cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metoprolol CR/XL in patients with heart failure: A pilot study examining the tolerability, safety, and effect on left ventricular ejection fraction

Abstract Background This study was designed to investigate the tolerability, safety, and effect on left ventricular function of a new long-acting preparation of metoprolol, metoprolol succinate (CR/XL). Methods and Results Sixty patients were randomly assigned with a 2:1 ratio, drug versus placebo, administered with a gradually increasing dose of 12.5 to 150 mg of blinded medication during an 8-week period and continued for 6 months. The average peak dose achieved was 99 mg and 132 mg in the metoprolol succinate and placebo groups, respectively. The drug was well tolerated and there was no significant difference in drug withdrawals, New York Heart Association class, or quality of life assessment. The increase in left ventricular ejection fraction measure at baseline and 6 months measured by radioisotopic ventriculography was greater in the metoprolol succinate group (27.5% to 36.3%) than in the placebo group (26% to 27.9%) (P P P Conclusions This study indicates that treatment with metoprolol succinate for a 6-month period is safe and well tolerated and is associated with an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction and a decrease in ventricular ectopic beats. (Am Heart J 1999;138:1158-65.)
Cis-Acting Elements Essential for Light Regulation of the Nuclear Gene Encoding the A Subunit of Chloroplast Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase in Arabidopsis thaliana

We report the characterization of cis-acting elements involved in light regulation of the nuclear gene (GapA) that encodes the A subunit of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase in Arabidopsis thaliana. Our previous deletion analyses indicate that the -277 to -195 upstream region of GapA is essential for light induction of the [beta]-glucuronidase reporter gene in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants. This region contains three direct repeats with the consensus sequence 5[prime]-CAAATGAA(A/G)A-3[prime] (Gap boxes). Our results show that 2-bp substitutions of the last four nucleotides (AA or GA) of the Gap boxes by CC abolish light induction of the [beta]-glucuronidase reporter gene in vivo and affect binding of the Gap box binding factor in vitro. We have also identified an additional cis-acting element, AE (Activation Element) box, that is involved in regulation of GapA. A combination of a Gap box trimer and an AE box dimer can confer light responsiveness on the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter containing the -92 to +6 upstream sequence, whereas oligomers of Gap boxes or AE boxes alone cannot confer light responsiveness on the same promoter. These results suggest that Gap boxes and AE boxes function together as the light-responsive element of GapA.
ORGANIZATIONAL ALIGNMENT AND PERFORMANCE: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify and define the types of organizational alignment – vertical and horizontal; to examine the evidence for the alignment‐performance relationship, and propose research questions and practical implications to advance the theory and practice of managing alignment.Design/methodology/approach – The study is a conceptual examination based on a thorough review of both theoretical and empirical research.Findings – The paper finds that vertical alignment has received considerably more attention in the literature. Studies of horizontal alignment within organizations are less common. When horizontal alignment is studied, the focus tends to be dyadic – between two functional areas. The limitations posed by the dyadic approach suggest gaps in the research and opportunities for future research. As firms grow and diversify, becoming multi‐business organizations, the importance of horizontal alignment will be elevated.Research limitations/implications – Research on vertica...
A Comparison of Equivocal Immunohistochemical Results With Anti-HER2/neu Antibodies A0485 and SP3 With Corresponding FISH Results in Routine Clinical Practice

HER2/neu status in breast cancer is determined by immunohistochemical analysis and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Previous studies have found widely varying sensitivities and specificities for anti-HER2/neu antibodies, including recently developed rabbit monoclonal antibodies. The current prospective study compared rabbit monoclonal antibody SP3 and rabbit polyclonal antibody A0485 immunostaining on routinely processed consecutive cases of breast carcinoma. Of 1,610 cases tested, 261 (16.2%) equivocal (2+) cases were evaluated by FISH. Of 253 cases equivocal with A0485 results, 125 (49.4%) were negative with SP3. In 22 (8.7%) of 253 cases equivocal with A0485, there was amplification by FISH, and 3 of these cases were SP3- (0/1+). Of the 20 (14.8%) of 135 SP3-equivocal cases amplified by FISH, 1 case was A0485-. The reported false-negative rate with A0485 is 2.8%, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists guidelines recommend a rate of less than 5%. Compared with A0485, the false-negative rate with SP3 is only 0.3% (3/1,156) higher, but it shows about a 50% reduction in equivocal scores, reducing the need for reflex FISH testing.
Current approaches to the urologic care of children with spina bifida

Most children born with spina bifida, the most common disabling congenital abnormality, have normal renal function. If left untreated, more than half of these children will have serious renal deterioration by age 5. This deterioration is secondary to hostile neurogenic changes of the bladder. Renal development should follow a normal course when close evaluation and intervention are undertaken during the newborn period and toddler years. As children age, attention is directed to quality-of-life issues, such as the establishment of urinary and bowel continence. Teenagers face the responsibility of understanding their medical condition and should begin to assume responsibility for their own care with eventual transition to the adult health care system. This article describes the foundations of management, beginning at birth, for caring for children with spina bifida.
Cat2 L-arginine transporter-deficient fibroblasts can sustain nitric oxide production.

Abstract High-output nitric oxide (NO) production by nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) contributes to normal cellular processes and pathophysiological conditions. The transport of l -arginine, the substrate for NOS2, is required for sustained NO production by NOS2. l -Arginine can be transported by several kinetically defined transport systems, although the majority of arginine uptake is mediated by transport system y + , encoded by the Cat1–3 gene family. Using macrophages from Cat2 -deficient mice, we previously determined that arginine uptake via CAT2 is absolutely required for sustained NO production. Because NO production by fibroblasts is important in wound healing, we sought to determine whether CAT2 is required for NO production in cytokine-stimulated Cat2 -deficient and wild-type embryonic fibroblasts. Although macrophages and fibroblasts both required extracellular l -arginine for NO production, NO synthesis by activated Cat2 −/− fibroblasts was reduced only 19%, whereas Cat2 −/− macrophages were virtually unable to produce NO. As expected, activated Cat2 −/− fibroblasts had reduced system y + -mediated arginine uptake. However, their reduced NO output was not the result of a significant difference in intracellular l -arginine levels following cytokine stimulation. Uptake experiments revealed that the l -arginine transport system y + L was the major cationic amino acid carrier in fibroblasts of both genotypes. We conclude that NO production in embryonic fibroblasts is only partially dependent on CAT2 and that other compensating transporters provide arginine for NOS2-mediated NO synthesis. The data demonstrate that fibroblasts and macrophages have differential dependence on CAT2-mediated l -arginine transport for NO synthesis. The important physiological implication of this finding is discussed.
The non-linear dynamics of electromagnetically actuated microbeam resonators with purely parametric excitations

Electromagnetic micro-transducers have been utilized in a number of distinct applications in recent years due, in large part, to their scalability, low power consumption, self-sensing capabilities and ease of integration with external hardware. In the present work, the highly non-linear dynamic behavior of a new class of parametrically excited, electromagnetically actuated microcantilevers is explored. The system is modeled using classical energy methods and its frequency response behavior is subsequently characterized using perturbation methods and bifurcation analysis. The recovered results provide a clear understanding of the effects of fifth-order non-linearities in a parametrically excited microresonator, and are currently guiding experimental work on electromagnetically actuated oscillators and microresonator arrays.
Rate of British psychiatric combat casualties compared to recent American wars

This paper examines factors leading to the low rate of combat psychiatric casualties in the British recapture of the Falklands compared to the American experience in North Africa, Italy, Europe and South Pacific theatres during World War II, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. The factors compared are those thought to affect rates seen in these past wars. The factors highlighted are psychiatric screening of evacuees, presence of psychiatric personnel in line units, intensity of combat and use of elite units. Factors also mentioned are presence of possible occult psychiatric casualties such as frostbite and malaria, amount of indirect fire and the offensive or defensive nature of the combat. A unique aspect of the Falklands War examined is the exclusive use of hospital ships to treat psychiatric casualties and the impact of the Geneva Convention rules regarding hospital ships on the classic treatment principles of proximity and expectancy. The types and numbers of various diagnoses are also presented. The British Campaign in the Falklands produced a remarkably low rate of psychiatric casualties. When viewed in light of American experience in recent wars, this low rate represents a concentration of optimal factors leading to healthy function in combat. The results of this war should not be used to predict a similar outcome in future combat as this particular constellation of factors may not recur.
Double-self-aligned short-channel power DMOSFETs in 4H-SiC

Silicon carbide power DMOSFETs have made significant advances in recent years [1, 2], demonstrating blocking voltages as high as 10 kV and absolute on-currents greater than 20 A on a single device [3]. As currents and voltages have increased, there has been a simultaneous effort to reduce the specific on-resistance R ON,SP to enable SiC DMOSFETs to compete in the 600–1,800 V regime, where the market demand is large.
Workshop: Interactive education tools for earth systems and sustainability applications

Earth system signals include indicators of climate change. In this workshop, the participants will use the Java-DSP/Earth Systems Edition in order to analyze and understand the components and drivers of climate change in the twentieth century. The session will be interactive and will be useful to researchers, practitioners and instructors with interests in Earth systems signal analysis. People with interests in general STEM related areas will also find this workshop useful as an important interdisciplinary application of signal processing.
Neural architecture for robotic vision sensor that discounts uneven illumination in a manufacturing environment

Computer vision algorithms for inspection or pick-and-place operations often depend on spatially uniform illumination of a workplace. This necessitates expensive lighting fixtures. To discount effects of uneven illumination we designed and tested a neural network that can adaptively control light sensitivity at the photosensor level. Our neural network architecture consists of multiple layers with hexagonally arranged nodes. All nodes have partially overlapping receptive fields of different spatial frequencies. Feedforward connections are excitatory while feedback pathways subserve lateral inhibition. The outputs of these nodes are combined so as to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio while constantly resetting thresholds to maintain high sensitivity. Our connectionist architecture can account for many characteristics attributed to the lightness constancy phenomenon observed in biological systems. The results suggest that our module maintains high sensitivity over the whole domain of intensities without interfering with transmission of visual information embedded in spatial discontinuities of intensity.
Mucopolysaccharides of the estrogen-stimulated chick oviduct

Abstract Hyaluronic acid, heparin monosulfuric acid and a mixture of chondroitinsulfuric acid-A and -B have been isolated from the oviducts of stilbestrol-injected chicks.
Vibrational state selection of ammonia ions using resonant 2 + 1 multiphoton ionization

Abstract Photoelectron kinetic energy spectra are presented for the 2 + 1 multiphoton ionization of NH 3 via the vibronic levels of the B and C′ Rydberg states of the neutral. The contribution from Δν = 0 state-selected ionization is greater than 80% through the C′ state and over 70% through the B state. This allows for the production of large densities of NH 3 + (ν) ions with a high degree of vibrational selectivity.
On the electric dipole moment of the neutron

Abstract A nonvanishing contribution to the neutron electric dipole moment, from the interaction of the photon with two-quark subsystems, is calculated. In the Kobayashi—Maskawa model the resulting value of the moment is estimated as O(10−32 e cm; however, strong interaction corrections (gluonic radiative corrections) could give a quark moment contribution which may be numerically larger (possibly 10−30±1e cm).
Positive and negative effects of riverine input on the estuarine green alga Ulva intestinalis (syn. Enteromorpha intestinalis ) (Linneaus)

Freshwater inputs from rivers alter salinity of estuaries, and are also important conduits for the delivery of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. We studied the impact of freshwater inputs on primary producers in the lower Housatonic River estuary in Long Island Sound, U.S.A. We conducted a laboratory experiment with Ulva intestinalis (syn. Enteromorpha intestinalis) (Linnaeus), a common green macroalgae that can have a high biomass in eutrophic systems. U. intestinalis was collected from three sites around the estuary that varied in salinity and nutrient concentration. Algae from three sites were grown in four treatments containing different proportions of Housatonic River water to mimic the gradient in riverine influence in the estuary. As the percentage of Housatonic River water increased, nitrogen and phosphorus concentration increased and salinity decreased. Growth of U. intestinalis collected from lower salinity sites was higher in treatments containing Housatonic River water than in those containing only Long Island Sound water. Conversely, U. intestinalis collected from Long Island Sound grew best in the treatment with no river water. Previous studies showed that U. intestinalis growth is stimulated by high nutrient concentration and depressed by low salinity; however, the reduction in growth at low salinity may be mitigated by increased nutrients. Our results support these studies and suggest that for populations of U. intestinalis that have experienced reduced salinity in their environment, the negative impacts of reduced salinity may be outweighed by the positive impacts of the high nutrient concentration in Housatonic River water.
Color vision screening for individuals with intellectual disabilities: a comparison between the Neitz Test of Color Vision and Color Vision Testing Made Easy.

Abstract Background The Neitz Test of Color Vision (Neitz) and Color Vision Testing Made Easy™ (CVTME) were compared to determine which test was more effective in evaluating patients with intellectual disability (i.e., mental retardation) and developmental delay. Methods Two hundred eight Special Olympics floor hockey athletes were screened in San Diego, California, and 93 athletes were screened in Long Beach, California for a total of 301 athletes. Each athlete was administered the CVTME and the Neitz tests. Results The pass rate for the CVTME was 94.6% (n = 93) at Long Beach and 96.2% (n = 208) at San Diego. Every athlete was able to complete the CVTME. The pass rate for the Neitz was 38.7% at Long Beach and 56.7% at San Diego. Additionally, 10.8% of the Long Beach athletes and 12.5% of the San Diego athletes were unable to understand the Neitz. In addition, there was a low level of agreement between the results from the 2 tests with kappa = 0.081 for the San Diego data and 0.028 for the Long Beach data. Conclusions This study suggests that the CVTME continues to be the screening test of choice in evaluating color vision in individuals with intellectual disability. The Neitz had more failing scores on the first attempt and more total failing scores leading to over-referrals, making it an inappropriate screening test for individuals with intellectual disability and developmental delay.
It’s Simple and I Know It! Abstract Construals Reduce Causal Uncertainty

When negative events occur (e.g., a mass shooting, product failure, breakup), individuals naturally ask themselves why such things happen. Indeed, the search for explanations appears to be a fundamental aspect of humanity. The present research explores the role that more abstract, higher level construals play in individuals’ feelings of causal uncertainty. Specifically, we demonstrate that participants who were led to construe a negative event in a more abstract manner felt less uncertain about why that event happened (Experiments 1 and 2). Further, we demonstrate that participants who were led to construe a negative event more abstractly exhibited a more simplified understanding of the event (Experiment 3a) and that adopting a more simplified understanding of an event decreased participants’ causal uncertainty about the event (Experiment 3b). Finally, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.
Novel locomotion of iMobot, an intelligent reconfigurable mobile robot

The novel features and locomotion of a reconfigurable modular robot called iMobot are presented in the accompanying video. iMobot is designed for search and rescue operations as well as other applications such as research and teaching. It has versatile locomotion, including a unique feature of driving as though with wheels and lifting itself into a camera platform. Future work is envisioned for using these modules in clusters to achieve advanced mobility. The accompanying video demonstrates the various locomotion of iMobot.
Chloride-assisted electrochemical detection of cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) after liquid chromatography

Abstract The cancer chemotherapy agent, cis -dichlorodiammineplatinum(II), is quantified voltammetrically by means of its chloride-assisted oxidation at platinum electrodes. The presence of chloride in the solution is required to lower the potential for the oxidation to a practically useful range, the amount of the decrease being directly dependent on the chloride concentration used. In the presence of 0.10 M chloride, the oxidation occurred at + 0.56 V vs. SCE and, with differential pulse voltammetry, gave a detection limit of 1 μg ml −1 . When used in conjunction with liquid chromatography, a detection limit of 0.05 μg ml −1 was obtained with a linear range of response up to 10 μg ml −1 . The presence of chloride also had an analogous effect on the oxidation of the aquated derivatives of the platinum complex.
Structure and Vibrational Force Field of Methyldifluoroamine, CH3NF2. An Electron-Diffraction Investigation Augmented by Microwave and Infrared Spectroscopic Data and by Ab Initio Molecular Orbital Calculations

The structure of methyldifluoroamine, CH3NF2, was determined by gas-phase electron diffraction augmented by rotational constants from microwave spectroscopy taken from the literature and by results from molecular orbital calculations. The structural results are consistent with Cs symmetry for a molecule with staggered bonds. The experimental bond distances and bond angles (rα0/rg) and ∠α), with estimated 2σ uncertainties are C−H = 1.104/1.124(5) A (average value), N−F = 1.406/1.408(2) A, C−N = 1.467/1.469(6) A, C−N−F = 104.1(2)°, F−N−F = 101.7(2)°, N−C−Hanti = 109.9(11)°, N−C−Hgauche = 106.5(10)°, HgaucheC−Hgauche = 110.6(28)°; the subscripts indicate orientation with respect to the nitrogen lone pair. A scaled quantum-mechanical (SQM) quadratic vibrational force field was evaluated by symmetrizing the quantum-mechanical (MP2/6-311++G(d,p)) Cartesian force constants and scaling the results to fit observed infrared wavenumbers from the literature. The N−F stretching force constants for the other fluoroamin...
Digital Radiographic Assessment Of Coronary Arterial Geometric Diameter And Videodensitometric Cross-Sectional Area

Although the need to quantify the anatomical dimensions of coronary arterial atherosclerotic lesions is well recognized, standard analysis using 35 mm cine film precludes this technology during interventional procedures. The advent of digital radiographic (DR) imaging has caused speculation as to the applicability of electronic imaging to quantitative coronary arteriography. We report here the results of an experimental comparison of the accuracy of automatically determined geometric diameter (GD) and videodensitometric relative cross-sectional area (RA) using a radiographic arterial phantom. The phantom consists of a plexiglass plate with seven arterial models with "lesions" which vary from 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm diameter and proximal/distal lumena varying from 1.0 to 5.0 mm diameter. DR images at 512 x 512 resolution were preprocessed to correct for pincushion distortion and then analyzed using a quantification program which uses automatic edge detection to calculate GD and RA. Regression analysis of actual vs measured GD and RA yields excellent results. GD measurements show an overestimation of lumena with diameters less than 1.0 mm. RA, however, is not affected by this problem and yields accurate estimation down to the the 1% range. Geometric diameter percent stenosis as a result is overestimated in very small lumena, but RA percent stenosis yields accurate results over the range from 20% to 99%. As the program runs in less than 30 seconds, we conclude that DR imaging enables immediate quantitative coronary arteriography.
As raízes do Brasil no espelho de próspero

Prospero's Mirror is one further step in the Latin Americanist Passion that brings together authors such as Dario, Marti, Rodo, Mariategui, Manoel Bonfim, Sergio Buarque de Holanda and Gilberto Freyre - a whole lineage of writers who delineate the fantastic space of "another" America, thought of, and felt, in contrast to her northern big brother. Beginning in the 19th century, a North American mirror reshapes the Shakespearean geography which impressed Sergio Buarque de Holanda, and which would haunt him while he composed Raizes do Brasil in exile. Even though Holanda's classic book is not explicitly used in Prospero's Mirror, one can think that Morse's own book is a sort of re-writing of Raizes do Brasil, going into more depth in the Ibero-American promise that also shines in Buarque de Holanda's horizon.
Buoyancy Regulation in Two Species of Freshwater Turtle

The costs of an aquatic life are likely to be strongly influenced by an animal's buoyancy, which can be measured as specific gravity (SG). The shells of chelonians are negatively buoyant, and the tendency to sink is opposed by air in the lungs. Turtles can therefore regulate buoyancy by adjusting residual lung volume, but must do so within the constraint of a relatively fixed body volume set by the rigid shell. Emydids have been reported to effect changes in lung volume with reciprocal changes in the volume of water stored in the urinary bladder and, perhaps, for rapid short-term adjustments, the cloacal bursae. We examined buoyancy control in two species, the eastern painted turtle Chrysemys picta (Emydidae), which has well-developed cloacal bursae, and the common musk turtle Sternotherus odoratus (Kinosternidae), which lacks bursae. We measured SG in captive turtles, then manipulated SG by attaching either weights or floats, and measured SG again at 4 h and 24 h after attachment. Initial SG was consiste...
Some Basic Questions in Nucleon-Nucleon Bremsstrahlung

The problem of the correct form of the electromagnetic current operator is considered when the Schrodinger equation has a nonlocal potential. By looking at the mesonic origin of exchange potentials, and assuming the mesons are ‘minimally’ coupled to the electromagnetic field, it is concluded that the minimal prescription for the nonlocal potential is generally wrong. Doing nothing about the momentum dependence of the potential corresponds to choosing a ‘maximal’ current; this violates the soft photon theorem but is gauge invariant. The correct current to associate with the exchange of a charged scalar meson is written down, and it is intermediate between the minimal and maximal choices. The implications for nucleon-nucleon bremsstrahlung calculations are discussed.
Nucleotide sequence of the promoter--operator region of the tryptophan operon of Escherichia coli.

The nucleotide sequence of the region preceding the transcription initiation site of the tryptophan (trp) operon of Escherichia coli was determined by RNA and DNA sequencing techniques. RNA complementary to this region was synthesized in vivo or in vitro on 80trp transducing phage DNA and isolated by hybridization to the DNA of other transducing phage which contain only the pre-initiation region in common. The RNA was sequenced by analysis of complete RNase A and RNase T1 digestion products and overlapping these oligonucleotides with partial digestion products generated by RNase T1 and carboxymethylated RNase A. DNA sequencing of 5′ end-labelled restriction fragments containing the pre-initiation region was carried out using the hydrazine/dimethyl sulphate procedure of Maxam & Gilbert (1977) . Genetic and biochemical studies indicate that the region analyzed contains the trp promoter and the trp operator. The DNA segment implicated in operator function exhibits twofold rotational symmetry and immediately precedes the transcription start-site. Sequence similarities between the trp promoter region and other promoters are discussed.
How Should Vasectomy be Promoted in Guatemala

In the article "Evaluation of a Communications Program to Increase Adoption of Vasectomy in Guatemala" by J.T. Bertrand et al (Stud Fam Plann 1987 Nov/Dec) the authors conclude that the use of a male promoter alone was 4 times more cost-effective in increasing the number of vasectomies than the use of radio alone because the costs of the radio program were 4 times higher. This conclusion is questionable for several reasons. 1) The district where the promoter was used alone was twice as large as the radio-only district. 2) In one of the promoter-only districts the same promoter worked throughout the program but in the other 3 different promoters had to be recruited and trained due to high personnel turnover. 3) The initial costs of a radio program may be higher but 1 program can be broadcast in all districts with little or no extra cost whereas the costs of a promoter would have to be multiplied by the number of districts. 4) Although the promoter and the radio program produced approximately equal numbers of vasectomies the radio messages reached over 70% of the people surveyed. Thus on a national basis radio broadcasts would be far more cost-effective than the use of salaried promoters in each district.
Mixed formulation of the two-layer quasi-geostrophic equations of the ocean

In this article, we propose a mixed variational formulation for the streamfunction vorticity potential form for the two-layer quasi-geostrophic model of the ocean. We prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions of the mixed variational problem. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 15: 489–502, 1999
Every-other-day acetylmethadol disturbs circadian cycles of human motility.

1-Alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) maintenance treatment has been proposed as a favorable alternative to methadone maintenance. With an un-obtrusive actometer we recorded two successive 24-h cycles of spontaneous motor activity from 12 patients receiving LAAM every other day, and from five receiving methadone every day. LAAM patients were about 50% more active on days of drug administration than on no-dose days (P<0.001). There were no significant day-to-day differences in motility of methadone patients. LAAM administered every other day may significantly modify the human circadian rhythm of spontaneous motility; further research is thus needed before this treatment is widely akopted.
Fetal surgery for neural tube defects.

The New England Journal of Medicine recently reported on a large clinical trial describing subjects with meningomyelocele (MMC) that were randomised to surgical repair either in the fetal period or to standard postnatal repair.1 This report has generated enormous excitement, but also vigorous debate. This study – the ‘MOMS’ trial (Management of Meningomyelocele Study) – is the first to demonstrate that fetal intervention might alter the natural history of a congenital neurologic malformation. Meningomyeloceles are the most common form of neural tube defects and result from disturbed neurulation during the third and fourth weeks of gestation.2 Although the incidence varies markedly across different regions, MMC occurs in approximately 300 000 infants worldwide each year.3 The incidence of live births with MMC has decreased significantly in recent decades through combined effects of improved diagnosis and dietary supplementation. Improved prenatal detection by serum markers and fetal imaging has resulted in an escalation in pregnancy termination, particularly in regions with access to prenatal care and where terminations are culturally accepted. For example, in the UK, 72% of prenatally diagnosed cases of MMC were aborted, with similar results reported in the USA, Australia and parts of Western Europe.4 In the early 1990s, the association between maternal folate deficiency and development of MMC was described.5 This resulted in regulation mandating the fortification of cereal grains in the USA, Canada, and elsewhere, as well as campaigns for antenatal folate supplementation with a 20–50% reduction of MMC in these countries.6 Subsequently, the incidence of MMC has remained stationary at approximately two cases per 10 000 live births in the USA each year, highlighting the fact that …
Increasing complexity and energy flow in models of food webs

Abstract Three-compartment models were designed to study energy flow through food webs. Different configurations that became increasingly complex were systematically varied with respect to energy availability and consumption. An orthogonal testing design allowed multi-parameter sensitivity analysis. It was found that those configurations that maximized energy flow per unit of time (power), under energy limitations, were also those that promoted internal system stability. This exercise illustrates the utility of simple models for the rapid exploration of ecological relationships.
Extended Superficial Musculaponeurotic System Dissection and Composite Rhytidectomy

The composite facelift represents a comprehensive technique for facial rejuvenation with tissue repositioning of essentially every deep structure of the aging face, addressing the neck, lower face, mid face/lower eyelid junction, and forehead. The superior lateral vector of the lower face is "balanced" with a superior medial vector of the cheek and lower eyelid region. Patients who have stigmata of a previous facelift, such as the lateral sweep and hollow eyes, may be corrected with the composite facelift. The composite facelift is distinguished from all other facelift procedures in the unique "balance" of facelift vectors, yielding a natural and complete facial rejuvenation.
Deaggregation of human platelets in vitro by an RGD analog antagonist of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors.

Abstract Binding of fibrinogen to platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptors is essential for normal platelet aggregation. We investigated whether inhibition of GP IIb/IIIa receptors with arginine-glycine-aspartate-O-methyltyrosine amide (RGDY), an analog of the receptor recognition sequence found in fibrinogen, is associated with platelet deaggregation. Platelets from five healthy human subjects that were maximally aggregated by addition of adenosine diphosphate to platelet-rich plasma were deaggregated in a dose-dependent manner by subsequent addition of RGDY (86.5 ± 6.2%, 68.2 ± 4.3%, 44.9 ± 6.4%, and 31.6 ± 4.1% for RGDY concentrations of 400, 200, 133, and 67 μM, respectively vs. 7.8 ± 2.9% for saline control samples, p
Dynamics of a definition: a framework to analyse student construction of the concept of solution to a differential equation

In this note we develop a framework that makes explicit the inherent dynamic structure of certain mathematical definitions by means of the four facets of context-entity-process-object. These facets and their interrelations are then used to capture and interpret specific aspects of student constructions of the concept of solution to first order differential equations.
Church Wealth in Mexico: A Study of the 'Juzgado de Capellanias' in the Archbishopric of Mexico 1800-1856

The Juzgado de Capellanias was the most important fiscal institution within the Roman Catholic Church in Mexico. It operated in each diocese as a type of bank, receiving clerical revenues from various sources and investing them by way of loans at interest. The Roman Catholic Church in Mexico was both a cause and a victim of the political and economic chaos of this period. The liberals alleged that the concentration of much of the country's wealth in the hands of the clerical corporations hindered the political and economic progress of the nation. The clergy argued that they utilized much of their property and capital to the direct benefit of both society and the economy. Dr Costeloe examines these different views in relation to the Juzgado in Mexico. He discusses its complex internal administration, skilled employees, sources of revenue and the procedure for obtaining loans from it. Since the borrower was obliged to guarantee repayment of his loan by offering a property as security, the Church, through the Juzgado as creditor, gained control of the mortgaged property. Dr Costeloe analyses the effects of this investment and subsequent control of real estate via the clergy. In the final section, the author discusses the relations between the Juzgado and the State.
Prompt ionospheric/magnetospheric responses 29 October 2003 Halloween storm: Outflow and energization

[1] 3D multifluid simulations of the 29 October 2003 Halloween storm show the event to be a good example of conditions which lead to prompt penetration of solar wind electric field into the magnetosphere and prompt acceleration of heavy ionospheric ions. Causal relationships are established that tie solar wind conditions to ionospheric/magnetospheric responses, and the results are correlated with features in both IMAGE/HENA data and AMIE cross-polar cap potential. The simulations are able to capture the AMIE potentials. Difference between model results and AMIE data can be attributed to the ability of the model to capture fast enhancements in the convective electric field that can be tied with the IMF variations. The total auroral currents show a smoother profile, with the magnetosphere acting like an inductor. A period of southward IMF with simultaneous rapid By rotation leads to the largest currents and ionospheric outflows. These outflows produce an initial ionospheric mass loading of the magnetosphere and originate from the dayside cusp/cleft region. During this period the energization of O+ lags that of H+, consistent with that seen in the HENA data. Once the ionospheric outflows mass load the magnetosphere, prompt acceleration of O+ is seen simultaneous with H+ acceleration. This prompt response is due to the acceleration of O+ ions that have previously flowed into the magnetosphere. The enhanced convective electric field, also leads to enhanced ionospheric outflows that resupply ionospheric ions into the magnetosphere. During this period of resupply, the nightside auroral zone becomes an important contributor to the outflows.
Iron Quantification in Cerebrospinal Fluid

Several studies have attempted to measure iron levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is believed to contain very low levels of iron. In general, the assays used in these studies suffered from poor reproducibility or lack of sensitivity. In the present study, an assay was developed that enables iron quantitation in CSF using 150 microliters of undiluted CSF, sample digestion, dot blotting, Perls' histochemistry, 3,3'-diaminobenzidine enhancement, and densitometry. Inter- and intraassay variability was low and sensitivity high (279 pg iron in 100 microliters). There were negligible readings for standard curves utilizing copper in place of iron. The iron content in eight normal CSF samples was 61.01 +/- 18.3 (SD) micrograms/liter, and in nine normal sera it was 1332.7 +/- 408.2 (SD) micrograms/liter. The present assay enables reliable measures of iron levels in biological samples. This assay should enable future studies that address how CSF iron levels change during the course of various disease states.
Osteopontin Gene Regulation by Oscillatory Fluid Flow via Intracellular Calcium Mobilization and Activation of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase in MC3T3–E1 Osteoblasts

Recently fluid flow has been shown to be a potent physical stimulus in the regulation of bone cell metabolism. However, most investigators have applied steady or pulsing flow profiles rather than oscillatory fluid flow, which occurs in vivo because of mechanical loading. Here oscillatory fluid flow was demonstrated to be a potentially important physical signal for loading-induced changes in bone cell metabolism. We selected three well known biological response variables including intracellular calcium (Ca2+i), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity, and osteopontin (OPN) mRNA levels to examine the response of MC3T3–E1 osteoblastic cells to oscillatory fluid flow with shear stresses ranging from 2 to −2 Newtons/m2 at 1 Hz, which is in the range expected to occur during routine physical activities. Our results showed that within 1 min, oscillatory flow induced cell Ca2+i mobilization, whereas two MAPKs (ERK and p38) were activated over a 2-h time frame. However, there was no activation of JNK. Furthermore 2 h of oscillatory fluid flow increased steady-state OPN mRNA expression levels by approximately 4-fold, 24 h after exposure to fluid flow. The presence of both ERK and p38 inhibitors and thapsigargin completely abolished the effect of oscillatory flow on steady-state OPN mRNA levels. In addition, experiments using a variety of pharmacological agents suggest that oscillatory flow induces Ca2+i mobilization via the L-type voltage-operated calcium channel and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate pathway.
Social disparities in cancer: lessons from a multidisciplinary workshop

The problem of social disparities in cancer continues to challenge health care researchers. This article summarizes the themes and lessons emerging from a 2004 workshop that convened researchers from academic and government venues to review and discuss the extant literature, and to develop new conceptual frameworks for future investigations. Workshop participants explored the factors that contribute to social inequalities in cancer in the U.S. including the relative contributions of race and racism, the independent contributions of socioeconomic position, insurance, and access to care. Noting the heterogeneous patterns of inequality across cancer types, the multiple underlying causes of disparities, and the role of the health care system itself, the authors call for an organized program of multidisciplinary research.
Fish-bone oil: Percent total body lipid and carbon-14 uptake following feeding of 1-14C-palmitic acid

Bones contain the majority of body lipid in some marine fish. In the sheepshead wrasse Pimelometopon pulchrum and the sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria, the bone lipid comprised 79 to 93% and 52 to 82% of the total body lipid, respectively. The senorita Oxyjulus california, another species of wrasse, has only 14% of its body lipid in bone. To determine whether dietary lipid is deposited quickly in the bone lipid, three species of fish were fed 1-14C-palmitic acid. Radioactivity appeared in the bone lipid as soon as 12 h after feeding, with the species rich in bone lipid incorporating the highest activity relative to the flesh. Roughly 80% of the radioactivity recovered in A. fimbria bone lipid was found in triglyceride. Radioactivity was equally distributed between phospholipid and triglyceride in P. pulchrum bone lipids. The results suggest that in some marine fish the bones contain the majority of the organism's reserve energy.
hMSH6 Alterations in Patients with Microsatellite Instability-Low Colorectal Cancer

Two microsatellite instability (MSI) phenotypes have been described in colorectal cancer (CRC): MSI-H (instability at >30% of the loci examined) and MSI-L (MSI at 1-30% of the loci examined). The MSI-H phenotype, observed in both hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer-associated CRC and approximately 15% of sporadic CRC, generally results from mutational or epigenetic inactivation of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes hMSH2 or hMLH1. The genetic basis for the MSI-L phenotype, however, is unknown. Several other proteins, including hMSH3 and hMSH6, also participate in DNA MMR. Inactivating mutations of MSH6 in yeast and human tumor cell lines are associated with an impaired ability to repair single-base mispairs and small insertion-deletion loops but not large insertion-deletion loops. This suggests that hMSH6 mutations are more likely to be associated with a MSI-L phenotype than a MSI-H phenotype in CRC. To explore this possibility, we screened tumors from 41 patients with MSI-L CRC for hMSH6 mutations with conformation-sensitive gel electrophoresis (CSGE) and for hMSH6 protein expression by immunohistochemistry. Alterations found with CSGE were confirmed by DNA sequencing of normal and tumor tissue. One somatic (Asp389Asn) and 15 germ-line changes were found. Of the 15 germ-line changes, 9 were found in an intron (none involving splice junctions), and 6 were found in an exon (Gly39Glu, Leu395Val, and 4 silent alterations). Immunohistochemical staining for hMSH6 performed on 34 of the 41 tumors revealed strong nuclear hMSH6 expression in all of the cases. Overall, our results suggest that hMSH6 mutations do not play a major role in the development of sporadic CRC with a MSI-L phenotype.
Capsule commentary on Lewis Hunter et al., Factors Influencing Hospital Admission of Non-Critically Ill Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department: A Cross-Sectional Study

T his single-site cross-sectional study by Lewis Hunter et al. addresses variation in admission rates for patients with similar clinical presentations who are evaluated in the emergency department (ED). The authors question whether non-clinical factors might explain this variability. Via survey responses, physicians reported the influence of medical acuity and non-clinical factors on their decisions to admit. Investigators found that greater than 90 % of admissions were influenced by non-clinical factors, with over half being strongly or moderately influenced. While this did not likely change the disposition of high-acuity patients, it may have been enough to provoke admission of some low-risk patients. The authors wonder if this information could be used in the development of resources for emergency department patients that would allow safe discharge from the ED and assurance of follow-up testing. Decision rules with specific admission vs. observation vs. outpatient follow-up guidelines already exist for conditions such as syncope, chest pain, and TIA. Readily available follow-up for patients who are suitable for outpatient treatment could decrease the number of patients admitted based on concerns about follow-up or lack of rapid diagnostic testing. Syncope or observation units run by emergency departments could also help to reduce hospital admissions. While the study is difficult to generalize due to its short duration, single location, and lack of nighttime data points, the information is timely. Hospitals and physicians are being encouraged to bring down the cost of admissions and the overall cost of medical care to patients. Rather than cutting costs on admitted patients, this study suggests that reducing admissions by providing alternatives that address physician concerns could be a viable option. Prior investigations of the efficacy of case management and social workers in reducing admissions have been promising. Perhaps the additional information provided by this study will encourage further progress in reducing the number of admissions of patients who could be followed up as outpatients.
Most Frequent Contributors to the Hospitality Literature

Academic research in the hospitality field has great importance for tenure and promotion. Consequently, academic research has greatly increased in the last 16 years with the increase in hospitality programs. The majority of the research is published in the following four journals: The Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, the International Journal of Hospitality Management, the Hospitality Research Journal and the Florida International University Hospitality Review. Only refereed articles and notes were used in the tabulations. Industry members, journal staffs, and editors were not included. The study ranked the academic contributors in each journal in order of total appearances and adjusted appearances. Adjusted appearances were used to distinguish between single-authored and multiauthored articles. A high correlation was found between the rankings of adjusted and nonadjusted appearances of top-ranked authors. The top 15 universities in terms of adjusted appearances were also calculated.
Hole Tunneling in Si 1-x Ge x /Si Heterostructures Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Experimental observation of resonant tunneling of holes in Si1-xGex/Si structures is presented. A negative differential resistance with a peak to valley ratio in current of 2.2/1 has been obtained at 4.2°K in a double harrier structure consisting of Si barriers 6.0 nm wide and a 3.3 nm wide Si0.79Ge0.21 quantum well. In a sample with a 5.5 nm wide Si0.75Ge0.25 well and Si barriers 10 nm in thickness, five resonant levels were observed at low temperatures. The tetragonal strain in the Si1-xGex layers was measured by X-ray diffraction, and used to calculate the alloy composition. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) observations revealed defect free epitaxy and provided precise measurements of the quantum well and barrier dimensions. The peak resonance voltages were found to be in reasonahle agreement with calculated positions of heavy hole levels in the quantum wells. Evidence for band mixing of light and heavy holes was observed when a strong magnetic field oriented along the current direction produced large shifts in some of the resonant voltages.