cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of blunted nighttime blood pressure dipping with coronary artery stenosis in men.

Background The aim of this work was to study the association between blunted nighttime dipping of blood pressure (BP) and coronary artery stenosis in men. Methods Sixty-eight men (aged 52 ± 11 years) with coronary artery disease (CAD) defined as ≥70% diameter stenosis, and a control group of 68 men, matched for age and risk factors without angiographic CAD were studied by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Patients were defined as nondippers when the nighttime systolic and diastolic BP decrease was <10%. Medications included β-blockers in 20 (15%), calcium antagonists in 39 (29%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in 44 (32%), angiotensin receptor blockers in 21 (15%), and diuretics in 37 (27%) patients. A logistic regression model was used to define independent predictors of angiographic CAD. Covariates were symptoms, total cholesterol, daytime BP, and nondipping. Results A larger proportion of patients with CAD were nondippers as compared to control subjects (49 [72%] v 31 [46%], P < .005). In a logistic regression model, nondipping was associated with coronary artery stenosis independent of other clinical parameters (odds ratio 3.6, 95% confidence interval 1.6–8.8). Conclusions Blunted nighttime dipping of BP is independently associated with angiographic coronary artery stenosis in men.
Interdecadal Variations in the Alaska Gyre

Climatic dynamic topography variations in the Alaska gyre during the period 1968-1990 are described with an objective analysis of more than 12000 STD and XBT stations, and COADS wind stress data Interannual the dynamic height and SST variations were correlated and were consistent with recently described large-scale climatic shifts in the North Pacific. The gyre was centered more to the east, circulation appeared stronger, and SST was lower during the early to mid-1970s than during the 1980s. The Aleutian low (NP and PNA indices) intensified during the interim, but the response did not appear as a gyre spinup. Instead, the associated wind stress anomalies forced a slowly varying dynamic height anomaly across the eastern and northern part of the gyre through Ekman convergence, which had the effect of displacing the gyre's low somewhat to the WSW in the 1980s. The wind curl spectrum was white, and the slow oceanic response was modeled as stochastic-forced climate variability with a simple first-order Markov autoregression process. Forcing was assumed to be Ekman pumping of the pycnocline, and the damping coefficient was estimated from the data to be approx. 1 yr. A hindcast with observed winds gave estimated dynamic height patterns similar to those observed, with a canonical correlation of 0.79 at 99% confidence. This response was weak in the western half of the gyre, where slow baroclinic variability may have been influenced by long Rossby wave propagation. A simple autoregression simulation using artificial white noise forcing shows the evolution of decadal variations similar in nature to those observed. This result, along with the low frequency correlation between dynamic height and SST, suggests that the upper-ocean climatic variability in this region is primarily wind forced.
Unveiling new degradation intermediates/pathways from the photocatalytic degradation of microcystin-LR.

Mass spectrometry was utilized for structural identification of the intermediates formed during the photocatalytic degradation of the cyanotoxin, microcystin-LR with immobilized TiO2 photocatalysts at neutral pH. Most of the intermediates reported herein have not been found in prior studies. Results indicate that MC-LR degradation is initiated at four sites of the toxin; three on the Adda amino acid (aromatic ring, methoxy group, and conjugated double bonds) and one on the cyclic structure (Mdha amino acid). Several intermediates gave multiple peaks in the TIC (m/z = 1011.5, 1029.5, 1063.5), which were deduced to be geometrical or constitutional isomers. This is the first study that reports the hydroxylation of the aromatic ring and the demethoxylation of MC-LR with TiO2 photocatalysis. The most targeted site was the conjugated diene bonds because of their location in the MC-LR structure. Isomerization at the C4−C5 and C6−C7 of the diene bond of the Adda chain was a direct result of hydroxyl radical addit...
Somatic Symptom Reporting in Women and Men

Women report more intense, more numerous, and more frequent bodily symptoms than men. This difference appears in samples of medical patients and in community samples, whether or not gynecologic and reproductive symptoms are excluded, and whether all bodily symptoms or only those which are medically unexplained are examined. More limited, but suggestive, literature on experimental pain, symptom reporting in childhood, and pain thresholds in animals are compatible with these findings in adults. A number of contributory factors have been implicated, supported by varying degrees of evidence. These include innate differences in somatic and visceral perception; differences in symptom labeling, description, and reporting; the socialization process, which leads to differences in the readiness to acknowledge and disclose discomfort; a sex differential in the incidence of abuse and violence; sex differences in the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders; and gender bias in research and in clinical practice. General internists need to keep these factors in mind in obtaining the clinical history, understanding the meaning and significance that symptoms hold for each patient, and providing symptom relief.
Chaotic dynamics of super‐diffusion revisited

[1] Super-diffusive mixing in geophysics occurs in atmospheric turbulence, near surface currents in the oceans, and fracture flow in the subsurface to name a few examples. Models of super-diffusion have been around since L. F. Richardson's pioneering work in the 1920's. Here we construct a family of super-diffusive stochastic processes Xα(t), 0 < α, with independent, nonstationary increments, but a priori defined mean-square displacement given by tα+1. The case α = 2 corresponds to Richardson super-diffusion. The family of processes is a nonstationary extension of Brownian motion and hence completely characterized by its first two moments. The Fokker-Planck equation for Xα(t) is classical diffusive with time dependent diffusion coefficient given by tα/2. In contrast to what is found in fractional Brownian motion, where the fractal dimension depends on the Hurst exponent, here the fractal dimension and hence complexity of the process is the same for all exponents α as that of classical Brownian motion. An analytical expression is developed for the finite-size Lyapunov exponent and numerical examples presented.
Origin and Genetic Diversity of Lake Trout in the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

Abstract Lake trout Salvelinus namaycush is a slow-growing, late-maturing, cold-water-adapted species whose native distribution is described by the glaciated regions of North America. Southwestern Alaska, the western limit of the species range, has undergone repeated episodes of glacial advance and retreat. In this study, lake trout were sampled from 15 lakes in six drainages on or near Togiak National Wildlife Refuge (TNWR) in southwestern Alaska. Data from 14 microsatellite loci were used to test for genetic evidence that lake trout survived the most recent glacial advance in a local refugium, and to test the effect of habitat size, elevation, and drainage on within- and among-population variation. We could not infer that unglaciated lakes within the TNWR served as a refugium during the most recent glacial maximum. In a neighbor-joining tree, populations largely clustered by drainage, suggesting a single founding source for each drainage. An exception occurred in the Nushagak and Kuskokwim rivers, where...
Uses, Value, and Benefits of Knowledge

In this article, the author argues that the use of knowledge refers not to the information, not to the process of transmitting messages, but to the contents the knowledge conveyed by it However the delivery system is often mistaken for the knowledge it delivers, resulting in misplaced values Intellectual knowledge can only be acquired by people willing to exert themselves for the sake of becoming more knowledgeable and better educated Expressing his frustrations with miscon ceptions among vanous producers of knowledge, the author reminds them that equitable availability and distribution of benefits must be considered in the developmental stages of systems that disseminate knowledge Only then will the wise use of knowledge be encouraged for societal good
Morphogenesis of albino rat lung: an autoradiographic analysis of the embryological origin of the type I and II pulmonary epithelial cells.

A correlation of autoradiographic and histochemical data indicates that the type I and II pulmonary epithelial cells are endodermally-derived; and, that the interstitial pulmonary cells are mesodermally-derived. Tritiated thymidine (T-H3) was found to be an excellent cell marker for in vivo developmental studies of mammalian (rat) lung. At a dose of 3 μc per gm (specific activity, 15.6–16.9 c per mM) maternal body weight, T-H3 crosses the placenta in amounts sufficient to effect heavy labeling of dividing cells. A partial placental barrier to T-H3 was found in late stages of development. Following an injection of T-H3 on day 16 of gestation, a higher rate of endodermal cell division was reflected by higher labeling indices and a steeper slope of the endodermal dilution curve as opposed to the mesoderm. This differential in labeling was maintained through the third postnatal day. Neonatal labeling patterns of the definitive cell types (type I and II pulmonary epithelial cells, interstitial pulmonary cells) reflected those of their germ layer precursors. Histochemical analysis of the developing rat lung demonstrated large accumulations of cytoplasmic glycogen in areas of rapid cell division (endodermal cells). As the mitotic rate decreased and cellular differentiation progressed, glycogen decreased; postnatally it is not a feature of mature pulmonary cell types.
SWiP-1: novel SOCS box containing WD-protein regulated by signalling centres and by Shh during development

We describe a novel chick WD-protein, cSWiP-1, expressed in somitic mesoderm and developing limb buds as well as in other embryonic structures where Hedgehog signalling has been shown to play a role. Using embryonic manipulations we show that in somites cSWiP-1 expression integrates two signals originating from structures adjacent to the segmental mesoderm: a positive signal from the notochord and a negative signal from intermediate and/or lateral mesoderm. In explant cultures of somitic mesoderm, Shh protein induces cSWiP-1, while a blocking antibody to Shh inhibits the induction of cSWiP-1 by the notochord. These results show that the positive signal from the notochord is mediated by Shh. We also show that in limb buds cSWiP-1 is upregulated by ectopic Shh. This occurs in about the same time period as upregulation of BMP2, placing cSWiP-1 among the earliest markers for the change of limb pattern caused by ectopic Shh. We also describe a human homologue of cSWiP-1 and a mouse gene, mSWiP-2, that is more distantly related to SWiP-1, suggesting that SWiP-1 belongs to a novel subfamily of WD-proteins.
The Accuracy of the American College of Sports Medicine Metabolic Equation for Walking at Altitude and Higher-Grade Conditions

The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) walking equation at low walking speeds, altitude (1,550 m), and higher grades. Twenty men and women (mean +/- SD, age, 28 +/- 6 years; height, 171 +/- 13 cm; weight, 67.8 +/- 18.1 kg) completed 2 randomized testing sessions under altitude (AL) (P(I)o(2) = 123.1 mm Hg [20.93%]) and sea level control (SLC) (P(I)o(2) = 147.3 mm Hg [25.00%]) conditions. Steady-state oxygen uptake (Vo(2)) was measured while subjects walked at 50 m.min(-1) at 8 separate grades (0, 5, 10, 15, 18, 21, 24, and 27%). Steady-state Vo(2) measurements from the last 2 minutes of each grade in AL and SLC were compared to the predicted Vo(2) of each grade according to the ACSM walking equation. Mean Vo(2) differences between predicted and AL values ranged from -0.5 to 1.4 ml.kg(-1).min(-1), averaged -0.1 ml.kg(-1).min(-1) across all grades, and were significant (p < 0.05) at 0 percent grade. Mean Vo(2) differences between predicted and SLC values ranged from 0.6 to 3.0 ml.kg(-1).min(-1), averaged 1.4 ml.kg(-1).min(-1) across all grades, and were statistically significant (p < 0.05) at 0 and 5 percent. The standard error of the estimate (SEE) for the prediction of Vo(2) under AL and SLC were 2.2 and 2.0 ml.kg(-1).min(-1), respectively. Total errors for the prediction of Vo(2)max under AL and SLC were 2.3 and 2.6 ml.kg(-1).min(-1), respectively. Overall, the findings indicate that the current ACSM prediction equation for walking is appropriate for application at low speeds, moderate altitude, and higher grades.
On the convergence and applications of Newton-like methods for analytic operators

We provide local and semilocal theorems for the convergence of Newton-like methods to a locally unique solution of an equation in a Banach space. The analytic property of the operator involved replaces the usual domain condition for Newton-like methods. In the case of the local results we show that the radius of convergence can be enlarged. A numerical example is given to justify our claim. This observation is important and finds applications in steplength selection in predictor-corrector continuation procedures.
Best known problem solving strategies in high-stakes assessments

This article shows how �well-known� problem solving strategies can be used in one of the most competitive examinations
Non-linear stark polarization spectroscopy

Abstract The effects of electric and magnetic fields upon the polarization of a single mode cw dye laser propagating through a low pressure sample of NO 2 have been explored. It is found that with electric field modulation the various Stark sensitive features in the complex NO 2 visible spectrum affect the polarization, producing a spectrum with a much simpler appearance than the normal absorption spectrum. The signal magnitudes are proportional to the square of the laser power. These electric field modulation signals are dominated by the influence of a weak stray laboratory magnetic field. All the phenomena observed are thought to arise from non-linear level crossing.
Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Controlled-Release Disopyramide in Patients with Cardiac Arrhythmias

UNLABELLED The pharmacokinetics of the controlled-release preparation of disopyramide phosphate (Norpace CR, Searle Laboratories, Chicago, IL) were studied in ten patients with cardiac arrhythmias. Multiple-serum disopyramide concentrations were obtained after a 300-mg oral dose. Each patient then received chronic oral therapy with the controlled-release preparation (400 to 1000 mg/day) on an every-12-hour schedule. At steady state, disopyramide trough concentrations were obtained. Serum disopyramide concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The regimen was well tolerated by all patients. The mean (+/- SD) time to maximum concentration, maximum concentration, and concentrations 11 and 24 hours after the initial dose were 5.5 +/- 1.3 hours and 2.8 +/- 0.8, 2.0 +/- 0.9, and 1.2 +/- 0.5 micrograms/mL, respectively. A low Cmax to trough concentration ratio of 1.35 +/- 0.26 was observed after the initial dose. Linear regression analysis of the serum disopyramide concentrations 11 hours after initial dose (trough) versus trough concentrations at steady state (dose adjusted) showed a strong correlation (r = 0.87, intercept = 0.03, and slope = 1.9). Regression analysis also showed a strong relationship between the area under the curve (AUC) from time 0 to 11 hours after the initial dose and the trough at steady state (r = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS The controlled-release preparation of disopyramide, when administered every 12 hours in patients with cardiac arrhythmias, should produce low peaks to trough fluctuations. Because disopyramide concentrations after the initial dose correlate well with trough concentrations at steady state, these concentrations may provide a simple and convenient method for prospective monitoring of disopyramide therapy in patients receiving the controlled-release preparation.
A theoretical study of the effect of thermal annealing on curvature changes in multilayered structures

During the manufacturing of thin-film heterostructures, a post-deposition thermal anneal may be needed to reduce deposition and thermal stresses. Relaxation due to viscous flow results in a net decrease in stress in the structure. However, there is an associated change in curvature of the structure which may be significant to consider in many applications. Moreover, the curvature may either increase or decrease depending on the film-to-substrate thickness ratio, material properties, and deposition stresses. A numerical model has been developed to determine the time-dependent change in stress and curvature during thermal annealing. Parametric studies of different layer thicknesses and elastic moduli were conducted to determine whether the structure flattens or curves more. Results indicate a transition point at which this change in curvature switches direction. This transition point can be defined with a simple relation between the ratio of film to substrate thickness as well as the ratio of their elastic moduli.
Structural development of an impact limiter system for a Mars landing vehicle.

Impact limiter system design for Mars landing vehicle noting balsa wood or phenolic honeycomb construction
Thermal Properties of Polyurethanes. Enthalpies and Entropies of Fusion

Enthalpies and entropies of fusion have been determined for two series of semicrystalline polyurethanes. The H series is based on 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate and various α, ω-diols containing from 2 to 10 methylene units. The DP series is based on 4,4′-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate and various α, ω-diols containing from 2 to 10 methylene units. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used in conjunction with X-ray analysis (X-ray method) and low molecular-weight diluents (diluent method) to determine the enthalpies of fusion. Agreement between the X-ray method and the diluent method was good.Differences between the enthalpies and entropies of fusion of the H and DP series could be largely attributed to differences in intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the melts of the two series. On the other hand, differences in the entropies of fusion between the H series and corresponding polyamides arise largely from differences in backbone-chain stiffness between the two series.
Triassic carbonate submarine fans along the Arabian platform margin, Sumeini Group, Oman

The Sumeini Group formed along the passive continental margin slope that bounded the northeastern edge of the Arabian carbonate platform. With the initial development of this passive continental margin in Oman during Early to Middle Triassic time (possibly Permian), small carbonate submarine fans of the C Member of the Maqam Formation developed along a distally steepened slope. The fan deposits occur as several discrete lenticular sequences of genetically related beds of coarsegrained redeposited carbonate (calciclastic) sediment within a thick interval of basinal lime mudstone and shale. Repeated pulses of calciclastic sediment were derived from ooid shoals on an adjacent carbonate platform and contain coarser intraclasts eroded from the surrounding slope deposits. Sediment gravity flows, primarily turbidites with lesser debris flows and grain flows, transported the coarse sediments to the relatively deep submarine fans. Channel erosion was a major source of intraformational calcirudite. Two small submarine fan systems were each recurrently supplied with calciclastic sediment derived from point sources, submarine canyons. The northern fan system retrogrades and dies out upsection. The southern fan system was apparently longer-lived; calciclastic sediments in it are more prevalent and occur throughout the section. The proximal portions of this fan system are dominated by channelized beds of calcirudite which represent inner- to mid-fan channel complexes. The distal portions include mostly lenticular, unchannelized beds of calcarenite, apparently mid- to outer-fan lobes. Carbonate submarine fans appear to be rare in the geological record in comparison with more laterally continuous slope aprons of coarse redeposited sediment. The carbonate submarine fans of the C Member apparently formed by the funnelling of coarse calciclastic sediment into small submarine canyons which may have developed due to rift and/or transform tectonics. The alternation of discrete sequences of calciclastic sediment with thick intervals of ‘background’ sediment resulted from either sea-level fluctuations or pulses of tectonic activity.
A Novel Model for an Older Remodeler: The BAF Swap in Neurogenesis

Changes in chromatin state contribute to the switch in gene expression programs that characterizes the transition of dividing neural stem cells toward a neuronal fate. In this issue of Neuron , Lessard et al. show that this process is regulated by specific cofactor exchanges within the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex.
Molecular mechanism of manganese exposure-induced dopaminergic toxicity.

Abstract Manganese (Mn) is an essential mineral that is found in varying amounts in aerosols or dust. Exposure to atmospheric Mn at high concentration is a risk factor in humans that can manifest as neuronal degeneration resembling Parkinson's disease (PD). Since the underlying mechanism of Mn and dopamine (DA) interaction-induced cell death remains unclear, here, we showed that Mn exposure alone to mesencephalic cells for 24 h induced minimal apoptotic cell death. However, cells pre-exposed to DA for 2 h accelerated Mn-induced apoptosis. The vulnerability of Mn-induced apoptotic cell death to DA was determined by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Apoptag TUNEL staining (terminaldeoxynucleotidyl transferase DNA labeling). This was further confirmed by the cell viability assay to support our hypothesis that DA at the cellular level interacts with Mn and causes cells to be more susceptible. Pretreatment with nitric oxide blocker (7-nitroindazole, 7-NI), vitamin E or NF-κB inhibitor (SN50) significantly protected the cells from Mn and DA interaction-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis. Western blot analysis showed that Mn in the presence of DA markedly induced induction of NOS (iNOS) expression. Pretreatment with 7-NI, SN50 or vitamin E significantly attenuated increased iNOS expression indicating that iNOS expression is regulated by ROS and the transcription factor NF-κB. Further, the generation of ROS as an early event in Mn and DA interaction is not controlled by NF-κB as SN50 pretreatment did not prevent ROS. These findings suggest that NF-κB induction and the activation of nitric oxide synthase through ROS represent a proximate mechanism for Mn-induced neurotoxicity.
Minimum wages and the wessels effect in a monopsony model

The Wessels model suggests that firms respond to increases in the minimum wage rate by decreasing the level of fringe benefits — an action which produces an inefficiency effect that lowers workers’ utility and the supply of labor. Standard models of monopsony, however, argue that wage floors prevent the exercise of market power and increase employment. I show that wage floors, even with fringe benefit curtailment, may increase employment by lowering the marginal expense of labor. Employee utility and employment will rise somewhat but not as much had the firm acted competitively in setting both wages and fringes.
In vivo electrochemical detection of extraneuronal 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid and norepinephrine in the dorsal raphe nucleus of urethane-anesthetized rats

In vivo electrochemical detection of endogenous neurotransmitters was done in the dorsal raphe nucleus of urethane-anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats. Stereotaxically implanted carbon paste electrodes were scanned using a cyclic voltammetry amplifier with semiderivative signal processing over the potential range--0.2 to +0.5 V at the rate of 10 mV/s. Two distinct peaks were observed at +0.15 V (peak 1) and +0.25 V (peak 2), respectively. Peak identification was assessed by comparing the oxidation potential observed in vivo with those observed in in vitro experiments using pure catecholamines, indoleamines and their metabolites as well as ascorbic acid. Further characterization of in vivo peaks was done by observing changes in electrochemical peaks as well as tissue neurotransmitter concentrations after pharmacological manipulations. p-Chlorophenylalanine, m-hydroxybenzylhydrazine (NSD-1015), pargyline, alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine and fusaric acid were administered in an effort to block catecholamine or serotonin synthesis or degradation. Results of these experiments revealed that peak 1 primarily represents extracellular norepinephrine, while peak 2 is primarily produced by extracellular 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA).
Pigment-protein complexes derived from Rhodospirillum rubrum chromatophores by enzymatic digestion

Abstract Rhodospirillum rubrum chromatophores are acted upon by pancreatin (a crude mixture of pancreatic digestive enzymes) or α-chymotrypsin in the presence of 0.5% Triton X-100 to produce three clearly defined pigment-protein complexes which are separable by sucrose density-gradient centrifugation. The first to appear temporally is a brown band which contains carotenoids in an unusual combination, since the complex does not show the absorption peaks in the 400 to 500 nm range normally shown by carotenoids in the chromatophore. The complex does show a large absorption band with a maximum at 368 nm. The addition of acetone and methanol to this complex allows the usual absorption properties of the carotenoids to appear. Two bacterio-chlorophyll (Bchl)-protein complexes are formed. A blue Bchl-protein complex has absorption maxima at 922, 835, 580 and 372 nm. The 922 nm band is partially bleached by addition of ferricyanide, indicating there are two Bchl types in the complex. Addition of ascorbate largely restores the 922 nm peak. The band at 372 nm is due to some carotenoids which are present. A green Bchl-protein complex has absorption maxima at 780, 587 and 360 nm. The green complex (but not the blue) is active in simple photochemical electron transfer reactions such as reduced phenazine metho-sulfate oxidation in the presence of ubiquinone and the photoreduction of 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) in the presence of ascorbate and 2,6-dichlorophenolindo-phenol. The green complex is more labile than the blue complex once they are formed. The Bchl-protein complexes could represent modified Bchl-protein complexes which exist in situ or could be formed from Bchl and proteins which are liberated by the digestive enzymes. Treatment with α-chymotrypsin or pancreatin produces similar complexes from R. rubrum chromatophores. Treatment of a blue-green mutant of R. rubrum which lacks carotenoids yields the blue and the green bands, but shows no brown band following centrifugation. Treatment of Chromatium chromatophores with either pancreatin or α-chymotrypsin in the presence of Triton X-100 results in complete digestion of the chromatophore with no discernible pigment complexes being formed.
Restoration of phosphorylation capacity to the dormant half of the α-subunits of Na+, K+-ATPase

Purified kidney Na+, K(+)-ATPase whose alpha-subunit is cleaved by chymotrypsin at Leu266-Ala267, loses ATPase activity but forms the phosphoenzyme intermediate (EP) from ATP. When EP formation was correlated with extent of alpha-cleavage in the course of proteolysis, total EP increased with time before it declined. The magnitude of this rise indicated doubling of the number of phosphorylation sites after cleavage. Together with previous findings, these data establish that half of the alpha-subunits of oligomeric membrane-bound enzyme are dormant and that interaction of the N-terminal domain of alpha-subunit with its phosphorylation domain causes this half-site reactivity. Evidently, disruption of this interaction by proteolysis abolishes overall activity while it opens access to phosphorylation sites of all alpha-subunits.
Rheumatoid arthritis of the temporomandibular joint: case report.

The onset of the disease is gradual, usually occurring between 20 and 50 years of age, but acute symptoms may appear at any age. Approximately 10-15% of those afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis run a progressive course of joint involvement with periods of exacerba­ tions and remissions, eventually leading to joint destruc­ tion and deformity. 1 4 Clinical manifestations are pain, swelling, joint tenderness, and limitation of movement involving multiple joints, both large and small.
Some superconducting properties of several carbides and nitrides of the transition metals

Abstract Analogous to the transition elements, their solid solutions, and intermetallic compounds, a correlation is shown to exist between the total number of valence electrons and the superconducting critical temperature for transition metal carbides and nitrides crystallizing in the NaCl structure. The critical temperature increases as the total number of valence electrons increases from eight to about ten. A number of experiments were undertaken to substantiate the correlation. The critical temperature of cubic molybdenum carbide (NaCl structure) was found to be 13.0°K. The critical temperature of the two-phase mixtures of cubic and hexagonal molybdenum carbide was found to be dependent upon the relative amounts of the two phases present. This behavior was tentatively explained on the basis of the structural similarities of the two phases. A critical temperature for the hypothetical compound, cubic TaN, of 12–14°K is predicted from the variation of the critical temperature with composition for the cubic solid solutions of TaN and TaC.
Foot-and-mouth disease virus virulence in cattle is co-determined by viral replication dynamics and route of infection

Early events in the pathogenesis of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection in cattle were investigated through aerosol and intraepithelial lingual (IEL) inoculations of a cDNA-derived FMDV-A24 wild type virus (FMDV-WT) or a mutant derived from the same clone (FMDV-Mut). After aerosolization of FMDV-WT, primary infection sites had significantly greater quantities of FMDV, viral RNA, and type I/III interferon (IFN) activity compared to corresponding tissues from cattle infected with FMDV-Mut. Additionally, FMDV-WT-infected cattle had marked induction of systemic IFN activity in serum. In contrast, FMDV-Mut aerosol-infected cattle did not manifest systemic IFN response nor had viremia. Interestingly, IEL inoculation of FMDV-Mut in cattle restored the virulent phenotype and systemic IFN response. These data indicate that the attenuated phenotype in cattle is associated with decreased replicative efficiency, reflected by decreased innate response. However, attenuation is abrogated by bypassing the common primary infection sites, inducing accelerated viral replication at the inoculation site.
Ultraviolet radiation inhibits replicon initiation in S phase human cells.

DNA replication was examined in ultraviolet-irradiated human fibroblasts and HeLa cells. The principal effect of exposures to low radiation fluences (< 1.3 J/m2) was a reduced synthesis of molecules about one-half replicon in size resulting from an inhibition of replicon initiation. As the fluence of radiation was increased, inhibitory effects on strand elongation and joining masked the effect on replicon initiations.
Influence of Crystal Structure on the Compaction Properties of n -Alkyl 4-Hydroxybenzoate Esters (Parabens)

The aim of the study is to examine the influence of slip planes on the nanoindentation hardness and compaction properties of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and n-butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (parabens). Molecular modeling calculations, embodying the attachment energy concept, were performed to predict the slip planes in the crystal lattices, whereas the nanoindentation hardness of the crystals and the tensile strength of directly compressed compacts were measured. Unlike the other three parabens, methyl paraben has no slip planes in its crystal lattice, and its crystals showed greater nanoindentation hardness, corresponding to lower plasticity, whereas its tablets exhibited substantially lower tensile strength than those of ethyl, propyl, or butyl paraben. The nanoindentation hardness of the crystals and the tensile strength of directly compressed tablets were each found to correlate directly with the absence or presence of slip planes in the crystal structures of the parabens because slip planes confer greater plasticity. This work presents a molecular insight into the influence of crystal structural features on the tableting performance of molecular crystals in general and of crystalline pharmaceuticals in particular.
On the Influence of Stratification and Continental Shelf and Slope Topography on the Dispersion of Subinertial Coastally Trapped Waves

Abstract The behavior of subinertial, coastally trapped free waves in a continuously stratified ocean is examined using a two-slope topography in which the continental shelf and slope are each represented by a single uniform slope. Surface-intensified stratification is assumed in which the squared buoyancy frequency profile is of the form N2eβz, where N is the buoyancy frequency at the surface (z = 0) and β the vertical decay scale normalized by the deep-sea depth. The continental slope is typically assumed to be steeper than the shelf. Two qualitatively different types of dispersive behavior are distinguished. When (N/f)a2>eβh/2, where f is the Coriolis parameter, a2 the bottom slope of the continental slope, and h the shelf-break depth normalized by the deep-sea depth, then free waves may occur at any subinertial frequency, and each dispersion curve rises to f at some finite alongshore wavenumber (as in the case of baroclinic Kelvin waves). If (N/f)a2<eβh/2, then all of the free-wave dispersion curves a...
The potential impact of nonpharmacologic population-wide blood pressure reduction on coronary heart disease events: pronounced benefits in African-Americans and hypertensives.

Abstract Background Previous estimates of the population-wide impact of nonpharmacologic interventions that lower blood pressure (BP) have typically assumed a uniform response to the intervention. However, several nonpharmacologic interventions reduce BP to a greater degree in hypertensives and African-Americans. Methods We used the Framingham risk equation and data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) to estimate the number of coronary heart disease (CHD) events that would be prevented in the United States assuming a population-wide adoption of the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet under three scenarios: (1) an overall uniform systolic blood pressure (SBP) shift, (2) race-specific uniform SBP shifts, and (3) race-specific progressive SBP shifts. The uniform shifts were the mean SBP reductions from the DASH trial. The progressive shifts were derived by modeling the change in SBP as a function of baseline SBP in DASH. Results Applying an overall uniform SBP reduction of 5.5 mm Hg (the mean reduction in DASH), we predicted a reduction of 668,426 CHD events over 10 years (60,230 in African-Americans and 608,196 in whites). Applying race-specific uniform SBP reductions (6.8 mm Hg for African-Americans and 3.0 mm Hg for whites), we predicted a reduction of 406,432 CHD events (74,401 in African-Americans and 332,031 in whites). After accounting for race and baseline SBP, we predicted a reduction of 416,514 CHD events (94,828 in African-Americans and 321,080 in whites). While whites would be expected to have a greater absolute reduction in CHD events, African-Americans would be expected to experience a greater relative reduction in CHD events. Conclusion Models that estimate the population-wide impact of BP reduction strategies should take into account the baseline distribution of BP and differential effects in subgroups. Population-wide adoption of a healthy dietary pattern should have a substantial impact on the incidence of CHD in the United States, especially among African-Americans. Additional studies are needed to assess the impact of the DASH diet on CHD risk in free-living subjects.
Marine trophic diversity in an anadromous fish is linked to its life-history variation in fresh water.

We used carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes from muscle tissues accrued in the ocean to examine whether marine foraging tactics in anadromous sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka ) are linked to their ultimate freshwater life history as adults. Adults from large-bodied populations spawning in deep freshwater habitats had more enriched δ 15N than individuals from small-bodied populations from shallow streams. Within populations, earlier maturing individuals had higher δ 15N than older fish. These differences in δ 15N suggest that the fish with different life histories or spawning habitats in freshwater either fed at different trophic positions or in different habitats in the ocean. We propose that, nested within interspecific diversity in the ecological attributes of salmon, population and life-history diversity in spawning adults is associated with variation in marine foraging tactics. These results further indicate that the trophic diversity of sockeye salmon in the ocean may be linked to trade-offs in ecological and evolutionary constraints they eventually experience as adults in freshwater ecosystems.
Magnetic structure of ionizing shock waves Part 3. Normal shocks

Normal ionizing shock waves are considered as a subclass of oblique shocks in which the upstream transverse magnetic field component is zero; i.e. the upstream field is normal to the plane of the shock. Non-trivial (switch-on) normal shocks involve a non-zero downstream transverse field component; magnetically trivial normal shocks are simply gas shocks with an imbedded constant normal magnetic field. As with oblique shocks, switch-on normal ionizing shock waves are plane- polarized, provided the conductivity is a scalar. Ohmic structures are discussed for several values of shock Alfv en number, treating the electric field as a free parameter, as usual. For Alfv en numbers extending from zero to two (for the infinite-Mach-number case), there is always a finite range of E field values. Above two, only the gas shock exists, and this requires a unique electric field value. Because the magnetic field magnitude increases through switch-on shocks, there is no mechanism available for converting magnetic energy into thermal energy, as is the case for oblique or skew shocks. Thus, there is no significant downstream heating above the viscous temperature; and, in some cases, slight downstream cooling may even occur. Expansion shocks are not possible in this geometry. Previous studies are reviewed in the light of structural requirements, and some erroneous results are clarified; in particular, it should be noted that MHD switchon solutions for the pre-ionized case are not imbedded in the family of ionizing switch-on solutions.
Hospitality Technology in the 21 St Century

Technology is advancing at an exponential rate. A review of literature on hospitality education programs reveals current major technology issues, such as computer literacy and computer hardware and software programs. Yet, as evi denced by current computer research issues, the computer technology referred to is apparently obsolete. Very few of the education technology issues are centered on noncomputer technology, such as robotics, building facilities, environment control, foodservice technology, or even managing technological systems. Several sce narios involving hospitality technology in the 21 st century are presented, and all are based on currently known technology.
MOJO: a distributed physical layer anomaly detection system for 802.11 WLANs

Deployments of wireless LANs consisting of hundreds of 802.11 access points with a large number of users have been reported in enterprises as well as college campuses. However, due to the unreliable nature of wireless links, users frequently encounter degraded performance and lack of coverage. This problem is even worse in unplanned networks, such as the numerous access points deployed by homeowners. Existing approaches that aim to diagnose these problems are inefficient because they troubleshoot at too high a level, and are unable to distinguish among the root causes of degradation. This paper designs, implements, and tests fine-grained detection algorithms that are capable of distinguishing between root causes of wireless anomalies at the depth of the physical layer. An important property that emerges from our system is that diagnostic observations are combined from multiple sources over multiple time instances for improved accuracy and efficiency.
Inhibition of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Growth Through Antisense Transcription of a Rat Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Receptor cDNA

Abstract Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF I) is an autocrine/paracrine growth factor that is produced in multiple tissues and is essential for normal developmental growth. Its effects are mediated by activation of a membrane-bound tyrosine kinase receptor, IGF IR. On the basis of the partial rat IGF IR α-chain cDNA sequence previously reported, we cloned cDNA encoding the full-length rat IGF IR. The deduced amino acid sequence predicts a 1370–amino acid receptor precursor, which includes signal sequence, a 707–amino acid α-chain, a 4-Arg cleavage site, and a 629–amino acid β-chain. Overall, similarity to human IGF IR is 89% and 98% at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively. Antisense IGF IR expression constructs in vectors incorporating Epstein-Barr virus replicative signals and the cytomegalovirus promoter/enhancer or the inducible human metallothionein IIa promoter/enhancer were assembled and stably transfected into cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Clone CA9 (constitutively expressing abundant antisense IGF IR transcripts), clones MA5 and MA7 (expressing antisense IGF IR transcripts inducibly), and clones ME8 and ME10 (expressing vector alone) were characterized. There was a 57% reduction in IGF IR mRNA levels in clone CA9 after confluence compared with clone ME10. This resulted in a 51% decrease in IGF I binding sites in clone CA9, without a change in binding affinity ( K d ), and a 55% and 57% reduction in DNA synthesis rates, basally and in response to 10 ng/mL IGF I, respectively. Clones MA5/MA7 similarly showed a 54% reduction in IGF IR number after confluence following exposure to 100 μmol/L ZnSO 4 and a 44% and 58% reduction in DNA synthesis, basally and in response to 10 ng/mL IGF I, respectively. Growth curves indicated that proliferation of clone CA9 in the presence of 10% serum was reduced by 60% compared with clone ME10. Thus, cloning of cDNA encoding the full-length rat IGF IR indicates that this receptor is highly conserved. Antisense targeting of this receptor in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) demonstrates that a decrease in IGF IR density results in marked inhibition of VSMC proliferation. These findings indicate an important role for this ligand-receptor system in regulating VSMC growth. Specifically, they suggest that modulation of VSMC IGF IR density may be an important mechanism whereby growth of these cells is controlled.
Synthesis and activity of the melanocortin Xaa‐d‐Phe‐Arg‐Trp‐NH2 tetrapeptides with amide bond modifications

: The melanocortin receptor (MCR) pathway has been identified as participating in several physiologically important pathways including pigmentation, energy homeostasis, inflammation, obesity, hypertension, and sexual function. All the endogenous MCR agonists contain a core His-Phe-Arg-Trp sequence identified as important for receptor molecular recognition and stimulation. Several structure–activity studies using the Ac-His-d-Phe-Arg-Trp-NH2 tetrapeptide template have been performed in the context of modifying N-terminal ‘capping’ groups and amino acid constituents. Herein, we report the synthesis and pharmacologic characterization of modified Xaa-d-Phe-Arg-Trp-NH2 (Xaa = His or Phe) melanocortin tetrapeptides (N-site selective methylation, permethylation, or amide bond reduction) at the mouse MC1, MC3, MC4 and MC5 receptors. The modified peptides generated in this study resulted in equipotent or reduced MCR potency when compared with control ligands. The reduced amide bond analog of the Phe-d-Phe-Arg-Trp-NH2 peptide converted its agonist activity into an antagonistic at the central mMC3 and mMC4 receptors involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis, while retaining full agonist activity at the peripheral MC1 and MC5 receptors.
The Effect of Nonverbal Signals on Student Role-Play Evaluations

Although salespeople have long been urged to recognize and adapt to customer needs and wants by observing communications style and other cues or signals by the buyer, nonverbal communications by the salesperson have received much less empirical scrutiny. However, nonverbal communications may be important in this context; research in several disciplines intimates that nonverbal signals are equally, perhaps more, important than verbal signals in persuasive communications. In a first study, the authors examined the National Collegiate Sales Contest (NCSC) scoring system in a classroom setting, and on finding a distinct nonverbal contribution to total sales presentation variance, they concluded that appropriate nonverbal signals should receive more weighting in the NCSC scoring system. The authors then reviewed the extant literature for a multi-item measure of nonverbal sales behaviors; finding none, they developed a measure of nonverbal sales behavior in role-play presentations in a second study. The article...
Cancer Stem Cell and ATP-Binding Cassette: Which Role in Chemoresistance?

Chemoresistance is mediated through a variety of cellular alterations including, among others, reduced drug accumulation, decreased levels of protein targets, change in drugs metabolism, and break down of apoptotic signaling. The capability to acquire resistance to multiple compounds by cancer stem cells (CSCs), called multidrug resistance (MDR), is attributed to overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters that extrude several substrates from the cell using ATP as driving force. ABC proteins are involved in the exclusion from the cells of several physiological compounds and/or xenobiotics. Three members of the ABC protein superfamily, ABCB1, ABCC1, and ABCG2 which play a major role in mediating clinical development of the MDR phenotype are also implicated in protection from chemotherapy of CSCs. In brief, the most intriguing characteristic of CSCs is their ability to acquire resistance to multiple anticancer agents that is often mediated by overexpression of ABC transporters which remove drugs out of the cell against a concentration gradient. Modulation of ABC transporters, using inhibitors in a combination therapy with cytostatic agents, could be a winning strategy to mitigate CSCs’ chemoresistance and open the door to apoptotic pathways of these cells in order to prevent relapse of tumor metastases.