cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus, etiology and possible treatment: preliminary report.

Abstract Background Insulin resistance has been proposed as the initial step in the cascade toward type 2 diabetes mellitus. The mechanisms underlying the development of insulin resistance are not fully understood. We hypothesize that neurovascular interactions, in particular arterial elongation, causes compression of the right lateral medulla, triggering a state of autonomic dysfunction including hyperactivity of pancreatic endocrine function, and predisposes to insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes. Methods The clinical and operative findings were reviewed retrospectively in 15 patients with primary diagnoses of various right-sided cranial rhizopathies, but with a common diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. After microvascular decompression was performed for the primary diagnosis, arterial compression was observed of the lateral medulla and cranial nerve X and treated with microvascular decompression. Known duration of the diabetes ranged from “new” (patient was diagnosed as a result of preoperative blood work) to 16 years (mean 7.3 years). Duration of diabetes diagnosis was unknown in 2 patients. Follow-up was from 3 to 113 months (mean 29.9 months). Results Ten of the 15 patients (66%) showed improvement in their blood glucose control; 5 of those 10 (50%) did so with no (4 patients) or less (1 patient) diabetes medication. Conclusions We have shown that arterial compression of the right lateral medulla is consistently present in patients with diabetes mellitus and that microvascular decompression can be performed safely. Further studies are necessary and are under way.
RANDOM GENETIC DRIFT IN MULTI‐ALLELIC LOCUS

In the theory that evolution is anl irregularly shifting state of balance, especially that of a subtle balance between the evolutionary pressures of mutation, immigration and selection as a group and random or stochastic processes which give rise to processes of trial and error (Wright, 1950), the process of random genetic drift is one of the problems first to be clarified. Actually the problem of the random drift has been discussed by various authors. As early as 1921, Hagedoorn and Hagedoorn pointed out that the group of organisms destined to become the parents of the next generation is usually considerably smaller than the number of individuals of their species so that some genes will be lost by chance. According to their opinion, reduction of potential variability is automatic, being independent of any sort of selection. They considered that this is the most important gain in knowledge that we owe to Mendel's work and to the biomechanical interpretation of it. The first mathematical treatment of this so-called "Hagedoorn Effect" was carried out by Fisher (1922). It was rather unfortunate that an abbreviation of a term in his differential equation led him to the erroneous result that the rate of decrease of the variance in the population is 1/4n per generation, where n is the number of individuals in the population. Independently, \Vright worked on this problem and obtained the correct answer of 1/2N for the first time, where N is the effective population number (see Wright, 1931). Using an integral equation he also arrived at the flat distribution of unfixed classes for the state of steady decay. This stimulated Fisher to re-examine his results and he found himself in entire agreement with Wright's results. Furthermore, Fisher elaborated the terminal part of the distribution for the case of steady decay by his method of a functional equation (Fisher, 1930a, b). This method was followed by Haldane (1939) to treat the more general case where the number of descendants does not necessarily follow the Poisson distribution. Until now, Fisher's method remains as an unique and powerful tool to find the exact distribution at the terminal part. In 1945, Wright introduced the Fokker-Planck equation to solve the problem of the gene frequency distribution and applied the equation to the case of steady decay. The problem of random drift was also treated as a problem of a finite Markov chain by Malecot (1944), who got the asymptotic formula for a very large number of generations which is essentially the same as the previously known formula for steady decay. His result on the characteristic roots was later corrected by Feller (1951), who succeeded in getting all characteristic values of the matrix of transition probabilities. In spite of all these works, the theoretical results have been largely at the level of asymptotic formulae, and no complete solution has been published until the present
Photochemical characteristics in a soybean mutant.

Chloroplasts were isolated from wild type (DG) and heterozygous mutant (LG) soybean (Glycine max) leaves, and various biochemical functions were compared. Noncyclic electron transport, and its coupled phosphorylation, cyclic phosphorylation and H(+) ion transport in both systems, were 3 to 5 times faster in rate (on a chlorophyll basis) in the mutant plastids. On a chloroplast lamellar protein basis, the mutant plastid rates were 1.5 to 2.5 times the wild type rates.Plastoquinone (PQ) reduction and oxidation (rates and extent) were measured by following absorbance changes at 260 nanometers with the repetitive flash technique. Mutant plastids have about a 2-fold greater apparent first order rate constant for PQ oxidation and a 3- to 5-fold larger pool of rapidly reducible PQ. Plastoquinone oxidation has been identified by other workers as the rate-limiting step in electron transport. Assuming the PQ oxidation is a first order process (d(PQH(2))/dt = k(D)[PQH(2)]t), the observed increase in k(d) for the LG (k(d) (LG) approximately 2k(d) (DG)) and the greater steady state amount of rapidly turning over PQ, [PQH(2)](LG)>[PQH(2)](DG), could account for the 3- to 5-fold greater rates of electron transport and phosphorylation found in the mutant chloroplasts.Light saturation for noncyclic photophosphorylation and photosystem 2 plus 1 electron transport occurred at similar intensities for both LG and DG plastids. Relative quantum requirements extrapolated to zero intensity were similar in the LG and DG, although at finite light intensities the LG had a better relative quantum efficiency.Ammonium chloride concentrations needed to inhibit cyclic photophosphorylation 50% were similar in both LG and DG plastids. Nigericin, poly-l-lysine, and chlorotri-n-butyltin, were needed in concentrations 5 to 10 times greater in the LG to yield 50% inhibition at comparable chlorophyll concentrations.
catena-Poly[copper(II)-bis-(μ-2-ethyl-5-methyl-imidazole-4-sulfonato-κN,O:O)].

In the title compound, [Cu(C6H9N2O3S)2]n, the copper(II) ion sits on an inversion center and is chelated by the imidazole N and sulfonate O atoms of two ligands in equatorial positions. O atoms of adjacent mol­ecules coordinate in the axial positions. Jahn–Teller tetra­gonal distortion is evident in the coordination geometry [Cu—N and Cu—O equatorial distances of 1.971 (3) and 2.045 (2) A, respectively, with a Cu—O axial distance of 2.433 (3) A]. The structure is propagated by an infinite chain of eight-membered (Cu—O—S—O)2 ring systems along the a axis. Only N—H⋯O hydrogen bonding exists between the chains.
Neurogenesis and Stroke

Stroke stimulates neurogenesis in select regions of the adult brain, and the newborn neurons that result can migrate to areas of ischemic injury, where they may have the capacity to enhance brain recovery. These observations suggest that stroke-induced neurogenesis may contribute to endogenous brain repair after stroke, and that the mechanisms that underlie neurogenesis may represent potential therapeutic targets. Alternatively, transplantation of exogenously derived neural cells might also be an approach to the treatment of stroke.
Least squares in calibration: dealing with uncertainty in x.

The least-squares (LS) analysis of data with error in x and y is generally thought to yield best results when carried out by minimizing the “total variance” (TV), defined as the sum of the properly weighted squared residuals in x and y. Alternative “effective variance” (EV) methods project the uncertainty in x into an effective contribution to that in y, and though easier to employ are considered to be less reliable. In the case of a linear response function with both σx and σy constant, the EV solutions are identically those from ordinary LS; and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations reveal that they can actually yield smaller root-mean-square errors than the TV method. Furthermore, the biases can be predicted from theory based on inverse regression — x upon y when x is error-free and y is uncertain — which yields a bias factor proportional to the ratio σ2x/σ2xmof the random-error variance in x to the model variance. The MC simulations confirm that the biases are essentially independent of the error in y, hence correctable. With such bias corrections, the better performance of the EV method in estimating the parameters translates into better performance in estimating the unknown (x0) from measurements (y0) of its response. The predictability of the EV parameter biases extends also to heteroscedastic y data as long as σx remains constant, but the estimation of x0 is not as good in this case. When both x and y are heteroscedastic, there is no known way to predict the biases. However, the MC simulations suggest that for proportional error in x, a geometric x-structure leads to small bias and comparable performance for the EV and TV methods.
Impulsivity links reward and threat sensitivities to substance use: a functional model.

This study used structural equations modeling and undergraduate student data to examine the effects of reward and threat sensitivities on substance use, along with the extent to which impulsivity explained these effects. Our results suggest that impulsivity may translate inversely related reward and threat sensitivities into substance use, completely mediate the effect between threat sensitivity and substance use, and partially mediate the effect between reward sensitivity and substance use. Our results also suggest that individuals with a combination of higher levels on both reward and threat sensitivities may be most impulsive and vulnerable to substance use. We discuss implications for research at the interface of personality and substance use and also substance abuse prevention and treatment.
MC simulation of aerosol aggregation and simultaneous spheroidization

A companion article by Tandon and Rosner (1999) showed that Monte-Carlo (MC) simulation methods can generate joint pdfs of particle volume, v, and surface area, a, for coagulating populations of suspended nonspherical particles simultaneously sintering at finite rates. For continuum-regime Brownian coagulation at times longer than the characteristic coagulation time, a “self-preserving” asymptotic pdf shape was shown to extend to these bivariate populations, using the rescaled volume v/v(t) and rescaled area a/ā(t) as “similarity” variables. This article considers the corresponding problem of coagulation in the “free-molecule” limit, relevant to the atmospheric pressure flame experiments of Xing et al. This combination of coagulation- and sintering-rate laws again leads to “self-preserving” rescaled jpdfs, explicitly time-independent for an isothermal environment, again dependent on a Damkohler-like number, Damf (ratio of coagulation time to fusion time). While flames are more complex than our idealized simulations, our present pdfs and associated “mixed moments,” capture important features of experimental results as one approaches the flame, especially evolution of a mean particle “shape factor,” mean number of spherules per aggregate, and narrowness of the spread of spherule sizes. This agreement, coupled with the versatility of MC-methods for multistate variable particle population balances, encourages extensions leading to a versatile, tractable, formalism for the developing field of sol reaction engineering.
A Shrinkage Estimation of Central Subspace in Sufficient Dimension Reduction

Sliced regression is an effective dimension reduction method by replacing the original high-dimensional predictors with its appropriate low-dimensional projection. It is free from any probabilistic assumption and can exhaustively estimate the central subspace. In this article, we propose to incorporate shrinkage estimation into sliced regression so that variable selection can be achieved simultaneously with dimension reduction. The new method can improve the estimation accuracy and achieve better interpretability for the reduced variables. The efficacy of proposed method is shown through both simulation and real data analysis.
The combat exposure scale: A systematic assessment of trauma in the vietnam war

Although symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are expected to persist for many years, there is often no systematic assessment of Vietnam veterans' combat experiences. A study of 43 help-seeking Vietnam veterans revealed that a reliable assessment of war trauma, the Combat Exposure Scale, could be constructed from dichotomous questions about seven stressful events. Scale scores related significantly to current diagnosis of PTSD and intensity of symptoms. The Guttman scaling technique resulted in an ordering of events that provides clinically relevant information about the nature of trauma in the Vietnam War.
Selective removal, recovery, and characterization of immunoglobulins from human colostrum.

ABSTRACT: Investigations into the mechanisms by which Ig in human colostrum influence the development and maturation of both the gastrointestinal and the immune systems of human milk-fed term and preterm infants have been restricted by the paucity of purified human milk Ig. We have developed a simple adsorption procedure for the selective removal and quantitative recovery (95-100%) of intact Ig (secretory IgA, IgG, and IgM) present in human colostral whey. The procedure exploits the rapid, ionicstrength dependent, thiophilic adsorption of Ig during a single pass of colostral whey through a column of beaded agarose with immobilized thioether-sulfone ligands (Anal Biochem 1986;159:217-226). The purity and composition of the adsorbed Ig were verified by SDS-PAGE and sensitive silver-staining protein detection procedures; proteins of approximately 78-80 kD (secretory component), 50-60 kD (heavy chain), and 25 kD (light chain) were observed. The identity, structural integrity, and relative concentrations of the recovered Ig were confirmed by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography, Ouchterlony immunodiffusion, rocket immunoelectrophoresis and ELISA. These results were analyzed and compared with reported values for the concentration of human milk Ig. Thus, the use of thiophilic adsorption appears to facilitate 1) selective removal of Ig from colostrum, enabling the evaluation of remaining components for growth- and immune-potentiating properties, and 2) selective immobilization and recovery of Ig from colostrum under conditions consistent with preserved biologic activity.
Perspectives on mentoring

Explores perspectives on mentoring, including the mentor, the protege and the organization. Emphasizes key benefits to each of these parties. Addresses the question of why mentors engage in mentoring. Discusses the role of leadership in the development of leader‐supported mentoring processes.
Bone Marrow Leukemias and Lymphoproliferative Disorders: Scanning Electron Microscope Diagnosis

This work considers the primary diagnosis of bone marrow leukemias and lymphoproliferative disorders by using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). A total of 14 cases are studied, including 2 demonstrating bone marrow hyperplasia only. The utility of employing the ordinary pathology glass microslide with routine stain is emphasized, as well as certain capabilities of the SEM, including backscattered electron image, secondary electron image, and measurement program. Bone marrow hyperplasias, myeloid leukemias, and lymphoproliferative disorders are analyzed by comparing specific ultrastructural features, such as cell sizes, nuclear chromatin configuration and composition, nucleoli, nuclear contour, and cytoplasmic constituents, including granule population with sizes of such granules. These features set apart the common bone marrow neoplasms and can be a determinant in case diagnosis.
The combination of octreotide and midodrine is not superior to albumin in preventing recurrence of ascites after large-volume paracentesis.

Background & Aims Large-volume paracentesis (LVP) is the treatment of choice for patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites. However, LVP can lead to postparacentesis circulatory dysfunction (PCD), which is associated with faster ascites recurrence and renal failure. PCD results from vasodilatation, which reduces effective blood volume, and is prevented by intravenous administration of albumin. Vasoconstrictors could be used instead of albumin and, with longer use, prevent PCD and delay ascites recurrence. Methods We performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to compare albumin with the vasoconstrictor combination of octreotide and midodrine in patients with refractory ascites who underwent LVP. Patients in the albumin group received a single intravenous dose of albumin at the time of LVP plus placebos for midodrine and octreotide (n = 13). Patients in the vasoconstrictor group received saline solution (as a placebo for albumin), 10 mg of oral midodrine (3 times/day), and a monthly 20-mg intramuscular injection of long-acting octreotide (n = 12). Patients were followed up until recurrence of ascites. Results The median times to recurrence of ascites were 10 days in the albumin group and 8 days in the vasoconstrictor group ( P = .318). There were no significant differences in PCD between the albumin group (18%) and the vasoconstrictor group (25%, P = .574). When ascites recurred, serum levels of creatinine were higher in the vasoconstrictor group (1.2 vs 0.9 mg/dL in the albumin group; P = .051). Conclusions The combination of midodrine and octreotide after LVP is not superior to albumin in delaying recurrence of ascites or preventing PCD in patients with cirrhosis. Outcomes appear to be worse in patients given octreotide and midodrine. ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00108355.
The role of reminding in long-term memory for temporal order.

Order codes are one of the three main types of information that have been hypothesized to underlie memory for the times of life events. Published evidence for the theory, however, has come exclusively from research in which brief retention intervals have been used. In the first of two studies, 101 adults judged the order of pairs of movies released 5–14 years ago, half of which shared a common major actor. There was no evidence that related films could be ordered more accurately than unrelated ones. In the second study, 88 students were presented with in-class announcements that were either related or unrelated to an earlier announcement. Three weeks later, they judged the order of the pairs of announcements. There was no difference between the accuracy for the related and the unrelated pairs. The findings do not support the proposal that the automatic creation of order information at the time of encoding contributes to autobiographical memory.
Nuclear DNA content estimates in multicellular green, red and brown algae: phylogenetic considerations.

• Background and Aims Multicellular eukaryotic algae are phylogenetically disparate. Nuclear DNA content estimates have been published for fewer than 1 % of the described species of Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta. The present investigation aims to summarize the state of our knowledge and to add substantially to our database of C-values for theses algae. • Methods The DNA-localizing fluorochrome DAPI (4′, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) and RBC (chicken erythrocyte) standard were used to estimate 2C values with static microspectrophotometry. • Key Results 2C DNA contents for 85 species of Chlorophyta range from 0·2–6·1 pg, excluding the highly polyploidy Charales and Desmidiales with DNA contents of up to 39·2 and 20·7 pg, respectively. 2C DNA contents for 111 species of Rhodophyta range from 0·1–2·8 pg, and for 44 species of Phaeophyta range from 0·2–1·8 pg. • Conclusions New availability of consensus higher-level molecular phylogenies provides a framework for viewing C-value data in a phylogenetic context. Both DNA content ranges and mean values are greater in taxa considered to be basal. It is proposed that the basal, ancestral genome in each algal group was quite small. Both mechanistic and ecological processes are discussed that could have produced the observed C-value ranges.
Anthropometric differences in macrosomic infants of diabetic and nondiabetic mothers

The objective was to investigate the hypothesis that anthropometric and body composition differences exist between macrosomic infants of diabetic and nondiabetic mothers. Sixteen infants of mothers with diabetes, along with 58 control infants, were studied within 24 hours of delivery. The following measurements were obtained: birthweight, birth length and extremity length; circumferences of the head, chest, shoulders, and extremities; and triceps, subscapular, flank, and thigh skinfolds. Estimation of fat mass and calculation of percent body fat was performed according to the Dauncey method. Macrosomic infants of diabetic mothers were characterized by larger shoulder and extremity circumferences, a decreased head-to-shoulder ratio, significantly higher body fat, and thicker upper extremity skinfolds compared with nondiabetic control infants of similar birthweight and birth length. Differences in body composition and weight distribution may explain the propensity for shoulder dystocia in the diabetic population.
Impact of noise level and edge sharpness of a prior image on the performance of Prior Image Constrained CompressedSensing (PICCS)

Dose reduction using prior image constrained compressed sensing (DR-PICCS) is a method of CT reconstruction which utilizes prior image information in a compressed sensing framework to significantly reduce the noise in images acquired at low dose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of edge sharpness and noise level in the prior image data on the resulting DR-PICCS images. Projection data from a 100 rnA CT myocardial perfusion scan of a swine was combined with numerically simulated projections of vessels of varying geometry (diameter = 4, 3, 2 mm) and contrast levels (600, 400, 200 HU enhancement). Bilateral and mean filters were applied to generate prior images, which were then used with the DR-PICCS algorithm. Vessel diameter, effective blurring kernel, and vessel intensity were compared among prior images as well as among the corresponding PICCS images. Although the filters produced prior images with significantly different spatial resolution characteristics at similar noise levels, these differences were mitigated in DR-PICCS images and the DR-PICCS had improved fidelity in comparison to the priors.
Nanoengineered device for drug delivery application

A high precision nanoengineered device was developed to yield long term zero-order release of drugs for therapeutic applications. The device contains nanochannels that were fabricated in between two directly bonded silicon wafers and therefore poses high mechanical strength. The fabrication is based upon selectively growing oxide and then removing it, and thus defining nanochannels by consuming a specified layer of silicon during oxide growth. Diffusion through the nanochannels is the rate limiting step for the release of drugs. A measurement of glucose released through such nanochannels validates the zero-order release profile. Device design, fabrication details and the glucose release profile through 60 nm channels are presented.
Pre exchange transfusion administration of albumin: an overlooked adjunct in the treatment of severe neonatal jaundice?

In this issue of Indian Pediatrics, Shahian and Moslehi(1) report that albumin given prior to exchange transfusion in jaundiced but healthy term newborns is associated with significantly lower post-procedure total serum unconjugated bilirubin levels (TSB) and a reduced need for further treatment. Unfortunately, the evidence presented does not support routine administration of albumin prior to exchange transfusion because the actual amounts of bilirubin removed by the procedure are not documented. The bilirubin removed by the procedure is readily obtained by measuring the volume and bilirubin content of the blood discarded during the procedure(2-4). Without these critical data, the study does not prove causation (i.e. that albumin administration was the cause of the difference in outcome).
Calcium Requirement for the Lymphokine and Vitamin D Mediated Differentiation of Monoblastic U937 Cells

The monocyte-osteoclast hypothesis states that osteoclasts are derived from the differentiation of monocytes. Recently we reported that the U937 cell line, a monoblastic cell of human origin, differentiated to an osteoclast precursor when cultured in the presence of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) and lymphokines. Using this model of monocytic differentiation we have tested the role of calcium (Ca) in the culture medium by the addition of CaCl2 in the presence or absence of EGTA, a chelating agent, on the growth and differentiation of the U937 cells. Increasing the Ca concentration ([Ca]) to 2.0 mM inhibited the differentiation of resting or 1,25(OH)2D3 exposed cells, but had no effect on the cells exposed to lymphokines or lymphokines and 1,25 (OH)2D3. Reducing the [Ca] to 10− 7 M inhibited differentiation but also reduced cell viability. Addition of CaCl2 to medium containing EGTA to produce [Ca] in the range of 10− 5 M to 10− 3 M restored the cellular growth and viability. Inhibition of differentiation associated with the reduced calcium concentration over the range of 10− 5 M to 10− 3 M was not due to growth inhibition. These findings show the importance of the extracellular [Ca] in an in vitro model of monocytic differentiation induced by vitamin D and lymphokines.
Dissociative electron attachment in chloroalkanes and the correlation with vertical attachment energies

Abstract Measurements of dissociative attachment (DA) cross sections and temporary negative ion energies in a series of dichloroalkanes show an exponential decrease of the peak DA cross section with increasing vertical attachment energy. Including similar data for monochloroalkanes, the exponential behavior spans five orders of magnitude in the peak cross section.
Local‐Moment‐Conduction‐Electron Exchange Coupling and RKKY Spin Densities in Metals

The local‐moment‐conduction‐electron exchange coupling J(k′k), important for all problems involving so‐called s‐d(s‐f) exchange, has been assumed always to be either a constant or at best, a function only of Q(= |k′−k|). In this paper we extend our earlier work assuming J(Q) behavior1 and examine, in some detail, the actual k′, k dependence of the exchange; these results are then applied to the spin densities obtained within lowest order Ruderman‐Kittel‐Kasuya‐Yosida (RKKY) theory. The J (k′, k) were obtained using realistic local moment wave functions (Hartree‐Fock 3d and 4f orbitals for Fe and Gd) and conduction electrons. Results, for Fe and Gd local moments, are reported and spin densities are compared for a range of assumed Fermi momentum (kF) values (0.3<kF<1.0). The spin density at a nuclear site in a metal differs from the bulk density behavior due to the penetration of the s shells in an ion core by the Bloch electrons and our calculations indicate this difference to be severe (a purely Q depende...
Origin of cardiac mucosa: ontogenic consideration.

The origin and histology of the cardiac mucosa remains controversial. The classical concept that the cardiac mucosa is of gastric origin has been challenged by those who advocate that the cardiac mucosa results from a metaplastic esophageal process. Some regard cardiac mucosa as consisting solely of pure mucous glands, whereas others accept the presence of isolated parietal cells within the mucous gland (mixed glands). In this study, we have clarified the presence and site of origin of the cardiac mucosa and its histological composition. To do so we studied the microscopic characteristics of the gastric side of the squamous-columnar junction (SCJ) of 77 autopsied fetuses of different gestational ages (prenatal group) and of infants, young children, and adolescents (postnatal group). We evaluated the presence or absence of a transitional zone, defined as the area between the squamous esophageal and oxyntic mucosa, the glandular composition of the transitional zone (i.e., pure mucous and mixed glands), and the presence or absence of inflammation. Our study revealed that a transitional zone with the microscopic characteristics of cardiac mucosa was universally present at the SCJ. The microscopic characteristics of this zone varied with age. Both pure mucous and mixed glands were observed. We conclude that the cardiac mucosa is partially if not entirely the result of normal embryonic gastric development. Both mucous and mixed glands constitute normal components of the cardiac mucosa.
Modeling undesirable factors in efficiency evaluation: Comment

Abstract In a recent paper in this journal Seiford and Zhu [Eur. J. Operat. Res. 142 (2002) 16] propose using data translation as a means of integrating undesirable outputs and inputs into data envelopment analysis (DEA) models. By `reversing' the bad outputs, they can be readily included in the standard DEA output increasing model, and the usual scaling will actually reduce the bad outputs. This recognizes the fact that increases in those outputs and inputs are not desirable, yet does not resort to the usual ad hoc treatment of undesirable outputs as inputs. Here we suggest an alternative approach which allows us to explicitly model a joint environmental technology and gauge performance in terms of increased good output and decreased undesirable output. This is achieved by adopting a directional distance function which may be estimated using the usual linear programming techniques employed in DEA.
The de novo engineering of pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase for genetic incorporation of L-phenylalanine and its derivatives

Using evolved pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase-tRNA(CUA)(Pyl) pairs, L-phenylalanine, p-iodo-L-phenylalanine and p-bromo-L-phenylalanine have been genetically incorporated into proteins at amber mutation sites in E. coli.
THE SOAY SHEEP OF THE ISLAND OF HIRTA, ST. KILDA. A STUDY OF A FERAL POPULATION

The Soay shocp of St. Kilda is the most primitive domostic breed in Europe, resembling doinesticated Neolithic sheep and the inouflon. Those on the isle of Soay, St. Kilda are prrsumably direct descendants of the first sheep introduced to the islands in prehistoric times. Flocks stemming from them now exist in parks and other islands in Britain. A flock was established on the vacant pastures of Hirta, St. Kilda after the natives and their sheep were evacuated in 1930.
Behavioral and neurophysiological assessment of lateral line sensitivity in the mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdi.

1. The unconditioned feeding response of the mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdi, was used to measure threshold sensitivity of the lateral line system to a vibrating sphere as a function of stimulus position (i.e., sphere near head, trunk or tail) and vibration frequency. In addition, extracellular recording techniques were used to measure threshold sensitivity curves for posterior lateral line nerve fibers for the same stimulus positions used for measuring trunk sensitivity in behavioral measurements. 2. For all stimulus positions, behaviorally-measured threshold sensitivity was relatively independent of vibration frequency from 10 to 100 Hz when defined in terms of water acceleration, rather than velocity or displacement. Best thresholds for stimuli placed 15 mm away from the head were around -75 dB re: 1m/s(2), approximately 20 dB less than that for stimuli placed at the same distance near the tail. Trunk sensitivity was intermediate. 3. Physiologically-measured threshold sensitivity, in terms of acceleration, was also relatively independent of of frequency from 10 to 100 Hz in most fibers. A smaller number of fibers showed a decline in acceleration sensitivity after 10-30 Hz, with the rate of decline being equivalent to equal velocity sensitivity. Best sensitivity of all fibers fell between -40 and -70 dB re: 1m/s (2). 4. These results indicate that (a) behavioral thresholds are based on acceleration-sensitive endorgans--most likely lateral line canal (rather than superficial) neuromasts, (b) behavioral performance can be accounted for on the basis of information from a single population of fibers, and (c) sensitivity varies along the fish's body in a manner that corresponds to the size and distribution of neuromasts.
Combined MAS NMR and X-ray Powder Diffraction Structural Characterization of Hydrofluorocarbon-134 Adsorbed on Zeolite NaY: Observation of Cation Migration and Strong Sorbate−Cation Interactions

{sup 23}Na MAS NMR and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction methods have been used to study the binding of hydrofluorocarbon-134 (HFC-134, CF{sub 2}HCF{sub 2}H) in zeolite NaY. A contraction of the volume of the unit cell is observed on gas adsorption, and the interaction of HFC-134 with the extraframework sodium cations is so strong that extraframework sodium cations in the sodalite cages (site I`) migrate into the supercages. These sodium cations are found on positions close to the site III` positions of zeolite NaX. Both ends of the HFC molecules are bound sodium cations, the HFC molecule bridging the site II and III` cations in the supercages. The strong cation-HFC interaction results in a considerable displacement of the sodium site II cation along the [111] direction into the supercage and an increase in the T-O-T bond angle for the three oxygen atoms coordinated to this cation. A decrease in the {sup 23}Na quadrupole coupling constant on HFC adsorption from 4.4 to less than 2.8 MHz, for the sodium cations originally located in the sodalite cages (site I`), is consistent with the sodium cation migrations. 26 refs., 7 figs., 5 tabs.
Caractérisation spectrale des systèmes dynamiques du type Wiener–Wintner

Resume Soient (X, B ,μ,T) un syteme dynamique ergodique sur l'espace mesure fini (X, B ,μ,T) et K son facteur de Kronecker. Nous donnons une caracterisation spectrale des fonctions du type Wiener–Wintner introduites dans [1] a l'aide de la transformee de Hilbert ergodique helicoidale fractionnaire. Nous introduisons et etudions les fonctions et systemes du type Wiener–Wintner faible. Nous definissons des capacites pour l'operateur U, restriction de T sur l'orthogonal du facteur de Kronecker et nous montrons que les systemes dynamiques du type Wiener–Wintner faible sont caracterises par ces capacites. L'etude du cas L2 conduit a de nouvelles classes de systemes dynamiques.
Interplay between termination and translation machinery in eukaryotic selenoprotein synthesis.

Termination of translation in eukaryotes is catalyzed by eRF1, the stop codon recognition factor, and eRF3, an eRF1 and ribosome-dependent GTPase. In selenoprotein mRNAs, UGA codons, which typically specify termination, serve an alternate function as sense codons. Selenocysteine incorporation involves a unique tRNA with an anticodon complementary to UGA, a unique elongation factor specific for this tRNA, and cis-acting secondary structures in selenoprotein mRNAs, termed SECIS elements. To gain insight into the interplay between the selenocysteine insertion and termination machinery, we investigated the effects of overexpressing eRF1 and eRF3, and of altering UGA codon context, on the efficiency of selenoprotein synthesis in a transient transfection system. Overexpression of eRF1 does not increase termination at naturally occurring selenocysteine codons. Surprisingly, selenocysteine incorporation is enhanced. Overexpression of eRF3 did not affect incorporation efficiency. Coexpression of both factors reproduced the effects with eRF1 alone. Finally, we show that the nucleotide context immediately upstream and downstream of the UGA codon significantly affects termination to incorporation ratios and the response to eRF overexpression. Implications for the mechanisms of selenocysteine incorporation and termination are discussed.
Quantitative determination of odanacatib in human plasma using liquid-liquid extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis.

Abstract Odanacatib (ODN, MK-0822) is an investigational drug under development for the treatment of osteoporosis. A quantitative LC/MS–MS methodology was developed and validated to determine ODN concentrations in human plasma, with a linear calibration range from 0.500 to 500 ng/mL. Stable isotope 13 C 6 -labeled ODN was employed as the internal standard (IS). Sample preparation was based on liquid–liquid extraction of basified plasma with methyl t-butyl ether in a 96-well plate format. The extracted samples were analyzed on a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry system equipped with a turbo ion spray source. Chromatographic separation of the analyte and IS was achieved on a Phenomenex Luna C18 (50 mm × 2.0 mm, 5 μm) column. Ion pairs m / z 526 → 313 for the analyte and m / z 532 → 319 for the IS were monitored in positive ionization mode for MS detection. This methodology has been fully validated and proved to be rugged and reproducible. Intra- and inter-run variability was within 5.88%, with accuracy between 95.6 and 106% of the nominal concentrations. Analyte stability was evaluated under various sample preparation, analysis and storage conditions. This assay has been utilized to analyze human plasma samples obtained from phase I to III clinical trials.
The Ge-on-Si integrated microphotonic platform

During the past twenty-five years hetero-epitaxial structures of germanium on silicon have played three essential roles: i) a tool for the study of interface coherency at lattice misfit interfaces; ii) a basis for strain-scaling of channel mobility in silicon transistors; and iii) a foundation for monolithic integration of active photonic devices in silicon microphotonics. Coherency and strained silicon employ Ge as a minority constituent in SiGe alloys, while Ge microphotonic devices are comprised of near 100% Ge. The three topics share a common learning curve that has had major impact on information technology.
A client/server system for Internet access to biomedical text/image databanks.

Abstract Internet access to mixed text/image databanks is finding application in the medical world. An example is a database of medical X-rays and associated data consisting of demographic, socioeconomic, physician's exam, medical laboratory and other information collected as part of a nationwide health survey conducted by the government. Another example is a collection of digitized cryosection images, CT and MR taken of cadavers as part of the National Library of Medicine's Visible Human Project. In both cases, the challenge is to provide access to both the images and the associated text for a wide end user community to create atlases, conduct epidemiological studies, to develop image-specific algorithms for compression, enhancement and other types of image processing, among many other applications. The databanks mentioned above are being created in prototype form. This paper describes the prototype system developed for the archiving of the data and the client software to enable a broad range of end users to access the archive, retrieve text and image data, display the data and manipulate the images. System design considerations include: data organization in a relational database management system with object-oriented extensions; a hierarchical organization of the image data by different resolution levels for different user classes; client design based on common hardware and software platforms incorporating SQL search capability, X Window, Motif and TAE (a development environment supporting rapid prototyping and management of graphic-oriented user interfaces); potential to include ultra high resolution display monitors as a user option; intuitive user interface paradigm for building complex queries; and contrast enhancement, magnification and mensuration tools for better viewing by the user.
The construction of a life-table for Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood (Diptera: Glossinidae) from seasonal age-measurements of a wild population

Samples of female Glossina morsitans morsitans Westw. were collected in the Zambesi Valley in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia using an electric net and aged using the overian ageing technique. Similar age-structures were demonstrated in the four seasons studied, and the life-table constructed on the basis of the reproductively active members of the population indicates that females produce more than two female offspring in a lifetime. The tsetse population is considered to be regulated by the survival of the newly emerged teneral flies and non-teneral nullipars. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) is calculated from the life-table as 0·01204 for the reproductively active sector of the population.
Trends in Ambulatory Physician Opioid Prescription in the United States, 1997-2009

Objective To describe the changing practice pattern of opioid medication prescription by health care providers and its relationship to shifts in the incidence of back pain, demographics, and health care access. Design Retrospective analysis of nationally representative databases. Setting In silico. Participants Patients who presented at a set of randomly selected health care facilities on the days of data collection. Methods Nationally representative surveys from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (National Hospital and Ambulatory Medical Center Survey and National Ambulatory Medical Center Survey) were investigated for 3 ambulatory settings—emergency department (ED), primary care physician (PCP), and specialist physician offices—between the years 1997 and 2009. Diagnoses, prescription medications, insurance source, and demographics were determined. Weighted logistic regression modeling with the SAS program (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) was used to estimate 5-year odds ratios (ORs) and covariate effects. Main Outcome Measurements Diagnoses, prescription medications, insurance source, and demographics were measured. The relationships between opioid medication prescription and (1) the chief complaint and (2) back pain diagnoses were studied. Domain analysis was used to properly account for the stochasticity introduced by subset analyses. Results From 1997 to 2009, increasing all-diagnosis opioid prescription was accompanied by significant shifts in patient demographics and insurance access. For all-diagnosis opioid prescription, after we adjusted for age, gender, race, and insurance source, the increase persisted at a 5-year OR of 1.33, 1.29, and 1.53 for ED, PCP clinics, and specialist clinics (95% confidence interval 1.26-1.41, 1.19-1.40, and 1.37-1.69), respectively. The increasing prevalence of back pain diagnosis was eclipsed by increasing opioid prescriptions, estimated at 5-year ORs of 1.35, 1.38, and 1.75 for ED, PCP clinics, and specialist clinics (95% confidence interval 1.22-1.48, 1.19-1.61, 1.40-2.19), respectively. Conclusions In the United States, from 1997-2009, (1) variable increases in opioid prescription across ambulatory care settings were not accounted for by changing demographics and health care access; (2) significant disparities existed in opioid prescription as a function of age, gender, race/ethnicity, and payer source; and (3) for back pain, increasing opioid prescription was not accounted for by changing incidence.
Effect of noncontingent “rights” and random reinforcements on concept identification as a function of the relevant dimension’s cue value

For the initial six trials of a two-category concept-identification task, Ss were told “right” regardless of their response (R), told “right” and “wrong” randomly (RR), or given no feedback (NF), and the value of the to-be-relevant dimension either remained constant (C) or varied randomly (V). Performance after R and RR was significantly inferior to performance after NF, but R and RR did not differentially retard learning. Neither the C-V factor nor its interaction with type of feedback reached significance. These results were said to be compatible with the idea that Ss use memory to eliminate hypotheses in concept identification.
Measurements of the Rate of Gas Diffusion in Rigid Cellular Plastics

This paper describes a method for measuring gas diffusion through cellular plastics A specimen is placed in a chamber, which is then scaled and pressur ized with the test gas. The pressure increase causes some gas to enter the specicmen, and this entry results in a reduction of the chamber pressure By following the change in chamber pressure with time an appropriate transport characteristic for the material is determinedAn application of this method to a core specimen of an extruded polystyrene board is presented.
Severity of mood symptoms and work productivity in people treated for bipolar disorder.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between mood symptoms and work productivity in people with bipolar disorder. Methods: A total of 441 outpatients treated for bipolar disorder were enrolled from mental health clinics of a health plan in Washington State. A baseline assessment included confirmation of diagnosis (using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV) as well as assessment of employment status, functional impairment, and days missed from work. Eight follow-up interviews over 24 months included self-reported employment status, self-reported days missed from work due to illness, and assessment of current and interval mood symptoms using the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Examination. Results: Averaged over four assessments, patients with current major depression were 15% less likely to be employed than those without significant depressive symptoms [odds ratio (OR) = 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76–0.92]. Manic or hypomanic symptoms were not significantly associated with probability of employment (OR = 0.93, CI: 0.83–1.04). Among those employed, major depression was associated with 4.06 additional days of work missed per month (CI: 1.05–7.06) compared to those without significant depressive symptoms. Meeting criteria for manic or hypomanic episode was associated with a similar number of missed work days, but this difference was not statistically significant (adjusted difference = 4.11 days, CI: -0.18–8.40). Conclusions: Among patients with bipolar disorder, depression is strongly and consistently associated with decreased probability of employment and more days missed from work due to illness. Symptoms of mania or hypomania have more variable effects on work productivity.
Effects of tachykinins on luteinizing hormone release in female rats: potent inhibitory action of neuropeptide K.

Tachykinins, a family of biologically active related peptides, are found in variable amounts in the rat hypothalamus. We assessed the effects of five tachykinins, substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), neuropeptide K (NPK), neuropeptide gamma (NP gamma), and neurokinin B (NKB), on LH release in different experimental model systems in ovariectomized rats. In the first series of experiments rats were ovariectomized and implanted with permanent cannulae in the third cerebroventricle of the rat brain. Two weeks later, the effects of intracerebroventricular injection of 0.5 or 1.25 nm various tachykinins on LH release were studied. The results showed that whereas SP, NKA, and NKB were ineffective, and NP gamma was marginally effective, NPK produced a long-lasting suppression of LH release. NPK decreased LH release in a dose- and time-related fashion. Similarly, in the second series of experiments, whereas SP and NKA were inactive, NPK completely suppressed the LH surge induced by progesterone in estrogen-primed...
Cathode charge distribution of resistive plastic proportional counters

Abstract The measurement of the ratio of induced charges on top and bottom cathodes of a resistive plastic proportional chamber was made. It is shown that the ratio is very sensitive to the distance between the cathodes and resistive plastic tubes.