cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
I've Got an Idea! Do IDEA Boards Facilitate Improved Completion of Wellness Focused Activities in a College of Nursing?

Background: In any given academic department there are many ideas discussed to promote wellness, yet it is often difficult to move specific wellness activity ideas from the initial conception stage to the implementation and evaluation stages. Wellness Committees are formed in departments where proposed ideas are generated. However, the same issue of lack of follow-through persists. In order to provide better follow-through and completion of wellness activities, an IDEA board was piloted by a Wellness Committee in a College of Nursing. Aim: This pilot project was implemented to determine the feasibility and utility of using an IDEA board to implement and complete wellness initiatives within a College of Nursing. Methods: An online mixed-methods survey was used to evaluate the use of an IDEA board within a Wellness Committee ( n = 9) in a College of Nursing over a one-year period. Results: Results of the pilot study were positive and encouraging. Committee members found the visual representation helpful in guiding the group through the process of idea identification generation to idea implementation and evaluation. Conclusions: Using an IDEA board to guide the process of proposed wellness activities may facilitate improved completion of activities.
Permafrost's Impact on Utility Design

Utility designs and construction proceedures must consider permafrost and the results of its thawing in Arctic areas. Utilities, especially those that are heated, can have an extremely detrimental effect on frozen ground which, in turn, will have a serious impact on other surface or buried facilities. Critical soil properties and soil temperature profiles must be measured or estimated. The decision must be made on whether to go above or below ground with lines and whether to go active or passive construction.
The finite volume-element method (FVE) for planar cavity flow

In this paper, we introduce a discretization technique, called the finite volume-element method (FVE), which combines finite volumes (cf. [2]) and finite elements (cf. [1]) into a general approach for problems posed in conservative form. We illustrate its use and analyze its accuracy by combining FVE with multigrid to solve incompressible potential flow and planar cavity flow equations. We then use this approach for discretization on the composite grids used in FAC [4] and AFAC [5], which are multilevel methods for locally adapted grids. Finally, we report on some tests with a special version of FVE for high Reynolds number flows.
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way

There has always been regard for youths' control of their conduct. The demand for education led to the development of Institutionalized Education. Out of this development came the ideal of teachers' sense of responsibility." This ideal still persists. This solicitude was not only shown by teachers but many others in various fields of endeavor. Wordsworth for instance, in speaking of poetry, presents the idea that poetry operates with peculiar force. He thought poetry might regulate youths' sensibility sooner than anticipated, causing a more discreet and sound judgement.' This concern for the behavior of youth is of paramount importance even today.
An Atomic Beam Study of the Hyperfine Structure of the Metastable P 3 2 2 State of In 115 I. The Electric Quadrupole Moment of In 115

The zero-moment method of atomic beams has been used to investigate the hyperfine structure of the metastable $^{2}P_{\frac{3}{2}}$ state of ${\mathrm{In}}^{115}$I. Thirteen zero-moment peaks have been observed, and it is found that their behavior is completely described by the equation for the h. f. s. energy levels, $E=\frac{1}{2}aC+bC(C+1)$, together with a knowledge of the nuclear $g$ factor. $a$ and $b$ are the interval rule and quadrupole interaction constants, respectively; the numerical values are $\frac{b}{a}=(6.432\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$; $a=(8.10\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$; $b=(0.0521\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0009)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. From this the total h. f. s. separation is (0.1184\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0015) ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ and the quadrupole moment of ${\mathrm{In}}^{115}$ is 0.84\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The nuclear spin is verified to be 9/2. If there is an additional term $c({C}^{3}+4{C}^{2}+\frac{4}{5C})$ in the h. f. s. energy level equation, as suggested by Tolansky in the case of iodine, an upper limit of 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ may be set on $\frac{c}{a}$.
The determination of accurate dipole polarizabilities α and γ for the noble gases

The static dipole polarizabilities α and γ for the noble gases helium through xenon have been determined using large flexible one‐particle basis sets in conjunction with high‐level treatments of electron correlation. The electron correlation methods include single and double excitation coupled‐cluster theory (CCSD), an extension of CCSD that includes a perturbational estimate of connected triple excitations, CCSD(T), and second‐order perturbation theory (MP2). The computed α and γ values are estimated to be accurate to within a few percent. Agreement with experimental data for the static hyperpolarizability γ is good for neon and xenon, but for argon and krypton the differences are larger than the combined theoretical and experimental uncertainties. Based on our calculations, we suggest that the experimental value of γ for argon is too low. Adjusting this value would also bring the experimental value of γ for krypton into better agreement with our computed result. The MP2 values for the polarizabilities of neon, argon, krypton, and xenon are in reasonable agreement with the CCSD and CCSD(T) values, suggesting that this less expensive method may be useful in studies of polarizabilities for larger systems.
Creating a “hopeful monster”: Mouse forward genetic screens

One of the most straightforward approaches to making novel biological discoveries is the forward genetic screen. The time is ripe for forward genetic screens in the mouse, since the mouse genome is sequenced but the function of many of the genes remains unknown. Today, with careful planning, such screens are within the reach of even small individual labs. In this chapter we first discuss the types of screens in existence, as well as how to design a screen to recover mutations that are relevant to the interests of a lab. We then describe how to create mutations using the chemical N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), including a detailed injection protocol. Next, we outline breeding schemes to establish mutant lines for each type of screen. Finally, we explain how to map mutations using recombination and how to ensure that a particular mutation causes a phenotype. Our goal is to make forward genetics in the mouse accessible to any lab with the desire to do it.
Pathophysiology of Bone Metastases

Bone is a very common site for cancer metastasis and may be the only site of metastasis in patients with breast cancer or prostate cancer. The exact incidence of bone metastasis is unknown, but it has been estimated that approximately 300,000–400,000 people in the United States die from bone metastasis each year. Bone metastasis can involve any bone but has a predilection for areas of red bone marrow. Bone lesions are characterized as either osteolytic or osteoblastic, but this classification actually represents extremes of a continuum in which normal bone remodeling, where bone destruction and formation are balanced, is unbalanced. Increased bone destruction is characteristic of osteolytic metastasis and markedly increased bone formation results in osteoblastic metastasis. However, patients can have both osteolytic and osteoblastic metastasis as well as mixed lesions containing both elements. Bone is a frequent site of involvement in patients with prostate cancer, breast cancer and multiple myeloma (MM) because the propensity of these tumors to home to bone and the capacity of bone marrow to support the growth of the tumor. In patients with osteolytic and osteoblastic bone metastasis, both osteoclast formation and activity are increased. In osteoblastic bone metastasis osteoblast is also increased by tumor derived factors. However, the factors which enhance osteoclast or osteoblast activity differ among different tumor types. The identification and characterization of the pathophysiologic mechanisms and factors that underlying bone metastasis have provided important new therapeutic targets for treating these patients, who are currently incurable, and are reviewed in this chapter.
Early kinetic window of target T cell susceptibility to CD25+ regulatory T cell activity.

Peripheral tolerance is maintained in part by thymically derived CD25 + CD4 + T cells (regulatory T cells (Tregs)). Their mechanism of action has not been well characterized. Therefore, to get a better understanding of Treg action, we investigated the kinetics of murine Treg activity in vitro. Tregs were suppressive within a surprisingly narrow kinetic window: necessary and sufficient only in the first 6–10 h of culture. Visualization of this time frame, using a sensitive single-cell assay for IL-2, revealed the early elaboration of target cell IL-2 producers in the first 6 h despite the presence of CD25 + CD4 + Tregs. However, after 6 h, a rapid rise in the number of IL-2 producers in the absence of Tregs was dramatically abrogated by the presence of Tregs. Importantly, the timing of suppression was dictated by the kinetics of target T cell activation suggesting that early target T cell signals may alter susceptibility to suppression. Modulating target T cell activation signals with provision of CD28, IL-2, or high Ag dose all abrogated suppression of proliferation late in culture. However, only CD28 signals enabled target T cells to resist the early Treg-induced down-regulation of IL-2. Therefore the quality of early target T cell activation signals, in particular engagement of CD28, represents an important control point in the balance between vulnerability and resistance to Treg suppression.
Development of a functional assay to detect inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum glutathione reductase utilizing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) like most other organisms, has a sophisticated antioxidant system, part of which includes glutathione reductase (GR). GR works by recycling toxic glutathione disulfide to glutathione, thereby reducing reactive oxygen species and making a form of glutathione (GSH) the parasite can use. Inhibition of this enzyme in Pf impedes parasite growth. In addition, it has been confirmed that PfGR is not identical to human GR. Thus, PfGR is an excellent target for antimalarial drug development. A functional assay utilizing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed to specifically identify and evaluate inhibitors of PfGR. Using recombinant PfGR enzyme and 1,4-naphthoquinone (1) as a reference compound and 4-nitrobenzothiadiazole (2) and methylene blue (3) as additional compounds, we quantified the concentration of GSH produced compared with a control to determine the inhibitory effect of these compounds. Our results coincide with that presented in literature: compounds 1-3 inhibit PfGR with IC50 values of 2.71, 8.38, and 19.23 µm, respectively. Good precision for this assay was exhibited by low values of intraday and interday coefficient of variation (3.1 and 2.4%, respectively). Thus, this assay can be used to screen for other potential inhibitors of PfGR quickly and accurately.
Authorship Education for Medical Students: a Discussion-Based Workshop

Despite the emphasis on student research at many US medical schools, many students receive no formal training on ethical authorship. We developed an interactive workshop to teach authorship criteria to students. We used fictionalized authorship scenarios to assess students’ baseline knowledge, teach the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors criteria for authorship, and generate discussion. The program was evaluated for student satisfaction, retention of knowledge, and behavior change. Most students found the program useful and engaging, and student knowledge improved after the workshop. Participants reported an increased rate of authorship conversations with mentors compared to controls.
Practical Solutions to Addressing Men's Health Disparities: Guest Editorial

In men’s health research, an important gap exists in how we explain differences in health among men. Though scholarly contributions to men’s health disparities are growing, there continues to be a lack of discourse around concrete solutions that can be applied to reducing or eliminating differences in health outcomes between groups of men. This is the first special issue dedicated to describing strategies for addressing men’s health disparities globally and across racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. Collectively, these papers represent a range of efforts to not simply explain men’s health disparities, but to describe interventions or findings in such a way that they inform strategies to reduce or eliminate men’s health disparities. This body of work uses a variety of research methods, captures global, social and economic developmental issues, and provides practical solutions that can be implemented by various stakeholders at various levels.
Rule-governed imitative verbal behavior as a function of modeling procedures.

Abstract The present study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of modelling procedures alone and modeling procedures complemented by the appropriate rule statement on the production of plurals. Twenty normal and 20 retarded children were randomly assigned to one of two learning conditions and to either affective or informative social reinforcement. It was necessary for the child to generate and use a rule in the production of his respones since he was unable to directly copy the model's verbal behavior. Normal and retarded children emitted more plurals during the experimental phase when observing a model who complemented his responses by the underlying rule.
Posterior Fossa Abnormalities in Children With Infantile Spasms

In order to explore possible pathophysiologic involvement of the brain stem in infantile spasms, we retrospectively compared clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) features of 14 children with infantile spasms who had gross posterior fossa abnormalities on neuroimaging studies with 84 children with infantile spasms who had either normal neuroimaging (n = 19) or supratentorial abnormalities (n = 65). Children with posterior fossa abnormalities had lower mean initial and follow-up developmental quotients compared to those with normal imaging or supratentorial abnormalities alone. Age of onset of infantile spasms, latency to treatment, response to steroids, and follow-up EEG pattern were not significantly different among the three groups. Six children (6%) had Dandy-Walker cysts, an association rarely reported with infantile spasms. We conclude that the presence of posterior fossa abnormalities in patients with infantile spasms portends a relatively poor developmental outcome. (J Child Neurol 1993;8:360-...
Characterization of cognitive functioning in a subgroup of children with congenital HIV infection.

Abstract The cognitive status of 12 clinically stable children with congenital HIV infection, nine of whom were neurologically impaired, age three to nine years, was assessed using the Kaufman ABC test. Seven of the children had ARC; five were diagnosed as having AIDS. The same children were evaluated by standard neurologic examinations with Characterization of tone and fine motor functioning. Two were diagnosed as being mildly retarded; six were borderline; and four tested as being of average intelligence. Visual-spatial perceptual based functioning was found to be more impaired than were abstract reasoning and verbally mediated skills in six (50%) of the patients. This pattern of impaired information processing was found irrespective of overall cognitive status. On neurological and physiatric examination abnormal developmental histories were obtained, or poor fine motor coordination, abnormal tone and gait, and impaired rapidly alternating movements were found in 9 of the 12 subjects. These findings suggest selective impairment in distinct areas of neurologic and neuropsychological functioning during stable phases of H1V infection in a select group of children. These patterns appear to persist over time. They differ from the clustering of impaired skills seen in children of comparable socio-cultural backgrounds without HIV infection. Similarities in functioning are noted between this subgroup of children with AIDS and ARC and comparable groups with cerebral palsy.
A synthesis of 4H‐thieno[3,2‐c][1]benzopyran‐4‐ones by an application of the salicylidene‐thiolactone rearrangement

Salicylidenes prepared from 5-ethyl-4-thiolen-2-one undergo base-catalyzed rearrangement (salicylidene-thiolactone rearrangement) to 4H-thieno[3,2-c][1]benzopyran-4-ones.
Multiple proteases regulate neurite outgrowth in NB2a/dl neuroblastoma cells.

: Mouse NB2a/dl neuroblastoma cells elaborate axonal neurites in response to various chemical treatments including dibutyryl cyclic AMP and serum deprivation. Hi-rudin, a specific inhibitor of thrombin, initiated neurite outgrowth in NB2a/dl cells cultured in the presence of serum; however, these neurites typically retracted within 24 h. The cysteine protease inhibitors leupeptin and N-acetyl-leucyl-leucyl-norleucinal (CI; preferential inhibitor of micromolar calpain but also inhibits millimolar calpain) at 10-6M considerably enhanced neurite outgrowth induced by serum deprivation, but could not induce neuritogenesis in the presence of serum. A third cysteine protease inhibitor, N-acetyl-leucyl-leucyl-methional (CII; preferential inhibitor of millimolar calpain but also inhibits micromolar calpain), had no detectable effects by itself. Cells treated simultaneously with hirudin and either leupeptin, CI, or CII elaborated stable neurites in the presence of serum. Cell-free enzyme assays demonstrated that hirudin inhibited thrombin but not calpain, CI and CII inhibited calpain but not thrombin, and leupeptin inhibited both proteases. These results imply that distinct proteolytic events, possibly involving more than one protease, regulate the initiation and subsequent elongation and stabilization of axonal neurites. Since the addition of exogenous thrombin or calpain to serum-free medium did not modify neurite outgrowth, the proteolytic events affected by these inhibitors may be intracellular or involve proteases distinct from thrombin or calpain.
High Inlet Relative Mach Number Centrifugal Compressor Impeller Design

This document presents an overview of impeller inlet relative Mach number, how the parameter is calculated, and its importance as an indicator of impeller performance. Comments are also offered regarding the comparison of inlet relative Mach numbers obtained from different compressor vendors. A sample impeller is used to illustrate the various methods used to calculate the inlet relative Mach number. Test data for that impeller is also offered to indicate the performance map achievable with high Mach number designs. Please note that this document is not intended to be an all-inclusive treatment of the subject; rather, it summarizes the OEM’s methodologies and perspective.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
A Comparison of the Nasal Cross-Sectional Areas and Volumes Obtained with Acoustic Rhinometry and Magnetic Resonance Imaging:

Abstract Acoustic rhinometry (AR) evaluates the geometry of the nasal cavity with acoustic reflections and provides information about nasal cross-sectional areas (CSA) and nasal volume within a given distance. The accuracy of the information obtained by AR was compared with that of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the nasal cavity. Five healthy subjects were evaluated with AR and the MRI before and after the application of a long-acting nasal decongestant spray, to eliminate possible interference of the nasal cycle with both measurement techniques. The MRI images of 2 mm coronal sections of the nasal cavity were traced by three independent observers and the CSAs were calculated by computer-aided imaging digitization, to be compared with the calculated CSAs obtained with the AR at the corresponding distance from the nasal tip. Digitized data from the MRI images were also used to calculate the nasal volume within the first 6 cm from the nasal tip and compared with the AR volume measurements. The interobserver variation of digitized MRI data predecongestant and postdecongestant was not significant. The correlations of CSA and volume measurements between the AR and MRI were high (0.969) after the application of the decongestant. The correlation between the AR and MRI measurements before the decongestant was low (0.345). This may have been the result of interference of the nasal cycle during the long MRI measurements (1 hour) or other unknown factors. We conclude that AR measurements of nasal CSAs and volumes provide accurate information when compared with the MRI of the decongested nasal airway. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1997;117:349-54.)
Binding of cytochalasin B to platelets.

The binding of cytochalasin B (CB) to human platelets and to isolated platelet cytosol and membranes has been analyzed with [3H]CB. High- and low affinity classes of saturable binding sites were associated with intact platelets. Binding at very low concentrations of CB (i.e., high-affinity binding) was partially prevented by 100 mM D-galactose or D-glucose and to a much lesser extent by L-glucose. Binding to platelet cytosol also involved two classes of sites with affinities and capacities similar to those observed with the whole cells. None of this binding, however, was affected by 100 mM D-galactose. Saturable binding to platelet membranes occurred at sites with a uniform binding affinity. Approximately 52% of this binding was prevented by 1 M D-galactose and another 15% by cytochalasin E (CE). We hypothesize that binding in the cytosol is to monomeric (low-affinity) and polymerized (high-affinity) actin, whereas membrane binding (high-affinity only) occurs primarily at sites involved with galactose transport.
Neurotoxicology of cannabis and THC: A review of chronic exposure studies in animals

Several laboratories have reported that chronic exposure to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or marijuana extracts persistently altered the structure and function of the rat hippocampus, a paleocortical brain region involved with learning and memory processes in both rats and humans. Certain choices must be made in designing experiments to evaluate cannabis neurotoxicity, such as dose, route of administration, duration of exposure, age at onset of exposure, species of subjects, whether or how long to allow withdrawal, and which endpoints or biomarkers of neurotoxicity to measure. A review of the literature suggests that both age during exposure and duration of exposure may be critical determinants of neurotoxicity. Cannabinoid administration for at least three months (8-10% of a rat's lifespan) was required to produce neurotoxic effects in peripubertal rodents, which would be comparable to about three years exposure in rhesus monkeys and seven to ten years in humans. Studies of monkeys after up to 12 months of daily exposure have not consistently reported neurotoxicity, and the results of longer exposures have not yet been studied.
Migration and mobility on the Amazon frontier

Migration patterns within tropical forest frontiers are highly complex and multidirectional, with movements to, from, and within these regions likely driven by different macro and micro factors. As such, several different conceptual models have been suggested to explain these dynamics. This paper uses data from a panel survey of households in a frontier region of the western Brazilian Amazon along with “second hand” reports on where people have moved to evaluate these conceptual models. Our rich data set, collected over nearly a decade from hundreds of households, allows us to compare households who arrived at different ages to assess predictions of the life cycle hypothesis; those who have been in the state (or on their properties) for different numbers of years to investigate the turnover hypothesis; those who arrived with different levels of capital to examine path dependence as suggested by conceptual models that focus on wealth dynamics; and the destination and purpose for moves from and within the study region to look for evidence of the frontier expansion hypothesis. We do not find any evidence for the turnover hypothesis, perhaps due to the favorable biophysical and market conditions in our study region. However, patterns in this region are consistent with all of the other conceptual models, reflecting the overlapping theoretical foundations of the models, and the complexity of migration and mobility on the frontier.
The isolation and properties of firefly luciferesceine

Abstract 1. 1. A blue-fluorescing substance, luciferesceine, from Photinus pyralis has been isolated in a chromatographically pure state and crystallized from cold methyl alcohol. The properties of this compound have been compared with the properties of firefly luciferin. 2. 2. A simple liquid-liquid counter-current distribution apparatus, or “chromatotrain” which was used for the purification of this compound is described. 3. 3. Luciferesceine has a fluorescence emission band at pH 8.1 from 370 to 510 mμ with a maximum at 410 mμ, and it has, at pH 0.2, a band of fluorescence from 380 to 600 mμ with a maximum at 465 mμ. 4. 4. At pH 2.0 the absorption spectrum is characterized by a peak at 291.3 mμ and at 340 mμ, and at pH 11 the peaks appear at 257, 282, and 355 mμ. The pKa for this change is at pH 8.1–8.2. 5. 5. Potassium permanganate oxidation shifts the basic peak from 355 to 370 mμ and destroys the 257 mμ peak. 6. 6. Spot tests performed on minute samples of the crystalline compound indicate that luciferesceine contains a KOH-hydrolyzable NH3 group, no sulfur, metals, etc. This compound gives a positive test for reactive OH or NH2 groups, a yellow color with silver ion, and is destroyed by chlorine water. Other qualitative tests are essentially negative. 7. 7. The infrared absorption spectrum of luciferesceine indicates that it contains an amine grouping, an aromatic resonating ring system, and possibly an amide grouping. Absorption characteristic of various oxygen-containing groups as well as of double bonds, triple bonds, nitriles, and carbon-chlorine linkages was not detected. 8. 8. The minimum molecular weight is 288 and elementary analysis indicates that the empirical formula is (C11H15–16O4N5)x. 9. 9. These findings are discussed and a partial structure for luciferesceine is tentatively proposed in keeping with the interpretation of the experimental results. It is suggested that a pterin ring system substituted with a ribityl and amino group would conform with the observed chemical and physical properties of this compound.
Direct and Highly Enantioselective Iso-Pictet—Spengler Reactions with α-Ketoamides: Access to Underexplored Indole Core Structures.

A simple, new, and highly stereoselective approach to pyrroloisoquinoline and pyrazinoindole derivatives is reported.
New University of Puerto Rico/Air Force Research Laboratory initiative in adaptive optics interferometry

The University ofPuerto Rico, Mayaguez, in conjunction with the Deep Space Surveillance Branch (DEBS) ofthe USAF Research Laboratory (AFRL) Phillips Site (PL) in Albuquerque, NM is initiating an Adaptive Optics (AO) Interferometry program. The program will begin with four projects. We currently have finding for a three element optical interferometer, described in this paper, using Technology developed at DEBS, for a new wavefront sensor and a Liquid Crystal (LC) wavefront compensator being presented at this meeting'9.and a Low Light Level Fringe Tracker (LLLFT)"6'1"24 Michelson: Interferometer. We are also developing a program to put a similarly configured inexpensive two-element interferometer test-bed in orbit. The interferometer would have optical elements on a 10-meter boom. It will use Aperture Synthesis by rotation and motion ofthe elements along the booms. The third project under development would incorporate the initial 3-element interferometer into a larger array with the additional collaboration ofNew Mexico Tech and New Mexico State University at a 10,600' site near Socorro, NM. As part ofthe ground based interferometry effort we are trying to develop inexpensive meter class telescopes. The 0.75meter telescopes we are building for our small interferometer will serve as prototypes and system test-beds. The telescopes will be robotic, remotely operable, essentially self-orienting, and portable. We hope to produce such systems for commercial distribution for approximately $250K each. All ofthe ground-based interferometric systems will be configured for remote operation and independent use ofsub-arrays while upgrades and repairs are underway. The major thrust ofthe UPR effort will be to develop inexpensive interferometers for diverse applications with the low light level capabilities and the LC adaptive optics developed at the Phillips Site. Particular applications will be for high-resolution astronomy and satellite imaging. The adaptive optics will be such that they can be placed on the individual telescopes and are not part ofthe interferometer. They will then serve as templates fbr AO systems ofgeneral interest. As an additional part ofall ofthese projects we will try to develop the use ofoptical fibers for several applications. We would like to couple the telescopes with fiber if we can develop an efficient way to couple the output signal from the telescope to the fibers. in addition we hope to use fiber stretchers for optical path compensation to replace expensive conventional optical delay lines. Key words; adaptive optics, interferometer, Liquid Crystal wavefront compensation
Analysis of face deformation effects on gas film seal performance

Analyses are presented for compressible fluid flow across shaft face seals with face deformation. The solutions are obtained from an approximate integral analysis. The models, used in this analysis, can predict gas film seal behavior operating at subsonic or choked flow conditions. The flow regime can either be laminar or turbulent. Entrance losses can also be accounted for. When fluid inertia effects are negligible and the sealing faces are slightly deformed, the following results are found for both laminar and turbulent flows: (1) The pressure profiles are independent of fluid properties; and (2) the parallel film leakage equation can be used, provided a characteristic film thickness is used. Pressure profiles are presented for both divergent and convergent seal faces under choked flow conditions.
Test-retest reliability and sensitivity of the 20-meter walk test among patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Background The 20-meter walk test is a physical function measure commonly used in clinical research studies and rehabilitation clinics to measure gait speed and monitor changes in patients’ physical function over time. Unfortunately, the reliability and sensitivity of this walk test are not well defined and, therefore, limit our ability to evaluate real changes in gait speed not attributable to normal variability. The aim of this study was to assess the test-restest reliability and sensitivity of the 20-meter walk test, at a self-selected pace, among patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to suggest a standardized protocol for future test administration.
In situ detection of microRNAs in paraffin embedded, formalin fixed tissues and the co-localization of their putative targets.

Abstract This manuscript details a protocol for the co-localization of a microRNA and its putative protein target in paraffin embedded formalin fixed tissues. The key variables for the first step, microRNA in situ hybridization, includes probe concentration (1–2 pmol/μl), locked nucleic acid (LNA) modified probes, protease digestion (pepsin 1.3 mg/ml), and a low stringency wash. Key variables for the subsequent immunohistochemical step are the concentration of the primary antibody, proper pretreatment (none, proteinase K, or antigen retrieval), and use of a highly sensitive detection system. A computer based system can convert the colorimetric signals (blue chromogen (NBT/BCIP) for the microRNA, and either a red (fast red) or brown (DAB) chromogen for the protein) to distinct fluorescent-based colors, and then mix them to determine if a given cell has the microRNA and protein of interest. Co-expression of a microRNA and its putative target in tissue sections offers physiologic corroboration of solution-based methods that a given microRNA may be regulating a specific protein.
Aerosolized amphotericin B lipid complex as adjunctive treatment for fungal lung infection in patients with cancer-related immunosuppression and recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Aerosolized amphotericin B lipid complex (aeABLC) has been successfully used to prevent fungal disease. Experience with aeABLC as treatment of fungal lung disease is limited. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of aeABLC adjunct therapy for fungal lung disease in a retrospective study of 32 immunosuppressed adults. Acute leukemia (69%) and severe neutropenia (63%) were common. The median duration of aeABLC was 185 ± 424 days in patients who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (56%). High-dose corticosteroids were administered during aeABLC in 28% of patients. Fungal lung disease was proven or probable in 41% of patients. Most patients (78%) received systemic antifungal therapy for a median of 14 ± 18 days before aeABLC. The median cumulative aeABLC dose was 1,050 ± 2,368 mg, and the median duration of aeABLC therapy was 28 ± 130 days. Most patients (78%) received 50 mg aeABLC twice daily. Partial or complete resolution of fungal lung disease was noted in 50% of patients. In 3 patients (9%) modest cough, mild bronchospasm, and transient chest pain with accompanying nausea and vomiting resolved completely after discontinuation of aeABLC. No patient required hospitalization for drug toxicity or had a serious (grade III or IV) drug toxicity. Treatment with aeABLC was tolerated without serious toxicity and may be considered in the setting of severe immunosuppression, cancer, and/or stem cell transplantation in patients with difficult-to-treat fungal lung disease.
Molecular physiology of enteric opioid receptors.

Opioid drugs have powerful antidiarrheal effects and many patients taking these drugs for chronic pain relief experience chronic constipation that can progress to opioid-induced bowel dysfunction. Three classes of opioid receptors are expressed by enteric neurons: μ-, δ-, and κ-opioid receptors (MOR, DOR, and KOR). MOR and DOR couple to inhibition of adenylate cylase and nerve terminal Ca2+ channels and activation of K+ channels. These effects reduce neuronal activity and neurotransmitter release. KOR couples to inhibition of Ca2+ channels and inhibition of neurotransmitter release. In the human gastrointestinal tract, MOR, DOR, and KOR link to inhibition of acetylcholine release from enteric interneurons and purine/nitric oxide release from inhibitory motorneurons. These actions inhibit propulsive motility. MOR and DOR also link to inhibition of submucosal secretomotor neurons, reducing active Cl− secretion and passive water movement into the colonic lumen. These effects account for the constipation caused by opioid receptor agonists. Tolerance develops to the analgesic effects of opioid receptor agonists but not to the constipating actions. This may be due to differential β-arrestin-2-dependent opioid receptor desensitization and internalization in enteric nerves in the colon compared with the small intestine and in neuronal pain pathways. Further studies of differential opioid receptor desensitization and tolerance in subsets of enteric neurons may identify new drugs or other treatment strategies of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction.
Extensive Backbone Dynamics in the GCAA RNA Tetraloop Analyzed Using 13C NMR Spin Relaxation and Specific Isotope Labeling

Conformational dynamics play a key role in the properties and functions of proteins and nucleic acids. Heteronuclear NMR spin relaxation is a uniquely powerful site-specific probe of dynamics in proteins and has found increasing applications to nucleotide base side chains and anomeric sites in RNA. Applications to the nucleic acid ribose backbone, however, have been hampered by strong magnetic coupling among ring carbons in uniformly 13C-labeled samples. In this work, we apply a recently developed, metabolically directed isotope labeling scheme that places 13C with high efficiency and specificity at the nucleotide ribose C2′ and C4′ sites. We take advantage of this scheme to explore backbone dynamics in the well-studied GCAA RNA tetraloop. Using a combination of CPMG (Carr−Purcell−Meiboom−Gill) and R1ρ relaxation dispersion spectroscopy to explore exchange processes on the microsecond to millisecond time scale, we find an extensive pattern of dynamic transitions connecting a set of relatively well-defined...
The fetal mandible measurement: an objective determination of fetal jaw size

The sonographic diagnosis of micrognathia has been limited by the lack of an objective measurement of the fetal mandible. A cross-sectional study of 134 normal patients of known gestational age between 14 and 39 weeks' gestation was performed. Models to predict mandible length based on gestational age, biparietal diameter, head circumference or femur length were derived by least squares regression analysis. The 95% prediction limits were also derived. Utilization of these curves generated from a normal population should allow for a more sensitive and reproducible method to diagnose micrognathia in the fetus.
A study of the bottleneck single source transportation problem

Abstract Given a set of users with known demands, a set of suppliers with known supplies and known costs of shipping between suppliers and users, the Bottleneck Single Source Transportation is that of assigning the users to the suppliers so that the following conditions are satisfied: 1. (i) the demand of each user is satisfied by a single supplier; 2. (ii) the amount supplied by each supplier does not exceed its capacity; 3. (iii) the maximum cost of supplying any user by its unique supplier is minimal. Applications of this problem include: voter redistricting, shipping perishable goods, assignment of city blocks to emergency facilities and others. We first discuss a heuristic method which tries to find a feasible solution by assigning the users in order of decreasing demand to the suppliers according to certain orders. In our experience on randomly generated problems, the heuristic was able to find a good and frequently an optimal feasible solution, most of the time. If the heuristic fails to find a solution, or finds a solution which is not known to be optimal, then a branch and bound algorithm, using ordinary bottleneck transportation problems as relaxations, is employed to find the optimum single source solution. Computational experience on some randomly generated problems up to 100 × 400 is presented which indicates that these problems can be solved in less than 2 min. Also several small problems with real data were solved; in all but one of these problems the heuristic succeeded in finding an optimal solution.
Restriction as a method for reducing bias in the estimation of direct effects

The direct effect of a treatment on some outcome is that part of the treatment's effect not referred through a specified covariate intermediate on the pathway between treatment and outcome. Such direct effects are often of primary interest in a data analysis. Unfortunately, standard methods of analysis (for example, stratification or modelling) do not, in general, produce consistent estimates of direct effects whether or not the covariate is 'controlled'. Robins and co-authors have proposed two methods for estimation of direct effects applicable when reliable information is available on the covariate. We propose a third approach for reducing bias: data restriction. By restricting the analysis to strata of the data in which the effect of treatment on the covariate is small, we can (under certain assumptions) reduce bias in estimating treatment's direct effect. We discuss these points with reference to difference and ratio measures of treatment effect. The approach will sometimes be applicable even with an unmeasured or poorly measured covariate. We illustrate these points with data from an observational study of the effect of hormone replacement therapy on breast cancer.
Der kanonische modul eines invariantenrings

Abstract We calculate the canonical module of a ring of invariants R of a reductive group acting on an affine variety. From that we derive a criterion for the Gorenstein property to hold for R. In case R is the ring of invariants of a graded ring we obtain lower and upper bounds for the degree of the generating function of R.
Transient dynamics of yeast populations

Abstract An analytical solution is given for a continuous deterministic model which describes the stage-structured dynamics of a population of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Methods from human demography are used to analyze the asymptotic equilibrium stage structure and especially the transient dynamics as equilibrium is approached. An explicit prescription is given for determining the attenuation and period of cyclical transients from cell kinetic parameters. It is shown that oscillatory transients are a general phenomenon and are produced by asymmetry of cell division as well as dispersion of cell division rates.
Chloroplast‐DNA restriction site analysis in the genus Bromus (Poaceae)

Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) restriction site variation was examined in 32 species, representing five subgenera, of Bromus (Poaceae). Thirty-seven phylogenetically informative restriction sites were detected. Cladistic analysis of the restriction site data produced a single most-parsimonious tree of 50 steps. The cladogram indicated two major clades within the genus. One clade included B. trinii of subgenus Neobromus and species of subgenus Ceratochloa. The other was composed of subgenera Festucaria, Stenobromus, and Bromus. Within the second clade, species of subgenus Festucaria appeared in three lineages. The second clade also contained an assemblage of species belonging to subgenera Stenobromus and Bromus in a separate lineage. There was very little resolution of relationships in this assemblage since several species appeared individually in separate lineages. The cpDNA phylogenetic hypothesis did not separate species of subgenera Stenobromus and Bromus into well-defined clades as circumscribed by morphology and cytogenetics. The cpDNA tree is in agreement with the phylogenetic scheme based on traditional data in that: 1) subgenera Neobromus and Ceratochloa were the first to diverge, while Bromus and Stenobromus diverged later; 2) within the genus Bromus species with small chromosomes are ancestral; and 3) subgenera Bromus and Stenobromus probably originated from similar ancestors as Festucaria. The tree based on cpDNA data does not support that: 1) subgenera Neobromus and Ceratochloa did not have a common origin; 2) subgenus Festucaria is monophyletic; and 3) subgenera Stenobromus and Bromus are distinct entities. The mean nucleotide sequence divergence values between pairs of subgenera ranged from p = 0.0 to 0.9. These values suggest that cpDNA evolution in Bromus is slow.
Physician recommendation as the key factor in patients' decisions to participate in preoperative autologous blood donation programs*

To determine whether the physician or patient had initiated the discussion regarding preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) and to assess the relative importance of the physician's recommendation in patients' decision to donate, responses were obtained from 254 of 409 patients (62%) who had donated preoperatively during the 3 study months. Nearly all (96%) strongly agreed they would donate again for themselves and nearly all (94%) strongly agreed they would recommend PABD to others. Patients initiated the discussion about PABD 23% of the time, while 71% indicated strong surgeon input. The remaining respondents said their surgeon had "mentioned it, but said it was up to me." The importance of avoiding transfusion reactions was rated significantly greater among those whose surgeons had initiated the discussion, as was the relative weight of the surgeon's recommendation. The desire to alleviate the blood shortage was rated much less important among patients who had initiated the discussion themselves.
Gene flow reverses an adaptive cline in a coevolving host-parasitoid interaction.

Abstract: Many natural populations are characterized by clinal patterns of adaptation, but it is unclear how gene flow and environmental gradients interact to drive such clines. We addressed this question by directly manipulating dispersal and productivity in an experimental landscape containing a microbial parasitoid, the bacteriophage T7, and its host, the bacterium Escherichia coli. We observed that the adaptation of parasitoids increased on hosts originating from lower‐productivity communities in the absence of gene flow. However, adaptation decreased along the same productivity gradient with experimentally imposed gene flow of the host and parasitoid. This occurred despite relatively low rates of gene flow.
Synthesis of Si nanowires for MEMS cantilever sensor applications

We present a new approach for growing Si nanowires directly from a silicon substrate, without the use of a metal catalyst, silicon vapor or CVD gasses. The growth can be performed in a furnace type configuration at moderate temperatures or in localized regions by resistive heating. Since the silicon wires grow directly from the silicon substrate, they do not need to be manipulated nor aligned for subsequent applications. Wires in the 20-50 nm diameter range with lengths over 80 μm can be grown by this technique. We have studied the effects of various growth parameters, including temperature, substrate orientation, initial sample cleaning and carrier gasses. Results indicate that most important parameters in the growth of the nanowires are the surface cleaning, the temperature and the type of carrier gas used. A model is proposed, which involves an oxide catalyst for the process, with the growth of the nanowires enabled by a significantly enhanced silicon surface diffusion process, due to adsorption of hydrogen gas on the substrate surface. These nanowires can be grown locally by resistive heating, and thus they are ideal candidates for direct growth on a MEMS cantilever sensor, where the Si nanowire growth can be performed in such a way that the rest of the structure remains at low temperature, reducing the chance of high temperature damage of already processed regions. The wires, once formed on the MEMS device, can be used as adsorption sites for an NRL sorptive polymer, which is currently being used for nerve gas detection. The addition of the nanowires enhances the surface area significantly and thereby it is expected to improve the detection capability of the MEMS structure.