cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quality of Life After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis and Ileorectal Anastomosis in Patients With Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

Differences in conventional outcomes such as functional results and the rate of complications have caused a controversy about whether the ileal pouch anal anastomosis or the ileorectal anastomosis is the preferred surgical treatment for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. We therefore sought to ascertain not only the surgical results but also the perceptions of patients about their outcomes. Between 1981 and 1998, 152 patients at our institution had an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and 32 patients had an ileorectal anastomosis for familial adenomatous polyposis. Of these 184 patients, 173 were sent a study-specific quality-of-life questionnaire and the Short Form 36 health survey to determine their health-related quality of life. Ninety-four ileal pouch patients and 21 ileorectal patients returned the surveys. No difference was found in early postoperative complications, 5-year probability for complications, or functional results after either procedure. On the Short Form 36 health survey, the ileorectal patients had a lower mental health summary score compared with that of the ileal pouch patients but a similar physical health summary score. The study-specific questionnaire found both groups to have a comparable quality of life. Because ileal pouch-anal anastomosis has the advantage of removing as much at-risk tissue as possible with similar functional results and better mental health, it may be considered the preferred operation for most patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.
Design Of The Head/Tape Interface For Ultra Low Flying

A novel tape head contour is proposed that allows very small head tape spacing at high velocities using three transverse bleed slots and a single radius cylindrical head. A finite element based numerical model is used to determine the head-tape spacing as a function of physical design parameters including tape roughness, tape speed and tape tension. The Greenwood-Williamson theory of contact between rough surfaces is applied to account for asperity contacts as the head-tape spacing decreases below the peak-to-valley surface roughness. The sensitivity of the new head design on geometrical parameters is studied and the variation of spacing and contact pressure is determined as a function of physical and geometrical design parameters. The numerical results are compared with interferometric measurements of the head-tape spacing using head contours based on our numerical design. Excellent agreement is found between numerical predictions and experimental measurements and it is concluded that the spacing at the head-tape interface is limited by surface roughness.
Geographic information systems (GIS) based model of dairy manure transportation and application with environmental quality consideration

Survey information was used to develop a minimum cost spatial dairy manure transportation model where environmental quality and crop nutrient requirements were treated as constraints. The GIS model incorporated land use types, exact locations of dairy farms and farmlands, road networks, and distances from each dairy farm to receiving farmlands to identify dairy manure transportation routes that minimized costs relative to environmental and other constraints. Our analyses indicated that the characteristics of dairy manure, its bulk and relatively low primary N, P(2)O(5) and K(2)O nutrient levels limit the distribution areas or distances between the farms and the land over which the manure can be economically spread. Physical properties of the land limit the quantities of nutrients that can be applied because of excess nutrient buildup in soil and potential to harm nearby waterbodies and downstream people and places. Longer distances between dairy and farmland favor the use of commercial fertilizers due to the high cost of manure transportation. At $0.08 per ton per km transportation cost, the optimal cut-off distances for dairy manure application is 30km for N and 15km each for P(2)O(5) and K(2)O consistent rules. An analysis of dairy manure application to different crop types suggest that, on average, 1ha of land requires 61 tons of dairy manure to meet the recommended N, P(2)O(5) and K(2)O needs.
Price volatility without news about fundamentals

Abstract In a pseudo-dynamic model, financial prices can exhibit chaotic volatility, even when there is no fluctuation in economic fundamentals. The source of the volatility is some speculative trading rule.
Photochemical hole burning of ionic porphins and the deuterated analogues

Abstract The quantum yields of photochemical hole burning (PHB) of three ionic porphins and their deuterated analogues doped in poly(vinylalcohol) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) were estimated. The deuterated compounds, whose two hydrogen atoms at the nitrogen sites in the porphin ring were exchanged with deuterium atoms, were synthesized by reacting the non-deuterated compounds with heavy water. The quantum yield of the deuterated porphin was 18 to 45 times smaller than that of the non-deuterated compound. Besides, the hole area did not decrease at least up to about 60 K. These two facts definitely show that the main mechanism of PHB in this system is not a photophysical process, but the tautomerization of the porphin ring.
Group embedded figures test: psychometric data for a sample of high school students.

The present study examined psychometric and normative data for a sample of 259 public high school sophomores (122 boys and 137 girls) who had been administered the Group Embedded Figures Test. For the combined group a Spearman-Brown coefficient of internal consistency of .88 was obtained between Sections 2 and 3 of the test. The present sample was significantly more field-dependent than the normative groups reported by other investigators, and no sex differences was observed with respect to field dependence/field independence. It is recommended that test time for administration of this instrument be extended to 6 min. for each section for samples of high school age.
Bubble Collapse Structure: A Microstructural Record of Fluids, Bubble Formation and Collapse, and Mineralization in Pseudotachylyte

AbstractA complex microstructural feature has been discovered within centimeter-scale pseudotachylyte veins and is here termed “bubble collapse structure” (BCS). Three first-order features of BCSs are (1) a central quartz–dominated monocrystal or polycrystal, (2) a light-colored reaction halo, and (3) a generally radial but commonly curving pattern of opaque seams and/or elliptical quartz amygdules. Two populations of bubbles were principally responsible for forming BCSs. One was a population of millimeter-scale bubbles, and the second involved much more numerous small bubbles (mean diameter, μm). The first population likely formed from liquid water interstitial to the precursory cataclasite or from melting of hydrous minerals, whereas the second population formed by diffusional growth. BCSs began forming as the pseudotachylyte melt cooled and the pressure inside the bubbles decreased. As the large bubbles flattened into oblate ellipsoids parallel to the vein margins, melt flowed toward each collapsing bu...
Refereed paper: Authorship analysis: identifying the author of a program

Authorship analysis on computer software is a difficult problem. In this paper we explore the classification of programmers' style, and try to find a set of characteristics that remain constant for a significant portion of the programs that this programmer might produce. Our goal is to show that it is possible to identify the author of a program by examining programming style characteristics. Within a closed environment, the results of this paper support the conclusion that, for a specific set of programmers, it is possible to identify the author of any individual program. Also, based on previous work and our observations during the experiments described herein, we believe that the probability of finding two programmers who share exactly those same characteristics should be very small.
Mechanism of ultraviolet B-induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase in immortalized skin keratinocytes with defective p53.

The ultraviolet B (UVB) portion (280-320 nm) of solar radiation is considered to be a major etiologic factor in human skin cancer and is a known cause of extensive DNA damage. In this study, we observed that UVB exposure of immortalized epidermal keratinocytes (HaCat cells) harboring mutant p53 leads to G(2)/M cell cycle arrest in both asynchronously growing and synchronized cells in a dose dependent manner. Following UVB exposure (200 mJ/cm(2)), we observed a threefold increase in G(2)/M population at 6 h, which increased to sixfold. The observed G(2)/M arrest was associated with an increase in cyclin B level whereas cdc2 protein remained unchanged. However, we observed an accumulation of tyrosine 15 hyperphosphorylated cyclin B-cdc2 complex. In addition, we observed an increase in chk1 kinase and a decrease in cdc25C protein levels. Chk1 phosphorylates cdc25C on serine 216 and inactivates it whereas cdc25C dephosphorylates tyrosine 15 phosphate of cdc2 and activates the cdc2-cyclin B complex. Therefore, the increase in chk1 and the decrease in cdc25C both participate in inhibiting the G2/M transition. Our data identifies two upstream targets leading to inhibition of cyclin B-cdc2 complexes, which explain the inhibition in cyclin B-associated cdc2 kinase following UVB exposure. The inactive phosphorylated cdc2-cyclin B complex remains sequestered in cytoplasm and may migrate to the nucleus following activation. Our data also indicate that UVB exerts unique effects in different types of skin keratinocytes having nonfunctional or mutant p53.
Neural representation of harmonic complex tones in primary auditory cortex of the awake monkey.

Many natural sounds are periodic and consist of frequencies (harmonics) that are integer multiples of a common fundamental frequency (F0). Such harmonic complex tones (HCTs) evoke a pitch corresponding to their F0, which plays a key role in the perception of speech and music. “Pitch-selective” neurons have been identified in non-primary auditory cortex of marmoset monkeys. Noninvasive studies point to a putative “pitch center” located in a homologous cortical region in humans. It remains unclear whether there is sufficient spectral and temporal information available at the level of primary auditory cortex (A1) to enable reliable pitch extraction in non-primary auditory cortex. Here we evaluated multiunit responses to HCTs in A1 of awake macaques using a stimulus design employed in auditory nerve studies of pitch encoding. The F0 of the HCTs was varied in small increments, such that harmonics of the HCTs fell either on the peak or on the sides of the neuronal pure tone tuning functions. Resultant response-amplitude-versus-harmonic-number functions (“rate-place profiles”) displayed a periodic pattern reflecting the neuronal representation of individual HCT harmonics. Consistent with psychoacoustic findings in humans, lower harmonics were better resolved in rate-place profiles than higher harmonics. Lower F0s were also temporally represented by neuronal phase-locking to the periodic waveform of the HCTs. Findings indicate that population responses in A1 contain sufficient spectral and temporal information for extracting the pitch of HCTs by neurons in downstream cortical areas that receive their input from A1.
The role of lipopolysaccharide structure in the recipient cell during plasmid-mediated bacterial conjugation.

Abstract The role of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structure in the recipient cell during bacterial conjugation was studied using a series of well-defined LPS mutations in Salmonella minnesota. The plasmids Flac (IncFI) and R1drd19 (IncFII) transferred at a high frequency to the smooth S218 parent strain and the rough LPS mutants. However, R64drd11 (IncIα) transferred poorly to the LPS mutants compared with transfer to the smooth LPS parent strain. The decrease in R64drd11 transfer frequency correlated with the extent of the defect in LPS structure, suggesting that intact LPS on the recipient is a major requirement for R64drd11 mating. Transfer of the P-group plasmid, RK2, was not affected by changes in LPS structure. These results show that plasmids use different cell surface structures during conjugation, and that LPS is particularly important for R64drd11 transfer.
Mössbauer effect of 129I in L-3, 5-diiodotyrosine and l-thyroxine

Abstract We have used the Mossbauer effect of 129 I to study iodine bonding in L-3, 5-diiodotyrosine and L-thyroxine. We find identical Mossbauer spectra for the compounds, and the iodine sites in each compound are indistinguishable with the Mossbauer effect. The data indicate a small s hybridization in the iodine bonding orbitals.
Directional singularities in Weyl gravitational fields

Abstract The Kretschmann scalar RμνϱσRμνϱσ is evaluated for an arbitrary, axially symmetric Weyl gravitational field. From the analysis of this scalar it is found that certain Weyl solutions exhibit directional type singularities, i.e., the singular behaviour of the scalar depends upon the direction by which the singular point is approached.
β-CELL SPECIFIC CYTOPROTECTION BY PROLACTIN ON HUMAN ISLETS

Abstract Introduction Many cytoprotective agents have been reported to improve islet isolation and transplantation outcomes. However, several of these agents improve all cell subsets within an islet preparation; selection of non–β-cell components (eg, acinar cells) may have a negative effect on β-cell function and survival. In this study, we examined the effect of prolactin (PRL) supplementation in the culture medium to determine whether it exerted β-cell–selective cytoprotection on islet viability and function. Materials and Methods Human islets were precultured with or without recombinant human PRL (500 μg/L) for 48 hours. The fractional viability and cellular composition of non–β-cell and β-cell–specific components were assessed using FACS and Laser Scanning Cytometry (LSC). Islet potency was assessed in vivo by transplantation into chemically induced diabetic immunodeficient mice. Results The relative viable β-cell mass and the relative islet β-cell content in the PRL group were 28% higher (P = .018) and 19% higher (P = .029) than the control group, respectively. All transplanted mice achieved normoglycemia in both groups, indicating that PRL treatment did not alter islet function. Conclusion PRL treatment improved β-cell–specific viability and survival of human islets in vitro. The development of novel β-cell–specific cytoprotective strategies may be of assistance in improving islet transplantation.
Physician adoption of a clinical information system

This paper discusses the success of clinical information systems, which is largely determined by the degree of adoption by the key user groups, such as physicians. Healthcare and technology research therefore has used technology acceptance and adoption as a key construct in their studies. In this research, we focus on the relationship between a hospital's internal environment and organisational attributes with the adoption rates of a significant clinical system (the computerised physician order entry). We rely on multivariate regression analysis of over 100 computerised physician order entry systems. We found that adoption rates were highest in academic and pediatric hospitals. Furthermore, the management practise of 'mandating' use by physicians does in fact create higher reported adoption rates. Our statistical findings suggest that mandating use of clinical technologies is largely determined by the type of hospital and other organisational attributes. Based on this, we can better understand and influence adoption rates for key clinical information systems.
Octahedral Mo6 Clusters Supported by Methoxide Ligands.

Abstract The structures of the [Mo6(μ3-Cl)8(OMe)6]2− and [Mo6(μ3-OMe)8(OMe)6]2− anions have been determined and reveal interesting comparisons of MM and MO distances with related Mo6(μ3-X)84+ containing compounds and polynuclear alkoxides of molybdenum.
The dynamic image of the engineer

In this work, engineering students are asked what engineering is and what it means to be an engineer. Their responses suggest that there may be an inconsistent development of the image of an engineer as the student progresses within their engineering program, and a lack of philosophical discussion that leads to a deeper understanding of their field. Additionally, non-engineering students are given the same questions, providing an interesting perspective. The survey questions are presented and an analysis of the results is provided with suggested approaches to improve the observed issues.
Coverage policy for neurorehabilitation: an international perspective.

Background. Coverage policy ultimately determines the delivery of services. This article summarizes the authors’ effort to ascertain the extent of publically available information on coverage for n...
Pathophysiology of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. III: Exogenous surfactant therapy for the high-risk neonate with CDH.

Abstract Exogenous surfactant therapy (EST) in surfactantdeficient premature infants has been shown to improve lung compliance, decrease morbidity, and improve survival. Reports have demonstrated that newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) have lung compliance, pressure-volume curves, and hyaline membrane formation resembling those changes seen in surfactant deficient premature newborns. We hypothesize that EST may also benefit infants with CDH. All high risk cases of prenatally diagnosed CDH at Children's Hospital of Buffalo from November 1988 to February 1991 were prospectively evaluated for EST. In those families who chose to participate, the surfactant preparation, Infasurf (100 mg/kg), was instilled into the newborn's lungs prior to the first breath. The remainder of the perinatal, neonatal, and surgical care was performed in a routine manner. Three high-risk prenatally diagnosed newborns with left CDH were treated with EST. All showed signs of decreased pulmonary compliance, but could still be adequately oxygenated and ventilated. Surgical correction was performed after stabilization and all required patch closures. Two of the three infants suffered no life-threatening episodes of pulmonary hypertension and all survived. These infants had many known indicators for poor outcome in CDH with an expected survival of less than 20%. We believe that EST in these neonates with CDH contributed to their survival with minimum morbidity. These results suggest that surfactant replacement for the high-risk neonate with CDH warrants further consideration and a randomized clinical trial is being planned.
Precisely Controlled Methyl Branching in Polyethylene via Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET) Polymerization

A synthetic approach to attain precisely controlled methyl branching in polyethylene is described. Model polymers based on polyethylene have been created using acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) chemistry as the mode of polymerization. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to examine the thermal behavior (melting point, heat of fusion, glass transition temperature) of five model polyethylene polymers wherein a methyl branch was placed on each 9th, 11th, 15th, 19th, and 21st carbon respectively along the backbone. Melting points and heats of fusion decrease as the frequency of precise methyl branching increases. On the other hand, the β glass transition and its change in specific heat are independent of branch frequency. Comparisons of these model polymers with industrial polyethylene samples demonstrate that this polycondensation approach will provide the basis for a better understanding of the morphology, crystalline structure, and thermodynamics of the crystallization process of the most ab...
Mobile gateway techniques

The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is conducting a variety of research programs in mobile communications and networking to support the digital battlefield of the future. The U.S. Army will require techniques such as mobile ad hoc networks to form and maintain wireless network connectivity in this dynamic battlefield environment. It will also require gateways that can bridge ad hoc networks to higher-echelon Internet-based backbone networks via a flexible combination of wireless, symmetric and asymmetric satellite, cellular, and wired network connections, as well as via legacy combat radio systems such as the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS). ARL has designed and built a mobile communications and networking Testbed on a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) to support our mobile wireless networking program. The Testbed is designed to combine various computing, networking, and communication techniques and technologies on a mobile platform relevant to the Army digital battlefield. With wire/wireless and symmetric/asymmetric WAN connections, the Testbed provides Internet gateway capabilities by direct or indirect routing using IP masquerade techniques. IP tunneling techniques are also used to implement mobile IP LANs with full connectivity to backbone networks via the Testbed. This paper discusses ARL research and experimentation in mobile gateway techniques such as IP masquerading and IP tunneling and describes the use of these techniques in the Testbed to provide mobile gateway functionality under actual field conditions.
Puzzlemaking and part–whole perception of two‐year‐old and four‐year‐old children

The relationship between preschoolers’ puzzlemaking strategies and part–whole perception was investigated in the present study. Forty‐eight two year olds and 48 four year olds were randomly selected from eight licensed childcare centers. Puzzlemaking strategies (image, form, color, and trial and error) were measured by performance in the Misleading Perceptual Cue Puzzle Task, adapted from Pepler and Ross. Completion time was assessed by an interlocking bear puzzle. Additionally, children’s puzzlemaking experience was measured by a parent questionnaire. Children described pictures of real objects arranged to form wholes (e.g. three carrots arranged to form a triangle or crayons arranged to make a house) in a part–whole perception task developed by Prather and Bacon. Using a 0.05 level of significance, the results indicate that young children were more likely to use trial and error as a puzzlemaking strategy, and older children were more likely to use form and color. Four year olds completed puzzles more of...
Effects of cations on high-affinity binding of 3H-ADTN to dopaminergic sites in calf caudate tissue.

Abstract Effects of cations on binding of 0.1–10 nM 3 H-ADTN to calf caudate membranes included decreased apparent Bmax by [Na+] ≥ 100 mM, little effect on Kd or on affinity of other dopamine (DA) agonists (DA and apomorphine), decreased slopes of inhibition curves produced by agonists, but increased affinity of the antagonist (+)butaclamol; in contrast, low (10–20 mM) [Na+] did not decrease Bmax, increased ligand and agonist affinity and specific binding, and gave steep monophasic inhibition curves for DA agonists. K+, Li+, and Rb+ had little effect at a wide range of concentrations. Mg++ and Ca++, in physiologic concentrations, moderately increased binding of 3 H-ADTN, as did μM Mn++ or Co++; the latter ions inhibited binding at ≥10 mM, as did Cu++ (IC50 = 10 μ m). The results extend impressions that physiologic [Na+] favors binding of DA antagonists and diminishes binding of agonists, but optimal agonist binding occurred at low [Na+] (10–20 mM), while divalent cations had complex actions.
Isolation of human nerve growth factor from placental tissue

Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been isolated from human placental tissue. Using the chicken embryo dorsal root ganglia assay, we determined levels of NGF activity for the amnion, placental cotyledons, cord serum, fetal serum, and maternal serum. The highest levels of NGF activity were measured in placental cotyledons. After homogenization and centrifugation of the placental cotyledons, the supernatant was sequentially chromatographed, at neutral pH, on Sephadex G-100, DEAE-11, and Sephadex G-150. A high-molecular-weight protein fraction (≈150,000), which contained all the biological activity, was isolated in this fashion. Analytical isoelectric focusing of this fraction revealed a basic protein component (pI 9.5) of the high-molecular-weight species. Assays for NGF activity of all protein components separated by analytical isoelectric focusing showed that NGF activity was associated only with the basic protein component. Correspondingly, preparative isoelectric focusing of the high-molecular-weight species yielded a basic protein with very high biological activity (1–3 ng per biological unit) that was immunochemically active against rabbit IgG made against mouse β-NGF.
Visual Display Effectiveness at Mesopic Luminances

Visual displays used in nighttime driving and some other applications require low luminances. Visual performance under mesopic light levels is not well characterized using conventional photopic photometric quantities. Response times to flashed decrement targets against colored backgrounds on a computer monitor display were systematically shorter for blue than for red backgrounds. Responses were consistent with a unified system of photometry that models the relative contributions of rod and cone photoreceptors at mesopic light levels. The empirical data and unified photometric system can have practical application for the design of displays in low-light applications.
Reactivity and Secondary Kinetic Isotope Effects in the SN2 Reaction Mechanism: Dioxygen Radical Anion and Related Nucleophiles

We have measured the rate constants for the reactions of O2•- and several related anions and radical anions with alkyl halides. The results suggest that O2•- reacts with alkyl halides more rapidly than anticipated, based on anion basicities as well as on results from ab initio calculations. In addition, deuterated neutrals were used and the kinetic isotope effects (KIE) determined. These values were also calculated by using ab initio calculations and transition state theory. The agreement between experiment and theory is excellent, except for O2•- indicating that this reaction proceeds by a different reaction mechanism. We discuss competition between electron transfer and substitution mechanisms to explain the observed remarkable nucleophilicity of O2•-. A detailed analysis of the different contributions to the calculated KIEs shows that the total value is primarily determined by the C−H stretching and the CH3 out-of-plane bending modes. The former factor is very inverse (kH/kD < 1), and it does not chang...
Perfusion-assisted direct coronary artery bypass: selective graft perfusion in off-pump cases.

Abstract Background . Hemodynamic instability during multivessel off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting can lead to hypotension, progressive myocardial ischemia, further hypotension, and the need for urgent cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods . In 10 patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, a novel technique of pressure-controlled blood delivery has been used that allows the immediate restoration of arterial blood to distal coronary beds after distal coronary anastomosis. This technique utilizes a servo-controlled pump to allow delivery of blood at systemic or suprasystemic pressures, and provides the option for infusion of supplemental additives for myocardial resuscitation, myocardial vasodilation, and enhancement of myocardial performance. Results . Myocardial perfusion was successfully enhanced via one or two grafts in all 10 patients with an average graft flow of 98 ± 8 mL/min. In 3 patients, a 27% increase in perfusion pressure led to a 59% increase in perfusate flow. All patients were hemodynamically stable after initiation of selective graft perfusion. Conclusions . Based on this preliminary patient series, the selective perfusion of grafted vessels seems to facilitate multivessel off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting by promoting rapid recovery of grafted segments, by enhanced hemodynamic stability during subsequent anastomoses, and by providing increased flexibility in the sequence of grafting.
Methylphenidate and Play Skills in Children with Intellectual Disability and ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects 9–12% of individuals with intellectual disability (ID). Although psychostimulant medication is often the primary treatment modality, little is known regarding the effects of such agents on social interactions and play in this population. Additionally, the role of ADHD symptoms in social and play deficits (beyond that accounted for by ID alone) is not well understood. The first aim of this study was to examine differences in play skills between children with ADHD and ID and non-ADHD/ID controls. The second aim was to determine what, if any, changes in social/play behavior would occur with the use of the stimulant, methylphenidate, among the participants with ADHD/ID. It was hypothesized that the ADHD/ID group would display significantly greater activity level, “rough” play, and more aggression than matched controls. Additionally, it was hypothesized that these deficits would evidence statistically significant improvement with pharmacologic treatment. ...
Antagonism of ethanol-induced decrease in rat brain cGMP concentration by histidyl-proline diketopiperazine, a thyrotropin releasing hormone metabolite.

Abstract Intraperitoneal administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone (50 μmol/kg) produced an approximately 2-fold increase in rat brain cGMP concentration within 15 min. Histidyl-proline diketopiperazine, a metabolite of thyrotropin releasing hormone, produced a similar effect, but the response was faster and shorter-lasting. Intraperitoneal administration of ethanol (1.5 g/kg) decreased brain cGMP concentration approximately 50% within 10–15 min; thyrotropin releasing hormone or histidyl-proline diketopiperazine, injected 5 min after ethanol, antagonized the ethanol-induced decrease in cGMP. Antagonism of the ethanol-induced decrease in the cGMP level required 10 μmol/kg of thyrotropin releasing hormone but was observed with 5 μmol/kg of histidyl-proline diketopiperazine. These data suggest that the metabolic conversion of thyrotropin releasing hormone to histidylproline diketopiperazine might explain the previous observation that thyrotropin releasing hormone elevated the level of brain cGMP and antagonized the ethanolinduced decrease in brain cGMP concentration.
Approaches of soil data aggregation for hydrologic simulations

Summary This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the State Soil Geographic Database (STATSGO) and the Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO) soil databases for their applications in hydrologic modeling practices, and provides detailed instructions on soil data aggregation. Two types of soil data aggregations are developed and improved for the preparation of soil input data: (1) spatially-based aggregation for hydrologic models which require one representative soil profile for each spatial units of modeling simulations; and (2) taxonomy-based aggregation to handle the potential edge-matching issues in SSURGO, i.e. the artificial split of a soil type by the boundary of soil survey areas. The developed approach and program were applied at the spatial scales of soil survey area and watershed in California, U.S. representing hydrologic simulation domains with areas at the magnitudes of 1000 km 2 and 10,000 km 2 , respectively. Edge-matching issues were identified for more than 20% of the involved soil map-units for both cases, about 90% among which were handled by the proposed approach in this study. The naming inconsistency in soil taxonomy was recognized as one of the causes for remaining issues. The reductions of soil map-units and components numbers before and after the aggregation are less than 10%, indicating that the proposed procedure has the capability to effectively handle the edge-matching issues while maintaining spatial resolution of the soil data.
LAPAROSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF BENIGN LIVER DISEASE

Minimally invasive techniques may be used for treating a variety of benign hepatic lesions in selected patients. The size of the lesions is less important than the anatomic location in anterolateral regions. Laparoscopic unroofing of solitary liver cysts is the surgery of choice for this indication. The laparoscopic management of patients with PLD should be reserved for patients with a few, large, anteriorly located, symptomatic cysts. Active hydatid cysts present technical difficulties because of their complex biliovascular connections and the inherent nature of the parasite. The authors' results do not support the widespread use of laparoscopy in these cases. Uncomplicated benign liver tumors located in the left lobe or in the anterior segments of the right lobe can be resected safely using a four-hand technique. Open surgery is the treatment of choice when primary tumors are malignant, located posteriorly, or in proximity to major hepatic vasculature. Laparoscopic resection of liver metastases with a safety margin of 1 cm, when the total number is less than four, is not unreasonable and can be offered to patients without evidence of extrahepatic disease.
Surface dose perturbation due to air gap between patient and bolus for electron beams

The effect of air gaps under bolus material on the surface dose for electron beams is investigated. Dose measurements were performed for air gaps from 0.0 to 3.0 cm and bolus thicknesses of 0.5 and 1.0 cm using the various electron energies and cone sizes available on an electron linear accelerator. Our results show that the surface dose decreases for lower electron energies, smaller field sizes, thicker boluses, and larger air gaps.
Focal cortical thickness correlates of exceptional memory training in Vedic priests

The capacity for semantic memory – the ability to acquire and store knowledge of the world - is highly developed in the human brain. In particular, semantic memory assimilated through an auditory route may be a uniquely human capacity. One method of obtaining neurobiological insight into auditory semantic memory mechanisms is through the study of experts. In this work, we study a group of Hindu Vedic priests, whose religious training requires the memorization of vast tracts of scriptural texts through an oral tradition, recalled spontaneously during a lifetime of subsequent spiritual practice. We demonstrate focal increases of cortical thickness in the dominant prefrontal lobe and non-dominant temporal lobe in Vedic priests, in comparison to a group of matched controls. The findings are relevant to current hypotheses regarding cognitive processes underlying storage and recall of long-term declarative memory.
A study of rod-like structures (Hirano bodies) in 240 normal and pathological brains.

A study of rod-like structures (RLS) was made in 173 pathological and in 67 normal brains. The pathological brains included cases with varied neuropathological conditions: vascular, metabolic, degenerative, infectious, traumatic, neoplastic, etc. The ages of the patients ranged from newborn to 97 years. RLS were found in 152 pathological brains (89%) and in 50 normal brains (75%). RLS were localized in all but one case, in Ammon's horn, specifically in Sommer's sector and in the stratum lacunosum beneath Sommer's sector. There was no correlation between any group of diseases studied and appearance or number of RLS. The number of RLS in Sommer's sector increased with advancing age. In the middle age, ihowever, the stratum lacunosum showed a higher number of RLS. The results of this study idicate that there is no significant relationship between RLS and any pathological condition and therefore that they represent non-specific changes, although a correlation with advancing age is probable. Although RLS appeared to be intracellular, their exact localization was not established.
MUSCARINIC AGONIST INHIBITION OF RAT STRIATAL ADENYLATE CYCLASE IS ENHANCED BY DOPAMINE STIMULATION

Abstract Rat striatal adenylate cyclase stimulated with combinations of 100 μM dopamine plus 40–100 nM forskolin was inhibited to a significantly greater extent by the muscarinic agonist carbachol than was forskolin-stimulated activity in the absence of dopamine. In the presence of Ro 201724 as phosphodiesterase inhibitor, a 100 μM concentration of the adenosine agonist 2-chloroadenosine stimulated adenylate cyclase activity 6.6 -fold over basal activity. In contrast to dopamine-stimulated activity, carbachol did not significantly inhibit adenylate cyclase activity elevated by the adenosine agonist, indicating specificity of the muscarinic response for dopamine stimulation. The effects of muscarinic antagonists on striatal versus heart adenylate cyclase indicated that the striatal response was mediated primarily through M4 receptors. The present results suggest that muscarinic M4 and dopamine D1 receptors are co-localized and functionally coupled in rat striatum.
α-Crystallin Chaperone-like Activity and Membrane Binding in Age-Related Cataracts†

alpha-Crystallin, the major protein component of the vertebrate lens, is thought to play a critical role in the maintenance of transparency through its ability to inhibit stress-induced protein aggregation. However, during aging and cataract formation the amount of membrane-bound alpha-crystallin increases significantly while high molecular weight complexes (HMWCs) comprised of alpha-crystallin and other lens crystallins accumulate. These and other recent data suggest a possible link between cataract formation, the formation of high molecular weight alpha-crystallin aggregates, and the progressive increase in membrane association of alpha-crystallin. To better understand these processes, we characterized the chaperone-like activity (CLA) and subunit exchange of membrane bound alpha-crystallin. In addition, we measured the membrane binding properties of in vitro constituted HMWCs to understand the mechanism by which increased alpha-crystallin is bound to the membrane of old and cataractous lens cells in vivo. Membrane-associated alpha-crystallin complexes have measurably reduced CLA compared to complexes in solution; however, membrane binding does not alter the time required for alpha-crystallin complexes to reach subunit exchange equilibrium. In addition, HMWCs prepared in vitro have a profoundly increased membrane binding capacity as compared to native alpha-crystallin. These results are consistent with a model in which increased membrane binding of alpha-crystallin is an integral step in the pathogenesis of many forms of cataracts.
Escort evolutionary game theory

Abstract A family of replicator-like dynamics, called the escort replicator dynamic, is constructed using information-geometric concepts and generalized information divergences from information geometry and statistical thermodynamics. A single-formula Lyapunov function is given that covers the entire class of dynamics, which includes the replicator dynamic and the projection dynamic, as well as several new dynamics. A further class is discussed that allows for more variation, such as variable intensities of selection.
Ultrastructure of the thyroid gland of the cream hamster

The typical thyroid epithelium of the cream variant of the Syrian hamster differs from that of other common mammalian species. One obvious difference noted by light microscopy is that the cells contain numerous PAS‐positive granules apical to the nucleus. By electron microscopy these granules are dense granules resembling lysosomes. The cells have exceptionally long microvill and numerous junctions and interdigitations of lateral plasma membranes with those of their neighbors. Many organelles in the cells are stratified rather than arranged at random. In addition to the dense granules and centrioles, the Golgi apparatus is usually located at the level of the apical end of the nucleus. The granular reticulum is primarily in the basal half of the cell, although some is apical. Microtubules are especially abundant and are located ainly close to the lateral surfaces and around the nucleus, although some are near apical or basal plasma membranes. The microtubules frequently appear to be in contact with mitochondria and dense granules, but their role in the positioning or stratification of organelles is uncertain. Copyright © 1971 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detailed characterization of a quad Pentium Pro server running TPC-D

While database workloads consume a major fraction of the cycles in today's machines, there are only a few public-domain performance studies that characterize in detail how these workloads exercise the machines. This fact is due to the complexity of setting up and tuning database workloads, the high cost of the equipment required to evaluate them, and the frequent use of proprietary systems. In this paper, we help redress this problem by presenting a detailed performance characterization of the TPC-D benchmark running on a 4-processor Pentium Pro SMP multiprocessor with Windows NT and Microsoft's SQL Server. We use the Pentium Pro built-in hardware event counters and software tools that monitor system activity. Our results show that TPC-D queries have a relatively low CPI. The CPIs, which are 1.27 on average for the 17 read-only queries, are comparable to values observed for technical workloads. The major sources of processor stall cycles are the instruction fetch bottleneck and data misses in the secondary cache. Kernel time is negligible, as queries spend less than 6% of their time on average in the kernel. Other results show that branch prediction is effective in TPC-D and that the exclusive state in the cache tags is largely unnecessary. Finally, we compare our results to the ones published for TPC-C.
Bioinspired electric power delivery antenna through volume conduction

Recent improvements in implantable devices in medicine have increased the need for a wireless power delivery channel through human tissue. In this paper, we present a power transmission antenna concept inspired by the discharge of electric eels through water. This antenna concept is compared to the traditional electrode pair antenna and found to be capable of focusing electric energy to certain areas.
Case comment: an expert's report criticizing plaintiff's failure to account for multiple comparisons is deemed admissible in EEOC v.Autozone

In its opinions in Daubert, Joiner and Kumho Tire, the U.S. Supreme Court assigned trial judges a ‘gate-keeping’ role in assuring that proposed expert testimony is sufficiently reliable that it should be admitted into evidence. A section of the Daubert decision described guidelines to assist trial judges in their evaluation of expert testimony. This comment discusses a careful district court opinion concerning a motion, under the principles of Daubert, to exclude the report of defendant's expert in the sex discrimination case, EEOC v. Autozone. The technical statistical issue dealt with the need for adjusting the observed significance levels or p-values of individual statistical tests when a large number of related tests are conducted. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and its expert argued that while such adjustments are used in medical applications of statistics, they are not needed in labour economics. The decision is noteworthy because the judge realized that the principles of statistical inference remain the same regardless of the origin of the data. After describing the issue and reanalysing some of the data, alternative statistical methods that stratify the data into comparable subgroups and combine the results for the separate strata are often more appropriate. They avoid making many separate tests and have higher statistical power to detect discrimination. Since 10 years of hiring and promotion data were analysed, which cover both pre- and post-charge time periods, two possible scenarios are described. The first is the one that apparently was the focus of both experts and the second focuses on the status of a particular female plaintiff for a job as guard in the early period. It is shown that overall the data do not support a claim of class-wide discrimination but might support a claim of sex discrimination in hiring for guard positions in the pre-charge time period.
Polycomb repressive complex 1 activities determine the columnar organization of motor neurons

Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) establish and maintain gene repression through chromatin modifications, but their specific roles in cell fate determination events are poorly understood. Here we show an essential role for the PRC1 component Bmi1 in motor neuron (MN) subtype differentiation through dose-dependent effects on Hox gene expression. While Bmi1 is dispensable for generating MNs as a class, it has an essential role in specifying and determining the position of Hox-dependent MN columnar and pool subtypes. These actions are mediated through limiting anterior Hox expression boundaries, functions deployed in post-mitotic MNs, temporally downstream from morphogen gradients. Within the HoxC gene cluster, we found a progressive depletion of PRC-associated marks from rostral to caudal levels of the spinal cord, corresponding to major demarcations of MN subtypes. Selective ablation of Bmi1 elicits a derepression of more posterior Hox genes, leading to a switch in MN fates. Unexpectedly, Hox patterns and MN fates appear to be sensitive to absolute PRC1 activity levels; while reducing Bmi1 switches forelimb lateral motor column (LMC) MNs to a thoracic preganglionic (PGC) identity, elevating Bmi1 expression at thoracic levels converts PGC to LMC MNs. These results suggest that graded PRC1 activities are essential in determining MN topographic organization.
Isolated Molecular Ion Solvation at an Oil/Water Interface Investigated by Vibrational Sum-Frequency Spectroscopy

The structure, orientation, and intermolecular hydrogen bonding environment of H2O molecules solvating molecular ions of surfactants adsorbed at the organic/water interface has been examined by vib...
Requirement for STAT1 in LPS-induced gene expression in macrophages.

This study examines the role of the sig- nal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) in induction of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- stimulated gene expression both in vitro and in vivo. LPS-induced expression of an interferon (IFN)-inducible 10-kDa protein (IP-10), IFN reg- ulatory factor-1 (IRF-1), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNAs was severely impaired in macrophages prepared from Stat12/2 mice, whereas levels of tumor necrosis factor a and KC (a C-X-C chemokine) mRNA in LPS-treated cell cultures were unaffected. A similar deficiency in LPS-induced gene expression was observed in liv- ers and spleens from Stat12/2 mice. The reduced LPS-stimulated gene expression seen in Stat12/2 macrophages was not the result of reduced activa- tion of nuclear factor kB. LPS stimulated the de- layed activation of both IFN-stimulated response element and IFN-g-activated sequence binding ac- tivity in macrophages from wild-type mice. Activa- tion of these STAT1-containing transcription fac- tors was mediated by the intermediate induction of type I IFNs, since the LPS-induced IP-10, IRF-1, and iNOS mRNA expression was markedly reduced in macrophages from IFN-a/bR2/2 mice and blocked by cotreatment with antibodies against type I IFN. These results indicate that indirect activation of STAT1 by LPS-induced type I IFN participates in promoting optimal expression of LPS-inducible genes, and they suggest that STAT1 may play a critical role in innate immunity against gram-negative bacterial infection. J. Leukoc. Biol. 69: 598-604; 2001.