cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anatomy of curriculum: Digging to the core

This viewpoint commentary, written from the perspective of a teacher who has helped to educate students in a wide variety of educational environments, is a reaction to the article published in Anatomical Sciences Education on developing of core syllabuses for the anatomical sciences. After reflecting on the definitions of both curriculum and syllabus and their importance as roadmaps for effective instruction, the value of core knowledge and core syllabuses in anatomical sciences was explored. Encouragement for the pursuit of the project proposed in the original article was provided; however, the reminder to not allow any curriculum or syllabus to prevent instructional flexibility was emphasized. Several constructive questions (regarding democracy in curriculum development, the proposed rating scale, and the desirability of reaching local or national consensus before seeking global agreement) were advanced for consideration.
How the balanced scorecard complements the McKinsey 7‐S model

– This article shows how the McKinsey 7‐S model and the balanced scorecard (BSC) model complement each other., – The developer of the widely used BSC model analyzes and compares the features and functions of the two models., – One can view the BSC as the contemporary manifestation of the 7‐S model, helping to explain its popularity as a practical and effective tool for aligning all the organizational variables and processes that lead to successful strategy execution., – There is no data on the financial impact of the BSC mdel on the companies that have adopted it., – The author suggests that the BSC is not only fully consistent with the 7‐S framework, but can also enhance it in use., – This the first article to compare the characteristics and functionality of the McKinsey 7‐S model and the BSC model.
Mechanism of the orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase-catalyzed reaction: effect of solvent viscosity on kinetic constants.

Orotidine 5′-monophosphate decarboxylase (OMPDC) is an exceptionally proficient catalyst: the rate acceleration (kcat/knon) is 7.1 × 1016, and the proficiency [(kcat/KM)/knon] is 4.8 × 1022 M−1. The structural basis for the large rate acceleration and proficiency is unknown, although the mechanism has been established to involve a stabilized carbanion intermediate. To provide reaction coordinate context for interpretation of the values of kcat, kcat/KM, and kinetic isotope effects, we investigated the effect of solvent viscosity on kcat and kcat/KM for the OMPDCs from Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus (MtOMPDC) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScOMPDC). For MtOMPDC, we used not only the natural OMP substrate but also a catalytically impaired mutant (D70N) and a more reactive substrate (FOMP); for ScOMPDC, we used OMP and FOMP. With MtOMPDC and OMP, kcat is independent of solvent viscosity, indicating that decarboxylation is fully rate-determining; kcat/KM displays a fractional dependence of solvent visc...
Peasant Agriculture and the Conservation of Crop and Wild Plant Resources

: Peasant agroecosystems are seen as a continuum of integrated farming units and natural ecosystems where plant gathering and crop production are actively practiced Many of these traditional agroecosystems still found throughout developing countries constitute major in situ repositories of both crop and wild plant gemzplasm. These plant resources are directly dependent upon management by human groups; thus, they have evolved in part under the influence of farming practices shaped by particular cultures. Because genetic conservation programs are more effective when preserving the ecosystems in which the resources occur, maintenance of traditional farming systems and adjacent natural ecosystems is proposed as a sensible strategy for in situ preservation of crop and wild plant genetic resources. It is here argued that preservation efforts should be linked to rural development projects that take into account the eth-nobotanical knowledge of rural people and that emphasize both food self-sufficiency as well as local resource conservation. Preservation of these traditional agroecosystems cannot be achieved when isolated from maintenance of the culture of the local people. Therefore, projects should also emphasize maintenance of cultural diversity. Resumen: Los agroecosistemas campesinos se consideran parte de una continua integracion de unidades de produccion y ecosistemas naturales, donde la produccion y recoleccion de las cosechas son actividades diarias. Muchos de estos agrosistemas tradicionales se encuentran en paises en desarrollo y constituyen un deposito importante in situ de gemzoplasma de plantas tanto cultivadas como silvestres. Estos recursos vegetales dependen directamente del manqo por grupos humanos; por ello ban evolucionado en parte bajo la influencia de practicas agricolas de culturas particulares. Dado que losprogramas de conservacion genetica son mas efectivos cuando se protegen los ecosistemas donde se encuentran, el mantenimiento de sistemas tradicionales de agricultura con los ecosistemas adyacentes se propone como una estrategia razonable para la preservacion in situ de los recursos geneticos agricolas y silvestres. Se argumenta aqui que los esfuerzos por preservar deben ser vinculados a los proyectos de desarrollo rural que consideran los conocimientos etnobotanicos de las poblaciones rurales y que enfatizan tanto la autosuficiencia domestica como la conservacion de los recursos a nivel local. La preservacion de estos agroecosistemas locales no puede subsistir aisla-damente del mantenimiento de las culturas locales. Es por ello que los proyectos de desarrollo tambidn deben enfatizar el mantenimiento de la diversidad cultural.
Patients' Understanding of Their Treatment Plans and Diagnosis at Discharge

Objective To ascertain whether patients at discharge from a municipal teaching hospital knew their discharge diagnoses, treatment plan (names and purpose of their medications), and common side effects of prescribed medications. Patients and methods From July to October 1999, we surveyed 47 consecutive patients at discharge from the medical service of a municipal teaching hospital in New York City (Brooklyn, NY). Patients were asked to state either the trade or the generic name(s) of their medication(s), their purpose, and the major side effect(s), as well as their discharge diagnoses. Patients were excluded if they were not oriented to person, place, and time, were unaware of the circumstances surrounding their admission to the hospital, and/or did not speak or understand English. Results Of the 47 patients surveyed, 4 were excluded. Of the remaining 43 patients, 12 (27.9%) were able to list all their medications, 16 (37.2%) were able to recount the purpose of all their medications, 6 (14.0%) were able to state the common side effect(s) of all their medications, and 18 (41.9%) were able to state their diagnosis or diagnoses. The mean number of medications prescribed at discharge was 3.89. Conclusions Less than half of our study patients were able to list their diagnoses, the name(s) of their medication(s), their purpose, or the major side effect(s). Lacking awareness of these factors affects a patient's ability to comply fully with discharge treatment plans. Whether lack of communication between physician and patient is actually the cause of patient unawareness of discharge Instructions or if this even affects patient outcome requires further study.
Towards Topology Aware Networks

We focus on efficient protocols that enhance a network with topology awareness. We discuss centralized algorithms with provable performance, and introduce decentralized asynchronous heuristics that use only local information and local computations. These algorithms are based on distributed solutions of convex programs expressing optimization of various spectral properties of the matrix associated with the graph of the network topology. For example, these algorithms assign special weights to links crossing or directed towards small cuts by minimizing the second eigenvalue. Our main technical ingredient is to perform the decentralized asynchronous computations in a manner that preserves critical invariants of the exact second eigenvalue of the adjacency matrix associated with the network topology.
Two new regions of interest to evaluate separately cortical and trabecular BMD in the proximal femur using DXA

To differentiate changes in trabecular and cortical bone density at a skeletal site bearing body weight, the main goal of this retrospective study was to develop and characterize two new regions of interest (ROIs) for DXA at the hip, one mainly focusing on trabecular bone and another mainly focusing on cortical bone. Specific aims were to maximize the precision of the ROIs and to characterize their usefulness for monitoring age-related bone loss and discriminating controls from fracture cases in a cross-sectional study population and to compare them with earlier ROIs designed by our group. The study used populations from two different previous studies conducted in our laboratory, with one comprising cohorts of healthy premenopausal women, healthy postmenopausal women, and postmenopausal osteoporotic women with at least one spinal fracture (Spine Fx Study) and the other one comprising two cohorts of age-matched postmenopausal women, in whom cases had sustained a hip fracture (Hip Fx study). The new ROI for trabecular bone (CIRCROI) tries to improve on the earlier custom-designed Central ROI, which was also targeted at trabecular bone. CIRCROI consists of an approximate largest circle that can fit inside the femoral proximal metaphysis without touching the superior and inferior endocortical walls. The new ROI for cortical bone (CORTROI) at a site bearing body weight is defined as a horizontal rectangular box crossing the femoral shaft below the lesser trochanter. CORTROI BMD cohort means were significantly higher than all other ROIs, and CIRCROI BMD cohort means were lower than standard ROIs with the exception of Ward's ROI. CIRCROI BMD was highly correlated with total femur BMD ( r=0.94) and Central BMD ( r=0.93), whereas CORTROI BMD correlations were lower (highest with total femur BMD ( r=0.86)). Fracture discrimination odds ratios (ORs) of all ROIs were significant for the Hip Fx Study, with CIRCROI BMD having the highest, and CORTROI BMD the lowest, OR (4.83 and 2.49 per SD, respectively, compared with 3.69 for Ward's ROI as the highest OR of standard ROIs). For the Spine Fx Study, only spinal and trochanteric BMD had significant OR. The new trabecular ROI had good short-term precision, comparable to the standard ROIs at the hip, but improving on that of Ward's triangle, the only standard ROI only including the anterior and posterior cortical walls and therefore more predominantly consisting of trabecular bone than other standard ROIs. The precision of the new cortical ROI was lower than standard DXA ROIs, except for Ward's triangle, but provides unique information on purely cortical bone at a skeletal site bearing body weight.
Novel arbitrary angle leaky-wave reflector using heterodyne mixing

A novel leaky-wave reflector using heterodyne mixing is proposed and demonstrated experimentally. This reflector uses a unique antenna element and is capable of reflecting an incoming signal to any arbitrary angle by controlling an LO frequency in real time. It may be fully integrated and refined for several commercial and military applications.
North Atlantic Current and European environments during the declining stage of the last interglacial

This paper provides a tentative reconstruction of environmental shifts in Europe associated with changes of the North Atlantic Current and related meridional sea-surface temperature (SST) gradients. During most of the Eemian interglacial (ca. 126–115 ka), the North Atlantic Current extended far north into the Nordic Seas and European environments were comparable to those of the Holocene. However, ca. 115 ka an SST drop in the Nordic Seas marked a southward displacement of the North Atlantic Current. This hydrographic shift was associated with substantial cooling in northern Europe and drier conditions in the Mediterranean region. The polar timberline retreated southward from 69°N in northernmost Scandinavia to 52°N in central Europe, and thermophilous deciduous trees became extinct north of the 48th parallel. Woodlands persisted in southern Europe for another 5 k.y. well into marine isotope substage 5d. These conditions indicate steep vegetation and climate gradients at the inception of the last glacial.
Selecting numerical scales for pairwise comparisons

Abstract It is often desirable in decision analysis problems to elicit from an individual the rankings of a population of attributes according to the individual's preference and to understand the degree to which each attribute is preferred to the others. A common method for obtaining this information involves the use of pairwise comparisons, which allows an analyst to convert subjective expressions of preference between two attributes into numerical values indicating preferences across the entire population of attributes. Key to the use of pairwise comparisons is the underlying numerical scale that is used to convert subjective linguistic expressions of preference into numerical values. This scale represents the psychological manner in which individuals perceive increments of preference among abstract attributes and it has important implications about the distribution and consistency of an individual's preferences. Three popular scale types, the traditional integer scales, balanced scales and power scales are examined. Results of a study of 64 individuals responding to a hypothetical decision problem show that none of these scales can accurately capture the preferences of all individuals. A study of three individuals working on an actual engineering decision problem involving the design of a decay heat removal system for a nuclear fission reactor show that the choice of scale can affect the preferred decision. It is concluded that applications of pairwise comparisons would benefit from permitting participants to choose the scale that best models their own particular way of thinking about the relative preference of attributes.
p/n InP homojunction solar cells with a modified contacting scheme by liquid phase epitaxy

p/n InP homojunction solar cells with a modified contacting scheme have been fabricated from wafers grown by liquid phase epitaxy. A p(+)-In(0.53)Ga(0.47)As contacting layer is incorporated in the cell structure to reduce contact resistance and to eliminaate surface spiking problems at the front surface. The highest conversion efficiency (total area) obtained under AM0 illumination is 15.0 percent. The corresponding open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, and fill factor for the best cell are 0.866 V, 29.3 mA/sq cm, and 81.0 percent, respectively.
The Delayed Stress Syndrome: A Pathological Delayed Grief Reaction?.

Many of the social and psychological problems displayed by Vietnam veterans have been classified as “Delayed Stress Syndrome.” Stress theory does not, however, adequately account for protracted rea...
Persistence of Furan-Induced Epigenetic Aberrations in the Livers of F344 Rats

Furan is a heterocyclic organic compound produced in the chemical manufacturing industry and also found in a broad range of food products, including infant formulas and baby foods. Previous reports have indicated that the adverse biological effects of furan, including its liver tumorigenicity, may be associated with epigenetic abnormalities. In the present study, we investigated the persistence of epigenetic alterations in rat liver. Male F344 rats were treated by gavage 5 days per week with 8 mg furan/kg body weight (bw)/day for 90 days. After the last treatment, rats were divided randomly into 4 groups; 1 group of rats was sacrificed 24 h after the last treatment, whereas other groups were maintained without further furan treatment for an additional 90, 180, or 360 days. Treatment with furan for 90 days resulted in alterations in histone lysine methylation and acetylation, induction of base-excision DNA repair genes, suggesting oxidative damage to DNA, and changes in the gene expression in the livers. A majority of these furan-induced molecular changes was transient and disappeared after the cessation of furan treatment. In contrast, histone H3 lysine 9 and H3 lysine 56 showed a sustained and time-depended decrease in acetylation, which was associated with formation of heterochromatin and altered gene expression. These results indicate that furan-induced adverse effects may be mechanistically related to sustained changes in histone lysine acetylation that compromise the ability of cells to maintain and control properly the expression of genetic information.
Microstructural evidence for short-circuit oxygen diffusion paths in the oxidation of a dilute Ni-Cr alloy

A comparative study of high-temperature oxidation of Ni containing 1 at.% Cr and pure Ni was carried out. Instead of the conventional kinetics study using thermogravimetry, a microlithographic marker experiment was designed. Observation of the markers using cross-sectional TEM and SEM has revealed striking differences in the scale morphology, microstructures, and oxidation mechanisms between pure Ni and the Cr-doped Ni substrates. In particular, the results suggest that a small addition of Cr promotes significant inward transport of oxygen. Marker experiments revealed that NiO grown on pure Ni is wholly attributable to outward-cation diffusion. In contrast, NiO grown on Ni−1 at.% Cr exhibited formation of a substantial inner layer having a submicron grain size, established by the markers to have formed from oxygen ingress. For pure Ni, voids were observed to be distributed only within oxide grains. In contrast, for Ni containing 1 at.% Cr, elongated pores formed extensively along oxide-grain boundaries. Formation of new fine-grain oxide in these pores was observed to have sometimes completely resealed the void. It is, therefore, proposed that the transport of oxygen in the case of oxide scale grown on Ni−1 at.% Cr occurs via voids (pores) formed by vacancy coalescence at the grain boundaries.
The role of insects in the productivity decline of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) on a slash and burn site in the amazon territory of Venezuela

Abstract The consumption of bitter cassava by root boring, leaf chewing and leaf sucking insects was measured on a slash and burn agricultural site in the Amazon Territory of Venezuela. Chewing and boring insects consumed less than 3% of the tissue, possibly because of the presence of cyanogenic glucosides in the cassava plants. In contrast to the boring and chewing insects, leaf sucking insects were more effective herbivores. They may be able to consume the phloem sap without activating the hydrocyanic acid. However, even sucking insects consumed only about 14% of the phosphorus uptake of the plants. We conclude that insect herbivory did not play a major role in the decline of productivity on the slash and burn agricultural site.
Language policy and bilingual education in Arizona and Washington state

In this paper, we compare the bilingual/language education policies of Arizona and Washington to show that state-level language policy plays a critical role in shaping the appropriation of federal language policy [No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), Title III] and how different state-level language policies impact the district level of policy appropriation. Drawing on Bourdieu's concepts of habitus and doxa, we argue that different types of appropriation, in turn, impact how educators and students orient toward bilingualism. Based on ethnographic research in demographically similar school districts in Arizona and Washington, we juxtapose the voices of students and school faculty from both states to demonstrate how language polices are appropriated and instantiated in distinct ways that may not be predictable based on federal language policy.
Abstract 3986: Protein-bound polysaccharide induces IL-1β via NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Protein-bound polysaccharide-K (PSK) is a hot water extract from Trametes Versicolor mushroom. It is widely used in Asian countries for its immune enhancing and anti-cancer potential. We have recently reported that PSK activates TLR2 and has CD8 T cell- and NK cell- dependent anti-tumor activity. PSK stimulates the production of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, the production of which requires both TLR and inflammasome activation. The current study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism by which PSK activates inflammasome and induces IL-1β. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses showed that PSK induces pro-IL-1β in a dose- and time- dependent manner. PSK activates caspase-1 and pre-incubation with z-VAD-FMK, a caspase inhibitor, abolishes PSK-induced IL-1β. Comparison of THP-1 cells and THP-1 cells deficient for NLRP3 demonstrated that PSK-induced IL-1β production requires NLRP3 inflammasome. PSK also up-regulates the expression of NLRP3 mRNA. Further experiments were performed to investigate whether potassium efflux, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, or lysosomal perturbation was involved in PSK-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Results showed that CA-074-Me, a cathepsin B inhibitor, significantly decreased PSK-induced IL-1β, while the production of TNF-α was not affected. Phagocytosis or ROS generation was not required for PSK-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Altogether, our results suggest that PSK-induced IL-1β production is a two step process. Step 1 requires TLR2-dependent induction of pro-IL-1β and upregulation of NLRP3 expression; Step 2 involves NLRP3 inflammasome activation in a cathepsin B-dependent manner. These results provide novel insights into the mechanisms of the immune stimulatory and anti-tumor effects of PSK. Citation Format: Yi Yang, Carol Inatsuka, Mary L. Disis, Hailing Lu. Protein-bound polysaccharide induces IL-1β via NLRP3 inflammasome activation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3986. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3986
Implementing “real science” through microcomputers and telecommunications in project-based elementary classrooms

This is a study of an ongoing collaborative project in which science education faculty and upper elementary school teachers investigate the potential of a project-based, technologyrich, environmentally oriented approach to science education in an urban school serving a racially diverse population. Major conclusions based on the experience of participants in this study include: (1) teachers describe their instructional roles in terms highly consistent with student-centered, project-based, experiential learning; (2) teachers believe that what makes science “real” for students is the feeling that they are working on a truly current problem that is also being investigated by others outside their classroom. This is achieved by KidsNet, a microcomputer- and telecommunications-mediated curriculum, in a way that would not be possible without this technology; (3) teachers describe the actual and possible role of computer technology in terms which, while insightful and generally positive, are not clearly related to its flexible use in project-based learning; and (4) while teachers recognize meaningful connections between “off-line” science activities and the use of computer and telecommunications technologies, their students often do not.
The Cognitive Science of Science: Explanation, Discovery, and Conceptual Change

Paul Thagard, “among the first philosophers of science to apply the resources of the cognitive sciences to the study of science itself” (Ronald Giere, back cover), defines cognitive science as inte...
Magnetocrystalline Anisotropy of Europium Sulfide

The first- and second-order magnetocrystalline anisotropy constants of EuSe have been measured by a ferromagnetic-resonance technique at microwave frequencies and 1.3\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K on single-crystal spheres of about 100 \ensuremath{\mu} diam. The angular dependence of the resonant field for rotation in a {110} crystallographic plane yields both $\frac{{K}_{1}}{M}$ and $\frac{{K}_{2}}{M}$. The ferromagnetic-resonance linewidth was 60 Oe. The quantities $\frac{{K}_{1}}{M}$ and $\frac{{K}_{2}}{M}$ were measured to be -50\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6 and -83\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}16 Oe, respectively. The cubic crystal-field splitting parameters ${b}_{4}$ and ${b}_{6}$ have been determined on the basis of Wolf's single-ion mechanism to be 4.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ and -1.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$/ion, respectively. The results are compared with those of EuO and EuS and with cubic host lattices that have been doped with ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{++}$ ions.
Sex Differences in Emotional Awareness

The present study examined sex differences in the complexity and differentiation of people’s representations of emotional experience. Female participants from seven different samples, ranging in age, scholastic performance, socioeconomic status, and culture, scored higher on a performance test of emotional awareness than did male participants. Women consistently displayed more complexity and dif ferentiation in their articulations of emotional experiences than did men, even when the effect of verbal intelligence was controlled. Together, the findings suggest that a sex difference in display of emotional awareness is a stable, highly generalizable effect. Implications of these findings are presented.
Oslo +20: Reassessing the role of confidence building measures

Abstract Confidence building measures (CBMs) have long been employed as a tool for both conflict reduction and resolution. What started as a Cold War phenomena, CBMs have routinely been employed to deal with a myriad of conflicts in a variety of locations. In the Middle East, CBMs have been integral parts of both formal treaties and disarmament agreements between Israel and the Arab states. The 20th anniversary of the Oslo Accords provides a good opportunity to reassess the role of CBMs in the Oslo process. During the initial stages of negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, much emphasis was placed on the role and importance of CBMs. These CBMs were unsuccessful, however, because there was neither a strong foundation for negotiations, nor a real commitment on the part of the leaderships of both parties to implement and support the measures.
In-plane spectroscopy of microfluidic channels using photosensitive glass

We demonstrate the use of microstructures made in Apex™ photosensitive glass for in-plane investigation of microfluidic systems by demonstrating the ability to detect chemical fluids through the etched glass walls in the Visible and Near Infrared (NIR) regions. Absorption spectra of liquid ethanol and Raman spectroscopy of Dimethyl sulfoxide in Apex microcuvettes demonstrates their high potential in analyzing stacks of microfluidic systems from the sidewalls. Thus eliminating the need for non-planar observation of microfluidic systems.
Investigation of current distribution conditions in multiwire superconducting cables under the influence of self-magnetic field

Abstract The current distribution in a multi-wire round cable subjected to self-magnetic field is considered in this paper. A theoretical analysis of the current distribution process was made. The influence of layer parameters on the current distribution between the layers was determined. The theoretical analysis showed that it was necessary to twist two external layers into different directions with a minimum pitch to increase the current in the internal layers. It was shown that manufacturing round cable with more than two superconducting layers was unnecessary. Formulae are given allowing determination of the current in all layers. The theoretical conclusions were confirmed by the experimental results.
Sun Safety Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Among Beachgoing Adolescents

Background Skin cancer rates are rising and could be reduced with better sun protection behaviors. Adolescent exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is damaging because it can lead to skin cancer. This descriptive study extends understanding of adolescent sun exposure attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors. Methods A sample of 423 beachgoing adolescents in Florida were interviewed over 4 days. Results Adolescents did not know (63%) the peak hours of strongest UV exposure and nearly half planned to spend over 3 hours in the sun. Females were 2 times more likely to report wearing sunscreen less than SPF 15. Females were also 5 times as likely to intentionally tan and use tan enhancers. Respondents likely to sunburn reported better sunscreen usage and viewed a suntan less favorably. Of those surveyed, most believed that a suntan looked healthy (80%). Despite the reported risky sun behaviors, 67% thought that they were at risk of developing skin cancer. Discussion and Translation to Health Education Practice Ins...
THE HYDROLYSIS AND FATTY ACID EXCHANGE OF CHOLESTEROL ESTERS ADMINISTERED IN LIPOPROTEINS TO CEBUS MONKEYS.

Abstract The distribution of radioactivity was measured in different cholesterol ester components of plasma of Cebus monkeys at varying intervals after injection of mevalonate-2-C14 or the intravenous administration of the cholesterol-4-C14 esters of oleic, palmitic, or linoleic acid which had been solubilized by the procedure of Avigan [J. Biol. Chem.234, 787 (1959)]. The plasma of monkeys which had been treated with mevalonatc-2-C14 had distributions of radioactivity in the different cholesterol ester fractions, as separated by thin layer chromatography, which were remarkably similar to the distribution of fatty acids in the cholesterol ester fraction regardless of the time interval after treatment. When individual labeled cholesterol esters were administered, the redistribution of C14-cholesterol within the other cholesterol esters proceeded until the specific activities of all of them were nearly equal between the first and third day after administration of the test material. It was calculated that the pool of plasma cholesterol esters was hydrolyzed about one time per day.
Losartan, a nonpeptide angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor antagonist, inhibits neointima formation following balloon injury to rat carotid arteries.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been shown to inhibit intimal thickening following balloon catheterization of rat carotid arteries. To assess the role of the renin-angiotensin pathway and the angiotensin type-I (AT1) receptor in this effect, the nonpeptide Ang II antagonist losartan (DuP 753) or vehicle was infused continuously i.v. in rats from two days before to two weeks after balloon injury to the left common carotid artery; drug effects upon intimal thickening were examined histologically. Losartan produced a dose-dependent reduction in cross-sectional area of intimal lesions determined two weeks post balloon injury. At 5 mg/kg/day a nonsignificant 23% reduction of intimal area was observed. At the higher dose of 15 mg/kg/day, losartan produced a 48% reduction in intimal area (P < 0.05) compared to the vehicle-infused group. The cellular density of the neointima was not affected by losartan, indicating a probable effect of the drug upon migration and/or proliferation of smooth muscle cells. In separate groups of non-ballooned rats, losartan infusions of 5 and 15 mg/kg/day produced significant rightward shifts (averaging 6.4- and 55-fold, respectively) in curves relating increases in blood pressure to intravenous Ang II in pithed rats determined between 2 and 16 days following initiation of losartan infusion. Mean arterial blood pressure (determined under α-chloralose anesthesia) was reduced following continuous losartan infusion for 6 days from 128 ± 8 mm Hg (vehicle) to 105 ± 8 mm Hg at 5 mg/kg/day (P < 0.05), and 106 ± 4 mm Hg at 15 mg/kg/day (P < 0.5). Thus, losartan attenuated the vascular response to balloon catheter injury, and this effect was associated with functional block of vascular AT1 receptors. The results support a role for Ang II, acting via AT1 receptors, in myointimal thickening subsequent to balloon injury of rat carotid arteries.
A method to design blended rolled edges for compact range reflectors

A method to design blended rolled edges for compact range reflectors with arbitrary rim shape is presented. The reflectors may be center-fed or offset-fed. The method leads to rolled edges with minimal surface discontinuities. It is shown that the reflectors designed using the prescribed method can be defined analytically using simple expressions. A procedure to obtain optimum rolled parameters is also presented. The procedure leads to blended rolled edges that minimize the diffracted field emanating from the junction between the paraboloid and the rolled edge surface while satisfying certain constraints regarding the reflector size and the minimum operating frequency of the system. >
Lys91 and His90 of the alpha-subunit are crucial for receptor binding and hormone action of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and play hormone-specific roles in FSH and human chorionic gonadotropin.

Glycoprotein hormones, FSH, LH, CG, and TSH, consist of a common alpha-subunit and a hormone-specific beta-subunit. Both subunits are thought to interact with the hormone receptors. Although several C-terminal residues of hCG alpha are known to contact the LH/CG receptor, little is known about the roles of individual C-terminal residues of FSH alpha. In this report, substitutions of various amino acids for the penultimate Lys91 and the upstream His90 of the alpha-subunit demonstrate that these two residues of FSH alpha are important for high affinity receptor binding and hormone action to induce cAMP production. In contrast, the same residues of hCG alpha are more important for cAMP induction than for high affinity receptor binding. Some substitutions significantly improved receptor binding of FSH and hCG, whereas others were detrimental. Some had the same effect on both hormones, and others impacted differently. Particularly, the substitution of Val for alpha Lys91 resulted in an improved receptor bindin...
Persisters and beyond: mechanisms of phenotypic drug resistance and drug tolerance in bacteria.

AbstractOne of the challenges in clinical infectious diseases is the problem of chronic infections, which can require long durations of antibiotic treatment and often recur. An emerging explanation for the refractoriness of some infections to treatment is the existence of subpopulations of drug tolerant cells. While typically discussed as “persister” cells, it is becoming increasingly clear that there is significant heterogeneity in drug responses within a bacterial population and that multiple mechanisms underlie the emergence of drug tolerant and drug-resistant subpopulations. Many of these parallel mechanisms have been shown to affect drug susceptibility at the level of a whole population. Here we review mechanisms of phenotypic drug tolerance and resistance in bacteria with the goal of providing a framework for understanding the similarities and differences in these cells.
Effects of ABA, antitranspirants, heat and drought stress on plant growth, physiology and water status of artichoke transplants

Abstract In semiarid regions of the U.S., artichoke [Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori] seedlings planted in the field during late summer or early fall generally experience simultaneous high air temperatures and short drought episodes causing transplant shock and delay in root and shoot development. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of heat (35/20 °C, day/night temperature regimes vs. 25/10 °C) and drought (30% water holding capacity vs. 60%) stresses on plant growth, physiology and water status of artichoke cv. ‘Green Globe Improved’ transplants during 14 days after transplanting (DAT). Heat stress significantly inhibited shoot but not root growth 14 DAT. In contrast, drought stress significantly inhibited root growth between 7 and 14 DAT. Transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs) and photosynthetic rate ( A CO 2 ) decreased by transplanting (within 24 h) regardless of treatments. Thereafter, E and A CO 2 significantly increased by heat compared to 25/10 °C temperature regime 3 DAT. However as heat stress progressed E, gs A CO 2 and leaf water potential were reduced. Drought stress sharply reduced E, gs and A CO 2 within 1 DAT and leaf water status as early as 3 DAT. The combination of heat and drought stress significantly reduced shoot and root growth 7 and 3 DAT, respectively. This suggests that to prevent transplant shock by heat and drought it is desirable to prevent leaf dehydration. Thus, consecutive greenhouse experiments were also conducted to evaluate the effects of three film-forming antitranspirants (Antistress, Transfilm and Vapor Gard) and abscisic acid (ABA: 0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg L−1) foliar application on physiological responses and shoot water status of artichoke transplants exposed to drought stress (water withholding). ABA at 1000 mg L−1 enhanced drought tolerance of transplants, a response that was associated with the maintenance of shoot water status via stomatal closure. Film-forming antitranspirants were not effective to mitigate drought stress. These results suggest that exogenous ABA could be a useful plant growth regulator to condition artichoke transplants to withstand temporal drought stress conditions and reduce transplant shock.
Vantage theory and diachronic semantics

La notion la plus importante de la theorie des points de vue est sans doute le caractere central de la categorisation dans le traitement mental des donnees linguistiques. L'A. examine les similitudes et les contrastes entre la theorie des points de vue et la grammaire cognitive a travers l'analyse de l'histoire de la negation en francais et, plus particulierement, du developpement des particules negatives du latin a la langue moderne
A Metaanalysis of Controlled Trials of Neuroleptic Treatment in Dementia

Prior qualitative literature reviews about the use of neuroleptics in dementia suggest that they are “modestly effective” in treating agitation and that no single neuroleptic is better than another. To develop a more precise concept of the clinical efficacy of neuroleptics, a meta-analytic review of the existing literature was performed. From double-blind clinical trials that compared a neuroleptic with a placebo in agitated dementia patients, P values and effect-size estimates were obtained, and were assessed by metaanalytic techniques. Results indicated that neuroleptics were significantly more effective than placebo (one-tailed P = .004) and had a small effect size (r = .18). Clinically, neuroleptic treatment changed the improvement rate in agitated dementia patients from .41 to .59 (binomial effect-size display). This indicates that 18 of 100 dementia patients benefited from neuroleptic treatment (beyond that of placebo) and is consistent with the modest efficacy described in previous qualitative reviews. In six studies comparing thioridazine with another neuroleptic, and in five studies comparing haloperidol with another neuroleptic, metaanalysis results did not show that these two medications differed significantly from the comparison medications, which is not inconsistent with the opinion that no single neuroleptic is better than another.
Identifying uniform core journal titles for music libraries : A dissertation citation study

In an attempt to create a new tool to aid librarians in choosing music journals, citations from music dissertation bibliographies submitted in 1993 from across the United States were gathered and analyzed. Core lists of journals were developed and then compared to lists compiled by analyzing doctoral dissertation bibliographies in the field of music from a single institution. The journal lists from a national study differed from those derived from the study of journals used at a single institution. Also, newly published journals are used regularly by doctoral students in music, and several are on the lists of core journals compiled.
An Estimate of Surface Mobility of CO2on γ-Alumina and MgO-Modified γ-Alumina Above 500 K

Abstract In order to know the possibility of CO 2 separation by surface diffusion with ceramic membrane at high temperature, permeability of CO 2 was estimated from the heat of adsorption of CO 2 on γ-alumina and MgO-modified γ-alumina. It is revealed that the too high heat of adsorption retards the mobility of CO 2 . Ordinary γ-alumina was preferable for the CO 2 separation. Estimated permeability of CO 2 by surface diffusion was larger than that by molecular sieve mechanism.
Granulometric parametric estimation for the random boolean model using optimal linear filters and optimal structuring elements

Morphological granulometries have been used successfully to discriminate textures in the context of classical feature-based classification, and more recently they have been used as observation variables for estimators in the context of random sets. This paper considers optimal linear parametric estimation of the law of a random set. It is set in a Bayesian framework in that estimation is of the law of a random Boolean model whose parameters satisfy prior distributions. It is assumed that the distribution of the primary grain has unknown parameters, and the task is to estimate these model parameters, along with the intensity of the Boolean model. The estimator will be the optimal linear filter for an input vector of granulometric moments. Furthermore, it will be assumed that the structuring elements generating the granulometry are themselves parameterized, and that the optimal parameters (those giving rise to the best optimal filter) are to be determined. It is experimentally observed that choosing optimal structuring elements can give much better results than arbitrarily choosing structuring element parameters.
Communication: MULTIMODE calculations of low-lying vibrational states of NO3 using an adiabatic potential energy surface.

A semi-global, permutationally invariant potential energy surface for NO3 is constructed from a subset of roughly 5000 Multi-State CASPT2 calculations (MS-CAS(17e,13o)PT2/aug-cc-pVTZ) reported by Morokuma and co-workers [H. Xiao, S. Maeda, and K. Morokuma, J. Chem. Theory Comput. 8, 2600 (2012)]. The PES, with empirical adjustments to modify the energies of two fundamentals and a hot-band transition, is used in full-dimensional vibrational self-consistent field/virtual state configuration interaction calculations using the code MULTIMODE. Vibrational energies and assignments are given for the fundamentals and low-lying combination states, including two that have been the focus of some controversy. Energies of a number of overtone and combinations are shown to be in good agreement with experiment and previous calculations using a model vibronic Hamiltonian [C. S. Simmons, T. Ichino, and J. F. Stanton, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 3, 1946 (2012)]. Notably, the fundamental v3 is calculated to be at 1099 cm−1 in acco...
Exploring the Relationship between Self-Awareness and Student Commitment and Understanding of Culturally Responsive Social Work Practice

This study explores the relationship between self-awareness and social work students' commitment and understanding of culturally responsive social work practice. Data consisted of assigned papers (N = 23), submitted by graduate social work students, which asked them to describe their ethnic/racial background and ancestors' process of assimilation, and to reflect on their ethnic and racial identity as a means toward increased self-awareness and future culturally responsive practice. Content analysis revealed 11 themes, including students' enlightenment of their privilege, experiences of cultural loss, and acknowledgment of biases as integral parts of culturally responsive practice. Implications for social work education and research are addressed.
The role of Gliadel wafers in the treatment of high-grade gliomas.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor. Standard treatment includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Prognosis is dismal with an average survival of approximately 1 year. Gliadel wafers are one treatment option, working as a source for local chemotherapy delivery. Their use is controversial with questionable survival benefit and potential side effects. We reviewed the literature in an effort to clarify their role in the treatment of high-grade gliomas. A systematic PubMed search was performed using the keywords ‘Gliadel’, ‘carmustine’ or ‘BCNU wafers’ in newly diagnosed high-grade glioma patients. Treatment regimen, and median survival were analyzed. Adverse event ratio was calculated by computing the number of adverse events in a study per patient receiving carmustine wafers. Nineteen studies with 795 patients were included in our review. Survival was 8.7–22.6 months with a mean overall survival (OS) of 16.2 months (control survival is approximately 14 months with surgery an...
Radioimmunoassay of peripheral plasma testosterone in males from eight species using a specific antibody without chromatography.

Testosterone was measured in pools from the peripheral plasma of adult male shrews (Sunciis murinus), boars, rams, bulls, rats, mice, rabbits and men. A radioimmunoassay employing an antibody specific for testosterone and dihydrotestosterone only was used with and without Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. It was concluded that in all of the species tested with the exception of the rabbit, chromatography is not necessary to establish reliable estimations of testosterone in the peripheral plasma. (Endocrinology 95: 1466, 1974)
Photolith analysis and control system

This paper describes an expert system that assists photolithography inspectors during IC fabrication process. Strict control of the process line is required, lack of control often results in costly errors. In photolithography, flaws that occur during the IC patterning process should be correctable within the same step. The diagnosis and trouble shooting of these flaws are done using the Photolith Analysis and Control (PAC). It is assumed that the readers have a good knowledge of IC processing and are familiar with the technical terminology prevalent in the field. The paper is arranged as follows, section 2 described the chief motivating factors for PAC. This is followed by a description of the user and video interfaces in section 3. Section 4 describes the PAC system in detail, section 5 contains performance and evaluation data and is followed by a conclusion.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
System/370 extended architecture: the channel subsystem

The 370-XA channel subsystem architecture represents a significant extension of the corresponding System/370 architecture. This paper examines the need for these extensions, discusses the important features and facilities of the new architecture, and provides comparisons with its predecessor, the System/370 channel architecture. It also describes, from an operational viewpoint, how these new concepts affect I/O processing and how they relate to the current trend toward using multiple CPUs, increasing CPU execution speed, and increasing the number of I/O attachments.