cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Purification of the spliceosome A-complex and its visualization by electron microscopy.

Abstract Pre-mRNA splicing occurs on spliceosomes, a family of ribonucleoprotein particles. Spliceosome assembly on exogenous adenovirus pre-mRNA was blocked at the A-complex (or pre-spliceosome) stage, either by destruction of the small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) that comprise the U4/U5/U6 tri-snRNP complex, or by interference in tri-snRNP assembly and interactions. The A-complex was isolated by size exclusion chromatography; homogeneity was shown by electrophoresis in nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels, gradient sedimentation, and electron microscopy. Northern hybridization showed U1 and U2 snRNAs to be present in the preparation, but not U4, U5, or U6. Antibodies specific for a component of the U1 snRNP or for a component that is common to all snRNPs (except U6) each precipitated an A-complex containing pre-mRNA, U1 and U2 snRNPs. Electron micrographs showed 230 270-A particles whose two components appear similar to individual U1 and U2 snRNPs. Electron micrographs of an A-complex-5′-biotinyl oligonucleotide-streptavidin-gold composite allowed identification of the U2 snRNP within the structure and the localization of the 5′-segment of U2 snRNA at a unique site in the A-complex. This region of U2 RNA is adjacent to the developing catalytic center of the spliceosome.
Order emerging from chaos in human evolutionary genetics

It has been an interesting decade in human evolutionary genetics. We have gone from hope to confidence and from confidence to despair. A series of recent studies, two of which appear in this and a recent issue of PNAS (1, 2), gives new grounds for optimism.
Feasibility of one-shot-per-crystal structure determination using Laue diffraction

Crystal size is an important factor in determining the number of diffraction patterns which may be obtained from a protein crystal before severe radiation damage sets in. As crystal dimensions decrease this number is reduced, eventually falling to one, at which point a complete data set must be assembled using data from multiple crystals. When only a single exposure is to be collected from each crystal, the polychromatic Laue technique may be preferable to monochromatic methods owing to its simultaneous recording of a large number of fully recorded reflections per image. To assess the feasibility of solving structures using single Laue images from multiple crystals, data were collected using a `pink' beam at the CHESS D1 station from groups of lysozyme crystals with dimensions of the order of 20–30 µm mounted on MicroMesh grids. Single-shot Laue data were used for structure determination by molecular replacement and correct solutions were obtained even when as few as five crystals were used.
Inhibition of Tumour Cell Viability by DNA

Specific preparations of DNA inhibit the viability of specific tumour cell lines. The effect may be due to some special characteristic of the DNA molecule, such as a specific region of nucleotide sequence, as well as molecular size, shape or charge.
Cataract surgery in the setting of uveitis.

Purpose of reviewTo describe recent evidence from the literature concerning optimal treatment of cataract in patients with concomitant uveitis.Recent findingsOptimal treatment of cataract in the setting of uveitis requires optimal management of uveitis, including appropriate diagnostic workup and sc
Progressive transformation of germinal centers. Report of 2 cases and review of the literature.

Progressive transformation of germinal centers (PTGC) is a disease of mostly young adults that presents as unexplained, asymptomatic, localized or generalized lymphadenopathy which is usually persiste
A randomized comparison of different ventilator strategies during thoracotomy for pulmonary resection.

Objective Protective lung ventilation is reported to benefit patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. It is not known whether protective lung ventilation is also beneficial to patients undergoing single-lung ventilation for elective pulmonary resection. Methods In an institutional review board–approved prospective randomized trial, 34 patients undergoing elective pulmonary resection requiring single-lung ventilation were enrolled. Informed consent was obtained. Patients were randomized to 1 of 2 groups: (1) high tidal volume (Hi-TV) of 10 mL/kg, rate of 7 breaths/min, and zero positive end-expiratory pressure or (2) low tidal volume (Lo-TV) of 5 mL/kg, rate of 14 breaths/min, and 5 cmH2O positive end-expiratory pressure. Ventilator settings were continued during both double- and single-lung ventilation. Pulmonary functions, hemodynamics, and postoperative outcomes were recorded. Results Patient demographics, operative characteristics, intraoperative hemodynamics, and postoperative pain and sedation scores were similar between the 2 groups. During most time periods, airway pressures (peak and plateau) were significantly higher in the Hi-TV group; however, plateau pressures remained less than 30 cmH2O at all times for all patients. The Hi-TV group had significantly lower arterial carbon dioxide tension, less arterial carbon dioxide tension–end-tidal carbon dioxide gradient, lower alveolar dead space ratio, and higher dynamic pulmonary compliance. There were no differences in postoperative morbidity and hospital days between the 2 groups, but atelectasis scores on postoperative days 1 and 2 were lower in the Hi-TV group. Conclusions The use of Hi-TV during single-lung ventilation for pulmonary resection resulted in no increase in morbidity and was associated with less hypercarbia, less dead space ventilation, better dynamic compliance, and less postoperative atelectasis.
Nonoscillation for second order sublinear dynamic equations on time-scales

Consider the Emden-Fowler sublinear dynamic equation (0.1)x^@D^@D(t)+p(t)f(x(@s(t)))=0, where p@?C(T,R), T is a time scale, f(x)=@?"i"="1^ma"ix^@b^"^i, where a"i>0, 0 0, c>@a, and the sublinear q-difference equation x^@D^@D(t)+b(-1)^nt^-^cx^@a(qt)=0,0 1, b>0, c>1+@a.
Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase-mediated desensitisation of adrenal tumour cells.

Abstract Y-l mouse adrenal cortical tumour cells increase their production of steroids and cAMP while decreasing cell population growth in response to treatment with ACTH. With a fluorescent conjugate of the heat-stable protein kinase inhibitor, the time- and dose-dependent dissociation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase can be demonstrated following ACTH stimulation of Y-1 adrenal tumour cells, and the kinetics of its free catalytic subunits can be followed. After 60 min ACTH (6 × 10 −10 M) stimulation, a 4-fold rise in catalytic subunits was detected in the nucleus while a 2-fold increase was noted in the cytoplasm. When Y-1 cells had been previously treated with ACTH, they no longer secreted steroids to the same level in response to a subsequent exposure to ACTH. In addition to the altered steroidogenic response the cells become resistant to the effect of subsequent ACTH treatment on cell division and cAMP production as measured by protein kinase dissociation. Y-1 adrenal cells, that had been pretreated with ACTH, had an altered activation of protein kinase. Although there was an increase in cytoplasmic dissociation following subsequent ACTH stimulation of the pretreated cell, this increase was negligible when compared to that in the non-pretreated cultures. The nucleus of the ACTH-pretreated cell failed to significantly dissociate protein kinase following subsequent ACTH treatment. The data suggest that the phenomenon of desensitisation may be due to a decrease in dissociation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, especially in the nucleus.
Use of compacts to study the mechanical properties of sulfur

Abstract Modulus of elasticity and microhardness measurements were made on compacts of four sulfur preparations having different crystallinities morphologies and a wide range of porosities. Compacts amde from Crystex — a high polymeric sulfur — had mechanical properties inferior to those of other preparations studied. Annealing compacts resulted in a large increase in microhardness. Measurements of modulus of elasticity and microhardness of sulfur compacts reinforced with poly (ethylene terephthalate) fibers were made for a wide range of porosities.
Accounting with the Fields: Chemistry and Value in Nutriment in American Agricultural Improvement, 1835–1860

During the 1840s, a coalition of agricultural chemists and improving agriculturists came to promote plant, animal and soil analyses as a way of identifying monetary value in the material transactio...
Localization in the ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei of an area affecting plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels

In three experiments exploratory lesions were placed in anterior, medial, dorsal and posterior hypothalamic areas of weanling female rats to determine the localization and the extent of the area affecting plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels. In another experiment, lesions of various sizes were placed in the ventromedial hypothalamic area to define the size of the lesions necessary to elevate plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Three or more weeks after the hypothalamic operation, trunk blood was obtained after decapitation. Only lesions destroying primarily the ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei resulted in significant elevations of both lipid fractions. Small lesions, confined to the medial area of the VMN in antero-posterior respect did not produce the above alterations, but with increasing lesion size significant positive correlations between lesion size and plasma lipid levels were evident. The data suggest that the ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei are a hypothalamic site which influences lipid metabolism.
Soil concentrations of “emanating radium‐226” and the emanation of radon‐222 from soils and plants

The emanation of radon-222 from soils has been studied. Factors investigated which affect the rate of emanation include wind speeds across the surface, atmospheric turbulence, soil moisture, soil type and location. Values of emanation and concomitant variation in these factors are reported. An investigation of radon-222 release from leaf surfaces has been initiated; preliminary results of this study are reported. Measured values of radium-226 in the soil capable of giving rise to diffusing radon were found to vary 70-fold in different geological regions but were uniform in Champaign County, Illinois, the content being (0.64 ± 0.09) × 10 −12 grams of “emanating radium-226” per gram of soil. The emanation rate of radon-222 from soils into the atmosphere varied 1000-fold among geographical regions but was shown to be uniform in Champaign County, averaging (140 ± 73) × 10 −18 curies per square centimeter per second. The findings of the research indicate that radon-222 may be used successfully as a cost-free tracer in studies of vertical diffusion in Champaign County, Illinois. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1966.tb00282.x
Effect of Astroglial Necrosis on Blood-Brain Barrier Maintenance and Development in vivo

171 In vitro, brain-derived endothelium loses several blood-brain barrier (BBB) characteristics such as -glutamyl transpeptidase, tight junctions and the polarized transport of amino acids. However, these features are regained during co-culture with astroglial cells or their conditioned medium. To determine if similar BBB deficits would occur in situ when microvessels were denuded of their astrocytic complement, chronic and acute perivascular astroglial destruction was effected by subcutaneous injection of the gliotoxin 6aminonieotinamide (6-AN) into neonatal and adult Wistar rats. Animals bearing neocortical transplants were also exposed to the toxin to test whether glial and/or barrier defects would occur within the grafts. 6-AN is a nicotinamide antagonist which causes a blockade of the pentose-phosphate pathway. Both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are particularly susceptible to this toxin at the dosages used in this study (10 mg/kg body weight), and they subsequently undergo cytotoxic edema followed by degeneration. The mierovascular endothelium sustains no morphological damage after 6-AN administration. Neonatal animals received 4 intraperitoneal injections of 6-AN during the first postnatal week and were sacrificed at ages ranging from 6 12 days. Age-matched controls received injections of saline. 6-AN caused necrosis of glial cells throughout the entire CNS in neonates resulting in the appearance of spongy degeneration in both white and gray matter. Perivascular astroglial processes were immensely swollen, with degenerating organelles and plasma membranes. The perivascular basement membrane appeared to be intact and stained normally with anti-laminin. Immunostaining for the glucose transporter protein and histochemical staining for -glutamyl transpeptidase revealed an expression of both BBB markers throughout the CNS of the experimental animals which was comparable to that of the age-matched controls. The BBB to endogenous protein remained intact as shown by immunostaining with rat serum albumin (RSA). Similarly, intravascularly injected horseradish peroxidase (HRP) did not leak from the microvasculature of experimental animals except in normally permeable areas and ultrastructural examination of these animals revealed a normal endocytotic uptake of HRP. Thus, despite widespread glial destruction
Reductively activated nitrous oxide reductase reacts directly with substrate.

In the terminal step of bacterial denitrification, N2O is converted to N2 at the μ4-sulfide bridged tetranuclear CuZ center of nitrous oxide reductase. The enzyme can be activated by reduced methyl...
Effect of CO2 concentration on YBa2Cu3O6+x formation

Two reversible reactions are involved in YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 6+x} formation: a reaction between BaCO{sub 3} and CuO forming BaCuO{sub 2} and CO{sub 2}, and a reaction of BaCuO{sub 2} with Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} and CuO forming YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 6} which undergoes phase transformation to YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 6+x} upon cooling. In-situ isothermal time resolved HT-XRD of a thin film was used to quantify the effect of CO{sub 2} on the kinetics of the first reaction. Increased CO{sub 2} partial pressure shifts the reactions to higher temperatures. At high CO{sub 2} partial pressure (>2 vol.%), the rate of the first reaction becomes essentially a step process with a very high activation energy. Noninstantaneous nucleation of the reaction products occurs at low CO{sub 2} partial pressure (0.5--1%) and temperatures (700 C). The data fit a 2-D diffusion-controlled mechanism with a zero nucleation rate for BaCO{sub 3} decomposition and a second-order nucleation rate for YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 6} formation. A comparison of the kinetics of a thin film (10 {mu}m) as determined by HT-XRD with those of a thick sample (2 mm) determined by TG revealed that the transport of CO{sub 2} within the sample pores and to the ambient gasmore » significantly affect the decomposition of BaCO{sub 3}. For example, the formation of YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 6} in a thick precursor layer occurs in the 840 to 940 C range, exceeding by about 200 C that in which it is formed in thin films.« less
Water exchange pertaining to host attachment sites and stream preference in crayfish-associated branchiobdellids, Cambarincola fallax and Cambarincola ingens (Annelida: Clitellata)

Water balance profiles were constructed for adults of two branchiobdellid species (Cambarincola fallax and Cambarincola ingens) to examine how they are differentially adapted for a freshwater habitat on different crayfish hosts. Both exhibited a high (75%) body water content and high net transpiration rate, reflecting that they are hyperosmotic to freshwater and display a consistent strategy that emphasizes water loss. In contrast to C. ingens, C. fallax was 6× smaller in body size, lost water 2× faster, and had heightened activation energy (Ea) for water permeability. Thus, C. fallax relies on high net transpiration rate with a focus on elimination, whereas the larger C. ingens are modified for water retention and rely on their low activation energy to suppress the amount of water that enters the body. Neither species showed evidence of a critical transition temperature (CTT), as indicated by an uninterrupted Boltzmann temperature function of passive water loss rates. No influence on favoring water balance was apparent in relation to the crayfish host with regard to preferred attachment sites (subrostral or branchial chamber) or preference for occupying different regions (pool vs. riffle) of the stream. Thus, water balance strategies between the two species are complementary, reflecting trade-offs that adjust for body size to promote survival in similar freshwater habitats. The ability of C. ingens and C. fallax to survive with a low water content, down to nearly 1/2 their body mass, however, enables them to cope with the excess water by permitting a high rate of water loss.
Time-Dependent Morphology Development in a Segmented Polyurethane with Monodisperse Hard Segments Based on 1,4-Phenylene Diisocyanate

The time-dependent morphology development in a segmented polyurethane, which was prepared by the reaction of equimolar amounts of 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate (pPDI) and poly(tetramethylene oxide)glycol of 〈Mn〉 of 975 g/mol, was investigated. No chain extender was utilized during the synthesis, and the resultant monodisperse hard segments constituted 14 wt % of the copolymer. Time-dependent microphase separation and morphology development was studied at room temperature by using solvent-cast films which were heated above the hard segment melting temperature, 55 °C, to erase the semicrystalline microphase morphology. Atomic force microscopy showed that, following heat treatment, the hard phase first developed into short rods within 30 min, followed by a growth period during which the short rods grew longer and eventually into a well-defined percolated structure. Morphology development was also followed by FTIR spectroscopy. While the intensity of the free CO peak at 1730 cm-1 decreased, the intensity of the ...
Molecular mechanisms in the disassembly and reassembly of the mammalian Golgi apparatus during M-phase

The mitotic disassembly and reassembly of the mammalian Golgi apparatus is an iDAal system to study the molecular mechanisms involved in biogenesis and maintenance of membranous organelles. As cells enter M-phase, Golgi stacks are converted into Golgi clusters of small membrane fragments, which are dispersed throughout the cytoplasmic space during metaphase. Disassembly is DApenDAnt on the action of cdc2-kinase and at least two distinct pathways contribute to the fragmentation: one involves the budding of COP I-coated vesicles from Golgi cisternae, the other is a less well characterised COP I-inDApenDAnt pathway. During telophase, the Golgi fragments reassemble and fuse into a fully functional Golgi stack, using at least two distinct ATPase-mediated fusion pathways.
DYNAMIC STRESS DISTRIBUTION AROUND THE TIP OF A RUNNING CRACK

Abstract The stress distribution is obtained around the tip of a crack running in a brittle material. The stresses are written as the sum of the associated static solution and the wave-effect terms which depend upon the crack speed. The results obtained clearly reduce to the associated static solutions if the crack speed vanishes. Near the tip of the crack, the dynamic stress-intensity factor for the circumferential stress, σ θθ , is written as the product of the associated static stress-intensity factor and the dynamic correction factor which is a nondimensional function of the crack speed, V , the angle from the crack plane, θ, and Poisson's ratio, ν. The value of the correction factor is computed for various values of V and θ at ν = 0.25 . It is shown that the maximum tensile value of σ θθ , occurs on the crack plane for V less than 0.7 time shear wave speed, c 2 , and suddenly shifts to the plane of θ = 55° for V slightly larger than 0.7 c 2 . For V > 0.7 c 2 , the angle θ for the maximum σ θθ , θ being larger than 55°, varies continuously with the crack speed, V . The results obtained are used to discuss the growth of branching crack.
Utilization of messenger in adenovirus-2-infected cells at normal and elevated temperatures.

THE regulation of protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells appears to be distinctly different from that in prokaryotes. The long-lived messenger RNA in eukaryotes suggests that control of protein synthesis occurs partially at the level of translation and regulation at the level of initiation of translation of messenger RNA has been found under several different conditions in mammalian cells1–6.
Growth kinetics of Si and Ge nanowires

Si and Ge nanowires have potential applications in a wide variety of areas including thermoelectrics, optoelectronics, and sensors. Nanowires are most commonly grown via the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process. In this method, a vapor phase containing the material of interest preferentially dissociates at a liquid catalyst and is incorporated as a solid at the solid-liquid interface. However, despite 40 years of research in this area, several aspects of nanowire growth remain unclear, even for relatively simple elemental Si and Ge wires. Here, we will review our in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations of Si and Ge nanowire growth kinetics. The observations are carried out in an ultra-high vacuum TEM (the IBM UHV-TEM) equipped with facilities for deposition during observation. Using Au as the catalyst, we study the VLS growth of Si and Ge nanowires as a function of disilane or digermane pressure and substrate temperature. We find surprisingly different growth mechanisms for the two materials. The insights gained from in situ results may help devise methods for large-scale fabrication of wires with controlled architecture.
Operative treatment of pediatric obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A 26-year experience

Abstract We retrospectively reviewed the 26-year National Institutes of Health experience with operative treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in pediatric patients. Operative criteria were either severe obstructive symptoms (New York Heart Association functional class III or IV) or sudden death. Seventeen patients underwent 19 open procedures, of which the present study is comprised. Complete follow-up was available 10.1 ± 1.4 years (mean ± standard error; range, 0.8 to 26.2 years) after operation. The mean ages at diagnosis and operation were 11.9 ± 1.3 years (range, 1 to 17 years) and 14.8 ± 0.7 years (range, 9 to 17 years), respectively. The preoperative intraventricular septum mean dimension was 23.2 ± 1.3 mm (range, 11 to 36 mm). The left ventricular outflow tract gradient was 74 ± 9 mm Hg (range, 20 to 175 mm Hg) at rest and 94 ± 7 mm Hg (range, 55 to 175 mm Hg) with provocation. Fifteen patients (88%) underwent left ventricular myotomy and myectomy, and 2 underwent mitral valve replacement. Two patients who initially received left ventricular myotomy and myectomy later underwent mitral valve replacement. There were one perioperative death (6%) and five late sudden deaths (31%) at 3.8, 8.7, 9.6,14.1, and 21 years postoperatively. Kaplan-Meier survival was 86% ± 8% at 5 years and 77% ± 12% at 10 years. After operation, the left ventricular outflow tract gradient decreased almost 80% to 21 ± 15 mm Hg ( p = 0.0001). In 8 patients, the left ventricular outflow tract gradient completely resolved. The New York Heart Association functional class was markedly improved (2.9 ± 0.2 preoperatively to 1.1 ± 0.1 postoperatively and 1.5 ± 0.1 at 10.1 ± 1.4 years; p = 0.0001). These data show that operative treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in children is safe and effective palliation. The high rate of late, and presumably arrhythmia-related, sudden death warrants close follow up with early aggressive treatment of arrhythmia.
Effects of Subretinal Electrical Stimulation in Mer-KO Mice

Purpose. Subretinal electrical stimulation (SES) from microphotodiode arrays protects photoreceptors in the RCS rat model of retinitis pigmentosa. The authors examined whether merkd mice, which share a Mertk mutation with RCS rats, showed similar neuroprotective effects from SES.
Rural income-generating programs and fertility limitation: evidence from a microdemographic study in Nepal.

The Small Farmers Development Project (SFDP) in Nepal provided microdemographic community data that linked rural income generating programs with fertility limitation. The goal of SFDP was to increase the income of small farmers and to improve living conditions through group acitivites and use of collateral-free loans. In 1986 in Nepal there were 142 such projects in 41 of the 75 administrative districts. Many SFDPs include a population education program to encourage family planning (FP). Group interactions and the close proximity to one another in the village are an impetus to use FP. Group organizers also provide a group forum for discussing FP issues. This study used data from a cluster of 5 villages and a single ethnic group the Tamang. The survey included all 1036 community members aged 12 years and older living in 307 households. 433 were ever married. The analysis pertained to ever married women aged 25-44 years. Logistic regressions in estimating multivariate models of contraceptive use were used. Controls were included for the number of years a woman lived in a married state and age at first marriage. The gender of the interviewer was included as a dichotomous variable. The findings indicate that participation in SFDP increases contraceptive use to limit fertility and also decreases fertility. The odds of using contraception are 5.58 times higher for women aged 35-44 years in households involved in SFDP. Living in a non-SFDP village reduces the odds of using contraception by 63%. Contraceptive use odds are 9 times higher for women aged 25-34 years participating in SFDP population education groups than those not. SFDP reduces the likelihood for both age groups of women of having children under the age of 3 years or being pregnant. Fertility limitation is enhanced by program information and contraceptive access provided and social pressure from primary group relationships. Improving the standard of living of the small groups of rural poor has important effects of fertility limitation.
Superior oblique overaction from local anesthesia for cataract surgery

Traumatic superior oblique dysfunction from cataract surgery appears to be rare, with only 3 reported cases of postoperative Brown syndrome and 1 reported case of postoperative superior oblique weakness. We are not aware of any prior reports of superior oblique overaction occurring after cataract surgery. We describe a patient with acquired superior oblique overaction as a cause of vertical strabismus after cataract surgery. Ocular torsion analysis was essential in localizing the malfunction to the superior oblique muscle. The most likely etiology is myotoxicity from inadvertent intramuscular injection of local anesthetic before cataract surgery.
Aerodynamic Performance and System Effects of Propeller Fans (RP-1223)

In this study, aerodynamic performance was measured experimentally for three propeller fans subjected to systematic variation of inlet flow components. The inlet conditions were intended to simulate installations of fans typically encountered in the field. The aerodynamic performance penalties associated with the various appurtenances were characterized in terms of system effect factor (SEF).
Impact of Great Salinity Anomalies on the Low-Frequency Variability of the North Atlantic Climate

Abstract In this paper, it is shown that coherent large-scale low-frequency variabilities in the North Atlantic Ocean—that is, the variations of thermohaline circulation, deep western boundary current, northern recirculation gyre, and Gulf Stream path—are associated with high-latitude oceanic Great Salinity Anomaly events. In particular, a dipolar sea surface temperature anomaly (warming off the U.S. east coast and cooling south of Greenland) can be triggered by the Great Salinity Anomaly events several years in advance, thus providing a degree of long-term predictability to the system. Diagnosed phase relationships among an observed proxy for Great Salinity Anomaly events, the Labrador Sea sea surface temperature anomaly, and the North Atlantic Oscillation are also discussed.
Effects of oral calcium carbonate on control of serum phosphorus and changes in plasma aluminum levels after discontinuation of aluminum-containing gels in children receiving dialysis*

Orally administered calcium carbonate was evaluated as a phosphate binding agent in 15 children, ages 0.6 to 17.2 years, recelving maintenance dialysis. Changes in plasma aluminum concentration were assessed after discontinuation of treatment with aluminum-containing gels. The mean daily dose of calcium carbonate was 5.1±2.5 gm (384±315 mg/kg/day), and correlated inversely with body weight (r=−0.72, P
An object-oriented two-tier architecture for integrating compiled and deep-level knowledge for process diagnosis

Abstract The increasing complexity of chemical plants have caused the chemical industry to look towards automated and structured approaches for identifying and diagnosing process abnormalities during the normal course of a plant's daily operation. One such approach is to make use of a knowledge-based expert system which can perform diagnostic analysis. Many of the recent attempts have focused on using compiled process knowledge, relating symptoms to causes represented as production rules in the knowledge base. Though this leads to real-time diagnostic efficiency, such expert systems lack flexibility to process changes and are incapable of diagnosing novel symptom combinations. The rule-based approaches also lead to knowledge bases that are difficult to develop and maintain as they lack structures that reflect higher-level organization of process knowledge. In this paper, we present a diagnostic methodology that provides the means to solve these problems. We advocate a diagnostic methodology that integrates compiled knowledge with deep-level knowledge, thus achieving diagnostic efficiency without sacrificing flexibility and reliability under novel circumstances. To formalize such an integration, we also propose an object-oriented two-tier knowledge base that houses process-specific compiled knowledge in the top-tier and process-general deep-level knowledge in the bottom-tier. The diagnostic reasoning effectively alternates between the two-tiers of knowledge for efficient and complete diagnosis. An important aspect of diagnostic reasoning is to be able to generate potential causes of the observed symptoms or faults as candidate malfunction hypotheses. We describe an agenda-based inference control algorithm that generates malfunction hypotheses by deriving them from structural and functional information of the process. We discuss the salient features of an expert system, called MODEX2, that has been implemented using these ideas.
Eating disorders with and without substance use disorders: A comparative study of inpatients

We assessed the co-occurrence of DSM-III-R axis I and II disorders and self-reported psychologic distress in inpatients with eating disorders with and without substance use disorders (ED-SUD and ED groups, respectively) and in a matched comparison sample with substance use disorders but no eating disorder (SUD group). The three groups showed similar distributions of axis I disorders but differed in the distribution of axis II disorders. Cluster B personality disorders were diagnosed more frequently in SUD and ED-SUD groups than in the ED group. In contrast, cluster C personality disorders were diagnosed more frequently in the ED group than in SUD and ED-SUD groups. The SUD group reported greater psychologic distress than ED and ED-SUD groups. Possible implications of the observed group differences for psychologic models of why these disorders may be associated are considered.
Regulation of glycolytic enzyme RNA transcriptional rates by oxygen availability in skeletal muscle cells

Cytoplasmic β-actin and five glycolytic enzyme cDNAs were isolated from a rat skeletal muscle cDNA library and together with a genomic clone of rat cytochrome c were used as probes to quantitate the respective RNA transcription rates in isolated nuclei run off transcription assays from stationary cells cultured under normal or 2% oxygen. The transcription rates of lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, triosephosphate isomerase and aldolase increased by 2–5 fold during the 72 hr exposure to 2% oxygen. There was a small increase in actin RNA transcription while both cytochrome c and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase RNA transcription rates decreased. Since previous studies demonstrated an increase in steady state glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase RNA during low Oz exposure it is concluded that the level of this RNA is regulated post transcriptionally whereas the other four glycolytic enzyme RNAs are regulated at least partially at the level of transcription by oxygen availability. The relative transcriptional rates of the RNAs in this study are related to their cellular RNA and protein concentrations.
Institutional change and the delivery of urban public services

Problems associated with providing efficient and equitable distribution of public services are attributable in part to the inabilities of government or other public institutions to be responsive to requirements of their clientele. To permit a better understanding of the nature of such institutional failures, and to suggest avenues of effective reform, this paper views institutional systems of service provision in a “control systems” framework. In this perspective, the elements of “feedback” are seen as essential to successful system performance over time and changing conditions. The paper identifies the kinds of “error signals” a system needs to generate, and the types of “corrective mechanisms” that it may employ, and then discusses three basic modes of institutional reform—performance evaluation, decentralization, and market competition—for improving the dynamic capability of systems of providing urban public services. Two service areas—sanitation and criminal corrections—are used for illustrating possible applications of the reform strategies.
Isolation, Characterization and Structure of Bacterial Flagellar Motors Containing the Switch Complex

A putative complex of the three switch proteins, FliG, FliM and FliN appears to be directly involved in torque generation and control of direction of rotation. We have developed a preparative procedure for flagellar motors that retains these proteins as evidenced by Western blots using anti-FliG, anti-FliM and anti-FliN antibodies. Immunogold labeling with these three antibodies shows that the three switch proteins are localized to the motor. Electron micrographs of frozen-hydrated preparations reveal a large, new component we have termed the "C ring complex" attached to the cytoplasmic face of the M ring. In a three-dimensional reconstruction of the cylindrically averaged structure, the M-S ring complex appears thicker and wider by the addition of extra material to the cytoplasmic surface of the M ring. In addition, extending into the cytoplasm from the thickened M ring is the C ring complex, a thin-walled cylinder having a length of 170 A and an outer diameter of 450 A compared to the 290 A diameter of the M ring. We provide evidence that the thickened M ring contains FliG and that the C ring complex may contain FliM and FliN. The large diameter of the C ring complex may permit interaction with the M ring and with the circlet of studs thought to be the MotA/MotB complex.
On-chip Programmable Capture for Accurate Path Delay Test and Characterization

The increasing gap between modern chip frequencies and test clock frequencies provided by external test equipment, makes at-speed delay testing a challenge. We present a novel technique to generate a capture signal on-chip, with programmable delay, which enables faster than at-speed test. The test clock frequency can be programmed as a part of the test vector itself. Since test clock frequency can be controlled, it is no longer required to depend only on the long paths for detecting small delay defects, which provides flexibility in selecting test paths. The technique has minimal overhead in terms of area and design effort and can be easily incorporated into the current scan based delay test methods.
Scattering Matrix of Radioactive States

The method of complex eigenvalues is generalized to many dimensional problems by means of the scattering matrix. It is essential to allow for the existence of a background matrix on which the resonance is superposed. The "radioactive state" (i.e., the state with complex energy for which waves in all disintegration channels are outgoing) determines the damping constants of the resonance formulas. Phase constants [Eq. (6.2)] responsible for displacements of observable resonance peaks with respect to the real part of the complex eigenvalue of the energy are also determined by the radioactive state. The background matrix is restricted by the abovementioned damping constants and phase constants to a considerable extent, leaving free in its specification an $n$-1-dimensional symmetric unitary matrix for the case of $n$ channels. The equations presented do not include the case of continuously variable energy distribution among disintegration products.
Metabolic Changes in Partially Dormant Wheat Seeds during Storage

Changes in germination, seedling growth, respiration, response to applied gibberellic acid, and glucose-U-14C utilization were investigated in partially dormant wheat (Triticum aestivum L., Pa 151 × 107) seeds which were stored under various conditions for periods up to 1 year. Only seeds stored at −20 C and 12.4% moisture maintained partial dormancy, which was overcome by germinating in 10−3m gibberellic acid. Germination and seedling growth of seeds stored at 25 C and 15.1% moisture declined within 12 weeks and the percentage of seeds infected with storage fungi increased. Gibberellic acid produced faster growing seedlings, particularly from those seeds with partial dormancy, but did not overcome growth reduction which was caused by deterioration. Seeds kept under laboratory conditions (B), 25 C and 12.1% moisture (C), and 25 C and 15.1% moisture (D) for 12 weeks utilized 35, 55, and 80% less glucose, respectively, than those stored at −20 C and 12.4% moisture (A). Seeds stored under B and C consistently had higher germination, growth, and respiratory rates than seeds from A and D. The respiratory rate declined as deterioration advanced under D. Respiratory quotients ranged from 1.0 for seeds stored under A to 1.6 for seeds stored under D.
Biochemical confinements without walls in aspiny neurons.

Dendritic spines confine activity-dependent changes to the affected synapses. A paper in this issue reports that retarded diffusion in dendrites of aspiny interneurons may create dendritic biochemical compartments without spines.
DUALITY IN GAUGED WZW MODELS

All anomaly free subgroups of the internal symmetries of a WZW model are classified. It is shown that the gauging of an axial or vector U(1) subgroup provides Conformal Field Theories (CFT) with target manifolds that are dual. Some implications are discussed.
Battling Inertia in Educational Leadership: CRT Praxis for Race Conscious Dialogue

The purpose of this article is to illustrate how institutional racism is mediated by faculty negotiating power and privilege in the selection of Black (African American) women into an educational leadership preparation program. Critical race theory (CRT) praxis is used to analyze the faculty dynamics in the candidate selection process situated in a race neutral institutional culture. This reflective case study of an educational leadership department draws on qualitative data such as field notes from faculty conversations, experiential knowledge, memos, and quantitative data describing the disproportionate rejection of Black women applying to an educational leadership program in the US. Efforts to confront a race neutral process prompted by the higher rejection rate of Black women in comparison to their white counterparts prompted some faculty to engage in race conscious discourse. Faculty in departments of educational leadership who provoke race conscious dialogue on how they are implicated in institution...
Treatment for familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease.

Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease (MND), is a rare neurodegenerative disease. Approximately 5% to 7% of ALS/MND patients report a family history of a similarly affected relative. Superoxide dismutase-1 gene mutations are the cause in about 20% of familial cases. In those with non-familial (sporadic) ALS/MND the cause is unknown. Also unknown is whether patients with familial and sporadic ALS/MND respond differently to treatment. Objectives To systematically review the literature and to answer the specific question: 'Is there a difference in the response to treatment between patients with sporadic and familial forms of ALS?' Search strategy In May 2006 we searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Trials Register, MEDLINE (January 1966 to May 2006) and EMBASE (January 1980 to May 2006) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two review authors read the titles and abstracts of all articles and reviewed the full text of all possibly relevant articles. We scanned references of all included trials to identify additional relevant articles. For all trials eligible for inclusion we contacted the authors to request the necessary raw data. Selection criteria Studies had to meet two criteria: (a) randomized controlled study design, and (b) inclusion of patients with both familial and sporadic ALS/MND. Data collection and analysis We attempted to contact authors of all trials that met inclusion criteria. We obtained data regarding ALS/MND type (sporadic versus familial), treatment assignment (active versus placebo), survival and ALS Functional Rating Scale scores for four large RCTs that included 822 sporadic and 41 familial ALS patients. We could not obtain data from 25 potentially eligible studies (17 trial authors could not be contacted and eight were unwilling to provide data). Main results There was no statistical evidence for a different response to treatment in patients with familial ALS/MND compared to those with sporadic ALS/MND. The pooled estimate of the hazard ratio for the interaction term (treatment x familial ALS) suggested a more beneficial response with respect to survival among patients with familial ALS/MND, but the result was not statistically significant. Estimates of the rate of decline on the ALS Functional Rating Scale also suggested a slightly better response to treatment among those with familial ALS/MND, but the result was not statistically significant. Authors' conclusions Future RCTs should document whether patients with familial ALS/MND are included and the presence or absence of a mutation in the superoxide dismutase-1 gene amongst those with familial ALS/MND.
Tremor‐genic slow slip regions may be deeper and warmer and may slip slower than non‐tremor‐genic regions

Slow slip events (SSEs) are observed worldwide and often coincide with tectonic tremor. Notable examples of SSEs lacking observed tectonic tremor, however, occur beneath Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, the Boso Peninsula, Japan, near San Juan Bautista on the San Andreas Fault, California, and recently in Central Ecuador. These SSEs are similar to other worldwide SSEs in many ways (e.g., size or duration), but lack the concurrent tectonic tremor observed elsewhere; instead, they trigger swarms of regular earthquakes. We investigate the physical conditions that may distinguish these non-tremor-genic SSEs from those associated with tectonic tremor, including slip velocity, pressure, temperature, fluids, and fault asperities, although we cannot eliminate the possibility that tectonic tremor may be obscured in highly attenuating regions. Slip velocities of SSEs at Kīlauea Volcano (∼10−6 m/s) and Boso Peninsula (∼10−7 m/s) are among the fastest SSEs worldwide. Kīlauea Volcano, the Boso Peninsula, and Central Ecuador are also among the shallowest SSEs worldwide, and thus have lower confining pressures and cooler temperatures in their respective slow slip zones. Fluids also likely contribute to tremor generation, and no corresponding zone of high vp/vs has been noted at Kīlauea or Boso. We suggest that the relatively faster slip velocities at Kīlauea Volcano and the Boso Peninsula result from specific physical conditions that may also be responsible for triggering swarms of regular earthquakes adjacent to the slow slip, while different conditions produce slower SSE velocities elsewhere and trigger tectonic tremor.
Challenges and opportunities in understanding microbial communities with metagenome assembly (accompanied by IPython Notebook tutorial)

Metagenomic investigations hold great promise for informing the genetics, physiology, and ecology of environmental microorganisms. Current challenges for metagenomic analysis are related to our ability to connect the dots between sequencing reads, their population of origin, and their encoding functions. Assembly-based methods reduce dataset size by extending overlapping reads into larger contiguous sequences (contigs), providing contextual information for genetic sequences that does not rely on existing references. These methods, however, tend to be computationally intensive and are again challenged by sequencing errors as well as by genomic repeats While numerous tools have been developed based on these methodological concepts, they present confounding choices and training requirements to metagenomic investigators. To help with accessibility to assembly tools, this review also includes an IPython Notebook metagenomic assembly tutorial. This tutorial has instructions for execution any operating system using Amazon Elastic Cloud Compute and guides users through downloading, assembly, and mapping reads to contigs of a mock microbiome metagenome. Despite its challenges, metagenomic analysis has already revealed novel insights into many environments on Earth. As software, training, and data continue to emerge, metagenomic data access and its discoveries will to grow.
Optimal data migration policies in distributed databases

A description is given of how to determine the optimal migration policy for data items in a distributed database. A migration policy determines whether remote execution or migration is used when a remote request on a data item is initiated. A migration policy is modeled using a discrete Markov chain. The states in the Markov chain encode the history of previous requests and determine the probability distribution of the location of future requests. A modified policy iteration procedure is used to determine the optimal policy. >
Is glycaemia or insulin dose the stronger risk factor for coronary artery disease in type 1 diabetes

Although coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in type 1 diabetes (T1D), the mechanisms responsible for the greatly increased risk are poorly understood. In particular, the ro...