cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Structure–Activity Relationships of Allosteric Potentiators of the M4 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor

J. Phillip Kennedy[a],+, Thomas M. Bridges[b],+, Patrick R. Gentry[b], John T. Brogan[a], Alexander S. Kane[b], Carrie K. Jones[b],[c], Ashley E. Brady[b], Jana K. Shirey[b], P. Jeffrey Conn [Prof.][b], and Craig W. Lindsley [Prof.]*,[a],[b] [a] Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University 12475 MRB4, Nashville, TN 37232-6600 (USA) [b] Vanderbilt Program in Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmacology Vanderbilt University Medical Center 12475 MRB4, Nashville, TN 37232-6600 (USA)
Α4β2 and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding predicts choice preference in two cost benefit decision-making tasks.

Abstract Nicotinic receptors have been linked to a wide range of cognitive and behavioral functions, but surprisingly little is known about their involvement in cost benefit decision making. The goal of these experiments was to determine how nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) expression is related to two forms of cost benefit decision making. Male Long Evans rats were tested in probability- and delay-discounting tasks, which required discrete trial choices between a small reward and a large reward associated with varying probabilities of omission and varying delays to reward delivery, respectively. Following testing, radioligand binding to α4β2∗ and α7 nAChR subtypes in brain regions implicated in cost benefit decision making was examined. Significant linear relationships were observed between choice of the large delayed reward in the delay discounting task and α4β2∗ receptor binding in both the dorsal and ventral hippocampus. Additionally, trends were found suggesting that choice of the large costly reward in both discounting tasks was inversely related to α4β2∗ receptor binding in the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens shell. Similar trends suggested that choice of the large delayed reward in the delay discounting task was inversely related to α4β2∗ receptor binding in the orbitofrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens core, and basolateral amygdala, as well as to α7 receptor binding in the basolateral amygdala. These data suggest that nAChRs (particularly α4β2∗) play both unique and common roles in decisions that require consideration of different types of reward costs.
An empirical model of the OI FUV dayglow from DE-1 images

Abstract A refined empirical model of the Dynamics Explorer-1 far-ultraviolet (FUV) imaging photometer’s response to Earth’s quiet time FUV dayglow has been developed for thermospheric studies. The mean photometer response is based upon FUV observations in 156 images obtained during the first five months of imager operations (September 1981–January 1982) and is determined as a function of solar and satellite zenith angles, observational azimuth and solar clock angles, and solar radio flux. Variations with each parameter are characterized and, where possible, fitted with an appropriate function. The fitted response, based on the n-th power of the cosine of the solar zenith angle, is within 10% of actual mean values at all observed solar and satellite zenith angles and is consistent with the results of a first-principles calculation. Subtraction of the model background from other DE-1 images indirectly reveals the enhancement or diminution of thermospheric O/N2 column density ratios due to transport and Joule heating effects. An analysis of summer storm-time images from the Southern Hemisphere demonstrates the use of the model in revealing these effects. The technique developed here is readily applicable to other FUV data sets.
HURRICANE KATRINA AND THE TIMING OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: SEVEN YEARS AFTER THE STORM

The onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been shown to occur in a non-random pattern, with morning and weekday peaks (especially Monday). AMI incidence has been shown to increase locally following natural disasters and this has been accompanied by an alteration in AMI chronoboiology. The
Effects of alterations in metabolism on rubratoxin B toxicity in vivo and in the isolated rat parenchymal cell

Abstract The 7-day ip LD50 for rubratoxin B produced by two common soil fungi, Penicillium rubrum and P. purpurogenum , in male mice is 0.27 (0.22–0.34) mg/kg. Pretreatment of mice with the solvent vehicle (either corn oil or saline) had no effect on the LD50. Pretreatment of male mice with pentobarbital increased the LD50 by 29% while SKF 525A pretreatment resulted in a reduction of the LD50 by 71%. Pretreatment with 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC), however, reduced the LD50 by 43%, suggesting involvement of multiple pathways of metabolism. Treatment with cysteine, a glutathione precursor, increased the LD50 by 132% while pretreatment with diethyl maleate, a glutathione depletor, resulted in a 56% decrease in the rubratoxin B LB50. Treatment of mice with rubratoxin B also caused a dose-related depletion of reduced hepatic glutathione but not total glutathione. Isolated rat parenchymal cells responded to rubratoxin B in a manner similar to that seen in intact animals. Levels of hepatic RNA and protein were decreased while DNA content was unaffected. Cytochrome P -450 content was decreased as was the activity of p -nitroanisole- O -demethylase. Reduced hepatic glutathione was depleted by in vitro incubation with rubratoxin B, while total glutathione was unaffected. Pretreatment of animals with pentobarbital prior to hepatocyte isolation protected against the toxic effect of rubratoxin B. Pretreatment of animals with 3-MC or diethyl maleate, on the other hand, resulted in greater toxicity.
The effect of duodenal regurgitation into the canine stomach on gastric secretion.

Submitted for publication December 8, 1972. THE POSSIBLE EFFECT OF DUODENAL REGURGITATION on gastric secretion has long attracted considerable interest. At the turn of the century Sokolov [19] observed increased secretion from Pavlov pouches after instillation of bile into the dog stomach. 1924 Meyer et a,Z. [13] recorded a moderate increase in the Pavlov pouch secretion after similar circumstances, especially if the pouch was already secreting. In 1936 Kim and Ivy [lo] used a total gastric pouch as measuring organ, t,hey found bile to be a mild stimulus for acid secretion, whereas pancreatic juice did not stimulate at all. Kaulbersz et al. [9] reported in 1942 that bile introduced into the stomach of dogs with Pavlov pouches increased the secretory response to histamine. In dogs with Heidenhain pouches bile failed to stimulate secretion. In 1944 Beamer et al. [l] . t d d th 1 in ro uce ra er arge volumes of bile into dogs with gastric and duodenal fistulas. They noted a secretion of gastric juice after a latent period of 30-45 min. Bile introduced into the duodenum stimulated gastric secretion only when it was allowed to regurgitate into the stomach. Again, the increase was not very large. In later years clinical observations on patients with gastric ulcer disease have placed much emphasis on regurgitation of
Temporal sensitivity for location disclosure through mobile photo-sharing

Will you remember to turn off the geotag function in your phone that could easily expose your current location to others? Much work has been done in photo sharing and privacy issues in mobile device usage, while little is done to study the temporal pattern of location disclosure through geotagged photo sharing. This work investigates the temporal sensitivity of geotagged photo sharing in scenarios that vary in social space and motivation. We found that people tend to be more cautious at private space all the time and public interest may stimulate instant uploading than personal desires.
Rib Spacing Effect on Heat Transfer and Pressure Loss in a Rotating Two-Pass Rectangular Channel (AR=1:2) With 45-Degree Angled Ribs

Rib turbulators are commonly used to enhance the heat transfer within internal cooling passages of advanced gas turbine blades. Many factors affect the thermal performance of a cooling channel with ribs. This study experimentally investigates the effect of rib spacing on the heat transfer enhancement, pressure penalty, and thus the overall thermal performance in both rotating and non-rotating rectangular, cooling channels. In the 1:2 rectangular channels, 45° angled ribs are placed on the leading and trailing surfaces. The pitch of the ribs varies, so rib pitch-to-height (P/e) ratios of 10, 7.5, 5, and 3 are considered. Square ribs with a 1.59 mm × 1.59 mm cross-section are used for all spacings, so the height-to-hydraulic diameter (e/Dh ) ratio remains constant at 0.094. With a constant rotational speed of 550 rpm and the Reynolds number ranging from 5000 to 40000, the rotation number in turn varies from 0.2 to 0.02. Because the skewed turbulators induce secondary flow along the length of the rib, the very close rib spacing of P/e = 3, has the best thermal performance in both rotating and non-rotating channels. This close spacing yields the greatest heat transfer enhancement, while the P/e = 5 spacing has the greatest pressure penalty. In addition, the effect of rotation is more pronounced in the channel with the rib spacing of 3. As more ribs are added, the channel is approaching a smooth channel, and the strength of the rotation induced vortices increases.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
People with AIDS (PWA) Since Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, 1996

Although clarity about HIV transmission biology and effective therapy should mean that an AIDS diagnosis is more socially acceptable today, for some groups the cultural stigma of HIV infection has changed little in the last 30 years. This paper will examine why representations of HIV-positive gay men suggest they pose a special civic risk and how these conceptualizations have harnessed cultural anxieties about racial and sexual minorities to shape public policy and behavior since the advent of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in 1996.
Evolution of Coronal Helmets During the Ascending Phase of Solar Cycle 20

The principal polar-crown coronal helmet structures were selected from nearly three years (May, 1965–January, 1968) of K-coronameter observations made at Haleakala and Mauna Loa, Hawaii. Six isolated and long-lived helmet systems were found at latitudes of 45° and above. Their developments are compared with underlying chromospheric and photospheric activity and a simple phenomenological model is presented showing that a coronal system is formed over an active region. Thereafter the center of gravity of the system gradually drifts poleward with the trailing unipolar magnetic region (UMR), and it becomes a high latitude coronal helmet, arched over a polar crown filament.
Distinct neurochemical features of acute and persistent pain

To address the neurochemistry of the mechanisms that underlie the development of acute and persistent pain, our laboratory has been studying mice with deletions of gene products that have been implicated in nociceptive processing. We have recently raised mice with a deletion of the preprotachykinin-A gene, which encodes the peptides substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA). These studies have identified a specific behavioral phenotype in which the animals do not detect a window of “pain” intensities; this window cuts across thermal, mechanical, and chemical modalities. The lowered thermal and mechanical withdrawal thresholds that are produced by tissue or nerve injury, however, were still present in the mutant mice. Thus, the behavioral manifestations of threshold changes in nociceptive processing in the setting of injury do not appear to require SP or NKA. To identify relevant neurochemical factors downstream of the primary afferent, we are also studying the dorsal horn second messenger systems that underlie the development of tissue and nerve injury-induced persistent pain states. We have recently implicated the γ isoform of protein kinase C (PKCγ) in the development of nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain. Acute pain processing, by contrast, is intact in the PKCγ-null mice. Taken together, these studies emphasize that there is a distinct neurochemistry of acute and persistent pain. Persistent pain should be considered a disease state of the nervous system, not merely a prolonged acute pain symptom of some other disease conditions.
ON 2-PRIMAL ORE EXTENSIONS

When R is a local ring with a nilpotent maximal ideal, the Ore extension R[x; σ, δ] will or will not be 2-primal depending on the δ-stability of the maximal ideal of R. In the case where R[x; σ, δ] is 2-primal, it will satisfy an even stronger condition; in the case where R[x; σ, δ] is not 2-primal, it will fail to satisfy an even weaker condition.
Experimental design for identification of nonlinear systems with bounded uncertainties

This paper proposes an experimental design method for the identification of a class of nonlinear systems. The lumped uncertainty of the nonlinear system is assumed to be bounded by known bound. A closed-loop identification scheme is adopted for this system. Specifically, the problem of designing an optimal input that minimizes the worst-case identification error is converted to a constrained optimal trajectory planning problem. After this optimal desired trajectory is obtained, adaptive robust control (ARC) algorithm is utilized to design the control input such that the output of the system tracks the desired optimal trajectory as closely as possible. LSE is used to give an estimate of the unknown parameters based on the filtered input and output of the controlled plant after the input designed above is applied. Extensive experiments verify that the proposed identification method gives better results than the traditional open loop identification.
Isolation of a domain of the plasma membrane in Chinese hamster ovary cells which contains iodinatable, acidic glycoproteins of high molecular weight

A light vesicle fraction, apparently derived from the plasma membrane, was obtained following breakage of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by means of a fluid pump disrupting device. The final preparation was enriched approx. 40-fold over the homogenate in K+,Na+-stimulated ATPase and phosphodiesterase I, but only approx. 10-fold in 125I specific radioactivity after lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination. This preparation was compared with another plasma membrane fraction purified as large sheets via a two-phase centrifugation procedure. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by Coomassie blue staining indicated that both fractions were fairly similar in polypeptide composition, although a few consistent differences were evident. However, staining of glycoproteins by the periodic acid-Schiff technique or by overlaying with 125I-labeled concanavalin A showed that the vesicle fraction was highly enriched in groups of high molecular weight, acidic glycoproteins which stain only weakly with Coomassie blue. These glycoproteins also bound 125I-labeled ricin I agglutinin and wheat germ agglutinin. They appear to be the major receptors for wheat germ agglutinin on the CHO cell surface. After surface labeling of cells by the 125I-lactoperoxidase technique, the membrane sheet fraction contained a large number of iodinated polypeptides, whereas labeling in the vesicle fraction was restricted almost entirely to the high molecular weight, acidic glycoproteins. It is proposed that the vesicle fraction constitutes a specific domain of the cell surface which is coated on its exterior by this group of glycoproteins. These components probably mask underlying proteins of the plasma membrane from external labeling.
Role clarity, need for clarity, satisfaction, tension, and withdrawal

In a mailed-questionnaire study of 156 staff registered nurses, perceived role clarity was related negatively to voluntary turnover, propensity to leave, and job tension, and positively to work satisfaction. The correlations of role clarity with voluntary turnover, propensity to leave, and work satisfaction were nonsignificant for nurses classified as low on a need-for-clarity index; the correlations were significantly higher for nurses with a high need for clarity. The correlations between role clarity and job tension were significant for both subgroups. The concepts of role clarity, the rigidity of role specifications, and the conditions of role specificity, as opposed to the processes of role specification, were discussed with regard to organizational theory and organizational change.
Stable isotope labeling of lead compartments in rats with ultralow lead concentrations.

The role of the mammalian skeleton as an endogenous lead source is unclear. This is due in part to difficulties in distinguishing mobilized skeletal lead from other endogenous and exogenous lead sources. Therefore, we have applied ultraclean stable lead isotope techniques to label skeletal and soft tissue lead compartments within the rat with distinguishable lead isotopic signatures. Female Wistar (defined flora) rats were fed 206Pb-enriched drinking water ([Pb] = 110 ng/ml) and sacrificed after durations of 2, 4, 7, and 14 days. Blood, kidney, vertebra, and tibia tissues were analyzed for lead concentrations and stable isotopic compositions. The resulting isotopic ratios in soft (blood and kidney) and skeletal (vertebrae and tibia) tissues differed by ∼40% after 2 days exposure to the 206Pb tracer. More than 90% of the tracer isotopic signature was contained in the soft tissues after 10 days exposure, while skeletal tissues acquired only ∼50% of the tracer by the end of the study. Because these animals were maintained under trace metal-clean conditions, they contained lead concentrations in whole blood (0.3–3 ng/g), kidney (11–27 ng/g dry wt), and bone (35–70 ng/g dry wt) tissues that are the lowest known reported for contemporary terrestrial mammals, and they (in bone) are comparable to levels in preindustrial mammals. The elevated concentrations of lead in kidney (fresh weight) relative to levels in blood are consistent with the presence of specific lead-binding sites in the kidney at very low levels of exposure.
Identification of the common antigenic determinant shared by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 33A, 35A, and 20 capsular polysaccharides

In order to better understand cross-reactions of serogroup 33 polysaccharides and the typing sera, the structure of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide serotype 33A was elucidated. Serotype 33A has been shown to have an identical polysaccharide backbone as that of serotype 33F, with two additional sites of O-acetylation at C5, and C6 of the 3-β-Galf residue in serotype 33A. This finding is consistent with the presence of an additional functional acetyltransferase gene (wcjE) in the cps biosynthetic locus of serotype 33A compared to 33F. The identical polysaccharide backbone with at least one common O-acetylation site (C2 of 5-β-Galf) shared by serotype 33A and 33F polysaccharides is proposed to be the epitope recognized by typing serum 33b. In addition, a 5,6-di-O-acetylated →3)-β-d-Galf5,6Ac-(1→3)-β-d-Glcp-(1→ disaccharide unit, a common structural motif present in serotypes 33A, 20, and 35A polysaccharides, is proposed to be the antigenic determinant recognized by typing serum 20b.
Analysis of short-term plasticity at the perforant path-granule cell synapse.

Abstract Short-term plasticity was investigated at the perforant path-granule cell synapse in the hippocampal slice preparation. A successive decrement in the amplitude of the extracellular EPSP was obtained at all stimulus frequencies above 0.05 Hz. This effect of repetitive stimulation has previously been shown to fulfill the requirements for habituation processes. If each stimulus within an habituation train was followed by a second identical test stimulus the response to the test stimulus was larger than that to the paired conditioning stimulus. This short-term plasticity has been called paired pulse potentiation. The test response potentiated only with respect to the paired conditioning response and not with respect to previous test responses. Neither form of plasticity appeared to result from changes in the amplitude of the afferent fiber volley. Both habituation and paired pulse potentiation result from an interaction of at least three changes in the efficacy of transmission after a conditioning stimulus: (1) an initial depression, (2) an intermediate relative potentiation and (3) a late depression which decays slowly. Paired pulse potentiation could be demonstrated only if the interpair interval corresponded to the period of maximal late depression and the interstimulus interval to the period of relative potentiation. The amplitudes of intermediate relative potentiation and late depression (and inhibition of transmission by 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB)) were inversely related to the control response amplitude. This relationship likely derives from nonlinear summation of postsynaptic ionic currents at higher stimulus intensities. In contrast, the initial depression increased with response amplitude. This is consistent with a mechanism dependent on the postsynaptic membrane potential, such as refractoriness to succeeding stimuli. When the response amplitudes in the presence and absence of 2.5 mM APB were equalized by adjusting the stimulus intensity, no difference was found in the magnitude of either form of plasticity. Since APB probably inhibits transmission at this site through competitive antagonism at the postsynaptic receptor, this observation suggests that habituation and paired pulse potentiation are generated presynaptically.
Mexican Ballads, Chicano Poems: History and Influence in Mexican-American Social Poetry

Mexican Ballads, Chicano Poems combines literary theory with the personal engagement of a prominent Chicano scholar. Recalling his experiences as a student in Texas, Jose Limon examines the politically motivated Chicano poetry of the 60s and 70s. He bases his analyses on Harold Bloom's theories of literary influence but takes Bloom into the socio-political realm. Limon shows how Chicano poetry is nourished by the oral tradition of the Mexican corrido, or master ballad, which was a vital part of artistic and political life along the Mexican-U.S. border from 1890 to 1930. Limon's use of Bloom, as well as of Marxist critics Raymond Williams and Fredric Jameson, brings Chicano literature into the arena of contemporary literary theory. By focusing on an important but little-studied poetic tradition, his book challenges our ideas of the American canon and extends the reach of Hispanists and folklorists as well.
An Exafs Study of Compositional Homogeneity in Sol-gel Processed Potassium Tantalum Niobates

A series of K(Ta1-x Nbx)O3 solid-solution samples were prepared by direct reaction of oxides and carbonates, a homogeneous sol-gel process, and an inhomogeneous sol-gel process. The inhomogeneous sol-gel samples were prepared by the prehydrolysis of separate KTaO3 and KNbO3 precursor solutions followed by mixing of the resulting sols, drying and calcination. An examination of these samples by EXAFS at the Ta LIII and Nb K-edges, i) illustrated the difficulty of obtaining homogeneous solid solutionsvia direct reaction of oxides/carbonates, and ii) showed that the homogeneity of a solid-solution could be controlled by varying the hydrolysis procedure used during its sol-gel synthesis.
Bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in children with chronic renal failure.

Bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine (L2-L4) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in 21 children with predialysis chronic renal failure (CRF) and 44 children with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) on regular hemodialysis. BMD results were expressed as Z-scores. Osteopenia was documented in 13 predialysis patients (61.9%) and 26 patients (59.1%) with ESRF. No significant correlation was observed between Z-scores and the duration of CRF or estimated creatinine clearance. In osteopenic children there was a negative correlation between Z-scores and serum phosphorus (r=−0.61, P=0.004), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) (r=−0.47, P=0.03), and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (r=−0.52, P=0.02) and a positive correlation with total calcium (r=0.41, P=0.07) and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (r=0.53, P=0.02). Osteopenic children who had iPTH values ≥200 pg/ml were more osteopenic than those who had lower iPTH levels (P=0.006). In conclusion, osteopenia, assessed by DEXA, is frequent in children with CRF. It occurs early irrespective of the duration or the severity of CRF. In children with ESRF the degree of osteopenia is correlated with laboratory markers of renal osteodystrophy and patients with biochemical findings of secondary hyperparathyroidism are more osteopenic than the others.
Colon cancer from etiology to prevention

Background Recent changes in Healthcare have resulted in a general malaise among physicians leading to negative advice to young people about career choices in the medical field. The author uses his experiences in academic surgery to show that medicine continues to be an exciting and desirable career choice. Data Sources Relevant literature from surgery, toxicology, molecular biology, carcinogenesis, and epidemiology fields. Conclusions Significant advances have occurred in the understanding of colon cancer. These advances have occurred because of extensive collaborations across many different scientific fields. The methods used and the collaborations involved provide a model for other physicians to unravel the mysteries of disease and to make academic medicine fun and exciting. The risk of colon cancer depends on genetically determined factors that combine with environmental exposure (diet) to determine risk. Microwaving meat before cooking and eating more cruciferous vegetables may reduce this risk. Additional prevention steps are in the planning stages.
Isospin dependence of double analog cross sections at T pi =400-500 MeV.

At energies in the range 400\char21{}500 MeV, pion-induced double charge exchange cross sections leading to the double analog state appear to behave differently for even and odd isospin.
Differentiating the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses

Th e purpose of the Establishment Clause is not to safeguard indi vidual religious rights. That is the role of the Free Exercise Clause, indeed its singular role. The purpose of the Establishment Clause, rather, is as a structural restraint on governmental power. Because of its structural character, the task of the Establishment Clause is to limit government from legislating or otherwise acting on any matter "re specting an establishment of religion."1 The powers that fall within the scope of the foregoing clause (denied to government, hence within the sole province of religion) and the powers outside this clause (hence, authority vested in civil government) await elaboration below.
Stochastic analysis of oscillators with non-linear damping

Abstract The response of a class of oscillators with non-linear damping to stochastic excitation is considered. A partial differential equation which describes approximately the probability density function of the response amplitude is derived. The stationary and non-stationary solutions of this equation are examined. The soundness of the method is tested by comparing the solutions generated by its application to problems with known solutions. The Van der Pol and Rayleigh oscillators are included in the example problems studied.
PROBABILISTIC PREDICTIONS OF INFILTRATION INTO HETEROGENEOUS MEDIA WITH UNCERTAIN HYDRAULIC PARAMETERS

Soil heterogeneity and the lack of detailed site characterization are two ubiquitous factors that render predictions of flow and transport in the vadose zone inherently uncertain. We employ the Green‐Ampt model of infiltration and the Dagan‐ Bresler statistical parameterization of soil properties to compute probability density functions (PDFs) of infiltration rate and infiltration depth. By going beyond uncertainty quantification approaches based on mean and variance of system states, these PDF solutions enable one to evaluate probabilities of rare events that are required for probabilistic risk assessment. We investigate the temporal evolution of the PDFs of infiltration depth and corresponding infiltration rate, the relative importance of uncertainty in various hydraulic parameters and their cross-correlation, and the impact of the choice of a functional form of the hydraulic function. Soil heterogeneity and the lack of detailed site characterization are two ubiquitous factors that hamper one’s ability to predict flow and transport in the vadose zone. The continuing progress in data acquisition notwithstanding, measurements of hydraulic properties of partially saturated media remain scarce and prone to measurement and interpretive errors. Consequently, spatial distributions of hydraulic parameters (saturated and relative hydraulic conductivities, and parameters in retention curves) are typically uncertain and their statistical properties are subject to considerable debate. Despite some reservations, e.g., [1, 2], it has become common to treat saturated hydraulic conductivityK s (x)as a multivariate log-normal random field whose ensemble statistics (e.g., mean, variance, and correlation length) can be inferred from spatially distributed data by means of geostatistics. No such consensus exists about statistical distributions of various hydraulic parameters entering relative hydraulic conductivity and retention curves. For example, various data analyses concluded that spatial variability of a soil parameterα G (x)in the Gardner model of relative conductivity, which is often referred to as the reciprocal of the macroscopic capillary length, exhibits either a normal [3] or log-normal [4] distribution and is either correlated [5] or uncorrelated [3] withK s . We defer a more detailed review of the statistical properties of bothα G (x)and parameters in the van Genuchten model of relative conductivity until Section 2. Here, it suffices to say that any approach to uncertainty quantification for flow and transport in the vadose zone must be flexible enough to accommodate arbitrary statistical distributions of soil properties. Statistical treatment of hydraulic parameters renders corresponding flow equation stochastic. Solutions of these equations are probability density functions (PDFs) of system states (water content, pressure, and macroscopic flow velocity) and can be used not only to predictflowin heterogeneous partially saturated porous media but also to quantify
Differential Clinical Outcome in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Via Surgically Implanted Epicardial Left Ventricular Leads in DCM and ICM Patients

Backgrounds: Surgically implanted epicardial left ventricular (eLV) lead has been used as an alternative approach when implantation of transvenous LV (tLV) lead in patients requiring cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has failed. Recent literatures noted similarities in clinical response in CRT patient with eLV lead and tLV lead. However, comparison between CRT patients with ischemic (ICM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is lacking in those with eLV lead. Methods: Of 1032 patients who underwent CRT implantation using tLV lead at UCSD and Mayo Clinics between May 2002 and August 2012, 38 (Age 64615, 24M) had failed tLV lead placement and received eLV leads for CRT. Electronic Medical Records of these patients were reviewed. NYHA class and echocardiograph were assessed before and after CRT implantation. Results: Following CRT implantation with eLV lead, improvements were noted in LVEF (26% vs. 31%, p ! 0.01), mean QRS duration (180ms vs. 166ms, p ! 0.01) and LVESD (58mm vs. 53mm, p 5 0.03). In patients with DCM (n515), the NYHA class (3.0 vs. 2.4, p5 0.01), LVEF (24.8% vs. 30.2%, p 5 0.02) and LVESD (58.7mm vs. 53.2mm, p 5 0.06) had significantly improved following CRT implantation compared to baseline. There were no statistically significant changes in NYHA class, LVEF and LVESD observed in patients with ICM (all p O 0.05). Conclusion: In this two-center study, eLV-CRT patients with DCM benefit significantly after CRT, as compared to patients with ICM. Although larger scaled studies are needed to confirm our result, eLV-CRT may be considered a viable alternative to tLV-CRT in patients with DCM.
The dynamics of mastication in pigs.

Abstract Mastication in miniature pigs was studied via microphone recording and correlated electromyography and cinematography. The results were compared with data from the literature on man and the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). It was concluded that anatomical similarities between pigs and higher primates are due to overall correspondences in masticatory systems adapted for processing a wide variety of foodstuffs. The dental crown patterns allow for both initial puncturing and crushing of the bolus and for transverse gliding of the teeth to grind the food. Lateral deviations of the jaw are produced by muscular couples which include the anterior-pulling masseter of one side and the posterior-pulling temporalis of the opposite side. Specific differences between pigs and higher primates are associated with specialization of the former for processing highly resistant foods. Peculiarities of pig mastication include functional independence of crushing and grinding movements, consecutive bilateral grinding, reversing the direction of chewing with each stroke, and a very rapid rate of mastication.
Stability of the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment Scanner Results for the First Two Years of Multiple-Satellite Operation

Clear-sky albedos and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) determined from Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) scanners on board the earth radiation budget satellite and NOAA-9 spacecraft were analyzed for three target sites for the months February 1985-January 1987. The targets were oceans, deserts, and a multiscene site covering half the earth's surface. Year-to-year ratios of the monthly albedos and OLR were within the 0.98-1.02 range with a standard error of about 1%. The data indicate that ERBE scanner measurements were stable to within a few tenths of a percent for the two-year periods.
Digit Ratio Predicts Sense of Direction in Women

The relative length of the second-to-fourth digits (2D:4D) has been linked with prenatal androgen in humans. The 2D:4D is sexually dimorphic, with lower values in males than females, and appears to correlate with diverse measures of behavior. However, the relationship between digit ratio and cognition, and spatial cognition in particular, has produced mixed results. In the present study, we hypothesized that spatial tasks separating cue conditions that either favored female or male strategies would examine this structure-function correlation with greater precision. Previous work suggests that males are better in the use of directional cues than females. In the present study, participants learned a target location in a virtual landscape environment, in conditions that contained either all directional (i.e., distant or compass bearing) cues, or all positional (i.e., local, small objects) cues. After a short delay, participants navigated back to the target location from a novel starting location. Males had higher accuracy in initial search direction than females in environments with all directional cues. Lower digit ratio was correlated with higher accuracy of initial search direction in females in environments with all directional cues. Mental rotation scores did not correlate with digit ratio in either males or females. These results demonstrate for the first time that a sex difference in the use of directional cues, i.e., the sense of direction, is associated with more male-like digit ratio.
Physician prescribing decisions: The effects of situational involvement and task complexity on information acquisition and decision-making.

This research utilized conjoint analysis and an analysis of information acquisition to examine the effects of situational involvement and task complexity on physician's decision-making process. The predictive accuracy of the linear model in predicting drug choice across situations was also assessed. A contingency model for the selection of decision strategies was used as a framework in the study. A sample of forty-eight physicians was asked to indicate their preferences and choices for hypothetical anti-infective drugs. Situational involvement was manipulated by telling physicians in the experimental group via the written scenario to assume that his/her decision would be reviewed and evaluated by peers and (s)he would be asked to justify drug choice. Task complexity was manipulated by varying the number of drug alternatives in a choice set. Results of the study indicated that physicians shifted from using compensatory to noncompensatory decision-making processes when task complexity increased. The effect of situational involvement on the decision-making process was not supported. However, physicians in the two groups were found to differ in choice outcomes and the attention given to specific drug attribute information. Finally, the linear model was found to be robust in predicting drug choice across contexts.
Synthesis and properties of NF4+UF5O−

Abstract A new method for the synthesis of NF 4 + salts is reported. It permits the synthesis of otherwise inaccessible salts derived from nonvolatile Lewis acids which do not possess HF-soluble cesium salts. The method was successfully applied to the synthesis of the novel salt NF 4 + UF 5 O − . This compound is a yellow solid, stable at room temperature. It was characterized by analysis and vibrational spectroscopy.
Fortran cubix: definition and implementation

An I/O facility for FORTRAN programmers is defined for use with the Crystalline Operating system and the CUBIX I/O library. All of the external I/O switches and file types of the F77 standard FORTRAN are supported from within the nodes of a Hypercube. This is expected to both ease the development of FORTRAN applications and to greatly facilitate the conversion of existing sequential programs into concurrent versions.The implementation is portable to most machines that have both a C and FORTRAN compiler. The FORTRAN compiler is not required to have the ability to parse I/O statements. The only nonportable components of this package are, the interface codes to bridge between C and FORTRAN, and the implementation of your favorite FORTRAN extensions.
Prisoners’ access to the court: A qualitative study of the barriers inmates must overcome to access the courts

This paper examines inmates’ right to access the courts in both public and private prisons. The research is based on the assumption that all prisoners’ rights are dependent upon the right to access the courts. Furthermore, barriers for inmates presently obstruct their right to access the courts and any further barriers may deny all rights. Interviews were conducted with both private and public prison inmates in Kentucky. Findings identify barriers to accessing the courts, including administrative and structural barriers. Any further obstruction to inmates’ right to access the court may result in a Neo‐Hands Off doctrine.
Spatial distribution of Armillaria mellea in pear orchards

Pears have traditionally been considered to be highly resistant to Armillaria root disease (causal agent: Armillaria mellea). In recent years, however, the incidence of Armillaria root disease in pears has increased in California. To determine the spatial distribution of Armillaria root disease in the field, a total of 156 isolates of Armillaria were collected from dead and dying pear trees located within two orchards in Lake County. All isolates from these two orchards, as well as from an additional 10 pear orchards, were identified as Armillaria mellea sensu stricto. Based on pairings among 102 Armillaria isolates, four somatic incompatibility groups (SIGs) were identified at orchard 1. Three of the four SIGs at this site were over 100 m in length; the largest SIG was at least 200 m in length. Pairings among 54 isolates identified five SIGs at orchard 2. The SIGs at orchard 2 were generally smaller than those detected at orchard 1 and ranged from 20 to 60 m in length. The size of the SIGs points toward long-term establishment of the fungus on the two sites, most likely predating the establishment of the pear orchards. Extensive root excavations of 19 trees indicated that the primary means of secondary spread of Armillaria was via rhizomorphs, as opposed to root-to-root contact.
Survey of Textbooks for Teaching Introduction to U.S. Politics: (How) Do They See Us?

The Committee on the Status of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and the Transgendered [LGBT] in the Profession has authorized this review of 17 recent editions of top-selling textbooks marketed for use in courses providing an introduction to U.S. politics.
First year field growth of chemically root pruned containerized seedlings

Containers deform seedling root systems and have a potential to inhibit tree growth after outplanting. Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws. var. ponderosa), western white pine (Pinus monticola Dougl. ex D. Don), and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco) were grown in containers coated with latex paint containing different concentrations of cupric carbonate and outplanted in a forest. Treatment effects on seedling growth and root morphology were determined after one growing season in the field. Seedling height was unrelated to treatment and stem diameter was not significantly affected (p≤0.05). New root growth in the upper portion of the root plug was significantly increased (p≤0.05). The optimal concentration of cupric carbonate for seedling root growth in the upper portion of the root plug was estimated by multiple regression.
Cannabinoids produce neuroprotection by reducing intracellular calcium release from ryanodine-sensitive stores.

Abstract Exogenously administered cannabinoids are neuroprotective in several different cellular and animal models. In the current study, two cannabinoid CB1 receptor ligands (WIN 55,212-2, CP 55,940) markedly reduced hippocampal cell death, in a time-dependent manner, in cultured neurons subjected to high levels of NMDA (15 μM). WIN 55,212-2 was also shown to inhibit the NMDA-induced increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i ) indicated by FURA-2 fluorescence imaging in the same cultured neurons. Changes in [Ca 2+ ] i occurred with similar concentrations (25–100 nM) and in the same time-dependent manner (pre-exposure 1–15 min) as CB1 receptor mediated neuroprotective actions. Both effects were blocked by the CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A. An underlying mechanism was indicated by the fact that (1) the NMDA-induced increase in [Ca 2+ ] i was inhibited by ryanodine, implicating a ryanodine receptor (RyR) coupled intracellular calcium channel, and (2) the cannabinoid influence involved a reduction in cAMP cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) dependent phosphorylation of the same RyR levels that regulate channel. Moreover the time course of CB1 receptor mediated inhibition of PKA phosphorylation was directly related to effective pre-exposure intervals for cannabinoid neuroprotection. Control studies ruled out the involvement of inositol-trisphosphate (IP3) pathways, enhanced calcium reuptake and voltage sensitive calcium channels in the neuroprotective process. The results suggest that cannabinoids prevent cell death by initiating a time and dose dependent inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, that outlasts direct action at the CB1 receptor and is capable of reducing [Ca 2+ ] i via a cAMP/PKA-dependent process during the neurotoxic event.
Distribution and posttranslational modification of synaptic ERα in the adult female rat hippocampus

Acute 17β-estradiol (E2) signaling in the brain is mediated by extranuclear estrogen receptors. Here we used biochemical methods to investigate the distribution, posttranslational modification, and E2 regulation of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) in synaptosomal fractions isolated by differential centrifugation from the adult female rat hippocampus. We find that ERα is concentrated presynaptically and is highly enriched with synaptic vesicles. Immunoisolation of vesicles using vesicle subtype-specific markers showed that ERα is associated with both glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid-containing neurotransmitter vesicles as well as with some large dense core vesicles. Experiments using broad spectrum and residue-specific phosphatases indicated that a portion of ERα in synaptosomal fractions is phosphorylated at serine/threonine residues leading to a mobility shift in SDS-PAGE and creating a double band on Western blots. The phosphorylated form of ERα runs in the upper of the two bands and is particularly concentra...
New insights into the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease-associated priapism.

ABSTRACT Introduction Priapism is defined as an erectile disorder, in which erection persists uncontrollably without sexual purpose. The precise mechanisms involved in the development of sickle cell disease‐associated priapism are ill defined. Aim To summarize the recent developments that increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of priapism. Methods This article reviews the literature (Medline search 2000–2010) that relates the key molecular signaling pathways that contribute to the development of priapism associated with sickle‐cell disease. It focuses on basic science investigations using multiple animal models. Main Outcome Measures The reader will be informed of the most current research regarding the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), adenosine, RhoA/Rho‐kinase (ROCK), and opiorphins in the pathophysiology of priapism. Results New concepts in the field of priapism research suggest that priapism often results from altered vascular homeostatic actions in the penis and is associated with deficient erection control mechanisms on a molecular level. A leading proposal in this regard is the notion of aberrant signaling of the endothelium‐derived nitric oxide and PDE5 signal transduction pathway in the penis. Additionally, dysfunctional regulatory control of signal transduction systems which interact with this pathway such as adenosine and RhoA/Rho‐kinase may contribute to the development of priapism. Recent investigations of opiorphins also demonstrate a role in regulating corporal smooth muscle tone and thereby dysregulation of erection physiology in priapism. These advances have paved the way for understanding this disorder as having a molecular pathogenesis. Conclusions As the science underlying priapism further emerges, increasingly effective therapeutics for sickle cell disease‐associated priapism is certain to follow. Bivalacqua TJ, Musicki B, Kutlu O, and Burnett AL. New insights into the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease‐associated priapism. J Sex Med 2012;9:79–87.
Early-Stage Power Grid Design: Extraction, Modeling and Optimization

Many prior works have discussed the power grid design and optimization in the post-layout stage, when design change is inevitably expensive and difficult. In contrast, during the early stage of a development cycle, designers have more flexibility to improve the design quality. However, there are several fundamental challenges at early-stage when design database is NOT complete, including extraction, modeling and optimization. This paper tackles these fundamental issues of early-stage power grid design. The proposed methods have been silicon-validated on 32nm on-market chips and successfully applied to a 22nm design for its early stage power grid design. The findings from such practices reveal that, for sub-32nm chips, intrinsic on-die capacitance and power gate scheme may have more significant impact than expected on power integrity, and need to be well addressed at early stage.