cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multidimensional heteronuclear NMR experiments for structure determination of isotopically labeled RNA.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the recent advances in multidimensional heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques for resonance assignment and structure determinations of nucleic acids. Although the bulk of these heteronuclear techniques have been applied to isotopically labeled RNAs, very recent studies indicate that it is only a matter of time and money before one sees analogous studies on the isotopically labeled DNAs. The application of multidimensional heteronuclear NMR techniques has revolutionized solution structure determinations of proteins. The enormous increase in resolution, afforded by the 3D and 4D heteronuclear NMR experiments, accelerates the resonance assignment process and allows structure determinations of much larger proteins. Ready access to uniformly 13 C and/or 15 N labeled proteins inspired the development of a plethora of heteronuclear NMR experiments for studies of isotopically labeled proteins. The overall strategy for the application of heteronuclear NMR to structure determinations of RNAs is very similar to that developed for proteins. Some of the multidimensional heteronuclear NMR techniques that have been applied to isotopically labeled proteins can be successfully applied to isotopically labeled nucleic acids. In other cases, new experiments must be designed specifically for RNA, because of the differing covalent structure of polypeptides and polynucleotides.
Survey of Some Actinomycetales for α-Galactosidase Activity

The enzyme alpha-galactosidase offers potential to (i) eliminate possibly the flatus-inducing factor(s) in edible beans, (ii) eliminate raffinose during beet-sugar processing, and (iii) determine raffinose analytically. Accordingly, 20 genera of the order Actinomycetales Buchanan 1917 were tested for evidence of alpha-galactosidase activity. Test filtrates were prepared with a medium containing D-galactose and soybean meal. Enzyme activity was demonstrated through cellulose thin-layer chromatography. Of 123 strains tested, 28 produced extracellular alpha-galactosidase. Almost all were streptomycetes. Members of the genera Actinoplanes Couch 1950, Micromonospora varphiOrskov 1923, and Promicromonospora Krasil'nikov et al. 1961 also exhibited alpha-galactosidase activity. Additional tests led to the selection of five strains whose filtrates degraded melibiose, raffinose, and stachyose but not lactose and sucrose. Tests also were made with several soybean preparations.
Against vowel length in Tigrinya

The premise of this paper is that vowel length plays no role in the synchronic phonology of Tigrinya: processes affecting vowels should be treated in qualitative terms only. The evidence in favor of synchronic vowel length is weak, and stronger evidence favors an analysis in which vowel length is phonologically irrelevant. While some researchers have made use of contrastive vowel length in the modern language to account for ostensible closed-syllable shortening, the analysis presented here shows that the relevant alternations are very limited in scope and represent at best the residue of historical vowel length. The evidence presented includes word minimality, vowel coalescence, wordfinal fronting, guttural lowering, and low dissimilation, with analyses of these phenomena in purely featural terms.
Beer, wine, or spirits? Advertising's impact on four decades of category sales

This article provides an analysis of the relationship between annual advertising expenditures and sales, using a time series regression procedure, for beer, wine, and liquor sold in the United States from 1971 to 2012. Information from these four decades provides a comprehensive analysis of the relationships of numerous variables with aggregate alcohol category sales. Even though per capita alcohol consumption has not changed much throughout this period, alcohol advertising media expenditures for all alcohol beverages have increased almost 400% since 1971. This study has provided evidence of consumption changes across categories of alcohol beverages over the past 40-plus years with the preponderance of those changes significantly correlated to fluctuations in demography, taxation and income levels – not advertising. Despite other macro-level studies with consistent findings, the perception that advertising increases consumption exists. The findings here indicate that there is either no relationship or a w...
Using Learning Strategies to Improve the Academic Performance of University Students on Academic Probation.

One half of all students who begin college fail to complete their degrees, resulting in wasted talents, time, and resources. Through use of mixed methods, but primarily qualitative, comparative cas...
Technologies of eating: The development of eating utensils and cuisine in Western Europe and the Americas, 1500–1900

This paper examines the development of tools of eating—knives, forks, and spoons—in relation to the development of cooking and cuisine in Europe and the Americas after 1500. The period from the 16th to the 19th centuries witnessed a flood of new foods into the European diet as a result of the colonization of the Americas and the development of world trade. These new foods radically changed European cuisine leading to the development of highly differentiated, distinct, regional cuisines. The same era was also a time of radical change in the actual mechanics of eating. Prior to the 16th century, it was uncommon for people to have utensils with which to convey food into their mouths, but by the 19th century tools of eating had become fully developed along with a host of manners dictating their use. The evolution of eating utensils and the adoption of their use as a fundamental cultural behavior in turn had profound influence on the evolution of modern cuisines. Drawing on sources from anthropology, the history of technology, and the history of cuisine as well as examples of utensils from The Rietz Collection of Food Technology at the California Academy of Sciences, the development of eating utensils in Western Europe can be traced as a complex interplay of these tools with the changing technologies of cooking and cultural behaviors around eating.
Recognition of stages in the user's information‐seeking process during online searching by novice searchers

This paper reports results of an exploratory study to investigate the ability of novice searchers to recognize stages in a user's information‐seeking process. This study follows recent research by Kuhlthau et al. (1992) which examined the ability of experienced search intermediaries to recognize and assess the stage of a user's information‐seeking process. Two aspects were examined in the study: problem definition level and the work stage that the user was experiencing at the time of the online search interaction. The purpose of this present study is to examine if the ability to recognize and assess the information‐seeking stage of the user is limited to skilled and experienced intermediaries or is a more fundamental human cognitive activity. Results of the analysis suggest that novice searchers were able to judge the user's problem definition level more successfully than the user's work stage. Implications of this finding are discussed in terms of a general process model of information‐seeking behavior.
Biochemical and pathological features of cadmium induced peritonitis in rats

Abstract The intraperitoneal injection of cadmium chloride (1 mg/kg of the ion) twice a day at 12-hr intervals for a maximum period of 3 days produced a severe inflammatory reaction. This reaction was characterized by an increasing accumulation of the exudate, erythrocytes and inflammatory cells into the peritoneal cavity. The peak leucocyte infiltration appeared to occur in two phases. The first occurred at 48 hr and the second at 96 hr following the initial injection of cadmium. Neutrophils always constituted 48 to 56% of the total leucocytes. Infiltration of other cell types included macrophages, monocytes, lymphocytes, mast cells, eosinophils and basket cells. The cell free supernatant of the peritoneal exudate contained the highest amount of histamine at 24 hr and the lowest amount at 48 hr after the initial injection of cadmium. The supernatant also contained an increasing amount of total PGE2 and PGF2α and total β-glucuronidase and lactic dehydrogenase activity in relation to the time following the initial injection of cadmium. The cyclic nucleotide level in the cell free supernatant of the peritoneal exudate was not significantly altered at the early phase of inflammation. This was however, drastically increased both at 72 and 96 hr following the initial injection. In fact, a 50-fold increase in c-AMP level and 8-fold increase in c-GMP level were noted at 96 hr as compared to their respective levels at 24 hr. The data collected in the present study suggest that the release of histamine, lysosomal enzymes, prostaglandins and cyclic nucleotides are somehow involved in cadmium induced peritonitis in rats.
Gravidas' Responses to Realtime Ultrasound Fetal Image

One hundred women in various stages of pregnancy were questioned before and after viewing their fetuses through realtime ultrasonographic scanning. For the majority of these women, perceptions of the fetus changed following this visualization. Viewing gave some a greater sense of attachment to the fetus, but for a few, this attachment also gave a greater sense of vulnerability with regard to the outcome of the pregnancy.
School Climate and Academic Achievement in Suburban Schools.

School climate research has indicated a relationship between the climate of a school and academic achievement. The majority of explanatory models have been developed in urban schools with less attention given to suburban schools. Due to the process of formation of suburban schools, there is a likelihood these campuses differ from the traditional urban school. The current study examined the predictive value of suburban school climate on academic achievement in a nationally representative sample of suburban campuses. The findings indicate behavior and racial/ethnic composition may impact achievement levels in suburban schools. The findings also indicate the location of the school and the surrounding crime may be a factor in suburban academic achievement.
Evidence for separate receptors for melanophore stimulating hormone and catecholamine regulation of cyclic AMP in the control of melanophore responses.

Summary 1 . Skins of the lizard Anolis carolinensis darken in vitro in response to melanophore stimulating hormone (MSH), a peptide hormone, as well as to catecholamines. These hormones darken Anolis skins by dispersing the subcellular organelle, the melanosome, out into the dendritic processes of the dermal melanophores. 2 . Dibutyryl cyclic AMP and methylxanthines also darken skins. In addition, methylxanthines are synergistic with both catecholamines and MSH in causing skin darkening. These data suggest that the dispersion of melanosomes within melanophores in response to both MSH and catecholamines is mediated by cyclic AMP. 3 . α-Adrenoceptor blocking agents inhibit MSH-induced darkening but potentiate catecholamine-induced darkening. β-Adrenoceptor blocking agents, in contrast, inhibit catecholamine-induced darkening but have no effect on MSH-induced darkening. This selective blockade of one receptor while the functional integrity of the other receptor is maintained suggests that MSH and catecholamines increase cyclic AMP levels through different receptors. 4 . Catecholamines exert their action through β-adrenoceptors; MSH darkens skins through what appears to be a component of the β-adrenoceptor. β-Adrenoceptor stimulation may stimulate adenyl cyclase to increase cyclic AMP levels whereas MSH may inhibit cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase thereby preventing cyclic AMP breakdown.
A constant relative humidity-temperature chamber for the accurate weight determination of air particulate matter collected on filters

Abstract A method for accurately establishing the weight of air particulate matter collected on filters has been developed by constructing a clean glove box. The system is capable of maintaining a constant relative humidity and temperature. A description of this system is presented.
Custom-cast post fabrication with a thermoplastic material

Problems associated with fabrication of custom-cast posts with a plastic rod and autopolymerizing resin include voids in the pattern, locking of the pattern into undercuts, and resin fracture during removal of the pattern. This article describes a system for fabricating custom-cast posts with a thermoplastic resin to address these problems. The system consists of a plastic support rod and a thermoplastic resin. A custom post pattern can be quickly and easily produced by trimming the plastic rod, heating the resin either over a direct flame or in a low-temperature glue gun and seating it into a lubricated prepared canal. The resin flows well and thereby reduces voids. The resin is elastic enough to be removed from small undercuts without locking into the canal or fracturing.
Application of Chemometrics to Modeling Produced Water Contamination

Abstract A partial least‐squares statistical model was prepared to describe the contamination of produced water by soluble organic compounds. The model incorporated predictor variables used in earlier characterization studies: pH, temperature, pressure, salinity, water‐to‐oil ratio, and origin of the crude. Response variables included total extractable material and concentrations of aliphatic, aromatic, and polar organic molecules. The model was used to predict the uptake of water‐soluble organics under a variety of conditions. The model will be applied to the prediction of hydrocarbon contamination of water produced in offshore drilling. This article is not subjected to U.S. copyright law. The author would like to thank the U.S. Department of Energy Natural Gas and Oil Technology Partnership Office for funding under contract AC10383OR41 and industrial partners through the Petroleum Energy Research Forum for their support.
Albert Einstein—the Man‐Scientist Duality

This centennial tribute commemorates Einstein the Man and Einstein the Scientist. A brief account of his great character and his remarkable scientific contributions is presented in recognition of the unique, man—scientist duality of Einstein. This article is an expanded version of the first author's lecture delivered at the Birth Centenary Symposium of Albert Einstein held in the S. N. Bose Institute of Physical Sciences, University of Calcutta in July 1978.
Stimulation and sensing thresholds for cardiac pacing: Electrophysiologic and technical aspects

E LECTRICAL testing at implantation is essential to ensure long-term successful pacing. Pacing and sensing represent separate functions of a demand pulse generator and must be tested individually. The establishment of a secure pacing system requires the routine determination of stimulation and sensing thresholds. This review describes the electrophysiologic background, technical aspects, and pitfalls of these important electrical measurements.
1092 PRIMARY HYPERTENSION (PH) IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS A SUB-GROUP WITH BLUNTED PLASMA RENIN (PRA) AND NOREPINEPHRINE (NE) RESPONSE TO POSTURAL STRESS

PRA, plasma NE, plasma volume (PV) and extracellular fluid volume (ECF) were measured in the supine position and after 3 hours upright posture (PRA and NE) in 13 patients with PH aged 9 to 19 years. Patients were studied in the Clinical Research Center, on regular diets, off antihypertensive medications with simultaneously measured 24 hour urinary sodium. Results expressed as means ± S.E.M.
Winds and accretion in delta Sagittae

The ten-year binary delta Sge (M2 Ib-II+B9.5 V) is a zeta Aur binary containing an abnormally cool component. Combining our analysis of the system as a visual binary with Batten's radial-velocity solution leads to the following properties: i = 40 deg, a = 51 mas = 8.83 A.U. = 1893 solar radius, hence d = 173 pc; M(sub B) = 2.9 solar mass and M(sub M) = 3.8 solar mass; and R(sub B) = 2.6 solar radius and R(sub M) = 152 solar radius. This interpretation of the orbit places the M supergiant on the asymptotic giant branch. We have collected ultraviolet spectra throughout the star's 1980-90 orbit, concentrated around the conjuction of 1990. The wind of the M giant appears in these as narrow shell lines of singly ionized metals, chiefly Fe II, with P-Cyg profiles at many phases, which show the slow variation in strength expected for the orbit but no pronounced atmospheric eclipse. The terminal velocity of the wind is 16-18 km/s, and its excitation temperature is approximately 10,000 K. Most of the broadening of the wind lines is caused by differential expansion of the atmosphere, with (unmeasurably) low turbulent velocities. Nontheless, the mass loss rate (1.1 +/- 0.4 X 10 (exp -8) solar mas/yr) is almost the same as found previously by Reimers and Schroder for very different assumptions about the velocity structure. Also seen in the spectrum throughout the orbit are the effects of a variable, high-speed wind as well as evidence for accretion onto the B9.5 star. This high-speed wind absorbs in species of all ionization stages observed, e. g., C II, Mg II, Al III, SI IV, C IV, and has a terminaal velocity in the range 200-450 km/s. We presume this wind originates at the B dwarf, not the M supergiant, and speculate that it comes from an accretion disk, as suggested by recent models of magnetically moderated accretion. Evidence for accretion is redshifted absorption in the same transitions formed in the high-speed wind, as well as broad emission lines of singly ionized metals. This emission seems to be scattered out of the continuum of the B star. Finally, we discuss Auger ionization by accretion luminosity as the cause of the high ionization in these high-speed flows as well as the source of the extended circumstellar clouds of Si(3+) and C(3+) ions in zeta Aur binaries.
An aggressive lymphatic malformation (Gorham's Disease) leading to death of a child

Here in, we present a case of aggressive Gorham's disease in a 10 year old boy. We document its evolution from a seemingly benign buttock mass to a widely invasive disease that was ultimately fatal. We highlight the challenges in the management of such an aggressive, yet benign process and review the available literature on the subject.
Social process theory of emotion: A dynamic systems approach

In this paper we apply a dynamic systems perspective to infant emotional development. We propose that emotions are not states but self-organizing dynamic processes intimately tied to the flow of an individual's activity in a context. We review data on the relationship between emotional actions and the social context, in particular the development of smiling and laughter. These data are more adequately explained by our perspective than by other theories of emotional development. We provide a model for how emotional processes in early infancy become embedded into sociocultural systems, and suggest new avenues of research on emotional development.
Adolescent Resource Control: Associations with Physical and Relational Aggression, Prosocial and Withdrawn Behaviors, and Peer Regard.

This study examined adolescent coercive and prosocial resource control strategies in relation to various indices of peer-reported behaviors and peer regard (N = 384; 12–14 years). Coercive control ...
Competition between ADAR and RNAi pathways for an extensive class of RNA targets

Adenosine deaminases that act on RNAs (ADARs) interact with double-stranded RNAs, deaminating adenosines to inosines. Previous studies of Caenorhabditis elegans indicated an antagonistic interaction between ADAR and RNAi machineries, with ADAR defects suppressed upon additional knockout of RNAi. This suggests a pool of common RNA substrates capable of engaging both pathways. To define and characterize such substrates, we examined small RNA and mRNA populations of ADAR mutants and identified a distinct set of loci from which RNAi-dependent short RNAs are markedly upregulated. At these same loci, we observed populations of multiply edited transcripts, supporting a specific role for ADARs in preventing access to the RNAi pathway for an extensive population of dsRNAs. Characterization of these loci revealed a substantial overlap with noncoding and intergenic regions, suggesting that the landscape of ADAR targets may extend beyond previously annotated classes of transcripts.
An Efficient and Reversible Transposable System for Gene Delivery and Lineage-Specific Differentiation in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Unraveling the therapeutic potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) requires tools to modify their genome. We have engineered the PiggyBac transposable element to create an efficient system for gene delivery in hESCs. This redesigned system, named "ePiggyBac," can deliver up to 18 Kb inserts, and transgene expression is observed in almost 90% of hES cells. ePiggyBac transposons can also carry insulators, inducible expression cassettes, and short hairpin RNAs for gain- and loss-of-function approaches. In hES cells, ePiggyBac's efficiency is superior to that of viral vectors and previously described transposons, including other PiggyBac-based systems. In addition, ePiggyBac transgenes can be removed from the hESC genome without leaving any mutation. We used this system to direct hESC differentiation toward a neuronal phenotype. We then removed the transposons to obtain transgene-free neuronal precursors and neurons. The ability to create fully reversible genetic modifications represents an important step toward clinical applications of hESCs.
The erbium: YAG laser: A review and preliminary report on resurfacing of the face, neck, and hands

The use of short-pulsed or flash-scanned CO 2 lasers to resurface skin has rapidly joined chemical peels and dermabrasion as an accepted procedure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a mid-infrared pulsed Erbium: YAG laser prospectively to determine its clinical efficacy for resurfacing of the face, neck, and hands. Postoperative changes and recovery period were also evaluated. A total of 21 patients were evaluated on a prospective basis with Er: YAG laser resurfacing (12 crow's feet, five upper lips, three hands, and one neck). Additional nonstudy clinical experience is also reported. Posttreatment crusting or scabbing lasted an average of 2.7 days, pain an average of 3 days, erythema an average of 5.2 days, and swelling an average of 3 days. Blinded subjective grading was performed 2 months postoperatively. This grading revealed a 52% combined improvement from all areas. The appearance of crow's feet was improved by 58%; upper lip, 43%; dorsal hand, 48%; and neck, 44%. Overall the Er: YAG laser consistently produced reduction in rhytids and improvement in the appearance of sun-damaged skin. The times for reepithelialization and duration of erythema were strikingly shorter than those typically observed with current CO 2 laser resurfacing. This report details the study, reviews Er: YAG laser technology, and compares our findings with those observed with standard CO 2 laser resurfacing.
Science and Applications Space Platforms

The advent of the "Space Shuttle Era" has spearheaded a new wave of thought in our approach to the exploitation of space. Through use of the Shuttle, science and applications payloads need no longer be abandoned at the scheduled end of a particular mission, or when struck with premature failure, or even when they simply become outdated through advancements in technology. Rather the option will now exist for on-orbit maintenance and/or recovery of the payload for potential reuse. The Shuttle itself can even serve as an operational base for the gathering of data. This will be accomplished primarily through the use of Spacelab and a multitude of "Spacelab Instruments," many of which are already being developed. Additionally, the Shuttle along with other members of the Space Transportation Systems. family, will allow the buildup of space structures which can be routinely maintained on-orbit, thereby allowing long-term technical and economic exploitation. One such structure being given increased consideration for use in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is the "Space Platform." Such platforms are envisioned to have lifetimes of many years and to provide basic stability, various utilities, and on-orbit accessibility to a number of temporarily emplaced payloads. Some payloads, depending on the mission for which they are being flown, would operate from a few weeks or months to many years. This paper reports current planning efforts by NASA for these space platforms directed towards determining the technically most suitable concepts and the approaches which might be followed to evolve these platforms as a cost-effective extension of the Spacelab era.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Fatty Acid Oxidation in Irradiated Bone Marrow Cells

A PRIMARY event of the acute radiation syndrome is depressed haematopoiesis and an associated accumulation of fat cells in the bone marrow cavity. My work has shown that the fatty change occurs only at bone marrow sites directly exposed to ionizing irradiation. On the basis of metabolic investigations, I have concluded that irradiation markedly stimulates the biosynthesis of triglycerides in the bone marrow. Although de novo synthesis of fatty acids by irradiated bone marrow cells is impaired1, both the uptake of lipid and the esterification of fatty acids into triglycerides by marrow cells are markedly stimulated in irradiated animals2. However, the matter of fatty acid oxidation by irradiated marrow cells has not previously been investigated. This communication conclusively demonstrates that fatty acid oxidation is severely inhibited by γ-radiation and that the effect is related to the total dose of radiation received.
New features of electrically detected magnetic resonance in silicon p-n diodes

Abstract Electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR), due to spin-dependent recombination (SDR), in commercial silicon p–n diodes is re-examined. New features were noted in our samples. The main signal, formerly seen as a single line and attributed to Pt dopant, occurred as three similar lines with g ∥ =2.028, 2.046, 2.073, and g ⊥ =1.969. EDMR centers aligned in only one direction were seen: with g ∥ along the diode axis, which is also a Si[111] bond direction. This restricted directionality may be seen in previous studies, but has passed unremarked. Though no favored explanations can be offered, these new complexities strongly suggest that extant theories of EDMR are incomplete.
Hyperdynamic ejection fraction in the critically ill patient

The hyperdynamic left ventricular ejection fraction (HDLVEF) in the ICU is a common finding thought to be associated with critical illness and possibly sepsis. The exact etiology of hyperdynamic ejection fraction has yet to be determined, and the prognosis of these patients has not been well defined.
Spatially resolved fluorescence correlation spectroscopy using a spinning disk confocal microscope.

We develop an extension of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) using a spinning disk confocal microscope. This approach can spatially map diffusion coefficients or flow velocities at up to ∼105 independent locations simultaneously. Commercially available cameras with frame rates of 1000 Hz allow FCS measurements of systems with diffusion coefficients D∼10−7 cm2/s or smaller. This speed is adequate to measure small microspheres (200-nm diameter) diffusing in water, or hindered diffusion of macromolecules in complex media (e.g., tumors, cell nuclei, or the extracellular matrix). There have been a number of recent extensions to FCS based on laser scanning microscopy. Spinning disk confocal microscopy, however, has the potential for significantly higher speed at high spatial resolution. We show how to account for a pixel size effect encountered with spinning disk confocal FCS that is not present in standard or scanning FCS, and we introduce a new method to correct for photobleaching. Finally, we apply spinning disk confocal FCS to microspheres diffusing in Type I collagen, which show complex spatially varying diffusion caused by hydrodynamic and steric interactions with the collagen matrix.
Mean Squared Error Performance of Simple Linear Regression Conditional upon the Outcome of Pretesting the Intercept

Abstract Following a test of the hypothesis that the intercept of a simple linear regression model is zero, the conditional properties of the fitted model differ from those that obtain in the absence of pretesting and from the unconditional properties in the presence of pretesting. For the estimator of the mean response at a point X 0, the conditional mean squared error may be better or worse, depending on the magnitude of the pretest hypothesis error and on the outcome of the pretest. The degree to which the conditional mean squared error is better or worse depends on the location of X 0 relative to , the level of the pretest, and the correlation between the initial least squares estimators of the intercept and slope coefficients.
Physiological implications of the fractal distribution of ventilation and perfusion in the lung.

Both regional ventilation and regional perfusion demonstrate progressive increases in heterogeneity as the resolution of measurement is improved. Because the efficiency of pulmonary gas exchange is dependent on the match between local ventilation and local perfusion, the correlation between these two parameters was examined over a range of scale. We marked regional ventilation and perfusion in three anesthetized pigs with aerosolized 1 μm fluorescent microspheres (FMS) and injected 15 μm FMS. The lungs were dried inflated, cut into ∼2 cm3 cubes, and regional ventilation and blood flow were calculated from measurements of the fluorescence signals extracted from each piece. Adjacent pieces were clustered into successively larger aggregate volumes, and the averages of ventilation and of perfusion were calculated for each cluster size. While the coefficient of variation for both ventilation and perfusion increased predictably as the cluster size decreased, the correlation between ventilation and perfusion within clusters remained high, averaging between 0.82 and 0.92 among animals. Thus, while both ventilation and perfusion heterogeneity increase as the resolution of measurement improves, the strong correlation between these two parameters in a normal prone lung is nearly sample size invariant. This finding explains the observed efficiency of normal gas exchange in the face of the substantial degree of ventilation and perfusion heterogeneity observed in the normal lung with high-resolution measurement. © 2000 Biomedical Engineering Society.
The Effect of Globalization on Employee Psychological Health and Job Satisfaction in Malaysian Workplaces

Objective: To examine the impact of globalization on employee psychological health and job satisfaction via job characteristics (i.e., job demands and job resources) in an emerging economy, that of Malaysia. As external factors are regarded as influences on the working environment, we hypothesized that global forces (increased pressure and competition) would have an impact on burnout and job satisfaction via increased demands (role conflict, emotional demands) and reduced resources (supervisor support, coworkers support). Methods: Data were collected using a population based survey among 308 employees in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Participants were approached at home during the weekend or on days off from work. Only one participant was selected per household. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data. Nearly 54% of respondents agreed that they need to work harder, 25% agreed that their job was not secure and 24% thought they had lost power and control on the job due to global trade competition. Results: Consistent with our predictions, demands mediated the globalization to burnout relationship, and resources mediated the globalization to job satisfaction relationship. Conclusions: Together, these results support the idea that external factors influence work conditions and in turn employee health and job satisfaction. We conclude that the jobs demands-resources framework is applicable in an Eastern setting and that globalization is a key antecedent of working environments.
A study on correlation between national imagery interpretability rating scale and discrimination probability

The status quo of performance evaluation method for optical imaging system in our country is introduced in the article. At the same time, the definitions and applied fields for discrimination probability，National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale（NIIRS）and General Image Quality Equation (GIQE) are introduced, too. Under ideal conditions, utilizing ground resolution distance the dependence model between NIIRS and discrimination probability is established. Utilizing this model, we can solve the difficulties of optical imaging system performance evaluation using these two different evaluation methods.
Septoclast Deficiency Accompanies Postnatal Growth Plate Chondrodysplasia in the Toothless (tl) Osteopetrotic, Colony-Stimulating Factor-1 (CSF-1)-Deficient Rat and Is Partially Responsive to CSF-1 Injections

The septoclast is a specialized, cathepsin B-rich, perivascular cell type that accompanies invading capillaries on the metaphyseal side of the growth plate during endochondral bone growth. The putative role of septoclasts is to break down the terminal transverse septum of growth plate cartilage and permit capillaries to bud into the lower hypertrophic zone. This process fails in osteoclast-deficient, osteopetrotic animal models, resulting in a progressive growth plate dysplasia. The toothless rat is severely osteopetrotic because of a frameshift mutation in the colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) gene (Csf1tl). Whereas CSF-1 injections quickly restore endosteal osteoclast populations, they do not improve the chondrodysplasia. We therefore investigated septoclast populations in Csf1tl/Csf1tl rats and wild-type littermates, with and without CSF-1 treatment, at 2 weeks, before the dysplasia is pronounced, and at 4 weeks, by which time it is severe. Tibial sections were immunolabeled for cathepsin B and septoclasts were counted. Csf1tl/Csf1tl mutants had significant reductions in septoclasts at both times, although they were more pronounced at 4 weeks. CSF-1 injections increased counts in wild-type and mutant animals at both times, restoring mutants to normal levels at 2 weeks. In all of the mutants, septoclasts seemed misoriented and had abnormal ultrastructure. We conclude that CSF-1 promotes angiogenesis at the chondroosseous junction, but that, in Csf1tl/Csf1tl rats, septoclasts are unable to direct their degradative activity appropriately, implying a capillary guidance role for locally supplied CSF-1.
Uremic toxicity: urea and beyond

Successful replacement of renal function with dialysis supports the concept that uremia is a toxic state resulting from accumulated solutes and that toxicity results from high concentrations of these solutes in body fluids. Dialyzer clearance of urea, a surrogate toxin, is the currently accepted best measure of dialysis and dialysis adequacy, but it is admittedly a compromise due to current lack of knowledge about and inability to measure more toxic solutes. This failure could be explained if uremic toxicity is actually a summation effect of multiple toxins, each at individual subtoxic levels in the patient. Other solutes could be used as surrogates to measure clearance, but urea happens to be available in high concentrations, is easily measured by all clinical laboratories, and is easily dialyzed, so changes in concentration are sensitive indicators of clearance. Measurements of creatinine clearance are confounded by the disequilibrium that occurs across red cells within the dialyzer and in the patient. Other solutes probably behave more like creatinine than urea, so urea stands out as uniquely diffusible, a property that actually spoils its effectiveness as a surrogate toxin, especially when applied to more frequent and continuous dialysis. Accumulation of other solutes may correlate better with toxic uremic symptoms and the residual syndrome. More studies are needed to examine the kinetics of other solutes, their generation rates, and their distribution volumes to provide clinicians with more knowledge and tools to optimize dialysis treatments. Examination of the effectiveness of solute removal in patients dialyzed more frequently may provide significant insight into the pathogenesis of uremia.
Microbial Forensics — Taking Diagnostic Microbiology to the Next Level

In contrast to the diagnostic needs of medical practice and the epidemiologic needs of public health, microbial forensics for legal proceedings requires much more detailed characterization of microbial isolates and special processing procedures for producing legal evidence. Microbial forensic analyses for biocrimes and acts of bioterrorism ultimately are needed in court to answer the following questions: where did the specific organism come from, and who was responsible? Detailed genomic analyses and other specific physical and chemical characterizations are critical parts of forensic analyses, as are chain of custody forms that are needed to sustain the validity of these analyses in legal proceedings.
Permanent Epicardial Pacing in Pediatric Patients Seventeen Years of Experience and 1200 Outpatient Visits

Background—The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of all pediatric epicardial pacing leads. Methods and Results—All epicardial leads and 1239 outpatient visits between January 1, 1983, and June 30, 2000, were retrospectively reviewed. Pacing and sensing thresholds were reviewed at implant, at 1 month, and at subsequent 6-month intervals. Lead failure was defined as the need for replacement or abandonment due to pacing or sensing problems, lead fracture, or phrenic/muscle stimulation. A total of 123 patients underwent 207 epicardial lead (60 atrial/147 ventricular, 40% steroid) implantations (median age at implant was 4.1 years [range 1 day to 21 years]). Congenital heart disease was present in 103 (84%) of the patients. Epicardial leads were followed for 29 months (range 1 to 207 months). The 1-, 2-, and 5-year lead survival was 96%, 90%, and 74%, respectively. Compared with conventional epicardial leads, both atrial and ventricular steroid leads had better stimulation thresholds ...
Dot(1L) on the spot

Hematopoietic cell fate decisions are regulated primarily by transcription factors that activate or repress lineage-specific gene expression programs. 1 The transcription factors GATA-1/2 and Pu.1 are critical regulators of erythroid and myeloid cell differentiation. In this issue of Blood, Feng et al demonstrate that the histone methyltransferase disruptor of telomeric silencing (Dot1L), which catalyzes the methylation of histone H3 at lysine residue 79 (H3K79), is required for the proper activation of GATA-2 and for the repression of Pu.1 during erythropoiesis. 2 Disruption of Dot1L activity in mice leads to early embryonic lethality in part due to a decrease in the expansion of erythroid progenitor cells and a defect in angiogenesis.
Acute Myocardial Infarction Associated with Intravenous Injection of Pentazocine and Tripelennamine

This case report describes the evolution of an acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction in a 27-year-old man following intravenous injection of pentazocine and tripelennamine. Subsequent coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries. Based on the known mechanism of action of these drugs, it is postulated that myocardial infarction resulted from coronary artery spasm secondary to excessive catecholamine stimulation.
Incorporation of online clinical topic modules in an introduction to advanced pharmacy practice experience course

Abstract Background The Purdue University College of Pharmacy offers an elective course for third professional year students preparing for rotations. In Spring 2012, the course introduced the use of online clinical topic modules that provide students with a review to prepare them for rotations and serve as a resource throughout rotations. Objective The objectives are (1) to assess fourth-year pharmacy students’ perceptions of important topics to facilitate the development of modules for the Introduction to APPE elective course; (2) to assess the perceived value of the modules to third-year pharmacy students who completed them as part of their coursework; and (3) to assess the perceived value of the modules to fourth-year pharmacy students who completed them during rotations. Methods Fourth-year pharmacy students were surveyed on their preferred important topics to be covered in the clinical topic modules. Third-year pharmacy students were surveyed on the perceived value of the resulting modules. Fourth-year pharmacy students were surveyed near the end of their rotation year to assess the perceived utility of the modules. Results The top six inpatient and outpatient topics were chosen for inclusion. Experts in each of these topics then developed the modules. Conclusion The inclusion of clinical topic modules in the Introduction to APPE course will augment foundational knowledge aiming to better prepare students for rotations.
Effects of propranolol on resting and postextrasystolic potentiated left ventricular function in patients with coronary artery disease.

The effect of propranolol on global and segmental left ventricular function at rest and after postextrasystolic potentiation was studied in 12 patients with chest pain. Heart rate was controlled with atrial pacing, and left ventricular cineangiograms were performed before and after 0.15 mg/kg of propranolol. During each ventriculogram a premature ventricular stimulus was introduced by means of a programmed stimulator. Propranolol decreased global left ventricular ejection fraction from 64 ± 4.5 to 58 ± 4.6 (p < 0.03). Postextrasystolic potentiated global ejection fraction was not affected by propranolol (78 ± 3.5 vs 73.6 ± 3.4; p = NS). The area ejection fraction of the anteroapical region was decreased after propranolol (64 ± 4.8 vs 52 ± 6.5; p < 0.01); however, the postextrasystolic potentiated area ejection fraction was not affected by propranolol (78 ± 2.6 vs 71 ± 4.6; p = NS). Frame by frame analysis of the ventriculograms demonstrated that propranolol depressed global and segmental left ventricular function by affecting the second one-third ejection fraction without influencing the first or third one-third ejection fraction. Propranolol has a small depressant effect on global and segmental left ventricular function in patients with coronary artery disease. Postextrasystolic potentiated global and segmental left ventricular function and early systolic ejection phase indices are not altered by propranolol and therefore may be useful in assessing left ventricular function in patients with coronary artery disease who are taking propranolol.
Sucrose yield of sugar beet as affected by chiseling and plowing compacted soils

Abstract Sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L.) growers in Nebraska, U.S.A. have been convinced by equipment manufacturers in the past 10 years that chisel tillage is needed on their soils to remove compaction zones. No data were available to assess the reality of their conviction that chiseling was an essential part of their tillage systems. The experiments discussed here were designed to test the impact and need for chiseling to depths up to 30 cm in systems where moldboard plowing to a depth of 20 cm is the most common primary tillage. Various degrees of soil compactness were created artificially in soil of the same type (Typic Haplustoll) in 3 different fields. Combinations of moldboard plowing and chiseling were then imposed on them. The relationships of water infiltration rates and resistance to penetration as measured by a penetrometer to the tillage treatments and to ultimate sucrose yield were determined. In all but the severest compaction treatment, either chiseling or moldboard plowing had equivalent impacts on yield restoration. In the most severely compacted soil chiseling was totally ineffective in 1 year and equal to plowing in another year. Combination plowing and chiselinng did not have an additive effect beyond plowing or chiseling along under any compaction condition. Even though the implements were equally effective in restoring yield potential, neither of them, alone nor in combination restored yields to levels achieved on non-compacted soil. Penetrometer resistance measurements indicated that compacted soil below 30 cm was the problem. The data indicated that it may be possible for a given soil type, to relate penetrometer resistance to the need for tillage to remove compaction. On these experiments each increase in resistance of 700 kPa over a range of 4000–8000 kPa resulted in a 10% reduction in sucrose yield.
Decreased Potency of Glucagon on Transformed-Induced MDCK Cells Does Not Reflect an Alteration of Adenylate Cyclase Components

The selective loss of glucagon sensitivity of transformed MDCK cells can be restored by differentiation inducers, a process which requires RNA and protein synthesis and glycosylation. Although the glucagon dose-response curve of normal MDCK cells resembled that of liver and kidney (Kact = 10 nM), the transformed-induced cells were 10-fold less sensitive to the hormone [activation constant (Kact) = 100 nM]. Additionally, the stimulation of cAMP synthesis by a glucagon fragment (glucagoni1–27) in transformed-induced cells was greatly reduced compared to normal cells. The adenylate cyclase regulatory components of transformed-induced MDCK cell membranes seemed unaltered compared to the parental line. Both contained equivalent amounts of cholera and pertussis toxin substrates, and soluble extracts were equally capable of reconstituting isoproterenol responsiveness of S49 cyc- membranes. However, membrane fusion studies demonstrated that the glucagon sensitivity of transformed-induced membranes could not be re...
Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Clinical Characteristics. The Framingham Heart Study

Recent data suggest that echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Based upon application of sex-specific echocardiographic criteria for LV hypertrophy, the clinical characteristics of 863 subjects with and 4097 subjects without LV hypertrophy are examined. Subjects with LV hypertrophy are older, more obese, have higher blood pressure, and are more likely to have pre-existing coronary artery disease. In addition subjects with LV hypertrophy have a higher prevalence of reduced echocardiographic fractional shortening. We conclude that subjects with echocardiographic LV hypertrophy are at high risk for cardiovascular disease complications by virtue of their clinical profile. Additional investigation of the benefits of therapeutic interventions directed toward the prevention or regression of LV hypertrophy is warranted.
An Evaluation of Goal Hierarchies for Small Farm Operators

Considerable attention recently has been focused on the small farm sector in the United States. Regional small farm conferences were sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) during 1978 (USDA 1978b); the ESCS held a Small-Farm Workshop (USDA 1978c); and the National Small Farms Conference was sponsored by the National Rural Center (Madden and Tischbein) in February 1979. If agricultural policy is to facilitate the accomplishment of small farmers' objectives, then a central issue must be the determination of