrolases was relatively constant. While none of these criteria provides definitive proof of identity, they collectively suggest strongly that a single enzyme might catalyse hydrolysis of both galactosylsphingosine and galactosylceramide.
A practical approach to altitude training : where to live and train for optimal performance enhancement

Altitude training may improve performance by a number of mechanisms. Acclimatization may improve both oxygen delivery and extraction. Hypoxic exercise may increase the training stimulus thus magnifying the effects of endurance training. Conversely, high altitude decreases VO2max and reduces the workloads at which training occurs. At altitude, base training is performed at a slower velocity and lower oxygen uptake (lower absolute workload) compared to sea level, though heart rate is similar and lactate is higher (probably greater relative workload). Interval workouts are performed at a lower absolute workload at altitude and are associated with lower peak heart rates and blood lactate concentrations. Red cell volume is increased during altitude training, as long as iron stores are normal. We suggest that for performance at altitude, acclimatization and/or hypoxic exercise is preferable; for performance at sea level, living at altitude (acclimatization) with sea level training may be the optimal strategy. However neither approach is a substitute for a carefully designed training program including appropriate rest and nutrition.
Implications of present-day abiogenic methane fluxes for the early Archean atmosphere

[1] During Earth's early history, greenhouse warming by atmospheric methane helped to maintain elevated surface temperatures. Here, we estimate the present-day abiogenic CH4 flux generated by mineral alteration (serpentinization) at mid-ocean ridges, volcanic emissions, and geothermal sources; in addition, we assess the impact that abiogenic methane may have had on greenhouse warming during the early prebiotic Archean. Based on estimates of the rate of seafloor spreading and the degree of serpentinization within the oceanic crust, the flux of methane generated by serpentinized lithosphere is calculated to be ∼1.35 Mt CH4 y−1, while volcanic and geothermal sources are estimated to contribute ∼0.1 and ∼0.9 Mt CH4 y−1, respectively. Furthermore, it is shown that if atmospheric CO2 partial pressures were above 0.01 bar, the present-day level of abiogenic methane production could have been sufficient to maintain above-freezing surface temperatures during the Archean. The very high temperatures (∼70°C) that have been suggested for the early Archean, however, would have required extremely high methane fluxes or, more likely, greatly elevated atmospheric CO2 levels.
Treatment Options for HIV-Associated Tuberculosis

The vicious interaction between the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and tuberculosis (TB) pandemics poses special challenges to national control programs and individual physicians. Although recommendations for the treatment of TB in HIV-infected patients do not significantly differ from those for HIV-uninfected patients, the appropriate management of HIV-associated TB is complicated by health system issues, diagnostic difficulties, adherence concerns, overlapping adverse-effect profiles and drug interactions, and the occurrence of paradoxical reactions after the initiation of effective antiretroviral therapy. In this article, recommended treatment strategies and novel approaches to the management of HIV-associated TB are reviewed, including adjuvant treatment and options for treatment simplification. A focused research agenda is proposed in the context of the limitations of the current knowledge framework.
A Set Of Orthonormal Surface Error Descriptors For Near Cylindrical Optics

A set of functions is presented which is orthonormal over the surface of a cylinder. The functions are useful for describing surface errors on the types of near cylindrical optics found in X-ray and some extreme ultra violet systems. In addition, the functions provide a convenient means of using surface deformation data to separate rigid body motions (misalignments) from surface errors. The functions are harmonic in the azimuthal direction, and polynomial in the axial direction. In this paper, the functions are detailed in terms of the form of their corresponding surface errors. Also, some general relationships are given, which relate the surface errors defined by these functions to the resulting wavefront errors. These relationships depend explicitly on the nature of the wavefront incident on the optic. This paves the way for describing the wavefront in a metrology configuration in terms of the errors on the optic and the misalignments in the system. Finally, some parallels are drawn between the use of these functions for describing near cylindrical optics, and the use of Zernike polynomials for describing conventional optics.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.