cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage in tuberculosis and fungal infections.

Study objective To determine the utility of bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnosing M tuberculosis and fungal infections. Design Retrospective review of patients over a six-year period. Setting In- and outpatients of one University hospital and affiliated Veterans Administration Medical Center. Patients Those who were subsequently found to have either M tuberculosis or fungal infections. Interventions Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage specimens were compared to prebronchoscopy sputum, when available. Specimens were sent for smear and culture for both acid-fast bacilli and fungi. In the case of lavage, an aliquot also was studied for cellular differential. Measurements and Results For TB, sputum was smear-positive in 6/47 (34 percent) and culture positive in 24/47 (51 percent), while bronchoscopy was smear positive in 34/50 (68 percent) and culture positive in 46/50 (92 percent). For fungal infections, no sputum was smear-positive and only 1/22 (5 percent) was sputum culture-positive, while bronchoscopy was smear-positive in 14/41 (34 percent) and culture positive in 35/41 (85 percent). Bronchoscopy washings and BAL provided complementary specimens. Eighty-three patients had adequate lavages and the cellularity was significantly different from controls (lymphocytes: TB 18±11.2 percent [mean±SD]; fungal: 13±11.1 percent; controls 6 ±3.1 percent; p Conclusion Bronchoscopy with BAL is useful in diagnosing tuberculosis and fungal infections. (Chest 1991; 99:92–97)
Increased lysophosphatidylcholine content induced by thrombin receptor stimulation in adult rabbit cardiac ventricular myocytes.

Objective: The aims were (1) to determine whether thrombin, which is increased in the presence of coronary thrombosis, can directly stimulate the production of lysophosphatidylcholine, which has arrhythmogenic properties, in ventricular myocytes; (2) whether the effect is dependent upon extracellular [Ca2+]; and (3) whether it is mediated directly through stimulation of the thrombin receptor. Methods: Lipids were extracted from isolated adult rabbit ventricular myocytes and lysophosphatidylcholine was isolated by HPLC and quantified using a recently developed radiometric assay employing 3H-acetic anhydride. Results: Thrombin (0.05 U·ml−1) stimulation of ventricular myocytes resulted in a nearly sixfold increase in lysophosphatidylcholine levels [0.26(SEM 0.03) to 1.61(0.42) nmol·mg−1 protein] within 1 min. The increase in myocytic lysophosphatidylcholine content was prevented by preincubation of thrombin with the proteolytic site inhibitors phenylyl-prolyl-arginyl-chloromethyl ketone (PPACK) and dansylarginine N-(3-ethyl-l,5-pentanediyl)amide. The increase in lysophosphatidylcholine content in response to thrombin was not present at an extracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+)]o) = 500 μM, but was marked at a physiological level of [Ca2+]o = 1.8 mM. Stimulation of myocytes with the thrombin receptor activating peptide SFLLRNPNDKYEPF (100 μM for 1 min) resulted in a similar increase in lysophosphatidylcholine content [1.61(0.27) nmol·mg−1 protein]. Conclusions: The marked increase in lysophosphatidylcholine content in cardiac myocytes in response to thrombin has important implications as an arrhythmogenic mechanism during early myocardial ischaemia. Cardiovascular Research 1994; 28 :1263-1268
The AmpC inhibitor, Syn2190, can be used to reveal extended-spectrum β-lactamases in Escherichia coli

Abstract AmpC β-lactamases are not inhibited by clavulanic acid and could potentially mask detection of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute confirmatory test. Syn2190 (1,5-dihydroxy-4-pyridone monobactam) selectively inhibits AmpC, but not ESBLs. Fifty-four MicroScan ESBL screen-positive strains of Escherichia coli and an unrelated group of 20 cefoxitin-nonsusceptible E. coli strains were tested with the confirmatory ceftazidime–cefotaxime–clavulanate disk method with or without 4 μg/mL of Syn2190 in the agar. Without Syn2190, 8 (14.8%) of 54 E. coli isolates and 0 of 20 cefoxitin-nonsusceptible E. coli isolates were confirmed. With Syn2190, an additional 9 (16.6%) of 54 of the MicroScan screen-positive E. coli isolates and 6 (30%) of 20 of the cefoxitin-nonsusceptible E. coli isolates were found. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis confirmed the presence of the plasmid-associated β-lactamase gene bla CMY-2 in the 2 available MicroScan-screened E. coli isolates and in 5 of 6 of the cefoxitin-resistant group. These data suggest that in the presence of AmpC, ESBLs in E. coli may not be detected by the currently recommended confirmatory test.
Psychometric Properties of the Dual-Disorder Treatment Fidelity Scale: Inter-Rater Reliability and Concurrent Validity

Psychometric properties of the Dual-Disorder Treatment Fidelity Scale (Mueser et al. Integrated treatment for dual disorders: A guide to effective practice, 2003) were evaluated. Reliability was assessed through measures of inter-rater agreement, and validity was assessed through a concurrent known groups validation procedure. Two raters assessed three community mental health center (CMHC) and three specialized dual diagnosis (DDE) programs for fidelity; inter-rater agreement was good. Total fidelity scores did not distinguish between CMHC and DDE program types; however, a cluster analysis revealed concurrent validity based on the item level ratings. Conclusions drawn from item level ratings appear valid; the validity of conclusions based on total scores remains unsupported.
Kinetics of derepression of the tryptophan operon of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium under different culture conditions.

Abstract Studies of the kinetics of derepression of the tryptophan ( trp ) operon in cultures of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium show that the times of appearance (lag times) of newly synthesized t rp † operon polypeptides following derepression are nearly invariant under many different culture conditions at a fixed temperature and that, following the lag period, specific activities of trp operon polypeptides increase in a smoothly continuous manner. During derepression, newly-synthesized trp operon polypeptides appear sequentially with lag times of approximately 6, 3 and 2 minutes for anthranilate synthetase complex or phosphoribosyl anthranilate transferase at 25, 30 and 37 °C, respectively, and approximately 10, 7 and 4 minutes for tryptophan synthetase α polypeptide at the same temperatures. These lag times are about 45 to 50% longer than transcription times reported for the corresponding regions of the trp operon at the same temperatures. Trimethoprim inhibition, which increases the increment between lag times for the histidine and lactose operons, causes only slight delays in appearance of trp polypeptides or in synthesis of specific regions of trp operon messenger RNA following derepression in cultures of E. coli. Under these conditions, the level of N -formylmethionyl-tRNA in the culture is unchanged compared to an uninhibited control. Concentrations of trimethoprim necessary to lower the level of N -formyl-methionyl-tRNA prevent derepression of trp operon. Under most conditions, the differential rates of synthesis of trp operon polypeptides following derepression of cultures of E. coli are about 250, 490 and 880 molecules/cell/minute for anthranilate synthetase at 25, 30 and 37 °C, respectively, and 180, 450 and 660 molecules/cell/minute for tryptophan synthetase α polypeptide at the same temperatures. These rates are lower when bacterial growth is restricted by histidine limitation, inhibition by 2-thiazolealanine (a histidine analog), or trimethoprim inhibition. Bacterial strains and culture conditions were used which mimic as closely as possible conditions which give simultaneous derepression of the his operon in S. typhimurium , nearly simultaneous induction of the lac operon in S. typhimurium /F′ lac merodiploids, or simultaneous induction of the arabinose operon in E. coli B/r. These conditions include addition of one-carbon compounds ( l -serine, l -methionine, adenine and thymine), use of the specific histidine auxotrophs, and addition of the histidine analog, 2-thiazolealanine. Under all conditions, the trp operon derepresses sequentially, although under some conditions in cultures of E. coli (histidine limitation, trimethoprim inhibition) lag times are increased and under some conditions in cultures of S. typhimurium (histidine limitation, 2-thiazolealanine inhibition) derepression of the trp operon is prevented.
Further test of a subjective probability model of social inference

Abstract Subjects read paragraphs suggesting that a fictitious person (O) either did or did not possess an attribute X. Then, they reported their beliefs that they would like O ( P L ), that O possessed X ( P X ), that O was intelligent ( P I ) and that O was sarcastic ( P s ). Other beliefs necessary to test the predictive accuracy of Wyer's subjective probability model of cognitive organization were also reported. The model accurately predicted P L on the basis of beliefs about X (the attribute to which information about O directly pertained); this accuracy was greater than that obtained in an earlier study in which real persons were evaluated, and did not depend upon the favorableness of X. However, predictions of P L based upon beliefs about O's intelligence overestimated obtained values, while predictions based upon beliefs about O's sarcasm underestimated these values; moreover, P I and P S were underestimated and overestimated, respectively, by beliefs about X. It was speculated that these discrepancies were due to temporary inconsistencies among beliefs resulting from the information presented which did not have time to be resolved before beliefs were reported. Changes in P L , P I , and P S resulting from additional information about X were accurately predicted in all cases. Implications of the model for other formulations of social evaluation processes are noted.
An investigation of plastic dressings for clinical use

Abstract Three plastic dressings for clinical use were investigated. The surface on which these dressings are used must be dry to obtain an impermeable film. An antimicrobial substance is a necessary additive to such dressings.
An Inventory of Positive Psychological Attitudes with Potential Relevance to Health Outcomes: Validation and Preliminary Testing

This article describes the validation of an Inventory of Positive Psychological Attitudes that has potential relevance to health outcomes and its preliminary testing with chronic pain patients. The inventory taps two attitudinal domains: (1) life purpose and satisfaction and (2) self-confidence during potentially stressful situations. It also provides a total score. The inventory scales, developed using factor analysis, were found to have a strong degree of internal reliability and concurrent validity. Preliminary testing suggested that positive change on these scales correlates with positive changes in the health status of chronic pain patients. Multiple regression analyses suggested that the interactions of these positive psychological attitudes with health status are not fully accounted for by the interactions of negative psychological attitudes with health status.
Minimum p-error design of nonuniformly spaced linear array

A design method which minimizes the p-error of a weighted array pattern for nonuniform linear array is studied. The Fletcher-Powell method is used to find the minimum set of sensor locations. With uniform weight and large p, the result has sidelobes of almost equal level. In addition, an array pattern with null(s) at some specified value can be designed with proper choices of weights.
Thermal-conductivity enhancement near the liquid-vapor critical line of binary methane-ethane mixtures

Measurements of the thermal conductivity of mixtures of methane and ethane reveal an enhancement in the mixture critical region apparently contradicting theoretical predictions. The anomaly is similar in size and temperature dependence to that found for pure fluids.
Translational developmental studies of stress on brain and behavior: Implications for adolescent mental health and illness?

Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood, with onset marked by puberty and the offset by relative independence from parents. Across species, it is a time of incredible change that carries increased risks and rewards. The ability of the individual to respond adequately to the mental, physical and emotional stresses of life during this time is a function of both their early environment and their present state. In this article, we focus on the effects that acute threat and chronic stress have on the brain and behavior in humans and rodents. First, we highlight developmental changes in frontolimbic function as healthy individuals transition into and out of adolescence. Second, we examine genetic factors that may enhance susceptibility to stress in one individual over another using translation from genetic mouse models to human neuroimaging. Third, we examine how the timing and nature of stress varies in its impact on brain and behavior. These findings are discussed in the context of implications for adolescent mental health and illness.
Component-Based Synthesis of Embedded Systems Using Satisfiability Modulo Theories

Constraint programming solvers, such as Satisfiability Modulo Theory (SMT) solvers, are capable tools in finding preferable configurations for embedded systems from large design spaces. However, constructing SMT constraint programs is not trivial, in particular for complex systems that exhibit multiple viewpoints and models. In thisarticle we propose CoDeL: a component-based description language that allows system designers to express components as reusable building blocks of the system with their parameterizable properties, models, and interconnectivity. Systems are synthesized by allocating, connecting, and parameterizing the components to satisfy the requirements of an application. We present an algorithm that transforms component-based design spaces, expressible in CoDeL, to an SMT program, which, solved by state-of-the-art SMT solvers, determines the satisfiability of the synthesis problem, and delivers a correct-by-construction system configuration. Evaluation results for use cases in the domain of scheduling and mapping of distributed real-time processes confirm, first, the performance gain of SMT compared to traditional design space exploration approaches, second, the usability gains by expressing design problems in CoDeL, and third, the capability of the CoDeL/SMT approach to support the design of embedded systems.
Atoxoplasmosis in Canary Fledglings: Severe Lymphocytic Enteritis with Preferential Parasitism of B Lymphocytes

All fledgling canaries (Serinum canarius) in a small private aviary died from atoxoplasmosis during a single breeding season. The birds were clinically normal when removed from their parents at 2 mo of age, but by 3 mo of age all had died following an illness characterized by progressive lethargy, anorexia, and debilitation. Cachexia, splenomegaly, and pale foci in the liver were evident at necropsy. Microscopically, there was striking infiltration of the intestinal lamina propria by mononuclear cells that contained intracytoplasmic protozoa. Protozoa were also observed in mononuclear cells in splenic and hepatic sinusoids and in vascular or perivascular spaces of other organs, but were much less numerous. Ultrastructural features of infected enteric mononuclear cells were suggestive of lymphocytes, and the majority of parasitized cells in paraffin sections of intestine were positive for CD-79 antigen, consistent with B lymphocytes. CD-3 staining was minimal, suggesting little or no T-cell infection. The following year, after egg-laying was completed, adults were treated with sulfadimethoxine, and no further fledgling losses occurred.
Advanced ultra-high-capacity optical random access memory and pattern recognition techniques

The architecture and mathematical analysis of a new multi- channel multistage holographic optical random access memory (HORAM) architecture and an experimental demonstration of its feasibil- ity are presented. The new HORAM can be used for ultra-high-capacity storage and high-speed random retrieval of information. A two-stage HORAM, using a Dammann grating and a multifocus holographic lens, clearly shows the capability of storing 2000 holographic matched filters. The functional requirements for key optical elements including laser sources, spatial light modulators, and electro-optical shutters for making a desired practical and compact HORAM are described. The potential extension of the HORAM system for multiple-channel optical pattern rec- ognition, classification, and image restoration are described. © 1998 So- ciety of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. (S0091-3286(98)02503-3)
Population structure of some pond Microcrustacea

The aestival species composition of microcrustacea of eight ponds in southwestern Kansas is described. Two benthic Ostracoda and three planktonic Copepoda and eight planktonic Cladocera were collected.
Angular distributions and the physics of charmed-meson production at the 4.028-GeV resonance

A detailed study of angular distributions arising from D{anti D}, D* anti D} , and D*{anti D}* production at {radical}s= 4.028 GeV is made, including the subsequent decays D*{yields}D{pi} and D* {yields} D{gamma}. The production amplitudes are unique except for the D*{anti D}* case, where there are two p-wave amplitudes (S = 0, 2) and one small f-wave amplitude (S = 2). It is shown that observations of the angular distributions and correlations of the {pi}{sup 0}'s and {gamma}'s from the D* {yields} D{pi}{sup 0} and D* {yields} D{gamma} decays provide an effective way of measuring the p-wave amplitudes. These amplitudes are a reflection of the underlying hadronic interactions among the charmed and uncharmed quarks.
Preparative isolation of plasmid DNA with sedimentation field flow fractionation.

Abstract Sedimentation field flow fractionation (SFFF) can be used to isolate plasmids preparatively from crude cellular lysates. Total purification time is about 3 4 day, including lysate preparation. The purity and yield of plasmids isolated by SFFF appear to be at least equivalent to those prepared by traditional methods. Molecular-weight data also are supplied rapidly by SFFF without the need for standards.
On the rotational partition function for tetrahedral molecules

Abstract A rigorous calculation of the quantum-mechanical rotational partition function for tetrahedral XY4 molecules yields Qr = ( 1 12 )(2IY + 1)4π 1 2 α- 3 2 exp(α/4), where IY is the spin of the Y nucleus, and α ≡ Bhc/kT. This result is accurate to 1 per cent or better for all values of B and T such that α 1 5 .
The Significance of the Bursa of Fabricius in Antibody Production in Chickens 1. Age of Chickens

ABSTRACT THE bursa of Fabricius, found only in the class Aves, exists as a pear-shaped dorsal diverticulum of the cloaca (Figure 1). In the chicken, the bursa is believed to function as a lymph gland for the first two or three months after hatching (Calhoun, 1933; and Glick, 1955). It has been reported that the bursa of Fabricius also plays a role in antibody production (Chang et al., 1955; and Glick et al., 1956). The data to be presented here are the results of experiments designed to further examine this property. Two antigens, Salmonella typhimurium and sheep erythrocytes, were injected intravenously or intramuscularly into chickens of different ages which had been bursectomized at various intervals prior to or after receiving the test antigens. EXPERIMENTAL The Experimental Animals: Broiler-type chickens, varying from 2 to 20 weeks of age, were selected as test animals. The birds were kept in cages on wire floors. . . .
How do pediatricians interpret genital findings in children? Results of a survey

Abstract Study Objectives: To determine the frequency with which various examination methods and techniques are being used in the medical evaluation of suspected child sexual abuse and how medical examiners interpret the significance of physical and laboratory findings with respect to sexual abuse. Design: An 8-page, 68-item survey was mailed to physicians with a possible interest in sexual abuse evaluation. Participants: One hundred forty-one health professionals (90% pediatricians) who returned the completed surveys. Methods: Tabulations of responses to questions regarding the frequency of examination methods, use of magnification, culturing practices, measurement of orifice size, and interpretation of 57 physical and laboratory findings as normal to abnormal on a 5-point scale. Results: The overall response rate was 44%, after excluding 56 responses from the group with only a 12% response rate. A colposcope was used by 45% of respondents; 51% obtained cultures for sexually transmitted diseases on all female patients, and 42% on all male patients. Findings rated as abnormal by more than 90% of respondents were the presence of sperm or semen; confirmed positive culture for Neisseria gonorrhea; a positive culture for Chlamydia; lacerations of the hymen, posterior fourchette, and perianal tissues; and hymenal transections. Experience level significantly (p Conclusions: There is a high level of agreement among examiners on the significance of certain findings in suspected sexual abuse. Higher experience level was associated with the rating of several findings as nonspecific rather than abnormal.
Theoretical Study of the Conformations of Pustulan [(1⇒6)-β-D)-Glucan]

Abstract The total potential energy including nonbondedJuntorsional and hydrogen bond contributions has been computed for pustulan, a (1⇒6) linked β-D-glucan polysaccharide, as a function of rotational angles φ, ψ, and ω The (φ, ψ, ω)-space contains many local minima and at least three distinct deep minima. Two minima at (φ, ψ, ω)=(25°,190°,gg) and (φ, ψ, ω)=(65°,150°,gg) of almost equal energies have helical parameters (n=5.2, A=1.0A) and (n=3.2, h= 1.5A), respectively. A third minimum at (φ, ψ, ω)=(40°,70°gt) leads to an extended zig-zag structure (n=2.2, h=2.2A). Energy maps obtained for gentiobiose, the disaccharide of pustulan, also reveal many local minima and the small energy differences among them indicate that gentiobiose is extremely flexible. Gentiodextrins, a family of cyclic molecules of (l⇒6)-β-D- glucose residues, were also studied. Conformations free from steric hindrance were found for cyclic molecules with three to six glucose residues.
Galaxy formation and evolution

The presence of high z quasars and radio galaxies tells us that galaxy formation began at z greater than 5, but leaves unanswered the question of when the bulk of galaxies formed. Recent near infrared number counts of galaxies strongly favor a cosmological geometry with q(sub 0) = 0.5 and lambda = 0. Such a model grossly underpredicts blue galaxy counts. Spectroscopy shows that the excess blue galaxies at B = 24 are dwarfs at z approximately equals 0.4 which are no longer seen at the present time. These dwarfs must contain a large amount of baryonic matter which is not included in current estimates of baryonic omega .
Predicting rogue waves in random oceanic sea states

Using the inverse spectral theory of the nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation we correlate the development of rogue waves in oceanic sea states characterized by the Joint North Sea Wave Project (JONSWAP) spectrum with the proximity to homoclinic solutions of the NLS equation. We find in numerical simulations of the NLS equation that rogue waves develop for JONSWAP initial data that are “near” NLS homoclinic data, while rogue waves do not occur for JONSWAP data that are “far” from NLS homoclinic data. We show the nonlinear spectral decomposition provides a simple criterium for predicting the occurrence and strength of rogue waves.
Teaching to the National Geography Standards Through Children's Picture Books

Abstract Grasping a knowledge of geography can be an exciting experience for children when it is developed by reading picture books. Many children's books depict the content of the National Geography Standards. This article reviews the standard's six essential elements and demonstrates how children's books can be used to teach geography. Each element and a particular standard are applied to a specific picture book. Incorporating a book may be the first step or the last step of a geography lesson, but either way it will bring about various activities to help students relate to their world, learn about different cultures and regions, and experience Earth's physical processes.
Virus multiplication in plants doubly infected by potato viruses X and Y

Abstract The ratio of virus X in juice from tobacco plants simultaneously inoculated with potato viruses X and Y to that in juice from comparable plants inoculated only with virus X varied with the stage of the disease. Ratios up to 10:1 were obtained with leaves invaded during expansion. With leaves that expanded after the growing tip had been invaded, increases up to threefold were obtained; with inoculated leaves increases were usually twofold. There was a direct relationship between severity of symptoms and virus X concentration of doubly infected plants. In leaves invaded during expansion, the relative increase in virus X concentration of XY-infected leaves over that of X-infected leaves was greater in veinal tissue than in interveinal tissue. With singly infected leaves the concentration of virus X in juice from interveinal tissue was about six times that in juice from veinal tissue, whereas with XY-infected leaves juice from interveinal tissue contained about twice as much virus X as did juice from veinal tissue. When X-infected plants were inoculated with virus Y, there occurred increases in virus X similar to those observed in plants inoculated simultaneously with the two viruses. When Y-infected plants were inoculated with virus X, large relative increases of virus X did not occur and the usual severe symptoms did not develop. The magnitude of the increase in the concentration of virus X in juice from XY-infected leaves over that in juice from X-infected leaves varied considerably among experiments. Tests indicated that this variation was not caused by changes in either virus or in nutrition of the host plants. The variation was seasonal, with the greatest ratios occurring in the spring when greenhouse temperatures favor multiplication of virus Y during the day and that of virus X during the night. In both singly (Y) and doubly (X + Y) infected leaves, the concentration of virus Y in interveinal tissue was about twice that in veinal tissue. Neither the concentration nor distribution of virus Y was affected by the presence of virus X.
Responses of single units in the cat cochlear nucleus to sinusoidal amplitude modulation of tones and noise: linearity and relation to speech perception.

Responses to the sinusoidal modulation envelopes of amplitude-modulated tone and noise carriers were recorded from single units in the cochlear nucleus of the cat. The unit discharges were synchronized to the peaks of the modulation envelope. Population-averaged firing rates were independent of the modulation index of the stimulus. Temporal firing patterns, as represented by the shapes and magnitudes of modulation-cycle histograms, were strongly dependent on stimulus intensity and modulation index. Nonlinear nonsinusoidal responses to sinusoidal modulation envelopes were observed, but only at very high values of sound intensity. These and other results are discussed in the context of psychological studies concerning the perception of speech information.
Coal liquefaction with soluble transition-metal complexes

Abstract Several transition-metal complexes were tested for their effectiveness in liquefying coal under very mild conditions. Liquefaction was not observed, probably because interaction with the coal deactivates the catalyst.
Functional comparison of the NAD binding cleft of ADP-ribosylating toxins.

Although a common core structure forms the active site of ADP-ribosylating (ADPRT) toxins, the limited-sequence homology within this region suggests that different mechanisms are being used by toxins to perform their shared function. To explain differences in their mechanisms of NAD binding and hydrolysis, the functional interrelationship of residues predicted to perform similar functions in the β3-strand of the NAD binding cleft of different ADPRT toxins was compared. Replacing Tyr54 in the A-subunit of diphtheria toxin (DTA) with a serine, its functional homologue in cholera toxin (CT), resulted in the loss of catalytic function but not NAD binding. The catalytic role of the aromatic portion of Tyr54 in the ADPRT reaction was confirmed by the ability of a Tyr54-to-phenylalanine DTA mutant to retain ADPRT activity. In reciprocal studies, positioning a tyrosine in the β3-strand of the A1-subunit of CT (CTA1) caused both loss of function and altered structure. The restricted flexibility of the CTA1 active ...
Electrodynamics of a layered electron gas. II. Periodic array

Abstract A hydrodynamic model is used to study the electrodynamics of a layered electron gas arranged in a periodic array and neutralized by a rigid inert positive background. The plasma oscillations differ qualitatively from those in a bulk three-dimension medium; the corresponding dielectric function and dynamic conductivity are evaluated. Static screening of a point charge displays considerable anisotropy. A generalized model with a compressible background yields a spectrum containing an acoustic branch in addition to the optical (plasmon) branch.
The clinical utility of renal concentrating capacity in polycystic kidney disease.

The clinical utility of renal concentrating capacity in polycystic kidney disease. We studied 177 adult nonazotemic subjects with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and 123 unaffected family members (NADPKD). In order to assess the factors influencing renal concentrating capacity maximal urinary osmolality (U Osm ) after overnight water deprivation and vasopressin was measured. U Osm was reduced in ADPKD (680 ± 14) compared to NADPKD subjects (812 ± 13 mOsm/kg). A greater severity of the architectural abnormality as assessed by cyst number and size and remaining volume of normal parenchyma was associated with a greater impairment of renal concen trating capacity. The concentrating defect was present in the youngest ADPKD subjects and the rate of decline of concentrating capacity with age in ADPKD paralleled that in NADPKD subjects. Based on the initial 135 subjects studied, we developed an algorithm for diagnostic screening for ADPKD utilizing blood pressure, serum creatinine and U Osm designed to maximize sensitivity. When applied to a subsequent population of 165 adults, 121 with ADPKD and 44 unaffected relatives, this algorithm would have spared 20% of unaffected subjects from the cost of ultrasound while failing to detect less than 2% of affected subjects. This simple protocol thus offers a rapid and inexpensive way to screen for ADPKD.
Modes of cooperation during territorial defense by African lions.

Cooperation during territorial defense allows social groups of African lions to defend access to resources necessary for individual reproductive success. Some forms of cooperation will be dependent upon cognition: reciprocity places greater cognitive demands on participants than does kinship or mutualism. Lions have well-developed cognitive abilities that enable individuals to recognize and interact with others in ways that seem to enhance their inclusive fitness. Male lions appear to cooperate unconditionally, consistently responding to roaring intruders regardless of their male companions’ kinship or behavior. Female lions, however, do keep track of the past behavior of their female companions, apparently using the reliability of a companion as one means of assessing the risks posed by approaching intruders. Some “laggard” females may exploit the cooperative tendencies of “leaders” during territorial encounters. Although leader females clearly recognize laggards as such, the costs of tolerating laggards may be less than the benefits leaders gain through territorial defense behavior. Thus, although lions clearly have the cognitive ability to base cooperation on reciprocity, territorial defense cooperation appears instead to be based primarily on mutual benefits to participants for both male and female lions.
Pathology of PD in monozygotic twins with a 20-year discordance interval.

Comparison of disease concordance rates in monozygotic and dizygotic twins has traditionally been an important indicator of the strength of heritable components for diseases. With respect to PD, there have been several twin studies, including large studies,1,2⇓ but these have not reached a satisfactory conclusion concerning the role of heredity in PD. A major weakness of this approach is that most such studies have, perforce, been largely cross-sectional in nature. Furthermore, clinicopathologic studies have shown that the diagnosis or PD is not certain with an accuracy of diagnosis of 75% when pathology is used as the gold standard.3 Of course, the problem of diagnostic accuracy is compounded when each data point requires two diagnoses. As an adjunct to these clinical studies of concordance rates, there have also been studies in which fluorodopa PET or 2β-carboxymethoxy-3β-(4-[123I]iodophenyl) tropane scanning has been used to determine whether, in nonconcordant twins, there are abnormalities in the nigrostriatal dopamine system in the unaffected twin.4 These latter studies detected dopaminergic loss more sensitively than clinical evaluation alone. One of these studies4 used serial fluorodopa PET to demonstrate a greater monozygotic/dizygotic concordance …
Mass spectrometric survey of interganglionically transported peptides in Aplysia

Abstract The major ganglionic connectives in Aplysia are assayed to determine putative neuropeptides. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry allows direct measurement of peptides in a nerve. Many previously characterized peptides are observed, including APGWamide, buccalins, small cardioactive peptides, and egg-laying hormone. Several unreported peptides are detected in specific nerves, suggesting they may have important physiological roles. Furthermore, novel processing products of the L5–67 precursor peptide and the APGWamide/cerebral peptide 1 prohormone are strongly suggested, and their interganglionic transport demonstrated.
Comparison of impact and radioactivity techniques and the magnetic dipole moments of the first 2+ states in 188Os, 190Os, and 192Os

Abstract Comparison of IMPACT, PAC and Mossbauer effect measurements indicate that for g-factor measurements of Os nuclei Ni is a suitable ferromagnetic host whereas the use of Fe in IMPACT measurements may give erroneous results.
Useful variational principle for the scattering length for the target ground-state wave function imprecisely known

A minimum principle for the calculation of the scattering length, applicable when the ground-state wave function of the target system is known precisely, has been available for some time. When, as is almost always the case, the target wave function is imprecisely known, a minimum principle is available but the simple minimum principle noted above is not applicable. Further, as recent calculations show, numerical instabilities usually arise which severely limit the utility of even an ordinary variational approach. The difficulty, which can be traced to the appearance of singularities in the variational construction, is here removed through the introduction of a minimum principle, not for the true scattering length, but for one associated with a closely connected problem. This guarantees that no instability difficulties can arise as the trial scattering wave function and the trial target wave function are improved. The calculations are little different from those required when the target ground-state wave function is known, and, in fact, the original version of the minimum principle is recovered as the trial target wave function becomes exact. A careful discussion is given of the types of problems to which the method can be applied. In particular, the effects of the Paulimore » principle, and the existence of a finite number of composite bound states, can be accounted for.« less
Infectious mononucleosis in young children

A case of infectious mononucleosis (IM) in a two-year-old patient is presented. The clinical presentation and diagnosis of IM in young children are discussed.
What messenger RNA capping tells us about eukaryotic evolution

The 5' cap is a unique feature of eukaryotic cellular and viral messenger RNA that is absent from the bacterial and archaeal domains of life. The cap is formed by three enzymatic reactions at the 5' terminus of nascent mRNAs. Although the capping pathway is conserved in all eukaryotes, the structure and genetic organization of the component enzymes vary between species. These differences provide insights into the evolution of eukaryotes and eukaryotic viruses.
Imaging and identification of relativistic projectile fragments with Lexan spectrometry

Abstract We describe the method and some applications of Lexan spectrometry to the identification of nuclides produced in the fragmentation of relativistic heavy ions at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Bevalac. Fragments emitted at 0° to the beam are deflected in a magnetic spectrometer and come to rest in a large stack of Lexan plastic detectors. Charge, mass, and energy are determined from measurements of range and lateral position in the stack and from etch pit lengths in two consecutive sheets. In favorable cases charge and mass can be determined from range and deflection alone without the necessity of etch pit measurements. The main advantage of the method is its large collecting power: fragments striking any portion of the 450 cm 2 detector surface are sufficiently focussed for their mass, charge, and energy to be identified. Unusual events such as the attachment of two electrons by a projectile nucleus can be observed.
Creating an educational robot by embedding a learning agent in the physical world (abstract only)

One essential goal in education is to improve understanding of how humans acquire knowledge and how students vary in their abilities to learn. Building an intelligent agent that models student learning would be a significant achievement in the learning sciences. SimStudent is a state-of-the-art intelligent agent that simulates a human's learning process. However, SimStudent has only been living in the world of graphical user interfaces. To construct a more human-like learning agent, we integrate SimStudent with a cognitive robot, Calliope5KP, to create a physical agent that is able to learn skill knowledge by interacting with users in the physical world. We demonstrate the integration in a tic-tac-toe game, and show that the SimStudent robot is able to learn reasonably well with 12 games.
Digestive Enzymes of Mole, Bat and Rat

Digestive enzymes of man, domestic animals and laboratory mammals have been catalogued (Spector, 1956). It would seem desirable to have a broader base for generalization concerning digestive abilities of the Mammalia and to have specific information about additional species. Digestive tracts of representatives of the Insectivora and Chiroptera have been examined qualitatively for enzymes present. Determinations were also made on white rat, for comparison and control. Materials and methods .—Animals used included the Eastern mole, Scalopus aquaticus , the Eastern pipistrel, Pipistrellus subflavus , the gray myotis, Myotis grisescens , and the white laboratory rat, Rattus norvegicus . The moles were trapped by use of choker traps, which were checked every four hours or more frequendy. Tissues from 11 moles were tested in separate experimental runs. There were 5 adult males, 4 adult females, 1 juvenile male, and …
The effect of aging on the diffusivity of hydrogen in amorphous NiSiB alloy

Abstract The diffusivity of hydrogen in amorphous Ni 77.5 Si 7.9 B 14.6 alloy was examined in comparison with those in the corresponding crystallized alloys, by means of the electrochemical permeation technique. The amorphous alloy was crystallized at 603 and 673 K, which were below and above the critical temperature of crystallization, respectively. The degree of lowering of the diffusivity for the alloy aged at 673 K for 16.2 ks was larger than that for the alloy aged at 603 K for 172.8 ks. The precipitation of numerous microcrystallites which seemed to contain supersaturated metalloids was observed for the alloy aged at 603 K for 172.8 ks, whereas the precipitation of a smaller number of large crystallites consisting of nickel was observed for the alloy aged at 673 K for 16.2 ks. The degree of lowering of diffusivity in the aged alloys was explained on the basis of the difference in trapping of hydrogen due to the difference in the structure after the aging.
Bioengineered lysozyme reduces bacterial burden and inflammation in a murine model of mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection

ABSTRACT The spread of drug-resistant bacterial pathogens is a growing global concern and has prompted an effort to explore potential adjuvant and alternative therapies derived from nature9s repertoire of bactericidal proteins and peptides. In humans, the airway surface liquid layer is a rich source of antibiotics, and lysozyme represents one of the most abundant and effective antimicrobial components of airway secretions. Human lysozyme is active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, acting through several mechanisms, including catalytic degradation of cell wall peptidoglycan and subsequent bacterial lysis. In the infected lung, however, lysozyme9s dense cationic character can result in sequestration and inhibition by polyanions associated with airway inflammation. As a result, the efficacy of the native enzyme may be compromised in the infected and inflamed lung. To address this limitation, we previously constructed a charge-engineered variant of human lysozyme that was less prone to electrostatic-mediated inhibition in vitro . Here, we employ a murine model to show that this engineered enzyme is superior to wild-type human lysozyme as a treatment for mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections. The engineered enzyme effectively decreases the bacterial burden and reduces markers of inflammation and lung injury. Importantly, we found no evidence of acute toxicity or allergic hypersensitivity upon repeated administration of the engineered biotherapeutic. Thus, the charge-engineered lysozyme represents an interesting therapeutic candidate for P. aeruginosa lung infections.
19F, 13C, and 1H NMR investigations of alkanes and alkenes. III. 2-chloro-1,4-dibromo-1,2,2-trifluorobutane

Abstract A complete nuclear magnetic resonance investigation has been made of the compound 2-Chloro-1,4-dibromo-1,2,2-trifluorobutane. All 19F, 13C, and 1H chemical shifts have been obtained and 23 coupling constants determined. The complexity of the spin-spin coupling for the proton and fluorine nuclei, ABCD-MXY, permitted the determination of relative signs of the coupling constants. Temperature and solvent effects on the chemical shifts and coupling constants were also studied.
Computation of electrical field and potential around stranded conductor by analytical method and comparison with charge-simulation method

The electric field and potential around a stranded conductor are computed by an analytical method. The results obtained by the analytical method are compared with those obtained by the charge-simulation method to check the accuracy of the latter, which is much easier than the analytical method.
The challenge of systematic reviews of diagnostic and staging studies in cancer

Summary Purpose Most diagnostic and staging studies focus on test performance characteristics while others may address long term clinical outcomes such as disease-free or overall survival, quality of life or cost. However, controversy remains as to which outcomes to measure and when long term outcomes based on large and costly randomized trials are required. Methods The comparative advantages for reviews of diagnostic and staging studies based on test performance characteristics in observational studies versus the assessment of outcomes in randomized controlled trials are presented. Results The measurement of diagnostic test performance is based on sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, the diagnostic odds ratio and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. Alternatively, the clinical impact of a diagnostic test should consider the overall benefits and harms generally measured in terms of disease-free or overall survival, toxicity or quality of life and costs. Methods are available to systematically summarize these measures across studies, assess clinical and methodological heterogeneity and to evaluate the quality of studies. The advantages and disadvantages of studies of test performance or overall clinical impact are highlighted in the context of two examples: screening mammography and sentinel node biopsy. Conclusion There appears to be an important role for systematic reviews of both studies of test performance and of long-term clinical impact in the evaluation of new diagnostic and staging procedures.
The myth of symptomatic versus asymptomatic partners in the conjoint treatment of sexual dysfunction.

Abstract Although sex researchers and therapists alike talk about treating “couples,” there persists an assumption that “symptomatic” partners vary significantly from “asymptomatic” partners with respect to early background and personality variables. Indeed, these differences have been sometimes viewed as primary causal factors for the couple's presenting state of sexual discord. Data from a short-term intensive treatment program was analyzed to compare factors such as parental-familial background, sexual attitudes and knowledge, and marital histories for individuals diagnosed as symptomatic and their partners who received no specific sexual diagnosis. Results indicated few significant differences between these identified groups. There were also few differences between groups based upon items from a follow-up evaluation, suggesting that the prognostic value of these classifications may likewise be placed in question. In general, the couple's ongoing relationship (rather than individual characteristics) ap...
Genetic mapping of aminoglycoside and fusidic acid resistant mutations in Bacillus subtilis.

Mutations governing resistance to neamine, neomycin, kanamycin and fusidic acid have been mapped within the ribosomal region of theBacillus subtilis genome using PBS1-mediated transduction. The probable order of these closely linked markers is: