cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Portable Blood Gas Analyzer for Equine Venous Blood

Evaluation of a portable blood gas analyzer, (StatPal II, Unifet, Inc, La Jolla, CA) was performed using tonometered solutions and equine blood. Samples were analyzed by the StatPal II and either an Instrument Laboratory IL1306 (Lexington, MA) or a Radiometer ABL50 blood gas analyzer (Radiometer America Inc., Westlake, OH). Comparison of the StatPal II and the IL1306 was done by analysis of 3 tonometered solutions (acidic, normal, and alkalotic) and 27 equine venous blood samples. Blood pH, Pco2, Po2, and [HCO3-] values were altered by IV infusion of 5% sodium bicarbonate or exercising the horses on a treadmill. Comparison of the StatPal II and the Radiometer was performed by analysis of 78 blood samples collected from Standard-bred horses before a race. Data were analyzed for the venous blood samples using a paired two-tailed Student's t test and Bland-Altman plots, with significance set at P < .05. The coefficients of variation for pH, Pco2, Po2, and [HCO3-] values of the tonometered solutions analyzed by the StatPal II ranged from 0.067% to 0.087%, 2% to 3.21 %, 1.21 % to 2.67%, and 0.267% to 0.828%, respectively. Comparison of the equine blood samples analyzed by the StatPal II and the IL1306 demonstrated statistically significant, but clinically irrelevant differences in pH, Pco2, and Po2, but not [HCO3-]. There were statistically significant, but clinically irrelevant differences between the StatPal II and the Radiometer for pH, Pco2, and [HCO3-], but not for Po2-It is concluded that the StatPal II provides reproducible and acceptable analysis of equine venous blood gas samples.
Validation and clinical use of a sensitive HIV-2 viral load assay that uses a whole virus internal control.

Abstract Background Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) is distantly related to the more widespread HIV-1. Although HIV-2 infection is rare in the U.S., cases are concentrated in the Northeast. No FDA-approved HIV-2 viral load assays exist. A clinically validated laboratory-developed assay is currently available in the U.S., however it is not currently approved for use on New York State patients. Objective To develop a sensitive viral load assay to quantify HIV-2 RNA in plasma and to validate it for clinical use. Methods The real-time RT-PCR assay simultaneously amplifies HIV-2 and a whole virus internal control, added during the lysis step. Two extraction volumes can be used. Results are reported in HIV-2 RNA International Units (IU). Results The assay has a limit of detection of 7 IU/mL and a lower limit of quantification of 29 IU/mL. The assay detects multiple strains of HIV-2 group A and B and generates reproducible results. Samples exchanged with a comparator laboratory produced similar viral load results, with 74% of positives differing by 10 IU/mL. To date, we have tested 52 clinical specimens from 25 individuals. Twenty-eight (54%) specimens had measurable HIV-2 viral loads (range: 1.63–5.14 log 10 IU/mL), 10 (19%) were positive but not quantifiable, and 14 were negative. HIV-2 RNA was detected in at least one specimen from 19 of 25 (76%) individuals tested. Conclusions We developed a sensitive and accurate HIV-2 viral load assay. Validation data indicate the assay is suitable for clinical use and its availability in New York State will improve clinical monitoring of HIV-2 infected patients.
A Comparison of Register Transfer Languages for Describing Computers and Digital Systems

Different notations have been proposed over the years to describe register transfer (RT) systems. They have met with varying degrees of success and to provide a direct comparison of them is a difficult task. One of the reasons for this is the different views of the RT level of design held by the proponents of the languages.
Cloning and expression of the rat atrophin-I (DRPLA disease gene) homologue.

Abstract Dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is a rare, progressive, fatal neuropsychiatric disorder similar to Huntington's disease, caused by an expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat encoding glutamine. We have cloned the cDNA of the rat homologue of this gene. The cDNA contains a 3549 base pair open reading frame that is 88.2% identical to the human cDNA, with a predicted amino acid sequence that is 93.6% identical to the human sequence. The consecutive glutamine repeat is only five residues in length (normal range in human: 7–35 glutamines) and is followed by a polymorphic region of alternating glutamine and proline residues (QQQQQPQPQPQPQQ). The sequence also includes a polymorphic proline repeat, a serine repeat, and a region of alternating acidic and basic residues. Northern analysis and in situ hybridization indicate that the gene is widely expressed as a 4.5 kb mRNA, with a neuronal distribution in the brain. The widespread expression of this gene is consistent with the possibility that DRPLA, like other glutamine repeat diseases, is a result of an abnormality at the protein level.
Distinct Gene Expression Programs Function in Progenitor and Mature Islet Cells

Homeodomain transcription factor Nkx2.2 is required for the final differentiation of the beta-cells in the pancreas and for the production of insulin. Nkx2.2 is expressed in islet cell precursors during pancreatic development and persists in a subset of mature islet cells including all beta-cells. To understand the mechanisms regulating the expression of Nkx2.2 in these different cell populations, we outlined the structure of the mouse nkx2.2 gene and identified regions that direct cell type-specific expression. The nkx2.2 gene has two noncoding alternative first exons (exons 1a and 1b). In transgenic mice, sequences upstream from exon 1a directed expression predominantly in mature islet cells. Within this exon 1a promoter, cooperative interactions between HNF3 and basic helix-loop-helix factors neurogenin-3 or NeuroD1 binding to adjacent sites played key roles in its islet cell-specific expression. In contrast, sequences upstream from exon 1b restricted expression specifically to islet cell precursors. These studies reveal distinct mechanisms for directing the expression of a key differentiation factor in precursors versus mature islet cells.
Exciton Energy Levels in Wurtzite-Type Crystals

The exciton problem in wurtzite-type crystals is investigated taking into full account the structure of the valence bands. Using perturbation theory, after a proper rotation of the exciton Hamiltonian, we obtain analytical expressions for the exciton ground states originating from the ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{9}$, ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{7}$, and ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{7}$ valence subbands. These expressions are valid for any value of the crystal field splitting. Results are given for CdSe and CdS and the agreement with experiment is good.
Prognostic value of location and type of myocardial infarction in the setting of advanced left ventricular dysfunction.

Location (anterior) and type (Q wave) of myocardial infarction (MI) might be considered of prognostic significance when predicting mortality. However, there are limited data regarding the prognostic significance of type and location of MI in patients with severely depressed left ventricular function. In 1,221 patients in the MADIT II, Q-wave MI was observed in 763 patients (62%), 115 (10%) had non–Q-wave MI, and 343 (28%) had conduction abnormalities. In patients with Q-wave MI, anterior MI was present in 430 (57%), inferior in 155 (20%), and combined in 178 (23%) patients. Study end points included all-cause mortality, hospitalization or death due to worsening congestive heart failure, and episodes of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation requiring implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy. In a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model predicting mortality, the following clinical variables entered the predictive model at a p value
A common RNA loop motif as a docking module and its function in the hammerhead ribozyme

Here I present a three-dimensional model of a novel element of RNA tertiary structure. A common loop motif composed of adjacent, sheared G.A and A.N non-canonical base pairs is proposed to form long-range tertiary interactions with other RNA residues. The widespread distribution of this G.A/A.N docking module suggests that the putative long-range docking interaction plays an important role in specifying the tertiary structure of large RNAs, and perhaps the quaternary structure of some intermolecular RNA-RNA interactions. Application of this docking module hypothesis to the hammerhead ribozyme provides crucial constraints for the calculation of three-dimensional models of its self-cleaving conformation.
Cued recall for four-word categories presented in separate pairs

Theoretical arguments and empirical evidence are presented that support the view that interitem associations develop among items of the same category during learning of categorized lists. The theoretical arguments question the interpretation of certain cued recall studies that failed to find effects of cues beyond aiding retrieval of the category itself. The empirical evidence is an experiment that shows that cues are more effective at aiding the retrieval of category mates presented adjacent to the cue than of those presented in more remote positions. There was also evidence of within-category subclusters induced by clustering in the presentation order.
Droplet breakup of micro- and nano-dispersed carbon-in-water colloidal suspensions under intense radiation

Abstract Carbon-in-water suspensions (CWS) have unique optical properties and have received increasing interest recently for various applications. In the field of combustion science, CWS have been recommended as a substitute for the traditional fossil fuels. The idea is to suspend carbon (coke or coal) particles in water and then inject them as a spray into a gasifier or boiler. The potential benefits are lower emissions and higher combustion efficiency, in comparison to directly injecting coal particles into air or water steam. Nevertheless, few studies have examined CWS colloidal fuels. Especially, droplet breakup can occur when the droplets are exposed to radiation. The goal of this paper is to understand droplet breakup mechanism of CWS under intense radiation. An experiment was developed to visualize the breakup process and to measure the threshold radiation intensity required for explosion at varying particle concentrations and sizes as well as droplet sizes. The results show that radiation absorption by the carbon particles play a critical role in the breakup behavior. A theoretical model was also developed to determine the effects of the particle material, size, and concentration on the threshold radiation energy.
Synthesis of 1-methoxy canthine-6-one

Abstract The six step synthesis of the cytotoxic antileukemic alkaloid 1-methoxy canthine-6-one 2 is described. The pivotal steps are represented by the oxidation (DDQ) of 9 to afford the 3-acylindole 14 and the conversion of 11 into the 4-methoxy-1-alkyl β-carboline 15 .
Chemical modification of acute hepatotoxicity of vinyl chloride monomer in rats.

Six-hour inhalation exposure of male rats to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) was hepatotoxic as measured by elevated serum alanine-a-ketoglutarate transaminase (AKT) when the rats were pretreated with either sodium phenobarbital (0.1% in the drinking water, 7 days) or Aroclor 1254 (pretreatment doses given by gavage; 100, 200, or 300 μmol/kg/day for 3 days). Following Aroclor 1254 pretreatment and VCM exposure, serum AKT elevation was proportional to Aroclor 1254 dose as well as VCM concentration (range 12,500–50,000 ppm). In phenobarbital-pretreated rats, fasting, but not diethyl maleate, significantly potentiated VCM injury; SKF-525A (75 mg/kg, ip) given 30 min prior to exposure prevented liver injury produced by VCM. Both Aroclor 1254 and phenobarbital pretreatment increased in vitro liver hexobarbital oxidase activity in unexposed animals. Exposure to VCM caused hexobarbital oxidase activity to decrease in livers from both nonpretreated and pretreated rats. The decreases in activity did not correlate with injury as measured by serum AKT. Ethyl alcohol (3.33 ml/kg) given by gavage 30 min prior to VCM exposure in phenobarbital-pretreated rats was associated with a nonsignificant serum AKT increase when compared to controls not given ethanol. A larger dose of ethanol (5 ml/kg, po) given to Aroclor 1254-pretreated rats prior to VCM did not increase the serum AKT elevation compared to controls. Four doses of ethanol (5 ml/kg, po) given to phenobarbital-pretreated rats at 48, 42, 24, and 16 hr before VCM exposure did not potentiate the increase in serum AKT caused by VCM. Disulfiram (200 mg/kg, ip, or 1000 mg/kg, po) given prior to VCM exposure in Aroclor-pretreated rats produced a significant potentiation of VCM toxicity. The data suggest: first, that VCM is activated to a toxic intermediate and this activation is inducible; second, while ethyl alcohol per se does not appear to play a primary or modifying role in acute VCM hepatotoxicity, inhibitors of ethanol metabolism modify the toxicity of VCM.
Methods for fungal identification in the clinical mycology laboratory

The incidence of life-threatening mycases is increasing (1). Fungi have become one of the four most common causes of nosocomial bloodstream infection (2). The development of a nosocomial fungemia can result in an 8-d increase in the median number of patient hospital days, resulting in a significantly higher cost to the payee and increased distress to the patient (3). In the current era of managed care and dwindling funds to support hospital services, the ability to identify a fungus rapidly to genus and, if necessary, to species is an important concern. Extensive surveys have demonstrated that it is possible to anticipate the susceptibility of certain yeasts and moulds to the limited number of antifungal agents available for systemic administration. Armed with the knowledge of an etiologic agent’s genus and species epithet, physicians can feel more confident to switch, if indicated, from an empiric therapeutic regimen to a more appropriate antifungal agent and thus decrease the likelihood of treatment failure. If desired, antifungal susceptibility testing can be perIn This Issue
Landscape Planning for Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Reduction III: Assessing Phosphorus and Sediment Reduction Potential

Riparian buffers have the potential to improve stream water quality in agricultural landscapes. This potential may vary in response to landscape characteristics such as soils, topography, land use, and human activities, including legacies of historical land management. We built a predictive model to estimate the sediment and phosphorus load reduction that should be achievable following the implementation of riparian buffers; then we estimated load reduction potential for a set of 1598 watersheds (average 54 km2) in Wisconsin. Our results indicate that land cover is generally the most important driver of constituent loads in Wisconsin streams, but its influence varies among pollutants and according to the scale at which it is measured. Physiographic (drainage density) variation also influenced sediment and phosphorus loads. The effect of historical land use on present-day channel erosion and variation in soil texture are the most important sources of phosphorus and sediment that riparian buffers cannot attenuate. However, in most watersheds, a large proportion (approximately 70%) of these pollutants can be eliminated from streams with buffers. Cumulative frequency distributions of load reduction potential indicate that targeting pollution reduction in the highest 10% of Wisconsin watersheds would reduce total phosphorus and sediment loads in the entire state by approximately 20%. These results support our approach of geographically targeting nonpoint source pollution reduction at multiple scales, including the watershed scale.
Influence of pentobarbital anesthesia on the effects of certain autonomic blocking agents on heart rate.

Abstract The nature of neurogenic control of the myocardium was profoundly altered by pentobarbital anesthesia in mongrel dogs. Since the pharmacological responses of various autonomic blocking agents depend essentially upon this neurogenic control, their effects on cardiac rate were significantly different in conscious animals from those under pentobarbital anesthesia. The intrinsic heart rate was significantly attenuated by pentobarbital suggesting that it had direct depressant effect on S-A node.
AZT toxicity and AIDS prophylaxis: Is AZT beneficial for HIV+ asymptomatic persons with 500 or more T4 cells per cubic millimeter?

Analyses of the effects of prophylactic use of zidovudine (AZT) on progression to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in human immunodeficiency virus seropositive (HIV+) asymptomatic persons with T4 lymphocyte (CD4+) cell counts ≥500 mm3 is reported for data obtained from two studies, the Australian European Group Collaborative Study, a multi-centered double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of the effects of AZT on progression to AIDS and other clinical endpoints, and the San Francisco Men's Health Study, an observational cohort. The analyses of the data of both studies demonstrate no benefit from AZT treatment in terms of progression to AIDS for those who are asymptomatic with CD4+ cell counts ≥500 mm3. The analysis of the San Francisco study, performed with Kaplan-Meier survivorship estimates, indicates a heterogeneity in the efficacy of AZT between baseline CD4+ cell count strata, 200–499 mm3 and 500–800 mm3. Within the 200–499 stratum, 47% of those receiving AZT therapy and 62% of those not receiving AZT therapy progressed to AIDS during the study period. By contrast, within the 500–800 stratum 41% of those receiving AZT therapy and 27% of those not receiving AZT therapy progressed to AIDS during the same period. Application of the Cox proportional hazards survivorship regression model for the relative risk of progression to AIDS to these same data accounts for this heterogeneity. The model includes an interaction between AZT treatment and baseline CD4+ cell counts. The hematological toxicity of AZT, demonstrated in clinical studies and laboratory investigations, indicates a biological correlate for this interaction: the toxic effects of AZT on the more intact immune system of those with CD4+ cell counts in the 500–800 mm3 range.
Selective cytotoxicity of peritoneal leucocytes for neoplastic cells.

Abstract Peritoneal leucocytes of nonspecifically stimulated rats (about 70% large mononuclear cells) were found to display a high degree of cytotoxicity in vitro . This cytotoxicity appeared to be exerted through a selective mechanism. Growth inhibition and cell destruction were observed when peritoneal leucocytes were cultivated with syngeneic or allogeneic neoplastic cells. Less or no cytotoxicity was observed when peritoneal leucocytes were cultivated with syngeneic or allogeneic normal kidney cells or normal embryo cells. Lymph node cells of stimulated rats were not cytotoxic towards syngeneic or allogeneic normal kidney cells. These findings may reflect a mechanism for surveillance of neoplastic cells more primitive than that ascribed to specifically committed T cells. This mechanism may be relevant to tumor regression occurring at sites of induced delayed hypersensitivity reactions.
Anesthesia and Pain Management

Effective anesthesia and postoperative pain management are key elements for both optimal perioperative patient care and satisfaction and an accelerated recovery after ambulatory or inpatient colorectal surgery. A major concern for patients undergoing surgery continues to be pain control both during and after the operation. Although recent advances have been made in the development of new analgesics, treatment strategies, and delivery systems, providing effective pain control can still be a challenge. This is especially true in the setting of accelerated recovery programs that aim for early ambulation, earlier hospital discharge, and a more rapid return to the activities of daily living. We review the common methods of anesthesia and pain management for both ambulatory and major abdominal surgery and describe how, when properly chosen and implemented, the result is better patient care and expedited operative recovery.
Facial feature tracking with the super image vector inner product

We overview a technique known as Super Image Vector Inner Product as applied to Facial pose estimation. The method is mathematically similar to correlation based methods but is numerically more efficient. The Vector Inner Product approach attains its pose and position estimation by embedding these distortions in its phase response. We demonstrate for the first time, that that the Super Image Vector Inner Product can be used for facial identification. We present a method by which segmenting the face into a set of feature regions, individual Super Images can be combined together using mesh techniques to track facial expressions.
An improved autoradiographic coating technique for neurohistopathological stains and electron microscopy

Abstract We describe modifications and improvements to our first report of a new nuclear emulsion coating technique for both light and electron microscopic autoradiography. Although this technique was originally designed to facilitate electron microscopic autoradiography, the methodology also allows pre-staining of plastic-embedded tissue sections prior to coating the slides with nuclear emulsion for light microscopic autoradiography. We now demonstrate that paraffin sections can be autoradiographically processed after being subjected to a combination of immunocytochemical reactions and special neuroanatomical stains. Parlodion film has been found to be more resistant to temperature changes and less prone to contamination than Formvar film. The shape of the double adhesive tape is an important aspect of the electron microscopic technique; it has been modified to minimize contamination and facilitate the removal of the grids from the glass slide. These technical adjustments facilitate the application of the nuclear emulsion and increase radionuclide specificity, thus expanding the investigative horizons of light and electron microscopic autoradiography.
Formulation of Low-Order Dominant Poles for Y-Matrix of Interconnects

This paper presents an efficient approach to compute the dominant poles for the reduced-order admittance (Y parameter) matrix of lossy interconnects. Using the global approximation technique, the efficient frameworks are constructed to transform the frequency-domain Telegrapher's equations into compact linear algebraic equations. The dominant poles and residues can be extracted by directly solving the linear equations. The closed-form formulas are derived to compute the low-order dominant poles. Due to high accuracy of the global approximation, the extracted poles can accurately represent the exact admittance matrices in a wide frequency range. By using the recursive convolution technique, the pole-residue models can be represented by companion models, which have linear complexity with respect to the computational time. The presented modeling approaches are shown to preserve passivity. Numerical experiments of transient simulation show that the presented modeling approaches lead to higher efficiency, while maintaining; comparable accuracy.
Superplastic behavior of Zn-22% Al containing nano-scale dispersion particles

Abstract A creep investigation was performed on Zn–22%Al in which dispersion particles were introduced by cryomilling. The results show that the particles have no significant effect on the sigmoidal relation between stress and strain rate previously reported for dispersion-free Zn–22%Al. An examination of the creep structure reveals two observations that are common to regions I (the low-stress region of the sigmoidal plot) and II (intermediate-stress region). First, after deformation, only some grains contain dislocations, many of which are attached to the particles. Second, most of the dislocations are parallel and tend to be curved. An analysis of the results indicates that regions II and I are controlled by the same deformation process, in which the sliding of groups of grains is accommodated by dislocation motion in the blocking grains. This deformation process incorporates a threshold stress whose origin is most likely related to the interaction between dislocations and dispersion particles.
Application of Telepathology for Neuropathologic Intraoperative Consultations

The demand for expert neuropathologic intraoperative diagnoses often exceeds the available supply and geographic distribution of neuropathology centers. Telepathology has therefore been implemented in recent years to meet this demand. Herein, we draw on our experience with 4 generations of telepathology systems over the past 8 years to discuss the design, initiation and maintenance of an effective telepathology service for neuropathologists, including when to change systems. In addition to workflow efficiency, unique advantages of telepathology include integration into other informatics modalities, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) maintenance and the potential for visual data to be readily available to clinicians. Given the improvements in technology and the multiple uses of telepathology, this method for delivering patient care will undoubtedly continue to grow over time.
Language minority students in high school: The role of language in learning biology concepts

The importance of language to constituting meaning in science learning has been recognized. However, how language processes in learning are affected by the limited English proficiency of language minority students has not been addressed. The purpose of this study was twofold. The first goal was to describe how Mexican American language minority students construct biology concept meanings based on extant linguistic skills. Second, Vygotsky's semiotic approach to learning was used to design instructional activity to engage students in constructing meanings through mediational means such as science language, signs and symbols, and technology. Participants were 14 sophomores from an urban immigrant community who were enrolled in a Saturday enrichment program at a private university that maintained a “partnership” with the public high school. This interpretive study is based on extensive observational data, individual and group interviews, and students' written products. Findings indicated that students were overly reliant on the teacher's oral text as a source of science meaning and deferred to him for scientific interpretations of real life experience. Designed instructional activities showed students how to use semiotic tools to construct and express conceptual meanings. Diagrams were particularly important to instructional activity because these were modified to create visual parsimonious texts that were used as templates to support student appropriation of science language. An instructional sequence that moved students through three phases of learning was identified. Receptive understanding and expression used diagrams to identify content and enable students to “ventriloquate” teacher talk. Conceptual understanding and expression engaged students in constructing conceptual expressions and advanced students from “ventriloquating” teacher talk to expressing concepts for their own purpose. Interpretative understanding and expression was achieved by students using their conceptual understanding to analyze real life experience and their expanded discursive resources to write an interpretation. As students became proficient with semiotic tools, the teacher withdrew as science authority, and students assumed responsibility for constructing meaning using their own discursive resources. The findings demonstrate the importance of confronting the mystique of science through instructional activity that provides students the opportunity to acquire the cultural authority of language and other semiotic tools. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sci Ed82:311–341, 1998.
A Time-Encoding Machine Based High-Speed Analog-to-Digital Converter

A time-encoding machine (TEM) based new analog-to-digital converter (ADC) architecture is presented in this paper. The main advantage of this architecture is that it relies on asynchronous process and removes an important performance limiting factor in conventional ADCs: the clock jitter. Therefore, this architecture is suitable for very high speed ADCs. To expand the bandwidth coverage, the compressive sensing techniques is employed to reconstruct sparse signals with very high frequency. The system can run under two different modes: the normal mode where the signal is sampled at above Nyquist rate and the compressive sensing mode. Nonidealities in circuits and system parameter setting tradeoffs are analyzed to determine the best parameters for the system to reach optimal performance.
A Multi-Node GPGPU Implementation of Non-Linear Anisotropic Diffusion Filter

The quality of an image is highly critical for applications such as robotic vision, surveillance, medical imaging, etc. The images captured in real-time are seldom noise free and therefore require noise removal for further processing. Out of several proposed noise removal schemes, an isotropic diffusion filtering is known to achieve highly precise results. However, the accuracy comes at an expense of high computation cost, especially for large data sets. The highly parallel nature of the aforementioned filtering algorithm makes it a good candidate for the General Purpose Graphical Processing Unit (GPGPU) clusters. In this research, we present a GPGPU cluster-based implementation of the non-linear an isotropic diffusion filter. Our implementation maps the computationally intensive parts of the algorithm to the GPGPU devices while the communication and serial processing are performed by the CPU hosts. Our efficiently mapped multi-node GPGPU implementation is capable of processing images as large as 156 mega-pixels and achieves a speed-up of 29x over an equivalent MPI-only implementation. In addition, our multi-node GPGPU implementation exhibits reasonable scaling behavior that improves with the size of the images.
Discovering the molecular foundations of Lactobacillus autochthony in the gastrointestinal tract

Molecular technologies have facilitated detection and identification of intestinal lactobacilli and allowed insight into the occurrence, diversity and dynamics of Lactobacillus populations in the human gastrointestinal tract. These techniques showed that the majority of Lactobacillus strains found in human fecal samples are only transiently detectable and therefore likely to be allochthonous, probably originating from food or the oral cavity. Strains of some species, such as Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus ruminis, have been shown to be true inhabitants (autochthonous) and persist in significant numbers. Very little is known about the molecular traits that enable autochthonous lactobacilli to occupy a niche within the gut ecosystem. The main focus of our research has been to determine the molecular foundations of the ecological success of Lactobacillus reuteri strains that are autochthonous to the rodent gastrointestinal tract. These studies have begun to provide mechanistic explanations of the ecological success of this species as a result of the application of in vivo expression technology (IVET) and the investigation of the ecological performance of isogenic mutants in the murine gastrointestinal tract. Functional and comparative genomic studies with Lactobacillus reuteri have been initiated in order to identify phenotypic and genotypic traits essential for gut colonization and host/microbe coexistence. Research to decipher these ecological interactions is rewarding, as it not only increases fundamental knowledge about the gut ecosystem, but also provides valuable information to select lactobacilli for probiotics.
Ozone deposition to an orange orchard: Partitioning between stomatal and non-stomatal sinks

Orange trees are widely cultivated in regions with high concentrations of tropospheric ozone. Citrus absorb ozone through their stomata and emit volatile organic compounds (VOC), which, together with soil emissions of NO, contribute to non-stomatal ozone removal. In a Valencia orange orchard in Exeter, California, we used fast sensors and eddy covariance to characterize water and ozone fluxes. We also measured meteorological parameters necessary to model other important sinks of ozone deposition. We present changes in magnitude of these ozone deposition sinks over the year in response to environmental parameters. Within the plant canopy, the orchard constitutes a sink for ozone, with non-stomatal ozone deposition larger than stomatal uptake. In particular, soil deposition and reactions between ozone, VOC and NO represented the major sinks of ozone. This research aims to help the development of metrics for ozone-risk assessment and advance our understanding of citrus in biosphere-atmosphere exchange.
Elementary excitations in disordered systems with short-range order

A general theory for elementary excitations in disordered systems with short-range order has been developed. The theory is based on an averaging formalism which is a generalization of an averaging technique introduced by Mookerjee. The theory is valid for excitations in all mean-free-path regions and can be used to generate analytic Green's functions which have the proper translational symmetry. The mathematical formalism is discussed for random alloys and amorphous solids. Illustrative calculations for Markov chains are shown to compare well with essentially exact numerical calculations.
Assessment of mercury and selenium tissular concentrations and total mercury body burden in 6 Steller sea lion pups from the Aleutian Islands.

Concentrations of total mercury ([THg]) and selenium ([TSe]) were measured in several tissue compartments in Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups; in addition we determined specific compartment and body burdens of THg. Compartmental and body burdens were calculated by multiplying specific compartment fresh weight by the [THg] (summing compartment burdens equals body burden). In all 6 pup tissue sets (1) highest [THg] was in hair, (2) lowest [THg] was in bone, and (3) pelt, muscle and liver burdens contributed the top three highest percentages of THg body burden. In 5 of 6 pups the Se:Hg molar ratios among compartments ranged from 0.9 to 43.0. The pup with the highest hair [THg] had Se:Hg molar ratios in 9 of 14 compartments that were ⩽ 0.7 potentially indicating an inadequate [TSe] relative to [THg].
Experiments on Active Control of Vibrational Power Flow Using Piezoceramic Actuators/Sensors

The active control of flexural power flow in both semi-infinite and finite elastic beams is experimentall y investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that piezoceramic transducers, when used in conjunction with an adaptive least mean squares narrow-band controller, can effectively control flexural power flow at steady-state single frequencies in thin beam systems. The piezoceramic transducers offer distinct size and weight advantages over conventional transducers. The experiments also demonstrate the use of an axial scanning laser vibrometer to determine out-of-plane velocity and power flow.
Airships --- Basis for a New Oceanic Capability

Blimps, modernized versions of the U.S. Navy's antisubmarine and early warning airships of the 1940's and 50's, offer an untapped potential for ocean science and engineering. As buoyant aircraft, they are not only energy-conserving but could engage uniquely in protracted airborne operations for remote and in-situ sensing. Their range, endurance, and ability to use sound equipment could be useful in detecting, following, observing, and protecting marine life. By combining a "view from above" with an ability to "work from above", airships could add a valuable new dimension to scientific and engineering activities in the sea.
Electrothermally actuated large displacement waveguides

A waveguide structure is designed and fabricated to provide a path for propagating light from device substrate to a movable mirror plate. The device is constructed with three pairs of electrothermal actuators that enable vertical motion with ultralow lateral shift. The actuators enable actuation of the waveguide over 56μm at only 1.2V from an initial displacement of 217μm. The measured resistance of the actuator pairs is 52Ω, and the device consumes a maximum power of 75mW with all actuator pairs at peak power.
Lawson’s Shoehorn, Reprise

Lawson’s (Lawson, A.: 2004, Science & Education, 13, 155–177) analysis of the meteorite hypothesis of dinosaur extinction exhibits flaws similar to his earlier (2002) analysis of Galileo’s discovery of Jupiter’s moons (Allchin, D.: 2003, Science & Education, 12, 315–329).
Distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide-like and neurophysin-like immunoreactive neurons and acetylcholinesterase staining in the ring dove hypothalamus with emphasis on the question of an avian suprachiasmatic nucleus.

Two nuclei, termed here the medial hypothalamic nucleus and the lateral hypothalamic retinorecipient nucleus, are possible homologs of the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus. As the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus is characterized by a dense concentration of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-and neurophysin (NP)-immunoreactive neurons and an absence of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) staining, we decided to examine these factors in the ring dove hypothalamus. Neither the medial hypothalamic nucleus nor the lateral hypothalamic retinorecipient nucleus contained either VIP-or NP-like immunoreactive neurons. The lateral hypothalamic retinorecipient nucleus stained darkly for AChE. Although there was some overlap in the distribution of VIP-and NP-like immunoreactive neurons, a clustering of both types into a well defined nucleus was not observed. Therefore, an avian homolog to the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus must differ in its chemoarchitecture from that of mammalian species described to date.
Thalamocortical patches in auditory neocortex

Abstract Thalamocortical afferents to the primary auditory cortex of the rabbit were labeled by the iontophoretic injection of the anterograde tracers PHA-L or biocytin into the ventral division of the medial geniculate body (vMGB). Single injections of either tracer into the vMGB labeled multiple “patches” of afferent axons in lamina III/IV of the ipsilateral auditory cortex. Serial section analysis revealed that single patches were elongated in the rostral-caudal axis forming bands of ∼2 mm in length. The orientation of the bands was similar to the isofrequency contours of the tonotopic maps derived from prior electrophysiological experiments. Within the coronal plane, the topography of the patches is remarkably similar to the intermittent distribution of binaural interaction subclasses described in physiological studies. Our results are consistent with a model of vMGB organization containing functionally distinct, parallel anatomical pathways to AI.
Microdetermination of guanine ribonucleotides by an enzymic amplification technique.

Abstract A method has been described by which GMP, GDP, and GTP in tissue extracts in an amount of 10−10 mole or less can be determined without any separation procedure. The sum of concentrations of GDP and GTP is measured by the system involving guanine nucleotide specific succinate thiokinase from pig heart and pyruvate kinase coupled in a cyclic manner. In this system the rate of pyruvate formation from phosphoenolpyruvate is proportional to the sum of GDP and GTP concentrations and pyruvate is allowed to accumulate to a concentration up to several 1000-fold higher than the sum of GDP and GTP concentrations. Then the pyruvate concentration is determined by lactate dehydrogenase. The sum of GMP, GDP, and GTP is determined by repeating the same procedure after GMP is converted to GDP by pretreating the sample with guanylate kinase in the presence of ATP, phosphocreatine, and creatine kinase. The concentration of GTP is measured by repeating the same procedure after GDP is removed from the mixture by pretreating with nucleoside diphosphatase. Finally, the concentrations of the individual nucleotides are calculated from these three determinations. Incidental to this work, methods were described for the purification of commerical ATP and CoA preparations which have been found to contain significant amounts of GDP and GTP.
Multi-stakeholder collaboration in the redesign of family-centered rounds process

A human factors approach to healthcare system redesign emphasizes the involvement of multiple healthcare stakeholders (e.g., patients and families, healthcare providers) in the redesign process. This study explores the experience of multiple stakeholders with collaboration in a healthcare system redesign project. Interviews were conducted with ten stakeholder representatives who participated in the redesign of the family-centered rounds process in a pediatric hospital. Qualitative interview data were analyzed using a phenomenological approach. A model of collaborative healthcare system redesign was developed, which defined four phases (i.e., setup of the redesign team, preparation for meetings, collaboration in meetings, follow-up after meetings) and two outcomes (i.e., team outcomes, redesign outcomes) of the collaborative process. Challenges to multi-stakeholder collaboration in healthcare system redesign, such as need to represent all relevant stakeholders, scheduling of meetings and managing different perspectives, were identified.
A note on Bryopsis in the West Indies1

Abstract The name Bryopsis duchassaingii J. Ag. as to type applies to a species of Trichosolen (Pseudobryopsis). The species of Bryopsis currently called B. duchassaingii is consequently without a name and is herein newly described as B. halliae. Pseudobryopsis longipedicellata Blomquist & Diaz-Piferrer is placed in the synonymy of T. duchassaingii (J. Ag.) Taylor.
INDUCTION AND REGULATION OF INTERLEUKIN-6 GENE EXPRESSION IN RAT ASTROCYTES

Cells that produce interleukin-6 (IL-6) require the presence of signaling molecules since this cytokine is not normally constitutively expressed. It is now established that astrocytes produce IL-6; however, the precise inducing molecules and the kinetics of their action have not yet been clearly identified. In the current study, we show that either interleukin-1β (IL-1β) or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) exert a strong inducing signal for IL-6 in primary rat astrocytes. When the two cytokines are added together the response is synergistic, suggesting that each cytokine may induce IL-6 gene expression by different pathways. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) does not affect IL-6 expression although if it is added in conjunction with IL-1β, an augmented induction of IL-6 occurs. In addition to the cytokines, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the calcium ionophore, A23187, induce IL-6 expression. IL-6 expression can be blocked by the glucocorticoid analogue, dexamethasone. IL-6 induction by LPS/Ca2+ ionophore is more sensitive to the suppressive effects of dexamethasone than is IL-6 induction by TNF-α/IL-1β. Cycloheximide (CHX), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, markedly increased levels of IL-6 mRNA in both unstimulated and stimulated astrocytes, indicating that ongoing protein synthesis is not required for astrocyte IL-6 gene expression. We propose that astrocyte-produced IL-6 may have a role in augmenting intracerebral immune responses in neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), AIDS dementia complex (ADC), and viral infections. These diseases are characterized by infiltration of lymphoid and mononuclear cells into the central nervous system (CNS), and intrathecal production of immunoglobulins. IL-6 may act to promote terminal differentiation of B cells in the CNS, leading to immunoglobulin synthesis.
Melia and Saatsi on structural realism

Newman’s objection is sometimes taken to be a fatal objection to structural realism (SR). However, ambiguity in the definition of “structure” allows for versions that do not succumb to Newman’s objection. In this paper, I consider some versions of SR that maintain an abstract notion of structure yet avoid Newman’s objection. In particular, I consider versions suggested by Melia and Saatsi. They reject a solution that restricts the domain of the second-order quantifiers, and argue in favor of buttressing the language with intensional operators such as “it is physically necessary that...”. I argue that their favored solution effectively requires the former suggestion that they reject. This argument suggests that a notion of natural properties may be indispensable to SR.
Asymmetric synthesis of chiral organofluorine compounds: use of nonracemic fluoroiodoacetic acid as a practical electrophile and its application to the synthesis of monofluoro hydroxyethylene dipeptide isosteres within a novel series of HIV protease inhibitors.

Two stereoselective routes to a series of diastereomeric inhibitors of HIV protease, monofluorinated analogues of the Merck HIV protease inhibitor indinavir, are described. The two routes feature stereoselective construction of the fluorinated core subunits by asymmetric alkylation reactions. The first-generation syntheses were based on the conjugate addition of the lithium enolate derived from pseudoephedrine α-fluoroacetamide to nitroalkene 12, a modestly diastereoselective transformation. A more practical second-generation synthetic route was developed that is based on a novel method for the asymmetric synthesis of organofluorine compounds, by enolate alkylation using optically active fluoroiodoacetic acid as the electrophile in combination with a chiral amide enolate. Resolution of fluoroiodoacetic acid with ephedrine provides either enantiomeric form of the electrophile in ≥96% ee. Alkylation reactions with this stable and storable chiral fluorinated precursor are shown to proceed in a highly stereos...
Nurse educators—still challenged by critical thinking

Educators are thwarted by inconsistent critical thinking definitions, poor understandings about measurable ways to teach critical thought processes, and a lack of reliable and valid nursing-specific assessment tools to effectively evaluate student reasoning. Standardized measures of students' critical thinking show contradictory measurement results. Assumptions that nurse educators possess highly evolved critical thinking skills need to be examined. It appears that continued attention and new approaches to critical thinking are still needed. More still needs to be known about relationships between the critical thinking abilities of the nursing faculty and the ways students are taught these skills through the curriculum and clinical experiences.
Effects of castration and hormone replacement on Sidman avoidance acquisition in the rat

The effects of castration and hormone replacement on the acquisition of a leverpress Sidman avoidance task were examined. Sixty male rats were assigned randomly to one of five groups: (1) castration with estradiol treatment, (2) castration with progesterone treatment, (3) castration with estradiol and progesterone treatment, (4) castration with saline treatment, and (5) sham castration with saline treatment. Serum hormone concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. While serum assays indicated an increase of at least 600% to 3,300% for progesterone and estrogen levels, respectively, the results did not reveal any significant castration or hormone effects on the acquisition of the avoidance task.
Amorphous polystyrene-block-polybutadiene and crystallizable polystyrene-block-(hydrogenated polybutadiene) solutions in compressible near critical propane and propylene – Hydrogenation effects

Polystyrene, polybutadiene, hydrogenated polybutadiene, and styrene diblock copolymers of these homopolymers can form homogenous solutions in compressible solvents, such as propane and propylene, which separate into two bulk phases upon reducing pressure. The cloud and micellization pressures for homopolymer and diblock copolymers are generally found to be higher in propane than in propylene, except for hydrogenated polybutadiene and polystyrene-block-(hydrogenated polybutadiene). Hydrogenated polybutadiene homopolymers and copolymers exhibit relatively pressure-independent crystallization and melting observed in both propane and propylene solutions.