cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alternative to ganglionic blockade with anticholinergic and alpha-2 receptor agents

The ganglionic blocking agent trimethaphan (TMP) is no longer produced. Therefore, a need exists for alternative pharmacological approaches to investigate baroreflex control of the circulation. The aim of the present study was to examine baroreflex-mediated cardiovascular responses during the administration of a muscarinic receptor antagonist (glycopyrrolate; GLY: ) and a selective alpha-2 receptor agonist (dexmedetomidine; DEX: ) and to compare responses to ganglionic blockade with TMP. We hypothesized that combined GLY-: DEX: would inhibit the baroreflex similar to TMP. Ten volunteers participated in two study days and were instrumented with pulse oximeter, nasal cannula, ECG, continuous blood pressure monitoring (Finapres), and I.V. catheter for drug infusions. Each study day consisted of a control condition followed by either combined GLY: -DEX: or TMP on alternating days. A Valsalva maneuver was performed under each condition with every subject and six subjects received bolus phenylephrine (25 mug) during GLY: -DEX: and TMP. Combined GLY: -DEX: increased (P < 0.05) blood pressure (99 +/- 4 mmHg) and heart rate (99 +/- 3 bpm) relative to control condition (BP: 90 +/- 2 mmHg; HR: 64 +/- 3 bpm) and TMP infusion decreased (P < 0.05) blood pressure (79 +/- 3 mmHg) while increasing heart rate (88 +/- 3 bpm). Valsalva maneuver elicited a persistent drop in arterial pressure (no phase IIb recovery) with the absence of a phase IV overshoot during both GLY: -DEX: and TMP conditions. Phenylephrine increased systolic pressure 34 +/- 4 mmHg under GLY: -DEX: and 23 +/- 3 mmHg with TMP (P < 0.05). Heart rate only decreased 1 +/- 2 bpm during GLY: -DEX: and 1 +/- 1 bpm with TMP. Taken together, our results suggest that GLY: -DEX: is a reasonable alternative to TMP for baroreflex inhibition.
Glucose homeostasis during short-term and prolonged exposure to high altitudes.

Most of the literature related to high altitude medicine is devoted to the short-term effects of high-altitude exposure on human physiology. However, long-term effects of living at high altitudes may be more important in relation to human disease because more than 400 million people worldwide reside above 1500 m. Interestingly, individuals living at higher altitudes have a lower fasting glycemia and better glucose tolerance compared with those who live near sea level. There is also emerging evidence of the lower prevalence of both obesity and diabetes at higher altitudes. The mechanisms underlying improved glucose control at higher altitudes remain unclear. In this review, we present the most current evidence about glucose homeostasis in residents living above 1500 m and discuss possible mechanisms that could explain the lower fasting glycemia and lower prevalence of obesity and diabetes in this population. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate and maintain the lower fasting glycemia in individuals w...
Improved lithium manganese oxide spinel/graphite Li-ion cells for high-power applications

Abstract The degradation mechanism of lithium manganese oxide spinel/graphite Li-ion cells using LiPF6-based electrolyte was investigated by a Mn-dissolution approach during high-temperature storage, and by ac impedance measurement using a reference electrode-equipped cell. Through these studies, we confirmed that Mn ions were dissolved from the spinel cathode in the electrolyte and were subsequently reduced on the lithiated graphite electrode surface, due to the chemical activity of the lithiated graphite, and caused a huge increase in the charge-transfer impedance at the graphite/electrolyte interface, which consequently deteriorated cell performance. To overcome the significant degradation of the spinel/graphite Li-ion cells, we investigated a new electrolyte system using lithium bisoxalatoborate (LiBoB, LiB(C2O4)2) salt not having fluorine species in its chemical structure. Superior cycling performance at elevated temperature was observed with the spinel/graphite cells using LiBoB-based electrolyte, which is attributed to the inert chemical structure of LiBoB that does not generate HF. Mn-ion leaching experiments showed that almost no Mn ions were dissolved from the spinel powder after 55 °C storage for 4 weeks. Through optimization of organic solvents for the LiBoB salt, we developed an advanced Li-ion cell chemistry that used lithium manganese oxide spinel, 0.7 M LiBoB/EC:PC:DMC (1:1:3), and graphite as the cathode, electrolyte, and anode, respectively. This cell provides excellent power characteristics, good calendar life, and improved thermal safety for hybrid electric vehicle applications.
Association between endogenous hormones and sex hormone-binding globulin and bone turnover in older women: study of osteoporotic fractures.

Abstract Estrogen therapy decreases bone remodeling, but the association between endogenous estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), testosterone (T), and bone turnover in older women is not clear. To test the association of serum E2, E1, free T, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) with bone turnover, we analyzed cross-sectional relationships among E2, E1, T, SHBG, and biochemical markers of bone turnover serum osteocalcin [OC], serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase [bAP], and serum breakdown products of C telopeptide of type I collagen [CTx] in 704 women enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. Women with lower estradiol levels tended to have higher levels of bone turnover, but the association was weak (R2 = 0.01 for the association E2-OC, p = 0.03; and R2 = 0.024 for E2-CTx, p = 0.001). Relationships between SHBG and turnover were also weak (R2 for the association SHBG-OC was 0.07, p
Embryonic stem cell models of development

Pluripotent mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell lines have provided a means to analyze gene function in development via gene targeting. At the same time, they provide an opportunity to directly probe gene function by assessing the in vitro differentiation capacity of the ES cells themselves. In addition to providing direct data on lineage decisions not accessible in the complex three-dimensional milieu of the early mouse embryo, controlled differentiation of ES into specific lineages may provide a source of cells for transplantation and gene therapy. Anat. Rec. (New Anat.): 257:32–41, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Techniques for polarization transfer coefficient determination

Abstract It is shown how polarization transfer coefficients in reactions with the spin structures 1 2 + A → 1 + B , 1 + A → 1 + B and 1 + A → 1 2 + B can be determined by ratio techniques in which detector efficiencies, solid angles, and relative counting interval are cancelled out. The relative merits of using a “polarized-to-unpolarized” ratio method to “spin-up-to-spin-down” ratio method are discussed.
Terramycin Hydrochloride Alone and with Mapharsen and Bismuth in Treatment of Experimental Syphilis of Rabbits.

Summary(1) Terramycin hydrochloride by oral administration in single doses of 50 to 250 mg per kg of weight were not completely curative in the treatment of acute syphilitic orchitis of rabbits. (2) When administered orally twice daily for 15 days in succession the total minimal curative dose was 150 to 300 mg per kg of weight. (3) By intramuscular injection the single minimal curative dose was 75 to 100 mg per kg of weight. When administered once daily for 15 days in succession the total minimal curative dose was 75 to 150 mg per kg by this route of administration. (4) Mapharsen by intravenous injection and bismuth salicylate by intramuscular injection yielded pronounced synergistic or additive therapeutic effects when given along with terramycin hydrochloride by oral and intramuscular administration.
Pesin’s dimension for Poincaré recurrences

A new characteristic of Poincare recurrences is introduced. It describes an average return time in the framework of a general construction for dimension-like characteristics. Some examples are considered including rotations on the circle and the Denjoy example. (c) 1997 American Institute of Physics.
Duality and the vacuum

We examine the issue of duality both in electrodynamics and in Kalb-Ramond scalar axion systems. In D space-time dimensions the dual abelian theories of (p −1)- and (D − p − 1)-form potentials have vacua classified by the dimensions of the cohomology spaces Hp − 1((D − 1)M) or HD − p −((D − 1)M), respectively. The vacua are characterized by topological charges which are expectation values for generalized “Wilson loop” operators around non-trivial cycles. In certain instances the vacua exhibit a theta angle parametrization much as in QCD. The relation of axionic hair and discrete gauge hair is analyzed in the topologically massive Kalb-Ramond theory. If there are no fundamental strings in the theory, axionic charge is replaced by an irrelevant vacuum angle.
Methodology and justice

Evaluation methodology itself has sometimes led, in complex and subtle ways, to systematic injustices. The main source of error lies in our standard conception of causation, which is inadequate and incorrect.
Intracerebroventricular enterostatin stimulates food intake in non-food-deprived rats

Abstract Previous studies reported that ICV enterostatin reduced high-fat food intake in food-deprived rats. The present study sought to determine if ICV enterostatin would decrease intake of a high-fat food in non-food-deprived rats. Eight doses (0–32 μg) were tested. Enterostatin (32 μg) significantly stimulated cookie intake at 30 min. Enterostatin did not reduce food intake at any dose. These results conflict with previous reports and suggest that central enterostatin does not play a role in suppressing, but may play a role in stimulating, high-fat food consumption in non-food-deprived rats.
Antennular projections to the midbrain of the spiny lobster. II. Sensory innervation of the olfactory lobe.

The projection pattern of antennular sensory afferents in the olfactory lobe (OL) of the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, was examined by backfilling axons in the antennular nerve (AN) with biocytin. Thin, presumptive olfactory afferents from the lateral division of the AN form a tract in the brain that diverges into a dense plexus that completely envelops the glomerular cortex of the OL. Most of the thin (diameter less than or equal to 0.3-1 microns) afferents project to single glomeruli. About 10% of the thin afferents, however, branch in the plexus and project to multiple glomeruli. A smaller number of medium-sized to thick (diameter 2-10 microns), presumably mechanosensory, afferents also innervate the OL and co-project to multiple glomeruli with the thin afferents. Afferents arborize profusely within the columnar glomeruli into very fine processes that penetrate to the base of the columns, but selectively terminate in either the cap/subcap region or in the innermost part of the base of the columns, often with conspicuous terminal boutons, forming two distinct regions of presumptive synaptic output. These results suggest that 1) The majority of the OL innervation is provided by olfactory sensilla (aesthetascs), but that other types of sensilla provide additional, likely mechanosensory, input to the OL. 2) The projection of olfactory afferents is not strictly uniglomerular. 3) The columnar organization of crustacean olfactory glomeruli is functionally significant and may provide an evolutionary correlate of the recently proposed subdivision of the vertebrate olfactory bulb into "functional columns."
Pediatric cardiomyopathy: importance of genetic and metabolic evaluation

Abstract Background Cardiomyopathy is a heterogeneous disease with a strong genetic component. A research-based pediatric cardiomyopathy registry identified familial, syndromic, or metabolic causes in 30% of children. However, these results predated clinical genetic testing. Methods and Results We determined the prevalence of familial, syndromic, or metabolic causes in 83 consecutive unrelated patients referred for genetic evaluation of cardiomyopathy from 2006 to 2009. Seventy-six percent of probands (n = 63) were categorized as familial, syndromic, or metabolic. Forty-three percent (n = 18) of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients had mutations in sarcomeric genes, with MYH7 and MYBPC3 mutations predominating. Syndromic (17%; n = 7) and metabolic (26%; n = 11) causes were frequently identified in HCM patients. The metabolic subgroup was differentiated by decreased endocardial shortening fraction on echocardiography. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients had similar rates of syndromic (20%; n = 5) and metabolic (16%; n = 4) causes, but fewer familial cases (24%; n = 6) compared with HCM patients. Conclusions The cause of cardiomyopathy is identifiable in a majority of affected children. An underlying metabolic or syndromic cause is identified in >35% of children with HCM or DCM. Identification of etiology is important for management, family-based risk assessment, and screening.
Fast track recovery of elderly coronary bypass surgery patients

Abstract Background . To ascertain whether early extubation and fast-track treatment protocols are feasible in elderly patients, we analyzed 487 consecutive patients who had isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between January 1995 and June 1997, constituting the experience of a single surgeon. Methods . Management consistently applied to all patients emphasized early extubation protocol, tepid cardioplegia and normothermic bypass to reduce pump times, early mobilization and chest tube removal, and protocol treatment of atrial fibrillation. Elderly patients at least 70 years old (n = 176, mean age 75 years) were compared with younger patients (n = 311, mean age 58 years). Results . The hospital mortality rate was 0.8% (4 of 487 patients), and there was no difference in the operative mortality rate of the older cohort versus the younger cohort (0.6% versus 0.9%; p > 0.05). Older patients had a higher incidence of peripheral vascular disease, congestive heart failure, prior strokes, renal failure, and cerebrovascular disease ( p p = 0.002). Older patients had significantly higher incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (27% versus 14%; 95% CI, 13% ± 7%; p p Conclusions . Although elderly patients have a higher acuity of illness, critical pathways for accelerated discharge are safe and feasible in most elderly patients.
Carpel tunnel syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, glucosamine and chondroitin, hypnosis in pain management, marijuana for pain

This feature presents information for patients in a question and answer format. It is written to simulate actual questions that many pain patients ask and to provide answers in a context and language that most pain patients will comprehend. Issues addressed in this issue are carpel tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, glucosamine and chondroitin, hypnosis, marijuana.
A case study of mobilization and transport of Saharan dust

The mobilization and transport of the Saharan dust over the West Africa and the tropical Atlantic Ocean during the days of August 23-28, 1974, were investigated using the data set developed by GFDL, together with numerical models of the atmosphere and aerosol. It was found that the mobilization of dust during this period was related to the passage of a shallow easterly wave; mobilization was effected by dry convective mixing of low-level jets associated with the easterly wave. Model simulations show that the aerosol at any one point can be a complicated mixture of particles lifted at different times and different places; bimodal size distributions developed when dust was mobilized within a dust plume that was generated on a previous day.
A method for registration of 3-D shapes

The authors describe a general-purpose, representation-independent method for the accurate and computationally efficient registration of 3-D shapes including free-form curves and surfaces. The method handles the full six degrees of freedom and is based on the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm, which requires only a procedure to find the closest point on a geometric entity to a given point. The ICP algorithm always converges monotonically to the nearest local minimum of a mean-square distance metric, and the rate of convergence is rapid during the first few iterations. Therefore, given an adequate set of initial rotations and translations for a particular class of objects with a certain level of 'shape complexity', one can globally minimize the mean-square distance metric over all six degrees of freedom by testing each initial registration. One important application of this method is to register sensed data from unfixtured rigid objects with an ideal geometric model, prior to shape inspection. Experimental results show the capabilities of the registration algorithm on point sets, curves, and surfaces. >
Student employees: hire 'em, mold 'em, keep 'em will be a part of our management track

Hiring Student Employees - Making the transition from hiring any warm body to selecting from a pool of applicants. Implementing effective training methods - Designing a training program that properly prepares your student employee for your environment. Generational Customer Service - Recognizing and dealing with the difference in generational philosophies in the work place.Without effective advertising/posting of open positions for student employees in our ITS departments we were constantly faced with the scenario of hiring any warm body due to a low number of applicants. Through our new processes we are now seeing an increased number of applicants for available positions and also just to keep on file as new positions open up. A few examples of how this was accomplished would be: Strategic advertising (orientation, online job board)Streamlining the online application processHiring students from one ITS division for another based on experienceFast-tracking the training process for each positionGenerational philosophies can affect not only promptness to the job but the way your student employee handles both walk-in and phone-in customers. This can also be related to the "texting" syndrome where both dialogue and typing at the work place take on an abbreviated atmosphere.
Formation And Nondestructive Characterization Of Ion Implanted Soi Layers

High-temperature, oxygen ion implantation has been used to form buried oxide layers in silicon single crystals. The ion implantation and substrate variables, particularly the substrate temperature, were optimized to obtain silicon layers with appropriate microstructures near the surface. The as-implanted specimens were subsequently annealed at high temperatures to form buried Si02 layer with sharp interfaces and minimize dislocations in the top layers. These specimens were characterized by cross-section TEM and the results were compared with those obtained using spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). We discuss the application of nondestructive SE technique in the characterization of silicon-on-insulator materials. Such techniques are absolutely essential for the fabrication of semiconductor devices.
Observation of superoxide production during catalysis of Bacillus subtilis oxalate decarboxylase at pH 4

This contribution describes the trapping of the hydroperoxyl radical at a pH of 4 during turnover of wild-type oxalate decarboxylase and its T165V mutant using the spin-trap BMPO. Radicals were detected and identified by a combination of EPR and mass spectrometry. Superoxide, or its conjugate acid, the hydroperoxyl radical, is expected as an intermediate in the decarboxylation and oxidation reactions of the oxalate monoanion, both of which are promoted by oxalate decarboxylase. Another intermediate, the carbon dioxide radical anion was also observed. The quantitative yields of superoxide trapping are similar in the wild type and the mutant while it is significantly different for the trapping of the carbon dioxide radical anion. This suggests that the two radicals are released from different sites of the protein.
Showcasing Modern Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Membrane Proteins Through G Protein-Coupled Receptors

Despite many years of dedicated efforts, high-resolution structural determination of membrane proteins lags far behind that of soluble proteins. Computational methods in general, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in particular, have represented important alternative resources over the years to advance understanding of membrane protein structure and function. However, it is only recently that much progress has been achieved owing to new high-resolution membrane protein structures, specialized parallel computer architectures, and efficient simulation algorithms. This has definitely been the case for G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which have assumed a leading role in the area of structural biology with several new structures appearing in the literature during the past five years. We provide here a concise overview of recent developments in computational biophysics of membrane proteins, using GPCRs as an example to showcase important information that can be derived from modern MD simulations.
Multiple promoter elements contribute to activity of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene in testicular Sertoli cells.

The FSH receptor (FSHR) is expressed only in granulosa cells of the ovary and Sertoli cells of the testis. This highly specific pattern of gene expression asserts that transcriptional events unique to these two cell types are responsible for activation of the FSHR gene. We have characterized the promoter elements required for activity of the rat FSHR gene in a Sertoli cell line MSC-1, primary cultures of rat Sertoli cells, and two non-Sertoli cell lines. Transient transfection analysis of deletion and block replacement mutants identified several elements, both 5′ and 3′ to the transcriptional start sites, that are essential for full promoter activity in Sertoli cells. These studies confirmed the use of an important E box element (CACGTG), which had the single greatest impact on promoter function. Bases within the core CACGTG of the E box, as well as flanking sequences, were shown to be essential for its function. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays identified both upstream stimulatory factor 1 (USF1) an...
Hyperglycemia induces inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression and consequent nitrosative stress via c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation.

Objective Maternal diabetes has an adverse impact on embryonic development. We tested the hypothesis that hyperglycemia-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) 1/2 activation mediates inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induction. Study Design Levels of iNOS messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and nitrosylated protein were determined in cultured C57BL/6J conceptuses exposed to hyperglycemia (300 mg/dL glucose) and C57BL/6J embryos exposed to streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The iNOS-luciferase activity and endogenous reactive nitrogen species were determined in transfected PYS-2 (mouse teratocarcinoma) cells exposed to hyperglycemia (450 mg/dL glucose). Results Hyperglycemia increased iNOS mRNA, and SP600125, a potent JNK1/2 inhibitor, abolished this effect. Hyperglycemia increased iNOS-luciferase activities, and SP600125 blocked this effect. Diabetes increased iNOS mRNA and jnk2 gene deletion abrogated this effect. Correlated with iNOS gene induction, both hyperglycemia in vitro and diabetes in vivo enhanced the production of reactive nitrogen species and increased protein nitrosylation. The jnk2 gene deletion blocked diabetes-induced protein nitrosylation. Conclusion JNK1/2 activation mediates hyperglycemia-induced iNOS gene expression and consequent nitrosative stress in diabetic embryopathy.
Now You See It

A patient experienced recurrent postural headache, transient visual obscurations, and papilledema. The patient initially presented with papilledema without cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (pseudotumor cerebri, idiopathic intracranial hypertension). One year later she had the similar symptoms and a recurrence of papilledema but now had obvious venous sinus thrombosis.
Performance impact of impeller blade trimming on centrifugal compressors

Centrifugal impeller blade trimming can be used to modify an existing impeller design to meet a new flow or pressure ratio design point. In flow trimming, the passage area is reduced from inlet to ...
X-ray image compression using run length coding

The recent availability of a special-purpose IC implementing the standard CCITT run length coder/decoder has made it possible for distortion free image compression to be done economically and quickly with a personal computer plug-in circuit card. Although the code table implemented is designed for bit-mapped document images at one bit per pixel, an experiment has been undertaken to investigate its role in compressing multiple bit per pixel images such as radiographs. Representative x-ray images of various body parts are processed; the average compression ratio and standard deviation is 2.37 and 0.28, respectively, for CCITT group 4 compression, and 2.21 and 0.29, for CCITT group 3 compression.
Iconic functions of the index in poetic metaphor

Abstract According to C.S. Peirce, any sufficiently complete Symbol contains an Index, just as any sufficiently complete Index contains an Icon. Poetic metaphor is thus an excellent example of the complete Sign: It is a complex linguistic Symbol whose genetic nucleus is a palpable Icon, but whose ‘middle layer’ is a powerful interactive Index. The Index assists in the Icon-to-Symbol growth of language and thought by ‘stretching’ the metaphor's Iconic core. Indexical ‘stretching’ of metaphorical Iconicity takes place in three ways: (1) Indexical ‘pointers’ from the original metaphorical Icon and its Object project entire semantic fields, which - though dissimilar - are often holistically Iconic of one another (as illustrated with a metaphor from poet Donald Hall); (2) the sequence of related metaphorical Icons within the text of a poem often creates an Indexical (spatio-temporal) overlay, which is itself Iconic of the poem's overall subject matter (as illustrated with a sonnet by Shakespeare); (3) the ‘figural displacement’ of Objects by their metaphorical Icons in a poem often yields a series of Indexical ‘vectors’ or ‘headings’ in semantic space, thereby delineating an Iconic ‘map’ of the poem's world view (as illustrated with examples from John Keats and T.S. Eliot).
Applied River Morphology

By Dave Rosgen. Wildland Hydrology, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. 1996. 380 pages. $89.95. Dave Rosgen has probably spent more time with his feet in moving water than any other practicing hydrologist o...
Convergence of Anti-Self-Dual Connections on SU(n)-Bundles Over Product of Two Riemann Surfaces

We obtain a convergence result on anti-self-dual connections over a product of two Riemann surfaces in the adiabetic limit.
Stability of zero modes in parafermion chains

One-dimensional topological phases can host localized zero-energy modes that enable high-fidelity storage and manipulation of quantum information. Majorana fermion chains support a classic example of such a phase, having zero modes that guarantee twofold degeneracy in all eigenstates up to exponentially small finite-size corrections. Chains of “parafermions”—generalized Majorana fermions—also support localized zero modes, but, curiously, only under much more restricted circumstances. We shed light on the enigmatic zero-mode stability in parafermion chains by analytically and numerically studying the spectrum and developing an intuitive physical picture in terms of domain-wall dynamics. Specifically, we show that even if the system resides in a gapped topological phase with an exponentially accurate ground-state degeneracy, higher-energy states can exhibit a splitting that scales as a power law with system size, categorically ruling out exact localized zero modes. The transition to power-law behavior is described by critical behavior appearing exclusively within excited states.
H°° Robust Control Design for Linear Feedback Systems

This paper deals with the problem of designing, for a linear time-invariant multivariable plant, a feedback controller that minimizes the H°° norm of a quadratic combination of the sensitivity and complementary sensitivity functions. With the parameterization of the controller and quadratic cost, a design procedure based on a gain equalization test for computing the optimal controller is described in detail. A design algorithm, which is implementable in computers, is presented. The pitch-axis controller design for a digitized version of the Grumman F-14 aircraft is given. The performance robustness under the external disturbances and large aircraft parameter variations are shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.
Searching the health care literature efficiently: From clinical decision-making to continuing education

Searching the health care literature is an activity in which infection control professionals must routinely engage to seek evidence-based answers to specific practice questions and to stay abreast of developments in the field. Without the appropriate tools, the tremendous volume of clinical literature makes both of these daunting tasks. In this article, we illustrate techniques for searching MEDLINE efficiently, both as a means of answering particular clinical questions and for generating periodic updates on topics of general interest. With use of a specific example relevant to infection control, we demonstrate the identification of appropriate Medical Subject Headings terms that capture a given question or topic and the development of effective searches with use of these terms. We also touch on the advantages of targeting systematic reviews and meta-analyses in searching for evidence and staying abreast of the literature in general.
Cell-specific expression of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide gene functions through a GATA and an ISL-1 motif in a mouse neuroendocrine tumor cell line

Abstract Background/aims : Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is a 42-amino acid gastrointestinal regulatory peptide that, in the presence of glucose, stimulates insulin secretion from β-cells. GIP is expressed in gastrointestinal K-cells. Prior analysis of the GIP promoter demonstrated that 193 bases of the promoter are required to direct cell specific expression. Here we sought to identify and characterize the transcription factors involved. Results : By mutational analysis of the GIP promoter in a neuroendocrine cell line (STC-1), we identified two regions located between bases −193 and −182 and bases −156 and −151 that, when independently altered, were responsible for a 90% and 85% reduction in transcription, respectively. When we compared these two regions with known motifs from transcription factor databases, we identified the cis elements as potential GATA and ISL-1 binding sites. With subsequent electrophoretic mobility shift analysis (EMSA) using STC-1 nuclear extracts, we demonstrated the ability of these regions to form specific DNA protein complexes. Furthermore, we utilized antisera to confirm the specific binding of GATA-4 to the upstream site and ISL-1 to the downstream element. Conclusion : These findings provide evidence for the involvement of the transcription factors GATA-4 and ISL-1 in the cell-specific expression of the GIP gene.
Cryptococcus neoformans Histone Acetyltransferase Gcn5 Regulates Fungal Adaptation to the Host

Cryptococcus neoformans is an environmental fungus and an opportunistic human pathogen. Previous studies have demonstrated major alterations in its transcriptional profile as this microorganism enters the hostile environment of the human host. To assess the role of chromatin remodeling in host-induced transcriptional responses, we identified the C. neoformans Gcn5 histone acetyltransferase and demonstrated its function by complementation studies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The C. neoformans gcn5Δ mutant strain has defects in high-temperature growth and capsule attachment to the cell surface, in addition to increased sensitivity to FK506 and oxidative stress. Treatment of wild-type cells with the histone acetyltransferase inhibitor garcinol mimics cellular effects of the gcn5Δ mutation. Gcn5 regulates the expression of many genes that are important in responding to the specific environmental conditions encountered by C. neoformans inside the host. Accordingly, the gcn5Δ mutant is avirulent in animal models of cryptococcosis. Our study demonstrates the importance of chromatin remodeling by the conserved histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 in regulating the expression of specific genes that allow C. neoformans to respond appropriately to the human host.
Computing a stable, connected skeleton from discrete data

The relationship between the skeleton and the Voronoi diagram for the case of morphologically regular sets is described. Using the discrete-point Voronoi diagram, a practical algorithm is developed to compute an approximate skeleton of a continuous shape from sampled data. The analysis also yields a sampling criterion under which the approximation is stable. The algorithm is applied to a simple test image. >
MILD PREECLAMPSIA, POTENTIALLY LETHAL FOR WOMEN AND FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF KNOWLEDGE

Acute increases in blood pressure of pregnant women must be regarded and treated as preeclampsia, for if the patient really has preeclampsia it may progress in severity and lead to eclampsia or even death. In collecting cases for the study of preeclampsia the working diagnosis cannot be accepted; far more rigid criteria must be used because hypertension is common to several other unrelated disorders. Erroneous diagnoses lead to erroneous conclusions. Examples cited concern (A) the renal distal tubular reabsorption of free water during osmotic diuresis in hydropenia, (B) the concept that preeclampsia causes chronic hypertension in women who otherwise never would have developed it, and (C) the concept that higher levels of the mean arterial pressure in the second trimester (MAP-2) predict preeclampsia. Many women bearing the diagnosis of mild preeclampsia really have transient hypertension, which appears to be latent essential hypertension brought to light by pregnancy. Transient hypertension often 1s predi...
Numerical Simulation of Aerodynamic Damping for Flutter Analysis of Turbomachinery Blade Rows

This paper describes the calculation of aerodynamic damping for prediction of e utter characteristics of turbomachinery bladerows.Theunsteady aerodynamicbladeloadsareobtainedbysolving theNavier ‐Stokesequations on a dynamically deforming, body-e tted grid. Phase-lagged boundary conditions are used to model the nonzero interbladephaseangleoscillations,and theenergy exchangemethod isused to calculatetheaerodynamicdamping. The analysis is applied to calculate e utter of a transonic forward-swept fan cone guration, which showed e utter at part speed conditions in wind-tunnel tests. The analysis successfully identie ed the most critical mode and the e ow characteristics responsible for the observed e utter. The location of shock wave and variation of its strength were found to strongly ine uence the aerodynamic damping, with outboard stations providing the main contribution. The results also demonstrate that changes in blade shape impact the calculated aerodynamic damping, indicating the importance of using an accurate blade operating shape under centrifugal and steady aerodynamic loading. Sensitivity of thecalculated aerodynamic damping to variation in inlet and exit conditions, the computational time steps, and blade natural frequency are also reported.
Hypofractionated intensity‐modulated radiotherapy with temozolomide chemotherapy may alter the patterns of failure in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

Introduction The objective of this study was to report the patterns of failure in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treated on a phase II trial of hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (hypo-IMRT) with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ). Methods Patients with newly diagnosed GBM post-resection received postoperative hypo-IMRT to 60 Gy in 10 fractions. TMZ was given concurrently at 75 mg/m2/day for 28 consecutive days and adjuvantly at 150–200 mg/m2/day for 5 days every 28 days. Radiographic failure was defined as any new T1-enhancing lesion or biopsy-confirmed progressive enhancement at the primary site. MRIs obtained at the time of failure were fused to original hypo-IMRT plans. Central, in-field, marginal and distant failure were defined as ≥95%, 80% to 95%, any to 80% and 0% of the volume of a recurrence receiving 60 Gy, respectively. Results Twenty-four patients were treated on the trial. Median follow-up was 14.8 months (range 2.7–34.2). Seventeen of 24 patients experienced radiographic failure: one central, five in-field, two marginal, eight distant and one both in-field and distant. Two of the eight distant failures presented with leptomeningeal disease. Two other patients died without evidence of radiographic recurrence. Five of 24 patients demonstrated asymptomatic, gradually progressive in-field T1 enhancement, suggestive of post-treatment changes, without clear evidence of failure; three of these patients received a biopsy/second resection, with 100% radiation necrosis found. The median overall survival of this group was 33.0 months. Conclusion A 60-Gy hypo-IMRT treatment delivered in 6-Gy fractions with TMZ altered the patterns of failure in GBM, with more distant failures.
Regulatory Actions of the Insulin-Like Growth Factor, IGF-I (Somatomedin-C), on Sterol Metabolism by Ovarian Cells

Steroidogenic cells require large quantities of sterol substrate for utilization in the biosynthesis and secretion of relevant steroid hormones (1,2). Although the regulation of cholesterol’s economy in ovarian (granulosa and luteal) cells has been characterized extensively for gonadotropic hormones (particularly LH and HCG), fewer studies are available that delineate the nature of trophic growth factor control of sterol delivery to, and utilization by, the steroidogenic apparatus. To examine the mechanisms subserving the actions of differentiating growth factors, we have employed an in vitro serum-free culture system of swine granulosa cells that is highly responsive to the insulin-like growth factor, IGF-I (Somatomedin-C) (3,4).
Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting in Internal Fluid Flow

We consider piezoelectric flow energy harvesting in an internal flow environment with the ultimate goal powering systems such as sensors in deep oil well applications. Fluid motion is coupled to structural vibration via a cantilever beam placed in a converging-diverging flow channel. Two designs were considered for the electromechanical coupling: first; the cantilever itself is a piezoelectric bimorph; second; the cantilever is mounted on a pair of flextensional actuators. We experimentally investigated varying the geometry of the flow passage and the flow rate. Experimental results revealed that the power generated from both designs was similar; producing as much as 20 mW at a flow rate of 20 L/min. The bimorph designs were prone to failure at the extremes of flow rates tested. Finite element analysis (FEA) showed fatigue failure was imminent due to stress concentrations near the bimorph’s clamped region; and that robustness could be improved with a stepped-joint mounting design. A similar FEA model showed the flextensional-based harvester had a resonant frequency of around 375 Hz and an electromechanical coupling of 0.23 between the cantilever and flextensional actuators in a vacuum. These values; along with the power levels demonstrated; are significant steps toward building a system design that can eventually deliver power in the Watts range to devices down within a well.
Intraclass Correlation as an Approximation to the Coefficient of Generalizability

The theory of generalizability (Cronbach, et al., 1963) regards a measure as sampled from a universe of comparable but not necessarily equivalent measures. The most suitable index of agreement would be the average of the squared correlations of the measures with the average of all measures. Since this cannot be directly determined, the intraclass coefficient is used. Comparison of the two indices for hypothetical universes shows that they agree closely, save for types of universe unlikely to be found in practice.
Distribution of suspended sediment in the Korea Strait and southeastern Yellow Sea: Onset of winter monsoons

Abstract High-energy conditions in the Yellow Sea begin each year with the onset of monsoon winds in late October. These transitional-season surges of cold air initiate sediment resuspension, vertical mixing of suspended sediments, and a wind-driven coastal current that flows to the south. During the summer to winter transition, suspended sediment concentrations in the southeastern Yellow Sea range from 5–100 mg l−1 at the surface and 5–500 mg l−1 at the bottom. The highest concentrations occur off the southwest tip of the Korean Peninsula and the lowest occur in the central part of the Korea Strait. The rate of transitional-season destratification may depend on the timing and intensity of monsoonal surges. Whereas a late onset of monsoon winds allows waters to remain longer in their moderately stratified summer condition, an early onset of monsoon winds tends to destratify the water column by mid November, resulting in a nearly uniform high concentration of suspended sediments from surface to bottom. The band of more turbid coastal water ends abruptly 25–50 km offshore as a turbidity front in waters 20–80 m deep. A wind-driven residual flow to the south appears to transport large volumes of this turbid water into the Korea Strait and perhaps as far as the Sea of Japan.
Integrated Personal Health Record Use: Association With Parent-Reported Care Experiences

OBJECTIVE: To examine integrated personal health record (PHR) use patterns among parents of children with chronic disease and compare ratings of care experiences between integrated PHR users and nonusers. METHODS: A survey was mailed to 600 randomly selected parents of children with chronic disease ≤5 years old and enrolled at Group Health for ≥1 year. Respondents reported integrated PHR use in the past 12 months, types of services used, or reasons for nonuse. We measured parent ratings of care experiences by using Consumer Assessments of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) composite measures: Attention to Growth and Development, Attention to Safety and Health, Getting Care Quickly, Getting Needed Care, Prescription Medications, and Care Coordination. We used multivariate logistic regression to test the association between integrated PHR use and each CAHPS composite measure dichotomized by using the top box score method. RESULTS: Of 256 respondents (43% eligible response rate), 166 (65%) were integrated PHR users and 90 (35%) were nonusers. The top integrated PHR services used were viewing immunization records, viewing medical records, secured messaging, and scheduling appointments. The top reasons for not using the integrated PHR were “too busy,” “forgot login/password,” and “my child does not have health care needs.” Adjusted logistic regression did not reveal any significant differences between users and nonusers. CONCLUSIONS: Parents of children with chronic disease appear willing to use an integrated PHR to address health care needs for their child. Integrated PHR use was not associated with higher scores on CAHPS composite measures in this health plan. * Abbreviations: CAHPS — : Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems ICD-9 — : International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision ICE — : imputation by chained equations PHR — : personal health record
Effect of antioxidant concentration and radiation dose on oxidation induction time

Oxidation induction time (OIT) provides a useful measurement of aging of electrical cable insulation. The technique is being refined for application to 1E electric cable in nuclear power plants. Exponential correlations have been found for OIT as functions of both radiation dose and antioxidant concentration for ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) and cross-linked polyetheylene (XLPE) cable materials. At constant dose rate, the antioxidant concentration was shown to decrease linearly with time, which is consistent with oxidation reaction kinetics. >
Adaptive blind equalisation of FIR channels using hidden Markov models

The problem of blind equalization of digital communications signals passed through a finite impulse response (FIR) channel with additive Gaussian white noise on the output is addressed. The input signal is modeled as a finite state Markov process, and the fixed lag smoother equations for estimating this input sequence are derived. The unknown channel taps are simultaneously estimated, using an incomplete data version of the recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm, where the (unknown) regressed data error and covariance are replaced by their expectations conditioned on the observations. A sufficient condition for local convergence of the tap estimates is given in terms of a sufficiency of excitation condition of the input Markov chain. Sub-optimal algorithms of reduced computation requirement, which utilize reduced state estimation (via decision feedback), are specified. The performance of the algorithms is illustrated using simulations employing quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) signals. >
A Generalized Lyapunov Theory for Robust Root Clustering of Linear State Space Models with Real Parameter Uncertainty

The problem of analyzing and designing controllers for linear systems subject to real parameter uncertainty is considered. An elegant, unified theory for robust eigenvalue placement is presented for a class of D-regions defined by algebraic inequalities by extending the nominal matrix root clustering theory of Gutman and Jury (1981) to linear uncertain time systems. The author presents explicit conditions for matrix root clustering for different D-regions and establishes the relationship between the eigenvalue migration range and the parameter range. The bounds are all obtained by one-shot computation in the matrix domain and do not need any frequency sweeping or parameter gridding. The method uses the generalized Lyapunov theory for getting the bounds.
Mechanisms of fingolimod's efficacy and adverse effects in multiple sclerosis

Until recently, all approved multiple sclerosis (MS) disease treatments were administered parenterally. Oral fingolimod was approved in September 2010 by the US Food and Drug Administration to reduce relapses and disability progression in relapsing forms of MS. In the clinical trials that led to approval, fingolimod reduced not only acute relapses and magnetic resonance imaging lesion activity but also disability progression and brain volume loss, suggesting preservation of tissue. Fingolimod's mechanism of action in MS is not known with certainty. Its active form, fingolimod-phosphate (fingolimod-P), is a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulator that inhibits egress of lymphocytes from lymph nodes and their recirculation, potentially reducing trafficking of pathogenic cells into the central nervous system (CNS). Fingolimod also readily penetrates the CNS, and fingolimod-P formed in situ may have direct effects on neural cells. Fingolimod potently inhibits the MS animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, but is ineffective in mice with selective deficiency of the S1P₁ S1PR subtype on astrocytes despite normal expression in the immune compartment. These findings suggest that S1PR modulation by fingolimod in both the immune system and CNS, producing a combination of beneficial anti-inflammatory and possibly neuroprotective/reparative effects, may contribute to its efficacy in MS. In clinical trials, fingolimod was generally safe and well tolerated. Its interaction with S1PRs in a variety of tissues largely accounts for the reported adverse effects, which were seen more frequently with doses 2.5 to 10x the approved 0.5 mg dose. Fingolimod's unique mechanism of action distinguishes it from all other currently approved MS therapies.