cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Providers' Adherence to Evidence-Based Asthma Guidelines in Pediatric Primary Care

Abstract Background Regardless of existence of National asthma guidelines, adherence to major elements of guidelines among providers is suboptimal. The nonadherence contributes to poor clinical outcomes and quality of life of asthma patients. Purpose This project aims to improve the standard of care of asthma patients with increased providers' adherence to asthma guidelines through provider education, and implementation of practice guidelines and evidence-based resources. Methods A pre-post implementation retrospective design was adopted along with the provision of provider education sessions and implementation of pediatric asthma management practice guidelines and asthma resources in the pediatric practice in Southern, New Jersey. Data were collected via retrospective chart review among 41 patients four-months pre-implementation and 38 patients three months post-implementation to assess the improvement of providers' adherence to seven elements of asthma guidelines. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were computed to evaluate providers' adherence. Results Results showed improvement from pre- to post-implementation in utilization of six of the seven key elements of guidelines among providers that include, the assessment and documentation of asthma control (4.9% to 39.5%), medication adherence (20% to 87.5%), medication delivery technique (7.3% to 18.4%), environmental triggers (14.6% to 44.7%), asthma action plan (4.9% to 28.9%), and follow-up visits (48.8% to 76.3%). In addition, the chi-square test showed a significant association between environmental triggers assessment from baseline to post-implementation, χ2 (1, n = 79) = 4.29, p = .038. Conclusion Providing necessary resources and provider-focused education demonstrated a positive change in promoting best practice and facilitating providers' adherence.
Contested Numbers: The failed negotiation of objective statistics in a methodological review of Kinsey et al.'s sex research.

From 1950 to 1952, statisticians W.G. Cochran, C.F. Mosteller, and J.W. Tukey reviewed A.C. Kinsey and colleagues’ methodology. Neither the history-and-philosophy of science literature nor contemporary theories of interdisciplinarity seem to offer a conceptual model that fits this forced interaction, which was characterized by significant power asymmetries and disagreements on multiple levels. The statisticians initially attempted to exclude all non-technical matters from their evaluation, but their political and personal investments interfered with this agenda. In the face of McCarthy’s witch hunts, negotiations with Kinsey and his funding institutions became integral to the review group’s work. This paper analyzes the heavy burden of emotional and affective labor in this collaboration, the conflicts caused by competing visions of objectivity, and the uses of statistical knowledge to gain and sustain authority. Kinsey’s refusal to adopt the recommended probability sample damaged his already precarious position even further and marked him as a biased researcher who put his personal agenda above methodological rigor. Kinsey’s uncooperative demeanor can be explained by distrust resulting from numerous adverse reactions to his work and by fear of having his sexuality exposed. This case study illustrates that the very concept of valid numbers can become an arena for power struggles and that quantification alone does not guarantee productive exchanges across disciplines. It calls for a deeper conceptual analysis of the prerequisites for successful scientific collaborations.
A high performance algorithm using pre-processing for the sparse matrix-vector multiplication

The authors propose a feature-extraction-based algorithm (FEBA) for sparse matrix-vector multiplication. The key idea of FEBA is to exploit any regular structure present in the sparse matrix by extracting it and processing it separately. The order in which these structures are extracted is determined by the relative efficiency with which they can be processed. The authors have tested FEBA on IBM 3000 VF for matrices from the Harwell Boeing and OSL collection. The results obtained were on average five times faster than the ESSL routine which is based on the ITPACK storage structure.
The Oxidation Process in Silicon Nitride

This paper summarizes studies undertaken to elucidate the intrinsic oxidation behavior of silicon nitride, both by itself, and in relationship to the other key silicon-based ceramic, silicon carbide. Results presented here include oxidation rates, and some effects related to the formation of a compositionally graded suboxide interlayer during the oxidation of silicon nitride. A unique, noninterfacial oxidation mechanism is shown to account for those effects.
Science at the speed of thought

Scientific discoveries occur with iterations of theory, experiment, and analysis. But the methods that scientists use to go about their work are changing [1]. Experiment types are changing. Increasingly, experiment means computational experiment [2], as computers increase in speed, memory, and parallel processing capability. Laboratory experiments are becoming parallel as combinatorial experiments become more common. Acquired datasets are changing. Both computer and laboratory experiments can produce large quantities of data where the time to analyze data can exceed the time to generate it. Data from experiments can come in surges where the analysis of each set determines the direction of the next experiments. The data generated by experiments may also be non-intuitive. For example, nanoscience is the study of materials whose properties may change greatly as their size is reduced [3]. Thus analyses may benefit from new ways to examine and interact with data.
Effect of Exercise on the Turnover of Cytochrome c in Skeletal Muscle

Abstract The concentration of cytochrome c has previously been shown to increase 2-fold in leg muscles of rats subjected to a program of prolonged exercise. In the present study it was found that the radioactivity of cytochrome c labeled with δ-amino[14C]levulinate decreased significantly more slowly in quadriceps muscles of rats subjected to a program of running than in muscles of sedentary animals. The t½ of muscle cytochrome c was 32 days in the sedentary animals and 48 days in the runners. The synthesis rate of cytochrome c was calculated to be approximately 0.630 nmole per muscle per day in the sedentary and 0.771 nmole per muscle per day in the exercised animals. Thus, a decrease in the rate of degradation plays the major role in accounting for the adaptive increase in the concentration of cytochrome c that occurs in muscle in response to exercise.
Optimal embedding for shape indexing in medical image databases

Fast retrieval using organ shapes is crucial in medical image databases since shape is a clinically prominent feature. In this paper, we propose that 2-D shapes in medical image databases can be indexed by embedding them into a vector space and using efficient vector space indexing. An optimal shape space embedding is proposed for this purpose. Experimental results of indexing vertebral shapes in the NHANES II database are presented. The results show that vector space indexing following embedding gives superior performance than metric indexing.
Characterization of FadR, a global transcriptional regulator of fatty acid metabolism in Escherichia coli. Interaction with the fadB promoter is prevented by long chain fatty acyl coenzyme A.

The Escherichia coli fadR gene product, FadR, is a multifunctional regulator of fatty acid metabolism. In this work we have purified FadR by a two-step procedure employing two ion-exchange columns. The amino-terminal sequence of the purified protein confirms the sequence of the protein derived from analysis of the DNA sequence (DiRusso, C. C. (1988) Nucleic Acids Res. 16, 7995-8009) and indicates that the initiating methionine is cleaved from the mature protein. Purified FadR binds to a 326-base pair HaeIII fragment of fadB DNA which carries the fadB promoter. DNase I footprinting localizes the operator to a sequence, 5‘ ATCTGGTACGACCAGAT 3‘, at +1 to +17 nucleotides relative to the start of transcription. Using protein-DNA gel retention assays, we estimate the Keq of FadR binding to the fadB operator to be approximately 3 x 10(-10) M. Binding of FadR is specifically inhibited by long chain fatty acyl-CoA compounds. The apparent Ki values for oleoyl-CoA, palmitoyl-CoA, and palmitoleoyl-CoA are each 5 nM while that of myristoyl-CoA is 250 nM. Decanoyl-CoA, crotonoyl-CoA, and free fatty acids inhibited binding only at concentrations above 1 microM.
Methods for the graphic representation of systems simulated data

This paper explores the use of three multidimensional graphic techniques as a means of quick and easy exploration of computer-simulated data. Harmonic function plots, facial plots and three-dimensi...
Structural Analysis of α-Enolase: MAPPING THE FUNCTIONAL DOMAINS INVOLVED IN DOWN-REGULATION OF THE c-myc PROTOONCOGENE *

Myc-binding protein-1 (MBP-1) is a 37-kDa protein with sequence homology to the 3′ portion of the α-enolase gene. α-Enolase is a 48-kDa protein, which plays a critical role in the glycolytic pathway. MBP-1 binds to the c-myc P2 promoter and down-regulates c-myc expression. We have investigated the role of α-enolase in regulation of the c-mycprotooncogene. RNase protection assay shows that α-enolase is transcribed into a single RNA species in HeLa cells. A start codon, 400 base pairs downstream of the α-enolase ATG, corresponds to the MBP-1 ATG, suggesting that MBP-1 is an alternative translation initiation product of the α-enolase RNA. Domain mapping was performed using constructs containing truncations of the α-enolase gene. In vitro binding to the c-myc gene was abolished after deletion of the N-terminal portion of α-enolase. In order to determine the relationship between DNA binding activity and transcription inhibition, we performed co-transfection assays in HeLa cells. These studies confirmed that an N-terminal deletion of α-enolase is unable to down-regulate c-myc promoter activity. Our data suggest that α-enolase plays an important role in regulation of c-myc promoter activity in the form of an alternative translation product MBP-1, which is distinct from its role as a glycolytic enzyme.
Nucleotide sequence of the gene for the major structural protein of SV40 virus.

Abstract We have determined the sequence of the portion of Simian Virus 40 (SV40) that codes for the major structural protein of the virus. The gene contains 361 codons. Synonym codons for an amino acid are not used randomly. The dinucleotide CG occurs only once and there is 2 to 1 preference for uridylic acid in the third position of codons.
A biblical Midrash on David and Goliath

This article wrestles with the old problem of the true identity of the Philistine giant slawn by David: Is Elhanan and Goliath one and the same, or are we talking about different persons? Why does David select five stones, although, trusting God he only needs one. A rereading of all passages to David's slaying of Philistine giants, show that not only are Goliath and Elhanan two different protagonists of the later King of Israel but three more can be found in a biblical midrashic development of the theme (editor's abstract)
Nutrition of three species of microsporum.

The growth ofMicrosporum Cookei, M. distortum, andM. nanum was compared on solid media containing 23 different carbon sources and 25 different nitrogen sources.M. nanum grew well only on media containing ribose, xylose, levulose, or erythritol as the carbon source.M. distortum andM. Cookei were found to utilize a far greater variety of carbon sources. Both grew well on dextrose, levulose, galactose, mannose, ribose, arabinose, rhamnose, sucrose, cellobiose, lactose, trehalose, melibiose, melezitose, raffinose, dextrin, and mannitol; in additionM. Cookei grew well on xylose, maltose, and erythritol. Aspartic acid, arginine, and citrulline were favorable sources of nitrogen for all three species.
Geologic approaches to the determination of long-term coastal recession rates, matagorda peninsula, Texas

The degree to which human modifications in the coastal zone have increased or decreased coastal erosion rates is difficult to determine owing to the short time period for which shoreline-position data are available. This limitation is circumvented in areas where long-term recession rates can be determined from geologic data. Three such areas from Matagorda Bay have been examined to determine the temporal variation in recession rates over the past several thousand years. Preliminary results indicate that recession rates over the past century may be 30% to 40% greater than those of prehistoric time. Although additional data are needed, it is suggested that accelerated rates result from human modification of the coastal zone, and that in the future increased recession rates can be anticipated.
Effects of chemistry on the grain size refinement in nanocrystalline Ru and RuC powders prepared by mechanical attrition

Abstract Nanocrystalline Ru and Ru80C20 powders have been prepared by high-energy ball milling of elemental powders under a reactive methane atmosphere. The powders are investigated by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The deformation during milling results in a decrease of the grain size to 7 nm for elemental Ru and to 4 nm for Ru80C20. The results are compared to ball milling experiments on Ru under inert argon gas atmosphere. The influence of composition and milling atmosphere on the grain size refinement during milling are discussed with respect to the underlying mechanism of plastic deformation, coupled with solution hardening during milling and the role of solute segregation at grain boundaries.
Structure of the metal-free gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-rich membrane binding region of factor IX by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy.

The γ-carboxyglutamic acid-rich domain of blood coagulation Factor IX is required for the binding of the protein to phospholipid membranes. To investigate the three-dimensional structure of this domain, a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 1-47 of Factor IX was studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. In the absence of metal ions, the proton chemical shift dispersion in the one-dimensional NMR spectrum indicated that the peptide contains regular structural elements. Upon the addition of Ca(II) or Mg(II), large chemical shift changes were observed in the amide proton and methyl proton regions of the spectrum, consistent with the conformational transitions that metal ions are known to induce in native Factor IX. The apopeptide was studied by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy at 500 MHz to determine its solution structure. Protons were assigned using total correlation spectroscopy, nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy, and double quantum-filtered correlation spectroscopy experiments. Intensities of cross-peaks in the nuclear Overhauser effect spectrum were used to generate a set of interproton distance restraints. The structure of the apopeptide was then calculated using distance geometry methods. There are three structural elements in the apopeptide that are linked by a flexible polypeptide backbone. These elements include a short amino-terminal tetrapeptide loop (amino acids 6-9), the disulfide-containing hexapeptide loop (amino acids 18-23), and a carboxyl-terminal α helix (amino acids 37-46). Amide hydrogen exchange kinetics indicate that the majority of the peptide is solvent accessible, except in the carboxyl-terminal element. The structured regions in the apopeptide are insufficient to support phospholipid binding, indicating the importance of additional structural features in the Ca(II)-stabilized conformer.
Two-dimensional phononic crystal slab defect mode micromechanical resonators

By creating line defects cavities in the structure of a phononic crystal (PC) made by etching a hexagonal (honeycomb) array of holes in a 15μm-thick slab of silicon, high-Q PC resonators are fabricated and tested using a complimentary-metal- oxide-semiconductor-compatible process. The radii of the holes are approximately 6.4μm and the spacing between nearest holes is 15μm. We show that the complete phononic band gap of the PC structure supports resonant modes with quality factors of more than 6000 at frequencies as high as 126MHz in the resonator structure. The very good confinement of acoustic energy is achieved by using only a few PC layers confining the cavity region. The calculated frequencies of resonance of the structure using finite element method are in a very good agreement with the experimental data. The performance of these PC resonator structures makes them excellent candidates for wireless communication and sensing applications.
Assessing the impact of a radiology information management system in the emergency department

To evaluate a conventional radiology image management system, by investigating information accuracy, and information delivery. To discuss the customization of a picture archival and communication system (PACS), integrated radiology information system (RIS) and hospital information system (HIS) to a high volume emergency department (ED). Materials and Methods: Two data collection periods were completed. After the first data collection period, a change in work rules was implemented to improve the quality of data in the image headers. Data from the RIS, the ED information system, and the HIS as well as observed time motion data were collected for patients admitted to the ED. Data accuracy, patient waiting times, and radiology exam information delivery were compared. Results: The percentage of examinations scheduled in the RIS by the technologists increased from 0% (0 of 213) during the first period to 14% (44 of 317) during the second (p less than 0.001). The percentage of images missing identification numbers decreased from 36% (98 of 272) during the first data collection period to 10% (56 of 562) during the second period (p less than 0.001). Conclusions: Radiologic services in a high-volume ED, requiring rapid service, present important challenges to a PACS system. Strategies can be implemented to improve accuracy and completeness of the data in PACS image headers in such an environment.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Detection and Recognition Masking-Level Differences for the Individual CID W-1 Spondaic Words

The detection and recognition masking-level differences for the 36 individual CID W-1 spondaic words (Technisonic Studios) were established on 36 listeners with normal hearing. The masking for two ...
Diets high in fruit and vegetables are more expensive than diets high in fats and sugars

Question Does a diet high in fruit and vegetables cost more than a diet high in fats and sugars? Study design Cross-sectional study with cost analysis. Main results A high dietary intake of sucrose, total fat, grains and fats and sweets is cheaper than a high dietary intake of fruit, vegetables and meat (see results table). Daily dietary cost was higher for a diet high in fats and sweets, compared with a diet low in fats and sweets. However, the cost per unit energy was higher with a diet low in fat and sweet intake. By contrast, both daily dietary cost and cost per unit energy were higher with a diet high in fruit and vegetable intake compared with a diet low in fruit and vegetable intake (see results table). Every extra 100 g of fats and sweets eaten decreased diet costs by 0.05 to 0.4 Euros, whereas every extra 100 g of fruit and vegetables eaten increased diet costs by 0.18 to 0.29 Euros. Authors’ conclusions Fats and sweets provide dietary energy at a low cost, while fruit and vegetables provide dietary energy at a much higher cost. Diets high in fats and sugars, which are bad for our health, are more affordable than diets high in fruit and vegetables, which are good for our health. This has significant health implications, particularly for people from low socioeconomic areas.
Validation of Magnetic Resonance Elastography by Dynamic Shear Testing in the Shear Wave Regime

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a novel experimental technique for probing the dynamic shear modulus of soft biological tissue non-invasively and in vivo. MRE utilizes a standard MRI scanner to acquire images of propagating shear waves through a specimen that is subject to external harmonic mechanical actuation; commonly at frequencies in excess of 200Hz. At steady state, the wavelength of the propagating shear wave can be used to estimate the shear modulus of the tissue. Dynamic shear testing (DST) is also used to characterize soft biomaterials. Thin samples of the material are subject to oscillatory shear strains. Shear force is measured, and converted to shear stress — analysis of this data of a range of frequencies gives a complex shear modulus. The data analysis method assumes that the shear displacement is linear and shear strain is constant through the thickness of the sample. In soft tissues, very thin samples are typically used to avoid inertial effects at higher frequencies. As the thickness of the sample decreases, it is more difficult to cut samples of uniform thickness and to maintain structural integrity of the sample. Thus in practice, measurements of brain tissue properties using DST without inertial correction are limited to low frequencies. In this work, we bridge the frequency regimes of DST and MRE by testing thick samples using DST over a range of frequencies that generates a shear wave in the sample, with a corresponding peak in the measured shear force. The frequency and magnitude of this peak give additional information about the complex shear modulus of the material being tested, and these DST results are interpreted using a finite element (FE) model of the sample. Using this method, we can obtain an estimate of shear modulus in an intermediate frequency regime between that of standard DST and MRE.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Expression and characterization of the human 3β-hydroxysteroid sulfotransferases (SULT2B1a and SULT2B1b)

The human hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase (DHEA-ST), is highly expressed in liver and adrenal cortex and displays reactivity towards a broad range of hydroxysteroids including 3β-hydroxysteroids, 3α-hydroxysteroids, estrogens with a 3-phenolic moiety, and 17-hydroxyl group of androgens. In contrast, characterization of the newly described human hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase SULT2B1 isoforms shows that these enzymes are selective for the sulfation of 3β-hydroxysteroids, such as pregnenolone, epiandrosterone, DHEA, and androstenediol. There was no activity detected towards testosterone, dexamethasone, β-estradiol, androsterone, or p-nitrophenol. The SULT2B1 gene encodes two isoforms, SULT2B1a and SULT2B1b, which are generated by alternate splicing of the first exon; therefore the SULT2B1 isoforms differ at their N-terminals. Northern Blot analysis detected a SULT2B1 message in RNA isolated from the human prostate and placenta. No SULT2B1 message was observed in RNA isolated from human liver, colon, lung, kidney, brain, or testis tissue. Purified SULT2B1a was used to generate a specific rabbit polyclonal anti-SULT2B1 antibody. The anti-SULT2B1 antibody did not react with expressed human EST, P-PST-1, M-PST, DHEA-ST, or ST1B2, during immunoblot analysis. The substrate specificity of the expressed SULT2B1 isoforms suggests that these enzymes are capable of regulating the activity of adrenal androgens in human tissues via their inactivation by sulfation.
The design principle of paddle motifs in voltage sensors.

Voltage-activated ion channels contain S1–S4 domains that endow them with exquisite voltage sensitivity. X-ray crystal structures provided a major breakthrough in elucidating the mechanistic basis of voltage sensing, revealing a helix-turn-helix motif termed the voltage-sensor paddle. A study in this issue demonstrates that this motif exists in the open state of Kv channels when embedded in native biological membranes and puts forward new ideas about its functional role in the mechanism of voltage sensing.
Purification and Culture of Oligodendrocyte Lineage Cells

Oligodendrocytes are the cells of the vertebrate central nervous system responsible for forming myelin sheaths, which are essential for the rapid propagation of action potential. The formation of oligodendrocytes and myelin sheaths is tightly regulated, both temporally and spatially, by a number of extracellular and intracellular factors. For example, notch ligands, thyroid hormones, and mitogens such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) can all interact with oligodendrocyte precursor cell-expressed receptors to impact proliferation, differentiation, and myelin gene expression. To facilitate oligodendrocyte biology research, we have developed a technique using immunopanning to isolate different stages of the oligodendrocyte lineage, oligodendrocyte precursor cells and/or postmitotic oligodendrocytes, from postnatal rat or mouse brains. These cells can be cultured in defined, serum-free media in conditions that either promote differentiation into mature oligodendrocytes or continued proliferation as immature oligodendrocyte precursors. These cells represent an ideal system in which to study the regulation of oligodendrocyte proliferation, migration, differentiation, myelin gene expression, or other fundamental aspects of oligodendrocyte biology.
Splenic rupture following colonoscopy: two cases with CT findings.

Splenic injury following colonoscopy is extremely rare. We report a 75-year-old woman and a 35-year-old woman who presented to the emergency room with left upper quadrant and left shoulder pain following colonoscopy. Both patients were diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) with splenic injuries and hemoperitoneum. One patient was successfully managed conservatively, and one patient needed emergent open splenectomy. The possibility of splenic injury should be considered in postcolonoscopy patients with left upper quadrant or left shoulder pain.
Effect of nucleopolyhedrovirus concentration in soil on viral transport to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants

Soil-to-plant abiotic transport of a recombinant nucleopolyhedrovirus (HzSNPV.LqhIT2) was studied to quantify the proportion of different concentrations of soil virus transported to specific parts of cotton plants under controlled greenhouse conditions; these results were related to transport in the field where wind, rain, and soil type were not controlled. Under conducive precipitation conditions in the greenhouse, the estimated number of viral occlusion bodies (OB) transported ranged from 7 OB (to the top third of the plant, 40–60 cm above the soil, at the low virus concentration, 250 OB/g soil) to 629 OB (to the bottom third of the plant, 0–20 cm, at the high virus concentration, 12,500 OB/g soil). Under conducive wind conditions in the greenhouse, the estimated number of OB transported ranged from 8 OB (to the top third of the plant at the low concentration) to 94 OB (to the bottom third of the plant at the high concentration). The overall proportion of OB transported from soil to plant was greatest, ranging from 2.1–6.2 × 10−6, from the lowest soil concentration to the lowest 40 cm of the plant. Only 5 × 10−8 of the soil OB were transported from the high-concentration soil to a height of 40–60 cm on the plants. In the field experiment, the estimated number of OB on each cotton plant depended on the concentration of OB in soil in June and July, but this effect was no longer significant in August. There were significantly more OB on the lower third of plants than on the top third in July, but not in June or August. Significantly more OB were detected on cotton leaves than on buds or squares in July, and there were more OB on leaves than on buds, squares, bracts, or bolls in August. The amount of HzSNPV.LqhIT2 naturally transported from soil to cotton plants was sufficient to infect 6–11% (low to high soil concentration) of first instar Heliothis virescens (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in June, 2–6% in July, and 1–3% in August. These results fill gaps in understanding NPV epizootiology that are important to biological control and risk assessment.
America's God

Book reviewed in this article: Mark Noll, America's God: From Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln
Equilibrium centrifugation of DNA, RNA, and poliovirus in density gradients of cesium oxalate and cesium acetate.

Abstract 1. The formation of density gradients with cesium oxalate and acetate in a preparative ultracentrifuge was studied and compared with Cs2SO4 and CsCl gradients. Cesium oxalate formed a gradient almost identical to CsCl, while acetate formed a very flat gradient, suggesting higher resolving power. 2. DNA (calf thymus), RNA (extracted from rat-liver ribosomes and poliovirus) and poliovirions were centrifuged to equilibrium in cesium oxalate and acetate; for each the apparent buoyant density was compared with their densities in Cs2SO4 and CsCl. The poliovirion had virtually the same density (1.33–1.34 g·cm−3) in all cesium salts. DNA showed increasing densities of 1.43, 1.51, 1.71 and 1.96 g·cm−3 in cesium sulfate, oxalate, chloride and acetate respectively. RNA could be banded in cesium oxalate at a density of 1.80 g·cm−3 (1.64 in Cs2SO4) but not in cesium acetate. 3. The introduction of cesium oxalate and acetate in density gradient work should give more flexibility to this technique because changed solvation of DNA and RNA together with different gradient characteristics may enhance the separation of closely related nucleic acids.
Equivalence Principles and Electromagnetism

The implications of the weak equivalence principles are investigated in detail for electromagnetic systems in a general framework. In particular, it is shown that the universality of free-fall trajectories (Galileo weak equivalence principle) does not imply the validity of the Einstein equivalence principle. However, the Galileo principle plus the universality of free-fall rotation states does imply the Einstein principle.
Prefrontal membrane phospholipid metabolism of child and adolescent offspring at risk for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder: an in vivo 31P MRS study

Prefrontal membrane phospholipid metabolism of child and adolescent offspring at risk for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder: an in vivo 31 P MRS study
Comparison of three propulsion systems for application in flow-injection zone penetration dilution and sorbent extraction preconcentration for flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract Better precision can be achieved in flow-injection on-line dilution for flame atomic absorption spectrometry by zone penetration using knotted reactor sample loops and transport conduits than with straight conduits. About a 2% R.S.D. was obtained for a dilution factor of 20 using the valley between two peaks with a peristaltic and a reciprocating piston pump. A sinusoidal syringe pump gave an inferior precision of 8% R.S.D. under the same conditions owing to a lack of proper interfacing between such pumps and the atomic absorption spectrometer. On-line sorbent extraction column preconcentration was shown to be feasible using sinusoidal and reciprocating pump systems, which obviated the need for solvent-proof pump tubes. However, both systems had to be supplemented by peristaltic pumps. Air segmentation between sample and eluent was found to be effective in preventing dispersion at the interface when sample loading and elution were performed in one piston stroke of the sinusoidal pump. The concentration efficiency (15−18 min−1) and short-term precision (ca. 2% R.S.D.) of both preconcentration systems were generally comparable to those of previously reported systems for sorbent extraction preconcentration with time-based sampling, but the long-term precision of the piston and syringe pump systems (4−5% R.S.D.) was better than that of the time-based peristaltic pump sytem (10−20% R.S.D.).
Reverse mathematics and homeomorphic embeddings

Abstract Extrapolating from the work of Mahlo (1911), one can prove that given any pair of countable closed totally bounded subsets of complete separable metric spaces, one subset can be homeomorphically embedded in the other. This sort of topological comparability is reminiscent of the statements concerning comparability of well orderings which Friedman has shown to be equivalent to ATR 0 over the weak base system RCA 0 . The main result of this paper states that topological comparability is also equivalent to ATR 0 . In Section 1, the pertinent subsystems of second-order arithmetic and results on well orderings are reviewed. Sections 2 and 3 overview the encoding of metric spaces and homeomorphisms in second-order arithmetic. Section 4 contains a proof of the topological comparability result in ATR 0 . Section 5 contains the reversal, a derivation of ATR 0 from the topological comparability result. In Section 6, additional information about the structure of the embeddings is obtained, culminating in an application to closed subsets of the real numbers.
A third species of Polyspatha, an endemic African genus of Commelinaceae

Polyspatha oligospatha Faden, the third species in a small African endemic genus of Commelinaceae, is described. It is widespread but has been overlooked because of its small stature and resemblance to small plants of Polyspatha paniculata. It differs from both Polyspatha paniculata and Polyspatha hirsuta, the two other species, by its leaf pubescence, fewer, more widely spaced and usually patent spathes, deeply ridged seeds with numerous knobby, transversely interrupted ridges, and morning anthesis. It occurs throughout the Congolian forests from Cameroon to Uganda, but it is also disjunct in Ivory Coast, across the Dahomey gap.
Potential Mio-Pliocene reef traps in the Iron Bottom Basin, Solomon Islands

Abstract The Iron Bottom Basin is situated in Iron Bottom Sound, north of Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands and is the most southerly sub-basin of the Central Solomons Trough. The basin contains a maximum sedimentary thickness of about 4.5 km of late Oligocene to Quaternary strata that may have the potential for the generation and entrapment of hydrocarbons. We have interpreted commercial multi-channel seismic-reflection profiles from the southern, nearshore part of Iron Bottom Basin and have found mound-like anomalies at at least two stratigraphic levels, and we believe these anomalies to be Mio-Pliocene and Pliocene shelf-edge reefs. They cover areas of greater than 6 km by 2.5 km and are up to about 200 m thick. A smaller patch reef is also described. These reef features are overlain by about 1 km of stratified sediments and lie under about 550–650 m of water. They form potential traps for hydrocarbons that may have been generated in Iron Bottom Basin.
The emergence of flow cytometry for sensitive, real-time measurements of molecular interactions

The analysis of macromolecular interactions is an essential element of biomedical research. Flow cytometry is uniquely capable of making sensitive and quantitative measurements of molecular interactions. These measurements can be made in real time with subsecond kinetic resolution using purified biomolecules or living cells. Combined with automated sample handling, these features make flow cytometry a versatile and robust technology for the analysis of molecular interactions.
Bremsstrahlung Production of High-Energy Lepton Pairs in Quantum Chromodynamics

We study high-energy quark-quark scattering with bremsstrahlung emission of a photon of mass q/sup 2/, where q/sup 2/ is a finite fraction of the energy, using a leading-logarithm approximation in quantum chromodynamics. The calculation exhibits the importance of current conservation in a cancellation among gauge-invariant sets of graphs. To sixth order in the strong-coupling constant the amplitude is a power series in g/sup 2/ ln/sup 2/(q/sup 2//lambda/sup 2/) dominated by infrared singularities (lambda is the infrared cutoff). This series does not exponentiate. Leading graphs have color octet structure in a crossed channel.
Assignment of structural gene for asparagine synthetase to human chromosome 7

Somatic cell hybrids obtained from the fusion of human B lymphocytes and an asparagine synthetase-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cell line were isolated after growth in asparagine-free medium. The human and hamster forms of asparagine synthetase differ significantly in their rate of inactivation at 47.5 degrees C. The asparagine synthetase activity expressed in the hybrids was inactivated at 47.5 degrees C at the same rate as the human form of the enzyme. Karyotypic analysis and analysis for chromosome-specific enzyme markers showed that the structural gene for asparagine synthetase is located on chromosome 7 in humans. The heat-inactivation profile for asparagine synthetase in extracts of hybrids formed between human peripheral leukocytes and a hamster cell line expressing asparagine synthetase activity was intermediate between the two parental types when human chromosome 7 was present, but was identical to the hamster parent when chromosome 7 was absent.
AIDS-Related Lymphoma

Lymphoma appears to be a late manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, occurring in approx 3–4% of patients as the initial AIDS-defining condition (1),but serving as the cause of death in 16–20% of individuals (2). Because only initial AIDS-defining conditions are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, it has been difficult to ascertain the true number of lymphoma cases that have occurred later in the course of HIV infection, after another AIDS-defining illness has already been diagnosed. In an attempt to clarify this issue, Cote and colleagues linked AIDS and cancer registries in certain areas of the United States, comparing lymphoma cases in HIV-infected and uninfected individuals (3). The relative risk of lymphoma within 3.5 yr of another AIDS diagnosis was 165-fold higher than that observed in the general population, confirming the high likelihood of lymphoma as a later manifestation of HIV disease. Of interest, the relative risk of lymphoma varied among specific pathologic types, with a 652-fold increase for high-grade immunoblastic lymphomas, 261-fold increase for small noncleaved (Burkitt’s or Burkitt-like) lymphomas, and 113-fold increase for intermediate grade, diffuse large cell lymphoma (3).
Survey of sexual education among residents from different specialties

Objective This study aims to determine how residents are being educated regarding sexual health, and it assesses attitudes toward sexual education and barriers to evaluating patients’ sexuality.
LICHEN SCLEROSUS : EARLY DIAGNOSIS IS THE KEY TO TREATMENT

Lichen sclerosus of the vulvar is an often misdiagnosed and chronic gynecologic disease. Women of any age can be affected, but it is most common in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal years. The treatment for lichen sclerosus is limited with no cure. The current treatment is a lifelong procedure and may not prevent the progression of the disease. The primary treatment for lichen sclerosus is testosterone ointment, which may cause unwanted side effects. Complications arising from vulvar lichen sclerosus include loss of vulvar structure and fusing of labia which causes covering of the clitoris. Vulvar lichen sclerosus may also cause painful intercourse and defecation. Due to the intense pruritus, excoriation of the area occurs. This information can help the clinician to detect the disease early and start treatment before serious complications begin. Diagnostic and treatment information is provided in this article to help the clinician understand the nature of this disease.
STIM1-dependent store-operated Ca2+ entry is required for pathological cardiac hypertrophy

Abstract Alterations in intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis are an important trigger of pathological cardiac remodeling; however, mechanisms governing context-dependent changes in Ca 2+ influx are poorly understood. Store-operated Ca 2+ entry (SOCE) is a major mechanism regulating Ca 2+ trafficking in numerous cell types, yet its prevalence in adult heart and possible role in physiology and disease are each unknown. The Ca 2+ -binding protein, stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), is a Ca 2+ sensor in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), capable of triggering SOCE by interacting with plasma membrane Ca 2+ channels. We report that SOCE is abundant and robust in neonatal cardiomyocytes; however, SOCE is absent from adult cardiomyocytes. Levels of STIM1 transcript and protein correlate with the amplitude of SOCE, and manipulation of STIM1 protein levels (via shRNA) or activity (via expression of constitutively active or dominant-negative mutants) reveals a critical role for STIM1 in activating SOCE in cardiac myocytes. In neonatal hearts a recently identified STIM1 splice variant (STIM1L) is predominant but diminishes with maturation, only to reemerge with agonist- or afterload-induced cardiac stress. To test for pathophysiological relevance, we evaluated both in vitro and in vivo models of cardiac hypertrophy, finding that STIM1 expression is re-activated by pathological stress to trigger significant SOCE-dependent Ca 2+ influx. STIM1 amplifies agonist-induced hypertrophy via activation of the calcineurin–NFAT pathway. Importantly, inhibition of STIM1 suppresses agonist-triggered hypertrophy, pointing to a requirement for SOCE in this remodeling response. Stress-triggered STIM1 re-expression, and consequent SOCE activation, are critical elements in the upstream, Ca 2+ -dependent control of pathological cardiac hypertrophy.
Pain Management in the Cancer Patient

Two groups of cancer patients-one group with a high degree of pain; the other with little or no pain-were compared on measures of mood disturbance. The authors found that the highpain group scored significantly higher on the Beck Depression Inventory and on subscales of the Spielberger Depression Inventory as well as on subscales of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory reflecting strain, fright, and worry. On the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-111, 28 percent of the high-pain patients had a current diagnosis of major depression, whereas none of the low-pain patients did. These findings confirm earlier reports of a link between pain and mood disturbance in cancer patients.
Mandated state-level open government training programs

Abstract Although every state in the country has recognized the importance of government transparency by enacting open government provisions, few of those statutes require training programs to encourage records custodians to comply with the law. Ten states mandate training in how to legally respond to public records requests, and some mandates are stronger than others. Using the qualitative research methods of legal statutory analysis, interviews, and content analysis, this paper explores how those states comply with the training mandates. The paper evaluates trainers' pedagogical goals, their opinions of the process, and their perceptions of the people they train. It concludes with suggestions for how states can develop open government training programs.
Sexting on Campus: Minimizing Perceived Risks and Neutralizing Behaviors

This study analyzes 85 personal narratives to explore the ways young adults navigate sexting exchanges and find meaning in them within the college context. We find that respondents who sext and those who abstain both believe that sexting carries significant risks, including the possibility that one’s sext could be shared with unintended viewers. Respondents attempt to minimize perceived risks through content control strategies such as “keeping it fun,” limiting explicitness, and creating plausible deniability. Moreover, respondents offer accounts aimed at neutralizing their discreditable actions through the claim of normalcy, justification by comparison, and the claim of benefits. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for micro-sociological perspectives on deviant behavior.
Implementing the American Society for Biochemistry and molecular biology recommended curriculum in a biochemistry and molecular biology degree program Hosted Jointly by a chemistry and biology department: The richmond experience

The design of a curriculum for a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology degree program has to consider many factors including how the curriculum satisfies the recommended curriculum published by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) that emphasizes a combination of content and student skills. This article discusses how the University of Richmond, a medium-sized, private, predominantly undergraduate institution, has created an interdepartmental program based in the biology and chemistry departments that attempts to fulfill the guidelines of ASBMB. In addition, some of the benefits and problems associated with the creation of an interdepartmental program are discussed together with efforts to create a “research-rich” environment for student learning.
Exercise, Amino Acids, and Aging in the Control of Human Muscle Protein Synthesis

In this review we discuss recent research in the field of human skeletal muscle protein metabolism characterizing the acute regulation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC) 1 signaling and muscle protein synthesis (MPS) by exercise, amino acid nutrition and aging. Resistance exercise performed in the fasted state stimulates mixed MPS within 1 h post-exercise, which can remain elevated for 48 h. We demonstrate that the activation of mTORC1 signaling (and subsequently enhanced translation initiation) is required for the contraction-induced increase in MPS. In comparison, low-intensity blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise stimulates MPS and mTORC1 signaling to an extent similar to traditional, high-intensity resistance exercise. We also show that mTORC1 signaling is required for the essential amino acid (EAA) induced increase in MPS. Ingestion of EAAs (or protein) shortly following resistance exercise enhances MPS and mTORC1 signaling as compared to resistance exercise or EAAs alone. In older adults, the ability of skeletal muscle to respond to anabolic stimuli is impaired. For example, in response to an acute bout of resistance exercise, older adults are less able to activate mTORC1 or increase MPS during the first 24h of post-exercise recovery. However, BFR exercise can overcome this impairment. Aging is not associated with a reduced response to EAAs provided the EAA content is sufficient. Therefore, we propose that exercise combined with EAA should be effective not only in improving muscle repair and growth in response to training in athletes, but that strategies such as EAA combined with resistance exercise (or BFR exercise) may be very useful as a countermeasure for sarcopenia and other clinical conditions associated with muscle wasting.