cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Postural stability is compromised by fatiguing overhead work.

In a laboratory setting, 16 participants performed a repetitive overhead tapping task for 3 hours or until self-terminated due to substantial shoulder discomfort. Several measures of postural sway and stability were obtained using a force plate, both during quiet standing and during performance of the tapping task. Sway area and peak sway velocity showed consistent increases with time, whereas changes in average velocity and peak whole-body center-of-mass acceleration were either small or nonsignificant. Although relatively insensitive to several task variables, changes in sway areas and peak velocities were substantially larger in trials terminated by the participants. It is argued that fatigue plays a more important role than simple task duration in causing the observed increases in sway, and hence decreases in postural stability. Potential whole-body consequences of localized musculoskeletal stresses appear supported by the results, and implications for safety, risks of falls, and work scheduling are d...
Transmembrane and Water-Soluble Helix Bundles Display Reverse Patterns of Surface Roughness☆

Abstract Amino acid exposure and surface roughness were calculated for 12 helices from three transmembrane α-helix bundles and 13 helices from seven water-soluble α-helix bundles. Transmembrane helix bundles have relatively rough surfaces exposed to the lipid bilayer hydrocarbon chains and relatively smooth surfaces along helix–helix interfaces. This pattern is the reverse of what occurs in water-soluble helix bundles, where relatively rough surfaces are at the helix–helix interfaces and relatively smooth surfaces are exposed to water. The relatively rough exposed surfaces and buried smooth surfaces of transmembrane helices are likely to contribute to the stability of transmembrane helical bundles in a phospholipid environment.
Relationship between the neurotoxicities of Soman, Sarin and Tabun, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition.

Abstract Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-induced chewing movements, tremors, convulsions and hind limb abduction at doses of 50–85% LD 50 in rats were monitored in order to determine whether the severity of these different signs would correlate with brain AChE levels and the time course of such a relationship. 30 min after subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of Soman, the intensities of toxic signs were significantly correlated with the degree of striatal AChE inhibition. In the case of Sarin, the corresponding r-values were not significant except for tremors. For Tabun-induced chewing, tremor and hind-limb abduction, the r-values were significant. The neurotoxicity was most intense between 15 min to 2 h after treatment, but at 2 or 6 h, the r-values were well below 0.5. The inhibition of brain AChE was maximal by 30 min and was still high at 24 h.
Spatially nonlocal transfer rates in exciton transport arising from local intersite matrix elements

Abstract Spatially non-local memory functions, and transfer rates are shown to result from local intersite interactions, through an explicit derivation for a simple model. Their effect on the exciton mean square displacement is discussed.
Improving glycemic and cholesterol control through an integrated approach incorporating colesevelam – a clinical perspective

Bile sequestrants have been used for almost 50 years to lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The advent of colesevelam in 2000 provided a more tolerable add-on LDL-C-lowering agent with an excellent safety record and with likely benefit for coronary heart disease events. Colesevelam lowers LDL-C approximately 15%, and has an additive effect when combined with statin or non-statin lipid-modifying agents. It also tends to increase triglyceride levels. The discovery that bile sequestrants also lower glucose levels led to definitive large-scale clinical trials testing the effect of colesevelam as a dual antihyperglycemic agent with LDL-C-lowering properties in type 2 diabetic subjects on metformin-, sulfonylurea- or insulin-based therapy with inadequate glycemic control. Colesevelam was found to lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) by approximately 0.5% compared to placebo over the 16- to 26-week period, and had similar effects on the lipid profile in these diabetic subjects, as had previously been demonstrated in non-diabetic individuals. Colesevelam was well tolerated, with constipation being the most common adverse effect, and did not cause weight gain or excessive hypoglycemia. Colesevelam thus combines antihyperglycemic action with LDL-C-lowering properties, and should be useful in the management of type 2 diabetes.
Properties of the linear N1 and N2 plasmid-like DNAs from mitochondria of cytoplasmic male-sterile Sorghum bicolor.

The linear N1 and N2 plasmid-like DNAs were recovered from mitochondria of the IS1112C line of cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) Sorghum bicolor (S. bicolor). Molecular clones containing internal sequences of these plasmids were constructed. These clones were used to probe Southern blots of mitochondrial genomes from six CMS and five male-fertile (MF) lines of S. bicolor, as well as Southern blots of IS1112C chloroplast, IS1112C nuclear and kafir nuclear genomes. We found no evidence for integrated copies of N1 or N2 in any of the mitochondrial, chloroplast or nuclear genomes probed in this study. Our clones did detect an N1-homologous transcript of 3.1 kb and N2-homologous transcripts of 3.9 and 1.4 kb in IS1112C mitochondrial RNA prepared from lines with and without nuclear, fertility-restoring genes.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4/5 maintain functional tolerance to ethanol

Neurotrophins and growth factors not only affect neuronal development, but also maintain neuronal survival and influence neuronal function in the adult brain, and affect various cognitive processes related to learning and memory. Functional tolerance to ethanol represents an adaptive change in the central nervous system that has been hypothesized to have mechanisms in common with those underlying learning or memory. In the present work, the effects of neurotrophins on ethanol tolerance were compared to the effect of the neuropeptide, arginine vasopressin, which maintains (reduces the rate of dissipation of) both ethanol tolerance and memory. Functional tolerance to ethanol was induced in C57BL6J mice by feeding them an ethanol-containing liquid diet, and the effect of neurotrophins on the rate of dissipation of tolerance to the hypnotic effect of ethanol was assessed. Human recombinant brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4/5, injected intracere-broventricularly once daily following ethanol withdrawal, maintained ethanol tolerance, while tolerance dissipated in ethanol-fed mice injected with vehicle (artificial cerebrospinal fluid) or with basic fibroblast growth factor. The results demonstrate that some neurotrophins can modulate neuroadaptation to ethanol, supporting the hypothesis that these factors can influence the function of postmitotic neurons in the adult brain.
Growth and gas production for hyperthermophilic archaebacterium, Pyrococcus furiosus.

Pyrococcus furiosus represents one of the most important hyperthermophilic bacteria isolated thus far because of its relatively high cell yields and rapid growth rates. Pyrococcus furiosus exhibits several interesting growth characteristics, especially in terms of biotic gas production, which were examined in this study. In the presence of elemental sulfur, both carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide production appeared to be strongly growth associated, while no significant hydrogen production was observed. In the absence of sulfur, hydrogen and carbon dioxide were produced by the organism and hydrogen inhibition was observed. The addition of elemental sulfur to the medium apparently eliminated, hydrogen inhibition as growth proceeded normally even when hydrogen was added to the gas phase. Also, no apparent substrate limitation or toxic product could be attributed to the cessation of growth as cell growth in spent media was at least as good as in fresh media. An unstructured growth model was used to correlate growth and gas production for P. furiosus in complex seawater-based media at 98° C both in the absence and presence of elemental sulfur. The model was shown to be useful for examining some of the observations made in this study.
Poly(3-methylthiophene)-rubber conductive composite prepared via an inverted emulsion pathway

Abstract An inverted emulsion pathway was employed to prepare poly(3-methylthiophene)-rubber conductive composites. In the first step, an inverted emulsion containing an aqueous solution of FeCl3 as dispersed phase and an organic solution of a host polymer and a surfactant as continuous phase was generated. In the second step, a toluene solution of 3-methylthiophene was introduced dropwise into the inverted emulsion where the monomer was polymerized by the oxidant FeCl3 to the conductive polymer. After the completion of polymerization, the composite was obtained by precipitating the conductive polymer and the host polymer. Under suitable preparation conditions, composites with both high conductivities and good mechanical properties were obtained; these composites had a conductivity as high as 1.3 S/cm as well as a tensile strength of 14.8 MPa and an elongation of 84.0% at break point. Among thiophene, 2,2′-bithiophene and 3-methylthiophene, the latter monomer is the most suitable for preparing thiophene-containing conductive composites by the inverted emulsion method.
Formative Evaluation of a Practice-Based Smoking Cessation Program for Diverse Populations

Background. Smoking rates are higher among those living at or below poverty and among persons with lower levels of education. We report on a formative research project examining patient perceptions of tobacco cessation strategies among diverse, low socioeconomic, urban smokers cared for in community-based primary care medical offices. Method. We conducted 10 focus groups among low socioeconomic status participants recruited from urban primary care medical offices in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, New York. Participants included current or former smokers, who were stratified by age-group (18-39 years and 40+ years). The focus groups discussed perceptions of tobacco cessation strategies, previous quit attempts, and use/attitudes regarding technology and social media as potential platforms for cessation support. Results. Participants (n = 96) included predominantly African Americans (n = 62, 65%) and European Americans (n = 16, 16%); 56% were older than 40 years and 92% were low income. Most participants were su...
Lymphocyte Stimulation: Transfer of Cellular Hypersensitivity to Antigen in vitro

Tuberculin-sensitive human lymphocytes cultured for 36 hours with tuberculin elaborate a soluble material which causes nonsensitive lymphocytes to respond to tuberculin in vitro by transformation and proliferation.
Highly Programmable Optical Filters Integrated in InP- InGaAsP with Tunable Inter-Ring Coupling

A highly programmable optical filter architecture incorporating tunable inter-ring coupling is designed. The basic unit cell building block consisting of 3 coupled rings is fabricated in InP-InGaAsP, and bandpass filter results are presented.
Better Living Through Evaluation? Images of Progress Shaping Evaluation Practice

Essays, opinions, and professional judgments are welcome in this section of EP.Forum articles speak to and about the philosophical and ethical dilemmas of our profession. Authors are invited to express their views to encourage constructive dialogue centered on issues. To keep the dialogue substantive, other articles motivated by previous Forum presentations should have independent titles and themes. Items labeled "Comments on ... " and "Rejoinder to ... " will not be published inForum— such responses, and those not of article length or nature, are welcome and encouraged in theIn Responsesection of EP. Standard citations and reference lists should acknowledge and identify earlier contributions and view points. Manuscripts should not exceed 10 double-spaced typewritten pages in length.
Studies on the antimicrobial action of terephthalanilide and related drugs.

Abstract The drug 2-chloro-4′,4″ bis (2-imidazolin-2-yl)-terephthalanilide dihydrochloride (NSC 38280) and other polycationic growth inhibitors of E. coli have been examined with particular reference to their inhibition of protein synthesis. Of nine polycationic drugs studied, NSC 38280 and three congeners, as well as spermine and stilbamidine, were found to be inhibitors of protein synthesis on the basis of their ability to uncouple the regulatory control of protein synthesis upon RNA synthesis. At a high level, NSC 38280 inhibits the incorporation of isoleucine- u 14 C into polypeptide in a cell-free system derived from E. coli . In this system the soluble fraction and, to a lesser extent, the ribosomes are sensitive to the drug. NSC 38280 does not cause the release of nascent protein from ribosomes in vitro . In intact cells, NSC 38280 slightly lowers the charging of amino acids upon transfer RNA, in contrast to a slight increase encountered on treatment with chloramphenicol. Cellular uptake of NSC 38280 is heterogeneous, being dependent in part on an active transport sensitive to 2,4-dinitrophenol administration, and in part on an adsorption which increases upon lowering of temperature. A fraction of the uptake is resistant to washing of intact cells and is also resistant to dialysis of crushed cell preparations. Upon cellular fractionation, the affinity of drug appears to be poor on the ribosomes, but high on a component released from the ribosomes upon washing. Although NSC 38280 inhibits growth and incorporation into protein in the intact cell immediately, it becomes bactericidal only after 20 min. The inhibitory effects are reversed to differing extents by polyamines, particularly by spermine. No consistent correlation was found between the degree of reversal of protein synthesis and reversal of lethality. It is concluded that inhibition of protein synthesis is the first event in the action of NSC 38280, but cell death ensues upon the development of a more general, pervasive physiological action of the drug. The growth-inhibiting effects of several polycatronic drugs on the trypanosomid flagellate Crithidia fasciculata are reported.
Polydimethylsiloxane microlenses fabricated from liquid-phase photopolymerization and single molding step

We report on polydimethlysiloxane (PDMS) microlenses fabricated from liquid-phase photopolymerization and a single molding step. The mold is fabricated by photopolymerizing a polyacrylamide (PAAm) pre-hydrogel flowed into an aperture array with a channel underneath. PAAm shrinks isotropically while pinned around the rim of the apertures to form lens molds due to hydrophobic-hydrophilic boundaries. The lenses are then transferred to PDMS by a singlestep molding. The microlenses can be fabricated in different sizes and into arrays without extensive control of fabrication parameters. As an example, we show characterization of fabricated microlenses with a diameter of 1 mm and calculated focal length of 2.83 mm. The surface roughness of the microlenses is on the order of 150nm.
Immunophoretic evaluation of blood serum proteins in chickens. I. Changing protein patterns in chickens according to age.

Summary and Conclusions1. Immuno-phoresis was performed in a series of 42 normal chickens from ages 1 to 210 days. Rabbit serum immunized against normal mature chicken serum was used for antibodies. Bar-bital buffer at pH 8.6, ionic strength 0.1 was used. 2. Identification of fractions was attempted by designating precipitation curves in the chick serum preparation with the names used for curves of known fractions in identical position and of identical shape in human serum preparations made under identical conditions. 3. Significant findings in chicken serum indicate that all fractions are more abundant in neonatal life than at later periods. 4. Prealbumin becomes less abundant after the 12th day of life, and is not detected in the preparations after the 20th day. 5. Precipitation curve in the position of the beta lipoprotein fraction is not observed in preparations after the 8th day of life. 6. Additional fractions of gamma globulin appear in some preparations after the 12th day of life. 7. The findings ...
The dynamical interaction between galaxies and intracluster gas in clusters of galaxies.

The interaction between the hot gas inferred to exist in clusters of galaxies and the interstellar medium of a spherical galaxy has been studied by means of time-dependent numerical hydrodynamics. Galaxies moving at transonic speeds with respect to the ambient medium lose 80% to 90% of their interstellar gas before a crossing time has elapsed. The amount of gas remaining is consistent with current observational limits to the gas content of elliptical galaxies. Negligible heating of the intracluster gas results from this process. Implications of these results for spiral galaxies with halos, radio sources in clusters of galaxies, and globular clusters in galactic halos are discussed.
Incision and Drainage Followed by Mattress Suture Repair of Auricular Hematoma

Objective: Auricular hematoma is a condition requiring early and effective management to prevent pathogenesis of the unsightly cauliflower ear. The objective of this study is to review cases of auricular hematoma and present incision and drainage followed by through-and-through whip-type absorbable mattress sutures without bolsters as an effective treatment. Study Design: Retrospective chart review of auricular hematoma cases. Methods: A 5-year retrospective evaluation of auricular hematomas presenting to an otolaryngology group was performed. Patients' charts were reviewed and data regarding the treatment and follow-up of auricular hematomas were assembled and analyzed. Results: Twenty-two patients were found to present with auricular hematoma. One patient was lost to follow-up. Twenty-eight treatments were performed on 23 ears. Seven hematomas were treated with needle aspiration, two were treated with incision and drainage with iodoform wick placement, and 19 were treated with incision and drainage followed by absorbable mattress sutures. There were five hematoma reaccumulations requiring an additional procedure after treatment by an otolaryngologist. Three followed needle drainage; one followed incision and drainage with wick placement, and one followed incision and drainage with absorbable mattress sutures. Conclusion: Incision and drainage followed by through-and-through absorbable mattress sutures appears to be a superior method of treatment with rare reaccumulation of hematoma. This method of treatment was shown to be simple and well tolerated, and it had few complications.
Top hat wound configuration for penetrating keratoplasty using the femtosecond laser: a laboratory model.

Purpose To evaluate the mechanical stability and induced astigmatism of a modified multiplanar "top hat" wound configuration for full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty (PK) using the femtosecond laser as compared with PK in a laboratory model. Methods Eight human corneoscleral rims were mounted on an artificial anterior chamber. Four samples were assigned to the traditional PK group. Four samples underwent full-thickness keratoplasty with the femtosecond laser: a 9.0-mm cylindrical cut was made from the anterior chamber into the stroma, followed by a ring-shaped (outer diameter 9.0 mm, inner diameter 7.0 mm) horizontal lamellar resection at two-thirds corneal depth and a 7.0-mm cylindrical cut from the lamellae to the corneal surface. Mechanical stability was evaluated after placement of the cardinal sutures and the running sutures. Results In the "top hat" PK group, wound leakage occurred at 19 +/- 3.36 mm Hg after placement of the cardinal sutures and at 86.25 +/- 9.74 mm Hg after placement of the running sutures. In the traditional PK group, leakage occurred at 0 +/- 0 mm Hg and 76.25 +/- 20.98 mm Hg after placement of the cardinal sutures and running sutures, respectively. Both techniques induced steepening of the corneal curvature postop. The modified wound group showed a mean change in average K of 3.43 +/- 3.62 D, whereas the traditional PK group showed a mean change in average K of 3.21 +/- 6.67 D. Conclusion The femtosecond laser-produced "top hat" wound configuration for PK was found to be more mechanically stable than that produced by the traditional method.
LRP1 controls cPLA2 phosphorylation, ABCA1 expression and cellular cholesterol export.

BACKGROUND: ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 mediates apolipoprotein AI-dependent efflux of cholesterol and thereby removes cholesterol from peripheral tissues. ABCA1 expression is tightly regulated and deficiency of this cholesterol transporter results in cholesterol accumulation within cells. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) participates in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis by endocytosis of apolipoprotein E-containing lipoproteins and modulation of cellular proliferation signals. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In the present study, we demonstrate a new role for LRP1 in reverse cholesterol transport. Absence of LRP1 expression results in increased PDGFRbeta signaling and sequential activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, which increases phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)). Phosphorylated and activated cPLA(2) releases arachidonic acid from the phospholipid pool. Overproduction of arachidonic acid suppresses the activation of LXR/RXR heterodimers bound to the promoter of LXR regulated genes such as ABCA1, resulting in greatly reduced ABCA1 expression. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: LRP1 regulates LXR-mediated gene transcription and participates in reverse cholesterol transport by controlling cPLA(2) activation and ABCA1 expression. LRP1 thus functions as a physiological integrator of cellular lipid homeostasis with signals that regulate cellular proliferation and vascular wall integrity.
Stochastic convergence of random search methods to fixed size Pareto front approximations

In this paper we investigate to what extent random search methods, equipped with an archive of bounded size to store a limited amount of solutions and other data, are able to obtain good Pareto front approximations. We propose and analyze two archiving schemes that allow for maintaining a sequence of solution sets of given cardinality that converge with probability one to an ϵ-Pareto set of a certain quality, under very mild assumptions on the process used to sample new solutions. The first algorithm uses a hierarchical grid to define a family of approximate dominance relations to compare solutions and solution sets. Acceptance of a new solution is based on a potential function that counts the number of occupied boxes (on various levels) and thus maintains a strictly monotonous progress to a limit set that covers the Pareto front with non-overlapping boxes at finest resolution possible. The second algorithm uses an adaptation scheme to modify the current value of ϵ based on the information gathered during the run. This way it will be possible to achieve convergence to the best (smallest) ϵ value, and to a corresponding solution set of k solutions that ϵ-dominate all other solutions, which is probably the best possible result regarding the limit behavior of random search methods or metaheuristics for obtaining Pareto front approximations.
False-negative morphine-augmented hepatobiliary scintigraphy with a rim sign.

A patient with cholelithiasis and clinically suspected of acute cholecystitis underwent hepatobiliary scintigraphy that demonstrated initial nonvisualization of the gallbladder In association with a subtle rim sign, but subsequent gallbladder visualization after administration of intravenous morphine. After an 8-day period of medical management, an elective cholecystectomy was performed, which revealed a gangrenous gallbladder with a gallstone In the neck and full thickness necrosis. These results suggest that gallbladder visualization on morphine-augmented hepatobiliary scintigraphy should be interpreted cautiously in the presence of a rim sign because acute cholecystitis remains a possibility.
FEASIBILITY OF A FIXED PLATFORM FOR USE IN 1,300 FT OF WATER

A deep-water fixed platform for drilling and production operations in the Bass Strait off the coast of Australia seems technically feasible. This conclusion is based on analysis and preliminary design of a fixed-bottom steel platform for 1,300 ft of water. This paper emphasizes the analytic results that play a significant part in the platform design. Analytical procedures on the expected behavior under wave action, earthquakes and fatigue are explained. Factors considered in designing the foundation are also discussed.
The Multiple Inert Gas Elimination Technique (MIGET)

This brief review centers on the multiple inert gas elimination technique (MIGET). This technique, developed in the 1970s, measures the pulmonary exchange of a set of six different inert gases dissolved together in saline (or dextrose) and infused intravenously. It then uses those measurements to compute the distribution of ventilation/perfusion ratios that best explains the exchange of the six gases simultaneously. MIGET is based on the very same mass-conservation principles underlying the classic work of Rahn and Fenn and of Riley and coworkers in the 1950s, which defines the relationship between the ventilation/ perfusion ratio and the alveolar and capillary partial pressures of any gas. After a brief history of MIGET, its principles are laid out, its information content is explained, and its limitations are described. It is noted that in addition to quantifying ventilation/perfusion inequality and pulmonary shunting, MIGET can identify and quantify diffusion limitation of O2 exchange, when present, as well as explain the contributions of extrapulmonary influences such as inspired O2 concentration, ventilation, cardiac output, Hb concentration/P50, body temperature and acid/base state on arterial oxygenation. An overview of the technical details of implementing MIGET is given, and the review ends with potential future applications.
Preparation of iodine‐123 labeled AM251: A potential SPECT radioligand for the brain cannabinoid CB1 receptor

We report the synthesis and labeling with iodine-123 of N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (AM251). This compound is an analog of the recently described cannabinoid receptor antagonist, SR141716A, in which a 4-chlorophenyl group is replaced by 4-iodophenyl. Labeling in good yield (62%) and radiochemical purity (< 95%), and high specific activity (< 2500 Ci/mmol) was achieved by an iododestannylation reaction using the tributyltin precursor, no carrier added I-123 iodide, and chloramine-T.
Short- and long-range-order effects on the electronic properties of III-V semiconductor alloys

First-principles and empirical pseudopotentials are used to study the effects of short-range and long-range atomic order on the electronic properties of III-V semiconductor alloys. The alloy structure with a given degree of long- or short-range order is modeled by two types of supercells: (a) Small (16-32 atom) supercells are constructed in the fashion of the special quasirandom structures (SQS) used previously to simulate random alloys [A. Zunger et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 65, 353 (1990)]. Their electronic structure is treated via first-principles pseudopotential methods. (b) Large (\ensuremath{\sim} 1000 atom) supercells are found by a simulated-annealing technique which optimizes the atomic configuration until a given degree of short-range order is reproduced. The electronic structure is then determined using the empirical pseudopotential method. Statistical tests prove that the small cell SQS mimic the much larger supercells and thus provide an efficient means of studying the electronic band structure of disordered alloys in a non-mean-field approach. For the direct band gaps of ideally random ${\mathrm{Al}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{x}\mathrm{As}$, ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{In}}_{x}\mathrm{P}$, and ${\mathrm{Al}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{In}}_{x}\mathrm{As}$ alloys, we find optical bowing parameters $b=0.48, 0.46, \mathrm{and} 0.52$ eV, respectively. In the presence of short-range order in the form of cation clustering, we find the following: (i) Clustering elongates the Ga-P bond and shortens the In-P bond in ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{0.5}$${\mathrm{In}}_{0.5}$P and (ii) the optical bowing of the direct band gap is greatly enhanced. This leads to an indirect-gap to direct-gap crossover in ${\mathrm{Al}}_{0.5}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{0.5}$As with sufficient clustering. (iii) The band-gap reduction is accompanied by a localization of band-edge wave functions on certain types of clusters. The clusters act as "isoelectronic impurities" which localize states if their concentration (i.e., the degree of short-range order) is large enough. Electrons at the conduction-band minimum localize on the cations with lower $s$-orbital energies. The band-gap reduction and wave-function localization of alloys with short-range order is compared to the effects of long-range order, where the gap reduction is due to level repulsion between zone-folding conduction states. Numerical results are given for CuPt-type long-range order of AlGa${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$, GaIn${\mathrm{P}}_{2}$, and AlIn${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$. For complete ordering, the band-gap reduction relative to the random alloys are 0.36, 0.49, and 0.16 eV, respectively.
Intractable vomiting in diabetic patients

Intractable nausea and vomiting have been described in individuals without any underlying physical etiology explaining these complaints. Physical or emotional abuse has been described in individuals suffering from these symptoms and associated with somatoform disorders manifesting primarily as gastrointestinal complaints. We present five patients with long-standing Type 1 diabetes who suffered from intractable vomiting. Personality disorders, profound depression and emotional abuse dramatically influenced the course of these patients' illness. In most of the patients, physical symptoms remarkably improved after identification and removal of the triggering factors. Therefore, psychogenic vomiting must be considered among the differential diagnoses of intractable nausea and vomiting, especially in individuals with chronic illnesses. A careful search for a physical etiology and medical treatment that does not cause relief of symptoms should suggest that there is almost certainly a psychological issue at the root of the problem.
Chronic pulmonary arterial embolization or thrombosis

Abstract The clinical picture and the management of 3 patients with chronic pulmonary thromboembolism are presented to illustrate several aspects of this syndrome. Our experience with these patients and the available data from the literature suggest that patients with chronic thromboembolic occlusion of a main right or left pulmonary artery who show no significant improvement of the pulmonary blood flow 2 to 3 months after embolization should be considered candidates for pulmonary thromboembolectomy before secondary changes of the involved thorax and lung occur. In patients in whom such chronic changes have already occurred, pneumonectomy may be necessary because of repeated hemoptysis and pulmonary infections, or bronchiectasis.
Simplified dynamics in a model of noradrenergic modulation of cognitive performance

Neurophysiological work in monkeys has shown that changes in tonic and stimulus-induced activity in the noradrenergic brainstem nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) are tightly correlated with fluctuations in behavioral performance in a visual discrimination task. Simulation work suggests transitions between observed modes of LC activity may be mediated by changes in the level of coherent firing among individual LC neurons. We have simplified this simulation by abstracting the LC to a simple, excitable system in two variables modeled after the FitzHugh-Nagumo relaxation oscillator. This abstracted LC simulates population-level dynamics of the nucleus relevant to its influence on behavior. Coherence within the nucleus was simulated as a single parameter which amplified external input to the abstracted LC while attenuating tonic, uncorrelated activity. Simulated results captured LC dynamics and their relationship with behavior observed in monkeys. Behavior was further simulated over a range of potential LC states not, as yet, directly observed. These results suggest a reverse sigmoidal relationship between false alarm rate and coherence, and a more complex, non-monotonic relationship between response time and coherence.
Venous leg ulcers

Abstract In 1837, Piorry, a French professor of medicine stated, "It is rather difficult to understand why the investigation of veins has been passed over almost in silence, while such a great diagnostic value has been attached to the investigation of arteries." Even today, our understanding of venous disease pales in comparison to our understanding of arterial disease. This is despite the fact that millions of Americans are afflicted with chronic venous insufficiency and hundreds of thousands suffer from debilitating lower extremity venous ulcers. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of venous disease is necessary to provide appropriate and efficient medical care for patients suffering from lower extremity venous ulcerations. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Hard and Soft Tissue Surgical Complications in Dental Implantology

This article discusses surgical complications associated with the placement of dental implants, specifically focusing on how they occur (etiology), as well as their management and prevention. Dental implant surgical complications can be classified into those of hard and soft tissues. In general, complications can be avoided with thorough preoperative treatment planning and proper surgical technique.
Outlook for Zero-VOC resins

The examples cited in this paper are only a sample of the approaches to zero-VOC resins for solventless coatings. Research on other possibilities is going on around the world. Converting to a zero-VOC coatings industry will be challenging and will require decades of concerted effort by chemists, engineers, and technologists. I think it could be done.
Enantioselective synthesis of a PKC inhibitor via catalytic C-H bond activation.

The syntheses of two biologically active molecules possessing dihydropyrroloindole cores (1 and 2) were completed using rhodium-catalyzed imine-directed C−H bond functionalization, with the second of these molecules containing a stereocenter that can be set with 90% ee during cyclization using chiral nonracemic phosphoramidite ligands. Catalytic decarbonylation and direct indole/maleimide coupling provide efficient access to 2.
The 2003 OCLC Environmental Scan: Pattern Recognition: A Report to the OCLC Membership: by Cathy De Rosa, Lorcan Dempsey, and Alane Wilson (principal contributors); edited by Alane Wilson. Dublin, Ohio: OCLC, c2004. 150 p. $15.00. ISBN 1-55653-351-9

Abstract Teresa Malinowski reviews The 2003 Environmental Scan: Pattern Recognition: A Report to the OCLC Membership .
Studies of lexicography in the generalized network simplex method

This paper introduces an analytical approach for studying lexicography in generalized network problems. The equations obtained can help us to understand and to extend the existing theory. First, it is verified that all nonzero elements have the same sign in each row vector of a basis inverse for a generalized network (GN) problem with positive multipliers. However, this property does not necessarily hold when there exist negative multipliers. Second, we developed a strategy to select the dropping arc in the GN simplex algorithm when addressing GN problems with positive andnegative multipliers. This strategy is also based on lexicography and requires performing some comparisons. However, the values to be compared are already known since they can be obtained as a by-product of the calculations necessary to compute the basis representation of the entering arc. Consequently, the computational effort per pivot step isO(n) in the worst case. This worst case effort is the same as that required by the strongly convergent rules for selecting the dropping arc in the method of strong convergence.
Glutathione defense mechanism in liver injury: insights from animal models

Glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant cellular thiol antioxidant and it exhibits numerous and versatile functions. Disturbances in GSH homeostasis have been associated with liver diseases induced by drugs, alcohol, diet and environmental pollutants. Until recently, our laboratories and others have developed mouse models with genetic deficiencies in glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL), the rate-limiting enzyme in the GSH biosynthetic pathway. This review focuses on regulation of GSH homeostasis and, specifically, recent studies that have utilized such GSH-deficient mouse models to investigate the role of GSH in liver disease processes. These studies have revealed a differential hepatic response to distinct profiles of hepatic cellular GSH concentration. In particular, mice engineered to not express the catalytic subunit of GCL in hepatocytes [Gclc(h/h) mice] experience almostcomplete loss of hepatic GSH (to 5% of normal) and develop spontaneous liver pathologies characteristic of various clinical stages of liver injury. In contrast, mice globally engineered to not express the modifier subunit of GCL [Gclm⁻/⁻ mice] show a less severe hepatic GSH deficit (to ≈15% of normal) and exhibit overall protection against liver injuries induced by a variety of hepatic insults. Collectively, these transgenic mouse models provide interesting new insights regarding pathophysiological functions of GSH in the liver.
The nuclear nurture and cytoplasmic nature of localized mRNPs

From yeast to mammals, evidence has emerged in recent years highlighting the essential role played by the nuclear "history" of a messenger RNA in determining its cytoplasmic fate. mRNA localization, translation and stability in the cytoplasm are often pre-destined in the nucleus, and directed by the composition and architecture of nuclear assembled mRNA-protein complexes. In this review we focus on nuclear-acquired RNA-binding proteins and complexes that participate in determining the journey of localized mRNAs.
Catabolite repression directly affects transcription of the qa-y gene of Neurospora crassa

The quinic acid (qa) gene cluster of Neurospora crassa is subject to two levels of gene control: a primary system which responds to the presence of quinic acid via the qa-1S repressor protein, and a secondary system which represses transcription of qa genes in the presence of a preferred carbon source, e.g. glucose. RNA blot analysis revealed that transcription of the qa-y gene, which encodes a quinic acid permease, was strongly repressed in the presence of glucose even in the absence of the qa-1S repressor protein, while transcription of the remaining qa cluster genes is repressed to a much lesser degree. DNA sequencing of the region upstream of the qa-y gene revealed a high degree of sequence conservation between N. crassa and the homothallic species Neurospora africana and Neurospora terricola. This may suggest the presence of conserved sequences that mediate catabolite repression in all three species.
Responses of adipose tissue to sequential lipolytic stimuli.

Following stimulation of rat epididymal adipose tissue segments with epinephrine, cyclic AMP levels increase to maximum values by 5 min; thereafter, cyclic AMP levels decline, reaching values which may not be significantly different from prestimulation levels. When additional epinephrine was added to the incubation medium or when stimulated tissues were transferredto fresh epinephrine containing media, the anticipated second increase in cyclic AMP was absentor greatly diminished. Addition ot theophylline to the restimulation medium failed to overcome the apparent “refractoriness” to the second epinephrine stimulation. The apparent“refractoriness” to epinephrine stimulation was also induced by prior exposure toACTH but not to theophylline, suggesting that lipolysis per se is not the cause of unresponsiveness. Becausetissues remain unresponsive even when transferred to fresh medium, the “refractoriness” cannot be ascribed to the release of an inhibitory substance into the medium. All epinephrine and theophy...
Quantifying turbulence microstructure for improvement of underwater imaging

Enhancing visibility through scattering media is important in many fields for gaining information from the scattering medium. In the ocean, in particular, enhancement of imaging and visibility is important for divers, navigation, robotics, and target and mine detection and classification. Light scattering from particulates and turbulence in the ocean strongly affects underwater visibility. The magnitude of this degrading effect depends upon the underwater environment, and can rapidly degrade the quality of underwater imaging under certain conditions. To facilitate study of the impact of turbulence upon underwater imaging and to check against our previously developed model, quantified observation of the image degradation concurrent with characterization of the turbulent flow is necessary, spanning a variety of turbulent strengths. Therefore, we present field measurements of turbulence microstructure from the July 2010 Skaneateles Optical Turbulence Exercise (SOTEX), during which images of a target were collected over a 5 m path length at various depths in the water column, concurrent with profiles of the turbulent strength, optical properties, temperature, and conductivity. Turbulence was characterized by the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation (TKED) and thermal dissipation (TD) rates, which were obtained using both a Rockland Scientific Vertical Microstructure Profiler (VMP) and a Nortek Vector velocimeter in combination with a PME CT sensor. While the two instrumental setups demonstrate reasonable agreement, some irregularities highlight the spatial and temporal variability of the turbulence field. Supplementary measurements with the Vector/CT in a controlled laboratory convective tank will shed additional light on the quantitative relationship between image degradation and turbulence strength.
The detection and quantitation of nitrosyl compounds using biological assays

Abstract The qualitative and quantitative assessment of the bioactivity of nitrosyl compounds synthesized and released by biological tissues has been complicated by their chemical instability and the inability to absolutely determine their structure. The bioassay has played a central role in our understanding of this important new class of compounds recently described in mammalian tissues, including nervous tissue. The bioassay methodology employs a vascular smooth muscle “biodetector” preparation and is presented here in sufficient detail to allow investigators not familiar with the technique to construct a setup applicable to their research, obtain usable data, and analyze the results. Details on obtaining and preparing tissue, species differences, the specific hardware necessary, and the advantages and disadvantages of the biodetector configured as a “ring” or “strip” preparation are emphasized. The method offers an economical and relatively simple means of not only determining the presence of bioactivity, but also obtaining insight into mechanisms of action. Its applicability to the assessment of unstable compounds makes the method particularly attractive for use in studies on nitric oxide or compounds that contain a nitric oxide moiety.
Prenatal betamethasone exposure has sex specific effects in reversal learning and attention in juvenile baboons

Objective We investigated effects of 3 weekly courses of fetal betamethasone (βM) on motivation and cognition in juvenile baboon offspring utilizing the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Study Design Pregnant baboons ( Papio species) received 2 injections of saline control or 175 μg/kg βM 24 hours apart at 0.6, 0.65, and 0.7 gestation. Offspring (saline control female, n=7 and saline control male, n=6; βM female [FβM], n=7 and βM male [MβM], n=5) were studied at 2.6-3.2 years with a progressive ratio test for motivation, simple discriminations and reversals for associative learning and rule change plasticity, and an intra/extradimensional set-shifting test for attention allocation. Results βM exposure decreased motivation in both sexes. In intra/extradimensional testing, FβM made more errors in the simple discrimination reversal (mean difference of errors [FβM – MβM] = 20.2 ± 9.9; P ≤ .05), compound discrimination (mean difference of errors=36.3 ± 17.4; P ≤ .05), and compound reversal (mean difference of errors=58 ± 23.6; P Conclusion This central nervous system developmental programming adds growing concerns of long-term effects of repeated fetal synthetic glucocorticoid exposure. In summary, behavioral effects observed show sex-specific differences in resilience to multiple fetal βM exposures.
Masters of angiogenesis

Fresh approaches are needed for antiangiogenesis therapies that target blood vessel growth in tumors. Knocking down multiple regulators of angiogenesis might provide a way forward ( pages 992–997 ).
Transactivation by the hepatitis B virus X protein depends on AP-2 and other transcription factors

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) X gene product (pX) could be important in disease pathogenesis because it is known to transactivate transcription from many viral and cellular gene promoters, including the HBV core gene promoter, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) long terminal repeat, and the c-myc promoter. We have previously shown that only a subset of the promoters that can be transactivated by pX is transactivated in any particular cell line, and have proposed that pX acts through multiple, cell type-specific transcription factors. We show here that pX acts through both AP-1 and AP-2 sites, and that pX has a transcription activation domain. We conclude that transactivation by pX depends on at least two distinct cellular DNA-binding transcription factors and we present a model for the action of pX.
Overview of algorithms for hyperspectral target detection: theory and practice

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the most useful practical algorithms for the detection of targets with known spectral signatures and anomaly detection. First, we provide an overview of adaptive matched filter and anomaly detectors, including their key theoretical assumptions, design parameters, and computational complexity. The emphasis is on the basic ideas that underline the operation of the different algorithms and the geometrical or statistical concepts explaining their performance limitations. Second, we investigate how effectively the signal models used for the development of detection algorithms characterize the HYDICE data. The accurate modeling of the background is crucial for the development of constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detectors. Third, we look at some practical considerations and how they affect the performance of the various algorithms. Finally, we compare the different algorithms with regard to the following two desirable performance properties: capacity to operate in CFAR mode and target visibility enhancement. Since most of these issues are covered more comprehensively in a special issue of IEEE Signal Processing Magazine on Exploiting Hyperspectral Imagery (January 2002), we limit the coverage of this paper to a conceptual framework and a highlight of some experimental results.